Pros/Cons of the Lightest Backpacking Tent
There always seems to be a human fetish with the superlatives, particularly when we guys get involved. Fastest, strongest, toughest, biggest, hottest, craziest; it seems that we are always in pursuit of the most "fill in the blank". In the camping world it seems that the superlative of the day is lightest, but it seems that it also has grown into more of a fetish than a necessity. Is there more to finding the lightest backpacking tent than just convenience?
Only a few years ago, you would be lucky to find a lightweight hiking under 6 or 7 pounds. That was fantastic in the hiking world. Now, 6 or 7 pounds is a sturdy middle-to-heavyweight tent. No doubt these kinds of tents are easier to carry, but are they really better. Better yet, does the weight really affect our hiking, or does it merely affect our boast-ability?
It always seems to be that hiker who spends all their extra time, money, and effort to pay for that one and only lightest backpacking tent. He is in great shape, has all the best food, and spends enough time hiking that he is super used to hiking. It always seems like when the hiking gets rough, the number one objective of this guy is to let you know that your hiking could be much easier if you had a lighter tent like his. You've been around this guy before. He's practically jogging up the mountain. You are about ready to call an ambulance for yourself because it's been months or even years since your last hike, and the only thing this guy can tell you is that you need the newest, lightest backpacking tent.
It's these kinds of goofy situations that make me think that our fetish with the superlatives make us, first, in pursuit of ridiculousness, and second, sacrificing quality for easier hiking. Don't get me wrong, shaving off a few pounds for the sake of a better hike never hurt anybody and, particularly for your high adventure hikers, it most likely made a difference in the long run. But for your average hiker, shaving two pounds off a backpack full of lightweight freeze dried meals, a space blanket, a t-shirt, 1 pair of socks, a plastic mess kit, and a myriad of super lightweight materials isn't going to make a huge difference.
The quest for the lightest backpacking tent may be the same as the quest for absolute zero. Maybe someday we will have the 1 ounce tent that is strong as steel and is made out of spider web thread and can fit in a plastic baggie, but for now I guess we will have to settle for 2-pound tents and let the quest for the lightest backpacking tent be sought after by the tent makers.
For more information about Backpack Tents Pros and your other backpacking needs, contact Lance Dobson at http://www.backpacktentspros.com
Source: EzineArticles.com
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