9- by 9-Foot Four-Person Adventure Tent

List Price: $129.99
Category: Sports
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Equipment Details

• Square-shaped, dome-style tent for four sleepers; measures 9 by 9 feet
• Extensions on either side of tent for added shoulder room; each includes zippered window
• Full rain fly integrates transparent window panels for skylight effect
• 12-pound packing weight
• Includes large, highly durable polyester carrying bag with two nylon handles

Description of 9- by 9-Foot Four-Person Adventure Tent

Dome tents can often feel cramped, as the side walls tend to rub your shoulders as they rise to the dome's top. But this tent adds extensions on either side (each supported by lateral poles) that allow more shoulder room (when sitting), dramatically increasing the roomy feel of the tent's interior. Each extension also includes a wide half-moon screened window for maximizing ventilation and breeze flow-through. But they're also high enough up off the ground to provide a bit of privacy while you're lying in your sleeping bag.

The top is also fully ventilated, perfect for a skylight effect on clear summer evenings. Adding the rain fly would typically erase this view, but this tent cleverly incorporates two transparent window panels at the top of the fly for an unimpeded view, even in inclement weather. It also includes two zippered curtains inside the tent, enabling you to block out the sun in the morning if you want to get some more rest before hitting the trail. Additionally, you can rotate the fly 45 degrees on this essentially square tent/fly design, which places the transparent panels over the two non-curtained sections of the roof. However, this increases more airflow to the vented roof from either side of the tent. The one downside to this usage is that the door and back window won't benefit from the fly's overhang, so it's best to initiate when you're feeling secure about dry weather.

This tent features a 3-coat fabric treatment for water proofing as well as improve protection from UV rays and typical wear and tear. It also includes PVC-taped seams, a heavy-duty polyethylene floor, and polyethylene entrance mat right outside the very wide D-style door. Other features include a smallish gear loft, two storage pockets, pin connectors for secure framing of shock-corded fiberglass poles, and a 61-inch center height. It's quite easy to erect for one person, and takes only about six to seven minutes for the tent and fly.

Overall, this tent is impressively designed and abundantly roomy for four to five sleepers, and a steal at such an affordable price. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

What's in the Box?
Tent, rain fly, metal stakes (with bag), four fiberglass shock-corded poles (with bag), gear loft, heavy-duty nylon carrying bag (with handles), printed instructions

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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