Wise Choices In Hiking Tents

Backpacking may be one of the greatest pastimes ever devised. There is something magical about being outdoors with everything you need on your back. The hikes are hard, but fun, and you will sleep soundly on the trail. So what kind of hiking tents are you planning on sleeping in?

You will sleep soundly, yes indeed, but where exactly do you plan to lay your head? A regular bed is out, but perhaps a good bag and a better shelter is the way to go. The most important aspect of both, beside the shelter they provide, is how light you can get them.

If you are a solo hiker, and the weather is mild, you may not need a tent at all. But for safety reasons you should always carry some sort of shelter. The lightest version of all is the simple tarp type. You can get a tarp that weighs mere ounces and make a serviceable lean to with it in no time.

But the problem with going that light will be when the weather acts up, and it will eventually, believe this, too. So you may want to consider a smaller shelter for yourself, or for a couple. These come fully enclosed, with zippers and lines and all the good things needed to keep it all buttoned up, and can be quite light on their own.

As the size of your party increases, so does the size of the shelter. One way to lighten the load is to take the parts of the thing, like the cords and lines, poles and stakes, and the structure itself, and distribute them equally among the group. This keeps the weight down for everybody, and still provides ample space.

There really is nothing like getting outside for a few nights. It becomes even more unique if the weather starts getting wild and woolly. But quality hiking tents can keep everybody, and every thing, safe and dry and good to go when the sun comes back out.