Tracy
I am planning to have my very first winter camping next month. I heard some people said that a four-season camping tent is necessary for a winter camping. I purchased a camping tent this summer and it's a three-season camping tent. I think it's OK because I will use my sleeping bag. Do I really have to buy a four-season camping tent?
Answer
The major differences between a 3 season and a 4 season tent are that the winter rated tents are designed to be able to support or shed a heavy snow load without the frame breaking or the tent collapsing. They also tend to have the rainfly system designed to maintain a more reliable space between the fly and inner tent wall to minimize condensation and having the fly press on the tent due to a build up of snow. Winter rated tents tend to have smaller window and ventilation areas and will more often have an exterior vestibule arrangement to block wind and to give you a place to leave snowy gear outside the sleeping area or to cook on the ground but out of the wind during storms.
Unless you expect heavy snow loads or severe blizzards and extended bivouacs, a good quality (not discount store) 3 season tent can be perfectly adequate for winter camping. I have winter camped many times with 3 season tents, in fact, probably more often than with my 4-season ones (though I own several tents of each type). If your tent pitches tight so that the fly doesn't blow around and snap in the wind and has strong poles and a vestibule or good fly overhang over the door, you will most likely be fine in it.
For winter camping in snow I always carry a microfiber towel to wipe condensation off the inside of the tent walls at night and before I get out of my bag in the morning.
Be certain you have stakes that will work in the ground conditions you will encounter. Fat plastic stakes will not work on frozen ground -- get the thin metal ones that twist in. If you will be camping in deep snowpack, you will want to be able to make "dead man" anchors by attaching the guy lines and corner staking tabs to buried stuff sacks that you fill with snow or rocks or tying your guy lines to buried branches. You will probably need to stake the tent more solidly than in warmer weather due to the higher potential for wind. Nothing is worse than watching your dome tent bounce down the mountain and out of sight over a cliff (hasn't happened to me but I've seen it happen to others).
The major differences between a 3 season and a 4 season tent are that the winter rated tents are designed to be able to support or shed a heavy snow load without the frame breaking or the tent collapsing. They also tend to have the rainfly system designed to maintain a more reliable space between the fly and inner tent wall to minimize condensation and having the fly press on the tent due to a build up of snow. Winter rated tents tend to have smaller window and ventilation areas and will more often have an exterior vestibule arrangement to block wind and to give you a place to leave snowy gear outside the sleeping area or to cook on the ground but out of the wind during storms.
Unless you expect heavy snow loads or severe blizzards and extended bivouacs, a good quality (not discount store) 3 season tent can be perfectly adequate for winter camping. I have winter camped many times with 3 season tents, in fact, probably more often than with my 4-season ones (though I own several tents of each type). If your tent pitches tight so that the fly doesn't blow around and snap in the wind and has strong poles and a vestibule or good fly overhang over the door, you will most likely be fine in it.
For winter camping in snow I always carry a microfiber towel to wipe condensation off the inside of the tent walls at night and before I get out of my bag in the morning.
Be certain you have stakes that will work in the ground conditions you will encounter. Fat plastic stakes will not work on frozen ground -- get the thin metal ones that twist in. If you will be camping in deep snowpack, you will want to be able to make "dead man" anchors by attaching the guy lines and corner staking tabs to buried stuff sacks that you fill with snow or rocks or tying your guy lines to buried branches. You will probably need to stake the tent more solidly than in warmer weather due to the higher potential for wind. Nothing is worse than watching your dome tent bounce down the mountain and out of sight over a cliff (hasn't happened to me but I've seen it happen to others).
What is a good place to buy camping tents?
Jared
Answer
REI, EMS, Erehwon...It depends on where you live and what you're looking for. If you know exactly what you want, Sierra Outfitters (online special closeouts!) has great prices, but if you're looking for/at something new try a specialized camping store. Even if you don't buy from a specialized store, you can talk to an expert who can tell you what to look for. Once you have the answers you can decide if you want to buy from a specialty store, or if you want to go it alone and purchase online or from a big-box type retailer. Get the information first. Don't be afraid to ask the salespeople "Why is this going to cost me $300.00 from REI and I can get a tent for $50 from Walmart? What's the difference?" Sometimes the difference might be something that is of little or no value to your needs. I've had great camping trips with both a 6 person Coleman (under $100 at the time) from Sportmart, and I've had great backpacking trips with an ultralight weight Sierra Designs tent from REI that cost over twice that. The best advice I can think of giving is that you know HOW you want to use the tent, then look for the tent that fits your needs. Get the answers you need. Then buy what will fit your needs. Spending thousands on a tent that you'll be unhappy with isn't worth it in the long run!
REI, EMS, Erehwon...It depends on where you live and what you're looking for. If you know exactly what you want, Sierra Outfitters (online special closeouts!) has great prices, but if you're looking for/at something new try a specialized camping store. Even if you don't buy from a specialized store, you can talk to an expert who can tell you what to look for. Once you have the answers you can decide if you want to buy from a specialty store, or if you want to go it alone and purchase online or from a big-box type retailer. Get the information first. Don't be afraid to ask the salespeople "Why is this going to cost me $300.00 from REI and I can get a tent for $50 from Walmart? What's the difference?" Sometimes the difference might be something that is of little or no value to your needs. I've had great camping trips with both a 6 person Coleman (under $100 at the time) from Sportmart, and I've had great backpacking trips with an ultralight weight Sierra Designs tent from REI that cost over twice that. The best advice I can think of giving is that you know HOW you want to use the tent, then look for the tent that fits your needs. Get the answers you need. Then buy what will fit your needs. Spending thousands on a tent that you'll be unhappy with isn't worth it in the long run!
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: Do I really have to buy a four-season camping tent?
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar