Though I will always opt for my own home, should the need arise and I need to leave it behind I’d like to be prepared. If it’s more serious then allowing for the option to stay at family or friends, I’m going to need a tent. The thought may scare you, but listen…you can use your tent in the emergency off season for family trips and extended weekends to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Fun. Cheap (debatable). Easy. No need to panic.
A stroll through your local camping or retail store will allow you to see that there are about as many tent options as there are car options. It can make for a confusing purchasing experience. The last tent I bought took me several weeks to purchase. I was being picky about it, but for good measure. I’ve come to realize you can’t always go by what’s on the box to know if it’s a good tent or not. Thank goodness for online reviews given by people who’ve used all varieties in real life camping situations. I would say, do your research. Long though it may be, a tent is an investment, especially if your plans are to only use it if you have to. Camping isn’t everyone’s thing, and that’s OK. I prefer for it not to be my thing too, but somehow I find myself doing it from year to year. I generally end up enjoying myself, so that’s good.
When purchasing a tent, I’ve found that it’s best to understand the four general types of tents that are on the market. They are:
1. Hiking Tents
2. Rapid Tents
3. Dome Tents
4. Cabin Tents
For the adventurer the first two varieties may be just what you are in the market for. Hiking tents made for 1-2 people that are light to pack and compact to store are perfect for being on the move while biking, hiking, rock climbing or whatever adventure you are on. Rapid Tents are similar to the these features but do just what the category suggests, quickly set up and quickly come down. Some of these are literal “pop up” types.
Dome tents are clearly the most common tent…okay, it’s the most common that I’ve seen in my limited, but vast camping experience. They are light, easy to set up, inexpensive and come with all sorts of options and features. They even have cell phone pockets inside these days.
The next type is the type I hope to add to my emergency preparedness. These things are just incredible and make a long term housing experience the most enjoyable should you need to stay for awhile! They are fancy, but they do come at a price. I think in the long term you’d thank yourself if you can ever add one to your inventory. The Cabin tent! A literal home away from home! They are big and their vertical walls maximize your usable square footage the way only dome tents wish they could. These things are built to last and most of them even come with big extendable front or back awnings making them feel twice as big. These tents are really the ideal options for long term emergency preparedness. You can buy versions with multiple rooms, with vents allowing for stoves to make you feel nearly as comfortable as you would in your home kitchen and keep you toasty warm without being smoked out. There are plenty of options for suppliers and makers. I’m just starting my long research on these. Long because, well let’s face it, with that price tag, I’m buying the best one for the best price. Among my favorite brands I’m looking at right now are the “Barbones” tents. They are sold at several retailers, but I was introduced to this brand by a neighbor who’s enthusiasm for emergency preparedness supersedes mine. You’ll meet her here sometime. Her plan is to purchase several of these so that if she has to live in one, she is living well. One for sleeping, one for cooking and one for storing. I just hope we are tent neighbors if we ever need to live in these! The link is included for your benefit, not mine. I’m not advertising for them, just willing to give a nod, I’m impressed. Whether it’s one of their tents or another, I think I will own several dome tents for family camp outs and for general use, but will strive to own a cabin tent to put into the inventory.
If all else fails, a good old fashioned tarp works should you need it. Or you can go Bear Grylls and use an animal carcass. Again, not my first pick, but I guess you do what you have to do.