How do you get the most pleasure from your camping experience? Your first consideration in gear is always your shelter. Staying warm and dry when the weather turns nasty can make the difference between being comfortable or having a miserable experience. And in extreme conditions it can keep you alive. So, how to choose the tent that's right for you? Let's look at some of the important points...

FIRST, how many people are involved? Are you going solo, camping with a friend or taking the family? Generally you'll match the number of people to the tent capacity, ie: two people equals a two person tent. However, if you have a lot of gear to keep dry you might want to consider the next size larger tent. If the weather gets bad you'll appreciate the extra room. Planning on taking the whole crew? Well, they do make tents for ten or more people. But, try putting one up with the wind blowing...and making it stay there. Personally, I much prefer multiple smaller tents. Easier to erect. Easier to pack and store. And I like the added privacy.

SECOND, what time of year will you go and what weather conditions do you expect to encounter? If all your camping will be in the spring, summer or fall, then a three season tent will be fine. If you plan to camp in the winter, go with the four season tent. You'll appreciate the extra durability and weather resistance. In either case, choose a tent with a waterproof floor and a snug fitting rain fly designed for maximum coverage. And don't think it won't matter because you're camping in the desert during the summer. It can rain there too...hard!

THIRD, how important is the weight factor? If you are backpacking or bicycle camping then weight can be a very significant concern. Here, "light is right"...and more relevant as the day progresses. Weight becomes less of an issue when canoe camping or motorcycle camping but still is important, as is size. Keep in mind though not to compromise durability and function with reduced weight. Go a little heavier if you need to. Nothing is as useless as gear that fails to perform when needed. If you plan to do your camping by car, then of course weight is not much of an issue.

OTHER things to look for in a tent. Bug resistance: this includes fine mesh screening and smooth operating, tight closing zippers. Good ventilation: with two or more screened openings for cross ventilation. Fast, easy set-up: because when it rains you should be in the tent, not standing around outside trying to figure it all out.

Choosing the right tent is always a compromise between benefits, features, size, weight and price. And while no tent is all things to all people, I recommend you take a close look at the EUREKA TIMBERLINE and newer TIMBERLINE XT series tents. I have owned a Timberline tent for over 18 years with complete satisfaction and zero failures. Dollar for dollar it represents one of the best values on the market.

For more information drop by our eBay store and check out the Eureka Timberline tents as well as our other specially selected quality tents. And thanks for reading.

Mark