What To Look For
Mountaineering tents are commonly used by backpackers and mountain climbers when in remote country. This means the tents are often transported on the hikers' back into some of the most hostile conditions. By definition, top performers are lightweight tents that offer good weather protection. The lightest two-men tents will weigh less than 5 pounds, according to the magazine Backpacker. Other features to consider are ease of setup, large vestibules or storage areas and multiple tie-downs that securely hold the tent in place in high winds and other adverse weather events.
Common Pitfalls
Some of the same issues you find with any tent apply to the mountaineering tents. Avoid tents with low ceilings and limited floor space that create a cramped feeling by not having enough space for storing equipment as well as housing the campers. Some tents do not accommodate campers taller than 6 feet, 3 inches. Skip tents that are not waterproof or do not include a waterproof fly or covering to go over the tent. Look for tents with adequate ventilation panels with insect screens. These panels also serve as windows for the tent, offering not only ventilation but views of the surrounding area.
Where To Buy
Mountaineering tents are more specialized than other tents. This limits retail outlets to outdoor outfitters, some sporting good stores and online. Knowledgeable staff at outdoor outfitters is useful in determining the proper models for the camper's situation. Mountaineering tents are small and compact, making shipping costs from online sources less of an issue.
Cost
The top tents reviewed by Backpacker Magazine ranged from about $400 to about $800 in a article that ran in March 2008. Mountaineering tents offered by the online retailer Amazon ranged in price from about $125 to about $1,000. Low-end tents often were smaller with lower headroom than higher priced tents. Other factors included the weight of the tent material and the general overall quality of the mountaineering tent.
Member Comments