With the wide range of tent selection available in the market today, beginners will surely be confused on what is the best tent to buy. Because the tent should serve as your portable shelter when you camp, you must know the basics of a quality tent that would fit your needs. You should know primarily take into account the weather you are planning to backpack in. Usually a three-season tent would be enough to shelter you unless you plan to backpack during winter season.
Due to its free-standing and light features, three-season tents are popular to backpackers. A three-season tent is advantageous in rocky grounds and even in loose sand because it remain upright without the need for stakes.
A three-season tent can also be single-wall or double-wall tent. The former has combined canopy and rainfly. The latter has the said components separated. Three-season tents like have mesh inserts and vestibules included in the package. Another important feature that you need to check is a full-length rainfly to fully cover you from rain. It is also recommended that you choose tents with color-coded poles so it would be easier for you to set it up.
If you have special needs for space, you must check the tent’s interior height and floor space. For example, if you tend to change clothes inside the tent, you are stand beyond six feet or if you have claustrophobia, you surely would need extra space for your tent. Check the product’s specifications but remember that the listed interior height is always the peak height of the tent. You can check Black Diamond Mesa reviews for these features. The floor space should be enough to let you move inside comfortably.
You have the option to buy a single-wall tent or a double-wall tent. A single wall tent is generally lighter, made from waterproof, breathable material but more expensive. Double-wall tents on the other hand are little heavier, made from nylon material and polyurethane-coated rainfly but less expensive. Double-wall tents are has the advantage of having more breathing space and allow less condensation on the interior walls. Because the rainfly and canopy are separate, rainfly can be replaced with less expense when punctured than replacing a single-wall tent.
One big dilemma of backpackers is on weight and space features of a tent. Each of course would like to carry the lightest load possible so every ounce counts. The price you will pay is also an important point that each smart buyer has to look into. So get the right tent and be your trusted backpacking pal for years.