I Want to Start Camping but I hate tents.

[De Leonist]

I really want to start camping but I hate tents. I hate how stuffy they are. Every time I've ever slept in a tent I feel I can barely breath, especially on warm nights. I would rather spend the night getting bit up by Mosquitoes sleeping outside rather than sleep in a damn tent.

Does anyone else have this problem ?

If so what alternatives do you use if any ?

Thanks in advance

[petronius]

1. I've done a lot of trips just using a tarp, especially when I don't expect much

if any rain. It takes some time and practice to set up, and more careful site selection, but it's a lot less stuffy than a tent, and a bug net can easily be hung on the inside.

And sleeping out is a fine option, with a bug net if necessary!

I also feel like a lot of newer tents have a lot more mesh than you may be used to - pitching them without the fly often provides a pretty open experience (that how I almost always pitch my Kelty Zen, which is not nearly as meshy as some newer models).

What kind of camping are you looking to do, and where?

[pscot]

2. There are other options

I'd go with some kind of lean to, myself.

[ManiacJoe]

3. Lots of tents have screened windows.

Just unzip some of the cover on the screen on both sides to get some ventilation going.

[bananas]

4. How about a screen tent?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=screen+tent

[Hula Popper]

5. Same problems here

in addition to being unable to sleep or get up easily from ground...
However I found an easy to erect tent with four screened sides of windows, with great moisture control. Look at the Kodiak 10 X 10' models with screens on 4 sides and moisture vents for use when windows are closed.
have a good trip.

on edit,
you can also find many opinions here
http://www.campingforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?2-Tent-Camping

[ginnyinWI]

6. A pop up camper is like sleeping outside!

Just open up all the flaps and you will have air, believe me! And you won't have to sleep on the ground. We had a Jayco for 20 years that had two slide out queen sized bunks. Finally sold it because it was getting old and bought a tent. That has NOT been as much fun, even though it is a tent you can stand up in and we have cots.

We are looking into buying another camping trailer, maybe an Aliner. It's just the two of us now so we don't need anything bigger.