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Outdoor Activities | August 2, 2024
SAIL
May 9, 2024
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When hiking, there is nothing worse than carrying a heavy backpack all day, only to end up having a lousy night’s sleep in a damp tent. That’s why the tents recommended by SAIL are ultra-light and made of breathable high-tech materials, making them ideal for hiking, cycling or canoeing expeditions. Here are nine models to help you narrow down your search for the perfect backpacking tent.
In this article, you will find out more about the following backpacking tents:
Nemo is a relatively new brand, but don’t let its young age fool you. For the past 20 years, the business has dedicated itself to creating camping equipment that lasts a lifetime. Its tents are known for their easy-to-assemble innovative design, which provides ample living space.
The Dagger Osmo tent stands out for all the right reasons. It features high-tech fabric that prevents sagging when wet, advanced waterproofing and a roomy interior. But what truly sets it apart are the many little features that take this backpacking tent to the next level of comfort. For example, its packing system that allows two people to share the weight, a landing zone for wet and muddy gear, strategically placed vents for increased airflow, and an overhead night light diffuser that turns your headlamp into a tent lantern.
The Nemo Hornet Osmo model doesn’t compromise: this 3-season tent is both ultra-light and quite spacious. Its atypical shape provides plenty of living space thanks to a triangular structure of guy wires and an integrated “FlyBar” pole clip which further widens the space at the ceiling. Made of high-performance 100% recycled materials (poly-nylon ripstop), this lightweight 2-person or 3-person tent impresses with its unfailing solidity. Hikers will also appreciate how compact the tent is once packed, making it easy to slip into a backpack.
Durability and quality are two of Eureka’s benchmarks. Its camping products cater to every clientele, from families hoping to enjoy a few s’mores by the campfire, to minimalist backpackers looking for reliable gear that won’t break in the middle of the wilderness. Its El Capitan Outfitter tent is well worth looking at.
Recognized for its unmatched dependability, the El Capitan backpacking tent is built to outfitter standards. Its heavy-duty construction is abrasion-resistant, and its roomy two-door design ensures campers don’t have to crawl over each other to reach their sleeping bags. The two vestibules also let you store two backpacks on each side of the tent, and internal pockets help you stay neatly organized.
Initially a mountaineering brand, Marmot quickly expanded to other types of outdoor pursuits. The innovative business was even one of the first to use Gore-Tex technology in the design of its products. Today, it creates quality outdoor equipment using high-tech materials that protect adventure seekers from the elements.
The Tungsten tent is a staple in Marmot’s range. It offers plenty of benefits, including double doors, two vestibules for storage, durable materials, a mesh ceiling for stargazing and an optional rainfly for days when the weather threatens. However, it is widely known for its super-easy-to-set-up, colour-coded clips and poles. Snap the clips to their corresponding poles, bring the tent up and voilà! A roomy, breezy shelter for two in just a few minutes.
Many Big Agnes products could easily rank among the best backpacking tents. If you’re wondering which ultra-light tent to go for, you may want to add this American brand to your shortlist. One model in particular impressed our camping team: the Copper Spur HV UL.
The Copper Spur HV UL tent from Big Agnes was designed with long hikes and backpacking expeditions in mind. This 3-season tent is reserved for minimalist backpackers for whom every gram counts. Made from lightweight and durable top-of-the-range materials, the tent features everything you could wish for: two doors and two vestibules, pockets, storage, ripstop nylon, and waterproof seams.
The North Face designs both recreational tents and high-tech expedition shelters cut for the most extreme of conditions. And somewhere in this range, hikers and backpackers alike can find their perfect tent.
When it comes to longer hiking trips, our camping team recommends the Stormbreak model. The quality of its materials and its smart design make it an excellent lightweight 3-season tent. With its two doors, its modular vestibules, and its higher ceiling, it provides the comfort you need to recover from your long travels. Its affordable price also puts the Stormbreak model on the list of the best backpacking tents.
MSR is the benchmark when it comes to backpacking tents. So much so that our team struggled to pick only one model from the brand’s range, and had to settle on two: the Hubba Hubba and the Elixir. Both perfect for backpacking trips, these 3-season tents stand out for several reasons.
Seasoned hikers looking for a 2- or 3-person tent that is as light as it is spacious should look at the Hubba Hubba by MSR. This top-of-the-range model mostly stands out thanks to its unbeatable weight, but its strong points do not stop there: almost unrivalled ceiling height, optimal waterproofing, quick setup… A safe bet for all adventurers looking for a 3-season tent that’s suitable for any type of expedition.
The MSR Elixir tent is a great alternative to the Hubba Hubba. It is designed for adventurers who need to reduce the weight of their backpacks, but still want a certain degree of comfort and good value for money. Very easy to assemble, it features a roomy interior and ultra-practical vestibules for gear storage. The Elixir tent is a more traditional 2-person tent: it is modular and spacious. Perfect for a restful sleep after a long day of walking.
Going on a long hike without spending all your budget on a high-performance tent is possible. The SAIL Toundra, available as a 2-, 3- or 4-person tent, was designed for one purpose: offering the best value for money. It may not be the lightest tent in its category, but it has a few arrows in its quiver: ease of assembly, durability, waterproofing… The Toundra tent is versatile and makes for a great family tent.
After your outing, make sure your tent is fully dry before putting it away. Otherwise, mould could develop on the fabric and the coating on the seams could break down.
Don’t try to fold your backpacking tent to store it: simply stuff it in the storage bag. This way, you won’t damage the material by folding it over the same spot time and time again.
Keep in mind that a light hiking tent isn’t built to be used daily or left in the sun for too long. On average, its optimal lifespan is about 40 to 50 outings, or about 3 to 5 years. The sun is also one of a tent’s worst enemies, so try to set up camp in the shade whenever possible.
Depending on what you use your tent for, it’s important to waterproof the rainfly as well as the seams, even if it is not used often. Come see us in-store to find out how to do this.
And for a great night’s sleep under the stars, don’t forget to take stock of your sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
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