Mistakes are lessons, but not learning from others’ mistakes is ignorance. Here’s our tips to help you buy my first tent before your next outdoor adventure!

When it comes to backpacking, a traveler must always ensure all equipment and gears are of the best quality, even for tents. Of course! Your tent is the only thing that separates you from all elements outdoors, so it must be capable of keeping you warm at night and withstand harsh conditions.

Even so, most backpackers, especially beginners, forgo thoroughly checking the make of the tent when purchasing. And more often than not, it becomes a problem instead of giving the backpacker peace of mind.

So, to save you from the trouble of thinking “how to buy my first tent”, here’s our complete guide that you can follow!

Before anything else, you should know the difference between a backpacking tent vs. a car camping tent. At a glance, they both have some resemblance, so it wouldn’t be surprising for a hiking newbie to get confused between the two.

Most backpacking tents are more compact and weigh less than 4 pounds, with some even weighing less than a pound. Because it is lightweight, it is perfect to carry around for longer trips. When there is little to no trekking, many choose camping tents since they are more spacious. Although, it can weigh 10 pounds or more, depending on its capacity.

The two can also differ in materials. Some manufacturers use ultralight fabrics like Dyneema for their backpacking tents. But those tend to be a little expensive, costing more than $500 for some brand names.

Additionally, camping tents come with more poles that are larger and heavier. Meanwhile, there are backpacking tents that can stand with only one pole!

What to look for when buying your first tent

For this part, we only selected the ones experienced by most people. So read on if you are a beginner, or even a seasoned hiker, to avoid them.

How to buy my first tent can be intimidating, but don’t worry we have your back! We have put together a list of the top 3 things to look for when buying your first tent, so just make sure you remember the S-A-T system! 

• Sleeping system must fit!

Everyone has their self-specific ways and techniques of getting to dreamland and rest. One of these includes having the perfect sleeping gear.

But you wouldn’t carry your bed along in your backpack, so that’s where hiking sleeping systems come in.

Most hiking sleeping systems are thick and a tad wider than your body. Whether you sleep in an inflatable, foam sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, or quilt, check if it fits within the tent of your choice. Until then, you can be sure you’ll have a good night’s sleep in the woods. If you want to know exactly what else you might need camping, check out our essential gear for camping guide. 

• Avoid buying from general retailers!

Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, and Target are only some of the biggest retailers in the U.S., and you can find almost anything and everything inside any of them! 

But are you willing to trust your life outdoors to a product they sell? How well do you think they know about the tent that they offer?

We strongly suggest you avoid getting your backpacking tent and other gear and equipment from retailers and go straight to trusted outdoor recreation brands like Backcountry, CampSaver, and REI. Aside from the top-notch quality products, their store staff are knowledgeable about what they sell and can assist you with inquiries and demonstrations.

• Try out your entire tent set up before your trip!

Before starting your campaign in the great outdoors, try putting up the tent first at home. Because would you rather encounter problems in the mountains than in your backyard or garage?

If you asked for a store demo, make sure to listen and watch carefully so you can DIY your tent set up without any hassle. Understand the manual and bring it with you on your trip if you still feel unsure about the process.

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Summary

That must have been a lot to take! But, just remember this acronym: S-A-T

• Sleeping system must fit.
• Avoid general retailers.
• Try setting up your tent at home.

This guide will not only save you from worries. It can save you a few bucks, too! By following the tips here, you are a step closer to a stress-free trip. Good luck on buying your new tent!