Summer is the most popular season for camping and there is a good reason for that. Most of us would much rather spend time outside when the sun is shining and the trees are green than in colder months. It is also much easier to travel when the weather does not require a lot of clothes and you do not have to worry about heating yourself. 

However, where one problem is avoided another one emerges - how do you cool your tent? Using electricity is the answer if you are traveling in a car but if you want to travel light carrying a power source is not an option. Best tent stoves will give you an opportunity to cook without electricity, so do not worry about food.

 

Photo by Vanessa Garcia

Let’s take a look at some ways to avoid excessive heat without using electricity.

The first thing you need to do is to omit the tent getting warm, to begin with. The main step is to buy a tent that is appropriate for the weather. First of all, choose the right material. Just like warm clothes, a hot tent warms you and others leave space for ventilation. If you want to feel comfortable, consider options with light fabric and also avoid dark colors that attract sunlight. Nylon and poly-cotton are the best variants. 

Make sure that the tent you are planning to purchase has ventilation in its construction - keeping it open will open the way for insects, which you should avoid at all costs, so the air must circulate even when all zips are closed. Instead of using a sleeping bag, you can use simple sheets because it is still cozy to have something to cover yourself with even if you are not cold at all.

It may sound obvious but the most efficient way to keep cool is to be in shadow. This may be not as easy as it seems because you need to think through all the details regarding how the sun will change its location and how the shadow will move around. If you are traveling in the company and have more than one tent, do not follow your urge to put them close together. It can feel safe and comfortable but you will restrict your tent from the air you need for ventilation. Unless you want to keep warm, place them at least two meters away from each other.

This way the cool air will get in and you will get all the ventilation you need.

 

Photo by Vanessa Garcia

Another way to keep cool without using a power source is to use portable batteries. For example, you can always purchase a fen that runs on such and then places it near some ice or something cold. This simple construction will give you a feeling of an air conditioner in your tent with very little effort required. If you opt for this, do not forget to pack some extra batteries.

If you want to prevent your tent from heating when it is directly under the sun, think about buying reflective tarps. This solution is often used for cars and will just as well work with a tent. Just place them on top of your tent and they will reflect the sunlight, stopping it from heating you.

Having a rainfly on your tent is not only a good idea but a necessity - without one you can get wet and lose your things if it starts raining. However, if it is not likely to start raining soon, do not hesitate to take it off. A rainfly restricts the air from circulating and creates space for excessive heating so the best decision is to check whether you need to worry about the rain beforehand by browsing some weather forecasts.

If none of the above helps and you still feel like your tent is a greenhouse, consider disassembling it during the day and then reassembling it when you need it. This way it will not get heated when it is hot and at night you will feel breezy. Of course, this may be very inconvenient, especially if you have a tent with complicated construction.

Another thing you can do when it gets overwhelmingly hot is sleep outside. Of course, not every area is safe for this, but if you know that there are no dangerous animals or insects outside, you can sleep in a hammock or take your sleeping pad outside.

No matter which of the above you chose for keeping cold, do not forget that the key to staying happy and healthy in extreme temperatures is hibernation. Drink a lot of clean water and make sure to always have plenty. If you have kids around, remember that they often forget about drinking and need to be constantly reminded. This will not only be a life necessity but a great way to avoid overheating. 

Wear only light fabrics and colors to avoid attracting the sunlight. Black color and synthetic fabrics can make you feel too hot outside or inside the tent.

Do not get scared of traveling when it is hot and do not think that you have to carry a heavy electricity source. With enough research put into it, cooling your tent will be easy and achievable. Remember that your tent, your clothes and your location should all have the same purpose and, most importantly, always stay hydrated and well-rested.