Tents come in various styles, and each has its own special amenities. The yurt is a unique and interesting tent design that has become very popular amongst “glampers”. What, though, is a yurt tent?
A yurt is a portable dome-shaped, tent-like dwelling made from a network of pliable wood poles and a waterproof covering of canvas or another fabric. Mongolian, Turkish, and Siberian nomads have used yurt tents as standard dwellings in Mongolia and Central Asia for thousands of years.
If you are fascinated by a yurt tent and want to learn more about them, you’ve come to the right place! This article will discuss what a yurt tent is, what it’s used for, what it is made of, and how they allow you to go glamping in style!
So what is a yurt tent exactly? Read on to find out!
Table of Contents
The Yurt Tent: What Is It?
Nomadic communities in Central Asia typically lived in yurts. However, a renaissance in the popularity of yurt tents and homes has occurred in recent years. Contemporary yurts have widespread acclaim due to their strength, portability, and resilience.
Yurt tents are compact, lightweight, and easy to move around. However, a yurt tent isn’t practical for short journeys like hiking, backpacking, or weekend camping trips. Putting up a yurt might take several days of work. And it certainly isn’t a tent you can just sling over your shoulder.
On the other hand, a bell tent is an excellent compromise between yurts and more conventional camping tents. A bell tent is similar in design to yurts, having spacious and airy interiors, but they can be set up and disassembled quickly.
What Is A Yurt Used For?
The yurt tent, similar to the tiki, is used as a shelter for a camping trip. A yurt tent is a portable, weatherproof tent that can accommodate a whole family at any campground. Nowadays, most camping yurts are made from canvas and have built-in kitchens.
Early Mongol yurt dwellers used wood stoves for more than just cooking food; they also used them to keep the tent warm. This is still a useful quality since it means you won’t have to worry about getting wet if you decide to cook inside your yurt rather than outside.
What Is A Yurt Made Of?
Traditional yurt frames are constructed from many flexible poles to create lattice walls. The yurt’s lattice structure is covered in fabric or felt.
You’ll need bendable wood for the yurt’s structure if you wish to weave it in the traditional vertical or crisscross designs. You can use canvas, tarp, felting, wool, or any other durable fabric to make yurt tent coverings.
As evidenced by historical accounts, animal hide (a natural insulator) was a common material for covering yurts in the past.
Yurt tents would benefit greatly from this feature in severe weather. The ancient Asian Mongolian Ger derived from the contemporary yurt is quite similar to the North American Yurt. Both yurts have the characteristics of portability and a circular design.
The key distinction is that modern yurts are more ornate than their traditional Mongolian counterparts, whereas gers mean “house” in Mongolian.
Are Yurts Good?
It’s no secret that yurts are replacing conventional tents as the preferred shelter for outdoor adventures. Outdoor enthusiasts may express their individuality through various design choices because of their circular, adaptable layout.
Some people make their yurts a permanent part of their landscape, providing them with a tranquil retreat close to the great outdoors. The contemporary yurt has numerous benefits over conventional tent camping that make it a better choice;
Amenities
In certain cases, purchasing a yurt with all the conveniences of a standard home, including running water, electricity, and heat, is possible. Thanks to the addition of windows and doors, you may get a better sense of the outdoors without leaving the cozy confines of your yurt.
In the United States, yurts are commonly used as a “glamping” option at many campgrounds. Camping with a large group is made much simpler with these conveniences.
The yurt may be upgraded in several ways, such as with better cooking equipment for a wider variety of meals and with dependable heating to keep you comfortable on cooler evenings.
Highly Durable
The primary yurt structure is effective at enhancing strength and reducing the number of building materials needed.
Because of its aerodynamic shape, even powerful winds may easily flow around it rather than crash into its walls. In addition to its inherently sturdy construction, a yurt may be upgraded with additional reinforcements.
Offers Great Protection Against The Elements
The sturdy construction of yurts makes them weatherproof. The traditional yurt can withstand the elements, including the cold, wind, and heat. The yurt’s inherent resistance to the elements is only enhanced by adding contemporary materials like additional insulation layers and stronger frameworks.
Because of its low height and round shape, a yurt can easily heat with fire (or contemporary heaters) and insulating coverings. When the temperature outside becomes unbearable, peel off a layer and let cool air in. Light reed coverings that allow airflow while yet providing privacy are a possibility.
Spacious
A yurt’s extra roominess makes it a great place to spend quality time with friends and family. With extra room inside, you can host more people indoors for activities like playing cards, eating, or simply hanging out before or after an exciting day of exploring the great outdoors.
Due to the elimination of the need for separate sleeping quarters, you can plan more fun group activities. Consider this a major perk if you live in an area where terrible weather might strike anytime, causing you to seek shelter inside.
How Long Does A Yurt Tent Last?
A well-made yurt frame could last forever. The external door is the sole part of the frame constantly exposed to the weather and must be resealed periodically. An outdoor yurt’s durability and upkeep rely on factors including weather at the campsite and the materials used to construct it.
To withstand the elements, several yurt exteriors are made from weatherproof materials. Usually, if you take good care of these materials, they will survive for more than ten years.
A yurt’s design makes it simple to repair the top and side covers if they become worn out without dismantling the entire construction.
Glamping In A Yurt
The most luxurious way to camp is in a yurt tent. Yurt glamping is a great option for large groups because of the ample space provided. Comfortable mattresses, plush carpets, scatter cushions, and a wood-burning stove may all be found within a yurt to create a homey atmosphere.
Glamping in yurts is a great way to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing comfort; you can do it year-round. If you are after a luxurious and relaxing Mongolian glamping experience, staying in a yurt is the way to go. However, when you plan to go glamping, make sure you pack all the essentials on your glamping/camping checklist.
Why Are Yurts Popular?
Yurts have become extremely popular because they provide the same conveniences as cabins but with a more interesting and novel atmosphere.
The lack of hardiness and the softness of the materials make them more reminiscent of “genuine” camping than simply staying in an outdoor cabin. A yurt is also a simple and eco-friendly dwelling, making it all the more popular since more people try to live a “greener” life.
What Is The Difference Between A Tent & A Yurt?
The nomadic yurt may be packed up and relocated in hours. It’s common for them to be made of lightweight, portable materials. The frames are collapsible and built of light wood materials, and the coverings can be either carpets, canvas, skins, or felt.
American-made yurts of the present day often have metal construction and sturdy waterproof fabric. Due to its shape, materials, and mobility, it is often considered a tent. A yurt is unlike a conventional tent because it has a more permanent framework.
A compression ring is placed at the roof’s core to further strengthen the yurt’s rafters and lattice walls. To keep a yurt tent structure steady and upright, tension is applied between the poles and the poles are staked into the ground. The doors and windows of a yurt are built into the construction, while in a standard tent, they are flaps that open and close.
What Is The Difference Between A Yurt & A Teepee Tent?
Teepees, like yurts, were made for nomads who needed a portable dwelling that could be simply packed up and easily moved from one location to another. Indigenous North Americans created the teepee, which became a standard dwelling for many Native American groups.
When compared to yurts and other huge tents, teepees are more compact. In most cases, when employed as rentals, they have a diameter of at least 16.4 feet; however, this can vary. Depending on your needs, even the best teepee tent might not be a good alternative to a yurt because of the lack of vertical space inside.
5 Best Yurt Tents
Below are 5 very popular yurt tent models available on Amazon. These include;
