Why to Consider a Dome Tent

Lightweight

Dome tents can't be beat when choosing a tent for backpacking. They come in a variety of sizes and it's easy to find one that will only add a few pounds to your carrying weight. This is a definite advantage for anyone having to carry their supplies on their back. If backpacking, choose a dome tent that has aluminum poles. Using aluminum poles instead of fiberglass will decrease your carrying weight by approximately 70 percent. Even the larger size dome tents are quite lightweight compared to a regular cabin tent.

Easy Setup

Setting up a dome tent is quite easy. Most designs have only two poles supporting the entire tent and another pole for the rainfly. No matter what size dome tent you have, you'll be able to set it up by yourself. You won't need several people to hold poles while you try to get the tent to stand up. Setting up a dome tent is so easy even the kids can do it by themselves.

Sizes and Styles

Dome tents now come in a variety of styles and sizes. They range from smaller one-person dome tents to tents that will house four to six people. The standard dome tent has one dome, but there are now dome tents that have additional dome sections added to the main part of the tent. These additional sections allow for extra storage space or are big enough for a smaller person to sleep in. Dome tents even come with screen rooms attached to the front.

Rainfly

One of the greatest advantages of using a dome tent is the rainfly. The rainfly is a separate piece of material from the tent itself. Some tents are designed with the rainfly extending out quite a distance over the door and windows to keep excess moisture and water from entering the tent. A rainfly allows the camper to keep the windows open during periods of rain without the water entering the tent. Condensation will then occur on the rainfly instead of the tent's ceiling.