Travel Destinations

Travel Agent Information

Travel Accomodations

Travel Flights

Travel Logistics

Cruises

Vacation Packages

Traveling On A Budget

Travel Gear

Camping

Travel Publications

Careers In Travel

Home >> Travel Gear >> Military Surplus Tents

Military Surplus Tents

Military surplus tents are among the best value out there. They have two advantages: firstly, they are made for soldiers, and are well tested for durability and efficiency. The second advantage is their cost; because they are surplus, the government isn’t really interested in profit; they just want to get rid of them without wasting too much money.

I’ve always been a big fan of military surplus stores, and have purchased tents, knives, backpacks, belts, tent replacement poles and boots in their shops. Out of all these items, I have not had a single problem with any of them; in fact, I’ve worn a belt I purchased for over five years, and it still looks brand new!

When shopping for tents, make sure you take the time to fully inspect them before buying. Usually these stores have return policies, but why waste your time? Here is a short checklist of what to look for:

Inspect the outer fabric. Check for any rips or tears, particularly along the seams. If you know how to sew (and all military folks do) this isn’t really a big deal, though you can use this to your advantage to negotiate a discount.

Check the zippers. This is perhaps the most important part. Zippers should have wide teeth, with no gaps in between. You should also check for how well the zipper travels along the teeth. Check any spot where it sticks and look for rust, broken teeth, etc. Sometimes zippers get stuck for no real reason; the best way to solve is with warm soapy water.

Interior. Now that you’ve check the outside for rips and tears, do the same with the inside. While in there, check the cleanliness of the tent; if it has a musky smell there might be a moisture problem. This is probably the number one problem with military surplus tents, but it still applies to the minority of tents out there.

Tent poles. Ideally, these should be made of fiberglass, which provides the most flexibility and durability. Test the dexterity of the poles by putting them together and pulling them apart; the poles should have a good spring to them when undone.

Military surplus tents are a great way to buy quality camping equipment at a discount, and the inspection outlined here should apply to any camping store. Follow these tips and you’ll find the tent you were looking for.