Main Components of a Tent

Tents were originally used by nomadic groups as shelters. They are an essential part of outdoor camping. Tents are formed by propping up sheets of fabric or waterproof material with the help of poles and pegs. Read on to know more about the different parts of tents.

• Groundsheet: The sleeping bag is put on the groundsheet inside a tent. Groundsheets are usually sewn into double skin tents. Any living area can make use of separate flat groundsheets. If you have a single skin tent, you can sew in a groundsheet. A sewn-in groundsheet can cover up to 6 inches on the lower part of the tent wall.

• Poles: They are important for providing structural support to a tent. Poles can be collapsible for storage and transportation purposes. Rigid poles used for certain kinds of tent designs can be made of wood or metal. In case of tent designs using semi-rigid poles, the material used may be fibreglass or special metal alloys.

• Stakes or Screws or Tent Pegs: A tent is fastened to the ground using stakes. These pegs or screws are often fastened to guy ropes that pull the poles outward. They may also pull on the fabric to give shape to the tent and make it stable. Sometimes, the bottom edge of a tent fabric is anchored to the ground using stakes.

• Groundsheet Protector or Footprint: This is as optional part of any tent. You can use this flat groundsheet under the main groundsheet to protect it from rough terrain. The size of this separate groundsheet is smaller than the main groundsheet. If it gets damaged then you can replace it easily. Replacing a sewn-in groundsheet is comparatively difficult.

• Vestibule: A tent can have one or more vestibules. The covered area without floor outside the entrance of a tent is called a vestibule. Here you can store packs, boots, and other outdoor equipment that are small in size. You can also use the vestibule for cleaning equipment or cooking, activities that you can’t perform inside the tent.

• Inner Tent: The inner tent usually consists of a sleeping area and the main living area. The inner tent, in case of double skin tents, is not waterproof and is made of a mesh. The rain fly protects the inner tent from water in the rainy season. However, the inner tent in case of single skin tent is usually made of a breathable material that is waterproof too.

• Rain Fly or Flysheet: Double skin tents usually have a flysheet or a rain fly that is waterproof on the outside for the purpose of protecting the actual tent from rain water. The surface of the flysheet acts as a surface so that condensation can be collected inside. The collected water is then run down to the ground.

• Air Vents: The effects of condensation inside a tent is reduced with the help of vents. Vapour is expelled by our breathing and condenses inside a tent. This happens because the air inside the tent becomes warmer than outside. Water condenses on the exterior of sleeping bags and outdoor clothing lying outside.

Fiona Muller - About Author:
Fiona Muller is a travel enthusiast and likes to write about outdoor clothing apparels and outdoor equipments. She is specifically interested in branded outdoor apparels for men, women and kids.

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