Hiking Lightweight is more popular than it was before. Having less weight on your back while hiking is really more enjoyable. You feel free, unburdened, and close to nature. Your tent or shelter is the best place to start if you want to reduce your pack weight.
There have been some good lightweight shelter options for many years, especially if you backpack 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.
Many tents are still overkill the ultralight backpacker. Tent makers don’t want to ever see their tents returned for any reason, so it’s easier for them to use heavier, cheaper materials. A tent will last for many years if you take care of it well enough. Mainstream tent makers are still outperformed by specialty tent makers in the ultralight field.
With the introduction of ultralight silicone-impregnated nylon, 2-person tents are now in the two to three pound range. One person tents are even lighter, obviously. It’s more than just the fabric that has gone lighter. Carbon fiber is now the standard material for tent poles. 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. This means that you don’t need to even carry tent poles anymore. Further reduction in weight comes from the stakes which are now titanium rather than aluminum.
A tarp can be used instead of tents if you want to save more weight. It’s enough to keep the dew from settling on you, and it’s a great way to feel closer to nature. Some tarps are even designed to do double duty as your rain gear. Using gear that serves multiple purposes is one of the core principles of ultralight backpacking. However if you use tarps and want extra protection from the rain, a lightweight bivvy or sleeping bag cover can be as light as six to seven ounces. A ground cloth is light so it’s wise to include it in your gear for extra protection as well.
If you need more mosquito protection than a coating of your favorite repellent gives you, you can wear a mosquito head net that weighs just .6 ounces. Use a no-see-um netting and configure it to stay away from your face if you want something less confining.
In dry climates where you’re only concerned with insects, you can use a bug bivy that’s in the four to seven ounce range.
Most lightweight tents are not freestanding like your old dome style tent. However, they’re easy to set up and don’t have a separate fly. Instead the tents rely on well-designed ventilation on all sides.
An ultralight one-person tent can be used if you’re hiking alone. Your tent should be as light as possible becaue there won’t be anyone to share the burden with. But it’s common for a solo hiker to use a 2 person tent because it provides additional space for comfort and gear.
Look closely at all the new options for ultralight shelters. See which ones have the features to fit your needs.
An ultralight tent doesn’t necessarily sacrifice comfort and you can have comfort both comfort at camp and while hiking with the right kind of tent.
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