So you’ve decided to get serious. You’re actually going to go on a big hike, a week long excursion. You and a couple of buddies have decided to attack a piece of the Appalachian Trail. It’s going to be a blast, but your big and bulky 4 Man Tent just won’t do. There’s no way you want to lug a heavy too big bag up and down that trail.
2 Man Tents are the way to go for the semi-serious and serious backpacker/hiker. 2 Man Tents are misnamed. While they can certainly accommodate two men, the accommodations will be close. Can of sardines close. However, they are perfect for the solo hiker.
Designed to be both lightweight and low profile, 2 man tents blend right in with the surroundings. Their relatively small footprint allows them to be put up almost anywhere. This is a must when you have been hiking all day and are dead tired. Who wants to spend an hour clearing an 80 square foot area just to bed down for the night.
Most of the newer 2 man tents you will be looking into buying will be of the dome variety. The A-Frame, Modified A-Frame, and Tunnel and Hoop designs are just not practical. They are too heavy and too high profile to be suitable for a multi day hike in diverse terrain and weather conditions.
The Dome frame allows for a quicker setup and the geometric design of its footprint makes it more aerodynamic. More sides equals more places for the wind to go around. Weight is also a factor you should take into consideration when deciding which tent to purchase.
New ultralight technology has further reduced the weight of your average 2 man backpacking tent as well as improving its performance in adverse weather conditions. Some tents can way as little as 3 lbs and stand up to a heavier storm than tents of the previous generation. The difference between 4 and 3 lbs might not sound like much, but after lugging your tent around for an 8 hour hike, you will definitely notice the difference.
New technology and materials also affects the poles that make your tent a tent. Carbon fiber poles are significantly lighter yet stronger and durable than the old fiberglass or aluminum poles. If you can afford it carbon fiber is the way to go. They will insure that you will give up on a hike well before your tent forces you to pack it in.
If you’re considering a serious backpacking trip, you should buy as much tent as you can afford. The bush is no place to be caught with a cheap tent. Though you can get a 2 man tent for as little as 50 dollars, I wouldn’t suggest it. Buy the Cadillac, not the Pinto.
Some notable manufacturers of quality tents are: MSR, Eureka, Sierra, Kelty and Chinook.