Shelters

Most Boy Scouts use tents as their primary shelter. They are versatile and offer a degree of safety for the occupant. But there are different shelters that should be considered based on the activity. This page should provide some of the shelter alternatives, providing the common advantages, and disadvantages, of each. This provided general guidance does not provide a full comprehensive list of all the options on the market.

Tents

For the benefit of discussion, a shelter is anything that keeps the elements (rain, snow, sun, etc) off of you, the camper. A tent is a shelter that is portable. Shelter come in varying styles, each style having pros and cons.

Definitions:

  • 3-season - shelters designed for spring, summer and fall use. Not intended for winter because of snow weight, high winds, or blowing snow that usually occurs during the winter months. Most 3-season tents have alot of mesh fabric to help reduce weight and improve breathability (reduce condensation).

      • They can be used in winter if sufficient care is made when pitching it. The camper has to build snow walls around the outside of the tent to exceed the height of the rain-fly. This is to prevent snow from getting blown under the rain-fly and into the tent through the mesh. During heavy snows, it is advised to wake up occasionally to knock the snow and ice off of the shelter walls (reducing weight on the tent). If your in high winds, look for a sheltered location to protect your shelter.

  • 4-season - shelters designed for all seasons, but are specifically designed to deal with harsh weather conditions. They generally have more poles (to make them stronger and capable of bearing more weight) and have solid, non-mesh walls. These components make them heavier.

  • Bug netting - optional on some shelters, usually removed to lighten up shelters or when not needed for winter camping. Used to keep bugs out of your sleeping area.

  • Double wall tent - as the name explains, their are two layers of protection to the camper, with an air gap between the layers. Most double wall tents have a full netting wall with a waterproof tarp that can be placed over the tent. This type of construction usually allows for less condensation buildup.

  • Single wall tent - this type of shelter has only a waterproof tarp. Can be used to reduce weight of the tent, reducing the amount of fabric, unless it is a 4-season tent where weight is added in additional poles. Alot of single wall tents have problems with condensation with no way for an occupants breath from escaping the shelter.

Cabin Tents

Great for campers that want lots of space and want to use cots. These type of tents are common at Boy Scout summer camps and are used by alot of families during car camping adventures. They can range in material construction: canvas, nylon, etc and are always heavy and not reasonable for backpacking. Usually a double wall tent unless canvas, then they are single walled. Most have netting.

Dome Tents

The most popular tent on the market today. They are versatile, roomy, and provide good protection for the camper. Favorite amongst those that car camp and do family camping. These are always freestanding and vary in price. The less expensive tents are generally heavier and are constructed of materials that either are heavier or have a shorter life span.

Ridge Tent or A-frame Tents

These tents are either 3-season or 4-season tents, depending on their construction. They can be free standing or non-freestanding. They have less head room and are generally less roomy than a dome tent but can be lighter weight because there are fewer poles. They are usually single walled tents.

Geodesic and semi-geodesic

These tents are 4-season tents. Heavy because of the large number of poles and more fabric. They are designed to stand up to high winds and severe weather.

Bivouac (Bivy )Tent

A designed to be lightweight and generally for one person only. They are always non-freestanding and have one or two poles only. Sometimes they are refered to as "hoop" tents because there are one or two hoops that create the tent. They are small: not for those that might be claustrophobic. They provide all the protection of a tent.

Shelters

Bivouac (Bivy) sack

Differs from the bivy tent only in that it does not have any poles. It is an exterior liner that goes around the sleeping bag and pad to provide water and bug/animal protection. Some have mesh netting at the face to reduce condensation and to provide the bug protection while others completely encase the occupant. The common issue with bivys is the condensation inside the sack. Bivys often add about 10 degrees to your sleeping back temperature.

Hammocks

A favorite method of camping for Troop 25 scouts. Camping/hiking hammocks are usually made of parachute nylon material with rope that supports the hammock from trees or rocks. You can purchase for your hammock a rain fly and bug net to make it versatile in just about any situation. Alot of people complain about getting cold, especially your butt area as it is where the blood pools (sometimes referred to as "cold butt"). Those that use hammocks alot spend the money get get under quilts that suspend under the hammock to insulate the occupant better. Always remember to get the tree saver straps or wrap the tree with something to protect it from ropes. Very low impact if you don't damage/mark up the trees!

Put something between the tree and your straps/rope. For best results to avoid tree damage: 1) Reduce the direct contact with the tree, 2) wider straps to spread the weight (reduce the point loads), 3) have the straps tight to avoid movement/friction.

Tree damage. This can be avoided.

Tarp

Tarps can be an inexpensive, or expensive, approach to protecting yourself from the elements. Most consider tarp camping as "roughing it" but is a proved shelter for more ultralight campers. Most tarps include cord/rope, some stakes, and poles. The poles can be hiking sticks or manufactured poles developed for a particular tarp product. The tarp itself can be an inexpensive plastic tarp or can be more expensive material (Silnylon, Cuben Fiber, Poly orTyvek ). The more expensive tarps are generally lighter and more compact. Canvas was used as the go to years ago, but is generally not used no for personal camping because of high weight and maintenance to keep it waterproof and mold free.

Advantages:

  • Lightweight

  • Compact

  • Versitile. Adjustable for different weather conditions and different purposes.

  • Low Impact. The shelters footprint is very small

Disadvantages:

  • Usually they have no netting (protection from bugs or animals).

  • Depending on the pitch, limited protection from wind

  • Can we pitched with poles/sticks, but are never free standing.

  • Usually does not provide great privacy options.

Buying a Shelter/Tent?

Ask yourself the following questions. A tent should be chosen based on the user and how it is going to be used.

  1. Sleeping capacity?

    • Most people, unless you are looking to reduce weight, get a tent that is one occupant over the intended use (2 occupant use 3 person shelter) to add room for gear in the tent and livability.

  2. How much do you want to spend?

    • Higher cost usually means better material quality and lower weight.

  3. What season are you using the shelter going to be used (winter or spring/summer/fall)?

  4. Users?

    1. How tall are they?

    2. Do they claustrophobic?

    3. Do they like to rough it or do they like their luxery?

    4. Backpacking or car camping?

Non-Free Standing Tents

1. Support can make use of trekking poles

Often, non-freestanding tents come with poles but give campers the option to use trekking poles as a substitution. Sometimes trekking poles are required in addition to poles.

Pros: Trekking-pole substitution decreases overall tent weight. Trekking poles are easy to replace if damaged.

Cons: Trekking poles must be purchased separately. Adjustable trekking poles can have a tendency to slide down throughout the night.

2. Single-wall construction

Non-freestanding tents have a single-wall construction, meaning the tent does not require a rainfly for waterproof protection.

Pros: Tent interior is less likely to get wet during set-up in the rain. Single-wall construction decreases overall tent weight.

Cons: Might not ventilate as well as dual-wall tents. Interior condensation is more likely.

3. Must be staked for structure

Non-freestanding tents rely on guy lines and stakes to be structurally sound; they can't stand fully taut on their own.

Pro: When staked correctly, non-freestanding tents hold up well in high winds and poor weather.

Con: Properly staking a tent can require extra know-how and practice, especially on hard or rocky ground and soft or sandy ground.