Tents are an essential piece of camping equipment, but not the only one. Their role in camping is limited. Generally speaking, tents do not promise warmth—the task of keeping warm during camping falls to sleeping bags. The primary functions of a tent are to block wind, rain, dust, dew, and moisture, providing campers with a relatively comfortable resting environment. Based on these goals, when selecting a tent, the following factors should be given priority:
1. Easy to use and carry. For backpackers, traditional tents are more convenient as they can be disassembled and directly packed into a backpack. For those traveling by car, quick-setup tents are a good choice—they fold into a disc shape, making them easy to fit in the trunk.
2. Waterproof outer tent and breathable inner tent are two essential qualities of a high-quality tent. The most common tent coating is PU coating. PU stands for polyurethane, a high-molecular organic compound. PU coating is a stable, low-temperature-resistant coating commonly used on various fabrics. The thickness of the PU coating and the coating technology determine the fabric’s water resistance. Coating thickness is measured in mm, indicating the static water column height the coating can withstand under laboratory conditions.
A PU800 coating means the coating does not leak under a static water column of 800mm. A PU800 coating can withstand light to moderate rain.
A PU1000–1200 coating can handle moderate to heavy rain.
Coatings exceeding 1500mm can generally be used in various environments.
Many domestic tent fabric manufacturers have poor technology and equipment, resulting in unstable PU coating quality. Fabrics labeled as PU1000 often have actual rainproof performance equivalent to PU500, and the performance is inconsistent, making their rain resistance unreliable. Therefore, when choosing a tent, it’s advisable to opt for high-quality manufacturers. Many well-known brands do not necessarily guarantee high quality. In contrast, some tents intended for export, which undergo strict quality control by foreign buyers, are ideal choices for outdoor enthusiasts.
Besides PU coatings, foreign textile companies have developed many new high-performance coatings using chemical polymer technology, such as GORE-TEX(R), POWER-TEX (SALEWA), and CONDUIT (Mountain Hardwear). These coatings offer strong waterproofing and excellent breathability, earning them the title of "breathable fabrics." The breathability principle lies in the porous membrane structure of the coating, where the diameter of individual pores is smaller than that of gas water molecules but larger than that of liquid water molecules. As a result, external rainwater cannot penetrate the coating, while water vapor emitted by the human body can escape outward.
We know that the breathability of breathable fabrics is bidirectional. When external humidity is high, moisture can also seep into the fabric. The quality of nylon fabric mainly depends on the quality of the nylon threads, weaving density, dyeing technology, and manufacturing process. For example, Codura nylon fabric from DuPont in the U.S. has a wear resistance index several times higher than that of ordinary nylon threads. In terms of density, there are 170T, 190T, 210D, and higher-denier nylon fabrics. Professional outdoor tents abroad often use specified imported materials, while ordinary tents use nylon fabric produced in Korea. Korea’s textile coating technology and sewing craftsmanship are superior to those in China.
Low-end tents use nylon fabric or regular mesh for the inner tent, while mid- to high-end tents use dense, high-quality mesh to ensure good breathability and mosquito protection.
3. Poles should be strong and have good elasticity. Aluminum poles are better than fiberglass poles. Currently, the best poles are carbon fiber, followed by aluminum alloy, then fiberglass, and finally iron poles (which are almost obsolete except in the military). Among aluminum alloy poles, the price and performance are generally ranked as follows: scandium-aluminum alloy, 7075T9, 7001T6. A tent’s wind resistance depends not only on the material and diameter of the poles but also on the number of pole sets. Generally, the more pole sets, the better the wind resistance. For example, a tent with two sets of standard aluminum poles can withstand winds of about force 7–8. A tent with three sets of aluminum poles can handle winds of around force 9. Tents with three to four sets of 7075 aluminum poles can be used in blizzard conditions with winds of around force 11.
4. The tent floor should be waterproof and durable. The tent floor needs to be both waterproof and sturdy. Common materials include PE fabric and waterproof polyester fabric. PE tent floors are used in mid- to low-end tents, while waterproof polyester fabric is used in mid- to high-end tents. PE is a polyethylene material, similar to low-grade woven sacks. In practice, tents use PE material with double-sided waterproof membranes, including many export tents. The tent floor, being in contact with the ground, is prone to scratches from rocks, grass roots, branches, and other debris. Therefore, before setting up camp, clear hard objects from the ground or use a tent footprint to protect the floor. Tent footprints are typically made of 420D wear-resistant Oxford cloth.
5. Choosing a tent with front and back double doors or opposite windows improves ventilation. In this regard, modern quick-setup tents are better designed and offer superior ventilation.
6. The design should be reasonable, with enough stakes and guy lines. Accessories such as the carrying bag, tent pegs, and ropes also affect the usability of the tent. Choose a sturdy and durable carrying bag, ensure there are enough pegs, use aluminum pegs with high strength, and use ropes to secure the tent.
Common tent support methods include three types:
1. Inner support with outer cover—this involves setting up the inner tent with poles, then draping the waterproof outer tent over it and securing it. This method is relatively simple and is used by most tents.
2. Outer support with inner hanging—this involves setting up the outer tent first, then hanging the inner tent inside it. This method offers better rain resistance because the inner tent always maintains a certain distance from the outer tent. However, the initial setup takes more time. The E225 uses this support method.
3. Single-pole support, secured with stakes and ropes. This method is limited to environments where stakes or ropes can be used. On concrete or hard rock surfaces, the tent cannot stand on its own. Single-pole tents and ridge tents use this support method.
Before buying a tent, ask yourself three questions:
1. In which season or environment do you plan to use the tent?
2. How many people will usually use the tent?
3. How much are you willing to spend?
If you only plan to use the tent in spring, summer, and autumn, and at low altitudes (below 2000 meters), a standard PU1000 to 1500 glass-fiber pole tent will suffice. If you prefer solo long-distance travel, choose a single-person tent or a 1–2 person tent, such as a single-pole tent or a JWS tent. For 2 or 3 people, choose a tent of the appropriate size—generally, each person occupies a width of 55–60 cm. The SUNSHINE tent is 1.4 meters wide, making it a 2-person tent. The E225 is 165 cm wide, suitable for 2–3 people. The LD110 is 2 meters wide, designed for 4 people. When a tent is described as a 2–3 person tent, this means: for slim individuals, it can fit 3; for larger individuals, it fits 2. If you plan to use the tent in winter or at relatively high altitudes, it’s recommended to consult a professional, as equipment choices directly impact safety in high-risk environments. Typically, such environments require aluminum-pole tents with PU1500 or higher coatings.
Using a tent may not be complicated, but it is indeed a skill. The same tent, when used properly, offers excellent wind and rain protection, but the results can be unsatisfactory if used incorrectly. Of course, different purposes may call for different tents. There are differences between professional outdoor use and amateur use. Being clear about your needs when choosing a tent will help you find one that suits you perfectly.
For budget-friendly options, domestic brands like Snowwolf, MobiGarden, and KAILAS are generally good choices. These brands have different positioning, so it depends on your budget. If you can afford it, it’s recommended to go for a higher-quality tent.
(Reposted from Xinhua Net)