Tents are portable shelters that are generally used for outdoor adventures. And on a camping trip, everyone ensures they have the best tent for camping. They are the most essential camping equipment for your trip. Additionally, choosing a tent that fulfills all your needs is necessary. It is a good idea to make your tent. First, however, you must ponder some basic steps to create a tent. And what do you need to build a tent? We will answer all these questions in this article. You will learn how tents are made and the materials needed. So you can make a tent that will be best for you.
Design and Planning
Making your tent depends on proper planning. Some things to consider are:
- Size of the tent
- Weight of the tent
- Weather conditions
Discuss these factors in detail to see how they impact the tent design.
1. Size of the tent
Ask yourself how big you want your tent to be. If you are new at this, you should make a small tent. A giant tent would be hard to handle. So it’s wise to start with a 2 to 3-person tent.
2. Weight of the tent
The tent’s weight is another critical aspect of the tent. Carrying the tent to a far away camping site might take much work. Therefore carefully consider the different materials that make the parts of the tent, as they add to the total weight of the tent.
3. Weather Conditions
Next, you should see when you plan to use the tent. For example, if it’s summer/spring, the tent material should be breathable for air circulation. But, if you use it in winter, a tent made of insulated material will keep you warm at low temperatures.
Parts of a Tent
Tents have four main parts that make it up:
- Tent fabric – the essential part of the tent
- Tent poles – the skeleton of the tent
- Pegs – secure the tent to the ground
- Guy lines – provide additional stability
1. Tent Fabric
We will discuss the materials that make these parts so you can choose the best pop-up tent for yourself.
There are different types of fabrics used to make a tent’s body. Earlier, the tents were made of cotton/canvas, which is very strong and durable. Today’s tents are made of light synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and PVC. Let’s dive into these tent fabric’s good and bad points.
Cotton/Canvas
Canvas tents are made from cotton fiber. They are solid and durable and would last long if maintained properly. The breathability lets the air circulate inside the tent. So these camping tents keep the insides of the tent cool on a hot day. On the other side, insulation keeps the inside of the tent hot in low temperatures.
They are also a good option for rainy weather as the cotton fiber absorbs water and expands, making the fabric waterproof. However, since these tents are very heavy, they are tough to carry and transport. Hence these tents are better suited for longer camping trips, car camping, and luxury camping. But they are not recommended for backpacking and mountaineering.
Pros
- Waterproof and durable
- Breathable with low heat retention
- Good insulation
- Easy to repair
Cons
- Heavy to transport
- Expensive
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fiber that is very lightweight, which makes it a popular choice among backpackers and hikers. But they are not any less popular among other campers.
Tents made of nylon are not very breathable; hence condensation can occur inside the tent. Therefore, they have mesh windows and ceilings for the airflow. In addition, these tents aren’t waterproof; therefore, they are coated with silicon or polyurethane (PE) to increase their waterproof rating.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
- Durable
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Expensive
Polyester
Tents made of polyester are just like nylon tents. They are lightweight, portable, and standard materials for tents in the market. However, polyester is not waterproof; hence they need waterproofing.
Polyester tents are not breathable and hence need proper ventilation to prevent condensation. However, these tents are more durable as compared to nylons. They are also unaffected by direct sunlight, making them a better choice than nylon tents.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Lightweight and durable
- UV-resistant
- Mildew and mold resistant
Cons
- Not breathable
- Less insulated
- Not waterproof
PVC
Tent fabric coated with PVC(Polyvinyl chloride) is used for commercial and corporate events. The PVC coating makes the tent waterproof and less breathable.
They are also unaffected by direct sunlight and will last a long time with proper care. However, these larger tents are more expensive than polyester or nylon tents.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Fully waterproof
- UV resistant
- Resistant to mildew and mold
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulk and heavy
- Not breathable
2- Tent Poles
Tent poles serve as the skeleton of the tent. They provide structure and stability to the tent. It’s essential to consider the material these tent poles are made of. Earlier tents had poles made of steel, but they were cumbersome.
Nowadays, tents in the market have poles made of fiberglass. These are very lightweight and flexible. They are also cheaper as compared to other pole materials. An alternative is aluminum poles, which are stronger and more durable than fiberglass poles.
Let’s see what features each of these poles gives to your tent.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass poles are very lightweight and resistant to rust and corrosion. Most modern camping tents have fiberglass poles.
These poles are perfect for use in mild weather. However, they are still strong and more durable in harsh weather and high winds than aluminum tent poles. Discover our top picks for the best tents for high winds and ensure your next camping trip succeeds, even in challenging weather conditions.
Pros
- Highly flexible
- Affordable and widely available
- Very lightweight
- Doesn’t corrode
- It doesn’t conduct electricity, making it perfect during thunderstorms
Cons
- Less strong and durable than aluminum
Aluminum
Most backpacking tents and expensive tents come with aluminum poles. They are lightweight and flexible, just like fiberglass. However, they are more durable and cost more than fiberglass poles.
These tent poles can conduct electricity, which makes them very dangerous to use in harsh weather and thunderstorms.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Lightweight
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
Cons
- More expensive than fiberglass poles
- Conducts electricity which is dangerous during thunderstorms
Carbon Fiber
Tent poles made of carbon fiber are very lightweight. Hence they are a popular choice for backpackers and hikers. In addition, they are solid and flexible.
But they are expensive and not a common material for tent poles. Therefore they cost almost 50% more than other tent poles.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Solid & Durable to withstand harsh weather
- Resist corrosion
Cons
- Inflexible and difficult to repair
- It may not be readily available
- More pricey
3- Pegs
Pegs, known as tent skates, fix the tent to the ground. There are different types of pegs available for various ground conditions. They should be such that you can easily insert and remove them from the ground. Additionally, they might break or bend while inserting, so keep some pegs spare to replace any broken pegs.
Aluminum
Aluminum tent pegs are lightweight and durable. They are rust-resistant, and you can easily insert them into the ground. However, they may bend under heavy loads.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable and can withstand harsh weather
- Can withstand rust and corrosion
- Easy to put and remove from the ground
Cons
- Less intense and can bend upon insertion into the ground
- More expensive than steel or plastic pegs
Steel
Steel pegs are robust and durable. They won’t bend or break under heavy loads. However, they are heavier than aluminum or plastic pegs; hence, you can use them only for car camping or when weight is not a concern.
Pros
- Strong making it ideal for hard ground
- Affordable and easily available
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- May rust over time
- Hard to insert and remove from the ground
Titanium
These pegs are very lightweight as well as strong and durable. They weigh less than aluminum or steel pegs, making them ideal for backpacking and hiking. They are robust and don’t bend or break under heavy loads or on rocky grounds. Unfortunately, they also cost more than aluminum or steel pegs.
Pros
- Lightweight making them ideal for backpacking
- Long-lasting
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Easy to insert in the ground
Cons
- Very expensive
- Not easily available
- May bend under heavy loads
Plastic
Plastic stakes are lightweight and more affordable than any other stakes. Additionally can easily insert them into the ground. But they are less durable and may break or bend under heavy loads. Therefore, they are better for casual camping trips.
Pros
- Lightweight and affordable
- Easy to insert and remove from the ground
- Durable
- Rust and corrosion resistant
Cons
- May break under heavy loads
- Not suitable for hard ground with rocks
4- Guylines
Guy Lines are ropes that connect the tent to the ground. They are usually made of synthetic fiber to give the proper tension to keep the tent in place. Additionally, it provides stability to the tent in high winds.
Guylines
Guylines made of nylon are affordable for general camping and outdoor use. They are lightweight and easy to handle. In addition, the ability to absorb shock by stretching keeps the tent in place in windy conditions.
When wet, they may stretch and cause sagging. Therefore would have to untie the ropes and knot again for appropriate tension.
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Stretches to absorb shock in high winds
- Easy to knot and untie
- Affordable
- Resistance to UV rays prevents damage from the sun
Cons
- Water absorption makes it weaker
- Stretching due to heavy loads can cause sagging
Polyester
Polyester guylines are more reliable than nylon guylines. They are best suited for long camping trips. These do not degrade when exposed to UV rays making them more durable. They also don’t stretch when wet. It means you don’t have to do re-tensioning to avoid sagging. Unfortunately, they are expensive and difficult to handle.
Pros
- Long-lasting and robust
- UV resistant
- Does not absorb water
- Stretches less than nylon
Cons
- Expensive than nylon
- Not as easy to tie as nylon
Dyneema/Synthetic
Dyneema is a synthetic material with incredible strength, low weight, and durability. In addition, they are UV resistant and do not stretch when wet. It makes them an ideal option for backpackers and mountaineers who want the best guylines in performance and reliability.
They can withstand harsh weather and heavy loads. But still, they are more expensive than nylon and polyester guylines. They are also very stiff, making them difficult to handle.
Pros
- Extremely strong and durable
- Lightweight
- Less stretchy
- UV and water resistant
Cons
- Very expensive
- Stiff, so very difficult to knot and untie
Cutting and Sewing
After you have selected the materials, it’s time to cut and sew the different components of the tent, such as the tent body, poles, guylines, pegs, and rainfly. Next, sew the tent body and add zippers, doors, windows, and vents. Finally, attach the rainfly to the tent body for additional protection from rain and wind. If you are new to this, keep the tent design as simple as possible.
Read More: What are Inflatable Tents: Better Than Pole Tents?
Assembly and Finishing
Once everything is ready, it’s time to assemble them. Make the frame of the tent by connecting the poles. Cover it with the tent fabric and insert the stakes into the ground. Use guylines to provide additional stability to the tent. Seal the seams securely to increase the waterproof rating of the tent. Hence they are done.
People May Ask
Q: How to make a tent waterproof?
Covering the tent fabric with a waterproof coating creates a barrier. It repels water and prevents it from seeping inside the tent. As a result, the waterproof rating of the tent increases.
Q: How many parts does a regular tent have?
A regular tent has four main parts: tent body, poles, pegs, and guylines. We have shared a detailed guide on Regular tents.
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