Tents

Whether you're gearing up for a casual overnighter or for an extended trek leading up to high elevation your tent will be a very dear item on your packing list. Your camping shelter serves you best by keeping the wind, moisture and bugs outside, and keeping a little warmth on the inside. If you're the one actually carrying your tent you'll also want the lightest material possible. A few pounds makes a big difference on a long hike. There are some very durable and lightweight materials utilized in making tents, with rip-stop weaving as well. These materials bead up and lead away the moisture and still breath a little bit. Still a single layer tent tends to have trouble with rain because the water will seep through if there is contact with the material, such as your arm flopping to the side. Another major technical challenge to overcome is waterproofing the seams where the material has been stichted together. Good tents will come with a second, outer shell to deflect the rain.

With that second layer you can also set up a little antechamber for keeping your boots out of the rain and out of the way. You can typically get a couple of flaps that have a second zipper on them to open a screened vent. Since you have the outer layer to shield from the rain you can still open the vents and get some fresh air. Considering that you won't get to clean up very often you will want fresh air inside the tent. In the mornings you'll likely find a bit of condensation between the tent shells, so it's a good idea to separate them and let them dry a little before you pack them up. Tents rated at the number of persons that will fit inside give an idea of how many could fit foot to nose, but if you want to pull in duffel bags and have a little space you should be a little more sparse. For two people, a 3-man tent will be very spacious.