Choosing The Right Tent Birmingham AL

Whether you're looking for a shelter that can fit in your hiking pack or a home away from home for your family, deciding on the right tent comes down largely to a matter of portability versus ''elbow room,'' according to Katrina Smith, assistant manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Canton.   Smith said tent-seekers generally can be divided into two groups – car campers and trail campers. The former generally require larger tents to accommodate family members. The latter are generally in the market for smaller, lighter tents that can be easily carried.   For car campers, or those interested in camping at recreational campgrounds, Smith recommends purchasing a four- to six-person tent to allow all campers ample space to sleep and hang out.   ''Weight wouldn't be an issue (for car campers), so really large tents that can take up a whole lot of space make sense,'' Smith said.   For families - especially those with young children - purchasing a tent with a divider, or multiple ''rooms,'' allows for privacy.   ''That way if the parents want to hang out and sit by the fire, they can put the kids to bed without worrying about stepping on them later,'' said Karen Baker, a saleswoman at the Gone Bananas military surplus store in East Wareham.   Large multi-person tents can weigh between 8 and 25 pounds, making them a poor choice for backpackers.   Smith and Baker recommend that those looking for a tent to take on the trail purchase a small, ultra-light tent which can weigh less than three pounds.   Today, most tents allow for proper ventilation, necessary for keeping moisture out of your tent. Smith also recommended checking a tent's stitching and material to ensure the tent is rugged enough to withstand wind and rain.   ''Pretty much anything that sets itself up is not rugged enough,'' Smith said of so-called ''pop-up tents,'' which require little to no assembly and, according to Smith, are prone to breaking.   Tents prices range from less than $100 to almost $500. Extra features – such as rooms, storage space and awnings - can raise the price of a car-camping tent. Conversely, the lighter and more durable a trail tent, the higher the cost.   Here are some tips for setting up your tent:   Get there early: If possible, try to get to the camp site before dusk. Not only will daylight help you to accurately assemble your tent, it will allow you to see if the surroundings are suitable for pitching a tent.   Pick the best site: Prior to setting up your tent, make sure the site you pick is level and free of roots and rocks. The site should also provide good drainage options, in case of rain, and shelter from both wind and sun.   Prevent moisture: Bring a plastic tarp to place underneath your tent to prevent ground moisture from entering your tent floor.   Most tents sold today provide ventilation at the top to help prevent moisture from accumulating on humid days. If the vents aren't enough, try partially unzipping the upper window of the tent.   Information courtesy of Kampgrounds of America (KOA.com) and go-camping.org.   The Patriot Ledger   A.J. Bauer may be reached at ajbauer@ledger.com.