Tents are a basic and important part of the camping experience and the outdoor life.  Although they are not completely necessary they can make a camping experience much more comfortable and allow privacy in busy campsites.  On one backpacking trip  I learned how much I valued tents and the shelter they provide.  The group I was with decided we didn’t need a tent so that our backpacks could be lighter.  It is something we ended up regretting when we woke up with a bear standing over us!  I’ve also camped in wet and rainy weather and was happy to have something keeping the water out.

The number one concern for most campers is finding cheap tents or in, other words, a high quality tent… Continue reading

Being able to spend time outdoors with your family is a great way to build bonds that you can’t get in any other way.  Family cabin tents are great options for families wanting to share the outdoors together. They tend to be much larger than most tents and have bigger doorways, more windows and sometimes screened in porches.  The windows, doorways and porches make a huge difference in helping to create good ventilation within the tent walls.  The biggest benefit of cabin tents is that they are designed like a little cabin or home.  Think back to the 1800’s to the small houses families lived in.  They were no where near spacious compared to today’s standards but families managed to live in these… Continue reading

 Canvas tents are heavy and expensive (not the best if you are looking for cheap tents) yet, there are still quite a few advantages and reasons to why you might want to own them.  Canvas is made of cotton and makes it a very strong and durable material and if it rips or tears you can sew it much easier than you can another type of tent. 

So where can you buy a canvas tent?

Canvas tents can be found almost anywhere but remember they will be a little pricier.  A good place to start looking is an outdoor store like Cabela’s or REI.  These stores will have a few more options than the more general stores.  Also, they know what… Continue reading

When it comes to tent size you should almost always consider a tent that can sleep more people than you actually need since space is usually exaggerated by the different tent brands.  Thus, if you are looking for a 6 man tent you should probably go with an 8 man tent just to play it safe, especially if you are bringing an air mattress or a lot of camping gear. 

6 man tents can be perfect as a 4 man tent and will provide you some extra room to feel more comfortable in. 

Coleman Sundome 6 Tent-

This 2 room affordable tent by Coleman has a center height of six feet and comes with… Continue reading

Coleman Sundome 7-feet by 5-feet 2 Person Tent

Coleman tents is a leader in outdoor gear whether it is for camping beds, camping stoves or camping tents you are sure to not go wrong when you choose this tent brand.  With their Coleman Sundome tent line they outdid themselves again delivering a tent that features different sizes including this 2 man tent. The sundome tents come equipped with many of Coleman’s best features like the WeatherTec system that guarantees to keep you dry.

This 2 person tent is ideal for… Continue reading

Whenever you go camping it is important to make sure you are as comfortable as possible and camping cots and air mattresses help you be able to do this. Any type of camping bed will help you sleep better and improve your overall comfort level in your tent, as well as, your camping experience.
Camping cots are a great alternative to an air mattress because they allow you to sleep up higher off of the ground and make less noise then the inflatable mattresses. You know what I am talking about. On an air mattress every time you roll over you have to hear it squeak.

Ozark Trails

Ozark Trail is one outdoor brand that makes a… Continue reading

Camping really is a great way to spend time with the family and is a very affordable option for a family vacation. You don’t need to worry about getting a hotel room, or flying or driving very far because you can camp close to home. The problem with tent camping is that for people who aren’t big fans of the outdoors is that you have to sleep outside on the ground.

This might make you cringe at the thought of having to spend a couple of days sleeping outside in a tent on uncomfortable ground. For those of you who feel that way I completely understand. I have woken up a few times in the middle of the night uncomfortable and with rocks… Continue reading

Cabin tents come in all sorts of sizes and all sorts of configurations which is why they are great as a family tent. There is usually something that will match anyone’s needs. Sometimes the sizes can be a little confusing with all of the manufacturers labeling it as a certain “man tent” and saying that is how many people can sleep in the tent.  Unfortunately, you will probably need a tent that is bigger than the number they suggest because it is often understated.  Size and space is such an important factor in a family cabin tent that you really need to know what you are looking for. 

An 8 man tent is a great option for most families.  Lets say you… Continue reading

When you are out hiking and backpacking by yourself you want a 1 man tent that is as light as possible and that you will be able to pack up without taking up too much space.  In this case you might not want or need a tent that maximizes sleeping space. 

You just want something that will help you be covered when sleeping.  Bivy tents and Bivy sacks are a great option when you are trying to keep your backpack weight down but still want some sort of shelter to sleep in at the end of a long day of hiking.  They are also a great bike tent option if you don’t want to use bike tents that require your… Continue reading

Finding cheap tents is not difficult to do.  Today there are many different retailers that sale outdoor gear and camping supplies.  In the summer months sales are abundant on these items as stores try to target people that want to do outdoor activities.  So where exactly can you buy tents and other outdoor gear?

Outdoor Stores:

The places that are going to sale the most tents are places that specifically target sports and activities like hunting and fishing.  Often outdoor retailers are more expensive than other places you can find.  Since they specialize in selling outdoor gear you can find better quality tents than at other places and usually more options.

Cabela’s

This is one of… Continue reading

Different campgrounds and tent camping sites will have different amenities and options available to you. Not every camper is looking for the same conditions.  Here are some camping tips that will help you sift your way through all of the options available to you.

Research Possible Campgrounds

This is an important first step in finding a good campground.  You need to find out how much a spot is going to cost you and what kind of facilities it has. If you are new to camping you aren’t going to want to completely rough it.  So find out what sort of bathroom and water facilities they have and how close it will be to your tent site.  Are you going to… Continue reading

Being comfortable while camping isn’t always the easiest thing to do especially if you are tent camping.  Fortunately, technology is improving and more and more products are aimed at making your camping experience more comfortable.  An air mattress or any camping bed is the easiest way to improve your comfort level.  They are easy to set up, can easily be made compact, and can making sleeping in a tent a whole different experience.  While some people might enjoy roughing it, a lot of people would enjoy it a lot more with a few of the comforts they can find at home.

Coleman is one of the most well-known outdoor brands and a stop at your local Walmart or Target will… Continue reading

Coleman is one of the most trusted brands in outdoor gear and probably the one that comes to mind to most people when selecting a tent.  They offer a wide array of tents that meet the needs of almost any size camping group.  3 Man tents are ideal for a solo camper who wants a little more space than a traditional 1 man tent or can be used by two campers also hoping for a little more room than a 2 man tent will offer. 
Here are three options for a three man tent that all come equipped with their exclusive WeatherTec System and Variflo ventilation.

Coleman Sundome 7 foot by 7 foot 3 person Dome Tent

You don’t need a tent to go biking and stay in the outdoors for a prolonged period of time; however, having a bike tent or other tent along for the ride can be useful in areas where there are large populations of bugs or adverse weather.  Since you don’t want your ride to be weighed down anymore than it has to be, look for tents that are light 1 person tents.  You can find tents specifically designed for bikes that use the wheel instead of tent poles.  Using the wheel can be advantageous because it cuts down the weight of the tent by eliminating the need for tent poles. At the same time this method can prove to be a hassle in setting it… Continue reading

Finding a tent large enough for a big family or a lot of campers is not always easy.  So finding a 10 person tent that is of  good quality can be priceless.  Tents are often smaller than what they advertise especially when you add all of your gear into the mix.  A lot of casual campers who aren’t backpacking into the site want a large tent.  They want to be able to fit a queen size air mattress, plus some smaller ones and all of their stuff.
One very trusted brand is Swiss Gear and they have been able to produce a large 10 man tent that can deliver in size, quality and durability.

The Swiss Gear Montreaux Ten Person Family Dome Tent can be… Continue reading

Most family camping is done at easy to get to campsites.  You just need to pull up to the site in your car and walk a few yards to where you plan to set up camp.  Some families enjoy a more rugged camping experience.  If you plan on hiking into your site you want

to make sure you can bring a lightweight tent that isn’t going to add too much extra weight to your backpacks.

The Sierra Designs Lightning XT Four is a great option for families looking for 4 man tents that are strong, durable 3 season tents, without the size of a large cabin tent.  It also can double as a bigger 2 man tent if… Continue reading

For those who want to camp often, buying cheap tents isn’t always the way to go. 

You need something that is durable, long-lasting and can withstand all of the different types of climates and weather you might face.  Tents that match this description aren’t the easiest to find.  However, one well respected outdoor gear brand is Coleman.  They have been making products to use with camping for over 100 years.  One of these products is the Coleman weathermaster tent.  This is a great tent if you know you want a tent to last for many years to come.

The Coleman weathermaster comes in 3 different sizes.
1.    4 man tent- Listing price is $229. Look around and you… Continue reading

Camping is a great affordable family vacation.  Unfortunately, most tents don’t accommodate lots of people very well.  If you are going camping with your family

you will want a larger tent to make sure space isn’t too cramped and cabin tents help provide that extra space.  Here are 5 cheap tents that will help your family enjoy the great outdoors.

1. Wenzel Great Basin 18 x 10-Feet-Nine-Person Two-Room Family Dome Tent:

• Sleep Capacity:9 Man
• Rooms:  2
• Weight: 24 lbs
• Size: 18×10ft
• Tent Poles: Shock Corded fiberglass
• Seasons:  3 Season Tent
• Ventilation:

windows: 2 mesh windows
Doors: 2 double… Continue reading

Air mattresses are a great thing to have when you are camping.   They can make you feel more at home and less like you are outside sleeping on the ground.   Here are a few things you should consider when you buy an air mattress or inflatable bed for your tent.

1.  How portable is it?  This really shouldn’t be a problem for you at all.  Almost all air beds come with a duffle back to carry it in.  They are very light and easy to carry with you.  The only time this is going to be an issue is if you are going to be hiking or backpacking into the campgrounds.  If you are hiking in, you probably won’t want any more… Continue reading

A trailer tent is a great option for the many people that love the outdoors but don’t like the idea of “roughing it.  They might think it’s beautiful or they want to spend the day by the lake, but thoughts of camping on the ground send any thoughts of camping fleeting away faster than the thoughts of going came.  If you are one of those people you should consider getting a trailer tent for you and your family. 

So you’re wondering why exactly you should get a tent trailer?  Well, the first advantage to having one is that when you go for a weekend outdoors you don’t have to sleep directly on the ground.  You are elevated off the ground so if some unexpected weather arises… Continue reading

A camping trip for just a couple of people is a great way to get away from mundane everyday life.  However, space in tents can be very limited. That is why you should consider getting a 3 man tent instead of a 2 man tent. They are a great option and usually are about the same price.  The one difference is how much room it’s going to provide which is often important.  Here are three times you should consider getting a 3 man tent.

1.  You are tall or weigh more than the average person.  Sure 2 people can fit inside but can any of your stuff or your feet even?   Also, you don’t know what the standard they are… Continue reading

There are many things to understand when purchasing cheap tents.  One of them is the structure and what keeps them together.  Tent Poles are very important parts of a tent that keep it standing and in place.  The entire integrity of the structure can depend on these two things.  You are going to have a lot of options to consider in finding a tent that meets your needs and understanding more about what keeps your tent standing will help you find a tent that will last longer under the conditions you will be using it in.
Tent poles are the framework for your tent.  You attach the body of the tent and all of the the tent material to the poles and this gives your… Continue reading