Thursday, November 26, 2009

Backpacking Tent Fundamentals

By Ethan O. Tanner

The qualities suitable in a backpacking tent are different from those tents being pitched next to a car in a camping area. The greatest difference being that the backpacking tent will be deported with you and consequently, should be little and lightweight. Most modern two person tents weight about four to five lbs. whereas a spacious family camping tent can weigh twenty lbs or more. Solo or individual person tents can weigh less than three lbs and are great whenever you are hiking alone. Nevertheless, if you are hiking with someone else, it generally works out better weight wise to split the gear and take a two person tent.

The quality of the tent is more significant when backpacking because there's usually nowhere dry to go if the tent begins leaking. While a top quality tent isn't necessary, cheap discount store tents should only be applied if the forecast calls for brighten weather.

Being tired, wet, and cold acknowledging the next dry place is at least ten miles away on a rocky trail will rapidly put a damper on what should be an enjoyable outdoor experience.

There are two common ways that tent poles are attached to the tent. One is using sleeves that the poles slide through and the other is using clips that latch over the poles. Some tents even use a combination of clips and sleeves. In general, clip based designs are easier and faster to set up, while sleeve based designs are stronger and can be easily repaired with a needle and thread right at the camp site. For most conditions, I believe the clips are plenty strong and are generally better because of how quickly they allow the tent to be set up and dismantled.

Free standing tents seem to have become the norm. Their primary advantage is that they can be set up without being staked into the ground. Stakes are still important to keep the tent from blowing around, but the stakes usually do not need to be driven far into the ground. Staked tents tend to be a bit lighter than free standing tents, but need to be staked solidly into the ground to hold their shape. Staked tents can be difficult to set up or keep up if the soil is hard or rocky. I've become a convert from staked tents to freestanding tents after bending multiple tent pegs beyond repair trying to pitch the tent on hard rocky ground.

Double wall tents are tents that require a single rain fly to keep out water. Although they are somewhat heavier than their single walled counterparts and take a bit longer to arrange, they are normally less pricey, warmer, and hold up better in wet conditions. Although the lower weight specifications and small compacting size of the individual wall tents construct them attractive, the double wall tents are typically a better deal economically.

Three season tents are barely that; tents projected for Spring, Summer, and Fall camping. Few people go packing in the winter compared to the other three seasons, so the vast majority of tents sold are three season tents. Four season tents are built from heavier fabrics in order to hold up against the winter weather and are bulkier and more difficult to carry. Some manufacturers offer a 3+ season tent whenever you are camping ahead of time in the Spring or late in the Fall; just unless you're projecting specifically to camp in the winter months a three season tent is more than enough without undue bulk and weight.

If you don't have room to keep your shoes in the tent with you, vestibules are a great place to keep them dry and yet outside the main tent. Some vestibules provide enough of an overhang to allow the screen or even the door to be open during the rain. I personally enjoy feeling the breeze from a storm while I am dry inside the tent. Most people probably would not consider the vestibule worth the weight, but they are a nice luxury.

While different individuals will pick out different tents based on several factors, understanding the basic principle differences between tents can help you pick the tent design that fits your hiking style and conditions. Select a Tent that is a good fit for your camping needs, and your outdoor weekends will be truly enjoyable.

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