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Hoop-type tent: Walrus 'Zoid 2.0 |
Understanding tent lingo has become as complicated as translating at a UN conference. Here are a few definitions to help guide you through the quagmire. Keep in mind the three basic components of a tent: the poles, the canopy, and the rain fly, the latter two of which are separate in a two-walled tent and combined in a single-walled tent. Additionally, most tents come equipped with stakes and a stuff sack.
Single-walled versus double-walled tents. Traditional tents have a nylon body, which may be covered by a polyurethane-coated rain fly. However, modern fabric technology has resulted in single-walled tents made from waterproof/breathable material that does not require a rain fly for protection against moisture.
Generally, double-walled tents are heavier than their single cousins, but are also less expensive. The advantage of double-walled tents is that they breathe well (the canopy and fly have several inches of space between them, or the fly can be removed completely), with less condensation forming on the interior walls. Also, if you are accident-prone, a punctured rain fly can be repaired or replaced, leaving the main tent intact. Rain flies that have lost their waterproofness can also be replaced with less cost than is required to buy a new single-walled tent.
A-frames. Think pup tent with corner stakes. The steep pitch of the walls interferes with headroom, but these tents are nice because of their simple design. Modified A-frames incorporate a curved ridge pole for more efficient use of interior space. While most A-frames require stakes, some modified A-frames are freestanding.
Domes. Buckminster Fuller applied principles of the geodesic dome to buildings, but the design is even more popular in tents. Poles crisscross over the top, producing a hexagonal, octagonal, or similar geometrical shape. These tents are freestanding. However, they can blow away like a tumbleweed if not properly staked. The geometrical shapes provide maximum headroom, although the floor plan isn't as efficient as the standard A-frame rectangle for sleeping.
Hoops. These tents aren't as rugged in high winds, rain, or snow as A-frames or Domes, but their shape is highly efficient for both weight and floor space. Hoop tents generally incorporate three arched frame stays, which allow for nice roomy doors and high ceilings.
Teepees. These are pyramid-shape tents with a single center pole. They are often lightweight shelters with minimal features.
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