Shopping for the perfect backpacking tent does not have to be overwhelming! Follow these four simple steps and you will be able to make your backpacking tent purchase with confidence.
Step One - When will you be tenting?Since most people avoid winter camping, a 3-season tent (spring, summer and fall) will suffice and will keep the tent weight to a minimum.
If you plan to camp in the winter, then buy a second heavier 4-season tent for that purpose.
It makes no sense to carry the extra weight of a 4-season tent except in the winter.
Step Two - How much floor space will I need?Are you sleeping alone, with a friend, with a pet?Most backpackers carry a one or two-person tent with a generous vestibule.
The average person needs about 16-20 square feet of floor space to be comfortable (anything under 16 might be a tight fit, but will save you tent weight).
Your best tent testing method is to find an outdoor store that has many tents set up on the sales floor and get inside the tents.
If the tent you are considering is not set up, ask the sales person to set it up, or better yet, you set it up.
The best way to test the width and length of the tent is to grab a sleeping pad and place it on the tent floor.
Now lie down, sit up, and roll around as if you were in your sleeping bag.
Check for clearance (when lying down and tossing and turning, your head, shoulders, and feet should not touch the tent walls).
You should also be able to sit up without your head hitting the top of tent.
If the tent is for two people, then both of you should get in the tent and test the space together.
Also, if a 2-person tent, consider where the tent door is and how it will impact getting in and out of the tent.
Ideally, the tent has a door on both sides for easy exiting for nighttime nature calls!Does the tent have a vestibule?A vestibule is like a covered front porch, a floorless area to stow your gear.
Stowing your hiking boots and pack here will not only keep the tent cleaner and more spacious, but also keep your gear out of the rain.
A good size vestibule is at least 4 square feet.
Step Three - How much should the tent weigh?My goal in a 1-person backpacking tent is to keep it under three pounds, a 2-person around four pounds.
The challenge is to get the most floor space for the least weight.
When researching tents make sure the total weight includes rainfly, canopy, stakes, poles, stuff sack, and guy lines.
Do not be fooled! Many manufacturers list a minimum weight which typically excludes stakes, stuff sack, and guy lines.
One way to save weight is to get aluminum poles instead of fiberglass, ditch some of the stakes, and the stuff sack.
I carry a strong garbage bag in my pack that has many uses, including a tent stuff sack when the tent is wet.
Step Four - What design options should I consider?Freestanding tents are great because they do not need to be staked to be set up and can be easily picked up and moved, floor dirt dumped out, or moisture shaken off tent prior to packing.
A tent that clips to the poles is easier to set up and increases air flow between tent and rainfly.
Increased air flow means less condensation within the tent to dampen you or your sleeping bag.
Mesh walls and doors are cooler on warm nights and decrease tent weight.
Another cool option is a clear film viewing window on the rainfly for viewing the night sky while still being protected from the rain! Does color matter?A bright color tent adds more natural light to the interior and, in an emergency situation, is easy to locate.
In conclusion, always get inside the backpacking tent you plan to purchase at the retail store and make sure the tent is spacious enough for you and your gear.
Another great tip is to set up your tent a couple of times prior to your first backpacking trip so you will be familiar with the set up.
It is not fun to set up a tent for the first time in the rain or in the dark when you do not know what you are doing!
Step One - When will you be tenting?Since most people avoid winter camping, a 3-season tent (spring, summer and fall) will suffice and will keep the tent weight to a minimum.
If you plan to camp in the winter, then buy a second heavier 4-season tent for that purpose.
It makes no sense to carry the extra weight of a 4-season tent except in the winter.
Step Two - How much floor space will I need?Are you sleeping alone, with a friend, with a pet?Most backpackers carry a one or two-person tent with a generous vestibule.
The average person needs about 16-20 square feet of floor space to be comfortable (anything under 16 might be a tight fit, but will save you tent weight).
Your best tent testing method is to find an outdoor store that has many tents set up on the sales floor and get inside the tents.
If the tent you are considering is not set up, ask the sales person to set it up, or better yet, you set it up.
The best way to test the width and length of the tent is to grab a sleeping pad and place it on the tent floor.
Now lie down, sit up, and roll around as if you were in your sleeping bag.
Check for clearance (when lying down and tossing and turning, your head, shoulders, and feet should not touch the tent walls).
You should also be able to sit up without your head hitting the top of tent.
If the tent is for two people, then both of you should get in the tent and test the space together.
Also, if a 2-person tent, consider where the tent door is and how it will impact getting in and out of the tent.
Ideally, the tent has a door on both sides for easy exiting for nighttime nature calls!Does the tent have a vestibule?A vestibule is like a covered front porch, a floorless area to stow your gear.
Stowing your hiking boots and pack here will not only keep the tent cleaner and more spacious, but also keep your gear out of the rain.
A good size vestibule is at least 4 square feet.
Step Three - How much should the tent weigh?My goal in a 1-person backpacking tent is to keep it under three pounds, a 2-person around four pounds.
The challenge is to get the most floor space for the least weight.
When researching tents make sure the total weight includes rainfly, canopy, stakes, poles, stuff sack, and guy lines.
Do not be fooled! Many manufacturers list a minimum weight which typically excludes stakes, stuff sack, and guy lines.
One way to save weight is to get aluminum poles instead of fiberglass, ditch some of the stakes, and the stuff sack.
I carry a strong garbage bag in my pack that has many uses, including a tent stuff sack when the tent is wet.
Step Four - What design options should I consider?Freestanding tents are great because they do not need to be staked to be set up and can be easily picked up and moved, floor dirt dumped out, or moisture shaken off tent prior to packing.
A tent that clips to the poles is easier to set up and increases air flow between tent and rainfly.
Increased air flow means less condensation within the tent to dampen you or your sleeping bag.
Mesh walls and doors are cooler on warm nights and decrease tent weight.
Another cool option is a clear film viewing window on the rainfly for viewing the night sky while still being protected from the rain! Does color matter?A bright color tent adds more natural light to the interior and, in an emergency situation, is easy to locate.
In conclusion, always get inside the backpacking tent you plan to purchase at the retail store and make sure the tent is spacious enough for you and your gear.
Another great tip is to set up your tent a couple of times prior to your first backpacking trip so you will be familiar with the set up.
It is not fun to set up a tent for the first time in the rain or in the dark when you do not know what you are doing!