Mountain tents and Backpacking Tents - Introduction
Backpacking Tent
Camping out in the open is a great feeling, and hiking out to your camping “site” is all part of the experience. While venturing into the woods, a backpacking tent is an absolute necessity as they are specially made to be portable and lightweight as well, since the very last thing you’ll want is a ten or fifteen pound tent weighing down on your back as you’re trying to navigate through the terrain.
For best comfort and portability, a 2 person tent should not be more than 6 lbs in weight. What makes a good hiking tent is partly the how much it folds down - the smaller the better, thus leaving sufficient space for other personal and camping needs. Aluminum poles instead of fiberglass are best for backpacking tents as they are not only lighter, but also stronger and less prone to bending over time.
If you’ll be camping in warmer seasons or climates, check for the amount of mesh in the tent for providing ventilation. The use of mesh in tents can lighten its weight further, so the more mesh the better. A rain-fly with a vestibule area in front of the tent is another rather useful feature as it will not only keep the elements off the tent, but also give you an area to store gear if it’s muddy or wet, as well as a place to cook if it’s raining.
Mountain Tents
The rather large category of mountain tents are becoming quite popular thanks to both their versatility and abilities to withstand extreme weather conditions, making them ideal for both the serious and casual camper alike. Mountain tents can be used all year, as they are usually available in 3 or 4 varieties for different seasons.
Mountain tents should feature sturdy clips along with pole sleeves to ensure the tent stays attached to the frame as securely as possible, as well as a “bathtub” design that keeps the seams from resting on the ground. Many mountain tents also have large, rounded entryways to make it easer to get in and out of the tent while wearing winter gear.
If your mountain tent is to be used for hiking, it is better to choose the single walled type, as the doubled wall model is heavier. For mountain tents that will be used while camping, opt for a lighter color to increase visibility and choose one with a canopy or rain-fly for adding extra space to the front of the tent either for storing gear or keeping things dry and out of the way.
Of course, there are many other types of tents other than mountain tents and hiking tents, and these will be introduced in further articles.
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