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.
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