How Do You Purchase A Backpacking Tent?
A shelter is probably the most essential piece of backpacking gear. It not only protects you, it also protects most of your other gear. There are many varieties on the market, so you must first decide among a number of styles and brands. Similarly, picking a tent requires thinking quite seriously about how you plan to camp. Consider the trip (or trips) for which you plan to use the tent. Large, complex tents may be good for car camping, or short trips with multiple people. But for true backpacking, you should only consider tents that weigh less than 4 lbs. These tents will significantly reduce the stress on your back. Decide between a tarp-like tent and a free-standing tent. Tarp-tents usually need to be staked out, and possibly supported by trekking poles, thereby reducing the camping options. A free-standing tent, on the other hand, can be set up nearly anywhere, and sustained in relatively inclement weather. The free-standing variety does weight a bit more (usually between 1 to 3 lb
