A good camping tent will make the difference between fun and misery. Camping is a favorite outdoor activity, and though some folks make no use of any tent or overnight shelter at all, under most circumstances it is going to be a much more enjoyable experience when not assailed by the elements. Thus a camping tent is going to be one of the most essential pieces of equipment on hand, and when in the market some basic elements should be considered.

First and foremost, figure out whether free-standing designs or traditional ones are most appropriate. Much thought and care needs to be taken at this initial step, as for solitary trips no one will be around to help pitch and strike a tent. Fabric material is one more important factor when shopping for a suitable camping tent. Most items offered on the market these days will be made of cotton canvas, nylon, felt, or polyester.

Cotton absorbs water but is, ironically, then rendered waterproof when its fibers swell and create a seal against further drenching, in effect. Cotton is also often treated to further enhance its water-resistant qualities. Then you have synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester, which are significantly lighter in weight and tend to whisk away water, made all the more water-resistant and even waterproof via the application of special coatings. Regrettably, these will also deteriorate over time under sunlight.

When considering the water resistance of a camping tent, look to its hydrostatic head rating. Tent fabrics are rated in millimeters, and numbers of 1000mm or less are deemed shower resistant while extreme conditions such as monsoons may call for ranges in between 3000 to over 5000mm, especially where groundsheets are concerned. There are a handful of other factors when it comes to tent fabrics, but this discussion covers a couple of the most essential and should serve to stimulate further research on your own.