Hiking tents allow us to sleep in places where few dare to go. Places that are wild, inhospitable, exposed and incomparably beautiful \u2013 the proverbial 5-billion star hotel. For us to carry them there they need to be lightweight. And lightweight means small compared to normal camping tents. Small but strong. \u00a0Aluminium or carbon fibre poles, advanced design and hi-tech materials gives us reliable shelters in the wild.<\/p>\n At the risk of stating the obvious, the first question is, \u201cwhat do you need the tent for?\u201d It is important to be specific here, since \u201chiking\u201d is a small part of a bigger answer. The key to the bigger answer is the extremities of weather relating to wind, temperature and rain\/snowfall you might experience. A tent that suffices for a summer hike on the Wild Coast might be completely out of its depth in the Drakensberg in winter. Generally, the higher you go, the greater the extremities. A useful guide is the \u201ctree-line\u201d test: if there are no trees, your entering the world of extreme cold and wind – unless it\u2019s the Namib or Fish River Canyon – which means you should be looking at a 4-season tent.<\/p>\n The steps to getting the right tent will be by addressing the following categories:<\/p>\n After having your answer for these you are unlikely to make a bad purchase, but you will probably still have a handful of choices \u2013 you will have to start comparing the detailed specifications, the accessories, your brand preference, after-sales service, etc.<\/p>\n Most hiking tents are dome (aka geodesic) tents with a double wall design, and I will focus on these in the remainder of the article. For completeness\u2019 sake, I will touch briefly on the different design fundamentals.<\/p>\n A dome tent relies on a structure of connected\/crossing poles to stand upright, whereas a tunnel tent uses independent poles or hoops which requires the tent to be tensioned to provide structure. This is achieved with guy-lines attached to stakes, rocks or trees. Tunnel tents are generally lighter and more spacious since less poles are required, but are also vulnerable to cross-winds and requires suitable terrain to set it up \u2013 featureless bedrock or soft sand will generally not work for tunnel tents. You also get tepee-style tents and tarps which are rudimentary, ultra-lightweight shelters providing only a cover overhead (no floor). They are mostly used in fast-and-light missions and mild weather.<\/p>\n For dome tents a double wall design is standard: it comprises of an inner section which combines a waterproof floor (typically \u201cbathtub\u201d design) with a mesh\/fabric canopy. The outer or flysheet is made from strong, waterproof material and goes over the tent inner \u2013 it is often bigger than the tent inner and the extra coverage provided is referred to as a vestibule. Double wall tents ventilate well due to the airflow between the inner and outer sections.<\/p>\n A single wall tent is a unitary structure made from breathable waterproof material and as such weighs considerably less than double wall tents. Double wall tents however ventilate better, have more usable space and set-up options, may be more durable and are cheaper for comparable sizes. Single wall tents are mostly used by mountaineers where weight saving and compact design is essential.<\/p>\n The \u201c3\/4-season\u201d designation originated in countries where winter snowfall is the norm, and the 4-season designation, as opposed to 3-season, simply says the tent will be able to deal with the winter extremities. In South Africa, we don\u2019t often get 4-season type extremities as it relates to temperature and snowfall, but in the high mountains the winds can be severe. In general, a 4-season tent will offer the following in addition to a standard 3-season spec (these terms are discussed further on in the article):<\/p>\n For most hiking trails in South Africa a 3-season tent suffices, but for winter hikes in the likes of the Drakensberg or Hex river mountains a 4-season tent is recommended. A 4-season tent is more versatile as it can be used in 3-season conditions.<\/p>\n It is pretty straight forward. Keep in mind that the specs for most hiking tents are for medium-sized persons, and for lightweight tents a tight fit is normal. If you are on the larger side you may have to subtract a person from the manufacturer\u2019s spec.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Benchmark weight for a lightweight 3-season, 2-person, tent is 2-3kg; add a kilogram per extra person and an extra kilogram if it\u2019s a 4-season tent. The lightest tents shed weight via one or a combination of:<\/p>\n As an example, the MSR Carbon reflex 2-person tent features carbon-fibre poles and a 7D silicone coated flysheet, weighing-in at a mere 990grams, but will cost you close to R10 per gram saved!<\/p>\n Manufacturers will often specify different weights for a tent, depending on what you take along and how you set it up. The terminology isn\u2019t standardised, but the types you get is:<\/p>\n Like with cars, certain manufacturers are at the cutting edge of technology and design, but coming at a premium price. Others will focus on simplicity, reliability and value-for-money. Quality workmanship should be evidenced on closer inspection \u2013 what does the stitching, seam-sealing, zippers and clips look like? At the least you want a tent from a reputable manufacturer with a track record of making reliable hiking tents \u2013 especially if you venture into the high mountains.<\/p>\n In South Africa we are blessed with local manufacturers such as K-way and First Ascent whose tents are affordable and adequate for our conditions. Affordable imported brands like Vango and NatureHike are also available.<\/p>\n For gear junkies or specialists, there are premium imported brands such as MSR, Mountain \u00a0Hardwear, The North Face, Hilleberg (the Lamborghini of hiking tents and price tag to match) and Black Diamond.<\/p>\n Have a good look at the tent\u2019s floor diagram and sleeping configuration \u2013 especially if you\u2019re tall. The number of square feet\/meters don\u2019t matter much unless you\u2019ll fit comfortably length-wise into the tent. Keep in mind that approximately the first 15cm from the inward-curving tent wall is not useable sleeping space, so ideally you want the floor to be 30+cm longer than what you are.<\/p>\n Sleeping configurations may also be quite interesting \u2013 if you\u2019re a fan of spooning, the tent width will be as important as its length.<\/p>\n In addition to the floor size, the size and number of vestibules are also of interest \u2013 all things equal I prefer a bigger vestibule to cook underneath in bad weather and to store backpacks overnight.<\/p>\n Hiking tents are not made to stand upright in \u2013 the low profile saves weight and increases its ability to withstand fierce winds. Most tents will be in the order of 0,9m to 1,3m high, providing enough space to squat in.<\/p>\n The spec for the flysheet will be something like this, taken from the MSR Stormking: \u201c68D ripstop polyester, 1800mm polyurethane & DWR<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. This may look like a line from a science exam nightmare, but it\u2019s not too difficult to decipher if you break it down:<\/p>\n Top tip: the Naturehike Cloud-up 2-person tent<\/a> features a 20D nylon coated silicone flysheet with 3000mm waterhead, retailing for only R1800 at the time of writing \u2013 exceptional value!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The colour is not a functional advantage as far as I\u2019m concerned, but it may be a safety one. Bright colours such as orange can easily be seen and will help people to find you if assistance is needed. In some instances, you might want to remain unseen as well \u2013 like when hiking in an area where there\u2019s been incidences of crime.<\/p>\n Some manufacturers use light, soothing colours like light blue or yellow to let more natural light in and create a calming effect, which helps with cabin fever if one is stuck in your tent for long periods in inclement weather.<\/p>\n A dome tent\u2019s strength relates primarily to its poles \u2013 not only the pole material, but also the number of poles and how they are configured \u2013 as a rule of thumb: the more pole crossings, the stronger the tent. The tent\u2019s pole configuration will also have a bearing on where the entrances are \u2013 side or end. For 3-season tents entrance location seems to be very much a matter of preference, whereas with 4-season tents the pole configuration often necessitates entrances at the front and\/or rear.<\/p>\n Aluminium is the standard material for hiking tent poles, with high tech carbon fibre for people more adept at counting grams than rands. I do not consider fibreglass poles appropriate for hiking in general, but if you\u2019re expecting mild weather and are willing to carry some extra weight, your budget tent might just do the trick. For affordable tents, the pole description might only state e.g. \u201caluminium 8,5mm\u201d, whereas premium tents will use specialist pole manufacturers such as DAC or Easton. Some manufacturers will also show the aluminium grading, with 7001 being the gold standard for yield strength.\u00a0 To learn more about the grading, read here: <\/em>https:\/\/tentcatalog.wordpress.com\/2014\/03\/15\/tent-poles-what-to-look-for\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n I consider a tent-footprint to be very useful and it\u2019s a pity that some manufacturers do not supply footprints for their tents. The footprint is a separate groundsheet made from tough material that matches the size and shape of the tent floor. It normally has holes for the tent poles so that it stays in place or can be used for a floor in a fast-and-light set-up. The footprint protects the tent floor against abrasion and punctures, and can greatly increase your tent\u2019s lifespan \u2013 especially if you camp on rocky terrain. I have made my own footprints by simply cutting a groundsheet to fit the dimensions of a tent\u2019s floor.<\/p>\n Lightweight aluminium pegs are the standard (steel pegs are cheaper but weigh a lot more). Be sure to check that you have enough pegs for a proper set-up i.e. staking down the tent and guy-lines. Annoyingly some manufacturers skimp on pegs and guy-lines and you may have to buy extra.<\/p>\n You also get specialist stakes for soft terrain like snow or sand, but these are generally not required in SA. In sandy areas, one can often tie the tent down using rocks or even slinging tufts of grass.<\/p>\n I have not exhausted all the considerations relating to hiking tents, but the ones discussed here will help you make an informed decision. There are all sorts of accessories and interesting design features that may add value to your hiking experience. Spend some time on the internet and read-up on different manufacturer\u2019s websites, tent reviews or the many other quality articles. Happy shopping!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"hiking-tents-5-billion-star-hotel\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-5-billion-star-hotel.jpg\")
What to look for <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"hiking-tents-cave\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-cave.jpg\")
Dome vs tunnel tents<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"hiking-tents-designs\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-designs.jpg\")
3 or 4-season<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"hiking-tents-snow\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-snow-tents.jpg\")
Number of persons<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
![\"hiking-tents-spectacular-places\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-spectacular-places.jpg\")
Manufacturer reputation<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Understanding the tent specs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"hiking-tents-choices\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-choices.jpg\")
Floor shape and size<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"hiking-tents-floor-configurations\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-floor-configurations.jpg\")
Height<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Flysheet \u2013 material and water column<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
![\"hiking-tents-sunrise-joy\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-sunrise-joy.jpg\")
Colour<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"hiking-tents-drakensberg-green\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-drakensberg-green.jpg\")
Poles and entrances<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"hiking-tents-pole-configurations\"](\"http:\/\/www.hikingsouthafrica.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/tents-pole-configurations.jpg\")
Footprint<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Pegs and guy-lines<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What else?<\/strong><\/h2>\n