Backpacking Tents

Types of Backpacking Tents

Backpacking is the combination between hiking and camping, all rolled into one adventure filled outdoor activity. As such, it involves a number of elements, the most major of which would involve backpacking gear types and physical state of a backpacker.

Picking the ideal backpacking gear type to suit one’s tastes is known to be a tricky task, and among the “trickiest” backpacking gear types to pick would be backpacking tents. As backpacking involves quite a degree of walking, backpacking tents should be ideally light tents, yet functional enough to suit a backpacker’s shelter related needs.

Here are some of the most popular backpacking tents available in the market. These tent types are known to have been proven to be successful backpacking tents, and knowing about these backpacking tents would greatly aid a backpacker in picking the right tent, for the right backpacking trip.

Dome Backpacking Tents

Labeled as such because of its dome shaped appearance, dome backpacking tents are designed to provide maximized moving space, as well as ample headroom space. Dome backpacking tents are only advisable for use during moderate weather conditions, as its symmetrical design stands with only two poles, leaving a degree of tent material unsupported.

A modified version of dome backpacking tents could be found, with enhancements on the tent’s overall structural integrity. It could withstand nastier weather conditions, but weighs a bit more compared to “regular” dome backpacking tents.

Hoop/Tunnel Backpacking Tents

Hoop/Tunnel backpacking tents aren’t exactly tents designed for sitting or standing up. As the tent’s basic design is similar to that of a tunnel, backpacking tents of this type are optimally designed for sleeping, and is structured by two or one poles, requiring staking for it to properly stand up.

Really light, hoop/tunnel backpacking tents aren’t exactly the most “move about inside” tents, but do serve their purpose successfully.

Teepee/Pyramid Backpacking Tents
Teepee/pyramid tents are pretty much patterned after the teepee shelters used by American Indians. Its design involves a center pole, which is draped over by the tent material itself. As a backpacking tent, it stands to be quite light, and provides enough moving space for backpackers.

Freestanding Backpacking Tents

Hailed to be the most popular of backpacking tent types, Freestanding backpacking tents are the most convenient to setup tents, as the tent itself is self supporting, requiring only poles and no pegging operations. They could be easily moved around, in case the need to move comes urgently.

“Anchoring” a Freestanding tent would only come in should there be strong breezes which could topple it over, and not with regards the tent’s structural integrity. All in all, it is ideally the tent for backpackers, relatively light to carry, and generally functional enough for any backpacker, on any weather condition.

Picking the right tent type would greatly enhance the overall backpacking trip. As backpacking tents are now coming out at relatively reasonable prices, the right type of tent for the right type of backpacking trip would bring out the best of backpacking and the outdoor experience, as a whole.