Choosing a Dome Tent for Camping
Because they"re freestanding stands they can be blown away by the wind if not staked properly. Some dome tents can"t be staked and depend on the weight inside it and its own weight to keep it down.To choose a dome tent, first decide on how many people will sleep in it then add one or two to the person rating. For example if 3 people are going to sleep in the tent, choose a 4 person tent or a 5 person tent. This will give you enough space for you to sleep comfortably.
Next you decide on the tent rating. In most cases, you"ll only need a 3-season tent. Although 3-season tents are not meant for winter use, many users report that they have no problems using 3-season tents in winter. A 4-season tent is a lot heavier than 3-season tents.
Weight is something that you should seriously consider if you"re going to use the tent for backpacking. You"re likely to enjoy less if you have too much to carry. Weight is not much of an issue if you"re just base camping.
Packed size is also an important consideration when backpacking since you have a limited space inside your backpack. A dome may look small when pitched but they may pack quite large so be sure you know how small the tent actually is when packed.
Ventilation is a big issue with dome tents because of the geometric design. As a result, moisture tends to gather at the top of the dome. A single wall tent is more likely to have a problem with condensation than double-wall tents because in theory, air can circulate between the two walls. The humidity and temperature of the outside air significantly increases the risk of condensation.
The dome tent you choose should also be easy to set up. Some dome tents use a clip system for the poles which makes it really easy to set up. Traditionally, you"d have to run the poles through the sleeves of the tent and in many dome tents you still have to. Dome tents using the sleeve system have a stronger structure.
A less obvious consideration when choosing dome tents is color. In some places, it is required that a tent be "invisible" and some require your tent to be highly visible for safety purposes. Color also affects how much the tent absorbs the sun"s heat. A dark colored tent can get quite warm inside when exposed to the sun.