Number of berths
The number of places for which the tent is designed.
In general,
double and
triple models are the most popular nowadays — they represent a good compromise between spaciousness and comfort on the one hand and weight, price and ease of transportation on the other. Somewhat less common are
four-man tents, although they are also quite popular. The smallest
one- man products are mainly either trekking tents or fishing tents (mainly for winter use, see "Purpose"). And in the largest structures, the capacity can reach
5 people or even
more.
In general, this parameter is most important for traditional tourist tents (expeditionary, trekking, camping), as well as for fishing tents of "carp" specialization (see "Destination"). In the first case, the number of places is indicated by the number of adults of average build who can comfortably sleep inside — provided there are no bulky things in the tent. So when choosing, you should take into account the physique of users, as well as the presence of backpacks or other luggage, which may require space inside. At the same time, some models officially allow accommodation for 1 person more than originally provided; however, this significantly affects comfort and may require the location of the "jack".
In turn, in t
...ents for fishing, the maximum number of carp folding beds, for which the product is designed, is taken into account. At the same time, it is assumed that such folding beds can be used both for recreation and for fishing.
As for other types of tents, the number of places for them is rarely indicated. So, in separate tents-tents, the same rules apply as in ordinary tents — the number of beds is taken into account. In beach tents, a two-person design may be indicated if the product is guaranteed to comfortably accommodate two people. Models for a shower / toilet are, by definition, single-seated, for them there is simply no need to clarify this point; and for camping tents, the very concept of “number of seats” is not relevant.Weight
The total weight of the tent is including the frame and other accessories.
This parameter depends primarily on the purpose (see above), and after that — on seasonality, capacity, and additional functions. For example, in trekking and expedition models, the weight usually does not exceed
5 – 7.5 kg, and the lightest of these products can weigh
2 – 3 kg or even
less, while being full-fledged tents for 2 people or even more. However, for a trekking tent, such a small weight with a capacity of more than 2 people usually means that this model is designed exclusively for the summer. For most camping tents, the weight starts at 6 kg, although among them there are also quite light products — by
4 – 5 kg,
3 – 4 kg, or even less (in such cases, light weight can also mean a purely summer specialization). And the most capacious and/or multifunctional models can have a weight of
10 – 15 kg,
15 – 20 kg and even
more; in this weight category, you can mainly find tents, camping tents for many people and fishing tents for carp fishing (see "Destination").
When choosing a tent according to this indicator, it is worth considering that it does not always make sense to chase the maximum weight reduction. Yes, the
...light tent is the most convenient to carry; on the other hand, weight reduction inevitably affects one or several other characteristics at once. So, most often, lighter models are either more expensive or smaller in size and less roomy and functional than their heavier counterparts. And sometimes weight reduction also negatively affects the security (including moisture resistance) and the overall reliability of the product. Therefore, it makes sense to specifically look for the lightest tent possible in cases where weight reduction is of key importance; a typical example is long trips, in which all the equipment has to be carried “on oneself” for a long time. And even in such cases, it is worth remembering other important characteristics. For example, for use in late autumn, when frosts are likely, it is better to choose a heavier tent with winter seasonality than a light model that is not designed for winter conditions.Vestibule length
The length of the vestibule provided in the tent.
See above for more details on the vestibule. As for its dimensions, the length of the vestibule is measured along the same side along which the length of the entire tent is measured; and the width of this compartment usually corresponds to the overall width of the tent, and it does not need to be specified separately in the specifications. At the same time, we note that due to such measurement rules, the length of the vestibule is often less than its width; this is quite normal in this case.
The specific ratio between the dimensions of this compartment in different tents may be different. However, in general, a longer vestibule is usually larger and more capacious than a shorter one. When choosing, it should be taken into account that a large and spacious additional compartment increases overall comfort, but it significantly affects the price and weight of the tent (not to mention its overall dimensions). So when choosing for this parameter, it is worth considering the real conditions and features of the operation of the tent. We only note that in order to organize additional beds, it is worth paying attention to vestibules with a length of
at least 150 cm — usually, they can accommodate additional places at least across, and often along the tent.
Bedroom entrances
The number of bedroom entrances provided in tent design.
It is worth clarifying that if there are several bedrooms in the structure (see "Sleeping areas"), then in this case it is not the total number of entrances that is taken into account, but the number of entrances per bedroom. For example, if the tent has 2 sleeping areas, each with 1 input, then the characteristics will indicate 1 input to the bedroom.
In other words, if the design states
2 entrances to the bedroom, this means that each bedroom has two exits (regardless of the total number of bedrooms). Such a design is convenient primarily because you can leave the sleeping slot in the most convenient way, if necessary, without disturbing your sleeping neighbors. On the other hand, a design
with one input provides a higher degree of thermal and moisture insulation; such tents are better suited for particularly unfavorable conditions.
Number of windows
Number
of windowsprovided by the design of the tent. Windows provide the penetration of natural light and relieve you of the need to use additional sources of lighting during daylight hours; in addition, when properly positioned, they allow you to inspect the area without leaving the tent.
Main poles
The number of poles provided in the frame of the tent. For hemispherical types (see "Shape") for 2-3 people, not intended for extreme conditions, 2 poles are considered quite sufficient; larger and/or reinforced models may have more poles. In the case of half-barrels, this amount is directly related to the length of the tent.
Arc thickness
Both the rigidity of the frame and the reliability and durability of the tent itself depend on the thickness of the arcs. Usually, the larger and more capacious the tent, the
thicker the arches are needed for the frame. Arcs made of plastic and fibreglass most often have a thickness of 7 to 13 mm, while steel and aluminium — from 5 to 16 mm. With an increase in the section of the arcs, the weight of the tent in the folded state also increases.
Water resistance of tent
An indicator that reflects the ability of the tent awning to withstand moisture without getting wet. It is expressed in millimetres of water column — the height of the water column that the awning can withstand (the area of impact is out of the question, because the load per unit area under water depends only on the height of the water column and is not related to the area of \u200b\u200bits base). The significant figures indicated in the characteristics (for example, 4000 mm of water column, i.e. 4 metres) are due to the fact that raindrops can have a significant speed and, when they hit the tent, create a load at the point of impact comparable to the pressure on depth of several metres.
In general, the higher the waterproof rating, the better the awning will cope with the effects of rain and snow. Indicators up to 3000 mm w.c. Art. are considered sufficient for places where it rains rarely, awnings for 3000 – 7000 mm of water. Art. allow you not to be afraid of intense downpours, and in expeditionary (see "Destination") tents designed for extreme conditions, this figure can reach 10,000 mm of water. Art. and even more. However, more water-resistant fabrics, usually, have a significant weight, so in each individual case it makes sense to choose the option that is optimal in terms of durability and weight.
Bottom material
— Polyester. Synthetic material with good durability and waterproof performance. In addition, it is resistant to adverse effects (does not lose strength when wet, exposed to acidic and alkaline environments, temperature changes).
— Nylon. In general, the characteristics of nylon are somewhat lower than those of polyester: it tends to stretch when wet and is generally less resistant to adverse effects. At the same time, given that most owners use tents in relatively simple conditions, these points are not critical; in addition, some manufacturers use a special treatment to improve the durability of nylon.
— Polyethylene. This material is mainly used in inexpensive models of camping tents (see "Purpose") — this is primarily due to its significant weight. For other characteristics, it does not have key differences from other materials.
— Polyamide. The general name for a class of fabrics, which includes, in particular, nylon and nylon. Some manufacturers use this term for marketing purposes: "polyamide" sounds more solid than "nylon", although these materials practically do not differ in characteristics and are used in the same way — mainly in inexpensive models.