Backpacking Tents

As many backpacking escapades span over the course of a night or two, you will need to bring some sort of backpacking tent to sleep under. Whether a bivy sack or tarp is sufficient is up to your particular taste, comfort, or needs. Ultimately, the backpacking tent should be lightweight (as you will be carrying it with you) and something that you will actually like and want to use.

A backpacking tent has several advantages over the regular tarp that may outweigh the backpacking tarp. Backpacking tents re not only more protective against insects, they safeguard against weather conditions more effectively than the tarp. As they are also harder to blow away, backpacking tents are generally warmer by a few degrees too. You also have the added advantage of more privacy with the backpacking tent than the backpacking tarp. The only real disadvantage is that even the lightest of backpacking tents are heavier than the alternative backpacking tarp.

There are several types of backpacking tents to choose from. They range from the basic dome shape tents to the double-wall constructed tents.  A three season backpacking tent will weather three of the four seasons falling short only because of their lack of ability to withstand high winds and/or snow unlike the Mountaineering tents which are for four seasons. The all-season tents fall between a three season and four season tent.

Some features to look for when searching for a backpacking tent would be more than the specs provided by the manufacturers. Manufacturers will tell you the highest point of the tent and even the floor space, but the will not tell you how much headroom or living space you are allotted. The ease of setup and takedown as well as entry and exit must be taken into account as well. Aspects such as the backpacking tent color and adequate shelter in inclement weather conditions must be taken into account as well.

Backpacking tents are just as crucial to your adventure as the backpacking gear that you pack. You must take into account where you are going, how long you will be gone, how far you will travel, what the weather conditions will be like, and your own personal tastes when considering a backpacking tent. Keeping in mind that you will have to carry the backpacking tent yourself, you do not want to get one that will be too cumbersome to the trip.