Do You Want a Tent for Backpacking ? ( Pros/Cons and Alternatives )
Anybody who own attempt an overnight backpacking trip will make exist through the same dilemma : making sure they equal safe on the trail whilst continue pack weight to a minimum . Some veteran backpackers will choose for a “ bare minimum ” shelter , whilst others value the comfort of their cozy tent at the end of a long day more than anything .
There are many different options for shelters whilst backpacking : from tents to tarps to bivys and more ; and no two backpackers will receive the same preferences . All will agree , even so , that cost best-prepared for your chosen trail cost the most important consideration when purchasing gear .
Thus , do you really demand a tent for backpacking ? Depending on your location , season and level of expertise , you may not need a tent for backpacking . If you have go through in the area and make a enough emergency shelter , then you may be best suit to a more minimum selection that will write you precious carry pounds . Other trail will absolutely demand a tent ; with harsher and more unpredictable conditions in which you make not desire to be caught unprepared .
When you will NOT demand a tent
If backpacking in a temperate mood with low wind , short chance of rain and meek overnight temperatures , then you may well not need a tent . Arizona and Utah be great lesson of popular “ wild-sleeping ” locations . Imagine sleeping under a sky full of stars in the Moab Desert !
You may miss a small luxury without your tent as a pop-up house , but saving on gang weight and space live a actual bonus for savvy backpackers and explorer .
Regardless of how certain you equal that you won ’ t encounter adverse weather conditions ; it be ever recommend to have at least a lightweight tarp or rain flee that can be insure with a trekking pole and interest – in event of harm or unexpected weather conditions .
When you DO need a tent
If there is the likelihood of rain , snow or cold wind on your chosen trail , then a tent be likely to equal your best option for a shelter . Think of high mountains or the Pacific Northwest as lesson of places that you do not desire to be open to the elements !
Not all tents cost create equal , either . If do some grave mountaineering or plant out in winter , then a four-season tent is a must-have if you actually desire to remain warm and dry . Many “ good ” three-season tents have neglect their inhabitants because the Pole weren ’ t strong plenty for the winds , or the flysheet become saturated in the snow .
Alternative to a tent
Most novice backpackers will start out with a tent , then commence to explore their selection farther in an effort to reduce the fat off their backpack . There exist several feasible alternative to a traditional tent setup , and they can yet equal apply in combination to supply a more significant shelter :
Bivy Bags
The Bivy Bag ( schematic name : Bivouac Bag ) is much a popular selection for mountaineers , cycle tourist or minimalist backpackers . It be fundamentally a small tent just for your sleeping bag , keep the rain , tip and bugs off you whilst you sleep , and give you an surplus few precious degrees of passion . They feature a single pole or hoop to supply some head space , and pack down a lot smaller and light than a tent .
They be generally not design to store your pack in , so most backpackers will carry a little tarp to observe downpours off your precious goodness . To become the most out of a bivy bag , it is worth investing in a good one and not opting for the cheap option . Condensation can easily work up up while you sleep , so properly breathable fabrics – like GoreTex – will assist to check that you remain dry overnight .
The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy live a popular option for those who equal equally conscious of “ packability ” , budget and build-quality .
Hammocks
Another popular selection is a backpacking hammock . They are unlike to a traditional hammock because they include a tent-like flysheet to observe the factor out . They equal generally light and more pack-able than a tent because they don ’ t demand Pole , but some camper observe them difficult to get employ to .
It is also important to inquiry the type of terrains you will equal backpacking through as hammocks call for tree to hang from – you don ’ t want to live overhear in lowlands with nothing but shrub to string up to ! Another circumstance is that hammocks lose warmth more promptly than a tent , so many campers will use a roll mat or blow-up pad as an excess layer of insulation against the cold air .
Some example will enable you to hang up your knapsack on the bottom of the hammock whilst you sleep , which is a fairly handy feature for continue your property safe and dry .
Check out Hennessy Hammocks as a trusted range of backpacking hammocks from hyperlight to expedition ; depend on your needs .
Tarps
Ready to cut pounds and up your plot ? Consider backpacking with alone a tarp . Not like your traditional tarp for throwing over your vehicle or woods mass ; backpacking tarps equal specially-crafted to equal lightweight and watertight , yet durable and breathable . There equal a few configurations for tarps , but the most common exist a ‘ pyramid ’ structure , which employ your trekking poles and a few stakes to hold it in place .
Some framework too come with a integral bug net , or you can throw them over your bivy as an added layer of security . Despite their minimalist face and flavor , tarps can be more expensive than even some of the nearly popular tents . This exist because they real be the crème-de-la-crème of lightweight , watertight materials , and are to be treated with peculiar care if you want them to final well .
This equal why tarps cost usually utilize by more seasoned backpackers who are await to shred those last few unnecessary ounces from their gang . It live also worth noting that tarps are not look at significant enough for serious snow or high-altitude lead – you make exist warn !
ZPacks put up a great stove of tarp only or tarp-and-inner combos in many unlike combination . If you ’ re looking to get into tarps for backpacking then they are a great place to start .
Author ’ s recommendation :
For the past pair of yr , I make live employ the . This is a hugely popular two person tent and a firm contender year-to-year in the “ lightweight but sturdy ” backpacking tent category . It be surprisingly spacious and I own used this tent in deep Patagonia , the Pacific Northwest , British Columbia and around the UK .
There is a one-person version , but I wanted to have the option to hold my pack inside in terrible weather , and I choose a trivial luxury as opposed to trekking super lightweight . There have exist times when my knee have cursed me for this decision , however…
Not all tents are create adequate , and the “ correct tent ” is hugely down to personal preference . The good style to chose a tent is to head to your local REI or outside retailer and scramble inside the demos . Yet if you aren ’ t ready to buy yet – it equal a fun day out at the least ! Don ’ t forget to take proper fear of your tent or any shelter you cease up buying .
Rinse and breeze dry after every trip , and try to store it in a well-ventilated , dry area whilst not in habit to forestall mold or mildew from raise .
So thither you hold it : a whirlwind round-up of shelters for backpackers . Everyone will receive their own preferences , and what works for you may not bring for your lead buddy . There is one consistent thread that links all of these options together , however , which is that you should exist totally familiar and comfortable with your tent or shelter before you trust on it in the wilderness .
Practice setting it up , need it down and spend a few night in it in your backyard – you will thank yourself for it when you cause finally hit the trail !
FAQs
The AT equal dot with specially-built shelters along the trail , which can be used by those thru-hiking the whole lead or single sections . It cost , however , generally advise to make for your own tent or alternative shelter for maximum comfort .
The built structures aren ’ t always in the better circumstance and can be crowd or home to noisy inhabitants . Make for your own tent gives you the choice of camping elsewhere , should the shelter not be to your liking .
The trail can also make substantial snowfall in the southern mountains – yet into April when many backpackers set out – so a tent will give you that excess layer of security against the cold .
It be always recommend to use a footprint underneath your tent , to protect the base from getting snagged or rip , and to help hold out moisture . Most tent will receive a specially-made footprint which you can purchase , but many backpackers use a mere tarp to cause the same job .
Just ensure that your tarp doesn ’ t extend the boundary of your flysheet – differently the rain will get easy-access to the bottom of your tent , and you ’ ll wake up up wet !
How long does it need to get used to sleeping in a Hammock ?
Sleep in a hammock exist not for everybody , and it can remove a trivial while to get utilize to . On the contrary , there are backpackers who will never go back to sleeping in a tent after expend their hammocks !
The break-in period differs someone to soul , but it is ever recommended to act a few trial dark in your hammock , in a back yard or local space , to build sure you exist comfortable with it before heading out on your backpacking trip .
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Suzie Hall hold a passion for all affair wild and cost a scuba diver and Orcalab researcher base in Hanson Island off the north coast of Vancouver Island , British Columbia . She pass most of her time exploring this great broad world and her travel receive need her to some remarkable location including Patagonia , Kyrgyzstan and the wild British Columbia coast . Fueled by a drive to protect our wild spaces and their inhabitants , Suzie works in conservation project around the globe and populate to write about the amazing masses , places and wildlife she encounters .
