Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label camping. Show all posts

3/13/2012

Make Your Own Tipi Review

Make Your Own Tipi
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This has got the be the weirdest book I have ever encountered. The writing is awful; the organization, weird; the editing, non-existant; and the physical construction, homemade (ink-jet printing with spiral binding). Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it reminds the reader that you too can write a book and sell it on Amazon!
The intended audience for this book appears to be tipi affecianados with considerable background experience in tipi living and vocabulary. (Indeed, there is an assumption here and there that your tipi may be making the journey to a "Mountain Man" primitive gathering, whatever that is, and carefully judged by snobby tipi experts. (Who are these people?))
The book may do well by them, but as for me, I was making a tipi with a bunch of five to ten year-olds as part of summer camp festitivies. While I had read a bit about tipis before getting this, I found this little handbook to almost impenetrable (E.g. "Step one: Mark your spirit line!" Excuse me?)
That said, however, we were able to build a pretty nice tipi (by my standards anyway--I'm sure Jim Jones and pals would be entirely unable to restrain their giggles and snorts if they saw it). This required reading the book a few times, leafing back and forth a lot (e.g. the design of the "lacing strip"--yet another undefined term--is covered in three different parts of the book), and supplementing with some other, more simplistic overviews from the children's section of the public library.
However, a tipi was built, and this book had more of the details covered than the other ones I had found. (Note: I never did get the Laubin book, but maybe you should.)
I might also note that the first third of the book is low-quality, black and white scans of various tipis at these primitive gatherings. The photos seem to be more about patronage than information: it's the same darn view over and over, but at a different site, with a different paint job, featuring different pals, whatever. It would be far more useful to have photographs of the various steps of construction, and perhaps the inside, outside, front, and back of a completed one. And, Jim if you're reading this, how about a diagram labeling the parts of the tipi???

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Book Description: Second Edition;8.5 X 5 inches format, comb bound to lay flat. Complete tipi making and instructions for child and adult tipis. Includes list ofsupplies & tools needed. Tells how to save hundreds of dollars. Easy to follow text. Step by step instructions for making tipis. Plans for both children and adulttipis. Includes 27 tipi photos including many photos of painted tipis. Canvas selection, waterproofing. Setting up a tight tipi & smoke free fires. Craft secrets never revealed before. Tips on gathering & preparing poles & painting. Detailed drawings explain each step. Summary of steps to completing the tipi. List of supplemental reading and canvas suppliers. Includes a coupon for a free plasticlaminated setup card, a $4.00 value. Includes a tipi making record and check list. Includes a summary of all steps to making a tipi.

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1/24/2012

The Stars: A New Way to See Them Review

The Stars: A New Way to See Them
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
H. A. Rey is best known for his "Curious George" stories, but he was a scientist by profession and he also wrote two books on stargazing for children. If you have a child who is interested in the stars, this book is delightful and highly readable. And if YOU are interested in the stars, dont hesitate to get it for yourself! Rey has a unique way of showing the constellations: he actually went through the trouble of drawing lines between the stars of a constellation to form a meaningful picture - so Gemini (the twins) actually looks like a pair of twins, Cetus (the whale) looks like a whale, and so forth. A word of warning: to form these pictures, Rey often had to rely on dim stars. Don't expect to see them from the city! Access to a dark country sky is essential to get the most out of this book. That said, "The Stars" makes the mastery of stargazing accessible and fun for children and adults alike.

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12/17/2011

The Tipi: Traditional Native American Shelter Review

The Tipi: Traditional Native American Shelter
Average Reviews:

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The Tipi: Traditional Native American Shelter by author and photographer Adolf Hungrywolf is a comprehensive, informative, and profusely illustrated study of the Native American tipi and the many variations, uses, and understandings of this famed aboriginal structure. Introducing readers to a compendium of expert commentaries on the construction, stability, historical understanding and use of this portable nomadic structure, The Tipi accurately addresses every concern, issue and intricacy of the tipi's interesting history within the context of Native American cultures. A seminal contribution to personal and academic Native American Studies library reference collections, The Tipi is a very highly recommended book for those in study of Native American culture and history.


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Few structures in the world have such international fame and recognition as the tipi or teepee. Here are over 120 fascinating vintage photographs of tipis and the North American cultures that created them - many from the 1880s and 1890s. The text presents an in-depth look at the use of tipis from historic sources. Also included are instructions on how to build a 4-person tipi. A wealth of information both visually and academically.

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12/05/2011

Survival Skills of the North American Indians Review

Survival Skills of the North American Indians
Average Reviews:

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This book fails to provide any details that are worth while.
Each food resource consists of a list of tribes that used that genus (species not differentiated). No details provided on method of harvesting nor required processing.
Another major section provids drawing of traditional clothing such as mocasins. Many different styles of mocasins are prepresented, but no discussion is made about the pros and cons of various designs. While interesting from a historical aspect, this is not a reference for survival skills. The details of any skills are iced over in favor of descriptioin of that was.

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A new forward, introduction and index complement the review of Native American life skills.Step-by-Step instructions and 145 detailed diagrams enable the reader to duplicate native methods using materials available in local habitats.

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11/24/2011

Tipis, Tepees, Teepees: History and Design of the Cloth Tipi Review

Tipis, Tepees, Teepees: History and Design of the Cloth Tipi
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have three other tipi books and this one is by far my favorite. Not only does she cover the basics (styles of tipis, poles, their care and maintenance, setting up a tipi, different knots to tie the tripod (or quad-pod, as I like to call it.)), but she goes as far as to explain practical tipi-living: how to fix tears, proper smoke flap positioning, bathroom and washup, heating the tipi, and tipi transport (even in different countries.) My challenge has been transporting my tipi. Her book also shares some really fun stories of her own expereinces in her tipis over the years. I especially enjoyed the chapter entitled "Why People Never Camp with Me." Coupled with all the excellent diagrams and photos of tipis, and interviews with an immensely diverse group of tipi enthusiasts (who woulda' thunk of tipis in Russia?), this book is awesome from cover to cover. My mother bought a tipi when I was five years old and we stayed in it every summer. When I was in college I bought my own tipi. I guess you could say that I "moved out". With my love of tipis, I thought that tipi living just couldn't be captured in a book. But I think this book manages to do just that!

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The history and evolution of teh tipi, with instructions on how to make you own


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11/13/2011

Survival Wisdom & Know How: Everything You Need to Know to Thrive in the Wilderness Review

Survival Wisdom and Know How: Everything You Need to Know to Thrive in the Wilderness
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I spend my summers working for a Boy Scout camp, so I figured this would be a handy reference when I picked it up. And indeed it is! It's a thorough and detailed account of every little survival or outdoor skill you could possible want to know without writing a thesis on any one particular idea. I love the old-fashioned organization and appearance--true handbook style save for the size! Excellent resource! My camp boss is actually looking into picking up more copies.

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Survival Wisdom is a large-scale practical guide, jam-packed with information on every aspect of outdoor life and adventure. Survival Wisdom & Know-How is the most complete, all-in-one volume on every aspect of outdoor adventure and survival ever, from orienteering to campfire cooking to ice climbing and beyond. Culled from dozens of respected books from Stackpole, the industry's leader in outdoor adventure, this massive collection of wilderness know-how leaves absolutely nothing to chance when it comes to surviving and thriving in the wilderness—and appreciating every minute of it. Topics include Building Outdoor Shelter, Tracking Animals, Winter Camping, Tying Knots, Orienteering, Reading the Weather, Identifying Edible Plants and Berries, Surviving in the Desert, Bird Watching, Fishing and Ice Fishing, Hunting and Trapping, Canoeing, Kayaking, and White Water Rafting, First Aid, Wild Animals, Cookery, and much more. Useful illustrations and photos throughout make it easy to browse and use. With contributions by the experts at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) as well as the editors of Stackpole's Discover Nature series, Survival Wisdom & Know-How is the definitive, must-have reference for the great outdoors.

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10/15/2011

Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies: An Altitude SuperGuide (Altitude Superguides) Review

Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies: An Altitude SuperGuide (Altitude Superguides)
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This is a really good guidebook if the hike you want is covered. The pictures really whet your appetite and are generally fairly high quality. The descriptions are good but sometimes only focus solely on the suggested hike. This can be a problem in some areas (like Lake O'Hara for example) have a lot of options and other trails that are not covered (on the bright side the suggested hikeis wonderful). If you want to focus on the highlights of the Canadian Rockies, this guidebook is a great choice. If you want a more complete guide of all the options available, you may need a different guidebook. Personally, I would buy both this and a more complete guidebook like "Canadian Rockies Trail Guide."

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Full of color photos and color trail maps, this is the essentialguide to the area's very best back-packing hikes. It is written anddesigned for those who are committed to maximizing their backcountryexperiences without endangering the environment.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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9/05/2011

Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent Review

Eureka Extended Stay 19-Foot by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tent
Average Reviews:

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Eureka Extended Stay 19- by 14-Foot Eight-Person Family Tentis no good. Its poor design made it function like a huge parachute. I set it up in my back yard to apply seam sealer and the tent disintegrated in less than 24 hours in a 10 to 15 MPH breeze. I had attached all clips to the poles and the tent was fully staked except for one loop inside, which stabilized the door in the room divider. The two main fiberglass poles that supported the rain fly split lengthwise and then sheered in two. The tent collapsed to the ground and could not be righted without replacement parts. I cannot believe that Eureka put their name on this tent.

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Perfect for large families who enjoy their space and privacy, the Eureka Extended Stay family tent offers the largest floor space of any Eureka model--266 square feet. Additionally, it can be divided into two sleeping areas with the removable room divider and it includes a screen room for enjoying the evening sunset. With the removable zippered room divider you can have one (9' 6"by 14') or two (9' 6" by 7') sleeping rooms. The large floorless screen room comes with clip-on storm flaps, which keep you dry during inclement weather.
This large-volume tent is erected with 12.7mm fiberglass and 19mm cable-corded self-supporting steel poles. Set up is quick and easy thanks to the ring and pin attachments, color coded poles with central hub attachment points, polyester pole sleeves, and fly clips. It features a bathtub floor that keeps seams taut and high off the ground, and factory taped fly and floor seams for superior weather protection. Other features include large no-see-um mesh roof panels, two mesh gear pockets, three accessory hoops with clothesline, and a flashlight loop.
Specifications:
Area: 266 square feet (includes 133 square foot screen room)
Floor size: 19 feet by 14 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 6 inches
Wall fabrics: 1.9-ounce polyester taffeta with 800mm coating
Floor fabrics: 1.9-ounce 70D nylon taffeta with 800mm coating
Fly fabrics: 1.9-ounce 75D Stormshield Polyester with 800mm coating
Pack size: 12 by 32 inches
Weight: 45 pounds, 1 ounce

About Eureka Though the exact year is unknown, Eureka’s long history begins prior to 1895 in Binghamton, New York, where the company still resides today. Then known as the Eureka Tent & Awning Company, its first wares were canvas products--most notably, Conestoga wagon covers and horse blankets for nineteenth century American frontiersmen--as well as American flags, store awnings, and camping tents.
The company increased production of its custom canvas products locally throughout the 1930s and during the 1940 and even fabricated and erected the IBM "tent cities" just outside Binghamton. The seven acres of tents housed thousands of IBM salesmen during the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which had since outgrown its previous locale. In the 1940s, with the advent of World War II and the increased demand for hospital ward tents, Eureka expanded operations and began shipping tents worldwide. Ultimately, upon the post-war return of the GIs and the resultant housing shortage, Eureka turned its attention to the home front during the 1950s by supplying awnings for the multitude of mobile homes that were purchased.
In 1960, Eureka’s new and innovative Draw-Tite tent, with its practical, free standing external frame, was used in a Himalayan Expedition to Nepal by world renowned Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person documented to summit Mt. Everest only six years earlier. In 1963, Eureka made history during its own Mt. Everest ascent, with more than 60 of its tents sheltering participants from fierce 60+ mph winds and temperatures reaching below -20°F during the first all American Mt. Everest Expedition.
For backpackers and families, Eureka introduced its legendary Timberline tent in the 1970s. Truly the first StormShield design, this completely self-supporting and lightweight backpacking tent became one of the most popular tents the entire industry with sales reaching over 1 million by its ten year anniversary.
Eureka tents have also traveled as part of several historic expeditions, including the American Women’s Himalayan Expedition to Annapurna I in 1978 and the first Mt. Everest ascents by a Canadian and American woman in 1986 and 1988. In recent history, tents specially designed and donated by Eureka sheltered Eric Simonson and his team on two historic research expeditions to Mount Everest, this time in a quest for truth regarding the 1924 attempted summit of early English explorers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. During the 1999 expedition, the team made history finding the remains of George Mallory, but the complete mystery remained unsolved. Returning in 2001 to search for more clues, the team found amazing historical artifacts which are now on display at the Smithsonian.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House Review

BlackPine-14 x 12 Turbo Tent Screen House
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The Black Pine Turbo Tent is just what we wanted. Excellent quality materials and some extra neat features. Video showing one-minute setup needs refining. After several dry runs we got it down to 5-7 minutes from unzippering the bag to installing the fly. .....very good for seniors eh! Well it isn't all praises here. The screen house has 6 sides and 6 poles that meet in the centre top hub. You really and I mean really have to push up hard to get the top to flip up into place. It goes up with quite a force but that's OK because there is only air above. But take it down by pulling the handle and watch out because now you are under it. I would venture to say that one could get seriously injured by the downward force created by the reverse procedure in lowering the roof/ceiling. So A+ for the tent and C- for the instructions and the lack of warning here.

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A great choice for keeping your backyard gatherings bug-free or bringing along with your RV travels, the Black Pine Turbo Tent Screen House offers an amazingly easy setup that takes just a few minutes. Just pick your spot, pull the Turbo Tent out of its bag, grab hold of the four corners to lock the legs at the joints, then push the top up. Measuring 14 by 12 feet, this hexagonal screen house has a roomy center height of 7 feet, 5 inches. It's made of a PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester material, and it features large no-see-um mesh window panels and top mesh roof panels for added ventilation. The panels also offer interior zippered storm flaps for when inclement weather announces itself. Other features include a rain fly with six guy rope points with stow pockets, durable 1-inch aluminum frame set, and a carry bag.
Specifications:
Floor dimensions: 14 x 12 feet
Center height: 7 feet, 5 inches
Wall height: 5 feet, 11 inches
Floor construction: Open
Tent construction: PU-coated 150D canvas/ripstop polyester



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9/03/2011

Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen Review

Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The only reason this didn't get 5 stars is because, as another reviewer mentioned, there is no support for the propane bottle for the stove -- the stove sits on two cross bars on the right (you can see them in the picture). I am considering adding a couple of pieces (or one hinged piece that would fit in the case and would support the stove and propane bottle.
That said, I love how quickly this gets put together. You open the case, and there are four components inside: the stand/base, the two crossbars that hold the stove, the lantern post, and the paper towel/utensil holder.The base simply expands (like a Hoberman sphere) and you flip over the bars that go left-to-right. They clip into place and that's set. Then you put the crossbars for the stove on, turn the case over and put that on (it's the table part on the left). You then put the lantern pole together (it's in two pieces) and slip the utensil holder into place. I can set it up quicker than it took to type this paragraph (and I'm a fast typist.)
Take-down is just as simple -- basically the reverse of set-up. We leave the netting attached and put the two pieces of the lantern holder inside the collapsed base.
The other really great thing about this set-up is the compact size and light weight. I don't know the actual size off-hand but it's surprisingly small when packed up. It's light enough that my four-year-old can carry it. It's got handles that make it very simple to carry.
To sum up, this is a great addition to your gear if you camp regularly with a larger (coleman-type) stove and like some comforts. If you only have a backpacking stove and you eat basic foods, you probably don't need this, but we regularly car-camp with five or six other families and this is very handy.

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With a pot rack, storage shelf, and stove rest all in one unit, the Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen is way more than just a table. This aluminum cooking station unfolds from a briefcase into a full countertop, with an adjoining rack rest that adjusts to fit most large camp grills. A mesh shelf clips underneath to hold ingredients or dishware, and works as a drying rack to boot. A pot and utensil rack stands ready to hold your culinary tools, while a lamp hook allows you to hang a light source overhead. In fact, if you're anything but a backcountry Mario Batali, you'd better brush up on your cuisine before you break this baby out.Product Features
Material: Aluminum
Dimensions: [Folded] 32 x 11 x 4in (81 x 28 x 10cm); [Unfolded] 56 x 24in (142 x 61cm)
Height:
Carry Sack: Integrated case
Weight: 14lb 8oz (6580g)
Recommended Use: Extended car camping, large groups
Manufacturer Warranty:
Country of Origin: China


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9/02/2011

Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent Review

Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
The other lady S. Haley obviously started having problems when the poles were missing, so from then on out she wanted something to complain about. The openings are there for a reason and are closable.
The double arch makes it one of the largest area tents in its class, and it is waterproof unlike all others in its class. The overhangs on all sides allow for the largest opening of the screen system I have ever seen, especially during adverse weather. At 28 lbs it is not intended to be a backpack tent, but could be humped in for a short distance. The tent is of very high quality, unlike the Coleman options in class. The Wenger products offer sealed floors and seams, polyester taffeta fabric with two coats of polyurethane coating, the windows are massive for great air flow, an electrical port for supporting electrical devices (generator or for backyard camping), a mud mat, a gear loft for storing the lighter stuff that is always in the way, shoe pockets, and a removable rain fly for an open air experience during those clear sky camping outings.
If you want to save money and get 1/3rd the tent, buy a Coleman, if you want something that lasts and is well built get a Wenger Swissgear.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent

Spacious enough to sleep seven campers, this 14 x 11-foot family-sized domed tent with 72 inches of head room at the center has 121 square feet of space on a rounded, sonic-welded polyethylene floor to keep out ground moisture and a removable fly with factory-taped seams for rain protection. The tent is made of polyester taffeta and includes large mesh side windows with protective awnings and a mesh ceiling for ventilation. A shockcorded color-coded fiberglass frame provides easy set-up. Other features include a mud mat outside a "D"-door, a port for electric-cord access, and an inside gear loft and organizer pockets. For storage and transport, the tent packs inside a zippered duffel bag.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Click here for more information about Swiss Gear Valais 14- by 11-Foot Family Dome Tent

9/01/2011

Wenzel Windsong 8- by 8-Foot Three Person Pentadome Tent Review

Wenzel Windsong 8- by 8-Foot Three Person Pentadome Tent
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a good tent for backyard camping: easy to put up and break down, roomy, and has good ventilation. However, water leaks through the rain fly during a heavy rain. The tent arrived with a part missing. However, I called the manufacturer, and it sent me the replacement part immediately. Excellent customer service. Considering how inexpensive it was, it's okay to treat this tent as fairly disposable, and I don't worry about my kid being too rough on it. I would purchase Wenzel products again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wenzel Windsong 8- by 8-Foot Three Person Pentadome Tent

This 8-foot x 8-foot, 6-inch, five-sided-dome tent with 50 inches of center head room accommodates three campers on a welded-polyethylene tub-style floor to keep out ground moisture and is made of rugged, weather-resistant polyester with a polyurethane coating for reliability. A removable fly with hoop frame over the D-style door keeps out rain. Double-stitched, lap-feld seams provide a shingle effect to prevent moisture seepage. A rain-shingle layer on the tent's lower portion provides a watershed effect. Other weather-resistant details include thread, zippers, and webbing treated with water repellents. Windows and roof are made of polyester mesh. A lightweight, shockcorded fiberglass frame has a clip-on system for quick set-up. The tent includes a gear loft for storage and has a 10-year warranty against defects.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Universal 10 X 10 Shade Tent Attachment Review

Universal 10 X 10 Shade Tent Attachment
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We use the tent for the back yard sleep overs. Since the top of the tent is a screen I left it open and did not put the pop up cover on. This way the kids can see the stars. I found a cheap pop up at a sports store. I don't think this would hold up if use for camping other then light use.

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10' x 10' x 102" High.Sleeps Up to 5 persons.Heavy duty taffeta Material,Tub style rip-stop polyethylene floor,Durable speed clips and hook 'n' loop straps secure tent to frame,One large No-see-um Mesh "D" style door and three windows with zippered storm flaps,No-see-um mesh roof panels provide superior ventilation,Draw string cord lock carry/storage bag,flame retardant, meets C.P.A.I-84 specifications,Color; Desert Sand / SpiceThis Tent Attachment will work with Canopies the have the Corner Poles Slanted, If you have Straight Poles you can add additional ties and hooks to make it work..

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SwissGear Backpacking Sport Tent - Sleeps 4 Review

SwissGear Backpacking Sport Tent - Sleeps 4
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This tent was in the approximate size range I was looking for. From the pictures the tent looked more red, but to my surprise it was burnt orange.
I'm very concerned how well this tent will hold up to the rain. The seams are not taped or sealed in anyway I could find. I set it up and have attempted to seal the seams with some silicon fabric water-proofing. The single pole on the back side is suppose to slide into a re-enforced pocket. The area where it goes looks like two pieces of tent fabric that overlap. Not as sturdy as I would expect for a single pole supporting the backside of the tent.
On the inside of the tent, in the back two corners, there is a short pole attached to the top of each corner. This is to provide support. Over the front of the tent is a small overhang. This really needed to be a bit larger to provide some rain protection for the door opening.
The last piece of info is trying to get this tent folded up to fit back into the carry bag. I almost made it, after 3 attempts. (zipper is closed on one end) One of the reasons for so many attempts was those back short wall poles on the inside of the tent. They were turned the wrong way and didn't want to bend into thirds. On the next attempts I made sure to find those poles and get them aligned in the correct direction.
This could be a good tent if you are just going camping during ideal weather, but I wouldn't want to depend on it during rain to keep my gear dry.


Click Here to see more reviews about: SwissGear Backpacking Sport Tent - Sleeps 4

This lightweight (9 LBS.) tent is designed for backpacking adventures.

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8/31/2011

Coleman SunDome Three to Four-Person 9-Foot by 7-Foot Dome Tent (Blue/White) Review

Coleman SunDome Three to Four-Person 9-Foot by 7-Foot Dome Tent (Blue/White)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've owned this tent for about six years now. It's easy to set up, requiring only about ten minutes from roll out to the final stake, and stands up admirably to wind and rain. This is not a long term or extreme weather tent. It is designed for light use in mild weather.
I'd recommend sealing the seams around the bottom of the entryway, as a driving rain causes some minor leakage in that area, and I noticed a very small wear hole near the right front bottom clasp the last time I set it up. A quick seam-seal over the hole fixed the problem.
The first thing I noticed about the tent when I took it out of the box was that the tub of the tent is sturdy, but not heavy-duty. Extend the life of the floor by laying down a tarp underneath the tent before erecting it. I've done this since day one, and the tub still looks new, without a single rip or wear spot.
Overall a very good tent for the money if you're looking for a good, dependable weekender.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Coleman SunDome Three to Four-Person 9-Foot by 7-Foot Dome Tent (Blue/White)

Roomy enough for mom, dad, and a couple of kids, the Coleman Sundome tent sleeps up to four people at a time in complete comfort. The Sundome is outfitted with Coleman's exclusive WeatherTec system, a series of technical features intended to protect you from inclement weather and nasty storms. WeatherTec tents are built with a coated polyester fabric combined with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers, all designed to keep you dry when the rain comes down. The tent's welded waterproof floor and inverted floor seams, meanwhile, dramatically increase the water resistance by hiding the needle holes inside the tent and away from the elements. And in addition to offering fully taped rainfly seams, the included rainfly covers the doors and windows tightly and incorporates easy-to-use Velcro frame attachments. In fact, Coleman is so confident in its WeatherTec system that it exposes its WeatherTec tents to a rain room that simulates nasty downpours, and to a wind machine capable of blowing hurricane force gusts. The results? Even after the tests, Coleman guarantees its WeatherTec tents will keep you dry.
The Sundome's interior is moderately spacious, with a base that measures 9 feet by 7 feet and a center height of 59 inches. In addition, the tent is engineered to keep you cool thanks to the adjustable Variflo ventilation and vented Cool-Air port. Best of all for travel-weary campers, the Sundome sets up quickly, with two shock-corded steel poles, continuous pole sleeves, a pin-and-ring design, and InstaClip attachments. The tent even comes with easy-to-follow instructions sewn into the durable carrying bag. Other features include a single door, a privacy vent window, an interior gear pocket, an electrical access port, and separate bags for the poles and stakes.
Specifications:
Center height: 59 inches
Fly: Polyester taffeta 75 denier
Mesh: 68-denier polyester
Floor: 1,000-denier polyethylene floor, 140 g/m2
Flysheet and inner tent coating: 450mm polyurethane
Base dimensions: 9 by 7 feet
Country of origin: Made in China
Warranty: Limited 1 year

About Coleman More than 100 years ago, a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit and a better idea began manufacturing lanterns in Wichita, Kansas. His name was W.C. Coleman, and the company he founded would change life in America. A man plagued with such poor vision he sometimes had to ask classmates to read aloud to him, Coleman saw a brilliant light in 1900 in a drugstore window that stopped him in his tracks. He inquired about the light inside and discovered he was able to read even the small print on a medicine bottle by the illumination. The lamps had mantles, not wicks, and were fueled by gasoline under pressure instead of coal oil. Soon afterward, Coleman started a lighting service that offered a "no light, no pay" clause--a big step forward for merchants who were burned by inferior products that rarely worked--and drew substantial interest from businesses that wanted to keep their lights on after dark.
In the ensuing years, Coleman expanded its product line well beyond lanterns. The company's current catalog is thick with products that make spending time outdoors a pleasure. There are coolers that keep food and drinks cold for days on end, comfortable airbeds that won't deflate during the night, a complete line of LED lights that last for years, powerful portable grills that cook with an authentic open-grill flame, and much, much more. Coleman has truly fashioned much of our outdoor camping experience, and expects to do so for generations to come.


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8/30/2011

Paha Que 12 x 12 Screen Room Review

Paha Que 12 x 12 Screen Room
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
We have owned two Eureka Screen Rooms, and friends have the latest Eureka Northern Breeze. This beats them all hands down. The attention to detail (straps to help pack the rolled up room, extra reinforcements at every stress point, a built in bag for the stakes, sewn-in instructions) and the quality of construction are exceptional. It definitely takes two people to set it up, but this is worth the price.

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Perfect for tailgating, barbecues, camping weekends, days at the beach, and backyard parties, this screen room from Paha Qué offers generous peak heights and maximum usable interior space. With six feet of headroom throughout, this spacious screen room measures a spacious 12 by 12 feet and features built-in awnings on all four sides (which can be rolled down for more privacy and protection or rolled up for a more open and airy space).
A large front and back door allow for easy entry and exit while heavy-duty zippers help in minimizing dirt and sand. This screen room is supported with heavy-duty aluminum shock-corded poles, while continuous pole sleeves make them easy to use (and also eliminating the need for roof pole clips or snaps). The screen room includes a full set of adjustable and reflective guylines, two complete sets of ground stakes, an oversized carry sack for storing and toting easily, and one set of awning poles. Additional accessories include Paha Qué's ScreenRoom Rainfly for full waterproof performance and Custom Floor (available separately).
Specifications:
Floor Size: 12 x 12 feet
Inside height at peak: 8 feet, 6 inches
Height of sidewalls: 6 feet, 6 inches
Awnings: 12 feet x 6 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 30 pounds
Pole diameter: .875 inches
Roof: 150D polyester oxford with heavy-duty waterproofing and UV coatings
Sidewalls: 1.8 oz. high-tenacity "no-see-um" grade mesh
Awnings: 150D polyester oxford, with heavy-duty waterproofing and UV coatings
Poles: high performance 100% aluminum 6061 series alloy, shock-corded (includes one set of awning poles, additional sets can be purchased separately)
Zippers: YBS brand with corrosion-resistant nickel sliders.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF): 50+

Manufacturer's Warranty Lifetime warranty
About Paha Qué Paha Qué Wilderness Inc. is a young and innovative company that makes high-quality family camping tents. Campers love them, but when they first see the name in print, they pause and wonder just how to pronounce it and try to understand its meaning. You won't find it in any dictionary and there have been debates amongst linguists about its derivation. According to the legend behind the term, Paha Qué is the Southwest Indian version of "Aloha." Paha Qué takes it to mean "happy trails." It can mean hello, good-bye, how are you, have a good day, and more. Perhaps a variation on the Spanish phrase Qué Pasa? The people at Paha Qué learned it from a local rancher friend whose grandpa learned it from local Indians. It boils down to the fact that the name is surely different, and appropriately so because these tents are very different from ordinary tents.


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8/29/2011

Coleman 2-Room Durango Tent (15-Feet x 10-Feet) Review

Coleman 2-Room Durango Tent (15-Feet x 10-Feet)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
When I ordered this tent, I was a little worried about it's size - 10'X15' seemed so big that I was afraid it wouldn't really feel like camping. But for better or worse, the tent isn't that big - it's not a square, and I think they measure the widest and deepest parts, which isn't representative of the overall size. In terms of usable space, it's probably about 8.5'X13', big enough for 2 queen mattresses with about a foot between and along either wall and 2 feet from the front wall to the mattresses (if you push the mattresses all the way against the back wall).
This tent is easy to set up and take down - one person can definitely do it. That said, the instructions are bad, and the pictures on the instructions are useless, so I'd keep the box the tent comes in, you'll be glad to have the pictures to help figure the tent out. Unless you're used to this kind of tent, I suggest setting it up at least once before your camping trip since there is a little trial and error involved.
The biggest problem with this tent is ventilation - the tent itself, starting about 2 feet up the walls, is entirely mesh, so if you want any privacy at all, you have to put on the rain cover, but it has no windows, so the only ventilation is the door (only half of it is mesh) and a very small hole in the side that is used to slide coolers in and out. There's no way to get much breeze, and no crossflow. If you camp in hot areas, I wouldn't get this tent.
Also, the tent isn't really 2 rooms - it comes with a very thin nylon divider (about the thickness of a bed sheet) that hangs down the middle of the tent from front to back (right in the middle of the door). It hangs with cords through loops, so there's about a 6 inch gap all around the divider - it prevents most visibility between the 2 "rooms", but that's it. Also, the people in the left "room" have to go into the right "rooom" to use the door of the tent.
The stakes that it comes with a CHEAP. Plan to take some good ones with you if you're going anywhere at all rocky.
The overhead storage is nice and convenient, but I don't think it'd hold a lot of weight.
Overall a good tent for a family.

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The Coleman 15-by-10-foot Durango tent sleeps up to eight people comfortably, making it a terrific tent for family camping trips. The tent boasts 126 square feet of floor space and a center height of 77 inches, giving you enough space for the whole gang and their gear. Users will also dig the included divider, which separates the tent into two separate rooms--a must for those who value their privacy. Perhaps the most important feature, however, is Coleman's exclusive WeatherTec protection system, which keeps the Durango dry in even the soggiest weather (guaranteed!). The system is built using weather-resistant fabric, with anti-wicking thread, webbing, and zippers that keep moisture away, a zipper cuff for further protection, and protected, leak-free inverted floor seams that dramatically increase weather resistance by hiding the needle holes inside the tent and away from the elements. Coleman's elite welding technology, meanwhile, helps keep the floors strong and waterproof.Add in Coleman's Wind Strong Frame, which is engineered to be stronger and more wind-responsive than most other frames, and you have an ideal tent for inclement weather conditions.
Other details include redesigned 11 mm and 9.5 mm shock-corded fiberglass poles; guy- out triangles for firm anchoring and high performance; a rainfly for the doors and windows; a welcome mat; mesh vents for increased ventilation and comfort; and two inside pockets for added storage. The Durango tent comes with a five-year limited warranty.
About Coleman The Coleman Company has been creating and innovating products for recreational outdoor use since W.C. Coleman started selling gasoline-powered lanterns in 1900. Inventor of the hugely popular fold-up camp stove, Coleman developed a plastic liner for his galvanized steel coolers in 1957--the birth of the modern cooler--and the company has been improving their utility and design ever since. The array of products that bear the Coleman name now includes just about everything you might need to work or play outdoors, from tents and sleeping bags to boats, backpacks, and furniture.
Amazon.com Tent Guide Selecting a Tent Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Expect the Worst In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.
Three- and Four-Season Tents For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.
For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.
Domes and Tunnels Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.
Size Matters Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.
Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.


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Click here for more information about Coleman 2-Room Durango Tent (15-Feet x 10-Feet)