NO&YO is an outdoor adventure clothing company made for those that dare take the roads less traveled. While taking those roads less traveled we can’t avoid the camping trip on weekends or if lucky enough weeks and weeks of camping in the wilderness as you explore nature. Of essence,, is the proper camping gear that includes the right camping tent. NO&YO has explored some cool camping places and now we provide you with a general camping tent guide for beginners that we wish we would have had prior to our very first outdoor adventure tent. Generally, camping tents are categorized in two groups – summer tents and what we call hardcore backpacking tents. But taking into consideration the time of year and or season is a huge indicator of what type of tent is most appropriate. A camping tent should be selected based on the three most important factor(s): Space, weight, and Season Type Tent. Space Space of course determines the size of your tent. If you are camping solo then there is no need to go beyond a one or two people tent unless you are looking for extra storage space within the tent. There are those occasions where, if you don’t mind, two people can fit into a one-person tent and help to stay cozy during those cold nights.                

Two, three, or more people tents are available but keep in mind that they may become generally heavier and sometime a little harder to put up or may even require more than one person to stand it up. I guess the argument is always the more the merrier. So why not get a bigger tent. And if the more the merrier is the case then the right camping tent should be selected for all your friends.

    As I said, space to accommodate the number of people is important. But, don’t forget the additional essentials that are needed with more people camping as a group – food, blankets, cooking essentials, ice cooler for the beer and everything else you may need that may require storage space so a multi room camping tent may be appropriate. Weight Weight plays a big factor in type of tent you choose. For example, if you are a one-person camper or backpacking for long periods of time a lighter weight tent is the right camping tent. The good news is that manufacturers and advances in technology have made lighter material yet sturdy to withstand heavy rain or high winds. Generally solo or one-person tent may weigh from 2 to 3 pounds. This may not seem much but when you are trekking mile after mile a 2 to 3 pound tent plus fatigue add up. Suddenly a 2 to 3 pound tent turns into 15 to 20 pounds. So the magic rule is to consider your activity while camping, which will lead to choosing the proper camping gear. Now, for the summer tents or those meant for 2 to 3 people or more may extend from 5 pounds to almost 7 or 8 pounds. These tents become heavy because they have to support a larger structure. Manufacturers don’t spend too much money in using lighter and more expensive materials for these tents under the premise that summer or weekend campers may not necessitate such materials to justify the cost. So be prepare to have those handy friends help out prior to drinking all your beer.           Season Type Tent When, where or what time of year will you go camping is probably the biggest factor to consider when choosing the right camping tent. The last thing you want to experience is the bitter cold of a New England snowstorm with a tent that was meant for summer. Or in the alternative, having a cold weather tent in a high heat camping trip in the desert (which by the way is our favorite) and suddenly it becomes an oven. So choose wisely and avoid the dangerous of becoming roasted meat. Choosing the proper camping gear is very important for safety. But don’t worry, the good news is that it is standard for manufacturers to label the type of tent and for what season it is. For example, tents are labeled as a one-season tent, three-season tent, and/or a four-season tent. One-Season Tent A one-season tent is meant for the summer and depending on use it may withstand light rain. As an example, a family trip to your local camping ground during the summer with the family or friends a one-season tent would work great as the right camping tent. In other words, a good summer with a potential light shower or similar (some snow) may require a very generic one-season tent. Usually you can pick one up at your local outdoor sports utility store like Big 5, Target, Wal-Mart, or Sports Authority.                 Three-Season Tent As you probably guessed it, a three-season tent is for spring, summer and autumn. These tents are a step up from the one-season tent as they are meant for a diverse season type camping trip and additionally capable of withstanding some heavy rain or light snow. A three-season tent will take you from a Vermont Spring camping trip to a California Summer camping trip and ultimately lead you to a Colorado Autumn camping trip. And as you may have imagined, the price starts getting up there. You can definitely pick some of these tents at Big 5 and maybe even Target but we recommend that if you are serious about three-season tent camping then you may as well start investing in your adventure and visit a store like REI or any other specialty store that specializes in carrying high quality three-season camping tents. Four-Season Tent A four-season camping tent is one that now takes you to the next level of hardcore camping and leaves the summer camping way behind. These types of tents are suitable for winter conditions that will withstand some heavy winter conditions but most important are a symbol of living nature to the fullest. So if you are up to visiting any U.S. National Park this winter than a four-season tent is a must for the right camping tent for safety reasons. Of course we remind you that although considered a heavy-duty tent, they are not meant for extreme conditions. So don’t attempt to watch the movie Mt. Everest and think that a four-season tent is the proper camping gear for such adventure. Outside of this guide are the expedition tents that are indeed meant for harsher conditions. Something important to mention is that a four-season tent is sometimes built, as an example, with a double wall, greater ventilation and or the right pitch to prevent the accumulation of snow. And without saying it, a four-season tent will definitely go up in price to anything between $750 to $2000 or more. For these types of tents we figure that if you are able to spend this kind of money than places like REI, the North Face or any hardcore specialized camping gear retailer should be most appropriate.         NO&YO Camping Tent Guide for Beginners The NO&YO camping tent guide for beginners is meat as a beginning illustration to understand the type of tent and factors to consider prior to investing into the purchase of a tent. Our goal is to help you avoid spending considerate amounts of money for a tent that was not meant for what your expectations are or for the wrong season.  Space, weight and most importantly the type of whether conditions you are expected to encounter on your trip should determine the type of tent you should get. Camping should not be expensive but like anything in life investing in the right equipment that will last for a long time while providing you with a long lasting benefit is part of the proper camping gear. Enjoy camping, as it is the road to your adventures spirit.