How to Choose the Best Backpacking Tent
Choosing the perfect backpacking tent can be a daunting task with a multitude of options available. Factors such as weight, comfort, and features all play a crucial role in making the right decision. I
Unlike a camping tent, a backpacking tent needs to be lightweight and compact. You’ll be carrying this thing on your back for miles, you really don’t want to be carrying a multi-room suite of a tent.
However, comfort is also important. You want to be able to get a good night of sleep so you can take on the next day with enthusiasm. Balance is key.
Space and weight isn’t all there is to it. There are plenty of other features to consider as well. In this guide, we’ll simplify the process for you, ensuring you find the ideal backpacking tent for your adventures.
Single or Double Wall Tents
When selecting a backpacking tent, you’ll need to decide between single and double wall designs.
Double Wall
These tents consist of a main body with mesh windows and a rain cover. It has mesh windows and/or a mesh ceiling for ventilation and star gazing. The second wall is the rain cover.
Double wall tents offer versatility. They allow you to ventilate during warm nights or provide protection on cooler evenings. The mesh wall allows them to dry and air out quickly, a very beneficial quality if you get caught in the rain.
Single Wall
Single wall tents feature a single waterproof wall, providing less ventilation compared to double wall tents.
They’ll be warmer and stuffier than a double wall tent. This could be nice on cool nights, but uncomfortable in the summer. A key benefit of a single wall tent are that they’re lighter and easier to set up.
Seasonality – 3 Vs. 4 Season Tent
Another factor you’ll need to consider is whether you’ll want a 3 season or a 4 season tent. For most backpackers, a 3 season tent will be the best option. Although, a 4 season tent does offer some unique benefits.
3 Season Tent
The three seasons these tents are designed for are spring, summer, and fall. Their design allows them to hold up against the wind and rain conditions that are common during those times of year.
3 season tents typically have a double wall design with mesh paneling to provide air flow and protection from insects. They are made of light fabrics to keep them lightweight and easy to pack. These tents are most popular and will suit the needs of most backpackers.
4 Season Tent
The design of 4 season tents are designed for winter use. Their build is ideal for handling low temperatures and heavy snowfall. Though they can be used year-round, they are best suited for cold weather.
These tents feature more poles and heavier fabric in order to hold up to snow accumulation. They will also have a rounded dome shape to prevent snow from collecting on it. Four season tents have less ventilation in order to keep the interior warmer. This means it can get stuffy in warmer weather.
If you don’t plan on going on winter treks, you are better off with a three season tent. A four season tent will be heavier and uncomfortable for most mild-weather trips.
One Door Vs. Two Door
Consider whether you would prefer a tent that features one or two doors.
A tent with one door is typically more affordable and lightweight. It’s less expensive because a tent with only one door takes less work to manufacture. They are lighter weight because they only have one zipper. Ditching that second zipper can save you ounces on pack weight, which is a big deal for ultralight backpackers.
Two-door tents offer added convenience and comfort. They allow easy access without disturbing your tent mate and provide better airflow on hot days. The extra weight and price might be worth those added comforts.
Tent Footprints
A tent footprint, or groundsheet, acts as a protective layer between the tent floor and the ground. They are usually a single sheet that is the size of your tent or slightly smaller, completely unattached to the tent itself.
The purpose of these are to protect the floor of your tent against holes and wear, especially if you camp on rocky terrain. They also work to keep your tent dry from the rain or moisture on the ground.
While some tents come with a footprint, others will have them sold separately. If your tent doesn’t come with one, don’t feel inclined to buy one from the same brand. You can typically find a generic one for a much lower price that will work just as well. Just make sure the one you get is slightly smaller than your tent so that rain won’t run down between the footprint and your tent floor.
Are Tent Footprints Necessary?
This is a debate among backpackers. On the one hand, if you leave your footprint behind you can reduce your backpack weight and save space. On the other hand, a footprint can help increase the life of your tent, protect against leaks, and prevent holes from forming on the floor.
Personally, I didn’t use a footprint for the longest time. Our first tent was cheap, so maintaining it was not a concern. Cutting back on weight was more important at the time. This did bite us. One rainy morning, heavy rainfall caused water to soak through the floor of our tent. We also ended up getting holes after a few years from rocks and twigs rubbing against the bottom.
I’d recommend a footprint if you have a nice tent you want to preserve or if you expect a rainy trip.
Tent Capacity
When it comes to choosing a backpacking tent, your capacity options will typically be 1 to 4 person. This is the range where tents can remain light and easy to pack.
Choosing the right tent capacity can be tricky. Simply getting the size that aligns with the number of people you want to share the tent with can be the wrong choice in some cases.
Backpacking tents are tight on space in order to save on space and bulk. This means that a two person tent doesn’t necessarily mean 2 people will sleep comfortably inside. It is made to fit 2 standard size (20 inch wide) sleeping pads side by side. This may be too snug for comfort for some people.
What Tent Capacity to Get
When it comes to choosing which tent capacity to get, I often suggest getting one that is one person larger than the number of people you plan to sleep in it.
Having a larger tent means you can fit your gear inside the tent to keep it dry or accessible. The extra space is also ideal if you are a tall or large person. People who have a dog to bring along on trips may also want that extra room for their furry companion.
The downside of this recommendation is weight. It will be heavier and bulkier to have a larger tent. You need to consider whether you value a backpack that is a few ounces lighter or a tent that is more comfortable.
Other Features That Impact Tent Capacity
The capacity on the label gives you a general idea of how large a tent is, but there are other factors that will play a role in how spacious your tent feels.
- Floor Dimensions – The length times width of the tent is the most straightforward way of knowing what you’re in for.
- Peak Height – This measures the highest point in the tent. A short tent will feel more crammed no matter how wide or long it is. You should be able to sit comfortably in your tent without hunching over or hitting your head.
- Tent Shape – The way the walls come in to the peak can make a big difference in interior space. Tents with walls that are more vertical will be more spacious. Walls that are steeply angled into the peak will take away from your headspace.
Tent Alternatives
If a tent doesn’t seem to fit the bill for your shelter needs, there are alternative options to explore:
Bivouac
A Bivoauc, AKA a “bivy”, is a minimalist shelter that surrounds your sleeping bag like a cocoon. There is not much space inside the bivy for anything other than your sleeping bag, so your gear will need to be left outside.
Bivouacs are great shelter for climbers or ultralight backpackers, who want a barebones shelter. They will protect you from rain or bugs, but don’t offer much else in terms of comfort.
Hammocks
A common alternative to a tent is a hammock. These make for incredibly comfortable sleeping if you have the right gear for it.
Sleeping in an open hammock with just your sleeping bag, will have it’s problems. You’ll want a bug net, a rain tarp, and a sleeping pad to keep you warm. However, even with all those accessories, hammocks can be more lightweight and compact than many tents. They also have the added bonus of allowing you to rock yourself to sleep.
Check out our favorite hammocks here.
Shelters
Bare-bones shelters are a great option for the minimalist, ultralight backpacker. These are simply a rainfly and footprint or a tarp set up.
They’ll keep you from getting wet, but leave you exposed to everything else, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you are going somewhere buggy. You may also find yourself very cold at night if you don’t have the right sleeping gear for the weather.
Bug Shelter
If a bare-bones shelter turns you off because of the potential creepy crawlies that may get you at night, a bug shelter is a potential alternative. These are similar to a bivy, but made only of netting. These won’t keep you dry at night, but will keep mosquitos, ticks and spiders from cuddling up to you.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to choose a backpacking tent can be tricky. You want the right balance of space and lightness to keep you comfortable on the trail and in your sleeping bag. If you keep these considerations in mind, you’ll be in good shape to find the right backpacking tent for your needs.
Cover photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
