Tent weight is a frequent space of concern for a lot of backpackers, particularly for newcomers who’re confronted with a tsunami of drugs selections with out understanding what they want for the climate situations they plan to backpack in, what they’ll like or dislike in a tent, or what’s an affordable quantity to pay for one.
For those who’re simply entering into backpacking, one rule of thumb is to maintain the burden of your first backpacking tent underneath 2.5 to three kilos per particular person. It may be decrease than that, however that’s a very good higher restrict to shoot for and one which’s nonetheless comparatively simple to hold in a backpack. That additionally provides you a variety of pretty cheap pricing choices.
For those who’re mountain climbing with a accomplice, chances are you’ll have the opportunity cut up the parts of the tent between you so that you every carry half or a part of the burden. You too can repackage the tent so it has a extra manageable form than the bag it initially got here in. For instance, I often stuff my tents right into a stuff sack and even free inside my backpack to make use of the house inside my pack extra effectively.
Shopping for your first tent
If I can provide one piece of sage recommendation for newbie backpackers when shopping for their first tent, it’d be:
- Don’t purchase the lightest weight tent cash should buy.
Whereas individuals who inform you that “profitable backpacking depends upon carrying the least quantity of weight attainable” try to be useful, they by no means appear to keep in mind your wants and wishes, the calls for of the terrain and climate, the place you propose to hike, journey size, what your targets are, or how a lot disposable earnings it’s a must to spend on gear. Whereas a decrease weight tent weight helps, loads of individuals have been very profitable backpackers when carrying heavier tents and pack weights.
All people has totally different wants: take the time to be taught what yours are earlier than you attempt to purchase the proper tent, even when meaning shopping for a less-than-perfect one at first. For instance, you would possibly wish to purchase a tent that may return, even when it’s been used (Trace: REI’s return coverage), to get your toes moist. You would possibly in the end resolve it’s a tent you want, however you’ll nonetheless have the choice of returning it and selecting one thing totally different.
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