Choosing the best mountain tent
Tents are essential for the rest and protection of the mountaineer who finds himself in unusual places. Getting a good night's sleep after a long, hard day in the mountains is essential.The tents are a great source of peace and quiet in the mountains, so don't skimp on the money to buy a good quality one. Tents are a great source of peace of mind in the mountains, so don't skimp on the money to buy a good quality one. Remember that a tent can serve you for the rest of your life.
However, this fact makes the choice of which tent to buy in some cases not an easy one. Tents often have conflicting characteristics. That is to say, the improvement of one feature can lead to the deterioration of another. Before buying it is necessary to analyse the factors to be taken into account in order to make the right choice. Tent weight, capacity, level of protection, design and habitability are some of these factors.
Characteristics to be taken into account.
It is difficult to choose the perfect tent, as some advantages offered by some tent models turn into disadvantages.
Weight
The tent is usually carried on the mountaineer's back, so the lighter it is, the more comfortable it will be to carry. It is advisable to look at the labels to find out the exact weight of the tent. In many cases, manufacturers refer to the weight of the tent itself as the "minimum weight", without adding the weight of the pegs and guy ropes. In case you want to minimise the weight as much as possible, you can always buy better quality, ultra-light poles and guy ropes. In the following article we'll expand on everything you need to know about ultralight mountain tents. In this article you will see models of some brands, focused on lightness. The model FERRINO Lightent 2 (Click to view)has a weight of 1.75kg without skimping on other aspects. If you are looking for good value for money, the lightweight models from CAMP, both for two (Camp Minima 2 SL) as three persons (Camp Minima 3 SL), which we will introduce to you later when we talk about minimalist tents.
The weight of a tent is influenced by the following aspects to be taken into account.
Capacity
The weight of the tent is closely related to its capacity. The larger the tent, the heavier it weighs.
Tent for two people
In case you need a two-person tentIt is more convenient to transport a tent for two than two individual tents.
So that you are in no doubt when choosing the capacity of your tent, here is a recommendation: if the manufacturer states that the tent has 1 or 2 seats, 2 or 3 seats, always follow the lower number. In case you choose a tent for 1 or 2 persons, keep in mind that apart from the person, you also have to fit materials such as backpacks.
Tent for three persons
If you want to gain comfort, choose a larger tent. A larger tent will offer you more comfort when spending long hours inside the tent, but it will also weigh more. However, it will also weigh more, but thanks to the lightweight materials used by today's manufacturers, there is no problem carrying it on your back.
Even four-person tents can be considered light.
Level of protection
The materials of the tents will vary if they are to be used in winter situations, or in very hot situations.
There are tents known as 3-season tents or 4-season tents. Depending on the type of activity you are going to do, the height at which you will sleep or the time of year, you will have to choose one or the other.
3-season tents
The shops 3 stations are the most commonly used by amateur mountaineers. Three-season tents can withstand rain, light snowfall, storms and strong winds. In addition, these tents are often fitted with vents to prevent heat build-up and increase breathability. This makes the hours inside the tent more pleasant. In this article all the tents we have been presenting you, with the exception of the MSR Access 2 (4 seasons), all of them are a good choice for a 3 seasons tent.
4-season tents
However, if you are thinking of embarking on a high mountain expedition, or a winter expedition, you will certainly need a tent. 4 stations. These tents specially designed for expeditions are prepared so that you can spend days inside. They are usually very resistant to withstand the weight of the snow and the force of the wind. Unlike the 3-season tent, this one does not usually have vents for breathability, so the heat is kept in. Therefore, it can be unbearable in situations where it is not cold.
Design and habitability
We can find on the market tents that have a dome shape or tents with steeper walls.
The dome-shaped ones tend to have more space for storing backpacks or other materials. However, they tend to have more rodding, which increases their weight.
Minimalist tents
Nowadays, more and more people are opting for the minimalist tents. If we choose one of these tents we will penalise comfort, but it will be easier to transport.
If you are going to make a quick bivouac just to spend the night, it may be the best option. But if you have to stay inside the tent for a long time it will be uncomfortable.
Tents with two doors
One of the latest developments in tent design is that nowadays there are tents with two doors. Anyone who has ever slept in a tent knows how uncomfortable it is to get up and leave the tent. It becomes even more complicated when you don't want to disturb the fellow traveller next to you. The advantages of the double door are clear, but there are some disadvantages to it. The double zip slightly increases the weight of the tent. Depending on how strict you are with the weight you want to carry, it may or may not be worth it. It is estimated that in a two-person tent, the double door means an increase of about 100 to 200 grams. Almost nothing.
Following these guidelines and knowing clearly what activity you are going to do, you should have no problem in choosing the right tent.
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