Lightweight Tents - How Light?
Why use lightweight and ultralight tents? Because a heavy tent
is one of the biggest obstacles to lightweight backpacking. You
have to cut the weight of the "big three" (shelter, backpack and
sleeping bag) to really go light. How do you choose one, though?
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Are you claustrophobic? Some ultralight tent designs are
really just fancy bivy sacks. For those who hate tight squeezes,
it will be like sleeping in a coffin.
2. How tall are you? If the length of the tent is only a few
inches more than your height, you'll be touching the walls. This
probably means getting wet from the condensation on them.
3. What do you do in a tent? If you just sleep, total floor and
head space are not important. If you normally play cards with
friends for hours, you'll need a design that allows for that.
4. Do you backpack in bad weather often? If all you plan to do
is camp on nice summer nights, you can just look at the cheapest
lightweight tents, and worry less about quality.
5. How much have you budgetted for a tent? More money equals a
lighter tent, but if you can't get it light enough on your
budget, you may want to consider going even lighter - and
cheaper - with a tarp shelter.
6. Which is more important to you, fast set-up or lightest
weight? Hopefully you'll find a tent with the right balance, but
keep your preference in mind when shopping.
More About Lightweight Tents
Single-layer tents (without a rain-fly) will usually have more
condensation inside. This is true of even those that claim to be
waterproof and breathable. It is less of a problem with the
newer designs that have a lot of screen/ventilation area,
because air circulation is as important as "breathable"
material. These materials just don't breath that well anyhow.
Test your tent. It's no fun spending 20 minutes setting up a
complicated tent in the rain. Also, it can be worse than
inconvenient to tear seams because of a design that stretches
everything so tight you have to fight with it. Try the tent in
your yard or living room, before you head into the wilderness.
That way you can return it if it won't work for you.
There is only one totally enclosed 2-person ultralight tent that
I know of under 3 pounds. It's a single layer, but the forward
sloping door allows for a large screen area, to keep air-flow at
a maximum. This keeps condensation to a minimum.
There are "floorless" tents, which are specially cut tarps which
typically use your trekking poles for support. One of the
lightest of these is a three-person design that weighs less than
2 pounds. I haven't tried it, but it gets good reviews, and it
is in the weight range I like for ultralight tents. You have to
bring a groundsheet with this type, so figure that weight into
the decision.
Unfortunately, I've discovered the hard way - four tents and
counting - that you tend to get what you pay for with
lightweight tents. That's one of the reasons I backpack with a
tarp.
About the Author
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of
lightweight backpacking. He has also made over 200 hiking
sticks. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheUltraligh
tBackpackingSite.com
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Eureka Lightweight Backpack Solitaire Single Person Tent Lightweight Sleep Camp $92.29 |
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MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Person Tent 3 season camping backpacking shelter ultralight $189.99 |
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ALPS Chaos 3 Person Aluminum Pole Backpacker Tent (5-Ft 6-In x 7-Ft 6-In) $66.00 |
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NEW Marmot Limelight 3 Man Person 3 Season Backpacking Camping Tent $169.00 |
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NEW Marmot Titan 3 Person Man 3 Season Backpacking Camping Tent $149.00 |
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Black Diamond BD Skylight 3-Person w/ Featherlite Poles Backpacking Tent - NEW! $152.50 |
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The North Face Rock 22 2 Person 3 Season Backpacking Tent + FOOTPRINT $126.52 |
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Nemo Espri 2P 2 Person Tent 3 season camping backpacking shelter Ultralight $149.99 |
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north face flint 2 person backpacking hiking tent lightweight NIB free ship $135.00 |
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MSR hoop 2 person backpacking tent, NO RESERVE $199.99 |
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Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 Backpacking Tent 4 Person New $269.95 |
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Big Agnes Gore Pass 3-Person Backpacking Tent $339.95 |
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Big Agnes Gore Pass 2-Person Backpacking Tent $279.95 |
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Mountain Trails Current Backpacking Hiker Tent 2 Person $39.99 |
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2 PERS0N 3 PERSON TENT CAMPING HIKING BACKPACKING BIKER 2 MAN - 3 MAN NEW IN BOX $40.00 |
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SCOUT BACKPACK TENT 2 PERSON BACKPACKING HIKING CAMPING MOUNTIANS 2 MAN TENT $40.00 |
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Swissgear Kandersteg 4 man tent four person camping hiking backpacking family $68.00 |
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Lightweight 1 - 2 Person Hiking Biker Backpacker Tent $51.00 |
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NEW SWISSGEAR NIESEN HIKER, BACKPACKING, 2 PERSON TENT $96.00 |
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Kelty Salida 2 Tent 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking $159.95 |
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NEW Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 Person Man Backpacking Camping Tent with Footprint $189.00 |
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New 1-2 Person Backpacking Camping Hiking Hunting Tent $109.99 |
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Alps Mountaineering Hybrid CE Sage/Rust 2 person backpacking Tent $163.99 |
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NEW Coleman Durango 2 Person Tent 7 Ft x 5 Ft Hiking Backpacking Fishing Hunting $19.99 |
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Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 4 Person Backpacking Tent + Free Footprint!! $525.00 |
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EUREKA 1 PERSON BACKPACKING CAMPING TENT BRAND NEW! $119.95 |
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Gigatent YELLOWSTONE 2 Person Backpacking Tent 7' x 5' $99.95 |
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Coleman Hooligan 2 Persons Backpacking Camping Tent NEW $58.48 |
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MSR Hoop 2-Person, 3-Season Backpacking Tent $314.95 |
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Chinook Sirocco 3 Person Backpacking Tent - Fiberglass $131.34 |
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Coleman 2 Person Freestanding Backpacking Tent Three-Season $20.00 |
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Kelty Salida 4 Backpacking 4 Person Tent NEW! $169.98 |
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Kelty Zodiac 4 Person Tent - 3 Seasons Comfort Quality!! Backpacking - Camping $99.99 |
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Kelty Zodiac 4 Person Tent - 3 Seasons Comfort Quality!! Backpacking - Camping $99.99 |
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1 or 2 person lightweight backpacking bug tent $40.00 |
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NEW Big Agnes Gore Pass 2 Tent: 2-Person 3-Season Hiking Camping Backpacking NWT $205.95 |
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One Person Camping Hiking Backpacking Tent Outdoor SALE $29.99 |
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New Coleman Exponent One 1 Person Dakota Backpacking Tent 2lb 14oz 94" x 40" $99.95 |
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2 person backpacking/hiking tent 3 season light weight $122.73 |
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New Coleman Exponent Cadence 2 Two Person Backpacking Tent 90" x 60" Full Fly $129.95 |
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Emergency Shelter Tent, Reflective Tube Tent, Cold Weather Emergency Shelter, Emergency Zone Brand $6.49 Emergency Zone? Brand. The Emergency Tent is a lightweight and compact emergency shelter. It is wind and waterproof and easy to set up. It is 8 feet long and roomy enough for two people.... |
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Coleman BlackCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater with InstaStart Technology $48.26 The Coleman(r) BlackCat(tm) PerfecTemp(tm) catalytic heater with InstaStart(tm) technology is designed to provide you with comfortable warmth indoors or in a tent. The electronic ignition allows for quick and easy matchless lighting and the compact legs integrate into the collar for easy storage.... |
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SE Camping Tube Tent ET8256 8.25' x 6' orange color $5.45 Its the perfect little emergency tent to take on a day hike or outdoor backpacking adventure, its easy to set up and provides a lengthy protection from the weather. It fits one comfortably, and two people if you don't mind spooning through the weather/night. This tent is easy to set up between two trees or rocks. It is a must-have for any camper or overnight hiker.... |
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Traverse 4 LightSpeed Backpacking 4 Person Pop Up Tent $299.99 Finally... a high quality tent that sets up easily in just seconds!The Traverse series is one of the most popular tents in the LightSpeed tent lineup. The LightSpeed integrated pole system features poles that are built in to the tent, eliminating the difficulty associated with traditional separate pole tents. The revolutionary drawstring hub system allows the user to set up the tent quickly and ea... |
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The North Face Flint 2 $124.00 Twoperson fullcoverage xdesign tent features a front entrance and optimized vestibule configuration. Ideal for threeseason use this campgroundready tent features color coded poles for super quick setuptake down. Camping Tents 2 Person Tents... |
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Intex Classic Downy Queen Airbed with 2 Pillows and Double Quick Hand Pump $25.00 With plush flocking on the top, this Queen-sized Intex Classic Downy airbed provides a more luxurious sleeping surface and helps keep bedding from slipping. And this package includes two inflatable pillows and a hand pump. Crafted with durable heavy gauge vinyl, the cozy flocked top cleans easily and is waterproofed for camping use. It's equipped with a quality-tested, 20.8-gauge waterproof flocke... |
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N Code 80 Custom Left-Hand Turnout $10.00 Black ties and nickel silver rail.Custom N Line Switches are made to be used with the Atlas Under-Table Switch Machine (item #65) or a ground throw. Unlike the other N scale switches which have shortened ties to allow for switch machine attachment, Custom N Line Switches have full-length ties. A double-ended throwbar allows you to place your under-table switch machine on either side of the switch.... |
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TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Cot (85x 40) $115.03 A huge 85"x40" camping cot built just as rugged as it is oversized, touting a 600 pound weight capacity with patented steel leg construction. Hassle free set-up is quick and easy, but we include detailed setup instructions with photos just to be thorough. A carry bag is included for convenient storage - folding down to 42"x12"x7". Use the Outfitter XXL for camping, hunting, indoor use and more. Do... |
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Coleman Trailhead II Folding Cot $43.50 Comfortable and tough, the Coleman Trailhead II folding cot is a great choice for camping or hosting an out-of-town guest. The cot's extra-sturdy steel frame supports up to 300 pounds. The classic military-style cot is built to last, with an extra-sturdy powder-coated steel frame that supports up to 300 pounds. At the same time, the cot's polyester sleeping surface is snug and supportive, so y... |
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Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot $151.00 If you've done a fair amount of camping, you know that sleeping on a cot inside a roomy tent is far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. Now you can combine both luxuries with the oversize Kamp-Rite tent cot, a fully framed and enclosed cot with nylon sides and tie-up no-see-um mesh doors and windows--just like a personal tent. The legs of the cot are suspended a full 11 inches off the gr... |