Reasons Every Backpacker Should Travel with a Tent
Backpackers like to travel for a longer time than other regular travelers. For which they have to carry all the necessary items they may require during a trip. The reality is that most backpackers don’t know what belongings they will need to carry for the trip.
As a result, they have to experience different impediments at every step of the trip. A tent is such an important item that most backpackers forget to carry. That’s why we are going to talk about why every backpacker should travel with a tent.
Typically, a tent provides shelter in an unknown and impassable area for travelers. Apart from shelter, it also protects travelers from insects or bugs and getting wet during rain.
For more in-depth information about these, check out the entire context.
Why Every Backpacker Should Travel with a Tent?
A tent’s importance during a trip can’t be explained in a few words. But it can be said that camping would be incomplete without a tent. Some of the major advantages of having a tent for backpackers have been demonstrated below.
Provide Shelter
When traveling in an unknown area, finding a place to take shelter won’t be easy for a traveler. In that case, a tent will help you to build a temporary house where you can take a rest. Even if you are camping with a group, a large tent can be used to take shelter for all the members.
You will find different-sized tents on the market. However, choosing the best 10-person waterproof tent will be a good choice for group camping.
Saves from Rain and Snow
Traveling during the monsoon season will be a nightmare for a backpacker, especially without having any waterproof shelter. In that case, a tent can help the backpacker take shelter even in the rain. However, not all tents are ideal for preventing rain; you will need a tent with waterproof features. Another good thing is that a waterproof tent will protect a traveler from getting snow inside the tent.
Protect Against Sun and Uv Rays
Applying only sunscreen to the body will not be enough to protect your skin from the sun and UV rays, especially when you’re camping at a high altitude. The situation will worsen if you travel in the summer.
However, by using a tent, you can protect yourself from heat and UV rays as well as damage to your skin and eyes.
Keep You Warm
When night comes, it’s common for the surrounding weather to get cold. In such conditions, staying under the open sky will be challenging for a traveler. However, staying under a tent will help to keep you warm, even if the outside weather is cold. This is very helpful if you plan to go camping places in the winter.
Protect Your Gear
For a backpacker, it is common to carry different items such as a camera, laptop, mobile phone, charger, and many more. Without this gear, your traveling experience will be incomplete. Apart from carrying gear, you should also consider protecting them.
This is because if the gear is exposed to water, the sun, or snow, it will get damaged. In that case, a tent can be an ideal place to store your gear to protect them from such harmful elements.
Good Night Sleep
While traveling, it is crucial to have a good night’s sleep. This will allow you to reserve energy for the next day traveling.
Unfortunately, sleeping under the stars can be challenging for any traveler due to the mosquitoes and bug disturbances. In that case, a tent can be used for sound sleeping. Inside a tent, you can experience sleeping like you are at home.
Protect from Wind and Storm
While you are on a trip, sometimes you may have to encounter strong winds and storms. In such situations, you will need a proper place to stay until the storm or wind is finished.
Some durable tents play a crucial role in such conditions. These tents are strong enough to withstand winds and storms. So, having a tent while traveling ensures you will be protected during such disasters.
What Are the Different Types of Backpacking Tents?
There are several types of backpacking tents you will find in both online and offline markets. Along with capacity, tents come in freestanding, semi-freestanding, and tarp tents.
For your convenience, below, we have briefly discussed these tent types.
Freestanding Tents
This type of tent can be set up easily without staking. It is designed with a sturdy pole system, which is typically dome-shaped. The shelter of the freestanding tent is spacious enough, which is perfect for group camping where staking is difficult. In general, the poles of this tent create enough tension to hold the fly and keep the tent’s body stable.
Semi-Freestanding Tents
Semi-freestanding tents come with a tent body, stakes, a pole system, and a rain fly. Compared to the freestanding tents, these tents have several stakes which help to hold the tent.
Additionally, some semi-freestanding tents have double walls: an inner tent and a rain fly. Rainfly help to prevent getting wet inside the tent during rain. Due to proper weight, space, and versatility, these tents offer an ideal combination to support the entire body.
Tarp Tents
Tarp tents are single-wall tents that require stakes and staking poles to stand up. These types of tents are not ideal for new backpackers due to their single-wall structure.
But tarp tents are quite lightweight compared to the other two types of tents. For that, you can install the tent very quickly and easily, even in the rain. Another good thing is that tarp tents come in different shapes and sizes to meet travelers’ needs.
How to Pack a Tent in a Backpack?
During a trip, it is crucial to pack the tent properly to take optimal space in your backpack. If you fail to pack the tent, you will not get enough room to store your other belongings. Here we have demonstrated the right way to pack the tent in your backpack.
- Spread the tent on the ground and organize the tent by placing the poles along the sides. The poles will help hold the tent up and make camping packing easier.
- After that, roll up the tent straight, ensuring the poles are in line. Once you’ve rolled a few times, put a tent peg bag in the same position and continue rolling.
- Once you’re finished with the roll-up, place the tent into the middle of your backpack. Then, position the tent horizontally to prevent too much pressure on your back.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Tents for Backpackers
Backpackers are always talking about tents, and most of them are confused about carrying a tent. For that, here we have illustrated some commonly asked questions with proper answers. If you have any doubts, check out the section; you may get your answer here.
Can a Tent Be Heavy to Carry for a Backpacker?
Luckily, no; backpacking tents are quite lightweight to carry. Most tents weigh less than 2.5 pounds, depending on the capacity and type. Keep in mind that while backpacking, you can split the tent into different parts to share the weight with multiple people.
How Much Will a Tent Be Cost?
A single-man tent can cost a minimum of $30, while a midrange will cost approximately $100. You will also find some ultralight tents, which start from $250.
When Shouldn’t I Carry a Tent?
Tents are usually required for long-term trips, especially if you may need to spend a long time in an unknown place. However, in some circumstances, you don’t need any tents, including on short trips, in densely populated areas, or having accommodation options.
Conclusion
Without a tent, it will be challenging for any traveler to experience the trip. A tent will provide all possible conveniences to a traveler in unknown areas. However, most backpackers are confused about traveling with a tent.
After reading the context on why every backpacker should travel with a tent, we hope their confusion may have cleared now.
Through a tent, travelers can take shelter, store belongings, protect from rain and sunburn, ensure sound sleep, keep warm in winter, and many more. So, travelers should always carry a tent whenever going on a trip.
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