Lightweight tents are ideal for backpacking trips, with most fitting into a backpack and being easy to pitch. They are usually small and low to the ground, with the lightest weighing just under 3 pounds. Materials include canvas, nylon, and polyester blends, with tent poles made from aluminum, carbon fiber, or aluminum alloy. It’s best to purchase several small tents for large groups to distribute weight and provide privacy. Tent materials are measured in denier and psi, with military tents rated up to 25 psi and some tents up to 165 psi.
A lightweight tent is most commonly used for backpacking trips. Campers in these situations require tents that can be transported without much effort and that can be pitched quickly. Most lightweight tents can fit into a backpack or turn into their own carry pack when folded up.
The light medium tent is made to sleep just one or two people. They are usually little more than a shelter located close to the ground with little room to move. Most are not meant for standing and many don’t even have room to sit. There are less common versions that can accommodate up to eight people with standing room, but these tend to be heavier than the smaller versions, and therefore more suited to stationary camping than extended hikes.
The lightest tent weighs just under 3 pounds (1.36 kg), while the average, which sleeps one to four, is about 5 to 10 pounds (2.27 to 4.54 kg). Larger multi-person tents can weigh up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg). If you’re backpacking in large groups, it’s best to purchase several small tents, rather than one large one. This allows group travelers to distribute the weight load among all campers, as well as providing a greater degree of privacy.
There are several materials from which a lightweight tent can be made. Canvas has been the standard of tent materials for a long time. New technologies have allowed manufacturers to manipulate significantly lower weight, without compromising the integrity of the material. The main advantage of the canvas is its ability to absorb moisture inside the tent. Nylon and polyester blends have also made their way onto the scene and provide a light and airy feel to a tent while still providing effective rain shelter.
Tent materials are measured in two ways. Denier (di) measures weight in grams per 1000 meters. A size 50 is considered very light, meaning there are 50 grams of weight per 1000 yards of fabric. the second measurement is in pounds per square inch (psi). This indicates how much force the material can withstand before yielding to pressure and leaking, an important measure when walking in areas with heavy rainfall. Military tents are rated up to 25 psi, but some tents go much further with ratings up to 165 psi.
Tent poles can also be made from different materials. Aluminum was the most common for years, until carbon fiber came along. Carbon fiber is well known for its use in fishing rods. It is a strong, lightweight and flexible material that allows the tent structure to temporarily bend with the elements and return to its normal state. Another material used in the construction of lightweight tents is aluminum alloy. It weighs slightly more than carbon fiber, but will never crack, and has higher resistance to crushing and rusting than ordinary aluminum.
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