A basic ridge tent is triangular shaped tent, like an inclined roof.
Ridge tent renders the room and comfort of a frame tent in less than
half the packed size. These tents sounds the same way as they look, they
usually have a ridge at the top and precipitously slanting sides, much
like a ridged roof. At every end the tent is supported either by a
single vertical pole or by a pair of poles arranged in the way of
alphabet "A". Ridge tents are considered as very sturdy with
plenty of headroom but have a flaw that their sides are not backed up.
They are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, on can be
accessed in the form of a small back-pack tent to a marquee.Ridge tents are very simple to erect as they have a simple structure. They consist of a pole at each end and an additional pole or a rope extended between the two to hold up the roof and external guy ropes to keep it all standing. The benefit of a ridge tent is that it utilizes the least amount of fabric and minimal mass of metal in its poles to cover a given floor area. All the lightest tents are ridge tents.
The features of a good quality ridge tents are:
- They are made of a lightweight nylon material.
- A ridge tent is lightweight and ideal to be used for backpacking as they take up a very small amount of space when folded.
- The inner tent of ridge tents are ventilated and possesses a sewn-in polyethylene groundsheet.
- It comes with double zipped mosquito net and storm doors.
- Flysheet is made from a protective fabric and extends over the inner tent to provide a spacious living or storage area.
- It has roll-up curtains and zipped ventilators.
- A quality ridge tent consists of double-zipped, roll-up doors.
- They come complete with sectional metal poles, pegs, guy ropes etc
A family ridge tent is a double-fly ridge tent constructed from cotton waterproof canvas. This tent is suitable for long use in harsh weather conditions for a number of people.
Care of the tent
Ridge tents are normally expensive and every preventative measure should be taken in order to keep it away from damage both while pitching and striking. Proper daily care will extend its life and appearance. A good ridge tent if properly taken care of, can last for more than 20 years.
