If you are going camping there is no more important purchase than that of a tent. A tent can make or break your camping trip and it’s no great mystery how or why. You’ll be spending all of your “recharge” time in your tent so you’ll want a sturdy structure where you can get a good night’s sleep and sometimes it will be a place of refuge in times of bad weather.

Some people look for discount tents or bargains, and that’s perfectly reasonable but you can also rest assured that most tents are priced pretty accurately. In most cases, if you buy an expensive product you will be getting a pretty good tent. Cheap tents will serve their purpose but don’t expect anything terribly fancy.

If you are feeling uneasy about spending a lot on a tent, remember that you usually won’t have to buy another one for a really long time. One tent can last the casual camper for years and you might just find that three hundred dollar tent paying for itself over the years after you use it so many times. And anyone who has ever taken their tents camping in rough terrain will know that a solid product is absolutely necessary.

If you are going camping there is no more important purchase than that of a tent. A tent can make or break your camping trip and it’s no great mystery how or why. You’ll be spending all of your “recharge” time in your tent so you’ll want a sturdy structure where you can get a good night’s sleep and sometimes it will be a place of refuge in times of bad weather.

Some people look for discount tents or bargains, and that’s perfectly reasonable but you can also rest assured that most tents are priced pretty accurately. In most cases, if you buy an expensive product you will be getting a pretty good tent. Cheap tents will serve their purpose but don’t expect anything terribly fancy. If you are feeling uneasy about spending a lot on a tent, remember that you usually won’t have to buy another one for a really long time.

One tent can last the casual camper for years and you might just find that three hundred dollar tent paying for itself over the years after you use it so many times. And anyone who has ever taken their tents camping in rough terrain will know that a solid product is absolutely necessary.

here is a great difference in the types of tents available depending on where you choose to shop. A place like Wal-Mart will probably have a decent selection of basic tents that represent most points on the price scale. But for a more dedicated selection or specific products, a real camping store would be your best bet. It might not be as cheap, but you will definitely see a bigger variety of tents. Cheap tents can be found everywhere but high-quality ones are usually reserved for specialty shops.

Car or no car

Will you be using your car as transportation or will it also be a full-on factor in your camping experience? Some camping purists use their car to get them to the site and backpack the rest of the way. But if your car will be right beside you then that can affect the tent you buy in terms of ease of setup, weight, and size. A car camper will have many more options than someone who only has their own foot power to rely on.

variables

Sometimes when buying a tent it can get quite exciting since there’s something neat about living in a small structure that we construct ourselves as it harkens back to the days when we would play “fort” as kids. But be careful not forget about the functionality of a tent.

All tents look relatively cool in the showroom, but you may be exposed to a variety of real weather conditions when you are actually camping outside. In hot weather, you aren’t going to want that tent that doesn’t have many openings on the side or even the top no matter how neat it looks. So think about how the tent is ventilated; how tall it is, what holds it up, and if it comes with storage space.

The Rain

No other factor can ruin a camping trip more than rain and moisture. This should be a primary consideration when browsing tents. Cheap tents won’t provide much protection in this area so be aware of that fact. You will want to keep an eye on the number of openings, the strength of zippers, and how well insulated the tent is against the air and the ground.

Ask about where water pools, whether it is directed effectively away from the tent, and if the material of the camping tents is conducive to moisture formation. Taking tents camping in wet weather can really backfire if you don’t know what your structure is capable of handling.

Preparation

After you have purchased your tent, do not make the first place you ever set it up be the actual campsite. Test your camping tents out beforehand by both erecting it and maybe even camping in your backyard. See if all the factors you’ve considered before buying your tent hold up in your new purchase. You might also want to time yourself to see how long it takes to set up and take down the tent.

Camping in the Winter

Have you ever thought about camping in the winter? It’s certainly a challenge, but many people love the feeling of the crisp clean air combined with the unmatched scenery of the winter months. You probably don’t want your first camping experience to be during the winter, but after a few camping trips, you can certainly explore outdoor adventures towards the end of the year.

You’ll want to make sure you have a four –season tent for winter camping. Three season tents might be fine for some gentler climates, but it’s always better to go with a camping tent that you know is suited for snow. In the summer you’ll be worrying about keeping the heat out, and in the winter you will be concerned with keeping heat in. So you’ll want a tent that will be both sturdy and insulating.

Winter camping is a matter of keeping safe and warm at the same time. So take measures to make sure your tent is well sealed, and remember never to cook inside your tent! Have plenty of dry clothes on hand for emergencies, and there are plenty of ways to keep warm such as using hot water bottles, heat packs, and wearing the right clothing.

General Rules for Camping Tents

As you can see, you do not need the most expensive camping tents to have the best time outdoors. If you do not have complicated camping needs. But always keep in mind that you are going to be a better off, then you might consider going for a higher-end camping tent.

Match the tent with the season you go camping and always make sure you have enough room. All of them are in the market, but they are more important than others.

And remember that your journey is only as good as it is to have a good campground to serve as your home base. Feel the ground to make sure it is not too wet. And make sure to clear away any people or twigs that can poke through the tent at night.

What tent is right for me? That’s a common question, which I asked myself many times before making the correct decision. Below is some information that should help you choose the right one for your needs. The time of year you’ll be camping is one of the primary factors to consider.

how to choose tent

Three-season Tents:

• A three-season tent is generally built for warm climates. These tents are typically capable of withstanding light snow. The basic rule of thumb is that three-season correlates with Spring, Summer, and Autumn.
• Three-season tents range from around 4 lbs. to 8lbs which will vary depending on materials used in their manufacture, and the number of oocupants the tent is designed for.

Four-season Tents:

• These are often referred to as all-season tents, but still aren’t capable of withstanding extreme conditions and heavier snowfall.
• Weight ranges from approximately 5lbs to 10lbs.

Mountaineering Tents:

• This is really a subcategory of four-season tents. They are designed to withstand harsh winter conditions.
• Often used specifically for winter camping.
• You’ll notice in some product descriptions the use of phrases like “ideal for mountaineers/mountaineering.”
• Range in weight from 5-10lbs which will vary depending on materials used in their manufacture.

3 and 4 Season Convertible Tents:

• These tents are designed for year round use with the same weather blocking features as the 4 season.
• The difference is convertible tents have removable ventilation covers for use in warmer months.
• Slightly heavier than your typical 3 season tent.

Another consideration is obviously, how many people will be using the tent?

• Tents are listed as 1-person(bivy sacks) 2-person, 3-person and so on.
• If you’re looking for a 2-person tent, but like a little extra space, a 3-person may be more inline with your need for comfort.

Miscellaneous Considerations.

• D-shaped doors now seem to be the standard which improves accessibility when entering and exiting the tent.
• Look for a tent that comes with a rain fly.
• Hikers generally prefer a more compact tent which is often referred to as a hoop style tent.
• For family camping, choose a dome or cabin tent rated for the number of campers utilizing the tent

On my last camping trip, my (future) wife (so, Camping Queen) asked me how I could remember everything. Well, it’s easy: just write a damn checklist!

So for you, my fellow readers, and only for you, here is the ultimate “You Shall Not Forget” checklist of things to bring for a camping trip.

Checklist: You Shall Not Forget

• to read the Camping Do’s and Don’ts while camping in Provincial Parks
• to bring a tent, of course. WTF?!
• Consider bringing your hammock as well. Always good to have a portable bed for amazing nap along the shore.
• to bring a warm sleeping bag and a pad.
• to buy and bring a first aid kit. I can not help it, because it is the last thing you think about bringing in, but you are not afraid.
• to bring a decent peer of snickers. Believe me, I saw so many dumbass hurt on a trail because they were wearing flip-flops or heels. Come on ! Hiking is serious, and hiking is what you do while camping, so bring good damn shoes. And do not forget their best friend: the good’ol cotton socks.
• that even in summer, nights are sometimes chilly, so bring warm clothes. Long sleeves and long pants will also save you from bugs. NEVER forget about a rain coat, even if the weather forecast is clear.
• that you’re in Canada, land of the bugs. 25% DEET bug repellent is dangerous but essential. If you can find Lemon Eucalyptus oil, it’s safer and as effective as DEET, but watch out: “Nature shops” sell Lemon Eucalyptus oil that is just a mix of lemon oil and Eucalyptus oil and this DOES NOT WORK! Lemon Eucalyptus is a different species that synthetizes the compound that repells bugs.
• to bring a cool fire starting kit. Steel flint magnesium stone starter fire is great, and you also can make awesome DIY fire starting kits with straw and cotton. And if you plan to go for a canoe trip, just wrap everything in a container to keep it dry.
• to bring purell to your hands (and light a fire). You’ll get dirty, for sure.
• to get a real knife with a pocket clip. You’ll use it to cut some thin slices of sausage (or to cut the cheese), fight against bears or threat those kids on the next campsite, who can not shut the hell up and yell all night long.
• to bring a tarpaulin and ropes to make you a life-saving canopy.
• to get a flashlight. Headlights are so 2003! Now the trend is on flashlights, come on. Live with your own time, my friend. If you are looking for the best flashlight ever, buy a Foursevens LED flashlight, they are powerfull, low energy eaters and rugged (Mountain Equipment Coop sell them).
• to bring your camera and batteries to run it.
• to buy this BioLite CampStove. You can boil water for a nice tea and recharge your cellphone or GPS on the go. It’s light, powerfull and affordable. And that’s the end of buying gas cans!

You shall think about:

• finding a decent source of power. Motomaster Eliminator Power Box. You will be charged to your devices and rechargeable batteries, and will not get your car stuck for the DC plug too long. I love the DC to AC plugin and the USB plug. The only “con” is the size and weight of a canoe trip. For such a trip, go for a Goal Zero Sherpa 50 power pack.
• And to recharge your power pack, think about a solar panel. Nowadays, you can find some affordable.
• borrowing a gold axis at Hachette. It makes your life easier, and it’s always fun to throw.
• bringing binoculars to do some bird watching or to watch the moon. Or to do some voyeurism on the beach.
• reading a lot of resources before going. Once on your campsite, you might not want to go to the best hiking spot or horse riding trail.
• stopping at your favorite LCBO and get a great bottle of wine before leaving the big city. Local LCBO you can find in the backcountry just suck, so you’re a wine amateur, bring your own wine.
• buying a bike rack and bring your bike to the campsite, you will love it.

Tarp is one of the most versatile shelters in any outdoor activities and highly recommended that oneself must have it. It protect oneself from the sun and rain. They may be more likely to provide shelter, but they will not be able to afford a single meal. Tarp is cheap and lightweight, with a Tarp you can still camp without a tent.

There are many types of Tarp in the market, ranging from different shapes, sizes and quality. Car campers will have the tendency to buy a top end.

There is one peculiar shape with we do not recommend. The photo shows at Snow Peak Tarp because of the cure shape on the sides, it ‘s providing no other options for different kind of setup.

Tentage Disadvantages

When camping with my kids, we wanted to make the most of the time.

It took us almost 30 mins to figure out how to assemble the whole shelter. Not only did you weigh in, it also took a lot of space in the car trunk.

After that incident, we gave up using it. We prefer our camping to be compact, lightweight and a chance to use camp craft knowledge.

Benefit of a Tarp

Lightweight
Cheap
Uses camp craft
Fast setting
Protects from rain
Protects from sun
Protect from falling leaves and small branches
Feels like in a nest
Choice of different setup
Choice of different height setup

What Kind of Tarp to Choose

For us just a simple lightweight and durable Tarp. There is no need for any high end product. Our current Tarp size is 360x360cm, weights 960g and made of Ripstop Nylon 70D. This size is ideal for family camping.

Choosing the size of the tarp depending on the group camping size. Preferable choose a rectangle and some odd shapes. The lightest setup can below 400gm and for family size around 1kg to 1.5kg.

Estimated Tarp Size

2.0m x 2.0m Hiking Tarp for 1 to 2
2.4m x 3.0m Hiking Tarp for 4
3.0m x 3.0m Car camp or bigger group hike for 6 to 8
3.6m x 3.6m Car camp or bigger group hike for 8 to 10

Anything bigger will be difficult because it is heavier and might require more people to assist. Above size can be setup by one person.

Materials Needed and Cost Estimate

Paracord at least 30m USD8.00
Tent pegs 6pcs min best 8pcs USD8.00
Tarp depending on size USD30 biggest size
Telescopic pole USD10 each or trekking pole 2pcs minimum
Mallet optional however we we hard ground before

Having an outdoor adventures together promote bonding, making it ideal for couples. When it comes to things for couples to do outdoors, there are plenty of options that are active as well as fun. Here are the top five outdoor adventure activities for couples to consider.

adventure activities for couples – top5

1. Hiking

Hiking is a versatile activity that can offer both excitement and relaxation depending on where you go. If you prefer, you can have a peaceful, non-strenuous hike through mostly flat terrain. Alternatively, you can conquer foothills or mountains together for a thrill that you will remember for years to come. One of the reasons why hiking is among the best outdoor date ideas is that it requires little or no specialized equipment. Depending on the setting, you may not even need hiking boots. Just be sure to select a route that offers a level of challenge comfortable for both of you.

2. Skiing

Skiing is one of the top adventure trips for couples who have snowy mountains nearby. Ski resorts generally have slopes of different difficulty levels, so you can count on an experience that both you and your partner can handle. Furthermore, trainers can teach one or both of you if you are new to this activity. After you give your core muscles a brisk workout on the slopes, you can relax and warm up together in the lodge.

3. Kayaking

Kayaking is without a doubt one of the most fun outdoor adventures possible on water. Similar to a canoe but much more maneuverable, a kayak is a blast to paddle along on ponds, lakes, rivers or the ocean. If you don’t have a kayak, don’t worry: You can rent kayaks at many adventure getaways for couples. While single-person kayaks are fun for an intimate ride side by side, two-person kayaks bring joy through the cooperation they require.

4. Mountain Biking

Despite its name, mountain biking doesn’t necessarily require an actual mountain to enjoy. If you have any rough terrain nearby, you can have a blast getting a workout with your partner riding and seeing the sights. Included among the more popular outdoor adventures for couples in recent years, mountain biking areas often have providers of bike rentals. As a result, you won’t have to commit to a bike purchase for occasional fun. Chasing your partner through the open air is bound to challenge your fitness levels and strengthen your bond.

5. Ice Skating

This timeless form of winter recreation should be on any list of things to do for couples. Whether you live in a city or in the countryside, as long as you have cold winter temperatures, you are likely to have nearby natural or man-made ice skating options. Furthermore, some cities have even made outdoor ice skating rinks that stay frozen regardless of the weather. You can get plenty of exercise in ice skating if you want, but you can also slow down and hold hands while you glide over the ice together.

Try one of these top five fun activities for couples, memories that you both will cherish. Not only will new experiences bond you more tightly, but these activities for couples will also promote physical fitness. Naturally, novelty can be as beneficial for relationships as it is for exercise motivation.