The Right Backpacking Tent Can Make All The Difference

by Ric Henderson

When you go out backpacking, forgetting one thing or having bad gear can ruin a perfectly good trip.  While you may be able to get by some things, having a tent that does not work is an obvious nightmare.  Imagine being out in the wild and bragging about the deal that you got on this wonderful tent, only to get caught in a rain storm and have Niagara Falls coming right down all over you and your gear.

If there is one certainty in backpacking, it is that you never know what kind of weather you will have.  The forecast can be perfect and the next thing you know, a cold front comes in or a storm blows through and without the right tent, you are literally going to be caught out in the cold.  A tent is not only a place to sleep, it is your shelter and insulation from bad weather.

If there was ever a piece of equipment that you don’t want to skimp on, it is your tent.  Since you are going to be carrying it, you will want to make sure that it is lightweight, but that should be the only light thing about the tent.  It needs to be durable and waterproof.  Instead of playing around and getting a cheap shelter tent, pay the extra money and get something that you can use for years and that will hold up to a variety of weather conditions.

You can take two different approaches here.  You can try and save a few bucks and buy a new tent every year.  Or you can put out a little more money now and get something that will last your for years to come.  Remember, money only gains in its value and $100 today is like spending $200 a few years from now.  By getting the better tent, you are actually saving money.

It is only going to take one bad weather experience to realize that going cheap was a huge mistake.  When everyone else is in a top model tent, warm and dry and you are shivering and trying to avoid the rainfall that is seeping through your tent, you will wish you would have spent the extra money.

Having said all of that, realize that there are plenty of good tents out there that will not break the bank.  Don’t associate cost with quality.  What you need to do is talk to other backpackers and do some research on the internet.  When you find the product that gets positive review after positive review, you have found the perfect tent for your trip.

You would not go into a house without checking everything out and since your tent is essentially going to be your home when you are on a backpacking trip, you should take the same care in choosing it.  Believe me, this is one piece of advice that you will be glad was drummed into your head.  You want to have the tent that everyone else wants to get into.  One storm on the outside will be enough to convince you of that.