The North Face is an outdoor product manufacturing company, specializing in products like jackets, tents, fleece wear, luggage, and shoes started by Douglas Tompkins in 1966. Their clothing and equipment lines are specifically aimed towards climbers, mountaineers, skiers, snowboarders, and hikers.

Mr. Tompkins sold the business in 1968, and The North Face is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the VF Corporation, one of the World’s largest apparel companies, owning leading brand names such as Wrangler, Lee Jeans, Riders, Rustler, Brittania etc.

North manufactures three main types of tents: Expedition, 3-season and Ultralight tents.

North Face Expedition Tents:

North Face Expedition Tents include the 2 Meter Dome, Himalayan 47, Expedition 36, VE 25 and Mountain 25. All these tents are constructed with Waterproof Flysheet technology – Polyurethane coating, hot-sealed seams with polyurethane tape, and welded Velcro strips on fly attached to poles for added stability. Except for the 2 Meter Dome, they also come with a polyurethane window, cold crack tested to 60°F. Price ranges from $400 to $5000.

The 2 Meter Dome tent offers maximum space and wind resistance, mainly intended for expedition activities. Features include dual doors, interior canopy loops, 420 denier nylon taffeta floor, and 210 denier nylon Oxford canopy. It is the most expensive North Face tent.

The Himalayan 47 is designed for resistance against weather conditions such as high winds or heavy snow. Features include dual doors with dual vestibules, compression stuffsack, internal pockets, internally adjustable zippered vents with mesh screens, reflective guyline loops, guylines and glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls, etc.

The Expedition 36, VE 25 and Mountain 25 are specifically designed for high wind resistance. Their features include most of the Himalayan 47 features such as dual doors with dual vestibules (for the Mountain 24, a front vestibule), internally adjustable zippered vents with mesh screens, reflective guyline loops, internal pockets, etc.

The Himalayan 47, Expedition 36 and Mountain 25 all come with 70 denier 210T nylon taffeta floors, and 40 denier 240 T nylon ripstop canopies.

North Face 3-Season Tents:

North Face 3-Season Tents include Trailhead 8/6/4, Merlin 33, Petrel 23, Roadrunner 22, Bug 23, Rock 22 and Talus 23, with price ranging from $180 to $400.

The Trailhead series come with 70 denier, 190T nylon taffeta canopy, 210 denier Oxford nylon floor, and include integrated roll down dividers for separated sleeping compartments. The series number indicates the number of people that can be accommodated.

The Petrel 23 is a freestanding, front-entry, two person tent – a backpacking staple for three-season use. The Roadrunner 22 is a two person tent with Waterproof Flysheet Construction. The Rock 22 is constructed with Continuous Pole Sleeve Technology which increases tent stability by maximizing contact between canopy and tent pole, and distributes pressure and weight from high winds and snow; and both the Bug 33 and Talus 23 with Fusion Pitch technology which combines continuous pole sleeves with clip construction for easy setup and improved ventilation.

North Face Ultralight Tents:

North Face Ultralight Tents include the Tadpole 23, Particle 13 and Vector 22, with price ranging from $200 to $230. All the three models are constructed with Waterproof Flysheet technology, with 40 denier 240T nylon ripstop canopy and 70 denier 210T nylon taffeta floor.

The Tadpole 23 is a two-person tent with Fusion Pitch, while the Particle is a lightweight one-person tent with a silicone flysheet for ease of packing and water repellency. The Vector 22 is a freestanding, two-person backpacking tent also with a silicone flysheet and dual doors.

All the Ultralight tents are equipped with the common North Face tent features such as compression stuffsack, fly only pitching, internal pockets, DAC Featherlite aluminum poles, reflective guyline loops and zipper cording etc.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=23136&ca=Recreation

It is difficult sometimes to compare tents on price alone because often times someone can cut corners in small ways that lead to a sub standard tent.  Some of the things I liked about the Eureka tent were how the keys fit into the bottom of the poles.

At the end of each of the poles Eureka inserted a plastic part that had a tiny hole just the size of the key to insert.  This helped to prevent the pole or key from getting torn up and securely fastened the tent to the metal frame.

Another feature I noticed was that all the seams were sealed and it looked like some sort of tape or adhesive was used to make sure you wouldn’t have any leaks.

The fly over the top also had a clear part to let sunlight shine in.  I really liked this feature and it would be awesome under a starry night.

I also found the square tent to be much easier to setup.  One of the hardest parts can actually be raising the tent.  With this tent I was able to put the top poles in place and then one by one raise the tent with the side poles.  It made it very easy to put up and tear down the tent by myself.

I highly recommend this tent for durability and ease of use.

Good video review showing some of the uses of the REI Half Dome 2 Tent. Not only a good review, but shows how to use the different features of the tent.

When you get right down to it, you should think of a camping tent as either 3-season or 4-season. So what’s in a name?

Generally speaking your average 3-season tent is built to hold up well in light to moderate weather conditions. They are built to be comfortable in Spring, Summer and Fall in most any location, hence the name 3-season.

Three-season tents are generally more affordable than 4-season. You will find a vast range of 3-season tent quality from the cheap units found in big retail stores to expensive models found in specialty camping stores.

The downside of 3-season tents? These tents do not hold up well in high winds, torrential rain and heavy snowfall. 3-season tents are generally not the tent of choice for backcountry expeditions through Alaska in January.

The best 3-season tents generally come with a waterproof rain fly and a breathable canopy. Ideally you want to find a three season tent with a waterproof floor. The rugged “bathtub” floor is generally reserved for the more expensive four season tent (but not always).

Four season tents are great for just about any weather condition that you may encounter, assuming its winter. The 4-season rating really should be classified as 1-season. Why? Because a quality 4-season tent performs great in winter conditions but may suffer from over-insulation in the summer months.

Structurally 4-season tents generally have at least four aluminum poles for strength (the more the better) to withstand sleet and snow. They are aerodynamic in design and typically they are dark colored in order to absorb heat. And they are generally much lighter.

The roof lines on four season tents are fully defined and very strong so water and snow cannot collect on top of the tent. Most four season tents can be utilized free standing in the event there is no place to pound stakes into the ground such as on the side of a mountain or in frozen terrain.

Four season tents have a fully encompassing rainfly to combat the elements. They also have excellent waterproof floors that are called “bathtubs” as they come up to about six inches on the side of the tent. Additionaly the seams are very hardy and strong throughout the tent.

The downside to the 4-season tent? Price. You can end up paying a hefty sum for the technology built in to keep you protected.

Also, as I alluded to above, if you are camping in the middle of summer you will want air movement through your tent to keep things cooler. 4-season tents are generally made to inhibit the elements from cutting through the camping tent, which is great in the winter and not so great in balmy summer.

So where does a family tent fit into these ratings? A family tent is simply a 3-season tent.

What’s going on with a convertible 3-4 season tent? This kind of tent generally has some sort of built in airflow ventilator. I would not take this type tent into the backcountry where survival was important. If the ventilator malfunctioned and it would not close, you could become an unhappy camper pretty fast.

Bottom line: The 3-season tent is the recommended choice for the majority of campers. It is the most cost effective tent and will allow the user to camp in a variety of conditions up to, but not including, severe winter weather conditions.

If you camp from Spring, Summer and Fall, a 3-season camping tent will fill your needs. If you camp where severe winter weather is possible then you should be getting a 4-season camping tent.

About the Author
A father of two daughters, Chris loves the outdoors and counts camping, skiing and bicycling as his favorite pursuits. Chris is the owner of http://www.camping-tent-guide.com, a website for camping tent information, camping tips and outdoor adventure discussion.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=18546&ca=Recreation

When it is your big day, you simply want everything to be perfect as the way you had envisioned it. Whether the wedding is on the beach or in the small garden of your house, you definitely do not want it raining down on your dream set up and this can be well avoided, by simply adding a wedding tent to the picture. It is important to remember that wedding tents are a good option only for light to moderate rains and may not hold out during heavy rainstorms. It is also an important consideration, while buying a wedding tent, that it be sturdy, so it doesn’t give away. Usually tents are provided with thick weighted sides for the purpose.

High quality wedding tents use tension ratchets to hold down the fabric of the tent. In most cases, a vinyl film with polyester on the inside forms the body of the tent. As for the structure, most common are pole-supported tents, although frame tents are often used for small scale gatherings and events. In fact, frame tents prove to be cheaper than pole tents and may cost you around $800 for a 40 ft by 60 ft to about $5000 for a 60 ft by 280 ft. Size options available to you range from 9×10 to even 120×400 for very large gatherings. Wedding tents can easily accommodate 1000 to 1500 persons or more.

The wedding tent industry is quite a large one now, providing the buyer with a varied line of options in colors, designs, patters and sizes. One is sure to find a tent befitting his tastes and requirements. Most tents are water resistant, dust resistant and come with removable walls or extendable frames and with other fringe frills. Although buying a tent can be a useful investment as these are durable and economical for long-term usage but many opt for the rental route. While renting a tent, always keep in mind your needs and the area available. Also be sure to check with the renting firm as to how the tent will be delivered and set up. Often the rental firms are willing to offer professional help for setting it up, although they may charge a little extra for that.

Spending a small amount on renting a wedding tent will ensure that your big day is not ruined due to bad weather.

Want to host a party that will make your guests go wild? Why not set up a party tent and let them have the time of their life?

These days, outdoor gatherings are on the rise and many people use party tents to create an enclosed space out of doors. Weddings are an excellent example. When people decide to tie the knot in exotic places like the beach, or they want to hold the reception in their own backyard, a part tent is just what they need. Of course, people who need a party tent for one-time use generally get the tent on hire. However, many families are finding the need to have an average sized party tent at home as it comes handy during birthdays and family get-togethers. You find cheerful and colorful party tents in resorts, hotels and restaurants too.

Luxury party tents can be large or small. They may hold a small group of people who are attending a birthday bash to huge crowds that visit the exhibition grounds. If the gathering is small, you can make do with a single tent. But, for large gatherings, you may join a few tents together to make a humongous one.

Party tents come in different sizes and colors. Some of them are very attractive, while others are more conservative. You can even get round party tents, if you are in a mood for some extra fun. These dome tents are enclosed by the canvas cover in a semi-circular fashion. Unlike triangular tents, where the actual floor space and the space from floor to ceiling are somewhat less, spherical party tents have more floor space. They also give a whole new dimension to your party! In case of a large gathering, several spherical tents may be set up closely with one event being held in each tent.

Generally, party tents are chosen with the season and purpose in mind. During summer when the weather is pleasant and there is little chance of rain, people tend to use tents without side flaps. This allows the free circulation of air, keeping the interior of the tent bright and breezy. Most party tents have several poles to keep the overhead cover in place. But, if there is dancing to be held, then, party tents without center poles are used. Canopy tents are supported from the sides using side poles and stakes. This leaves the center free for people to dance and there are no intrusive poles to block your view of what is going on.

Although most manufacturers offer party tents in one or two colors only, a little ingenuity on your part can help you make a tent that looks gay and colorful. Before putting up the tent, buy some colorful non-toxic paints and unleash your creativity on the unsuspecting tent cover.

Party tents are a great way of taking your party out of doors. They give the events a completely new feel and your guests will simply love the experience. And since they are not terribly expensive, there’s no reason to keep yourself from buying one.

At CanopyMart.com, we offer the highest quality portable canopies, canopy tents, camping tents, tent tarps, canopy accessories & more at the lowest wholesale price to the public.

While most tents are as dependable as the family dog there a few surprising tips we have come across over the years to keep you out of the doghouse. Some of these tips may be obvious while others debatable. At a minimum they should get you think a little more critically about the things you do with your tent.

1. No Fires in the Tent – This should fall under the obvious category as most tents are made from flammable material, but for whatever reason this is one of those items that people seem to need reminded of. It could be because people are used to seeing movies with Native Americans in the tepee and the large smokestacks coming from the top. They may notice that their tent also has a hole in the top and think that it is to let the smoke out also. The hole is really there to keep out moisture. Without the hole the tent would start to feel like the Amazon Rain Forest. Tent manufacturers provide what is called a tent fly to cover the hole and keep out any rain.

2. Don’t eat in the Tent – It may be tempting to sneak some Doritos in the tent, but it is probably not a good idea. Small bugs may find your crumbs and soon bring friends along to partake in the feast. In fact, it’s typically good to keep the food away from the sleeping area all together to avoid any unpleasant encounters with larger animals as well.

3. Tightly Pack Away A Damp Tent – If you are in a rush it is very easy to roll up a damp tent and stick it in the garage until next season. When you bring the tent home it is always a good idea to let it air out. This prevents any mildew from forming on the tent. Some campers also suggest not leaving the tent packed in the travel sack, but to rather let it remain a little loose in case there are some remaining damp spots.

4. Forget to Brush It Down – All kinds of bugs live outside. If possible it is a good idea to brush down your tent to keep any of nature’s neighbors where they belong. There is nothing worse than bringing home a family of ants or termites to your home.

Kid’s camping tents are a critical component when it comes to enjoying some free time with your little ones in the wild. It is absolutely vital that you know and understand the basic care and maintenance when it comes to caring for your tent that is uniquely designed for children. The maintenance will be extremely beneficial when it comes to ensuring the overall life of the tent. In addition to this, by properly caring for kid’s camping tents, you can rest assured that each time your children use the product they will be safe.

1. The first thing that you should do when it comes to maintaining and caring for the kid’s camping tents is to ensure that you read all of the documentation that comes with the product. This documentation will outline the proper setup, the proper way to clean the product, as well as the proper storage method. This can be a very valuable resource when attempting to prolong the life of your tent, and enhance the safe use of it by your children.

2. The second step to caring for kid’s camping tents is to ensure that you clean it before and after each use. Many may be tempted to use a standard washing machine and dryer to do this. However, this is not advised. Doing this may actually damage the material that the tent is composed of. However, shaking the debris from the tent, using a vacuum, broom, and even a damp mop can prove to be quite effective when it comes to cleaning your tent as appropriate. Remember, it is important to clean both before use and after use. This reduces the potential for dust, debris, and other allergens to be exposed to your kids.

3. When working to care for your tent, it is important to ensure that you check all components of the tent prior to use to ensure that the product is safe and fully functional. This means checking the zippers, seams, and all of the materials that assist in the process of holding the tent together. If you are using a kid’s camping tent, it is important that you do this prior to leaving for your camping trip. This way, if anything needs to be replaced or if the tent itself needs replaced, you can take care of it prior to leaving.

4. When using kid’s camping tents, it is important to ensure that you purchase a unit that is considered to be waterproof. All too often, parents will purchase a particular tent for a child because it displays a certain movie or cartoon character and they will quickly discover that these types of kid’s camping tents are just not very durable. It is important that the tent that you select for your camping trip is durable and is capable of holding up to the elements that may be experienced on your camping trip.

5. When selecting a tent for your kids, it is important to ensure that you consider the age of the child and the safety of the product. For small children, small zippers and other pieces may pose a choking hazard. In addition to this, small tents for larger children may be inappropriate. You should also select a tent that is created with flame retardant materials. This will ensure the complete safety of your children.

As you can see, dealing with kid’s tents can be a little bit more work than you may have expected. However, taking the time to properly maintain the kid’s camping tents will allow the product to be safe for use, and will allow it to last quite a while.

The designs of camping tents are becoming more and more innovative. Backpacking tents are getting lighter and lighter. Tents are easier to set up and to take down. They are becoming more durable and more weather-resistant. They are easier to fold away and to store. There are many ways in which camping tents have changed over the years. Of course, a few tents seem to stand about above the rest – at least in terms of how innovative they are.

Check out these unique camping tents:

· BradCamping Luminous Tents – Hey, why not get a tent that glows in the dark? Haven’t you ever wandered off in the middle of the night to use the “bathroom” and then had trouble getting back to your camping site? Well, you would not have to worry about such a thing if you had a luminous tent. Also, the company claims that the warm yellow glow also keeps away insects. I have not had a chance to try one of these, nor have I seen one in person, but it definitely sounds like an interesting idea… of course, if you can see the glow from inside the tent, I imagine that it could be a little difficult to get to sleep! By the way, BradCamping also makes polka-dot tents! Who says that you can not be in style when out camping?

· BlueSky Designs Freedom Tent – This very unique tent won BlueSky Designs a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the US Department of Agriculture. Why? Because they came up with camping tent that people with disabilities (and their families) can use to go camping. Other manufacturers of tents do not usually consider how accessible their tents will be to people with disabilities. The Freedom Tent, however, has a very accessible door – it is zipperless and can be opened easily. Strollers, wheelchairs, and bikes can easily be rolled in. It also has a vestibule to store equipment. Also, this unique tent can be set up from a seated position!

· Advantage Innovations Featherlight Tents – When you are out backpacking, just an extra pound or two can make a huge difference – you can really feel that extra weight. Advantage Innovations realizes this – they figure that the lighter, the better. That is why they have come up with some extraordinarily light backpacking tents. Of course, to make such light tents, a few things must be sacrificed. Head room, for one. There are featherlight tents that can sleep anywhere from 1 to 4 persons – of course, these people cannot sit up! The tent is meant solely for sleeping. There is also an extra “arm” that acts as a storage unit. This unique tents looks like it is from the space age, and perhaps it belongs there, but there are more advantages than just its lightweight – there are also Temperature Controlling Featherlight Tents – these will keep you much warmer than a regular tent would. They are also easy to roll up (and they roll to a compact size) and store. Also, the low to the ground design means that they will be rather wind resistant.

These are just three unique tents that are worth taking a look at. There are many other camping tents out there that incorporate many different innovations – these are just three of the most unique ones that I found!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, camping, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on camping tents, please visit Sleeping Bags and Tents.

Some of my fondest memories growing up was car camping. Families can see so much of the world on a decent budget by bringing their camping gear along. It also promotes teamwork among family members (always a good thing to keep up) and a chance to see parts of the countryside that haven’t been touched by development.

For those interested in car camping, there’s two ways to go about it: you can either purchase a tent that connects to the car, or tow a small trailer along.

Car Tents

Generally, you can purchase car tents for SUV’s vans and station wagons (and any other vehicle with a hatch back). Hypothetically, they could work with any car, and just attach the tent sleeve to the trunk, though it may require some modification on your part.

Once the sleeve is attached to the back of your car, simply tighten the strap until snug, so as to ensure a dry evening. A huge advantage of a car tent is that your vehicle and tent connect, which limits the amount of loading and unloading.

Camper’s piece of advice: when setting your tent up, make sure that it faces into the wind. The breeze will force mosquitoes and other little beasties to hide behind the tent (and therefore away from you).

Also, try to hang your tent out to dry before packing up, as this will help reduce mildew from forming. Prior to rolling it up, make sure all windows and doors are unzipped, and roll the tent up towards the door to ensure it rolls up tightly.

Tent Trailers

If all this seems like too much daily maintenance, consider purchasing a tent trailer. Tent trailers have several advantages over RVs: their smaller size makes them an ideal option for the campers who don’t have the time, money or inclination to purchase a motor home, and they are exponentially more gas efficient.

When searching for tent trailers, look for a good sized trailer (sleeps at least four) with a small kitchen. If you can’t stand the idea of using public showers and toilets, the higher end ($10,000+) models can accommodate. However, I feel you get more value in the middle price range, as most campgrounds offer showers and toilets. It’s really a matter of taste. Check out nadaguides.com to learn about the value of the tent trailer you’re considering purchasing.

In conclusion, you can learn more about car tents and coleman tent trailers at our website.

Adam Costa began his travel adventures at the age of 19 with a round the world trip across thirteen countries. He has worked as a North American tour guide, running tours in Canada, Mexico and all over the United States, from San Francisco to Boston to Key West, Florida. Currently, he works as a travel agent, and continues to dream of hitting the road.