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4 Season Tents - Your Top Tips Buying Guide
By Nick P. Bentley
Basically, the difference between 4 season tents and regular tents is that a 4 season tent is tighter, with heavier and tougher outer walls. When it is all zipped up, there is no space anywhere for the ruthless natural elements to get in and disturb your peaceful sleep. In addition, 4 season tents are often more durable so that they can shield you safely from extremely heavy storms if need be. This does not mean, however, that you cannot use 4 season tents in more pleasant weather. Many styles of 4 season tents come with the option to unzip the outer fly so that you can catch cool breezes on summer days, while still being able to endure Ice - Age -type of temperatures in the winter.
If you ask me "Do I need a 4 season tent for a romantic summer night out?", I will shake my head. There is no pressing need to get 4 season tents for gentle summer camping. Even if there is a heavy downpour, using sleeping pads and planning adequately well beforehand should keep everything fairly dry. The crucial thing is to not camp at the bottom of a hill, to make sure the rain fly is securely in place, and to take full advantage of natural cover if any. But, a four season tent can be a nice thing to have for extreme conditions, and if you have the cash to get one, it is a luxury and a lasting investment that can really improve your experience.
You will find, however, that the more extreme the conditions for which it was designed, the more specialized a 4 season tent will be. For
example,
some true mountaineering 4 season tents are not things I would advise
you to bring for on a warm summer night. The ventilation panels are narrow and the end
result is that it will be stuffy and hot at night if you are during the summer with them. Additionally, they are made of heavier,
stronger stuff, and as a result are an added weight for your normal trip in which lightness is a virtue.
And of course, good 4 season
tents can come at exorbitant prices, running up to $500 dollars and more sometimes.
Compare this to an ordinary 1-2 person summer tent that you might grab at your
neighborhood store. I got mine for a tiny sum of $30 dollars and, although it provides
little warmth, it gives me all the comfort I need during the summer when combined
with a decent sleeping bag.
The truth of the matter is, it is important
to think about what you will be doing before you go out and buy expensive mountaineering
equipment and 4 season tents that you will not need. You must make sure that
your equipment fits its purpose.
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