Backpacking Tent Fundamentals

Tent Weight and Size

The qualities desirable in a backpacking tent are opposite from those tents being pitched next to a automobile in a campground. The major difference being that the backpacking tent will be carried with you and therefore, should be little and lightweight. Most modern two person tents weight around 4 to 5 lbs. whereas a roomy family camping tent can weigh twenty lbs or more. Solo or single person tents can weigh less than 3 lbs and are superb if you are hiking alone. anyhow, if you are hiking with somebody else, it mostly works out better weight smart to split the gear and take a two person tent.

Tent Quality

The quality of the tent is more crucial when backpacking for the reason that there is mostly nowhere dry to go if the tent starts leaking. While a top quality tent is not needed, inexpensive discount store tents should only be used if the forecast calls for clear weather.
Being tired, wet, and cold knowing the following dry place is at least 10 miles away on a rocky trail will rapidly put a damper on what should be an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Clips and Sleeves

There are two usual ways that tent poles are attached to the tent. One is using sleeves that the poles slide by ways of and the other is using clips that latch through the poles. a couple of tents even use a fusion of clips and sleeves. In common, clip based designs are easier and quicker to set up, while sleeve based designs are stronger and can be simply repaired with a needle and thread right at the camp site. For most conditions, I believe the clips are plenty powerful and are frequently better due to how rapidly they permit the tent to be set up and dismantled.

Free Standing and Staked Designs

Free standing tents seem to have become the norm. Their primary virtue is that they could be set up without being staked into the area. Stakes are even important to keep the tent from blowing around, but the stakes usually don’t need to be driven far into the area. Staked tents use to be a bit lighter than free standing tents, but require to be staked solidly into the area to hold their shape. Staked tents can be hard to set up or keep up if the soil is difficult or rocky. I’ve become a transform from staked tents to freestanding tents after bending many tent pegs beyond restore trying to pitch the tent on difficult rocky area.

Single Wall and Double Wall Construction

Double wall tents are tents that need a separate rain fly to keep out water. despite the fact they are slightly heavier than their single walled counterparts and take a bit longer to establish, they are frequently less pricey, warmer, and hold up better in wet conditions. While the reduce weight specifications and little packing size of the single wall tents make them interesting, the double wall tents are frequently a better deal economically.

Three Season and 4 Season Specifications

Three season tents are just that; tents created for Spring, Summer, and Fall camping. Few people go backpacking in the winter compared to the other 3 seasons, so the extensive majority of tents sold are 3 season tents. 4 season tents are built from heavier materials so that hold up contrary the winter weather and are bulkier and harder to carry. a couple of manufacturers offer a 3+ season tent if you are camping early in the Spring or late in the Fall; but except you are planning especially to camp in the winter months a 3 season tent is far more than sufficient without undue bulk and weight.

Vestibules

If you do not have room to keep your shoes in the tent with you, vestibules are an amazing place to keep them dry and yet outside the main tent. a couple of vestibules provide sufficient of an overhang to permit the screen or even the door to be open in the course of the rain. I for my part enjoy feeling the breeze from a storm while I am dry inside the tent. Most people possibly would not consider the vestibule worth the weight, but they are a cool luxury.

Conclusions

While different individuals will choose different tents based on various reasons, understanding the basics differences between tents can help you choose the tent design that fits your hiking style and conditions.