Living In A Tent, Tipi, Or Yurt

The Differences Between Tents, Tipis, And Yurts

The modern tent was invented in the last 1800’s for use by the US Military, but the concept of tent structures are ancient. Humans have used some sort of tent for thousands of years. Tipis and Yurts are a little different. These were semi-permanent structures used by nomadic people on plains. In the case of the tipis, they were used on the plains of North America. In the case of the Yurt, they were used on the plains of Central Asia and East Asia.

The Tent: Typically has a simple structure designed to hold up canvass cloth or some other material. They are easy to take down and in most cases, can be done by a single person.

The Tipi: They consisted of several poles; in some cases as many as 20-30. They were most commonly covered in buffalo hides and housed about 4 to 5 people.

The Yurt: Round in shape, these structures were used by the Mongolian tribes of Central Asia. The normally had several layers of material ranging from wool to reindeer hides.

The Reason Yurts Are Round Has To Do With The Mongolian Plains

In The wide open spaces of the Mongolian Plains, wind would commonly be strong enough to destroy a structure with flat sides. By using round buildings, the yurt would allow the wind to blow around the structure without blowing it down. This is essentially the same reason tipis are round in shape was well.

The Basics Of Yurts (Permits, And Prices)

Yurts are relatively complex structures. They have a lattice frame that forms the traditional circle shape of the building. It is then covered with a canvass or animal hide. In modern times, the yurt has become fashionable. You can buy a 20-30’ design for about $25,000. Some are less expensive and others are more. A positive aspect is the yurt rarely requires a permit. They aren’t permanent structures. It is common to build platforms to place them on if you plan to keep your yurt as a long term shelter. If you do build a platform, you might have to get that permitted. It’s a good idea to check with your local authorities in charge of building codes in your region. If you want to avoid that, the yurt were traditionally constructed on the ground with a firepit in the center. These firepits would be a place for cooking and provide heat for the family occupying them.

Learn About Tipis

The name comes from the Lakota word “Thipi” and means “to dwell”.

Four Most Common Types Of Tents And How To Choose One

Basic Ridge: These are some of the oldest designs of the “modern” tents. They usually have a couple poles on the ends, a ridge pole or ridge line running down the center. The corners are staked to the ground or tied to trees. Because they have steep sides, they have the downside of not providing a lot of head room. However, they are easy to set up and provide a simple shelter for the camper looking for a more minimal system.

Dome & Geodesic: These tents have poles that cross over each other. They for dome shapes that are very strong. Mountaineers are fond of these designs due to their strength in heavy winds. You’ll see high end models (designed by Northface and similar companies) all over large mountains such as Everest.

Frame Tents: These are very old designs. Usually build for larger groups, a frame tent can be sturdy and roomy. In ancient times, these would have been build with logs and covered in some sort of cloth or animal skin. Modern designs tend to be made from man-made material. They do require a little more effort to erect, but can be worth it if setup properly.

Quick Pitch: These are typically designed for 1-3 people and set up relatively quickly. They are good for short camping trips, festivals, or events. Due to their ease of use and light weight, they are very popular with hikers and backpackers.

Final Thoughts

Tents, Tipis, And Yurts all provide the same basic goal of getting out of the elements. When deciding which is best for your needs, it’s best to start by figuring out what you need shelter for. Are you trying to build something to last more than a year? If so, the yurt is your best choice. Do you need something for a week long backpacking trip through the mountains? Then a quick pitch or geodesic tent is a great option. If you grew up in North America, than trying a tipi has probably always intrigued you. Unfortunately, you’ll have to live with something less than authentic. Buffalo hides are hard to come by. With that said, there are designs made from canvass and other man-made materials that provide a general feel of what it would have been like.

Nomadic people, explorers, and militaries around the world have relied on some form of cloth or animal skin shelters to suite their needs to get out of the elements. It’s hard to be more free than carrying your home with you as you travel from place to place. I hope this short article answered some questions for you and gave you some inspiration to get out and sleep under the stars. There’s a good chance your ancestors lived in one of these shelters.