Certainly, one of many nice philosophical questions of our time is, “How a lot ought to a backpacking tent weigh?”
As with all backpacking tools, you’re going to have to hold it.
And your backpacking tent’s weight can actually influence the standard of your climbing expertise.
So, what’s the ultimate backpacking weight? The reply to this one can’t simply be, “As gentle as potential!” There are too many different elements that want to enter your choice.
Let’s check out completely different tent weights and what the completely different sizes should give you in your subsequent backpacking journey.
What Is A Good Weight For A Backpacking Tent?
I’ve spent a whole lot of time in tents. My dad and mom took our household tenting typically once I was younger.
We’d drive from landlocked Uganda over 1,000 miles to the Kenyan coast and camp there for a month for our holidays.
Due to this, I do know firsthand that selecting the best tent is among the most necessary issues you are able to do to organize for a multi-day hike.
The load of your tent could make the distinction between distress and enjoyable.
In the event you get the correct tent, will probably be your greatest good friend, however it’s very easy to get that selection improper.
I undoubtedly have chosen the improper tent for the improper state of affairs, after which regretted it.
Usually talking, your backpack ought to weigh not more than 20-25% of your physique weight at most.
That may change relying on every individual’s potential to hold heavy weight. However due to this normal, the tent you carry ought to weigh 2.5-3 kilos per individual.
For instance, if it’s a 2-person tent, it ought to weigh between 4-6 kilos.
Additionally, a pro-tip is to divide the tent elements amongst your group so not only one individual has to hold all its weight.
Fortunately, there are a lot of choices for tents that every provide completely different options in tandem with their weight.
Learn: Finest Price range Backpacking Tent
Backpacking Tent Weight Lessons
You’ll be able to roughly categorize tents into the next 4 weight brackets:
- Heavy/Midweight (4.5 lbs+ / 2kg+)
- Light-weight (3 to 4.5 lbs / 1.4 to 2kg)
- Ultralight (2 to three lbs / 1.4kg to 900g)
- Crazylight (Lower than 2 lbs / 900g)
The heavier the tent, the extra individuals it could actually home and the extra options it could actually provide.
Nevertheless, you don’t at all times want these issues, which is why some backpackers simply want to go the lightest route.
When contemplating a backpacking tent’s weight, you want to take a look at the complete packed weight (not its path weight) as that features all the pieces – the tent, man ropes, poles and stakes/pegs.
In fact, you’ll be able to regulate this when you’re on the highway, however it’s good to know what your most goes to be.
Learn: How A lot Weight Ought to You Carry Backpacking?
Heavy/Midweight (4.5 lbs+ / 2kg+)
A heavier tent is usually signified by options like higher climate safety (3 to 4 seasons), more room, extra sturdiness, and decrease price.
Many tents on this weight vary and barely above are additionally appropriate for two individuals.
What I’d anticipate from a tent at this weight is an efficient floor area and quite a lot of options to present you some further consolation in addition to the fundamentals:
- double-wall building to present further rain safety and combat towards humidity.
- a bath building or built-in floor sheet.
- loads of room to retailer gear (like a vestibule), and a choice of gear and light-weight pockets.
- 2+ doorways.
- a type of vent – a skylight is the dream, so you are able to do some stargazing.
- high-quality poles and stakes.
For an extended, multi-day thru-hike I’d go for this feature, even when the climate goes to be good.
In case you are on the path for 30+ days, then you’re going to want one thing that may stand up to the weather and a drained hiker over that longer time period.
It might appear counter-intuitive to pack extra weight for an extended hike, however that is your key piece of apparatus.
Particulars that may add exponentially to your consolation will actually enable you as the times put on on.
In winter circumstances, I’d use a heavier tent regardless of the length of the hike. Snow, rain, excessive chilly and dirt are the enemies of the lighter tent.
With out sounding too dramatic, there’s a security aspect concerned. It’s bodily very debilitating to be continually chilly and moist and unable to sleep.
You might be way more more likely to have an accident if you’re exhausted.
In case you are doing a little critical winter mountaineering then you’re looking at including numerous further weight.
Most individuals, although, might be doing this in pairs or teams so you’ll be able to unfold the load. You’ll nearly definitely wish to be sharing a tent for heat.
It’s possible you’ll nicely have to take further stakes and a separate groundsheet as nicely, because the climate circumstances are very more likely to be extraordinarily difficult.
The Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 solely takes 2 climbers to arrange, plus gear is available in at round 11.5 kilos.
Light-weight (3 to 4.5 lbs / 1.4 to 2kg)
That is my go-to tent. I do a whole lot of climbing within the Atlas Mountains and the light-weight works nicely besides in deep winter.
I additionally hike in Scotland in the summertime and use a light-weight for many adventures as it’s enough for preserving me dry.
There’s a giant aspect of non-public choice however I believe this sort of tent is great for medium-length hikes – as much as 2 weeks and for 3 seasons.
Additionally, you will discover quite a few tents at this weight that can be utilized for both one or two individuals. Although, whether it is for 2 individuals, you could be sacrificing your tent poles for strolling poles, have a lowered fly sheet, or have a single-wall building.
The tent at this weight can even in all probability be constituted of a much less sturdy set of materials.
In a light-weight one-person tent, I’d wish to have:
- a fairly sized footprint (though, choices like crafted corners for further legroom are an possibility).
- a double wall, because it reduces condensation and offers you temperature choices when you’re sleeping in whether it is sizzling.
- at the very least one pole to hold my tent on; utilizing strolling poles as your poles undoubtedly saves weight nevertheless it additionally makes placing up the tent a bit extra advanced.
- a separate floor sheet for tenting in snowy or wet climate.
Some fashions give you a partial fly. The drawback with that is that if it rains and there may be wind, you aren’t totally lined and water could are available.
However it does save weight!
The MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Tent is a 2-person tent that weighs about 3.5 kilos and would offer you loads of room, airflow, vestibules, and climate safety.
If, like most of us, you aren’t ready to purchase a number of completely different tents for various circumstances, then I’d plump for a light-weight tent as it’s more likely to be good for many circumstances.
Ultralight (2 to three lbs / 1.4kg to 900g)
We are actually entering into fast-hiking territory. This can be a actually gentle tent so don’t anticipate an excessive amount of of it.
Ultralight tents sacrifice sturdiness and climate safety similar to light-weight tents.
Fancy options are likely to disappear when you’re stripping the burden down like this:
- These tents are usually made with related materials as light-weight tents, however they principally lose their weight by taking away ground area and headroom.
- Ultralight tents typically look smaller attributable to their closely sloped ceilings, smaller ground areas, and fewer doorways (relying on the mannequin).
- In addition they are likely to have quite simple pole construction designs, which might imply fewer poles, however much less stability.
Meaning ultralight tents will be less-than-ideal for tough terrain or harsh climate.
Moreover, this weight class shouldn’t be nice for a number of individuals since there may be much less area.
Some could also be designed for bigger teams, however know that you could be be getting very shut in the course of the journey.
Ultralight tents are in style for backpackers who simply desire a lighter pack and who know their journey won’t embody dangerous climate.
Whereas an ultralight tent will defend you and your issues from most climate circumstances, it won’t be as comfy or protecting as heavier designs.
Each the MSR FreeLite 2 Tent and the Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Resolution-Dyed Tent are spacious, 2-person choices for an ultralight tent.
They each boast of first rate area for a light-weight and first rate price.
In the event you scour tent info on-line like me, one can find individuals saying that they’ve used their ultralights for weeks on finish from the Arctic to the Sahara.
I take advantage of mine on quickie treks (as much as per week) and in good climate: no heavy rain or excessive winds within the forecast.
If dangerous climate occurs, this stage of tent will give you and your gear safety.
I’d simply take some further care when pitching and packing, so I don’t do any unintended injury.
There’s little logic in taking such a light-weight tent and including a floor sheet, so I would go away that at dwelling and simply pitch fastidiously.
At this weight, I’d go for a single-walled model purely to present that further power in materials whereas saving on the burden.
There are various choices for utilizing strolling poles, however a single-pole model comes throughout the weight restrict whereas nonetheless offering you with stability.
Learn: How To Set Up A Tent
Crazylight (Lower than 2 lbs / 900g)
You have to be an extremely runner if you’re right down to this stage, or simply wish to take a tent in case of emergency.
Realistically, you’re looking at a tarp tent at this weight. Crazylight tents are simply what they sound like: loopy gentle.
- These tents should not made to final tons of use or stand up to dangerous climate or harsh parts.
- That is the form of tent you utilize when pace is all that basically issues and each ounce goes to adversely have an effect on your efficiency.
In case you are after an FKT and don’t have a assist crew to assist, or if you’re on a multi-day extremely race, then that is undoubtedly the tent for you.
It would present shelter and maintain off the weather.
Whereas area contained in the tent can differ with the mannequin, most are made with a single-wall design (no separate rainfly).
This principally means that there’s far much less breathability and separation from the weather. So, whether it is raining or snowing exterior, you’ll really feel it.
A crazylight tent can be normally non-freestanding, which implies you need to stake it down.
This additionally signifies that you need to be further cautious with establishing to ensure it’s sturdy sufficient.
Most of what you’ll get at this weight is a straightforward shelter to maintain you from the weather in a single day. It isn’t meant for tough areas or giant teams.
Via-hikers are likely to gravitate in direction of this measurement as a result of it saves area and weight, and so they have to hold lots over a very long time.
Nevertheless, in case you don’t have to avoid wasting weight, this isn’t the tent for you.
Finally, this weight class is barely really useful for backpackers who’re most involved about weight.
Hyperlite’s Unbound 2P Tent is marketed for thru-hikers and for these simply searching for a easy shelter.
Principally, in case you simply wish to go for a yomp for an evening or so and the forecast is dry and also you foresee spending most of your time exterior however need one thing to cowl you within the evening, it is a good possibility.
Different Shelter Choices To Save Weight
It’s possible you’ll not want a tent in any respect. There are different choices to avoid wasting you weight that can nonetheless enable you some consolation and protection as you spend an evening below the celebrities.
- Bivouac Sacks or “Bivy” Shelters
- Backpacking Tarp Shelters
- Hammocks
Bivouac “Bivy” Sacks or Bivy Shelters
Bivy sacks are tremendous light-weight – you will get them at 10.5 ounces / 300 grams.
They’re principally waterproof luggage that you simply insert your self and your sleeping bag in to. Wiggle in, get cozy, zip the bag up and hey presto.
They may maintain you dry within the rain and are a superb possibility if you’re going out only for an evening or two and need one thing ‘simply in case’.
The draw back to a bivy sack is that they will really feel a bit claustrophobic.
Bivy shelters are primarily a really small tent that can suit you and your sleeping bag inside it to maintain out rain and bugs.
Each of those choices are nice for many who are trying to have the ability to arrange wherever and save on weight.
Backpacking Tarp Shelters
There are two fundamental sorts of tarp shelters: a flat tarp which you should utilize in a number of other ways, or a curved tarp that has been lower to scale back weight.
In the event you consider a tarp like an enormous umbrella you’ll get an thought of the safety it provides.
They’re extraordinarily gentle although – I discovered one at 7.3 ounces / 208 grams.
You need to use them at the side of a bivy bag and a floor sheet for fairly a pleasant arrange.
Hammocks
Dwelling the dream. Who doesn’t wish to spend an evening in a hammock within the forest?
The key plus of the hammock is that it retains you off the bottom.
It would defend you from all the bottom reptiles and bugs (though many can climb timber they gained’t simply stumble throughout you) and a humid forest ground.
They’re gentle and straightforward to place up choices can be found and you would use at the side of a bivy bag.
Learn: How To Dangle A Hammock With out Bushes
Backpacking Tent Set-Up
To freestand or to not freestand? That’s the query.
Freestanding Tents
What’s a freestanding tent? It’s a tent which retains its form after you have put it up.
You’ll be able to then decide it up and transfer it round camp if you need to, or simply fancy a change of view.
It may be single or double-walled. It’s the majority type for tents for hikers.
There are many pluses to those tents: they’re comfy, simpler to place up and comprise extra options.
Non-Freestanding
These tents should be staked out to keep up their type. If you find yourself placing them up, you peg them out first and then you definitely put the central pole in.
The massive plus for these tents is that they’re lighter and are sometimes a favorite with skilled hikers who favour pace and fewer weight.
I truly used a non-freestanding tent for 7.5 months once I trekked throughout the entire of Morocco and the Sahara and it was good.
Nevertheless, a word of warning, it was a nomadic tent, and I had 6 camels and three Amazigh guides with me. The tent weighed about 40 kilos.
On daily basis, Brahim and I’d lay it out with its iron pegs after which put the forged iron tent pole up which slotted into an enormous stone roof assist.
It was bomb-proof and survived the Saharan winds, however I wouldn’t like to hold it!
Different Components To Contemplate When Selecting A Backpacking Tent Moreover Weight
Weight actually is simply one of many elements to contemplate.
Listed here are another issues to consider which will sway you into a unique weight class than you initially thought:
Dimension & Capability
Contemplate how many individuals are going backpacking with you, how a lot gear you will have, and the way comfy you wish to be in your tent.
Sturdiness & Materials
You don’t need your tent to tear or puncture, however you in all probability additionally don’t wish to carry one thing very heavy.
The midweight to light-weight choices in all probability provide the better of each worlds.
But when you understand you’ll be utilizing it lots in tough, mountainous areas, it’s possible you’ll have to go heavier to have a extra sturdy tent materials.
Climate Resistance
None of us can predict the climate solely, however we in all probability have a good suggestion of what sort of climate we’ll face once we exit at completely different instances of the 12 months.
So, you might want to take into consideration what number of seasons and climate sorts your tent wants to resist. Do you want a 4-season or a 3-season tent?
In the event you go together with an ultralight or crazylight possibility, at all times seal your seams, so water can’t seep in by way of the thinner cloth.
Air flow
Condensation is an actual bugbear when you’re tenting.
Selecting a tent with zip vents and a double partitions will assist.
It isn’t enjoyable having to pack away your sleeping bag moist as a result of you will have been respiratory on all of it evening – smells too.
Set-Up & Takedown
Don’t child your self. You might be nearly by no means going to look ahead to placing your tent up after a tough day on the path, so do take into account ease of arrange.
If it’s going to be tremendous sophisticated, and you understand forward of time that isn’t one thing you wish to take care of, discover the tent that units up the simplest.
Packed Dimension
This and weight are likely to go hand-in-hand. The smaller a tent can pack down, the higher.
Like weight, the dimensions your tent is when packed away will decide how a lot area you will have left in your pack.
A thru-hiker may have more room for meals and provides of their pack, so they may go for the smallest packed measurement potential.
Learn: Backpacking Meals Concepts
Stakes
I’m fanatical about stakes. It is because I’ve truly had a tent blow away with me in it in a sandstorm.
All ended fortunately nevertheless it was an embarrassing and unnerving expertise.
I didn’t have the correct stakes. I’m a V stake lady. They’ve the most effective holding energy per ounce in my view.
FAQs
How Does The Design Of A Backpacking Tent Have an effect on Its Weight?
Design is all-important in backpacking tents and there are a selection of completely fantastically designed tents available on the market.
Each single element of your tent will make a distinction in your tenting journey, from the kind of cloth to the headspace, footprint, vents, poles, pockets, and many others.
That’s the reason you must actually take your time and take into account all the pieces you’ll be able to when selecting.
How Can I Decide The Proper Backpacking Tent Weight For My Wants?
The largest issue you must take into account might be climate. In case you are mountaineering in winter, you’ll need a 4-season tent.
After that, you will have rather more selection. I’d make an inventory of what’s most necessary to you, after which base your selection on that.
Why Is The Weight Of A Backpacking Tent Necessary?
When you need to carry your total world in your again, each ounce counts.
When your pack is just too heavy, it could actually tremendously influence your high quality of expertise.
You don’t wish to spend your total journey depressing with an aching again, nor do you wish to doubtlessly injure your self for months afterward.
What Are Some Widespread Errors To Keep away from When Selecting A Backpacking Tent?
Most likely the commonest mistake is that folks prioritize weight over all the pieces else and sacrifice an excessive amount of to get a very gentle tent.
Like the opposite elements I discussed, there may be extra to a tent than simply its weight. So, don’t sacrifice necessary options simply to lighten your load.
Conclusion – Don’t Do As I Did!
Once I cycled from Cairo to Cape City, I had my bike custom-built by one in every of my pals David Ward from Big. Each element was mentioned.
Once I purchased my tent, I simply went on-line to a superb firm – Terra Nova – and determined I would really like one with good headspace as a result of I knew I wanted to write down up my e book notes each evening. It was a catastrophe.
It took at the very least two individuals to place up – Thanks, Sam Guo! – and it was principally formed like a sail, so it had a nasty behavior of blowing away within the wind.
Once I returned to the UK, I truly went to Terra Nova to complain, however they – fairly rightly – bounced again with, “How lengthy did you spend selecting it? Why did you select that mannequin? There’s nothing improper with the tent. You simply selected the improper one for the job.”
They have been proper. I now use it for light automotive tenting and it’s good. And, sure, I’ve learnt from my errors!
So, there are a number of necessary issues to bear in mind when selecting the best backpacking tent for you.
Finally, a backpacking tent ought to weigh as little as potential whereas additionally satisfying all of your different tenting necessities.
Don’t select a light-weight tent with poor climate safety if you understand you’re going to be tenting in chilly, moist, windy circumstances with 7 individuals.
In the event you take your time, do your analysis, and discover out your tent priorities, you’ll be capable of discover the correct backpacking tent.
