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four and six usually, sometimes more). Dome-style models can be transported into the backcountry, as long as group members are willing to carry a share of the load; house-like models are intended for campgrounds and basecamps. Since most families do not camp in the winter, they are usually three-season tents. However, some four-season family tents are made.

$130-$549 (depending on whether it occupies 4 or 6+ people)

FOUR-SEASON

The 4 season is exactly how it sounds. It is made to stand through all four seasons, even through strong winds and heavy snowfall. This is because the four-season is usually equipped with one or two extra poles for added support. Four-season's also have dome-shaped tops, which lets the snow and rain slide down the sides without piling on the top, just waiting to give you the wake-up call you will never forget. If, however, you are back-packing, these tents are less ideal than three-seasons. This is because with the extra poles, it is heavier.

$220-$750

Convertible

Convertibles are a combination of both the three and four season tents. If you are expecting to camp in the middle of winter, you are all set. If you want to go for a hike along the Appalachians for a few days in the summer, you can dispose of a pole or two and be on your merry way. Some versions of the convertible also feature a zipper panel which allows for a layer of the opening to the tent to be more open. This way you can have a closed-in tent, and yet still get some fresh air. They also might have something called a vestibule, which is an area between the tent and the rainfly (piece of fabric above the tent to prevent leaks) to put a pack or boots so that they do not get wet in case it does spring a leak.

$299-$499

In addition to finding a tent that's suitable for the weather you will be camping in and how you will be spending your trip, there are different types of structures to choose from as well:

-A-Frame Tents
-Modified A-Frame Tents
-Cabin Tents
-Tunnel Tents
-Hoop Tents
-Single-Hoop
-Double/Singl e Wall
-Dome Tents
-Geodesic
-Semi-Geodesic/H ybrid

The structure of the tent is not as important as how many people well be sharing it. For backpacking and mountaineering for a 1-2 person group, solo tents and bivy sacks are the way to go. A-Frames and Single-Hoops fall into this group (though they aren't the most comfortable of structures). For larger groups, a family tent is appropriate. In this category, the Geodesic, and Semi-Geodesic/Hybrid are great. For more information on the size, just look on the box of the tent. Along with saying which seasons the tent is useful in, it will say how many people it can hold. It all just depends on what you're doing, who's going, and when. Oh, and of course the price.

Well now you are ready for that camping trip you've been waiting for! So pack up you gear, some snacks and perhaps a case of beer, and have fun!

Learn more about this author, Kelly A. Mello.
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