Every year, it is a great idea to do something fun filled and relaxing. Try to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Get away from the pressures of your job, school and traffic. Try get some clean smelling air. Yes unpolluted air still exists, all the way out in the countryside. Have you ever been there? Visiting the countryside may prove to be refreshing to your health too. When you do visit the countryside, you will need to take your camping gear and of course your tent.

You may still want to enjoy the country side, but it’s no fun if it’s not comfortable. The Texsport Lodge Square Dome SUV tent is perfect for the avid car camper. This dome tent has a specific creativity about it in that it is designed to stand alone or attached easily to the back of a sport utility vehicle. This leaves more space for you to carry camping gear in your car. Moreover the Texsport Lodge Square tent itself is very spacious and a large living space. It makes camping fun and easy.

The Texsport Lodge Square dome SUV tent has a peak height of 86 inches. This means that most adults can stand in the tent in comfort and ease. If you view the flooring of the Texsport Lodge Square dome tent, you will also be awed by its length and width of a whopping ten by ten feet. This flooring area allows for five people to sleep comfortably. More space is what you want, that is exactly what you get in buying the Texsport Lodge Square dome tent, as it can be attached to the back of your SUV and you will get more sleeping space, including extra storage room. It is also built with creativity as there is a large T-style door, and a backdoor. The Texsport Lodge Square dome tent also has two windows with no see-um mesh. This dome tent is equipped with these windows for protected ventilation. The Texsport Lodge Square Dome Tent also has pole construction that features shock corded fiberglass. These are great features that can prove advantageous to you on camping trips.

While designed to fit most vehicles, you must also be warned that not all SUVs are suitable for connecting to the Texsport Lodge Square Dome tent. Ensure that the make and the model of your SUV are suitable for this dome tent.

The Texsport Lodge Square dome tent is made up of light but strong nylon taffeta. If your weather changes while camping, it offers you a durable water-resistant polyethylene floor. This floor is very easily cleaned. Reliability is also a key feature of the Texsport Lodge Squared Dome tent as it is built to last for many seasons of fun. The Texsport Lodge square dome has a rain fly which is equipped with a canopy for extra water proof protection.

Review from Amazon:

Bruce C. Ream.,

We purchased this tent for Bonnaroo 2007. The first one to arrive had some problems but as usual Amazon was lightning fast with a replacement and we were ready to take off for Manchester, Tenn. The special feature we like about this tent is the ability to attach the tent to our rental SUV. It worked flawlessly and was very easy to accomplish. We really enjoyed being able to stand up inside the tent and have all the SUV space to store things and reach them easily from inside the tent. You see a lot of different tents at Bonnaroo every year and Texsport Lodge Square Dome was one of the very good styles that we saw. Except for having to replace the first one, this was a very good product that served our needs perfectly.

If you are looking for the cheapest dome tent.I highly recommend you buy these stuff through Amazon here.

Do you love visiting the beach with your family? Nothing comes in handy than a great tent to avoid the direct sunlight or abrupt rainfall.

But, you do not want to spend half the time setting up the tent and missing out on the good times. A tent with simple setup therefore is an important addition to your outdoor gear.

This review will focus on the Coleman 4-person cabin tent with super easy setup. It is one of the most highly reviewed and sought after tent in the market today.

Pros

• It is completely weather proof
• It keeps water out of the tent when it rains
• It has a pocket to keep your belongings organized
• It is easy to setup
• It is vented to improve airflow

Cons

• The entrance is a bit cumbersome

Features

• Its made using durable 150D polyester fabric
• Its size is 8×7 feet and 4 foot 11 inch high center.
• Its integrated rainfly
• It has Pre attached poles for easy setup
• Its spacious interior can hold a queen bed
• It has welded floors

Use

When many people imagine pop-up tents, they picture small unstable tents that cannot withhold rough weather. That is not the case with this Coleman cabin tent. It comes with pegs and sturdy steel poles that you can use to firmly secure the tent to the ground. With this, the tent can withstand winds of up to 100kph which is quite impressive.

Not all pop-up tents are as intuitive for use as this Coleman cabin tent is. It has interior pockets that keep all your things organized. There is an integrated rainfly for exceptional airflow in the tent and inverted seams that keep rain water at bay. That is not all, the tent has a welded floor that ensures rain water doesn’t get into the tent.

If you have gone to the beach for the view don’t worry that you will lose out when in a tent. This tent has two large windows that allow for a panoramic view of your surroundings.

Setup

Talk of ease of setup of a tent; this one from Coleman doesn’t disappoint. The tent comes with pre attached poles. No need to have been a boy scout to setup this tent or carry a myriad of tools with you. You can easily and quickly set it up in just a minute alone.

When collapsed, the tent folds nicely into a small portable bag that you can store with ease until your next camping expedition comes along.

Capacity

The tent has a capacity of four people which makes it ideal for a family camping trip. It is extremely spacious and considerably high at about 180 cm high which allows most adults to stand up inside the tent.

Material

The Coleman Cabin tent is made using high quality polyester 150D material with weather technology that ensures the tent is weather proof. Further, this material blocks 90% of the sunlight keeping the tent cool and dark. In this tent, you can actually take a nap under the sun on the beach without breaking a sweat.

Bottom line

With almost 3000 customer reviews on Amazon with a rating of 4.0 stars, the Coleman 4-person pop-up tent is a reliable, easy to set-up, and comfortable tent for family or personal camping.

The wonderful world of tent camping. There are many ways to camp and the majority of “campers” have the same reasons for doing it. To some camping means to take the old R.V out to some crowded park that might not even be located near the woods. Others describe camping to them as renting a cabin in the woods, and even some staying in a remote motel might be what they would call camping out. There is the primitive camper, the ones who will camp in any conditions with or with out a tent. I am writing this article for those who are interested in tent camping.

A type of camping that includes family camping, all the way down to the solo camper. Which ever one you are or want to be it is agreed that you must enjoy the outdoors, campfires, and the ones you are camping with! It is not a good idea to go camping with a newly met friend or acquaintance especially if you’re the one who is riding and not driving! Tent camping is suppose to fun and a economical means of getting away from life’s every day stresses. However tenting camping can also end up being a nightmare before even getting out of the drive way. Even worse, problems after getting to the camp site can ruin a camping trip. Proper packing and good quality camping products can ease the mistakes campers have made. Learning from others mistakes can help make your adventure a positive one.

Quality camping products are a must and not skimping on a good tent and sleeping bag is a good idea. Eureka camping tents, sleeping bags, screen houses, canopies, and solar shades make the tent camping experience a positive one. We have owned a Eureka tent for over 20 years and it is still in great condition. The zippers and poles along with the stitching is the best quality for the price we have found. You can find many Eureka suppliers online but be sure to compare prices. We have found that the websites that only sell Eureka products to be the most creditable and price competitive.

Camping is a fun filled occasion that every adventurer looks forward to. Despite how exited you are, you won’t have a dandy time if you don’t have the right camping tent.

How to buy the right tent

For you to buy the right camping tent you need to consider a number of factors:

Rainfly: this is the tent’s umbrella. The bigger it is the better. When making the purchase you should go for a tent with a fly that flows smoothly down the sides of the tent rather than across the top.

Tub floor: the floor protects from running water. For a great experience you should go for a tent with a floor made from a waterproof material. As rule of thumb you should ensure that the floor is a few inches up the sides before it gets to the walls. You should check the floor and ensure that there are no seams for water to seep in.

Stake loops: you should ensure that your tent has loops at the base. There should also be loops at the center of each side. The loops are large enough to accommodate large plastic stakes. For durability, you should go for a tent with material stake loops. You should avoid plastic loops as they easily break when you hammer in the stakes.

Fabric: what material is the tent made from? The fabric determines the durability of the tent. For a long lasting tent you should go for one made from tough, waterproof canvas. In addition to being long lasting, a canvas tent is also breathable. You should avoid nylon or polyester tents. While the two are cheaper, they deteriorate fast.

Ease of use: a durable tent doesn’t have to be difficult to use; it should be easy to use. For it to be easy to use it should have fewer poles and pegs to make set up easy.

Major types of camping tents

If you are interested in camping tents there are many types that you can go for. The most common ones are:

A-frame: they resemble the classic pup tent and have a triangular support on either end. If you look closely you will find that the tent resembles a triangular prism. There are other versions that have a ridgepole between the two end supports and a center hoop that creates a roomier interior.

Pyramid: from their name, they have a single central pole that supports the center of the tent. Although, having a pole at the center is cumbersome, the tent is light to carry. You can also easily set it up.

Dome: it’s made up of four or more hoops that criss-cross over the middle of the tent. They are loved by people as they are very strong thus can withstand harsh weather.

Conclusion

Camping tents are a must have for every fun loving individual. To buy the right tent you should be cautious and consider all the tips explained above. While there are many stores you can buy from, always buy from a reputable one, okay?

So you’re going camping! Choosing a tent that fits your style, needs, and locations can be a fun task. Make sure you’re not overwhelmed by bells, whistles, and deals. While those can all be great-you really need to concentrate on a few key points to ensure your home away from home will be everything you want and everything you need-even comfort!

Over the River and Through the…?

No, that isn’t how the song goes, but you really need to consider where you’re going-the climate, the length of your trip, the seasons you plan on using the tent. For instance, would you use the same tent in Florida as you would in Canada? Depending on the time of year this may be true, but if you’re looking for shelter from a snow dusting you’re hardly going to pick the same tent you would pick for a humid Florida summer. Make sure your tent provides shelter from the elements and is made from a fire-retardant material-think of all the heaters or fire you may need to start if the evening gets cool. If you’re looking for a one-size fits all tent then you need to go camping in the summer. Otherwise, take these pointers and let the research begin!

How Much Do You Want to Work?

So you’re either camping on a mission or camping for leisure, right? Either way, when choosing a tent for camping you need to decide how much work you would like to do to set up the campsite. Depending on the size of the tent (base this on how many people will be sleeping inside your tent), you’re able to get tents that are so small they’re built in to a backpack! These are obviously smaller tents used for 1 or 2 people. The next type of tent is attached to the ground with ropes and pegs-these take more work, and are easier with two people helping (although one person is more than fully capable). Next, you have your pop-up tent, which does just that-it pops up with a few simple steps (follow the directions). So depending on the amount of labor you’re interested, the number of folks you’re taking camping, and how much room you have to haul the necessities-you’re able to determine what your home away from home will look like.

That Was Easy!

So now you have all of the key components for picking a tent! You’ll guide yourself through the process by answering all of the questions you’ve read here. This way, you can be answering more questions and delegating tasks like “who is finding the firewood?”

Dome tents have grown increasingly popular for family camping, and you get them in many different sizes. But is such a tent really the right choice for you? Let’s take a look at the different types of family dome tents, and especially at the strengths and weaknesses of this camping tent design.

Dome tent styles

• Classic geodesic dome
• Half dome or tunnel tent

The classic design shows a simple dome shape. There are also larger family tents that are made up out of several domes. Both are great for family camping which involves spending the whole time at one place, since they are larger and offer more space. Half dome or tunnel tents, on the other hand, are very good for backpacking. By reducing the dome size, they cut down on weight and produce a smaller pack size, which makes them more convenient to carry.

Main strengths of dome tents

• Large floor space – This gives you a large sleeping area and sufficient space for your luggage.
• Highly sturdy in extreme weather – Instead of a static frame, stability is reached through all tent components working together, with poles made of flexible materials like carbon fibre. The low, round shape of dome style tents lets them easily shed rain and snow, and makes them very wind resistant.
• Lighter than cabin tents of the same size – This is mainly due to the absence of a heavy tent frame.
• Easy setup – Dome tents often use shock-corded poles. These easily unfold to full length, and a color coding shows you where each pole must go.
• Free-standing – Most family dome tents can be set up on any level surface, for example your backyard. However, the rain fly does need staking. Also, it’s generally advised that you do stake your tent down, just in case strong winds come up.

Weaknesses of dome tents

• Less usable space – Family dome tents offer less space for camping furniture than equally sized cabin tents. Large items can only be set up in the center part.
• Less freedom to move – Due to the dome shape, head space is often a problem. Whilst larger tents might allow you to stand fairly straight in the center (if you are not very tall), the smaller sized ones allow you only to sit up and make you crawl rather instead of walk. Half dome or tunnel tents might not even allow a tall person to sit up straight.

These considerations clearly show you what dome style tents are good for, and when you should rather not pick them. Classic domes are a great choice for camping vacations that are likely to face heavy weather conditions, especially strong wind, but will find you most of your time outside. Half dome or tunnel tents are excellent options for backpacking or other types of travel-camping. In general, family dome tents are rather for people who can do with less space and comfort, whilst those travelling with half their household, or expecting to spend much time inside the tent, should rather opt for a cabin tent.

Family camping tents come in many shapes and sizes. The one that suits your needs may not be the right one for someone else. That’s why there is such a large variety produced for the outdoor enthusiast market.

Tents come in four basic shapes: A-frame, umbrella, geodesic or “dome”, and wall. The A-frame is the old-style, traditional “pup” tent shape, but can also be quite large. The umbrella is a commonly used family tent, with plenty of standing room, including large windows and a rain fly. The geodesic dome has many variations, with varying combinations of connected triangles. The wall tent is like an A-frame tent, but is generally much larger and has vertical side walls, and is most commonly used in army applications and Scout camps (These are usually set up on permanent decks).

Tents with square floor shapes are more efficient when laying out sleeping and gear arrangements. If you decide to purchase a tent with a round or oval floor, you should plan some extra floor space to compensate for the less efficient layout.

Tents are marketed as two man, four man, six man, etc. At best this describes the most people you can cram into the tent for sleeping, with no storage for any of your personal items. This size determination is okay for backpackers who are packing light, but makes no sense for the average camper.

Why be shoe-horned into your tent? Figure on using the tent at half its rated capacity and you should have enough room for two adults and most of their gear. Each person should have a minimum of 24 square feet of floor space; enough room for your pad, sleeping bag and gear. If you are packing for a long trip, you may want to increase the square footage depending on the quantity of gear you are going to bring.

Don’t forget to purchase a tent that will be wide/long enough for you to stretch out when you sleep… a 6′ tall sleeper will be very cramped in a 6′ wide tent; leave yourself at least 1 foot of foot-room. You will need a minimum of 30″ of space across the tent for each sleeping bag just for sleeping.

Adding ‘dry’ storage for your gear, and enough space to get out of your tent without tramping on your tent companion, will result in a more enjoyable outdoor experience. With this in mind, an 8′ x 8′ tent would work well as a 2 man family tent. This gives each camper 32 square feet to spread out their gear and sleeping area. BUT, a 10′ x 10′ tent is much more suited for two adults (seems like overkill, huh?). This size tent will have enough space for air mattresses, cots or pads AND still have enough space to stand up when changing clothes.

Be careful about buying a tent larger than 10′ x 10′. First, finding a suitable place to pitch such a large item will be a challenge. You need a spot as level as possible. Second, big tents are extremely heavy and bulky to carry. Finally, it might be better to have several smaller tents so everyone isn’t sharing the same sleeping, changing & living area.

The peak height is very important to your comfort. For most trips, try to have a tent that is tall enough to stand in. Plan for the taller persons in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is necessary for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.

Kids can fit comfortably in smaller tents. Once they are old enough, about seven or eight, they will probably want to sleep in a separate tent anyway. Parents will appreciate the privacy provided by this arrangement too. A five by seven foot tent is adequate for young kind. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent.

Poles included with most tents available today are made from aluminum or fiberglas. The better quality tents usually come with specially made aluminum poles, with a high degree of flexibility. Fiberglas poles are included in most ‘every day camping’ tents. The poles are usually linked together with an elastic shock cord. This speeds up the setting up process (important when doing it in the rain!). Poles, when mishandled can bend or break, so many tent manufacturers provide repair kits for you to carry along on the trip.

Seams should be reinforced with nylon tape and double-stitched. The tape is stitched into each seam, which reinforces the seam and adds to the weather-proofing. All waterproof seams in on the fly and floor (or tub), are usually factory waterproofed with a seam sealer. Set up the tent in your yard before the first tent use to test out the pitching process. You can also use this opportunity to go to your local sporting goods store to buy some seam sealer and waterproofing spray. It’s always a good idea to do this to ensure a dry trip. Make sure you allow the tent to dry before packing it back up.

Almost all modern tents are now made of nylon. Coated nylon is used for waterproofing. Nylon mesh is used for inner walls and gear pockets. No-see-um mesh is used for the window screens. Better tents use thicker fabric and rip-stop fabric.

Make sure when you go out to buy your tent… test the zippers. They should open and close with ease and shouldn’t catch on the tent fabric. The zippers should be rust-resistant.

Weather variations will place many demands on your tent.

Windy conditions will call for strong poles, stakes and anchor ropes. Dome tents perform extremely in wind. Their rounded design reduces the wind’s effect, and their pole arrangement provides great strength.

Rain causes two issues to surface. Keeping yourself and your gear dry is first and foremost. Second, you need enough room for all tent occupants to be comfortable if ‘weathering the storm’ becomes necessary.

The floor should be constructed of waterproof coated nylon covering the floor, and turning up the sides for approximately six inches, creating the tub. There should be a minimal amount of seam (the more you have, the more potential for leaks). It will keep out any water that runs down and under the tent.

Make sure your tent has a waterproof rain fly made of coated nylon. The fly should wrap around the tent and reach down the sides, leaving only a few inches of space between it and the ground. This should shut out the rain, even in windy conditions. The fly should extend far enough over the door, so it keeps out the rain when you open the door to enter or leave. Some tents even come with a vestibule that allows for this.

Sunlight and its accompanying heat create a major need for shade and airflow. The rain fly will provide shade. Screen windows on opposite sides of the tent, or a screened window opposite a screened door, will allow air to flow through the tent.

Long excursions in cold weather call for a special, heavy-duty 4 season tent. Unless you plan on doing winter camping, you can use a “three-season” tent that has the features mentioned above. The most important features will be a rain fly that fully covers the top and sides to keep snow and other precipitation at bay, and an interior layer made from an open mesh fabric to allow water vapor to breathe out of the tent. In cooler weather, water vapor inside the tent from moist, outside air and exhaled breath from the occupants will condense on the interior surface of the tent. This can be prevented by allowing airflow through your tent or by passing through the mesh fabric.

The tent size is also a consideration with cool weather camping. A smaller tent will stay much warmer than a larger tent with your body heat.

Usually, the more expensive tents are made with stronger fabric, poles, and stitching. They’re built to withstand stronger wind and more violent rain. A good tent, that is well cared for, can last for many years.

Remember that not everyone will need this amount of durability. The milder the weather you camp in, and the closer to home you camp, the better solution will most likely be a less expensive tents.

If you’re just beginning your camping journey, and don’t know if you’ll enjoy it, you might want to start with a less expensive setup. Your first trips will probably be when the weather is warmer, and you will probably not venture deep into the wilderness until you gain some experience and decide if you like camping or not. Remember, you can always upgrade your equipment later.

For more information you can visit us at Birdseye Outdoor Supply where you can more tips to help you with your camping needs.

If you are a nature lover, but your family and friends are not, you probably won’t need a big tent for two or even more. The best solution for those who travel alone and for those who don’t like sharing a sleeping space is exactly one person tent.

One person tent is, as it says for itself, a small tent and it can be used just for one person. Solo camping is a great way to clear your mind and to enter yourself into the world of adventures.

It is supposed that the most common users of a one person tent are hikers and backpackers. That is the truth because your tent gives you freedom to stay out overnight, to enjoy the view you can’t even get in a hotel and as we already brought up hotels, your tent will be the cheapest sleep anywhere in the world. This tent is also perfect for places that are hard to find and hard to get, because in that places it is probably impossible to set up a bigger tent.

One person tents are very popular and one of the reasons for that is their very accessible price. Be no surprised if you see that tent in your neighborhood set up in someone’s yard. These small tents are often being used as a play tents for kids, or introducing and preparing their kids in camping way of life. That brings us to next issue. Before you get one person tent you must think about for what you are going to need it. Because it is a big difference in the type of tent if it’s for weekend camping trips on flat surfaces or for multi day hikes. Your need will define the price of the tent and also its quality.

Camping tents are the most important piece of camping gear on our list of things to bring. If you are an experienced backpacker don’t hesitate to spend more because a good-quality tent will give you many dry nights. On the other side, if you are not sure that camping is your thing you can get a cheaper one. But be aware that this beautiful nature around us can sometimes be very unpredictable, so it is better to buy a good quality tent than to regret it when it’s too late.

But what about when you are a little bit short with your budget? There is a solution even for this. Normally you can buy your tent in any sporting goods store, but for cheaper prices you can look online to see what you can find. That is tricky if you are not very experienced in that area and it will probably be harder to return item if it doesn’t suit you.

There is even better solution for that. Now days, some companies and scout association rent their equipment. This has got a lot of advantages and the best one is that you don’t need to carry your tent all the way, particularly if your destination is a place where you need to travel by bus or a train.

Advantages of one person tent:

– Tents made for single occupancy tend to be very light. Typical weight is 3 lbs.

– Setting up your tent can be done in just a few minutes with minimum of ease

– Hiking load weight less because there is no need to carry sleeping bag

– These tents are very comfortable to sleep in

– There is no need for putting something on the floor

– One person tent is very small and you can put it practically anywhere so that gives you a lot more places for camping

– And at the end a great price is very big advantage.

Disadvantages of one person tent:

– Small size is maybe most important disadvantage

– That brings us to conclusion that there is very little storage space

– If you are camping with a group everybody needs his own tent

Today is very easy to find the tent you need, so many different designs and colors, sizes and the most important quality. You just need to read this text one more time and ask yourself what you really want and need.

There is no lighter tent than one person tent and at the same time it is very easy to set it up. They are very comfortable, its price is very good and they fit really everywhere. So what are you waiting for, go get your tent and enjoy camping.

Although most of the play tents that you buy online are strong and durable, that does not necessarily mean that they are free from getting dirty. Every time you set up your child’s play tent, they are always bound to get covered in dust and stains; and when you set them up outside, they are very likely to get covered in mud and stains, especially if there is an inclement weather. That is why, it is always best to keep your child’s play tent at all times.

Always clean the tent before folding it down and putting it inside its pouch or carry case. If in case cleaning up before packing is not an option, put the tent back up the soonest that you can. The best way to clean a tent is when it is standing up because it will be more difficult to clean and harder to dry when it is collapsed.

Most of the play tents sold are treated with special chemicals in order to make them waterproof, stain resistant as well as mildew resistant. Therefore it is not at all necessary or advisable to wash them. Washing the tent can ruin and deteriorate its waterproof finish. If your child’s platy tent is simply dusty and dirty from regular indoor use, the best way to clean it is to use a brush and a vacuum. Shake the tent outside and brush or sweep away as much dirt as you can. Use a small, handheld vacuum in order to remove the remaining dirt.

If there is a stain on your child’s play tent, it is advisable to do a deeper cleaning. Choose a cleaner that does not contain detergent and if possible, use the one that is specifically intended for cleaning tents and like materials. Mix the cleaner with water in the amount specified on the bottle.

Using a detergent to clean the tent is not advisable because its chemicals can break down any special coatings that the play tent might have. After rinsing thoroughly, hose the tent down for the last time just to make sure that all the cleaner is removed. Be sure to dry it completely before packing it away.

Just in case your child’s play tent has molds, you will need something stronger to get rid of it. A half cup of water and a half cup of vinegar will do the trick – spray it on the tent or soak the tent in the mixture, depending on the size of the area that needs to be cleaned. After soaking for some time, scrub the mold off with a brush and rinse the tent thoroughly. Again, make sure that you dry it completely before storing it away.

Dry and cozy in your sleeping bag, you hear the first raindrops hit the rain-fly. You drift back to sleep. You are awakened when the wind picks up, and the sides of your tent begin to shake like a flag blowing in the breeze. That’s when you notice the damp floor. You feel the windward side of the tent wall, and discover a small tear. Through the tear, a steady stream of water flows down the inside wall and accumulates on the floor. Unless the rain lets up soon, you know you are in for a night of mopping and wringing. When your tent dries out, you know you will have to make a repair.

To Repair or Not To Repair

Our discussion here is limited to patching a tent, rather than repairing seams, grommets, or frames. Any discussion of patching fabric has to begin with a discussion of the fabric itself because not all fabric is worth repairing. Tent fabric, whether nylon, canvas, or vinyl, is susceptible to a host of ills that weaken the fabric to the point where a repair will not hold. When you repair an area with a patch, the tension that caused the original tear is simply transferred to the fabric surrounding the patch. If the surrounding fabric then tears, you have wasted your time making the repair. Before you attempt to patch a tent, pull on the fabric surrounding the tear to make sure that it, too, does not tear.

Preparing the Surface

If you determine that your tent’s fabric is in good enough condition to hold a patch, the next step is to prepare the area to be patched. Both nylon and canvas are woven, and vinyl is sometimes fiber-reinforced; tears often leave ragged, frayed edges. Use scissors to cut away the frayed area; if necessary, cut into the undamaged fabric until all frayed edges are gone. You will be gluing the patch, so clean around the damaged area with denatured alcohol to clean off any fabric treatments and dirt. Clean both sides of the fabric. If the tent is vinyl, scratch the surface around the tear lightly with fine sandpaper to increase glue adhesion.

Making the Patch

The best fabric for a patch is the fabric that matches your tent: use a canvas patch for canvas, a nylon patch for nylon, and a vinyl patch for vinyl. Cut the patch twice as long as the length of the tear, and at least several inches wide on each side of the tear. Cut the patch in an oval shape, because square corners will tend to peel when the tent is flexed. It is important that the patch is sufficiently large. Patches that fail do so along the edge of the patch, because the cloth flexes more at a point where a great thickness (the patch) meets less thickness (the fabric). To prevent failure there, make sure that the edge of the patch is far enough from the damage that the load is sufficiently reduced.

Gluing the Patch

Glue is the best way to attach a patch, because when you use glue, the fabric won’t fray and the repair won’t leak. The best glue for patching is one which will adhere to the fabric reliably under all the conditions (heat, cold, moisture, packing, etc.). Latex cement is often touted for tent repairs, but avoid it; it doesn’t adhere very well in extreme conditions. Contact cement performs well, but can be a little stiff. The glue recommended by tent rental companies is called Barge Rubber Cement, made by the Quabaug Corporation. It can be purchased at Ace Hardware and most hardware stores. Barge Rubber Cement stays flexible in just about any conditions you tent is likely to encounter, and over long periods of time.

Paint the glue on the back of the patch, and on the area surrounding the damage. Give the glue solvents a few seconds to flash off, and then press the patch onto the fabric. Be certain the edges of the patch are well glued. To be certain that the patch is well glued, support the fabric from underneath and hammer the patch with a rubber mallet or roll firmly with a rolling pin or veneer roller. For best results, patch the damage from both sides of the fabric.

Allow the glue time to cure before packing the tent for storage. While you are making the repair, place some of your repair supplies in a plastic bag and pack them with your tent; you never know how far from home you will be the next time to need to patch a tear.