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Wenzel Alpine 8.5 X 8-Feet Dome Tent (Light Grey/Blue/Gold) Review
Specifications
Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all-purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in. If you're a backpacker, alpine climber, or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to buy something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall, and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three-season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are specifically designed for summer backpacking or other activities. Many premium tents will also feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain fly for enhanced waterproofing.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four-season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types: freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and tents that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floorplan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being lighter. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.
Lightweight, easy to set up and take down, the Wenzel Alpine 3-pole pentadome tent is a great choice for a camping adventure. It features a single room that measures 8 by 8.5 feet with the third pole creating a vestibule, giving an area for storing gear and weather protection. It will sleep up to 3 people. This tent has a D-style door with mesh window, and closeable mesh windows for great cross ventilation. A gear loft and hanging gear pocket are included as well as an integrated mud mat with a drainage strip. The shockcorded fiberglass frame and pole pockets make set up quick. The Weather Armor polyester with a polyurethane coating protects from top to bottom while the sonic sealed polyethylene tub-style floor combats water seepage. Seams are Double-stitched, lap-felled to provide a shingle effect against water and all threads, zippers and webbing are treated with superior water repellency applications. Duffle bag is included for storage. Specifications: • Base: 8.5 ft. x 8 ft. • Center Height: 48 in. • Area: 49 sq. ft. (vestibule 7 sq. ft.) • Door: Dutch "D" style • Floor: welded polyethylene • Frame: fiberglass • Stakes: steel • Carry Weight: 8 lbs • Sleeps: 3
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Features & Specifications:
Holds up to 30 people. Durable water proof polyethylene cover. High quality, rust & corrosion resistant powder coated steel framework. Steel frame tubing diameter ranges between .75" and 1". Elegant Design. Easy to set up, all hardware for assembly and instructions included. Blocks up to 90% of the sun´s UV rays this canopy will keep you cool and comfortable. Ideal for commercial or recreational use - parties, weddings, flea markets, etc. Can be erected on hard surfaces such as decks, driveways, etc. Walls attach with Velcro fasteners for easily assembly/ removal. Sidewalls are easily removed for open air exhibits or outdoor events with overhead protection. Four sidewalls with large pane windows for maximum light and viewing. 2 solid end walls with Velcro attachments. Comes with ropes and stakes for added stability. Color is all white. Brand New. Because we cannot be there to set this up for you, and we have no control over your local weather, wind, or soil conditions, it is ultimately up to you to determine if your assembly and anchoring of this canopy is sufficient. Set up is easiest when you have at least 4 people to assist with assembly. We are not responsible for damage to the unit sustained while erected in winds more than 10 MPH or other adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, etc. Please note as with all products of this type it is not recommended to be left up in the wind. We advise customers NEVER to leave them up overnight, particularly with the roof and side panels on when gust of winds can damage them. We cannot be responsible for such damage . All sales are final, this item is not returnable.
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Swiss Gear Montreaux Ten Person Family Dome Tent Review
Other features include truncated corners for stability, a full rainfly, an e-port that offers easy and dry electrical cord access, factory-taped fly seams, a sonic-welded polyethylene floor, and a zippered duffel carrying bag.
Specifications:
Measuring 17.5 by 14 feet, the large Swiss Gear Montreaux Family Dome Tent will sleep up to ten people. It features a generous 177 square feet of space with sewn-in room dividers creating two distinct living areas and two side rooms with divider curtains for extra storage. Ventilation is maximized with a large "D" style door, full mesh ceiling and side and rear windows. The full cover rain fly gives added protection and the floor is water-resistant, sonic welded polyethylene. Heavy SwissGuard fabric coating on both the fly and wall fabrics provide water repellency while lap felled seams and factory taped fly seams ensure added weather proofing. This tent sets up easily with plastic eave hubs and pin and ring system. The patented truncated corners give the tent stability. Includes E-port for electrical cord access. Specifications: • Base: 17.5 ft. x 14 ft. • Center Height: 84 in. • Area: 177 sq. ft. • Door: Dutch "D" style • Floor: welded polyethylene • Frame: shockcorded fiberglass/steel • Stakes: steel • Carry Weight: 37 lbs. • Sleeps: 10
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Stansport "Scout" Backpack Tent (Forest Green, 6-Feet 6-Inch X4-Feet 6-Inch X 3-Feet) Review
Features
Specifications
About Stansport:
Stansport has produced quality camping gear for more than 50 years, from tents to backpacks and rafts to cookware.
Our Stansport Scout Backpack Tent has a sturdy "A" frame design. It has two aluminum poles and a no-see-um mesh door screen. The upper is a lightweight 800mm p.u. coated nylon and the floor is rugged P.E.. Ropes and stakes included. Weighs 3.8 lbs. Perfect for spring, summer and fall backpacking.
