Tent Information

Updated August 2009

Page: 5 of 6

In this report

Tent Links

Backpacking and camping shelter options

Most solo backpackers enjoy the extra space in a regular two-person backpacking tent, especially for a long trip. For lighter weight, however, reviews recommend the 2-pound, 42-square-foot TarpTent Squall 2 (*Est. $230), along with the even lighter Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent (*Est. $235), which uses one trekking pole for support. There's also a solo version of the Big Sky Evolution, the 1P (*Est. $250), which provides better ventilation, durability and wind stability -- but weighs about a pound more. The best source for information on these and other solo backpacking tents are BackpackingLight.com and the annual Backpacker magazine gear guide issue.

Some tents are designed to attach to the back of an SUV, minivan or pickup truck, so you can go back and forth between the vehicle and the tent without having to go outside. This makes maximum use of space, and means you can leave most of your gear right in the vehicle. The 2009 Camping Life gear guide recommends the Napier Sportz Dome-To-Go 86000 (*Est. $250). A slightly larger 10-square-foot version, the Napier Sportz Full Size SUV Tent (*Est. $290), was a top pick at Camping Life in 2007. However, the Camping Life gear guide issues don't document any field testing. Amazon.com lists quite a few tents designed to attach to vehicles, and an article at About.com describes five.

For camping above the tree line and/or in heavy wind and snow, a mountaineering tent offers tighter, sturdier construction at the expense of weight and ventilation. Most three-season tents can withstand some wind and even snow, but for heavy-duty winter use, it's worth getting a second tent intended just for that purpose. Mountaineering tents are beyond the scope of this report, but you can find reviews and recommendations from the top-ranked reviewers of backpacking tents listed on the Our Sources section. The 2009 gear guide at Backpacker magazine recommends the two-person Big Agnes String Ridge (*Est. $500) as the best all-around mountaineering tent, while owners reviewing tents at REI.com top-rate The North Face Mountain 25 (*Est. $500) and bigger The North Face VE 25 Tent (*Est. $570).

Tarps

Even families that pitch a big tent can benefit from learning the best ways to pitch a tarp shelter for shade and rainy-day cooking. Tarps are also important shelter options for ultralight backpacking. One of the favorite ultralight shelter solutions is to pitch a lightweight tarp using titanium stakes, lightweight line and the trekking poles you have with you anyway, combined with a bivy sack for protection from condensation and insects. Tarp and hammock setups are another lightweight alternative for camping in the woods where it's easy to hang the hammock. BackpackingLight.com is a good source for information on lightweight alternatives to tents.

Some sleeping bags are relatively weatherproof on their own, making sleeping under a tarp more comfortable. See our separate report on sleeping bags.

Tent research

Though the buying guide section is a little outdated, the Outside magazine article "Camping Tents Explained" includes a diagram of tent parts and an explanation of what to look for in choosing a tent.

Bass Pro Shops provides a good tent buyer's guide.

REI provides a guide to tent care.

For an interesting history of backpacking gear, see OregonPhotos.com.

Tent Manufacturers

AAA Canvas Tents (Kirham's Outdoor Products)