A Beginner's Guide To Backpacking: What Tent Is Right For Me?
A tent is one of the most essential parts of your backpacking set up, and it will play a deciding role in what the rest of your system looks like. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a shelter, and the more you know about what’s available, the easier it is to find the best fit for you. Here’s a quick guide to the types of backpacking tents, along with suggestions for the best models depending on how you plan to spend your time in the outdoors. For more information, you can visit this overview of backpacking tents to help you with your decision.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TENTS
Backpacking tents come in different sizes and setup styles, with pros and cons for each variety. Aside from capacity (one-person, two-person, three-person,etc.), you’ll have to choose between freestanding, semi-freestanding, and tarp tents. Here’s a basic breakdown of how these types of tents are organized.
Freestanding: Freestanding tents can be set up to their full potential without being staked. They have a sturdy pole system and are usually dome-shaped. These shelters are spacious and good for camping on terrain where staking would be difficult. The pole system creates enough tension to hold the fly and tent body stable, and they are usually the most versatile type of tent.
Semi-freestanding: These have a separate pole system and can stand up on their own without being staked… but you’ll need to stake them for full stability and livable space. These tents come with a tent body, a rainfly, a pole system, and stakes—and they must be fully staked out to function properly. Semi-freestanding tents provide an ideal combination of weight saving, space, and versatility.
Tarp-tents: Tarp tents cannot stand up on their own—they require trekking poles and stakes for structure. They are usually single-wall, which can increase the buildup of condensation. Unless you’re going ultralight, tarp tents are typically not the best idea for new backpackers, as they can be finicky to set up and require strategic staking for maximum livable space and stability. These shelters are best for fast-and-light backcountry travel once you have the rest of your system dialed in and are looking to drop weight.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A TENT
Beyond the basics, here are a few more things to take into consideration as you narrow down the options.
Weight: Weight-conscious hikers will value a tent for ounces over livable space, and will likely be trying to put on big backcountry miles. The Solitaire AL is a good option for hikers looking for a lightweight, one-person shelter. The integrated fly makes setup even easier, and the narrow footprint means this can be set up in small spaces. For two people, the Suma 2 Person provides ample space with a lightweight design. This shelter only has one entrance and vestibule, so make sure you and your partner are comfortable with that.
Livable Space: The bigger the tent, the more room you’ll have to sit up, move around, get changed, and pack up in the morning. A bigger tent also means carrying more weight, which is the only obvious tradeoff of choosing a larger shelter. Generally speaking, backpacking tents are built to fit 20-inch width per person with a small amount of extra floor space. If your sleeping pad is larger or you want more room, think about sizing up. Look for a tent with a horizontal spreader bar as part of the pole system, which will create a great deal more headspace. The Midori 2 Person features two doors, two vestibules, and a generous spreader bar for plenty of shoulder room. Looking for a more spacious option? The Summer Pass comes in two-person and three-person models, and it has more than 45 square feet of livable space and 44 inches of headroom.
Ease of Setup: Most backpackers will want a shelter that sets up quickly and painlessly—a fast campsite set up means you get to eat sooner after a long day on the trail. Some tents have single-hub pole systems that collapse down for travel and then snap together to support the tent body to make for easy setup. Once you understand how the tent body, rainfly, and poles go together, setup for most tents should take just a few minutes.
Protection from the Elements: A rainfly is a must, and most shelters come seam-sealed from the manufacturer so you won’t have to worry about waterproofing it yourself. Look for a rainfly that can be staked taut off of the tent walls to help prevent condensation. The part of the tent known as the “bathtub floor” extends at least four inches up from the ground. This is the waterproof and most durable part of the tent body. The doors and upper parts of the tent body are most likely mesh, which is lightweight and breathable but doesn’t offer protection from the ground or precipitation.
Anyone heading into the backcountry during shoulder season will want a more burly model built with inclement weather in mind. The Mountain Pass 2 is a convertible tent that fits the bill, with removable panels to reinforce the mesh side walls and a generous vestibule to protect your gear.
Features: The primary feature consideration should be the number of doors and vestibules. The vestibule is an extension of the rainfly, staked out from the tent for a protected space outside the door. For a two-person tent, having two entrances and two vestibules to store gear is beneficial. You also have the benefit of additional visibility. Two entrances mean you won’t have to crawl over each other to get in and out for middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks. Interior pockets are a nice addition and help keep your smaller gear items organized. The Mountain Pass 2 has five interior pockets—pure organizational luxury! The Summer Pass 2, designed for the backcountry, has a 100 percent no-see-um canopy that provides good air circulation while keeping out the tiniest of critters.
Once you choose a tent, get to know it well. Set it up in your backyard or other space close to home first. Understand the different size poles, how the rainfly fits, and the way it all packs up when you disassemble it. The better you get at putting it up and down, the easier it will be once you hit the trail. Choosing a tent can be overwhelming, but with some thought beforehand, you can find just the right model that will keep you safe and secure for years to come.
Written by Matcha for Eureka!.