Big Agnes Fly Creek UL4 Tent 4-Person 3-Season Review
Big Agnes Lynx Pass Footprints Charcoal, 1 Person Review
ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 3 FG Camping Tent (6-Feet 6-Inch x 7-Feet 6-Inch) Review
Features:
Specifications:
The Meramac series tents are all free standing 2-pole designs with shock corded fiberglass or aluminum ferrules. The ferrules are the "connectors" that hold the poles together and we use aluminum, rather than steel, because aluminum can never rust. The fiberglass poles are one size larger than normal to offer you a sturdier, stronger tent. The walls are uncoated so the tent can "breathe" under the urethane coated fly. The fly uses a pole in the top, which gives you an awning over each door for excellent rain protection. The fly is full length on the sides, not 3/4 length like some others, for better weather protection. The factory seal the seams on the floor and fly for maximum water repellency. Entry and exit are enhanced with 2 doors, which means if you have to get out at night, you don't need to crawl over the others to get to the only door. The second door is also nice for extra ventilation in hot, muggy weather. The door zippers are a #8, which is one size larger than most, for extra durability. Mesh storage pockets and a gear loft are included to help you keep your gear organized.
NEMO Nano 09 2-Person Tent with Poles Review
 |
An optional removable WindShield curtain adds all-conditions versatility when you want it, saving weight and increasing ventilation when you don't. Other options include NEMO's Pawprint (a removable liner for the inside of your tent) and Footprint (an abrasion-resistant nylon fabric tarp perfectly sized to fit underneath the tent).
 |  |
Specifications
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
Nano is all about efficiency. Nano's shape is computer optimized to yield the perfect balance of strength and interior volume. The bold catenary curves at the base of the tent cut out wasted fabric and increase tension in the tent walls, which helps with wind resistance and water shedding. An integrated vestibule saves weight by eliminating attachment hardware and rolls out of the way when not needed. An optional removable WindShield curtain adds all-conditions versatility when you want it, saving weight and increasing ventilation when you don't. Nano comes with DAC aluminum poles and optional Footprint and Pawprint.
Palmetto NCAA Colored 9'x9' Tailgate Tent Review
ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season Tent Review
Emergency Tube Tent Review
