everything you need to know before buying a tent...everything you need to know before buying a tent...

In This New Complimentary Guide You’ll Discover:

Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A Tent

Written by Benjamin Perry 2018©

Contents 1. The Difference Between Camping, Glamping, Festival & Family Tents

2. Modular / Connectable Tents 3. Inflatable Tents & Pitch Times 4. Developments In Tent Technology 5. The Material Difference 6. Jargon Buster

Introduction In this exclusive Tent Buyers Guide I'll give you all the information you need to help you make the

right choice when buying a tent - regardless of the manufacturer!

About The Author

Benjamin Perry is the founder of Mi-Camp® & inventor of the

Mi-Camp® ONE®. Over the past 4 years whilst the Mi-Camp®

ONE® has been under development I’ve gained a wealth of

information which I’d like to share with you to make your next

your next trip easier, restful & glitch free!

To get my FREE tips, hacks and info click here

Mi-Camp® ONE® www.mi-camp.com © Benjamin Perry 2018

https://www.mi-camp.com/

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Camping, Glamping, Festival & Family Tents

When it comes to buying a new tent you may find the choice is overwhelming, each and every year

more and more tents come to the market boasting new features, designs and materials.



The first step in deciding which tent to buy, is to figure out how you intend to use your tent. Will it be

solely for festivals or to home your family for a week or so away, or both!

People who camp more frequently have a couple of tents and take the one most suited to their trip

when going away. This is a great idea but not necessarily the most cost effective or best choice

when buying a tent, as you’ll find out later in the guide.



Camping tents are usually rated in size referring to the number of people that can sleep inside i.e 2

man, 4 man etc. It's recommended that you choose a size slightly bigger berth than the number of

people sleeping in the tent so you have room for your gear too.

Squashing kit in can cause condensation to form where it touches the sides - resulting in your stuff

becoming damp or sitting in a pool of water.

Camping tents are usually made from nylons or poly-cotton with some incorporating ripstop

technology which is basically weaving poly-cotton or forming nylon in a certain way so that if the

material gets torn, the tear doesn't travel further through the material.

Family camping tents are usually the larger tents rated as 6 man upwards allowing for the extra

space a family needs, whereas 2 man camping tents are usually smaller, lighter to carry and easier to

pitch.



Many family camping tents are now full standing height allowing you to be able to get dressed

without having to wriggle around on the floor.

They come in a number of different layouts but generally come in what's known as a tunnel tent, a

Vis-à-vis tent or pod tent with the latest tents being modular like the Mi-Camp ONE which allows you

to create a layout that suits you.

Tunnel Tents - Due to the layout which is basically a tunnel formed from a series of bent over

poles, the space you have isn’t the most useable as you need to allow space to move from the front

to the back of the tent where you have your sleeping area.

Vis-à-vis Tents - This style of tent has sleeping compartments either end of the tent facing each

other, the trend for this style started in France hence the name. The central part to these tents are

usually standing height which is great, unfortunately the use of space is limited to the area between

the sleeping areas. However, some tents do allow this area to be made bigger with an add on porch

which makes the space more user friendly.

Pod Tents - These types of tents can be some of the bigger tents on the market, with the idea

being you can use individual pods to separate living, sleeping and recreational areas within the tent.

This is great for families, unfortunately due to size, layout and attachment of pods larger pitch sizes

are required.

Glamping


https://www.mi-camp.com/one-modular-interchangeable-camping-tent/


Glamping has become more & more popular over the past couple of years. It started off in my eyes

with campsites offering electric hook ups on grassed pitches. This allowed campers to pitch their

tent then power cooking appliances, lights, phone charges etc from the hook up.

This made camping easier and feel more luxurious as our creature comforts could now be used in

our tents!

Glamping has now developed further with a number of glamping sites appearing worldwide offering

luxury accommodation in small buildings or pods close to nature. The problem with the glamping

sites is that the accommodation is limited and often only big enough for a couple of people.

Glamping Tents



With the exception of the Mi-Camp ONE, bell tents are usually used for glamping due to the large

amount of inside space. They take a couple of people to erect as they’re quite weighty due to the

poly-cotton construction. Though this does provide a more luxurious feel inside as the poly-cottons

tend to keep the tent warmer and slightly dampen noise.

The Mi-Camp ONE is the only alternative to a bell tent,

it's fully customiseable layers allow you to make the

inside as comfortable as a glamping pod with the

added benefit of easy pitching and modular

construction. Which now means you can go glamping

whenever or wherever you like!

Modular / Connectable Tents

Modular tents have increased in popularity over the past few years as people realise the flexibility

they offer. Now camping with friends and creating individual sleeping or social areas is a lot easier.

However, before buying a modular or connectable tent you should know that:

1. Not all tents connect side to side. Some modular tents connect via the corners or at the pod

entrance. This is highly limiting when trying to pitch on a campsite where you are allocated a

certain space, as it’s difficult to physically fit the pods with connecting tunnels on the pitch.



https://www.mi-camp.com/modular-camping-tent/


2. Connectability is usually via additional tunnels or additional connection poles and canopies.

This adds a significant cost to the system as you’ll have to buy a number of extras to create

the space you need. Bearing in mind some connection pieces can be more expensive than

the actual pod.

3. Due to the tunnels and connectors most modular tents are very dark inside, this is less than

ideal if you are trying to navigate your way through the tent system at night. Before buying a

modular tent system double check how light and airy the connected system feels. Is this the

environment you’d be happy spending your time in if it was pouring with rain outside?

4. Camping with friends may not be as straightforward as you think, unless you convince them

to buy the same tent system and hope no one forgets the connection tunnels or adaptors

when meeting up. Which in reality, with the amount of gear you need take when camping is

highly likely!

The Mi-Camp ONE modular tent system is

completely different to other connectable tent

systems, it allows individual tents to be

connected together without additional parts or

tunnels.

Every door, window & panel can be easily

swapped to create a light airy tent system

eliminating dark tunnels and living spaces.


https://www.mi-camp.com/modular-camping-tent/


Any side of the Mi-Camp ONE connects to another allowing you to create the space you want even

on the smallest of campsite pitches.

So, now you can easily pitch up with friends even if you didn't plan your trip together, as the Mi-Camp

ONE comes complete with built in connectability.

Another advantage of the Mi-Camp ONE is that each tent module comes in its own carrying bag, this

enables you to simply take the number of tents required for your trip. Making carrying the tents

easier and reducing setting up time.

Inflatable Tents & Pitch Times

Inflatable tents have been around for a few years now but a few questions still remain around their

reliability.

Firstly, are they strong enough to withstand more severe weather? In my experience the frames have

more “give” in them than framed or poled structures, so in severe weather the frames are less likely

to become damaged. If a frame cell does become damaged a replacement should be available from

the manufacturer.

Punctures always come to mind when the word inflatable is mentioned, but don't let this be a

concern as the majority of inflatable tents have been designed to be puncture resistant incorporating

additional cell protection. Most inflatable tents come with a puncture repair kit to fix small leaks if

they occur.

One thing to bear in mind is air pressure and temperature. If you pitch an inflatable tent on a hot day

the pressure you inflate it to will be sufficient to support the whole tent (follow manufacturers



recommendations). However, as the temperature drops the pressure inside the air cells drop, which

can cause some tents to go slightly soft making it look like the cells are leaking.

The issue is easily rectified by simply topping up the cells with air when the temperature is cooler. It's

not any issue by any means but something to be mindful of when pitching in the heat.

You may experience the same slight drop in pressure if you use a electric pump to inflate your tent

as the air generated from the pump is warm, if you do just top it up once the air has a chance to cool.

If you’ve started to look around at potential tents will have noticed a lot of manufacturers hype up

pitch times. So here are a few home truths:

Pop-up tents do pitch themselves in

seconds, the pretensioned poles

literally spring open as soon as the

holding ties are released.

Unfortunately, repacking them is a

lot more difficult as you need to

force the poles back into their

pretensioned shape, ready to pop

open again.

With regards to inflatable tents you

really want to take pitch times with

a pinch of salt, as pitching an

inflatable tent depends on so many factors. Yes the manufacturers can say pitched in 10 minutes

but this completely depends on the person or persons pitching the tent and the type of pump used.



Most inflatable tents are supplied with a hand pump which means the fitness of the person can

dramatically increase or decrease pitch times. An electric or high output hand pump could be used to

increase pitch times but this would normally be an additional purchase.

The truth of the matter is inflatable tents do generally pitch far faster than their polled comparable,

generally taking 10 - 15 minutes depending on size etc. However, don't get obsessed over pitch

times, there are many other important factors to consider when buying an inflatable tent such as

weight, connectability, customisation, quality & materials.

Developments In Tent Technology

New developments in tent technology tend to come from gadgets rather than actual tents or from

materials new tents are made from.

Over the recent years it has become standard to add different chemical treatments to the materials

used in tent construction. This ultimately gives the tent better protection from the weather.

U.V stablisiation and water repellency are now common in the industry. This additional chemical

process happens at the raw material stage to help prevent the colours of your tent fading in the sun

whilst increasing water repellency.

Outdoor lighting has developed rapidly over the past couple of years. With the introduction of water

proof LED lighting. The LED stripes create energy efficient lighting using low voltages which make

them ideal for the camping environment.




Over the past five years, the biggest step in tent technology has to be inflatable tents. The

technology and process used to create air cells has been refined with many products now having

stood the test of time.

Over the next few years I think we’ll see advancements in solar power devices helping us keep our

gadgets charged and action ready.

You can find the latest camping tech for your tent at: www.mi-camp.com

The Material Difference

The material a tent is made from can

significantly change how easy it is to

use, so it's important you know the

main difference between the two

main types of construction materials,

nylons & poly-cotton.

Nylons Chemical Name - Polyamide


https://www.mi-camp.com/mi-tech-one-camping-tent-accessories/


Nylons have a low moisture absorbency, are very strong, abrasion resistant and resist damage from

chemicals. They’re lightweight, warm, quick drying, mildew resistant and have a fair degree of U.V

resistance which has made them ideal fabric for tents.

Poly-Cotton Made by combining the fibres of polyester and cotton to create a material that’s pretty similar to

nylon in strength & damage resistance. Poly-Cottons are much heavier and tend to hold more

moisture than nylons meaning they will take longer to dry out when used in damp or wet weather.

This means you must fully dry your tent before packing it away or run the risk of mildew forming on

the surface. The material can be treated with UV resistant and anti-mildew chemicals to enhance its

durability but it will remain a lot heavier than nylon.

Due to the material thickness, poly-cotton tents tend not to pack down as small as their nylon

equivalents.

So, if you’re looking for a tent that’s easier to transport, will be pitched frequently and dries relatively

fast, a tent made from nylon may be better for you.

Hence glamping sites generally use poly-cotton tents, as once they have been pitched they remain

in-situ for a longer periods, so there's no problems with frequent transportation or drying out.

Material Denier & Weight When comparing tents you'll find a range of different materials used by the manufacturers listed in

terms of denier for example 120D or 750D.

For you to be able to compare the quality of the material you need to know about material deniers

and weight.



Denier is the measurement used to determine the fibre thickness of individual filaments or threads of

materials. The higher the denier count the thicker and more durable the fabric is, with lower denier

fabrics being softer and subject to a higher degree of wear.

The weights of some tent materials are also listed in grams per square meter or GSM, so without

confusing the matter basically the heavier the material the more durable it's likely to be.

Jargon Buster

The jargon buster below is to help you understand the meaning of common words, phrases and

abbreviations you’ll come across when researching tents.

Hydrostatic Head (HH) This is a measurement of the height of a water column placed on top of the tent material before it

leaks. The measurement is usually in mm. A 1500mm hydrostatic head would mean the material

would remain waterproof until more than 1500mm of water sits on top of the material, at which point

the water would start to seep through. The higher the hydrostatic head measurement the more water

resistant the material.

The British Ministry of Defence consider materials that resist a water column of at least 800mm to

be waterproof. Ideally you want a tent with a hydrostatic head height of at least 2000mm to resist

wind driven rain.

Flame Retardant (FR)



You may have noticed that some tent manufacturers state materials used in their tents are flame

retardant (FR). Flame retardant or flame resistance is the same thing, it basically means the material

has a resistance to catching fire when a flame is in direct contact with its surface.

The truth of the matter is, that it remains good practice to use flame retardant materials but the level

of resistance can vary widely.

A British standard flame retardancy rating may be different to other countries, but please bear in

mind it's the result of a test to the length of time the material resists burning or catching fire. In most

FR tests we are talking the number of seconds it takes to burn rather than minutes.

Any tent will burn regardless of the FR rating usually within 30 seconds, which is why you should

ensure naked flames are not present inside or used in close proximity to your tent at any time.

Footprint This is a waterproof layer of material designed to fit underneath your tent. The footprint is pinned to

the ground using standard pegs to create a dry surface to pitch your tent upon. Footprints provide

additional protection from the ground in respect to water ingress and help to insulate the bottom of

the tent from the ground.

Groundsheet The groundsheet is the base layer of the tent that sits directly on the ground or footprint, helping

protect the user from damp and water ingress. Many groundsheets now come sewn into the tent

walls to stop water entering from any side.



Flysheet This is a layer of waterproof material designed to fit over the top of your tent providing you with extra

protection from the weather. With material advancements over the past 5 years flysheets are

becoming a thing of the past though some single skin tents still utilise them.

Modular / Connectable A Modular / connectable tent or tent system is a tent that can be used individually or as part of a

system to create a larger space that's ideal for friends and family camping together. The Mi-Camp

ONE is a unique modular camping tent that has built in connectivity making it easier to use than any

other modular camping tent.

PU Polyurethane, or PUL fabric, is a waterproof fabric, its typically made from a polyester, cotton or a

poly-cotton blend material with a heat-laminated polyurethane layer making it lightweight and

durable.

PVC Vinyl Coated Polyester (PVC) is made up of polyester, a bonding or adhesive agent, and an exterior

PVC coating. Making a fabric that's very strong with excellent durability. It’s easy to clean and

resistant to chemicals.





PVC is generally heavier and more durable than PU. So, when comparing tent materials you’ll need to

decide what is more important to you, weight or durability?

Storm Straps Storm straps attach to the side of your tent and secure to the ground in the same way as normal guy

rope, providing additional stability during harsh weather.

Oxford Oxford is a name given to a material by a Scottish fabric mill in the 19th century after Oxford

university. This fabric has a basket weave structure which gives the material a number of added

benefits such as breathability, durability and strength.

Final Note

I hope you’ve found the information in this guide informative enough to enable you make the right

choice when it comes to buying a tent.

Discover how the Mi-Camp ONE adapts to your camping style,

making your next camping trip easier and far more

comfortable than ever before at www.mi-camp.com

If you’d like further camping tips, hacks & info click here now!





7 Tips For The Best Night’s Sleep Under The Stars...

Written by Benjamin Perry



If you've ever been camping you'll know it’s not easy to get a good night

sleep.... You hear strange sounds around you, the air temperature changes as it gets dark... the early morning light wakes you up....What most people don't know is that there are a few simple steps you can take a to guarantee yourself a better nights sleep!

Who am I, and why should you listen to me

I’m Benjamin Perry founder of the Mi-Camp® & inventor of the ONE® inflatable

tent, as a dad of two young children and having a love for the outdoors, camping holidays were the natural choice when it came to the school holidays.

Unfortunately camping isn’t easy when you’re trying to pitch a tent single

handedly, entertain two children and have fun.

What makes it even harder is when you don’t get enough sleep, your sleep is

disturbed or you get woken up early.

The steps in this guide are from personal experience, detailing what we’ve

found helpful when trying to sleep whilst away in our tent.

Simply follow the steps below to get a better night sleep.



1. Before it gets dark, just double check your guide ropes and tent frame are secure, as the last thing you need is to be securing your tent during the night if you suddenly get caught up in bad weather. This might sound like it has nothing to do with a better night’s sleep but its

building your peace of mind, so when you do eventually go to sleep you’ll know your tents going to do its job.

2. Move anything you might need during the night into your sleeping compartment, keeping it close to your bed. Looking for the things via torch light during the night can be a little tricky and tends to disturb others. Don’t forget your earplugs! these little things can be a real god send, especially

if noise disturbs you. There are some very different noises you’ll hear when camping and rather than wondering what they are, just block them out!

3. Pre-warm your bed….camping in cooler or wet climates tends to make your bed or sleeping bag feel damp, and the last thing you want to do before going to sleep is to be



warming yourself up. A pre-warmed bed makes you instantly relax. Air beds go really cold when outside which causes the air pressure inside them

to drop. This makes them feel soft…. if you check your mattress in the morning you’ll see how soft the mattress has gone…by insulating them top and bottom the air inside stays warmer and they don’t go as soft keeping you comfortable all night.

I’ve found putting a fleece blanket under the mattress and one on top really

helps….we’ve even used synthetic wool mattress toppers before….those defiantly keep the air warmer inside the mattress preventing it from deflating.

If you’re glamping an electric blanket also works wonders. Make sure yours is

water proof…obviously follow the manufacturer's instructions for use!

4. Ensure you’ve got the right pyjamas for the climate your camping in…. don’t wear too many layers or you’ll end up sweating, then you’ll wake up either too hot or cold from the damp sleeping bag or sheets. Wear less if your mattress is well insulated or if you’re lucky enough to be

sleeping with a loved one as your body heat and the extra insulation will keep you warmer.



5. Zip up your tent from the inside…I’ve always been mindful about the children waking up in the night, trying to make their way out of the tent, still half asleep thinking they’re somewhere else… An easy way to prevent any wandering children is to pull zips together at the

highest point out of reach to little people.…..another tip for peace of mind, hopefully allowing you to sleep without that worry.

6. This might not be for you…. but you may find it helps with the early morning light. If you’ve pitched up in a location where the early morning sun is directly on your tent you may well be woken earlier than normal… Try wearing an eye mask, the dark material over your eyes tends to counteract

the light.

I’m sure you’ll look lovely…if not, well at least you won’t be woken up as early.

The Mi-Camp ONE has customisable insides that allows you to easily blackout

the inside of your tent preventing the morning light waking you up.

For more details about blackout layers visit

https://www.mi-camp.com/one-camping-tent-mi-layers/


https://www.mi-camp.com/one-camping-tent-mi-layers/


7. Take time to wind down and relax…maybe cook some smores on the fire and have a glass of wine…look at the stars or read a book…enjoy your surroundings it's what camping’s about. Don’t expect to be running on adrenaline all day then being able to suddenly

fall asleep…take the time to relax and calm down.

Coupled with the other steps in this guide you should be able to easily fall

asleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.

If you have an idea or method that you think should be included in this guide,

let us know…being part of the mi-camp community is about sharing things… things that make camping easier, safer, more comfortable, more enjoyable & more fun!

Thank you for reading, I hope you’ve found the info helpful….

If you’d like further camping tips, hacks & info click here now!





everything you need to know before buying a tent...everything you need to know before buying a tent...

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