Choose a tent : the tents are different …

Choose a tent November night, temperature around zero. Gusts of icy northwesterly wind tear an awning ... From the sky, it pours like a bucket. Streams of water wash the tent on all sides and tend to sink in all crevices ... A puddle of mud has formed below you ... The awning sinks inexorably and ends with sticking to the tent ... begins to pass water through the invisible eye of the capillaries, water flows on the ground, drops from the ceiling ... The liquid oozes inexorably from all the cracks .. Your foam pad does not register anymore and the water is soaked in a sleeping bag. The backpack left in the vestibule is obviously dredged ... A strong gust of wind pulls the stakes and breaks the awning, completing the idyll. Streams of water fall on you, flooding everything that was still dry ... Your stay in the tent does not make sense ... Choose a tent - choose a house! In order to avoid a situation similar to that described above, it is necessary to carefully select the tent, which most amateur tourists neglect unfortunately. You must know that the tent is not an attribute of a hike, it is your mobile home for the whole trip. As for the choice of real estate, a delicate approach is needed here. The minimal set of knowledge, as well as intuition, will help you to not go wrong and make the right choice. The tents are different ... Currently, there are countless manufacturers of tourist equipment. Tents are no exception. This greatly complicates the choice, but there are nevertheless common criteria for assessing quality. This article will not discuss frameless "house" type tents, as well as single layer tents of other types. For difficult hikes, especially in difficult climatic conditions, they are certainly not suitable. The main disadvantage of single-layer tents is the condensation of moisture and its direct evacuation downward into the tent, which is aggravated by a decrease in the temperature of the ambient air. In two-layer tents, moisture is also condensed, but not in a tent, but in a tent, which flows downward, without causing you any inconvenience. The problem is solved by the fabric used. The inner tent is usually made of a "breathable" fabric that lets in steam but does not let the water run. The condensate flows out without entering the tent. The use of an additional layer makes the level of comfort inside a two-layer tent incomparable with a single layer under the same operating conditions. Make the right choice The quality characteristics of the tent depend on the materials used, the sewing and processing technology. The frame - the bow is of fundamental importance. It is made of aluminum or fiberglass. Fiberglass has a relatively large weight and has the ability to break easily at the most inopportune time. Only aluminum is used in quality tents. The quality of aluminum is difficult to determine with the naked eye. The arches must have minimal residual deformation, light weight and be insensitive to the aquatic environment, ie. should not be oxidized, forming a white bloom. With some experience, you can determine the quality of the frame quite accurately. The blind is of great importance. After all, the stream of water falls on him. Manufacturers often indicate a sustained water pressure expressed in millimeters of a water column, but these figures vary from one manufacturer to another (even using the same fabric), are almost abstract and often do not respond expectations to. The obvious rule is that the larger the number, the better (from 3000 mm). The bottom is critical. The biggest burden falls on him. The material must withstand a long stay in a pool of water or soil and under the load of the person sitting on it. The polyethylene bottom of high quality tents is not allowed due to its excessive weight. High quality synthetic fabrics must have low weight, high strength and good water resistance. You can evaluate the strength of the fabric by trying to stretch with your hands (be careful) and evaluate its quality visually. In doubtful cases, it is better to refuse to buy ... The characteristics of the fabric are indicated as for an awning, but higher rates (from 6,000 mm) should be applied. The points of attachment of the stretch marks must be reinforced and carefully glued. The bonding of the seams of the awning and the bottom is of fundamental importance and is made with a special adhesive tape under high temperature. If the seams are not stuck, the tent must be immediately excluded from the candidates for purchase. Carefully examine the quality of the sizing: the tape should be welded evenly over the entire area and should not be shifted. The wire must be of high quality and very resistant. Unfortunately, the portability of the water is impossible to determine visually, but you can follow this rule: if the tent has a good bottom, an awning, arches, then, as a rule, the wire will not be worse ( like the tent inside). Fabrics Despite different names, fabrics made of polyamide (nylon) and polyester (polyester) fibers are used. Polyester is better for an awning because it is more UV tolerant and less prone to stretching in wet weather. Nylon works well for a tent indoors. As for the fabric of the inner tent, its basic qualities are verified very simply. The fabric must be breathable but must not absorb water easily, easy to control. If possible, you should try to set up a tent. Outside, a quality product may have design flaws. It must be understood that high quality tents cost $ 300 or more. If your budget does not allow you to pay such a sum, you will have to compromise by choosing the best solution available ...