March 20, 2017
A Guideline for Choosing Tents Based on Weight
Image 1: Camping Considerations When Buying Ideal Lightweight Tents in NZ
A good tent needs to have the right balance between durability, lightweight design and suitability for you and the conditions you’ll be facing. For this reason, aspiring hikers planning to trek through New Zealand’s famous landscapes need to keep in mind a few considerations.
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Tent Weights - a Rule of Thumb Make sure that you don’t have to carry more than what you’ll be comfortable with and get bogged down by excess baggage. For single person tents something around the 1.5 – 2 kg weight is reasonable. For 2-4 person tents, as a general rule of thumb a tent should have a weight of about 1.2kg per person. If you and your companions are carrying around a bigger tent, it’s a good idea to divide the load by separating the fly, inner, poles and other accessories. Advertised Weights When looking at tents in NZ, you will most likely come across two terms that refer to weight. Packed weight is the weight of everything that comes with the purchase of the tent, including the fly, inner, poles, guy lines, stakes, and carry bag. Trail weight, on the other hand, refers to the lightest full set up that usually just includes the tent, fly and poles. It is advisable to always look at the packed weight and this way, you will know the exact weight of the whole setup and may be able to reduce the weight somewhat by leaving some of the extras. Size and Internal Space A major factor that directly affects your tent’s weight are how big it is and how much internal space it has – generally a bigger tent will be heavier. There is no industry standard that determines standardized tent sizes. For example, the measurements of a 2 person hiking tent will vary from one tent to another depending on design and which company produced them. Check that the dimensions meet your needs and when gauging the interior room of a tent, be mindful of the floor area, interior height and the shape and angle of the walls which all affect usable internal space. Tent Materials Technological advancements in the materials used in tent manufacture have had a great impact on improving performance while reducing tent weights. You should pay close attention to types of fabrics used. All are great for camping and, depending on added coatings and treatments, are considered lightweight, waterproof, durable, and UV resistant. Polyester is a standard light, strong fabric that is used on a majority of tents, while Nylon (Silnylon) is a lighter fabric that is being increasingly used with tents for weight conscious campers. Cuben Fiber is extremely light and strong and at the higher end of tent performance and cost. Lighter aluminium alloy poles and tent stakes also greatly reduce weight. Tent Designs New tent designs have resulted in lighter tents. Appealing to minimalist campers at the lightest end of the range, ultralight tents and tarps often weigh less than 2 pounds (1kg) and while that
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sounds great, don’t forget that the priority is on low weight so sacrifices are made for size and comfort. Other tent design weights are determined by the use of single or double skin (walls), the number of poles and stakes required, or being 2, 3 or 4 season tents designed to meet the demands of the different weather conditions that each season brings. About Intents Outdoors Limited: Established in 2010, Intents Outdoors Limited is a knowledgeable supplier of outdoor gear to trampers, hikers and backpackers. We specialize in camping tents with everything from ultralight minimalist hiking tents up to family canvas tents and vehicle rooftop tents. We are known for our quality products and value prices coupled with fast and friendly service. There are so many tent designs with different weights and specifications, but there will be one that suits you and your needs and we can help with any questions you might have in identifying what type of tent works best for you and the camping you will be doing. Sources: How to Choose the Best Tent for Backpacking, Outdoor Gear Lab Backpacking Tents Part 4: Capacity and Weight, Backpacking-Guide.com
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