Checkout Lane: Tents -- spaciousness vs. portability

Whether you're looking for a shelter that can fit in your hiking pack or a home away from home for your family, deciding on the right tent comes down largely to a matter of portability versus ''elbow room,'' according to Katrina Smith, assistant manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Canton.

Smith said tent-seekers generally can be divided into two groups - car campers and trail campers. The former generally require larger tents to accommodate family members. The latter are generally in the market for smaller, lighter tents that can be easily carried.