What kind of tent is better?

Question

Me and my friend are planning to go camping, travelling for about a month, and wondering what kind of tent is the best? A dome tent, or some other shape?

Answer 1

A 2-person or 3-person dome tent is the way to go. I've travelled cross-country several times and this is what I use.

Buy a tent that has a full size rain fly and taped seams. (Many department store brands don't have this, so you will most likely need to go to a store that carries backpacking tents.)

Eureka! makes some very good tents in the $90-$125 dollar range that would meet your needs. (I have two Eureka! tents.) You will find some similar tents made by Eastern Mountain Sports and Kelty for about $130.

The North Face, Big Agnes, Mountain Hardwear, Sierra Designs, and Go Lite make similar sized tents, but they cost more due to the fact they are made with lighter weight materials. Unless you are planning to do a lot of backpacking, you may not need to buy one this expensive.

Also, a self-supporting dome tent is great to use on just about any terrain. Several times I've ened up camping where the ground was too hard or too rocky to drive a tent stake in the ground. With a dome tent, I didn't need to use the stakes...I just piled more gear in my tent so the thing wouldn't blow away.

Also, some dome tents are just a screen house and let you sleep without the fly. This is great especially on nights when it is hot and won't rain.

Answer 2

Since you and a friend plan on traveling and using the tent for about a month you are going to need a decent quality tent, not a cheapie.

A cheapie will be good for occasional camping, or just to see if you like or don't like the experience. But you can't expect it to last long or deal with a lot of wear and tear.

Now the next consideration is -- are you going to be carrying the tent on your backs? If so, then you need something light enough for backpacking. But if you are traveling by car, bus or whatever, then you can afford the extra weight and bulk of a tent that is heavier, larger when opened and bulkier when rolled up.

And although there are only two of you, carrying a 3-man or even a 4-man tent - if you have the room - is going to make life a lot more comfortable inside. If you get several days of heavy rain, for example, it can be pretty stir-crazy inside a small tent for more than a few hours. The extra room allows you to store your clothing, backpacks, boots and other gear inside.

Super-lightweight campers don't have that luxury. Some get by with just a tarp, but then those guys usually go camping or tramping alone.

A dome tent is certainly very convenient, and it gives you the maximum room inside for the amount of canvas (or other cloth) material you need to carry.

But do yourself a favor and purchase one with a built-in vestibule. That is a portion of the tent that sticks out over the ground, so you can enter and exit the tent in the rain without the water coming straight inside your portable shelter.

Answer 3

How are you going to be traveling? The dome tents are usually lighter, pack smaller, and easier to set up and take down. I would recommend getting a four man tent for two people. The extra room is nice and the tent is not that much harder to pack.
Which ever tent you get practice set it up and taking it down a few times before you go on the trip. It makes it much easier to do when you are tired and it is dark out.

Answer 4

Any top name brand will do...I like dome tents..they can be put up anywhere...no stakes needed..also you can pick them up and move them...I have had a kelty 3 man for 20 yrs!! And I still use it almost every month on our boyscout camp outs...here in Alaska. I also have a cabela's 6 man guide series...I have been rained on and snowed on...the domes shed water great. look for a tent with a rain fly that comes ALL the way down the sides...Small fly..not good....Hope this helps! Have a blast!

Answer 5

ANYTHING made by Kelty is good because if you ever have a problem with it, they will repair it or just send you a new one free. Also, most everything Kelty comes with a LIFETIME warranty!!!
Trust me, I have been camping while it was raining with a kelty tent and (on a separate occasion) a brand new coleman tent. With the Kelty, the only thing wet was the outside of the tent. With the Coleman, it was wet both outside AND inside!!

Hope this Helps!!

Answer 6

I have had very good luck with my Coleman dome. Have used it on Royal Ranger, Boy Scout camp outs , and personal camping for over 10 years. No problems.

Answer 7

dome tents are the best, they are sturdier, generally more lightweight and have more head room when compared to a similar sized A frame tent.

Answer 8

if its going to be hot just set up a tarp unless bugs are real bad i sleep in a hammock under a tarp and love it but u have to have trees for that but u can tie it to plane and use two or three poles with steaks even a summer tent gets hot ive tried it all i live in alabama under the tarp only for dew and rain never know when its going to rain here during a time i know its not going to rain i use no tarp just bring incase good luck hope this helps

Answer 9

Domes are ok for two people, but if you have more than go for others, columbia is the best brand, very durable.

Answer 10

I like the kind that don't leak. Use plenty of seam sealer on any tent you get