So you're looking for a tent and having trouble understanding just what each measurement means. This is your dictionary of terms to guide you through the typically listed characteristics of tents.

Tent weight. This is commonly listed as one of the specs of a tent. It is measured in one or more of the following ways:

1. Packaged weight: the weight of everything that comes with the tent. Typically stakes, fly, body and any extras like stuff sacks.

2. Trail weight: the weight of the tent alone. This is not including any optional parts, often it is tent body, fly, and poles. If they are necessary to set up the tent,Occasionally stakes are included.

3. Fast pack weight: fly, poles and footprint only (if stakes are necessary for set up, they are also included). Not all tents are capable of this, but it is the lightest type.

Floor area. This is the total amount of square feet that a tent's floor covers, this is helpful in seeing how much sleeping space there is. Keep in mind every inch of floor space is not usable.

Vestibule area. This is a measurement similar to floor space, only instead of measuring internal space, it is measuring the area outside the tent body, inside the fly's coverage.

Peak height. This is the highest point inside the tent. This measurement helps you get an idea of what it might be like to sit up or to play cards with a pal.

Doors. Some have one, others have two, it depends on what you are looking for. 2 doors necessitate 2 zippers, more seams, and more weight, but it also means easier access.

Packed size. Tells you how much space you need in your pack. This may be more important if you are thinking of sizing up or down.

Wind stability. This is usually listed in MPH, it is a measurement that tells you how extreme of conditions a tent is built for. It is a good way to determine if a little extra weight will make a significant difference in performance. Tents also have different, non-numeric, specs that separate them from each other.

Color. Largely a matter of personal preference, but colors can have a performance difference. For example orange tents soak up more sunlight and therefore dry faster than green tents. Green tents however may have a lower impact on wildlife, as they blend in better.

Ventilation. While not normally measured by a number, this can play a huge role in the value of a tent. Because condensation is a problem, it is lessened by ventilation.

Ease of set up. This one is very hard to asses, the only way to know for sure is to try it out. You'll only know how complicated it is to pitch if you set it up.

Durability and longevity of your tent. Again, tough to measure, never the less, tents can last forever or a hardly at all. There is not a good way to tell, but sometimes other people's experiences can tell you how durable something is.

Cost. You can pay as much or as little as you want for a tent. Determining the trade offs is a key decision to make when you are in the market for a tent.