If you have tried camping in summer, you must have faced the problem of overheating. A tent, unlike the walls of a hotel, cannot save you from excessive sun and it often ruins the whole vacation. There is probably nothing more annoying than waking up in the morning and feeling like you are in a greenhouse. Of course, using an electric fen can solve almost all your troubles with keeping cold but it requires traveling with a power source and that can be too much effort for those without a car. If you want to travel light and still make sure that it will not be too hot in your tent, take a look at some creative solutions for cooling your tent without electricity. Using a portable wood stove will enable you to cook without electricity as well.
Before you start cooling your tent it is wise to try to prevent it from heating. You can achieve this by taking the following steps:
1. Location is key
It is no surprise that the best way to avoid the heating is to be in shadow. It can be a bit complicated, however, to figure out where exactly the shadow is going to be at each part of the day. Your priority should be staying out of the sun at noon when it is the hottest. If you try to find shelter under a tree, check if there are any weak branches that could fall on somebody and cause harm. If you also want to have some shadow for eating or just chilling, the best wall tents will help you with that.
2. Choose the right tent
Some tents are designed to keep you warm in cold weather so they can never be used in summer. You need to opt for ones with light fabric, a ventilation net and even lighter coloring because dark colors attract the sunlight. Such tents will make sure that no insects can enter but also provide the necessary circulation of air.
3. Face the wind
Before placing your tent, figure out what the direction of the wind is and make the door face it. This easy measure will enable the air to circulate faster and give you a nice breeze.
4. Take off the rainfly
A rainfly is very helpful if it rains but if it does not it will just stop the air from moving in and out. If it starts raining and you do not have any rain protection it can turn into a disaster, though. Check the weather forecast in advance and see if there is a reason to leave it on.
5. Disassemble your tent during the day
Another way to save your tent from being hot is to fold it when you do not use it. It can be uncomfortable to have to spend time on it twice a day but it will really be nice to sleep in a cool tent.
6. Use sheets instead of a sleeping bag
A sleeping bag is designed to make you warm which may not be necessary for summer. However, you can still find comfort in being covered at night so consider taking some sheets with you on a trip.
Now that you have done everything to prevent the tent from heating there are also some tricks not to get too hot yourself. If you are traveling with children, make sure they also follow this simple plan:
1. Drink lots of water
Staying hydrated is the best way to avoid overheating and feel comfortable when it is hot. You should always have plenty of clean water with you and drink as much as possible. Children often forget about drinking enough or just choose fizzy drinks, but you can trick them into drinking actual water by adding some fruit into it.
2. Wear a hat
It is important to protect your head from the sun. A cap or any other summer hat will be much more than just a stylish accessory and can save you from getting sick.
3. Opt for light clothes
Of course, you will take shorts and T-shirts with you instead of sweaters, but do not forget that colors matter too. Wearing white will be much more pleasant than wearing black. Natural fabrics are also better for summer than synthetic ones.
There are also some ways to make your tent cooler once all the preparation is finished.
If you have no access to electricity you can use batteries. There are portable fans that work on batteries that can be turned on and help with the heat. It might also be a good idea to put one near ice cubes or any other frozen products.
In case if none of the above helps and you still feel uncomfortable at night, consider sleeping outside. You can use a hammock or just take your sleeping pad out and place it under the stars. If you do this, make sure that no animals or insects can harm you when you are sleeping.
Naturally, sleeping cool in summer is just as important as keeping warm in winter. Aggressive sunlight should be treated right but it should not be a reason for you to miss that pleasant opportunity to go camping in hot seasons. If you think about your options in advance you can have a great time while not carrying any electricity sources.
