Community, Shelters

Intro to Backpacking – Recommended Tents

This last weekend, I hosted an Intro to Backpacking workshop with Hudson Valley Hikers.  The idea of the event was to allow future backpackers to see and feel real gear in the real world.  Each of our hosts brought one or more of their favorite tents. Students were able to watch them set up and then crawl inside to get a feel. They especially liked hanging in the hammock!

8 x 10 Silnylon Flat Tarp

8 x 10 Silnylon Tarp

  • Cost: $75 – $100 with stakes and guy lines
  • Weight: 14 – 18 oz with stakes and guy lines
  • Walls: Single
  • Support: Trekking Poles or Trees
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Doors: N/A
  • Pros: Inexpensive, Highly Versatile, Light, Simple, Enjoy Nature, Excellent Ventilation, Many manufacturers, Made in USA
  • Cons: No floor or walls, takes time to learn

Tarptent Notch

Tarptent Notch
Tarptent Notch with Winter Interior

  • Cost: $314
  • Weight: 27 oz
  • Walls: Double
  • Support: Trekking Poles or Trees
  • Sleeps: 1
  • Doors: 2
  • Seasons: 3.5
  • Pros: Light, fits anywhere, interchangeable interiors, well vented, Dry Setup,  very well designed and built, Made in USA
  • Cons: Very small interior, Heavier than comparable tents made of Dyneema Composite Fabric, Difficult to set up on platforms, Only available online
  • Consider Also: Tarptent Stratospire, Tarptent Notch Li

Zpacks Duplex

  • Cost: $599
  • Weight: $21 oz
  • Walls: Single
  • Support: Trekking Poles
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Seasons: 3
  • Doors: 2
  • Pros: Ultralight, Spacious, Doesn’t soak up water, very bright inside, Dry Setup, Made in USA
  • Cons: Expensive, tricky to set up – especially on platforms, somewhat poor ventilation, Only available Online

Zpacks Duplex FlexZpacks Duplex Flex

  • Cost: $724
  • Weight: 33 oz
  • Walls: Single
  • Support: Arch Poles or Trekking Poles
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Doors: 2
  • Seasons: 2.5
  • Pros: Light, Easier to setup than Duplex, Self Supporting, See Duplex Pros!, Made in USA
  • Cons: Very Expensive, somewhat poor ventilation, Only available online

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2

  • Cost: $350
  • Weight: 2.3 lbs
  • Walls: Double
  • Support: Tradditional
  • Sleeps: 2
  • Doors: 1
  • Seasons: 3
  • Pros: Available in stores, Durable, 1-Year Warranty at REI, Light for a mainstream tent, semi-free standing
  • Cons: Inside gets wet during setup, heavier than ultralight shelters, only 1 door for 2 people
  • Note: This is the most popular tent on the AT

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1

  • Cost: $380
  • Weight: 2.5 lbs
  • Walls: Double
  • Support: Traditional
  • Sleeps: 1
  • Doors: 1
  • Seasons: 3
  • Pros: Spacious, Lots of Head Room, free standing, available in stores, 1-year Warranty at REI
  • Cons: Somewhat Heavy, Expensive, inside gets wet during setup

Warbonnet Blackbird w/ Edge Tarp*

Backpacking Hammock

  • Cost: $155-205
  • Weight: 16 – 28 oz
  • Tarp Cost $110 – $135
  • Tarp Weight: 11.7 to 13 oz
  • Sleeps: 1
  • Seasons: 3
  • Pros: Very Comfortable for back or side sleepers, Light, Sets up over any terrain, great for “stealth” camping, Made in USA
  • Cons: Limited gear storage, difficult to change clothes, wet during set up, only available online

*Edge Tarp has been replaced with Minifly

Photo Credits: Scot Springer (Hack your Pack)