Camping and Hiking Tents and Canopies
Various camping and hiking tents and canopies are available to suit different functions. Each is made in different sizes and materials depending on how and when they are going to be used. Both small and large groups can utilize tents and canopies.
What can you use a tent or canopy for?Tents can be used for camping on different outdoor hiking adventures as a method of shelter and a place to sleep. A canopy can provide shelter from the elements over a shelter or alone. Sometimes a canopy is used at tabling functions to shelter vendors or at parties to keep guests and food dry or in the shade.
What styles of tents and canopies are available?They are made in lots of shapes, dimensions, and varieties. Some tents take on a rectangular silhouette while others are pyramid shaped. Others look like a half-dome. Certain tents utilize assembled poles to hold the structure up while others are self-constructing with poles already intact and made of material that bends to fit into a carrying case. Some are designed to utilize trees for support. There are also tents and canopies that are designed for use during spring, summer, and fall while others can be utilized all year, regardless of weather or extreme temperatures. Construction, layout, and materials utilized all factor into this component.
What sizes do tents and canopies come in?Tents come in all different sizes. Typically, they are sized in multiples of two and are available for one, two, four, six, or eight individuals. You'll want to make sure that your tent can fit your gear, supplies, and clothing. For instance, if you are camping with three other people, you may want to invest in a six-person design rather than a four-person design to ensure adequate space.
Canopies come in a variety of sizes as well. While there are no truly standard sizes due to the large range of canopy styles, a canopy can be selected to fit over a shelter or to be used independently of a tent for extra storage, shelter, and shade space.
What materials are used to make a tent or canopy?Some are made of nylon, synthetic blends, or coated materials to enhance water resistance or waterproof ratings. Rain flys are typically made of different plastics to prevent water from entering a tent. A canopy may be made of the same materials. They range widely in terms of how much moisture can permeate the structure.