Backpacking & Camping Tents: Which is right for you?
If you are looking to get starting backpacking or camping, you likely found yourself looking for a tent, and you might have been faced with the option of choosing between a camping tent or a backpacking tent. So, what’s the difference?
Most backpacking tents are smaller and weigh less than 4 pounds and can even weigh as little as one pound, making them ideal to be carried longer distances than what a simple camping trip usually entails. Camping tents are used when little to no hiking is involved and can provide more space, but they can also weigh 10 pounds or more depending on their sleeping capacity.
Another difference between camping and backpacking tents can be the materials they are made of. Some backpacking tents are made from ultralight materials such as dyneema, but these tents can be very expensive costing over $500 for certain brand names.
Camping tents also tend to use heavier, larger tent poles and more of them. This may make the tent sturdier, but ultimately adds more weight compared to backpacking tents that may use a single pole, or sometimes only use a hiker’s trekking poles for support.
The line separating a backpacking tent from a camping tent can be blurred as some backpacking tents resemble camping tents, especially when considering a 3 or 4-person backpacking tent to the same capacity camping tent. However, you usually won’t find a backpacking tent with a larger capacity than four people. And I’ve seen some larger backpacking tents weigh just as much or more than a similar-sized camping tent.
When should you use a camping tent?
Camping tents are best used when you can drive to your campsite or don’t have a long hike to get there. No one wants to lug a 12-pound tent ten miles but it has been done. That said, hauling such a large tent on a backpacking trip can work out well if it is intended to sleep multiple campers and fits nicely in or outside of your backpack, that way everyone doesn’t have to carry a tent. If that is the case, other hikers should carry some of your items to help you out for carrying such a bulky load.
When should you use a backpacking tent?
When you are planning on hiking several miles before camping, a backpacking tent will be the better option. Carrying less weight is better for your body and helps you stay more agile when you need to be. Unless you are carrying a tent for several people to share, leave your camping tent at home and get a 1-person backpacking tent or, if you want more space, a 2-person backpacking tent will likely still be lighter than a camping tent.
You can still use a backpacking tent even if you aren’t hiking, so unless you plan on sleeping multiple people, a backpacking tent may just be the all-around better option.
What is the cost difference between backpacking and camping tents?
Ultimately, due to their lighter weight, backpacking tents tend to be more expensive than camping tents. For comparison, if you look at REI’s 2-person backpacking tents versus their 2-person camping tents, the most popular backpacking tents are all over $300 while the most popular camping tents are all UNDER $300.
Unfortunately, the lighter you want your gear to be, the more money you will need to shell out, though you can find some good deals on lightweight gear on Amazon.
What are some basic styles of tents?
Tents come in many different styles, but let’s just highlight a few of the most common options.
- Dome – Possibly the most common tent you’ll see whether camping or backpacking.
- A-Frame – An older style of tent, shaped like an “A”, but still common.
- Tunnel – Shaped like a tunnel or tube. More common for larger groups.
- Pop-Up – Known for ease of setup, but also not very strong against wind.
- Walled – These tents can be any style, but usually provide more height and are ideal for longer stays at a campsite.
- Backpacking – Can be any variation of most of the above listed tent styles but will typically be lighter and/or smaller versions.
What to look for when buying a backpacking tent
There are a few key characteristics to consider when buying a backpacking tent. Consider these before making a decision.
Capacity
You want a tent big enough to sleep the amount of people you expect to be staying in it on a regular basis, so don’t buy a 4-person tent if you only plan to have 4 people sleeping in it once. You can visit REI and rent a tent if this is the case. 1-person tents are usually big enough for one person, but some can be a little claustrophobic so a small 2-person tent may be a better choice. Read the dimensions on tents as well, because a 3-person tent may only be big enough to fit 3 small to medium sized people.
Material
The material a tent is made from plays a huge role in how durable it will be. Most backpacking tents will use nylon or dyneema. Dyneema is super-strong and ultralight, but is very expensive. Nylon is less durable and heavier, but it is cheaper.
To determine how strong a material is, look for its denier rating. Nylon tents will be labled as little as 7-denier (7D) and maybe as high or higher than 1000-denier. Backpacking tents will be at the lower end of this scale, with the majority being under 100-denier.
Most importantly, pay attention to the denier of the floor of a tent. Many backpacking tents, using thinner material, will require a tent footprint to protect the floor from damage. Some will come with a footprint included, but most will be sold separately.
Weight
Weight is the number one thing separating a backpacking tent from a camping tent, so it goes without saying to consider how much weight you’ll be carrying if you are looking for a backpacking tent. Most will list their weights, but don’t be confused when you see minimum trail weight versus packaged weight. Minimum weight is your tent minus its rainfly or other attachments while its packaged weight is everything, including poles and stakes.
Head Room
You can find diagrams on most tents’ dimensions and they usually include the inside height. You want a tent with enough head room that you’ll be comfortable. Don’t expect to be able to stand in any backpacking tent, but you will probably want a tent with enough head room to at least sit up straight.
3-Season or 4-Season
A 3-season tent typically means the tent is designed for use in the spring, summer, and fall, but don’t let the name fool you into thinking it can’t be used during the winter. And don’t think that a 4-season tent is good year-round because in actuality, they are best reserved for winter camping as they are designed to handle snow and ice. As long as you aren’t expecting heavy snow or ice, a 3-season tent will be just fine.
What to look for when buying a camping tent
Features
Some camping tents come with luxurious features as far as camping is concerned. Everything from windows, room dividers, awnings, screened porches. Others offer nothing more than a place to sleep away from bugs and out of the rain. Of course, more features usually mean more money but camp in whatever way you’ll feel most comfortable.
Capacity
If you plan on buying a camping tent for your family, then you’ll want a tent big enough for everybody to sleep comfortably. Or if you want something just for yourself … well, why not just go with a backpacking tent? Either way, look for a tent with a capacity that suits your needs.
Seasons
Same as with backpacking tents, you’ll want a tent designed to handle the weather you plan on camping in. Again, usually a 3-season tent will be just fine unless you are expecting extreme winter weather.
Can you go without a tent when camping or backpacking?
Having a tent when sleeping outdoors isn’t always necessary. In fact, there have been thru hikers to complete the Appalachian Trail who didn’t even carry tents. Here are a few options for camping without a tent.
Cowboy camp
Cowboy camping is when you sleep without a shelter. It’s just you in your sleeping bag with a magnificent view of the stars. This is not ideal during colder weather and it should go without saying that you need to be sure there is no chance of rain in the forecast.
Stay in a shelter
People have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and never used a tent. They do this by hiking from shelter to shelter, but this can be risky if you arrive late and the shelter is full. But this is an option assuming there is a shelter where you plan to camp. If you don’t know, research it or play it safe and bring a tent anyway.
Use an alternative shelter
There are other ways to protect you from the elements rather than using a tent. Of course, staying at a shelter was just mentioned and I’m not including that as an “alternative shelter”, but you can try any of these methods below.
- Tarp Shelter – Tarp shelters can be made from dedicated camping tarps or even the basic blue tarps you find at Wal-Mart or any hardware store. There are different shapes of tarps and they can be configured and hung in many ways. However, you will be exposed to bugs if you do not have some sort of netting to keep them out.
- Hammocks – While hammocks aren’t necessarily shelter, they can be combined with a tarp hung overhead to give you protection from the elements. Many people claim hammocks to be much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, but that depends on you and your preferences.
- Bivy Sack – Bivy sacks are shelters that are just big enough to fit your body in. There are different kinds available, some offering waterproof protection while others are just screens to keep bugs out. You can hang a tarp over a bivy sack if you need room to spread your gear out but still keep it dry, or if you just want a little more privacy when changing clothes.
- Bushcraft Shelter – A bushcraft shelter is made from things you find in the woods but this isn’t recommended for backpacking or camping because it takes much longer to setup and might not be friendly to the environment since it may involve sawing limbs or disturbing other surroundings.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you are now aware of the main differences between camping and backpacking tents and already know which type of tent is more suited to your needs. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get to enjoying the great outdoors in your soon to be new tent.
