| | | Dome TentsDome tents have a very simple structure and are available in a wide variety of sizes ranging from lightweight 2-person tents with limited headroom up to 6 or 9-person tents with headroom exceeding 180 cm (6 ft). These tents may be single wall, or single-wall with partial flysheet, or double wall. Depending on the pole arrangement, some tent models pitch outer-tent first, while others pitch inner-tent first. The former helps keep the inner tent dry, but the latter is easier to pitch.
The basic dome tent has a rectangular floor and two poles which cross at the peak; each pole runs in a smooth curve from one bottom corner of the tent, up to the peak, and then down to the diagonally opposite bottom corner. There are usually special fittings at each corner which fit into sockets at the ends of each tent pole - tent pole tension keeps everything in shape. The tent poles can run on either the inside or outside of the tent fabric. When located on the interior, tent poles are held in place by a variety of means including hook and loop style straps, clips, and other fastening hardware. Tent poles that are located on the outside of the tent fabric are attached via fabric pole sleeves or plastic clips. Dome tents do not require guy ropes and tent pegs for structural integrity as they are considered free-standing, but must be pegged down in high winds.
The basic dome tent design has been modified extensively, producing tents with three poles, tents with irregularly-shaped bases, and other unusual types. A common variationof this tent is to add a third pole between two adjacent corners; this is angled away from the tent and supports an extension of the flysheet, to give a porch/storage area.
| Tunnel TentsTunnel tents may offer more usable internal space than a dome tent with the same ground area, but almost always need guy ropes and tent pegs to stay upright. These are almost always double wall tents. Sizes range from 1-person tents with very limited headroom up to 8 or 10-person tents with headroom exceeding 180 cm (6 ft). Tunnel tents have a low end profile making them great for high wind situations.
A basic tunnel tent uses three flexible tent poles, arranged as three parallel hoops, with tent fabric attached to form a tunnel. The most common designs have a sleeping area at one end and a porch/storage/living area at the other. Smaller designs may use only 2 tent poles and larger designs may use 4 poles; the latter may have a sleeping area at each end and a living area in the middle.
| Hybird Dome / Tunnel TentsHybrid dome/tunnel tents are now common. One variation is to use a basic dome tent as the sleeping area; one or two hooped poles to one side are linked by a tunnel to the dome tent to provide a porch. Another variation is to use a large dome tent as the living area, with up to 4 tunnel extensions to provide sleeping areas.
| Geodesic TentsGeodesic tents are essentially dome tents with 2 or more extra tent poles which criss-cross the normal two poles to help support the basic shape and minimise the amount of unsupported fabric. This makes the tent more suitable for use in snowy conditions and in strong winds. To help withstand strong winds these tents are rarely more than 120 or 150 cm high (4 to 5 ft).
| Single Hoop TentsSingle-hoop tents use just one flexible pole and are often sold as light-weight 1 or 2-person tents. These are the modern equivalent of older style pup tents, and have the same feature of somewhat limited headroom. Different styles may have the tent pole going either along or across the tent. | Pop up / Quickpitch TentsThe pop-up tent is a recent innovation. This type of tent is equipped with built-in very flexible hoops so that when the tent is unpacked, it springs into shape immediately, and so is extremely easy to set up. Such tents are usually single-skinned and are generally aimed at the one-season or children's end of the market; their high flexibility makes the tent unsuitable for use in windy situations. After use the tent is packed down into a thick disc shape; for a two-man tent this would be roughly the size of a bodhrán.
|
|
| | | Order by Telephone |  | | 017687 80446 | | Newsletter |  |  | | Sign up | for our newsletter
for a chance to win a
Columbia Whiteface Jacket | | Our other websites | | For Outdoor Clothing: |  | | For Travel Bags: |  | | For Baselayers: |  | | Security | | Secure online payments with: |  | | Manufacturers | | Gelert | | Lafuma | | MSR | | Thermarest | | Nalgene | | Cocoon | | |
|
