A tent for all seasons...

or maybe i should say "a tent for EACH season".  As I've continued to learn, train, and experience the outdoors, i have "collected" a lot of equipment.  Some of it integrates into my prepping plan as it serves a function in a survival situation, and some of it is a tool for training.  a wet stone for me to sharpen my personal skills on.   This is important because its not the gear that will save my family in a crisis, it me and the skills i've develop.   One of the areas that has exploded in terms of gear is my tent collection.

Being involved with the Boy Scouts, we camp one weekend a month while school is in, and almost two weeks in the summer for summer camp.  The joke in our troop is its like the Army reserves. Thats no disrespect to reservist, those folks do a tough job, and have my full respect, but the point is we campout A LOT.  We're talking 20 plus days a year of just scout camping. Multiply that by the years from Tenderfoot to first-class and thats a lot of time in a tent sleeping on the ground.  Well one of the things a senior scout leader told me when i first got involved was "spend the money and get good gear to make yourself comfortable. You're out here more then you realize, and being comfortable will make it much more enjoyable".

I've also come to the conclusion that there is no shame in "Glamping".  I have a full size pick up, and i fill that sucker with gear.  I take a cot, and heater, my goal zero solar gear, and whatever i need to be comfortable.  The tent i use the most is a Coleman instant 6 person, that weighs a ton, goes up in a snap, and i can stand up fully and walk around and get dressed in.  I'm part of the Quartermasters equipment team and we work hard the whole campout, and getting a good night sleep and not being hunched over putting on pants may seem like a small thing, but when its month after month it gets old.  Weight or size is not problem because we drive to our camp sites and i'm moving heavy gear all day anyway.

My family camping gear has an even bigger Coleman instant tent from the same line. That one has a divider making two rooms.  I also have a huge Coleman weather master that was such a deal i couldn't pass up, and a screen room for eating and other activities without the usual bugs that are part of camping.  This is also the gear that stays loaded in my trailer and would be base camp in an evac situation.  Weight is not a concern as much as comfort and stability, so carry whatever i want.  These are my shelters for my loved ones, and i have space for equipment and tasks inside because weather could be a factor.

Much like boat owners get 2 foot-itis and upgrade over time, the same happens with tents.  The only advantage is Coleman Tents are cheaper then Searays.   I will have to admit i miscalculated the value of standing and bought the 4 person instant tent first.  Its a great tent.  The foot print is just a few feet smaller then the 6, and they are almost identical at a distance, but the 4 is roughly 5'5" at the center.  I figured if i'm going to have to sit down to get dressed, i may as well be in my dome summer tent.   This is the tent my son and his buddies use on our personal outings, it fits them perfectly, and they get all the advantages of the instant tent design.   

Speaking of my Dome tent, a lot of other Scout Masters use them every outing.  Mine is nice for a couple people, and the ventilation is great for summer camping.  Its not my main stay, since we do most of our camping during the school year, but it has seen a few weekends.  The main reason i have it is it was one of the last 2 at Sam's club and they were almost giving it away at the end of season.  It practically leaped into my cart.  If i never sleep in it again, i got my money's worth.  I will say, when its a hot night, and the bugs are biting, sitting in that little screen porch is great.

When weight and size is an issue, i have 2 options.  The first my Vango Banshee 300.  I have another post about this tent, but is simply amazing.

The second is a Snugpak Scorpion 3.  Its self supportive structure makes it perfect for backpacking in the winter months.  It can support the weight of snow, and requires minimum ground stakes if the surface is frozen.

Both of my backpacking tents are 3 man for several reasons. Manufacturer's "tent math" not with standing, the chances are slim that i would go on an overnight hike alone. Its far more likely that my son and I will hit the trails together. A 3 man tent may not fit 3 grown men, but its perfect for 2 and a couple of back packs.  The weight difference is almost a zilch issue for me.  I'm not hiking the Appalachian trail or anything that adventures. so whats another 6 or 10 oz for a weekend. When he and I hike, I usually carry the tent, my sleeping bag, and a larger proportion of the gear.  He carries his sleeping bag and gear, and the food.  A 3 man means you share the load by splitting the gear.

At the end of the day, all these tents are just a way for me to be comfortable and get outside more so i can train and do more.  If you're uncomfortable, and not happy, you won't go do it.  Skills beats stuff, so don't let little things get in the way getting better skills.