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Find the right hiking tent for your adventures by knowing exactly what you should be looking for.
Whether you are a seasoned backpacker or starting out, choosing a hiking tent can be confusing. With the market expanding, you are inundated with choices. But with the right guide and a little background knowledge, you'll be making the decision with a lot less fuss and confusion. So, whether you're looking for ultralight tents perfect for long, hard treks or are planning a more relaxed seasonal trip, we've got you covered.
Backpacking Three-Season Tents
Not as light as an ultralight hiking tent, but still weight-efficient, the three-season tent is a great choice for backpackers that enjoy hiking in summer, spring and autumn. They are usually made with ventilation in mind in order to stay cooler during warmer months. But they also offer you good protection in rainy weather.
You could probably get away with using a three-season tent in mild winters, but you wouldn't want to test them in extreme winter weather or alpine conditions. The three-season tent is one of the most popular categories of hiking tents because of its versatility.
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The name speaks for itself with this hiking tent. Ultralight tents are the lightest on the market and are made for the fast-paced adventure that loves going the extra distance. The ultralight range is usually used for more temperate weather conditions as they are made out of much lighter materials. They often also do not come with their own poles and require trekking poles for set up. But since most hikers use trekking poles, this is a great way to minimize your pack weight, especially if you enjoy rougher trails.
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Four season hiking tents are perfect if you are a year-round adventurer. They offer you much more protection than ultralight tents and three-season hiking tents. But they are also slightly heavier depending on the model. They are the perfect choice for alpine and mountaineering adventures. Many of them also include great space and ventilation so they would work perfectly in warm conditions too.
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Related Reading: Hiking vs Trekking vs Mountaineering: What's The Difference?Camping Tents
Camping tents are not exactly hiking tents because of their size and weight. But they are great for extended stays and are often big enough for multiple people and all the gear you would need. These tents are all about livability and comfort and are exactly what you need if you are planning on setting up a basecamp to explore your surroundings.
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