Tents can be safely divided into two groups: tunnel and dome tents. Both templates have their own advantages, which will be discussed below. When choosing a tent, you should think about the intended purpose. Do you use the tent in the summer or all year round? Do you canoe a lot and camp more on rocky surfaces? Winter and summer hikes have different requirements.
Tunnel tent
Tunnel tent arches are similar where the tent is pulled taut with strings to keep it upright. The tent will not stay upright without the support.
The ratio of weight to interior space in a tunnel tent is better than average compared to a dome tent. The tunnel tent consists of at least three arches and the tent also has a large front room where equipment is stored and food can be prepared if necessary. The arches of the tunnel tents are generally attached to the outer tent, which allows you to attach the inner tent to the outer tent before setting up the outer tent and then sheltering from the rain.
The tunnel tent is a good choice for longer hikes and winter hikes and also when you want a large front room to store things from the rain.
Dome tent
The arches of the dome tents intersect in one or more places, creating an independent structure. Dome tents are generally called independent tents or free-standing tents. The advantage of a dome tent over tunnel tents is that it allows and is easy to set up in a terrain where it is not possible to use tent stakes (rocky terrain). Dome tents should always be secured with ropes, if possible.
The arches of many dome tents are attached to the inner tent, which allows the tent to be set up and used without a waterproof outer tent in good weather. This way, you can camp on warm summer evenings, without fear of rain, and only mosquitoes are a source of concern. The inner tents are made of mesh and protect you from mosquitoes, which gives you a carefree feeling when you are in nature.
A dome tent is also a good choice for summer trips, as many tents can be packed small and do not take up space. The tent will stay upright without attaching the storm lines, but the fact is that they can always be attached if there is an opportunity. Attaching the storm cords prevents the outer tent from touching the inner tent and also avoids the formation of moisture in the inner tent. A dome tent is a solid choice if you don’t have a specific use defined.
Camping tent
A camping tent is a tent that is suitable for use in vacation spots. The tent is waterproof, but in terms of other features it is not intended for use on hikes. For example, tent arches are not as durable, as quick to set up and as windproof as camping tents. The weight of the tent is not that big of a difference in resting places, as opposed to hiking. The size of camping tents varies from two people to ten people.
Water resistance of the tent material
The waterproofness of the tent fabric is measured as the water column number. This number tells, in millimeters, how much the weight of the water column can withstand. A water column of 1500 mm can be considered as a waterproof track in the tent fabric. The bottom fabric of the tent must have a higher water resistance than the top fabric, as the water pressure is higher when on the ground. The bottom fabric 3000 mm is a good number for waterproofing in normal use, unless you spend the night in swampy/wet areas.
Summary
The difference between hiking and camping tents is relative. It must be admitted that, for example, when hiking in the tundra, strong winds are more likely than in the forest, and for this we recommend a camping tent. The weight of the tent is important when choosing camping tents. Since the tent is carried with you, it is recommended to choose the lightest possible tent. Tents for two and three people generally weigh 2-4 kg. Camping tents focus on light weight, windproofness and quick erection.
When hiking in winter, the importance of the tent multiplies even more. The four-season tents focus on durability and the tent is more windproof. Winter tents also suffer from snow loads. When camping in winter, it is important to pay special attention to air exchange so that moisture does not freeze on the inside of the tent. Year-round tents for 2-4 people weigh an average of 3-6 kg.