Pup Tent

Will you be going camping this weekend? Before heading out, make sure that you have everything you may need while outdoors. Also, don’t forget to check the quality of your pup tent before you stow it in your backpack. You need to confirm that your tent is still in great condition especially if you have been using it for years.

Begin by doing a general check on the entire pup tent. Look for marks of wear and tear and patch them appropriately. You might want to go in to double check for any holes and abrasions you might have missed.
Next, check the entire length of the guy ropes and look out for any nicks or abrasions. Confirm if the ropes need reapplication of linseed oil and if their knots are still tight. Also, make sure that the toggles are not cracked. Confirm if your pup tent poles are still straight along the length, if the bottom part still has spikes and if the tension on them are maintained.

Once you have checked all four corners of the tent and you are satisfied with it, ensure that you still have all the much-needed accessories that come with it. Confirm if your pegs are usable and in great condition. You should have 9 pegs in all. As for your groundsheet, make sure that it doesn’t have any rips or tears on them. Don’t forget to patch your pup tent bag if you notice any abrasions or holes of sorts.

Pup tents are small shelters, typically having a floor measuring 4' x 6' or 6' x 8'. Height varies from 3' to 5'. Owing to their size, some people quipped that they are only big enough for dogs or puppies, hence, the name pup tents. Also, according to the OED, their design and size made them look like dog kennels.

Pup tents were originally used by the US military and they are believed to have been around since the mid-1800s. These were made of cotton duck fabric, more commonly known as canvas, but modern versions are now made of cotton sateen fabric. These are mercerized to make them softer yet stronger than cotton duck. There are, of course, modern civilian versions. Typically, these are made of water-resistant nylon or polyethylene.

In spite of its old design and the introduction new ones, pup tents are still very much in use, especially by backpackers concerned about the weight of their packs. It is easy to distinguish them from other types. In addition to its small size, it features an A-frame and, instead of a roof, only has a ridge at its top. This means a person of average height cannot stand inside the tent. With its floor size, only one or two persons can sleep in it.

The tent is supported in either of two ways. First is by two poles, one at the front end and another at the back. These are set upright in the middle of the letter A. This type of arrangement, however, obstructs the entrance, prompting a second design. Instead of a single pole, two poles, arranged in an inverted letter V are used. In both instances, guy ropes are used to stretch and maintain the shape of the tent. One end is tied to the poles, the four corners of the fabric and the mid-point between them. The other end is fastened to pegs driven into the ground. Some newer pup tents include a vertical pole running the length of the ridge and joining the two upright poles.

Unlike the older military pup tents, most modern civilian pup tents include a floor. This is often sealed, protecting you from crawling insects and moisture from the ground. Also unlike the soldiers' shelter, which came only in drab olive, those sold in commercial stores come is a variety of colors.