Lightness of materials used in lightweight tents and shelters are the most determining of a tents design. Carbon composite, lightweight titanium and thin nylon are responsible for the lightness of these tents. Most lightweight tents weigh between 1.5 and 2 pounds while the most extreme can reach below 1 pound. Some are typically used in the summer months because the lightness of the designs are rarely beneficial to be used in winter months.
Most lightweight tents have a no frills, bare boned design. The are stripped to the basics in order to shed weight and have maximum performance allowing the hiker to reach up to 20 miles a day.
Another thing to mention that goes hand-in-hand with a no frills design is the creative use of materials that lightweight tents are taking advantage of. Often the rain fly may double as a vestibule. Another innovative example is the way some tents and tarps utilize hiking poles as the framework for their support.
A common myth is that you have to sacrifice comfort in order to use a lightweight tent. This is not true. It may take a different way of looking at shelter in order to get into lightweight backpacking. Some shelters are nothing more than a tarp while some don't have a flooring. While this leaves you exposed to the outdoors, it really isn't any different than using regular tent. A thin layer of nylon isn't going to protect you from a bear, so why have it?
Lightweight tents are a way of lightening your load when enjoying the outdoors. Don't let your mind keep you from trying out different ways of sleeping outside when in the woods. Remember the lighter your backpack, the less stress you encounter along the way.
About the Author
Jason is an outdoor enthusiast and lightweight backpacker. You can read his lightweight tent reviews on his website, http://www.lightweighttentreview.com.
