A backpacking tent needs to have various attributes for it to be useful for backpacking. It needs to be light in order for it to be carried easily, and it needs to be sturdy if weather conditions are bad and easy to assemble. It also obviously needs to be big enough to shelter the right number of people, and here the choice is between a single tent or bivouac (bivy sack as it is known) for one person, the two person tent or light shelter, or the family tent for families or larger groups of people. This article will look at these various choices of backpacking tent and look at some of the considerations that need to be borne in mind and the main suppliers of backpacking tents.

The single person tent or bivy is an extremely popular choice for many backpackers, especially among climbers and hikers. The single tent or bivy is extremely small and compact, and can be carried easily in a regular size backpack. The sturdiness varies among the various types, and a type should be chosen depending on the type of terrain and weather conditions that the tent or bivouac will be used in. Some bivy bags can be set up on a tripod so that the bivouac itself does not come into contact with the floor. The floor itself can often be made of nylon to withstand any kind of terrain.

 

A two person tent will usually be a little heavier than a single person tent, though there are many lightweight two-person tents available. The tent can usually withstand most weather conditions, and should fit into a standard backpack or bike bag for proper portability. If the tent is to be used in summer, then an open air tent might be a consideration, though you should make sure that the tent has proper mosquito protection in the form of proper bug netting. Most two man backpacking tents require some time to erect the tent, with the use of a few tent poles.

If you plan to go backpacking as a group, either with family or friends, then a family backpacking tent should be considered if you plan on sleeping in one tent. Although these are usually four person tents, they can still be lightweight tents, and can easily be carried on a backpacking trip. The main type of family-sized backpacking tent is the dome tent, which provides adequate shelter and plenty of space. These tents are often easy to erect, and provide a solid waterproof shelter with a weight as little as 12 pounds.

There are many providers of backpacking tents, though some of the main ones with a reputation for quality include Big Agnes, Kelty, Sierra Designs and North Face. For the smaller backpacking tents, such as two-man tents and bivouacs, Black Diamond is a well known name as is Bibler and Integral Design. There are a few choices to be made when buying a backpacking tent, but these mainly relate to the size of the tent and the number of people that will sleep in it. By doing a bit of research and keeping the points mentioned above firmly in mind it should be possible to find a backpacking tent to suit your needs.