Camping Guide: Best Lightweight Tents for Hiking
When selecting the best hiking tent for you, weight is the most important thing. It's critical to pick a tent that's the right weight to keep your entire pack weight down. That raises the question of how heavy should a hiking tent be?
A hiking tent should be between 2 and 3 pounds in weight. Finding the correct tent style for your backpacking trip can ease the walking aspect of your journey while also maintaining tent quality.
When calculating the entire weight of your camping tent, consider all the extra components such as tent poles and tent footprints. Thus, you can calculate the proper weight you need to carry on a trip.
How Heavy Should a Hiking Tent Be
Weight is the ideal thing to know whether the hiking tent is perfect for you or not. According to thetruewilderness.com, a cabin-style tent can save you if you need the most lightweight tent.
A four-person hiking tent weighs 7.1 pounds on average, while a two-person trekking tent weighs 3.94 pounds. This equates to an average weight of 1.8–2 pounds per person.
One trekking pole supports a two-person tent weighing an average of 1.8 pounds. The average weight will be 0.9 pounds per person by comparison. The average weight of a four-person automobile camping tent is 14.8 pounds or 3.7 pounds per person.
For maximum comfort, backpacking tents should not weigh more than 6 pounds, and anything heavier than that can be challenging to transport.
Many decent-quality hiking tents weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, known as lightweight or ultralight. It would be an excellent alternative for someone carrying the camping tent alone.
Now let's explore how to choose a tent weight that's right for you and your trip.
Trip Type
While purchasing a tent for your upcoming trip, let's first think about your trip type. If it is a fireside camping with your friends, choose one like A-frame, tunnel, or even cabin style that can be the best for you.
Or if you are going to set a month-long trip, then a weatherproof and durable one can give you the best journey of your life.
Comfort
Your personal comfort preferences come, so it only depends on how much weight you want to carry during your trip.
If you're a thru-hiker or car camper, then a tent with extra pounds can allow you to sit up comfortably inside it.
Remember, your tent will always have to be carried from trunk to campground.
Size Requirement Depending On The Number Of People
Almost all tents are acceptable for lone travelers, while some may be too small for groups or duos. People should think about how much area they have left to occupy and how much private space they like while relaxing.
Some two-person hiking tents might weigh as much as 11 pounds, significantly more than the recommended weight. However, these can be broken into halves for transportation or carried in turns by the team.
Most hiking tents should be built to be lighter by decreasing their size a little, and many two-person camping tents may seem claustrophobic when compared to regular tents. In most cases, a three-person tent will be the most comfortable.
Reducing the Weight of Tents
If you want a lightweight tent, you can cut fabric, and pole sizes to diminish the weight. If you're two people going to share a two-person tent, it can be cozy.
Instead, if you select a three-person tent for two people, it'll make some sense. You can put your other supplies and kit in the tent while sleeping.
There are numerous tent options available on the market. If you want to save weight, then you can try these options below.
Backpacking Ultralight Tent
Because of the high-tech components used to ensure the "ultralight" weight, these tents are more expensive, and they are more likely to be three-season tents.
These tents will be set up using trekking poles, while others feature a fast-fly setup option.
Bivouac Or "Bivy" Shelters
This is the short form of the bivouac shelter. It's a weatherproof, compact sack intended to keep fit only with your sleeping bag. For single backpackers, this is one of the lightweight choices.
A bivy is a fantastic alternative if you're ready to compromise comfort for minimalism. It's ideal for hikers, weight-conscious trekkers, and mountain climbers.
Backpacking Tarp Shelter
It's a single-wall shelter constructed of weatherproof, including mesh material that allows air circulation and keeps you warm.
You might also buy a tarp tent for more customization options. Tarp shelters are an excellent ultralight alternative if you need variety in your camping setup and can be arranged with trekking poles.
Hammock
Choose a hammock if your prominent backpacking locations include woodland and warmer temps. Like a double-wall tent, these ultralight solutions are hanging from a tree rather than being staked to the ground. A nylon sling, including a bug net and a tarp to hang overhead, is characteristic of a trekking hammock.
Pro tip: You can also carry a self-inflating sleeping pad for extra comfort without adding too much weight.
Wrapping Up
Picking the right tent for your next trip is crucial if you want to have a good time.
Considering all the factors, you need to select the one that is not too heavy when going on a long hiking trip. The best hiking tents are lightweight and convenient.
But users should constantly verify features, materials, and sizes because they will significantly impact usefulness and overall experience on your next trip.
