How Heavy Should A Hiking Tent Be? (Read This First)
Hiking is an excellent way to exercise the body & mind and discover new territories while enjoying pleasing sceneries. And many enjoy this activity so much that they spend days doing it.
However, although fun, hiking exposes you to extreme sun and even rain, so you’ll need shelter, making hiking tents crucial.
But coupling this tent with other equipment you have is an extra weight, hence why many wish to know how heavy hiking tents should be.
The recommended weight for a hiking tent should be 2-3 pounds/0.9-1.4 kg for each person. Hiking involves walking long distances, and with the other safety gear you have, a heavier item will weigh you down, so choose lighter tents. However, the downside is that light hiking tents only have a little room and can be subpar.
You’ll find excellent tips in this article that will help you choose the best tent for your next hike and how to choose a tent for yourself.
What Is the Ideal Weight of a Hiking Tent?
The ideal weight for hiking tents depends on the number of people. It varies from 3 kg for a person to higher for more people.
The number of people that can use a hiking tent influences the tent’s size and, in turn, its weight, so you must consider this first.
But if you wish to maintain quality and room space, you can make your hiking tent lighter through a DIY process.
Eliminating some items from the tent can reduce the weight of heavy tents. For example, you can begin by using trekking poles as tent stakes.
But since not all hiking tents offer this option, you ought to be selective in your choice.
Trekking poles make walking easy, but they can also help you cut down on intent weight, serving two excellent purposes.
Lastly, choose a sleeping bag with enough insulation. Many people select heavy tents for warmth, as light tents are thin.
But buying a sleeping bag with impressive insulation will eliminate the importance of heavy tents, protecting you from cold weather.
Check the table below to know the uses of lightweight tents against heavy ones and what they’re best for.
| Lightweight Tents | Heavy Tents |
|---|---|
| They can’t stand alone and need secure anchoring in the ground for more safety | They provide more insulation during cold conditions, keeping you warm. |
| They don’t provide enough headroom alongside other items you’ll store inside. | They provide more livability. That is more space inside to contain you and other items. |
| You can’t use your trekking poles without collapsing the tent | They’re more versatile as you can customize them to fit any environment and climate. |
| They offer less protection from harsh weather, especially rain and cold. | They offer a better ventilation advantage. |
What Is Maximum Weight for a 2-person Hiking Tent?
The maximum weight for a 2-person hike tent should range from 4 to 6 pounds, around 1.8 kg to 2.7kg.
To explain how this calculation came about, you should understand that carrying a weight that’s 30% of the body’s weight isn’t advisable unless you’re an expert at it.
In contrast, it should be at least 20% of your weight. So for someone weighing 68kg(150 lbs), their max pack weight is 30 lbs/14 kg.
Then consider the most people have in their backpacks during hikes. For instance, five-day trips require more food, so you may have 6.8 kg of food in your bag, leaving 9.1 kg of safety gear.
Adding other items like toiletries, clothing, etc., will increase weight leaving little or no space remaining.
Hence, choosing appropriate hiking tents that align with your weight is the best blend.
Additionally, remember that no rule says there’s any tent too heavy; it depends on you and what you can carry.
Although it’s best to stick to light tents because of the long distance, many are okay with it.
There are a few things to consider before buying any hiking tent, whether light or heavy, and we’ve outlined them below.
- Select the right size and prioritize the number of people using the tent. It should be just perfect for you/others and your backpack(s).
- Light tents are excellent, and so are heavy tents, but their usefulness depends on how beneficial they’ll be to you.
So consider if the weight is more vital to you or quality before proceeding.
- Confirm whatever tent you have posses all the futures you want.
- Discover the manufacturer’s warranties and ensure it goes above a year, so you don’t have to cover costs within your first camping trips using it.
Where Can You Buy Ultralight Hiking Tents?
It is easy to find Ultralight hiking tents around you either online or onsite. You can buy them on well-known websites like Amazon and eBay or in-person stores & malls.
Also, these ultralight hiking tents are 3-season tents, meaning they’re excellent for spring, summer, and fall, and their lightweight helps them to achieve it by providing enough ventilation.
Below are some pros and cons of this Ultralight hiking tent, explaining what they’re best for. And we’ll begin with its pros.
#1. Simple Design
Their simplicity is one of the things that make them weigh less. It has few sacks, heavy stakes, or unnecessary additional items.
And you can maintain their position when setting them up using guy lines.
#2. Great for Camping In Warm Weather
Another thing we love about the ultralight tent is its thin walls, allowing enough ventilation. It’s convenient and comfortable while protecting you.
Its Cons are:
#3. Challenging Setup
Due to the absence of heavy stakes and metals that can guide you in setting them up, settings can feel complicated, and you only have the gu lines to guide you.
But once you master it properly, it won’t be a problem next time.
#4. Less Space
While focusing on less weight, we forget the space we need inside.
Such lightweight tents contain less space than regular tents, regardless of how many people they can accommodate as designed. And it’s not as durable as you may want, so be careful.
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