Characteristics of a tent for rainy days

Bathtub Style Flooring and Rainflys

A tent with a rainfly is like a tent within a tent. The rainfly acts as an exterior waterproof/water resistant barrier to help keep rain away from the actual tent. Ideally, it should be kept out of direct contact with the tent material, as contact will promote the transfer of water to your belongings inside. Has anyone ever been startled awake by a scream from a 4 year old crying because he just woke up in a sodden wet sleeping bag? I shudder just thinking about it. A good rain is worth its weight in gold, and beats trying to hastily put up tarps or retreating to the car for the next 14 hours straight. A tub or bathtub style floor will also go the extra mile to keep water off your belongings. This style of flooring carries the impervious flooring material partially up the tent wall, typically 8 to 12 inches, and prevents much of the rain that drips from the roof from mixing with the mud and penetrating through the roof. side wall of the store.

adequate ventilation

With 4 or more people trapped inside a tent on a rainy day, the humidity inside the tent will shoot up pretty quickly. You’ll try to play cards only to have one of them suddenly disappear…and an hour later you’ll find it stuck to the side of little Trent’s sweaty leg. You won’t be able to stop the storm, and neither will your breathing, but you can choose a tent that has at least 2 screened windows on opposite walls. Or just as effective, a ventilated dome top with a ground vent that is protected from rain or a vestibule. Any combination that allows for air movement will be of great benefit.

Foyer and Screened Porch

Many tents are now available with a vestibule…a semi-sheltered area above the door opening that is formed by an extension of the rainfly. These work quite well to protect the door from direct exposure to rain. A Vestibule is also very useful for removing and leaving wet and muddy shoes, sodden clothes, and hiding anything else that is waterproof to free up space for the crazy occupants trapped inside the tent. Some of the larger “cabin” style family tents now come with a covered porch. If the rain isn’t too torrential, these screened in porches are awesome for allowing the family to spread out a bit until the rain subsides. Not only does it allow your family to spread out physically, but it can go a long way toward promoting mom and dad’s emotional well-being by allowing them a few minutes of relative peace while the kids spend their own time playing nearby, out of harm’s way. the weather.

Creature Comforts

Alright, so some of these don’t make the old-school “hard steps” list, but let’s face it, few of us embark on this rainy-weekend adventure to be Davy Crockett or Lewis & Clark. There are tents currently on the market that have built-in LED lights and fans, powered by readily available rechargeable DC sources. No more kicking the flashlight or trying to hold the flashlight in your mouth while you shuffle the cards and help your daughter put on her hoodie at the same time! Most tents have some sort of pockets for interior storage, but did you know that there are now tents with lockers? Yes, you read it right. These specially designed “jump in” closet areas free up valuable floor space on a rainy day, giving you more room to maneuver around the sea of ​​humanity trapped in the tent with you.

ceiling height

It seems like a lot of 12 year olds are almost 6′ tall these days? If you’re stuck inside a tent all day, or worse, ALL weekend due to rain, the height of the tent roof becomes very important. Your body will naturally want to stand up at some point, and it’s pretty awkward if you’re 6′ tall and the tent is only 5’8″! The selection used to be somewhat limited for tall tent campers, but has recently blossomed with a large number of tents with ceiling heights of 5’10” or higher. I would also suggest looking into a cabin style tent rather than a dome, as the former will offer more room to move at higher headroom.

So if you’re new to tent camping, looking to retire or upgrade your current tent, or are busy compiling your Christmas camping wish list, consider these features in a new tent. Doing so, before you’re trapped inside with the whole family during a prolonged downpour, could go a long way toward making a more enjoyable weekend outing…and maintaining your continued sanity.