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Tent Fitting Tent fitting? Read on: |
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| Okay, so maybe
this isn't really fitting in the pure sense, but making
sure you buy the right capacity tent for you needs
impacts not only the way you'll travel, but the enjoyment
you'll get out of it.
Ultra-light and Solo A strong trend among both tent makers and consumers is the increasingly popular ultra-light segment. These shelters offer room for one (sometimes two), plus a little more for gear or a four-legged friend. What these tents achieve in weight savings they accomplish by reducing other amenities elsewhere (namely space). It's important to remember that a two-person ultra-light tent provides the minimum amount of space necessary for two bodies to lie side by side. In some cases, you'd better rethink your tent partners, and how well you really want to know them. It may sound strange, but if you really want to get a feel for a particular tent's specs, outline its footprint on the floor and lay-down, toss and turn a few times to see how close you come to the "walls". In most conditions ultra-lights provide basic shelter with out the extra weight. Weight saved in a tent is weight gained for food, clothes, or first aid. However, in poor weather, when you can be stuck in a shelter for a day or two, you'll gladly accept the weight trade-off that a bigger tent brings along. Many times you might be better off owning a multiperson tent and a bivy shelter for solo use. Capacity Tent size really is a matter of personal preference. Given that you're purchasing a tent from a reputable manufacturer, lighter, smaller tents, are not so much a compromise in quality as they are in application. Let's face it, no tent in existence performs well in all conditions. Part of this compromise is a function of capacity. A winter/mountaineering 2-person tent, differs significantly from a 2 person summer shelter. For most tent users we suggest that as you choose a tent, pick the size that meets your needs for two-thirds to three-quarters of your usage requirements, not the extremes of what you'll encounter. In mountaineering tents allow for more floor space per person, since poor conditions could keep you in close proximity to your tent mates for days. In two person mountaineering tents look for 18-20 square feet per person (less if it includes a large vestibule). In three person mountaineering shelters look for around 15 square feet per person. Summer and three season shelters require less space per person since you'll probably store more gear outside and spend less time in the tent. In these cases look for around 15 square feet per person. |