Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandra on May 28, 2009 at 5:08pm

No tent will keep you totally dry in a downpour. I've learned that from a total of 3 years (put back to back) of camping, sometimes for six months at a time (on the East Coast, where it can rain buckets). BUT you can stay dry with the use of tarps. (See http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/910569/how_to_stay_dry_whe... for the how to on staying dry when camping).

As to good tents, you might try Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_20036...), who have a great selection of good tents. Coleman is a great brand. Kelty is good. Check the stitching for extra reinforcement. And to help you stay dry, get a bathtub-shaped floor, not a flat one. (Although with good coverage from a large tarp system, it doesn't really matter.)

Depending on your budget, here are a few tents that looked good to me:
Sierra 6-man tent with great full rain fly – $449.95 http://mtgears.stores.yahoo.net/sideno63se6m.html
For a lot of room, especially with adult sized kids, I would really suggest you go with a bigger tent than 6-man, though.
For an 8-man tent with lots of room, some that looked pretty good are:
Outwell Tents $185 for a really big tent (make sure you are ordering from the U.S. if you want it quickly) http://www.tradetalk.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=259967&Language...
Coleman 3-Room 8-Person Tent about $229 – http://www.campingcomfortably.com/coleman-elite-weathermaster-tent-...
Eureka Tetragon 1610 (3 Room)
http://www.campingcomfortably.com/eureka-tetragon-1610-3-room.html

Other places you might check are Best Buy, Target, Sears, Ramsey Outdoor, Bass Pro, and whatever local sporting goods stores you have.

Tarps from floor to ceiling are the one reliable way to stay dry, no matter what the tent.

Permalink Reply by Elena on May 28, 2009 at 7:00pm

Thank You Sandra! I checked out the first link right now -- very informative and will check on the others right now. An 8 man sounds really nice, like I might not want to leave it, ha ha. I think I understand that the tarp would be at an angle then if the back is touching the ground. Great advice.

Permalink Reply by Sandra on May 28, 2009 at 8:59pm

As I discussed in my recent blog and article, the tarp has to almost touch the ground on at least two side of the tent and extend over the back and front of the tent. That means a bit tarp for you (or two) but if you want to stay really dry, that's what I recommend. Tents themselves, unless they have a full rainfly (that almost touches the ground on all four sides) will get wet in almost any downpour. Rain tends to fall at angles, as I'm sure you know, so extending a tarp well beyond all four sides of your tent will serve you well.

You'll need stakes and rope to stake out the tarps in a slant towards the ground at least on two, and preferably three sides. The fourth side can extend well beyond the tent's "front door" for some extra protection and an area to sit when the weather is wet. If it's big enough, you can even heat water there for coffee, but watch that you don't melt the tarp or your tent. :)

Permalink Reply by Sandra on May 28, 2009 at 9:05pm

I wrote a blog about staying dry in a tent, but now I don't see it. Try looking at my article about staying dry while camping at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/910569/how_to_stay_dry_whe...

Permalink Reply by Eric W. Heauser on May 29, 2009 at 1:26am

I like Sierra Design, Mountain Hardware, and REI
If you buy at REI ( any brand of gear ) and don't like it, you can take it back and buy something else - even years later !!!

This one has been GREAT !! even on a weekend in Big Sur that had 7 inches of rain in 36 hours !!

Permalink Reply by Shane Denil on June 11, 2009 at 12:59am

I don't go camping nearly as much as I would like to but my sister, who has kids and likes to be a little more comfy when she camps, and absolutely refuses to get wet......found this awesome tent this year and swears by it.

I just asked her where she got it. She found it at this place: http://www.serioussportinggoodscamping.com
The tent is made by Eureka and is called a Pine Lodge. It sleeps up to 8, I think. Oh, I found the exact page for you. http://www.serioussportinggoodscamping.com/product_info.php?cPath=1...

Hope this helps!
Shane

Permalink Reply by Elena on July 21, 2009 at 8:18pm

THANKS EVERYONE for all your responses and great tips! I just love this website and everyone on it is so nice.