“Most people think of a tent as a place for staying out of the rain,” says Eagle Scout John Mead, president outdoor gear retailer Adventure 16. ” The truth is all the natural elements are important to guard against. You want a tent that will keep out wind, snow, sun and flying and crawling critters, too. And a tent is a nice place for privacy.”
With so many things to consider we decided to ask Mead, an award-winning tent designer, to give us the inside scoop on buying a backpacking tent.
DESIGN: Tents come in many shapes like domes, tunnels and wedges. Some are freestanding, meaning they can stand on their own without stakes. Others require guy lines and stakes for set-up.
Dome tents are popular because they are freestanding and roomy, but they tend to be heavier than other designs. Wedges are usually lightweight but less roomy. Tunnels provide good space for their weight and are generally better in bad weather.
“Shape is most important if you’re camping in high wind, heavy rain or snowy conditions,” Mead says.
A good rule: The more poles a tent uses, the sturdier it will be.
Finally, some tent designs are easier to set up than others. Those with pole sleeves, hub-style poles and quick clips will be simplest to pitch.
SPACE AND WEIGHT: The best way to tell if a tent has enough room is to lie down inside. Solo tents usually have 15 to 25 square feet of space. For two- and three-person tents, add an extra 10 to 15 square feet per person. Some tents also have a vestibule that gives you extra space for storing backpacks, boots, even your dog.
“When backpacking, I always recommend taking a tent that can be shared with someone,” he says. “That way you can also share the weight. One Scout carries the tent body while the other carries the pole and rain fly.”
Aim for a tent that weighs no more than three to four pounds per person.
PRICE: “The biggest mistake people make when tent shopping is not matching the tent up with their needs,” Mead says. “Why buy a $500 tent if a $100 model will work just fine for what you’re doing?”
The price difference is usually noticeable in the quality and durability. In general the higher the price tag, the lighter-weight and more durable the tent and its poles will be.
BREATHABILITY: Airflow inside your tent is the key to comfortable sleeping. If you’re camping in hot conditions look for a tent with lots of mesh panels. For rainy conditions, make sure there’s plenty of space between the rain fly and the tent. Without proper airflow, you’ll roast inside.
Even if a tent is freestanding, Mead says it’s essential to stake it out properly. That way you’ll have enough airflow and avoid pesky leaks and condensation on the inside of your tent.
THREE-SEASON VS. FOUR-SEASON: Most tents are designed for three-season use, meaning they’ll work for everything except winter conditions. Four-season tents are sturdier and designed for camping in snow, but Mead says they are often heavier and less breathable.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: “Make sure you set the tent up in the store and crawl inside,” he says. “Most stores don’t set up all their tents because of space limitations. But insist on setting it up before you buy it. If they won’t let you, go to another store.”
Pitching it in the store will give you a better idea of how easy it is to set up. You can also make sure that no parts are missing.
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
If you really wanted to cut down on your pack weight, then go under a tarp. super light and super cheap.
Try a good hammock on your next camp out. Something like a Clark jungle hammock or an ENO Double nest. Light weight and much more comfy than sleeping on the ground.
I need a tent any recommendations?
nemo gogo is the best tent evar
I use a light wight Kelty grand mesa 2 two person tent works great for me!
I have the north face mess 22 tent…it’s Awsome
I am considering the Eureka Spitfire 2 tent. any advice?
you got to go with the Big Anges ” jackrabit2″
Has anyone tried the Sierra Designs Light Year one person tent?
before you make a purchase, you should look around for a lower price. the same tent could be slightly used, but a less money.
The Eureka! Apollo 2 is pretty good
the Seirra designs electron rc2 is a good choice but spendy. Also the zippers get caught on the tent so when it is 1:30 in the morning and your pack is in the vestibule and you are reallllllly thirsty this can be upsetting. But the rainfly is AWESOME!!!!!!. This is a two person tent but we had to have three people in it and there was a torrential downpoor outside the rainfy held up great (we were the only patrol that did not get totaly soaked).
LOVE THIS TENT!!!!!!!!!
I bought a wenzel at a garage sale is this a good brand
Good,Brand how much did u pay?
Please Answer, Does anyone know about the No Limits Blanca Peak tent, I was looking at this tent and wondered if it was a good tent for the price.I need a durable and sturdy tent so please tell about this tent.
I purchased the Blanca Peak as a closeout sale item and used it this past weekend. Cold and raining whole weekend. The tent did a great job. Rainfly kept me dry and with a good sleeping bag, I did not mind the cold. Real easy set up and take down. This is a 2 person tent, but I used as 1 person and stowed me gear. I think you will like the Blanca Peak tent.
Check out the MSR Hubba. May be expensive, but for the MSR quality, lightweightness, and durability. GREAT pick.
I agree. Good tent if you have the money for it.
I was thinking of buying the no limits blanca peak tent for camping trips with my troop has anyone tried this tent and if so please reply.
I have the No-Limits Kings Peak. The Brand is a good brand. Very sturdy tent. Nice and light. Very well warter proofed. You will need to leave the windows open unless it is raining or really cold as they coat the inside of the fly and bottom of the tent with rubber and it won’t breath. Repels rain very well. Nice big vestibule for storing you gear under.
Hope this helps you mak your decision.
Camp On.
ASM T
I love this tent & at 3lbs $60.. who wouldn’t! The 2-person version is lighter than the one person & can actually fit 2 people. Easy to assemble. The only downfall is that it has to be staked down.
I got a ‘No Limit Kings Peak’ Tent Christmas 2009. Excellect tent for price-weight-pack size. Great Tent.
do you think i should buy tents at walmart or somewere else
No, I would suggest buying tents from outdoor recreation stores (REI, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, etc.). You will get 20 lbs. low quality tents for $20, but you would much rather have a tent that is durable and lightweight.
Somewhere else walmart is unreliable and it could be a cheap tent
you need a rain fly too