Questions tagged [tents]

Questions about the use, selection, and care of portable shelters consisting of poles for support and some form of fabric to protect from the elements.

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Why does a Plains Indian teepee tent have so many poles?

I tried to find answers elsewhere, but I have only suppositions. A tepee is a portable shelter, so: Why have so many poles? These weigh a lot and require more work to dismantle and rebuild it. I ...
Mattia Piron's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
176 views

Can you run an air purifier inside a tent to mitigate the bad air quality from remote wildfires?

In my area, the air quality fluctuates due to remote wildfires which are currently burning. For example, the air quality might be unhealthy in the morning but completely normal in the afternoon and ...
user25337's user avatar
14 votes
7 answers
4k views

Advantage of truck tent?

I've seen tents for sale that fit in the back of a truck, like this: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/napier-backroadz-truck-tent-0340183p.0340184.html What's the benefit of having a tent in the ...
User1974's user avatar
  • 1,255
5 votes
3 answers
265 views

How can I stop my sleeping mat sliding around in my tent?

I have a rather nice lightweight sleeping mat but it's a rather slippery plastic material, and when camping on a slope tends to slide in my tent. The tent is an old VauDe Hogan, with a synthetic sewn-...
Chris H's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
342 views

Desolation Wilderness - Store backpack in tent overnight?

We are going backpacking in Desolation Wilderness for the first time. It's black bear country. We will be using bear canisters to store all food and other scented items away from our tent, and make ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 61
3 votes
0 answers
134 views

Should this tent's seams be sealed outside or inside?

Should this tent's wall/floor seam (shown below) be sealed inside or outside? The instructions on the bottle of Coghlan's sealer says " ... apply a thin even film to the stitching on the coated ...
Zack's user avatar
  • 183
5 votes
2 answers
991 views

How to pitch pup tent to avoid puddles

What is the correct way to pitch this pup tent? As shown below, there is so much slack along the edges that the sides nearly lie flat on the ground. When it rains, puddles form on the flat spot; and ...
Zack's user avatar
  • 183
0 votes
2 answers
203 views

Hammock vs tent

I use ultralight tent (600 grams + 120 g for the pegs) and I got idea that perhaps I would sleep better in hammock. I wonder what to do about ticks if I use hammock and other insects, that is my major ...
Alex J.'s user avatar
  • 1,145
1 vote
1 answer
189 views

Waterproofing my tent

I want to save my 1-2 person tent. Fabric is 190T polyester PU. During rain the fabric got wet and had some water inside,.. It seems it is not seam problem, it is more coating issue. I dont know what ...
Alex J.'s user avatar
  • 1,145
2 votes
2 answers
225 views

What are the different types of camping for a beginner?

I am looking into the camping hobby no found few different styles, specifically the shelter used in the outdoor. So far I have learned that camping with a wood stove means it is hot tent camping, and ...
Asmodean's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
133 views

Polyester/polythene tents smell, and partner is smell sensitive. How best to treat before long term storage?

I have 2 tents - an Outwell Kansas 5, and a Eurohike Tamar 2. Both need to go in the garage for long term storage for about 2 years, because we won't be able to go camping for a while. The garage isn'...
Stilez's user avatar
  • 131
3 votes
1 answer
405 views

Silicone waterproof treatment on former PU treated tent

I read the following post and wondered if I could use the same method on a tent that was formerly treated from factory with a polyurethane coat. What is the best way to re-waterproof a nylon tarp? My ...
thook's user avatar
  • 31
9 votes
6 answers
2k views

Is this low-footprint tie down feasible for a canopy tent?

I've got a canopy tent, and I'd like to see if I can reduce the footprint of the lines (and the chance that someone will trip on them). From what I understand, the standard way to lay out the lines ...
Morgen's user avatar
  • 303
5 votes
1 answer
255 views

Looking for lightweight backpacking tent suggestions

Some context: I am a very small female (< 5 ft., < 100 lbs.) and I am thus very limited by gear weight. A lot of information is written for large/tall guys, so I'm having trouble researching ...
Anonymous_Backpacker's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

Sleeping pad slightly wider than tent?

I use the Jack Wolfskin ExoLight I tent, which is (by its official specs) only 60 cm wide inside. I'm looking to buy a colder-weather self-inflating sleeping pad to extend the season in the spring and ...
Dronir's user avatar
  • 229
3 votes
1 answer
220 views

Rid your tent of insect stowaways

I recently unpacked a tent and discovered a dead scorpion. It apparently was folded into the tent on the previous hiking trip in Arizona. I always shake the tent to rid it of dirt prior to folding ...
Bookaholic's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
360 views

Will the foldable tent stove leak smoke during use?

Prepare for camping this winter. It is said that a folding tent stove is best when camping in winter, which can increase heat and hot food. But I heard that the folding tent stove will leak smoke, ...
Jason Camper's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
595 views

What's the difference between Mountain Hardwear's Trango and AC lines of tents?

Mountain Hardwear presently lists two major lines of mountaineering tents: the Trango series and the AC series. The primary difference seems to be that the Trangos feature a double-wall, are cheaper, ...
Brian Sweeney's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
272 views

Camping: how to put sleeping mats in a tent that tapers at the feet end?

I am not a camper, so please excuse my ignorance here. We have purchased a 2 person tent. The normal width is 140cm, which means that sleeping mats can go down fine (many seem to be 70cm wide, or ...
vegemite4me's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

Camping tent with outer tent installed first

A few years ago I had a 2-3 person dome tent which allowed to first install the outer tent, and then clip the inner one to it from inside. It was also possible to disassemble and pack everything ...
Vladimir's user avatar
  • 193
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

Alternative to midshipman's / taut-line hitch for modern ropes

A taut-line hitch is used to tying tent ropes to a stake. It can be manually slid up/down the standing part of the rope, so as to adjust the tightness in the line, but it holds well under tension. ...
ahron's user avatar
  • 1,797
3 votes
2 answers
634 views

Tenting, and want to hookup my laptop to RV power hookup

The campground I'm thinking of staying at has tenting spots, but they don't have power. I need to be able to charge my laptop, phone, and possibly a portable electric heater. They also offer RV spots ...
Anonymous's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
183 views

How to wind-proof an existing tent

I have this tent: Fjord Nansen Tromvik II. It's very well built and thought-out, lightweight (around 2kg / 4.5 lbs) and is a pleasure to sleep in during summer / early autumn. However, since it's so ...
Alexander's user avatar
  • 1,748
19 votes
6 answers
9k views

How to win against ants

I’m adapting to long-term lifestyle of outdoor living, and getting constantly assaulted by this or that type of bug has been a major issue. Sleeping in a tent has thwarted most my opposition at this ...
Tiana Pyre's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why aren't (poly-)cotton tents more popular?

Tents with (the outer tent) made of cotton or "technical cotton" (cotton blends) are heavier, more expensive, and take some more time to dry but they also have benefits (see below). Sure the weight is ...
Jakob's user avatar
  • 245
3 votes
3 answers
610 views

What temperature rating of sleeping bag, season of tent and R value of a pad are needed for autumn camping in Norway?

I'm currently planning a trekking trip in the north of Norway in September/early October. Because most of my current gear is way to heavy or only for hot weather I'm buying a new set of camping ...
GittingGud's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
170 views

Ultra-light camping setup for solo-backping in the Uintas

I am considering a solo three-day trip in the Uinta Mountains in Utah in August. I have lots of experience backpacking but I've never soloed before and so am thinking of ways to shed some weight. My ...
gregmacfarlane's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
157 views

Inner tent - Vango F10 Xenon UL 2

Some time ago I bought Vango F10 Xenon UL 2 tent. Had no chance to use it yet as I had to cancel the trip I was planning on using it on. Now I'm planning something new, but as it's going to be in some ...
pbm's user avatar
  • 355
9 votes
2 answers
898 views

Tent in the rain

I have an MSR Elixir 2 tent bought 5 years ago and used three nights since (a shame I know). In any case, it was used for 4 nights camping in Spain in dry conditions and was an amazing tent. A few ...
Scorpio's user avatar
  • 91
8 votes
7 answers
3k views

Will I be warmer in my sleeping bag inside or outside of my tent, when winter camping?

I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all ...
G.Bourne's user avatar
21 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why should a good tent be UV resistant?

From my experience, any tent gets hot when in plain sunlight, so I wouldn't stay in it (and can't imagine why anyone would) + I'd rather be outside my tent when the weather's nice. I don't really ...
maasha theytaz's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
1k views

What kind of material was used to make traditional stove jacks?

A stove jack allows you to safely extend a stovepipe through the roof or wall of your tent. Modern-day stove jacks appear to be made of silicone fiberglass. However, it's my guess that silicone ...
User1974's user avatar
  • 1,255
7 votes
1 answer
616 views

Why are stove jacks NOT normally made of metal?

A stove jack allows you to safely extend a stovepipe through the roof or wall of your tent. Our stove jacks are constructed of fire proof 17-ounce [0.48 kg] silicone-coated glass material (18" x ...
User1974's user avatar
  • 1,255
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to get rid the mold smell in old canvas tent?

Bought a 30 year old classic Coleman's canvas ten cheap (it's Canadian cousin actually). It is in great working condition, water proofing and zippers etc. and I thought convert it to a hot tent. But, ...
Bogdan's user avatar
  • 419
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

Would a lightweight 2-person tent or medium weight 3-person tent be better for near freezing weather?

I'm heading out this weekend, and the temperature is expected to drop below freezing, with a 20% chance of rain. I have two tents, a lightweight 2-person, which I primarily use for backpacking, and a ...
Chris Cudmore's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
598 views

Why do people lock their tents at Everest Base Camp?

I recently read Everest climbers worried about oxygen bottle theft which says: What can you do when thieves break the locks of the tent and take away oxygen bottles, food and even cooking gas? ...
emory's user avatar
  • 169
3 votes
2 answers
91 views

Portable canopy leg weights, how heavy?

I was at an event this weekend and noticed that many of the portable canopies had weights on the legs. My Canopy has stakes and rope tie downs, but often the soil is not appropriate for these (to ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
215 views

How to fix camping tent properly on LowePro Photosport BP 300 AW II

I have LowePro Photosport BP 300 AW II backpack for hiking and a camera. The old model of this bag had the proper straps to fix the tent but in the new model (which I have), I don't know how do I ...
skm's user avatar
  • 141
5 votes
1 answer
354 views

Restoring waterproofing of tent - worth the hassle?

Background: About 8 years ago I bought a rather cheap tent (about 100 €) for up to 4 people. It's quite large, you can stand upright in it's centre and there's an awning almost as deep as the sleeping ...
Erik's user avatar
  • 223
9 votes
3 answers
857 views

What is the defintion of a "unisex tent"?

I was searching around after a new hiking tent, when I noticed a specification called "unisex", I know that something is "unisex" if it's suited for all genders. Though it makes me wonder, how on ...
Periodic Sqare well's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
1k views

How to check whether a tent is prone to ants eating holes in tents?

Our tent was featured as ants free thanks to protective grids. However ants just ate holes in the wall material. Some research shows this is not unusual. Which tent wall material do I need to ...
J. Doe's user avatar
  • 217
7 votes
2 answers
464 views

Criteria for putting up a tent in morning or evening shade

We're going to an area in France where the expected daytime temperature will be 30°C or higher. We use a light brown (beige) coated cotton tent. We have to decide whether to put it up in the morning ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
194 views

Would it make sense to backpack with an 8 lb tent at Philmont Scout Ranch?

I am going to Philmont Scout Ranch in the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, USA, this August. I am planning on using the Eureka Timberline 4 tent, which weighs about 8 pounds. I am doing a 7 day trek and ...
JIMMYPlay's user avatar
  • 733
22 votes
9 answers
7k views

Under what conditions does heating a tent artificially make objective sense?

My question is motivated by the earlier question How To Quickly Warm A Tent, which generated a lot of interest, and one of the best comments ever on TGO: All I could think about after reading your ...
ab2's user avatar
  • 23.1k
4 votes
2 answers
457 views

How do I heat up my tent? [duplicate]

Is there any sort of mini heater that can be powered from a powerbank to be used in a tent (or anything similar)?
OYKM's user avatar
  • 43
4 votes
1 answer
405 views

Reattaching Tent Rain Fly Hooks

I have a Mountain Hardwear Trango 3.1 (a four-season tent) that lost the hooks on its rain fly. They simply became unglued from the inside of the fly a little while back. For those not familiar with ...
cbw's user avatar
  • 181
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

How are canvas tents made to be fire retardant?

While reading through this question about adding a stove jack to a canvas tent originally lacking one, I wondered about the feasibility of making an existing canvas tent fire retardant. Is it simply a ...
Jonathan E. Landrum's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Install a stove jack onto a canvas tent without one

I'd like to buy a kodiac canvas tent but they don't come with stove jacks. Not being handy at all, is there any company or store type where I could take the tent to and they could put the stove jack ...
sylvia 's user avatar
59 votes
12 answers
39k views

Is it warmer to sleep in a car or in a tent?

Is it warmer to sleep in a car or in a tent? Suppose that our old internal-combustion-engine car breaks down in a remote place at -30°C, -40°C, or -50°C, and the engine won't run at all. Suppose we'...
gerrit's user avatar
  • 27.1k
5 votes
1 answer
102 views

Magnetic connector for LED light on tent mesh

I'm looking at extending a strip of LED lighting into another of the tents rooms. Dividing the rooms is mozzie mesh. I could run a 3m extension wire down and back up again, however, I was wondering if ...
Hank's user avatar
  • 161