The Selections of Backpacking Tents Available
Good backpacking tents are nice to have, but choosing which shelter
is the best one for your backpacking tour is important. You may need
a shelter for an ultra light backpacking tour or a heavy-duty tent
for a winter expedition. Knowing what to look for, such as
construction materials, type of set up, and durability is a must. To
know which one of the many backpacking tents on the market is best
for your needs, keep reading.
Three-season backpacking tents are considered the best option on the
market. They're lighter and more compact than four-season
backpacking tents and also offer more room as well. These types of
tents for backpacking camping trips during warmer months are great
and are versatile for other activities such as kayaking or bicycling
trips.
If you're thinking of taking a winter vacation and enjoying some
snowy backpacking tours, then four-season backpacking tents are the
ones you'll have to buy. They have sturdy poles built to handle
heavy snow and use thicker materials in their construction, which
means added weight. Four-season backpacking tents are also less
compact, so purchase these only if you'll be camping in the winter
months.
When trying to choose amongst the offerings of backpacking tents,
take a close look at the weights of each one. Tent weights are
described as "minimal" and "packaged". Minimal weight means
stripping the setup down to the bare minimum you'll need to set the
tent up. Packaged weight means everything the tent includes from
instructions to extra pegs and stuffing sacks. For lightweight
backpacking, try to choose a tent that has the lowest minimal weight
while still covering all your needs for space.
Minimalists and those into ultra light backpacking might want to
consider opting for other shelters as opposed to backpacking tents
per se. Bivy sacks and tarp shelters cut down on weight by providing
the minimal amount of necessary equipment to set a shelter up. Bivy
sacks are big enough to hold a sleeping bag and pad. Those who want
lightweight backpacking gear and don't mind sleeping in closed-in
spaces could opt for a Bivy shelter.
Tarp shelters can be larger shelters good for lightweight
backpacking and backpacking camping trips. By stringing up a few
ropes and possibly accessorizing with a pole or two, you'll have an
enclosed space for sleeping on your backpacking camping trip. You
won't get any of the bells and whistles of fancier backpacking
tents, but you'll have good space and protection from the elements
without the weight to carry.
Deciding which of the backpacking tents on the market is the best
for your type of backpacking tour comes down to two important
factors: The weight of the shelter and how spacious you'd like it to
be. If you don't enjoy cramped sleeping quarters and like to sprawl
out, a bivy sack isn't going to be your first choice. Of course, if
you're going on an ultra light backpacking tour, the Bivy sack will
be at the top of your list. Determine the best shelter that offers
the greatest space at the lowest weight for the type, and you'll be
all set to snore peacefully after a great hike.
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