Backpacking Tents
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| A lightweight backpacking tent, seen here is the Tadpole from The
North Face |
If you plan on heading into the backcountry and spending the night, a backpacking
tent is darn right mandatory. Believe me when I say that the last thing
you want to carry on your back is a 10 pound tent, especially if your travels
take you up big, long hills.
In essence, a backpacking tent is a lightweight tent designed to be
BOTH portable (packable) and very light. In general terms, a backpacking
tent for two people should weigh no more than 6 pounds (and the less
the better) and still pack down to a size smaller than 10x20 inches (which
allows it to fit nicely on or even inside a backpack).
For three season use, when choosing a backpacking tent, try to get one
with LOTS of mesh. The mesh allows for superb air circulation - something
needed in these small tents. And secondly, the more mesh a tent has,
the lighter it will be. Also be sure that the rainfly has a nice vestibule
on it - one that is at least 5 square feet (the vestibule is where you
store your gear or cook when it is raining).
Additionally, I highly recommend getting a backpacking tent that is
free standing. Most are, but a few still aren't. By getting a free standing
tent, you'll have far greater flexibility in where to set up the tent
as well as an easier time of setting it up to begin with.
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