Why yurts?

[mooserider]

As a birgin reading these posts, I'm wondering why yurts are so popular for Burning Man. Are they stronger than an ordinary tent? More aerodynamic so they don't blow away as easily? Or what? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Joeln]

I haven't used one, but my guess is they do better with dust and the insulation makes them cooler in the heat. The dark interior is probably nice for sleeping in daytime.

[lucky420]

Because when you're super high and you're lounging around in one you feel like your inside a television or a dryer.

Really

[FlyingMonkey]

I think people just like saying "Yurt".

They are a lot stronger than most tents but with that are also more complex to set up. They have larger living spaces (depending on how you design yours) & will withstand the elements better than the average tent as well.

I had no problem with my instant up tent last year even with the rain but I would much rather be in a yurt in colder or windy weather. I've camped in a Yurt in the U.P. in May with snow on the ground & it was quite comfortable once I go a fire going.

[ACfromSAC]

I haven't used one, but my guess is they do better with dust and the insulation makes them cooler in the heat. The dark interior is probably nice for sleeping in daytime.

This. Practically dust free (if you do it right), MUCH cooler in the heat of the day and warmer at night. They stay pretty dark so you can nap during the day as well. They're also super easy to set up. I arrive on playa with two panel edges pre-taped so I have to do have as much taping once I arrive. I'd say it takes about 30 minutes tops to complete set up. Well worth it... unless you like waking up sweating at 8am.

[theCryptofishist]

Aren't they typically air=conditioned?

[Elderberry]

Aren't they typically air=conditioned?

Lots of people either use A/C or a Swamp Cooler.

[Lonesomebri]

Some folks wear tin foil hats, others live in them.

It's a conspiracy to stay more comfortable.

[trilobyte]

Yurts and monkey huts tend to be the low hanging fruit as shade structures go. Monkey huts are the least expensive and probably the easiest, but yurts aren't that much more expensive or more difficult and provide a lot better shelter from the wind and heat of the sun.

By all means, though, do your own reading and research to see what other kinds of shelters choices are out there. Some really awesome and creative options out there, too. So long as you've got something (because camping in direct sunlight turns a tent into an EZ-bake oven FAST), there's no wrong way to do it. Find something that looks interesting and like the challenge you and your campmates are up for, and dive on in.

[maladroit]

They are immune to thermal vision enhancement, unlike tents.

[skippy3k]

I like them because it blocks all electromagnetic mind reading frequencies.

[tekket]

I was 110% happy with my tent last year.

However, I'm 6'2 so I'm looking forward to be able to stand up in the middle of the yurt to put pants on.
And also to be able to sleep in after the sun comes out.

[torrey.smith]

I was 110° happy with my tent last year.

FTFY

We like our hexayurts! We use central AC.

They are very bulky, though.

Can you spot my friend's Mylar-covered dodecahedron with solar swamp cooler?

There's nothing trivial about shelter on the Playa!

[LowePro]

Tents can be rough, esp if it's a windy year. Lots of dust gets in, they are very hot in the sun, and no noise protection. Yurts are roomier and better in the elements. The hexayurt takes up a lot of space to transport though. 4 of my camp crew use yurts, they are great but they have to use a trailer to haul them. It's about the size of a coffin when broken down. Keep that in mind when deciding.

[maladroit]

If you drive past a house in construction, seeing "R-MAX" may trigger some flashbacks.

[[jim]]

I stayed in a tent for 3 burns. depending on what 'wakes you up' in the night, tents might be good enough.

For me, the sudden flapping of the tent when a big gust blasts through in the middle of the night wakes me up, and keeps me up long after the gusty spell subsides.

For a single night when camping, not a big deal. For a week's worth of nights at Burning Man when sleep is a precious commodity, it gets a bit tiresome.

[AntiM]

On the flip side: We've been using a small tent under a carport for 15 years. Not dusty, hot, or noisy, but that took practice. I am slightly claustrophobic, so do not find an enclosed yurt appealing. They remind me of coffins.

[theCryptofishist]

Surplus of yak fur...

[ygmir]

yurt kidding, right?

[dragonpilot]

I was 110% happy with my tent last year.

However, I'm 6'2 so I'm looking forward to be able to stand up in the middle of the yurt to put pants on.

You wore pants?

[maladroit]

I built the yurt, I wear the pants!

[Papa Bear]

Nice thing about a traditional yurt - I'm also 6'2", and can stand up anywhere inside it.

Of course, on the playa I don't wear pants.