Components of Camping Tents

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Camping Tents - Fly Sheet

A flysheet or rain fly (found only in double skin tents) is used to protect the inside of camping tents from water. It is waterproof on the outside and also provides a surface to collect condensation on the inside. Condensation then runs down the walls to the ground. When a flysheet is used, it is important that there be no contact with the inner tent it is protecting; this keeps the inner dry essentila when camping for a few days. 'Expedition' tents often have extra poles to help ensure that wind does not blow the two layers into contact

Camping Tents - Inner Tent

The inner tent comprises the main body of the camping tent. For double skin tents, the inner tent (often mesh) is not waterproof since it is protected by the rain fly. For single skin tents, the inner tent is often made of waterproof-breathable material that prevents liquid water from penetrating the inside of the camping tent, but still allows water vapour to be transported out.

Camping Tents - Vestibule

The vestibule is a floorless covered section located outside a camping tent entrance that is typically used for the storage of boots, packs, and other small equipment. They are often used for camping activities that cannot be performed within the tent itself, such as cooking or camping equipment cleaning. Vestibules may be included as a removable attachment or integrated into the tent itself.

Camping Tents - Ground Sheet

A groundsheet is used to provide a waterproof barrier between the ground and a sleeping bag. With double skin camping tents, the inner tents normally have a sewn-in groundsheet, but a separate flat groundsheet may be provided for any living area. With single skin tents, the groundsheet may be sewn in or separate. Normal practice with sewn-in groundsheets is for the groundsheet to extend some 15 cm (6 in) up the lower part of the walls (sometimes called a 'bathtub' arrangement); this copes with a situation where water seeps under the side walls of the tent. Separate groundsheets allow loadsharing when camping, and may make it easier to pitch and strike a tent, but they provide less protection against insects etc. getting into the sleeping area; also, if any part of a separate groundsheet protrudes from under the side walls, then it provides a ready path for moisture to flow into the tent and wet your sleeping bag (camping nightmare).

Camping Tents - Poles

The tent poles provide structural support to the camping tent. They may be collapsible for easier transport and storage. Some designs use rigid poles, typically made of metal, or sometimes wood. Other designs use semi-rigid poles, typically made of fiberglass, or sometimes of special metal alloys. For lightweight camping, another tent pole type uses inflatable beams as the structural support. Although beams are made from fabrics and materials that are rigid when inflated, they are soft and pliable when deflated.

Camping Tents - Pegs

Camping Tent Pegs may be used to fasten the tent to the ground. Some are attached to guy ropes that pull outward on the poles and/or fabric to help shape the tent or give it additional stability. Others are used to anchor the bottom edge of the fabric to the ground. Camping Tent pegs may be made of wood, plastic, or metal. A mallet may be needed to drive thicker pegs into the ground. Skewer metal pegs consisting essentially of a length of thick wire with a hook on one end can usually be inserted by hand, except if the ground is very hard, but may not be as strong as more substantial pegs. Tent pegs used for guy ropes should not be driven vertically into the ground; instead for maximum strength when camping in harsh conditions they should be driven in at an angle so that the tent peg is at right angles to the guy rope attached to it. Lighter free standing camping tents may need some guy ropes and pegs to prevent them from being blown away.

Camping Tents - Air Vents

When camping air vents help reduce the effects of condensation. When people breathe, they expel quite a lot of water vapour. If the outside of the tent is colder than the inside (the usual case when camping in the UK), then this vapour will condense on the inside of the tent, on any clothing lying about, on the outside of a sleeping bag, etc. Hence ventilation helps to remove the vapour, although this may let in cold air.

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