The third instalment of series ‘Finding the perfect…’ is talking about tents and all the options and designs available for wild camping or backpacking – trust me, this one’s big. Hopefully by the end you will have some idea of what to look out for when making your next purchase. Nb. This post isn’t going to discuss tarps or bivies (that’s too much!).
Design of the tent
The design of a tent is the first thing you notice after spotting a wild camper in the distant hills, but its more than just observing if the tent is free standing or not: do you know whether its a side-entry tunnel tent, front-entry tunnel tent, geodesic/free standing tent, semi-geodesic tent, or trekking pole tent?
A ‘free standing’ tent means that stakes are not required to help the tent stand, whereas a ‘tunnel’ tent always needs a minimum or three or four stakes. The clean advantage of a free standing tent is it can be constructed first and then placed on the ground where it is most level/free of sticks. Tunnel tents take practise!
Some tents are designed in certain ways to give advantages specifically for aspects such as weight, head space, wind strength, ease of use, or compact pitches. But.. if you’re just looking for a tent that will sort you out in reasonable conditions, your final decision here is probably going to be based on appearance, chosen features and lastly, weight.
| Front-entry tunnel tent – Large vestibule – Weak against broadside wind | |
| Trekking pole tipi tent – Can take a battering from any direction – Lots of vestibule space | |
| Geodesic tent – Good in any wind direction – Good internal height – More poles create weight | |
| Side entry tunnel tent – Easy access – Minimal pitching space required | |
| Stealth tunnel tent – Minimal internal space – Easy to pitch | |
| Single pole tents – Front or side entry – Easy pitch -Good in wind |
Construction method
Next up, keep in mind that nearly all the designs from above are available to buy in various pitching styles. The two main methods for tent pitching are:
All-in-one
Inner first
All-in-one: As the most desired method for its ease and efficiency, all-in-one pitching means that the two layers of the tent are pre-attached to each other and can be erected together. The tent can also be packed away without the need to detach the two layers, although the layers can be separated if need be.
The main advantages here are:
– Speed and simplicity of set up/pack up
– The tent remains dry in inclement conditions during these processes
Disadvantages are that the structure mightn’t quite as strong for more severe conditions – particularly if the outer is attached to tent poles using clips rather than material tunnels.
All photos above are all-in-one style of pitching.
All-in-one pitch with pole tunnels
Inner first: Another popular method, although less popular in Europe due to weather, is building the inner of the tent around the poles using clips or material tubes, then attaching a fly over the top. Many tent makers in the USA use this method.
– Disadvantages are of course, the inner gets wet if you have to pitch in the rain however, if the inner clips onto the poles its faster than threading poles through tunnels. They tend to be a little heavier due to more pole length required, and off-set by making the inner an entirely mesh affair.
– Advantages: if the weather is dry, you can save time/weight by using only the inner tent. Because there are more steps in securing the tent together, it is a more stable structure in windy/snowy conditions.
‘Winter-style’ inner only pitched, using clips to attach to poles.
Tent material
Tents are built with three predominantly different materials: Polyester with a PU coating for waterproofness, Nylon with a silicone coating for waterproofness, and Dyneema – which is woven so tightly water cannot pass through. To keep the tent reliable, they should always be cleaned and dried after use. A tech wash every now and then to help water repellencey and another to reduce UV damage.
Polyester tents are probably the most common option and benefit the user with a more budget friendly price tag for a hard-wearing, long lasting tent. The other advantage is that the material isn’t prone to stretching when it gets wet. Polyester is a bit more weighty and generally doesn’t compress as well. Popular manufacturers of polyester PU coated tents are Vango, Wild Country, Coleman, OEX.
Sil-nylon tents are more desired for a smaller pack size and more forgiveness towards a wonky pitch. They’re a little pricier and require extra care as the seams in these tents are not waterproof – taping is ineffective on silicone, unlike polyester. Properly cared for, they can last a long time. Popular manufacturers include MSR, Terra Nova, Nordisk, 3F ul.
Dyneema tents are the latest material to be used for tents, and they cost a lot more. Dyneema is known for its strength – wet or dry – but is prone to abrasions. It’s said they don’t last as long but make for an excellent ultralight, four season shelter. Many use trekking pole designs. The only down side is they come in only whiteish-blueish hues. It isn’t as easy to go stealth! Most dyneema tents are manufactured in USA (which involves import taxes etc), and popular brands are Tarptent, Z-packs, Hyperlight Mountain Gear and Gossamer Gear.
Size and space
Generally a one person tent is going to be suitable for nearly every one and every occasion. For long hikes, a little more space is always nice but often it can come in the format of enough height to sit up in or a large vestibule to cook in, rather than upgrading to a two person tent.
Floor plan for a Vango Blade
Particularly spacious 1p tents are Vango Blade 100, Vaude Taurus, Nordisk Svalbard and Luxe Hexpeak. Tents with a larger vestibule are Wild Country Zypheros, Lightwave t10, Hexpeak, MSR Elixir. Any tent with a measurement of 1 metre high is enough to sit comfortably in.
If you are shopping for a tent for two people, I suggest to look for a three person tent as the space available in a two person tent isn’t enough to relax in, especially on a long hike.
Colour
This one’s entirely up to you! Many people prefer a green or brown/dark coloured tent in order to blend into the landscape better thus attracting less unwanted attention (that really only applies if you’ve set up on some private land for lack of options).
As a safety colour, red, orange or yellow are popular as mountaineering or 4 season tents for high visibility should anything become unmanageable.
Brown on brown?
Weight
The weight of a tent is going to vary only a certain amount, particularly depending on whether you’ve chosen a two person or one person. Generally one person, three-season tents weigh anything from 1.4kg to 2.1kg and two person tents, 2.1kg to 3kg. An ultralight high spec dyneema tent can weigh as little as 600g (without poles). Shopping for a tent based on weight shouldn’t be a top priority as there are many other aspects that will make a tent comfortable, based on you.
Nordisk Svalbard
Buying guide:
Best overall: Wild Country Zephyros
Best backpacking: Nemo Hornet
Best summer: Sierra Designs Meteor
Best all-in-one pitch: Robens Elk River
Best inner first pitch: MSR Hubba Hubba
Best tunnel: Nordisk Svalbard*
Best geodesic: Wild Country Helm*
Best trekking pole: Luxe Hexpeak v4a*
Best sil-nylon: Naturehike Cloud Up
Best polyester PU: Vango Blade*
Best dyneema: Tarptent Scarp
Best winter 4 season: Berghaus Peak 3.1*
* tents I’ve tested
OUTDOORSY GIRL 
Leave a comment