Wenzel Ponderosa 10- by 8-Foot Four-Person Two-Room Tent

Great for hiking and biking trips, the Ponderosa two-room tent is lightweight enough at 10.8 pounds to carry on a backpack or saddle bags yet spacious enough to sleep four people at once. The tent base measures 10 feet by 8 feet, with a height in the center of 60 inches--more than enough space for an informal game of cards at midnight. The removable divider curtain, meanwhile, adds a bit of privacy in crowded conditions. Construction details range from a shock-corded fiberglass frame with a pin and ring connection to a weather-armor polyester fabric with a polyurethane coating. The frame is designed for quick and easy setup--a far cry from the clunky frames of yesteryear--while the coated fabric is reliable and sturdy regardless of the weather.

And should the rains come pouring down, the tent's armor-tough seams and water-repellent threads, zippers, and webbing stand ready to resist. The tent even includes sonic-sealed floors that are welded (not sewn) to eliminate stitch and needle holes, ensuring that water from rain-soaked dirt won't sneak in. Additional details include three windows (two in the front and one in the rear), Dutch D-style doors for easy entry from either side of the tent, and four mesh roof vents for circulation and moisture control. The Ponderosa is backed by a 10-year limited warranty.

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.

Customer Review: Great tent for the $$
I purchased this tent for summer/backyard sleep-outs w/my kids, both of whom are under 10 years of age. Plenty of room for the three of us (mom isn't a big fan of tent sleeping)on two air mattresses. However, there wasn't much room for gear at that point. Set up was very simple - did it myself in about 10-15 minutes. The screened walls are excellent for giving the feeling of "sleeping under the stars" without getting carried away by mosquitos. Love the rainfly, too. It held off the drizzle quite nicely (I haven't put seam sealer on it yet), especially over the double doors. Unsure of how it would handle high winds/heavy rain, but the poles and stakes feel very sturdy.
Customer Review: Perfect for short weekends in good weather
Purchased this to use for camping at a music festival for four days. Easy to assemble...I was able to do so in 30 minutes by myself on a dry run at home, but ideally two people would have this up in 15 minutes or less. Love the overhead storage compartments, plenty of room for two people, no issues with the zippers, only thing I would like to see is a little more head room, but nevertheless for the money this tent rocks!

Hiking and camping equipment is a necessary part of anyone's hiking experience. You will feel closer with nature when you are traveling through the woods by foot. You have to have certain equipment to make your trip not only enjoyable, but feasible as well. You should have a pair of hiking boots as well as a backpack that will house the necessities as this will free up your hands for taking pictures or climbing. You want the right hiking and camping equipment to possess certain criteria. This criterion is important for several reasons.

Your Gear Should Possess Certain Qualities

Your hiking and camping gear should be both waterproof and lightweight. Depending on how long of a trip you are taking, your backpack could get quite heavy. Having a backpack that is already heavy is going to really slow you down and you'll end up thinking that being one with nature isn't as enjoyable as you first thought it would be. You also want to have a good pair of hiking boots with your hiking and camping equipment. This is important because you need to cushion the shock that is put on your knees and back as well as feel safe when climbing.

Your backpack is important because there are certain items you must bring with you on any camping or hiking trip. You need to make sure you can have dry clothes available to you so you can stay dry. You'll also want to make sure you have a flashlight with you as well as something to start a fire with for additional warmth. You want to carry a GPS, if money allows, helping you to easily find where you are headed. You will also want food and utensils (a spoon, a fork, and a knife) so you don't go eating with your fingers while hiking.

Where to Find Your Hiking and Camping Equipment

Your hiking and camping equipment can be found at any outdoor store. Keep in mind though, that you can find great deals on the internet as well. While you will want to have hiking and camping equipment to make the trip great (and easier), just keep in mind that it can be costly. You can buy discounted equipment right from the factory (usually through a factory outlet of some description) or from second hand places like eBay or in the paper (great places to get quality equipment cheaply). Either way, make sure you keep yourself and your equipment lightweight, and sturdy, so that you can enjoy the experience of being one with nature.

Once you find hiking and camping equipment, the only step left is to go hiking. So go find that special place to hike at, and get yourself there. Just keep in mind that it doesn't have to be a hiking trip that takes you far from home. Unless you live in the dead center of the city, there will no doubt be at least a small hiking track you can practice on near where you live.

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