| Are you overwhelmed with the variety of | | | | extremely lightweight package, sometimes less |
| lightweight backpacking tents available at your | | | | and one pound. Another asset of the hammock |
| local outdoors store? Maybe you're new to | | | | tent is that it can be used as a camp chair while |
| backpacking. Perhaps you bought a backpacking | | | | eating. During a rain shower, this gives you a dry |
| tent several years ago, it has served you well, | | | | place to sit with a rain fly over your head. The |
| but you have either acquired a hiking partner | | | | disadvantage is that during cold weather, there is |
| (congratulations!) or have worn the thing out and | | | | nothing in this system to prevent heat from being |
| need to replace it. You walk into the outdoors | | | | drawn away from beneath the body. Using an |
| store and there is a plethora of choices | | | | insulating sleeping pad can minimize this |
| available-the bells and whistles on some of the | | | | disadvantage. |
| newer models look really enticing. You wander | | | | Tarp Tent |
| around aimlessly and finally, completely confused, | | | | A tarp tent comes in two different styles...an |
| you leave the store with your head spinning. | | | | engineered model and a simple length of nylon |
| Go to the coffee shop on the corner and order | | | | fabric fashioned into a tent shape. This choice is |
| your favorite liquid courage and we'll get through | | | | extremely light but is not for the faint of heart. |
| this. The information that follows will help you sort | | | | This one takes practice to learn to pitch well. |
| out the confusion. | | | | Practice before you hike or you will likely be |
| What is Lightweight? | | | | frustrated and disappointed. However, once you |
| First, ignore all those beautiful backpacking | | | | master the art of pitching this tent, you have one |
| accommodations for a moment. The first thing | | | | of the lightest options available. This style has no |
| we want to do is define lightweight. For | | | | floor and no sides. Its main purpose is to protect |
| backpacking purposes, we will define a lightweight | | | | you from wind and precipitation. Disadvantages |
| backpacking tent as weighing 3 pounds or less per | | | | include the possibility that the wind shifted in the |
| occupant. With that proviso, we have significantly | | | | middle of the night requiring you to re-pitch it. |
| narrowed the number of backpacking tents that | | | | Obviously this model will not protect you from |
| we will have to evaluate. | | | | mosquitoes either. Careful consideration of your |
| Next, think about where you are likely to be | | | | campsite is essential in satisfactorily using a tarp |
| camping, whether you will be alone or with a | | | | tent. Do you expect clear weather but the |
| companion, and the climate conditions you are | | | | mosquitoes are really buzzing? Choose an |
| likely to encounter. Based on the answers to | | | | exposed, breezy campsite away from water and |
| these questions, we will be able to narrow down | | | | high grasses. Mosquitoes not a problem but wind |
| the type of accommodation that will satisfy your | | | | and rain are expected? Choose a well-protected |
| needs from the following:o Traditional 3-Season | | | | campsite against a natural protection of rock |
| Tento Hammock Tento Tarp Tento Bivy | | | | outcroppings or against dense bushes. |
| Traditional 3-Season Tents | | | | Bivy |
| Traditional 3-season tents draw us because they | | | | If you would like to try hiking without a shelter at |
| are emotionally more comfortable. We have used | | | | all, the bivy would be your obvious choice. Many |
| them since scout camp and we tend to stick with | | | | hikers use it as an emergency shelter in case |
| what we know. However, there are other | | | | weather conditions are such that a minimalist |
| reasons why 3-season tents are so popular. They | | | | shelter is needed. A bivy is just large enough to |
| are full coverage and give us great protection | | | | hold you and your sleeping bag. Usually there is a |
| from a large range of conditions...bugs, rain, | | | | hoop on one end that holds the tent off of the |
| snow...a 3-season tent delivers. The downside is | | | | occupant. This is a no frills, minimalist, very ultra |
| weight. A 3-season tent weighs more than other | | | | lightweight option that is perfect for star gazers. |
| lightweight options. | | | | With the knowledge that you have, it is now safe |
| Hammock Tent | | | | to return to the outdoor store. Square your |
| A hammock tent deserves a second glance if | | | | shoulders, walk confidently into the store. Browse |
| you tend to camp in areas of heavily forested, | | | | around keeping in mind what you have learned |
| sturdy trees. This is truly a lightweight option | | | | and walk out with your next great backpacking |
| providing rain, snow, and bug protection in an | | | | tent. |