Camping Tents And Shelters, Cheap Family Tents
You are out on hike; the sun begins to set and the twilight starts to descend…you will have to start putting up your tent!
Tents are an essential part of equipment for staying warm and safe if you are spending the night outdoors. Lightweight, weatherproof and designed to be taken down and put up with ease, the tent you choose can make the difference between an enjoyable night under the stars or a wet, uncomfortable stay in a field.
Camping is a great way to enjoy time away from the city with your family or friends and is also a fun way to teach children about nature.
When looking for a suitable cheap family tents for your trip outside, you will have to consider the following essential features-
Berth-
this refers to how many people can fit (without luggage) inside. You can get ones with up to an 8 person capacity and it is also a simple feature to look into that keeps all those using the tent comfortable.
Weight-
how heavy is your camping shelter to carry? Depending on the length of your trip, you may want to opt for a lighter one that is also easier to unpack and is of high quality. There is a correlation between the price and weight of a camping shelter – the more expensive, tend to be lighter, so, although you may be paying a bit more, you are guaranteed a lighter tent that will also last longer!
Weatherproofing feature-
almost all tents available are waterproof but, if you are going to be camping out in less hospitable environments (such as snow), you may want to explore the different types available specifically for that weather condition.
Now that you are familiar with your basic shelter, there are many different types available, each with its own unique features based on its design purpose. Here are some of the most common types you may come across.
Backpacking/camping –
typically smaller in size, berth and weight, backpacking tents are ideal to carry in a rucksack. They are often tunnel or geometric shaped, allowing impressive levels of wind resistance. They are also typically more rigid and the material is often more stable/firm to allow comfortable pitches in locations such as fields or woodlands.
Family Camping –
If you are intending a trip for a larger group that involves children, a family sized one offers larger berths, larger living spaces than others and often has multiple bedrooms. They are increasingly popular as they also provide features such as carpets and even porches! Also ideal if you are camping out with a large group of friends who each want their own space.
Inflatable shelters –
despite their name, an inflatable tent is similar to every other one available, except that instead of rods and poles holding it up, the beams are inflatable, meaning minimal assembly time. These also offer the additional bonus of being lighter weight due to a lack of poles and eliminate the fear of missing or broken rods.
Pop up shelters-
if you are a novice at pitching a tent, or if you are purchasing one for children, a pop up offers is quick and simple solution. Simply throw it out and then peg it down in your desired spot. It really is that simple!
Bivvy –
not all tents are designed with outdoor sleeping in mind. If you are taking to the woods to watch animals or planning a fishing trip by the side of a lake, a bivvy tent is a simple, waterproof shelter, that is typically open at one side, to allow you to stay dry but providing maximum visuals for whatever outdoor activity you are engaging in.
