How to Cool a Tent – 5 easy ways!

Every camper’s dream is camping during summer when the days are long and sunny. However, warm weather may also heat your tent to an unpleasant degree, making it challenging to sleep both during and at night.  So how can you cool a tent?

The tent absorbs the sun’s rays, keeping the heat within. But how can you stay comfortable, particularly without electricity? Electric fans and portable air conditioners are ineffective. Additionally, the interior can be challenging to cool once heated, potentially spoiling your camping stay. You don’t want your camping memories drenched in sweat and feeling sticky, do you? Fortunately, there are many things you’re able to do to cool your tent if there is no power available. All of it begins with selecting a tent with appropriate qualities.

Features To Look for When Buying a Tent

The first step to remaining cool while camping in the summer is to get the right tent. To allow for plenty of airflows, you should choose a permeable tent. Summer tents contain multiple mesh windows and rain flaps that may be left up during the day and are constructed of a lighter material than all-season tents.

Cotton tents will still be cooler than those made of polyester or nylon, but they have the drawback of being heavier and more challenging to erect. Since polyester is UV resistant, it is a beautiful choice for camping in scorching weather. Another excellent option is nylon, which permits more hot air to escape from the tent than polyester.

Choose a giant cabin-style tent with many mesh windows if it’s within your price range. With the larger room, you’ll get even more ventilation, with cold air moving to keep the interior cool. 

Before we go over our listing of how to retain your tent cool without power, let’s take a closer look at the tent itself. When the degrees start to climb, you may enjoy camping more comfortably by investing in a tent with the appropriate amenities. Here’re some characteristics to consider:

Mesh Material

Investing in a tent possessing mesh material or screens can improve airflow and ventilation. If you prefer summertime camping, this function is necessary. Mesh material is crucial and helpful, especially if your tent holds many people.

Large Tents

Large tents will keep you a little cooler if your tent has more room. Investing in large tents with larger headspaces and a tent that will allow campers to have the much-required personal space will allow excellent airflow into the tent. The benefits of a higher tent include more headspace, which is considerably more comfortable, simple movement, and less overheating.

Zipper Screens

You cannot keep your tents open during the day or at night if you are hot because of pests and other insects getting inside. Hence, screens made from zippers are fantastic since they let more air into the tent, can be left open at nighttime, and keep pests outside. So, you may leave the zipper entrance of your tent open during the day or at night to help the tent stay cool.

Canvas/Cotton Material

If you cannot get a tent with mesh material, your next best choice is to get a tent made of cotton or canvas. Although they are usually less prevalent than nylon/polyester tents, they are a need if you want to remain cool. In addition to being much lighter than traditional tents, you can breathe easily in these tents and they’re easier to erect. 

Now that you know what to look for when buying a tent, you can comfortably enjoy your camping days. However, if you already have a tent, what can you do?

5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Tent Cool 

Already bought a tent before? Did you buy an all-season tent and now do not know what to do? Worry not; even without investing in another new tent, here’s a list of ways you can keep your current tent cool during your summer camping holidays: 

• Erect Your Tent in The Shade

Erecting your tent in direct sunlight may cause it to heat up over the day. It’s important to remember that the sun will shift during the day, so a location shaded in the morning may have full sun by midday. Your tent will stay cool in the shade, and any incoming wind will improve ventilation and circulation. Any air that enters your tent through the netting might help keep you cool. A cooling breeze will typically arise from camp near a lake or river, especially at night when the temperature drops. Your tent will stay cool in the shade, and any incoming wind will improve ventilation and circulation. So, we advise delaying tent setup until sundown if there are no suitable sheltered spots.

You may always buy a sunshade reflective barrier for your tent to deflect sunlight or completely block it if there is no cover near your location.

• Open All the Vents

Open windows, doors, vents, and rain flaps to let fresh air through and keep your tent cool. The tent can breathe thanks to this air movement and ventilation. Keep the mesh closed if you’re concerned about pests getting in; air will still circulate through the tent. You can even sleep this way without the worry of insects.  Read more about what is a tent vent

This also opens the opportunity for stargazing, so enjoy your time to the fullest!

• Camping Fans/Portable Fans

In hot temperatures, camping fans for tent camping might save your life. So, use a camping fan with an extension cable if you are camping at a spot with power. Consider buying one or two battery-operated fans for campsites without electricity. You don’t need the hassle of plugging them in; as it gets colder during sunset, the battery fans should circulate chilly air rather than hot air in the tent throughout the day.

Depending on your needs, you may choose tiny or large fans powered by batteries. If you’re camping with your large family, we recommend purchasing a few medium-sized fans will distribute in the tent so that everyone can stay cool. Thus, look for lightweight fans that you can fasten to the tent’s floor, walls, or ceiling.

• Drink Plenty of Liquids

Staying hydrated is critical; it may be the thing you must do if all else fails. Bring a freezer with ice and some cold drinks/water bottles. Fill a couple of jugs with water and freeze solid before heading out on your camping vacation. Pack into coolers to prevent them from thawing too rapidly – the objective is to utilize these ice jugs as improvised air conditioners on a hot night.

Another option is to place ice or something chilly in front of your fan to make the air blow out cooler. You can also set a jug of ice in the bottom of your sleeping bag before going into it, even if it’s only for your feet. This is a simple technique to chill your feet before going to bed. This will help your body temperature to fall so you do not get too hot. 

• Forget the Sleeping Bag

During these hot summer nights, lay on top instead of lying entirely in your bag, and use a thin sheet to keep yourself warm. Due to the thick material,  sleeping bags can be pretty hot. So, it would be best if you utilize it as a comfy sleeping surface, and a miniature sheet would suffice.

Although a reminder that evenings in the forest may be chilly even after a hot day. Hence, keep a blanket nearby if you wake up cold in the middle of the night.

Conclusion 

It’s essential to keep your body at an optimal temperature no matter which time of the year you decide to go camping. Camping during summer does not have to be hectic and sweaty. Stay cool and hydrated, and you’ll have an excellent time camping!