Backpacking: Tips for Selecting a Tent

Making the Right Tent Choice

When it comes to backpacking and tents, choosing the right one is a highly personal matter. Fortunately, modern technology and materials provide you with a wide range of options for finding just the right tent. Below are several things to consider as you sort through your choices.

The very first thing to decide is if you will actually be backpacking your tent for more than a short distance. If so, weight becomes a key factor as you evaluate all the other features and possibilities. Since many tents today are extremely light, you should find what you need even for an extended hike over a lot of miles.

A second consideration is the ability to try out the tent in person. Pictures don’t tell the whole story and you’ll be a lot happier if you can actually stretch out in the tent and get a feel for it before you buy it. You can order one to save some real money, but try out a friend’s or a similar one at a local store first.

Moreover, the comments below aren’t for the extreme backpackers who travel as light as possible. These tips are more for the family and weekend campers who want all the comforts they can carry in on back or by vehicle.

Tent Size

The first rule of thumb is to allow at least 25, and preferably 32, square feet of space for each potential tent occupant. That means an 8 foot by 8 foot tent is good for two adults and their gear. As far as the advertised two, four or six man tents, always divide that number by two. In other words, a six man tent is normally only adequate for three or maybe two adults and two small children.

The more space the better if you’ll be in the tent for more than a couple of days or several times a year. At the same time, remember larger tents have their own drawbacks, from difficulty in carrying and setting up to keeping warm.

Tent Shape

You’ll find tents are available in four basic shapes:

• Umbrella
• Geodesic/dome
• Wall
• A-frame

The umbrella and dome tents are popular shapes because of their efficient use of space and interior layout. However, be aware that round floors aren’t as efficient for use of space as square ones. Your choice will also influence the types of doors and windows you can expect. These are especially important for warm weather camping.

The Fabric and Components

As with most things, you will get what you pay for when it comes to tents. However, quality tents are affordable; just don’t scrimp on important features such as:

• A good quality breathable nylon for the tent walls
• Quality aluminum poles and pegs. If you get plastic pegs, consider buying supplemental metal ones.
• Good, smooth operating zippers
• Waterproof seams
• Solid plastic flooring

If your tent will be exposed to a lot of use or more extreme conditions, you’ll want to go with heavier fabrics. These, of course, increase the total weight. You may find that you need to choose more than one type of tent. For example, one lightweight tent for real backpacking and a larger, walled tent for weekends at the lake where you merely roll the tent out of your vehicle.

Costs and Care

As mentioned earlier, you can find good, quality tents at a range of affordable prices. These are good for just trying out the camping experience. However, if you’re experienced and know you’ll be camping often, making an investment in just the right tent with all the features you need might be wise.

Regardless, take care of your tent. Never store them when wet or damp and properly clean and fold them after each trip. Happy camping!

When it comes to backpacking and tents, choosing the right one is a highly personal matter. Fortunately, modern technology and materials provide you with a wide range of options for finding just the right tent. Below are several things to consider as you sort through your choices.

The very first thing to decide is if you will actually be backpacking your tent for more than a short distance. If so, weight becomes a key factor as you evaluate all the other features and possibilities. Since many tents today are extremely light, you should find what you need even for an extended hike over a lot of miles.

A second consideration is the ability to try out the tent in person. Pictures don’t tell the whole story and you’ll be a lot happier if you can actually stretch out in the tent and get a feel for it before you buy it. You can order one to save some real money, but try out a friend’s or a similar one at a local store first.

Moreover, the comments below aren’t for the extreme backpackers who travel as light as possible. These tips are more for the family and weekend campers who want all the comforts they can carry in on back or by vehicle.

Tent Size

The first rule of thumb is to allow at least 25, and preferably 32, square feet of space for each potential tent occupant. That means an 8 foot by 8 foot tent is good for two adults and their gear. As far as the advertised two, four or six man tents, always divide that number by two. In other words, a six man tent is normally only adequate for three or maybe two adults and two small children.

The more space the better if you’ll be in the tent for more than a couple of days or several times a year. At the same time, remember larger tents have their own drawbacks, from difficulty in carrying and setting up to keeping warm.

You’ll find tents are available in four basic shapes:

• Umbrella
• Geodesic/dome
• Wall
• A-frame

The umbrella and dome tents are popular shapes because of their efficient use of space and interior layout. However, be aware that round floors aren’t as efficient for use of space as square ones. Your choice will also influence the types of doors and windows you can expect. These are especially important for warm weather camping.

The Fabric and Components

As with most things, you will get what you pay for when it comes to tents. However, quality tents are affordable; just don’t scrimp on important features such as:

• A good quality breathable nylon for the tent walls
• Quality aluminum poles and pegs. If you get plastic pegs, consider buying supplemental metal ones.
• Good, smooth operating zippers
• Waterproof seams
• Solid plastic flooring

If your tent will be exposed to a lot of use or more extreme conditions, you’ll want to go with heavier fabrics. These, of course, increase the total weight. You may find that you need to choose more than one type of tent. For example, one lightweight tent for real backpacking and a larger, walled tent for weekends at the lake where you merely roll the tent out of your vehicle.

Costs and Care

As mentioned earlier, you can find good, quality tents at a range of affordable prices. These are good for just trying out the camping experience. However, if you’re experienced and know you’ll be camping often, making an investment in just the right tent with all the features you need might be wise.

Regardless, take care of your tent. Never store them when wet or damp and properly clean and fold them after each trip. Happy camping!