Hello brand new here never been camping but hoping to go soon please can someone help me with the differences between a tent you sleep in and a living area tent, and please explain why you cannot sleep in one?
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If you are talking the difference between tents which are just one big open space and those that have inner 'bedrooms', then it's generally a matter of comfort, and for multi-occupancy, a degree of privacy if split/multiple bedrooms.
You can sleep in a big open tent if you wish, but you'll find the inner breathable bedrooms generally far more comfortable.
It can get quite chilly overnight when camping even in the height of summer, the bedrooms tend to act a bit like double glazing, your body heat can keep the much smaller space comfy, whilst the larger tent space is cooler. Not long back from caravaning at start of Aug in Derbyshire Peak District, and for a few nights on the trot the outside temp dropped to 7-8C! - Even in well insulated caravan that was chilly inside, and heating was put on! Experienced dramatic overnight temperature drops on many occasions, ever abroad where daytime temps have been higher than typical UK ones!
You also tend to get condensation building up on inside of tent flysheets (the tent outer fabric) especially synthetic material ones, this can drip on you, the bedrooms stop the drips landing on you.
Small 1-3 berth tents don't usually have inner bedrooms as such, larger tents accommodating 4 or more generally do have. There are 'event shelter' types that are really intended for sheltered daytime use/gatherings rather than sleeping in, they often get used as utility tents rather than sleeping accommodation.
There is no reason why one cannot sleep in a big tent without any divider or inner bedrooms, just look at the bell tents!
However, as Monty has already mentioned, open-plan living is not for everyone. It is certainly not for me.
Hence I preferred to have tents with inner bedroom(s) for a bit of privacy.
Also, it meant I had a smaller volume to heat up at night when the weather was cold when I camped in the colder months.
In my mind, it also provided a bit more insulation from the cold in slowing the heat loss.
DK
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I echo the above plus, having an inner tent you can zip up means you also keep out the buzzy flying things (if vigilant). To me, it just feels more cosy somehow. Oh, and if you're changing and someone opens the front 'door' then you're not suddenly the peep show for the campsite!
Another plus is that if you have a dark inner tent it can block out some of the dawn light to prolong sleep. Especially for children. (I think the term 'black out' is a bit misleading as to achieve that the fabric would have to be thick like with bedroom curtains or blinds). I'm rambling.
I'm wondering what your reticence about having an inner is about...(if there is). They don't take long to put up and with some tents with lighter based inner tents, you can leave them in place to pitch 'as one'. (I think those with weightier groundsheets are not 'as one' because they might trap moisture beneath and then cultivate the dreaded mildew).
Wishing you fun and happiness.
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Thank you for your replies very informative. I have a few tents which my children use in the garden. If we find on our first camping trip that its something we would like to continue with we will invest in a multi room tent for sure. The 'living area' tent I bought was on its own without bedrooms, I put it up today and realised the side entrance does not secure with a zip and that's the difference with this one. It actually works out well as we can take it along on our first trip and put our blow up sofas in there. Thank you all for your help. Much appreciated
I hope all goes well and you all get hooked on camp life - the weather looks like playing ball in the next week if you're off out and about, although morning condensation/dew might make an appearance. Have fun making memories.
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Topic: Tents and living area tents
via mobile 30/8/2023 at 12:32am
