Shelter is the most important survival tool. If lost in a cold climate without shelter, you'll die from exposure in short order. If you've got shelter - a tent and a
sleeping bag, you can survive several days without water; if you've got water, you can survive several weeks without food. Your About Guide's advice: spend some coin on good shelter before you buy fun travel gadgets if your student travel plans include camping. So - let's get you sheltered!
Tents and Footprints
Tent choices seem enormous, but I've narrowed them down for you based on basic backpacker needs (all tents recommended assume one or two person occupancy, three season use and the need for light weight - you don't need to drag the Hilton hotel room equivalent of a tent around with you unless you really want that comfort and accompanying aching back). No matter what tent you decide to buy, keep these things in mind:
A rain fly is a big plus - covers the tent in bad weather
Look for rip-stop nylon in tape seams and door zipper - rip-stop nylon is just what it says; a little tear goes no farther with this fabric
Try to avoid seams on the tent floor - you'll feel like the princess or prince with a pea under your mattress
Choose a tent with a "bathtub" floor - this means the floor material travels up the sides of the tent for a few inches, keeping ground water out of your tent in event of rain
Get a tent with aluminum poles - fiberglass poles break more easily than aluminum and can't be repaired on the trail; you can purchase a repair kit for your tent (see your dealer) containing cylinders of aluminum that can be slipped over two broken pole ends and secured with duct tape (you'll have to supply the duct tape, which any backpacker should carry at all times)
The more pole intersections a tent has, the better it will stay anchored in windy conditions - however, more poles mean more weight
Always consider buying a footprint for your tent - it's a simple "ground cover" that keeps your tent's exterior floor in good shape and it can be used without the tent on warm nights or in places where insects are not a worry - protects your sleeping bag from dampness or damage in those circumstances
Understand weight (or try) - different companies use different criteria to determine weight; "trail weight" generally means the weight of the tent poles and stakes, while "packed weight" refers to tent, poles, stakes, stuff sack, fly and whatever else may have come with the tent off the shelf - assume you'll be carrying the "packed weight"
Sierra Designs
Sierra Designs tents are a tremendous value for the buck.
Light Year - this tent is great for the backpacker who spends some nights indoors and some under the stars. It's very light, small (though it has actual headroom) and inexpensive, but doesn't do too well in the wind. About $140.00. See Light Year specs, footprint prices and find a dealer.
Clip Flashlight - although this tent is billed as accommodating two people, they should be small people or tentmates who really like to get up close and personal; otherwise, the Clip Flashlight is ideal for a backpacker who wants a bit of room for gear storage and stretching out. Ideal in windy conditions. The name has nothing to do with flashlights; just a catchy moniker. About $170.00. See Clip Flashlight specs, footprint prices and find a dealer.
MSR (Mountain Safety Research)
MSR tents are a little more expensive than most of their counterparts, but the quality can't be beat.
Microzoid - great ventilation and a very cool side entrance - no awkward backing in and out of this tent. About $160.00. See Microzoid specs and find a dealer where you can also buy a footprint - about $35.00.
Hubba - a freestanding tent. What does freestanding mean? Unlike the tents above, the pole construction will keep this tent upright even if it is not staked down - handy in rocky areas where you can't find dirt to plant stakes - and it does come with stakes, of course. Throw your backpack in it to keep it from blowing away while you're out for a walk if it isn't staked down. A vestibule area provides dry entry, gear storage, and a covered food-prep area. All in all, an outstanding tent for about $220.00. See Hubba specs and find a dealer where you can also buy a footprint - about $35.00.
Please go the next page to see tent comparisons and learn about tarps.
