Hiking Light – Reduce Your Tent Weight

Ultralight backpacking is becoming more and more popular. People who hike with less weight on their backs enjoy more than those who carry more. You feel free, unburdened, and close to nature. If you want to significantly reduce your pack weight, you can start with your shelter.

A lot of good shelter options have been developed even especially when you hike with a partner. The weight of the tent can be split between the two of you. One carry some some parts and the other carry the rest.. However there are now more options for lightweight two person tents and older models simply don't qualify as ultraweight anymore.

Tents that are too heavy are still produced even today. Cheap and heavy material are still used today to make these tents. A tent will last for many years if you take care of it well enough. In the field of ultralight tents, specialty tent makers still outperform mainstream manufacturers.

With the introduction of ultralight silicone-based nylon, 2-person tents are now weighing as little as two pounds. One-person tents are less than two pounds. Fabrics aren't the only thing that's gotten lighter. Aluminum poles are now replaced by carbon fiber. A 45" tent pole can now weigh less than two ounces. Many new tents are designed to use a hiking pole as the tent pole. Now that reduces the weight of your tent pole down to zero. Further reduction in weight comes from the stakes which are now titanium rather than aluminum.

For the really ultralight, and those who aren't expecting many mosquitoes or much rain, a simple tarp can weigh around one pound. It's enough to keep the dew from settling on you, and it's a great way to feel closer to nature. A step further would be to use tarp ponchos which doubles as raingear. Using gear that serves multiple purposes is one of the core principles of ultralight backpacking. If you like sleeping under a tarp, but want some extra rain protection, a lightweight bivvy sack or sleeping bag cover can be as light as six to seven ounces. A ground cloth underneath you can be in the three ounce range. Ground cloths can be made from silicone-impregnated nylon or Tyvek.

If you need mosquito protection, use an insect repellent or a mosquito net. If the head net is too confining, a square yard of no-see-um netting is only about an ounce, and you can configure it in a number of ways to stay away from your face.

Bug bivies can be used in dry climates where insects are your only worry.

Most really light tents aren't freestanding like your old cabin dome tent. But they are easy to set up. The really light tents don't have a separate fly, so that's one less thing to set up. Instead the tents rely on well-designed ventilation on all sides.

Consider using a one-person tent if you're backpacking alone. Your tent should be as light as possible becaue there won't be anyone to share the burden with. A two-person shelter is flexible because you can also use it for solo hiking for extra space and comfort.

If you look around you can usually find an ultralight tent that fit your needs as there are many options available.

The tent is usually of the heavier and bulkier things you have with you on a camping trip so if you take the lightweight option it will really save your back and the need to use bigger backpacks.