How Much Should A Backpacking Tent Weigh?
When it comes to lightening your load as a backpacker, a tent is a prime target. Opting for a lighter tent can significantly reduce the weight on your back, whereas trimming other gear or clothing may yield only marginal gains. But how do you determine if it’s time to replace your tent? And how much should a backpacking tent weigh?
In this guide, we’ll delve into crucial considerations for tent weight along with standard recommendations. Even if you’re not fixated on base weight, understanding the optimal weight for a backpacking tent is invaluable for any backpacker. Keep reading—you might discover that you’ve been lugging around a heavier tent than necessary!
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them we will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
How Much Should A Backpacking Tent Weigh
If you’re seeking a standard guideline, a backpacking tent should ideally weigh between 2 to 3 pounds per person. However, as with most aspects of backpacking, this can vary based on your individual needs and priorities. We’ll delve deeper into these considerations shortly.
When we mention “per person,” we’re emphasizing the concept that each person sharing the tent should contribute to carrying it. Ideally, you and your companion should divide the components of the tent between yourselves—whether it’s poles, stakes, or the tent body. Remember, it’s all about shared responsibility!
This 2 to 3 pound range serves as a benchmark for average to lightweight backpackers. Ultralight enthusiasts may opt for even lighter options, while more casual backpackers might choose something slightly heavier.
For those leaning towards casual backpacking, it’s acceptable to go slightly heavier. If you require a larger tent or aren’t inclined to invest in a lightweight model, opting for a heavier tent is an option. You can always drop weight elsewhere. However, we recommend keeping the shelter’s weight under 5 pounds per person. Remember, you have other gear to carry on your back as well.
Understanding Tent Weights
When evaluating backpacking tents, you’ll encounter three different weight specifications. These provide a clearer picture of the tent’s weight for your upcoming adventure.
- Packaged Weight – This is the heaviest weight of the tent, encompassing everything it came with at the time of purchase—stuff sacks, lines, stakes, and accessories. Most backpackers won’t carry the packaged weight due to the presence of non-essential extras.
- Trail Weight – This figure is closer to what you’ll actually carry on the trail. It accounts for the weight of the complete tent setup, including the tent body, fly, and poles. Accessories, stuff sacks, and packaging are excluded.
- Fast Pitch – This refers to the weight of the minimal shelter setup—footprint, fly, and poles, without the tent body.
Balancing Weight, Durability, and Versatility
Selecting a backpacking tent involves finding the right balance between weight, durability, and versatility.
Typically, a more durable tent will weigh more. Unless it’s an ultralight variety, a tent designed to withstand harsh weather conditions will be bulkier and use heavier materials.
Similarly, versatile tents tend to be heavier. A double-wall tent offers the flexibility to sleep under the stars or attach the cover for added warmth and rain protection. However, the extra layer may increase weight and bulk.
Conversely, a tent with fewer accessories, like doors, zippers, and stakes, will be lighter but may lack features that are important to you.
Tent Weight and Size
Manipulating tent weight can be as simple as opting for a different size. While it’s easy to reduce weight by choosing a smaller tent, this isn’t suitable for everyone.
- 1 Person Tent – Ideal for solo travelers, providing enough room to sleep comfortably. It’s also the lightest option. However, if you want to store your backpack inside, space might be limited. Check out our favorite one person tents here!
- 2 Person Tent – Some solo trekkers opt for a two-person tent, offering more space for a backpack or a pet. It’s heavier than a 1-person tent, but still provides a comfortable sleeping situation. Note that it may not accommodate two people and their backpacks.
- 3+ Person Tent – Larger multi-person tents are heavier, but if shared, the weight per person can remain low. Choosing a tent size that matches the number of occupants will provide a snug fit without much room for gear. Going one size up typically allows for storage of bags inside.
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight backpackers or those focused on reducing pack weight might consider investing in an ultralight tent. These tents are purpose-built for lightweight backpacking and come with a higher price tag.
These tents often weigh less than 2 pounds total. This means that if two people share the tent, each person carries less than a pound, halving the typical recommendation.
How do these tents achieve such low weights? Ultralight gear, including tents, is crafted from premium materials that are exceptionally light yet durable. This contributes to the higher cost. They also come with minimal features, like limited zippers and only one door. Some models even offer versatile setup options, such as using trekking poles instead of traditional tent poles.
Backpacking Tent Weight vs Price
While a lightweight tent may be ideal, it’s important to consider the price. Lightweight and especially ultralight tents often come with a higher price point.
For instance, you can find a quality 5-pound tent for under $200. When you venture into the $300+ range, you’ll find similar style tents at 2 to 3 pounds.
If you’re a dedicated backpacker for whom weight is a crucial factor, investing in a high-quality lightweight tent is a decision you won’t regret—provided you choose the right one.
On the other hand, if you embark on one trip a year and aren’t fixated on pack weight, you might prefer a heavier, more budget-friendly tent. With a bit of searching, you can find good quality, lightweight tents at lower prices. However, most two-person tents in the sub-$200 range typically weigh around 5 pounds.
Conclusion
Knowing how much a backpacking tent should weigh can help you evaluate whether your current tent is sufficient or if it’s time for an upgrade. Keeping your tent weight down allows you to keep your backpack weight down so you can cover more miles and feel more comfortable.
If you’re looking for an alternative to a tent, check out this article about hammock camping! It just might be the lightweight shelter you were looking for.
Photo by Valery Sysoev on Unsplash
