META: There are certain aspects that we must consider when buying a tents for camping. Two of these important elements that you must contemplate while purchasing a tent are the hydrostatic head and the sun protection factor.
Tents are available in various kinds of material that are suitable for different weather conditions. Canvas, cotton, nylon, polyester and felt are all fabrics that are available. Canvas can become very bulky when it's absorbed a lot of water so bear this in mind. On the other hand polyester and nylon are lightweight and do not take in much water and so with the right kind of coating they can become completely waterproof. The harsh UV rays and constant exposure however, will tend to wear the fabrics over the years. Each tent, therefore needs to be tested to see how much resistance it will take against natural conditions such as the sunlight and rain.
Polyurethane is commonly used as a coating on nylon and polyester tents. The coatings are available with different resistance power and the strength of this resistance is generally measured in Hydrostatic Head. The more the Hydrostatic Head the greater will be the durability of the tent and the longer will its coating last. Rain is calculated in milimetres and indicates the resistance of the force of the water that is required to enter the fabric. More pressure is added by a heavy down pour in comparison to that of a light shower.
If a fabric indicates a hydrostatic head of 1000mm, it can be classified as good enough for a light shower. A hydrostatic head of 1500mm in a tent fabric is appropriate for summer camps while 2000mm fabrics are durable for more weather types like 4 season tents. Groundheets can exceed the limit of that of a flysheet which can be a good 5000mm or above. If you are going on an expedition you need a tent fabric with a hydrostatic head of 3000mm.
The other aspect that we must take into consideration while selecting a good quality tent is the sun protection factor. You should only expose yourself to the harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun for so long, so be sure to check the SPF or sun protection factor as this will show you how long you are allowed to expose yourself for. The SPF number ranges greatly; remember to select one that offers you the maximum protection from the sun. Just as tent fabrics are checked for their water resistance, similarly they are marked for their UV protection, which is generally between SPF35 to SPF50. Tents are available with higher SPF protection; the only problem is you will pay extra.
However it is always more sensible to buy a tent that provides you the maximum SPF protection because you are outdoors for several days and need the best safety measures for your skin. Ultraviolet rays can be very harmful to your skin, so make sure that the tent you buy gives you a good amount of safety from the suns rays by blocking the rays from penetrating the tent fabric.
While your tent takes care of you, it is also required that you take equally good care of it. It is important to store it correctly without too many folds or bends, especially after it has been subjected to torrential rain or extreme heat. This will ensure it lasts longer. Signs of wear and tear of the tents fabric will be clearly visible at the folds. So make sure it protects you as much as you protect it.
