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Gear Review – The Best Budget Backpacking Tents

Backpacking is one of the most exciting ways to explore the world and meet new people. When you are backpacking, you enjoy an incredible amount of freedom because all of your belongings are literally strapped to your back. You can change your travel plans at the drop of a hat and explore interesting locations that you saw while on your way to your next destination.

If you take a lightweight backpacking tent with you on your journey, the freedom you can enjoy is even greater. Having a tent available means you can camp in the most spectacular locations that each area has to offer. It also means that you will save a ton of money on accommodation costs — allowing you to make your trip even longer!

We’ve field tested some of the best budget backpacking tents, to make sure you’re getting quality item without breaking the bank. After all, you want a backpacking tent that will hold up for many adventures to come.

This guide will take a closer look at the best budget backpacking tents. We’ll give you an idea of the kinds of features that are useful in backpacking tents and explain how to choose the best tent possible.

The 5 best budget backpacking tents

Let’s cut to the chase. We’ve done the research, you’re here for our findings.

There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right backpacking tent. To save you the hassle of comparing dozens of tents, here are 5 of the best budget backpacking tents that have the perfect combination of features, ease of use, and durability.


Featherstone Outdoor UL Granite Backpacking 2-Person Tent	Hyke & Byke Yosemite 1 and 2 Person Backpacking Tents	ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent	Clostnature Lightweight 2-Person Backpacking Tent	WolfWise 2 Person 3-4 Season Lightweight Backpacking Tent
Rating: 4.5/5	Rating: 4.4/5	Rating: 4.6/5	Rating: 4.6/5	Rating: 4.8/5
Floor Size: 84” x 51” x 43” (W x L x H)	Floor Size: 88” x 110” x 45” (W x L x H)	Floor Size: 32” x 90” x 36” (W x L x H)	Floor Size: 87” x 59” x 46” (W x L x H)	Floor Size: 82.7” x 55.1” x 43.3” (W x L x H)
Weight: 4lb	Weight: 2.5 lb for 1-person, 3.2lb for 2-person	Weight: 4lb 4 oz	Weight: 5lb 8oz	Weight: 4lb
Materials: 75-denier Ripstop Polyester Rainfly and 210-denier Ripstop Polyester Floor (3000mm PU)	Materials: 63-denier Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (2000mm PU) and Floor (5000mm PU)	Materials: Water resistant Polyester (2000mm PU)	Materials: Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (5000mm PU) and Bathtub Floor (5000mm PU)	Materials: 190 Thread Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (2000mm PU) and 150 Denier Floor (3000mm PU)
Design: Freestanding	Design: Freestanding	Design: Freestanding	Design: Freestanding	Design: Freestanding
Cost: $$	Cost: $$	Cost: $$	Cost: $	Cost: $

Featherstone Outdoor UL Granite Backpacking 2 Person Budget Backpacking Tent

Featherstone Outdoor UL Granite Backpacking 2-Person Tent

Rating: 4.5/5

Floor Size: 84” x 51” x 43” (W x L x H)

Weight: 4lb

Materials: 75-denier Ripstop Polyester Rainfly and 210-denier Ripstop Polyester Floor (3000mm PU)

Design: Freestanding

Cost: $$

Hyke & Byke Yosemite 1 and 2 Person Backpacking Tents

Rating: 4.4/5

Floor Size: 88” x 110” x 45” (W x L x H)

Weight: 2.5 lb for 1-person, 3.2lb for 2-person

Materials: 63-denier Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (2000mm PU) and Floor (5000mm PU)

Design: Freestanding

Cost: $$

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent

Rating: 4.6/5

Floor Size: 32” x 90” x 36” (W x L x H)

Weight: 4lb 4 oz

Materials: Water resistant Polyester (2000mm PU)

Design: Freestanding

Cost: $$

Clostnature Lightweight 2-Person Budget Backpacking Tent

Clostnature Lightweight 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Rating: 4.6/5

Floor Size: 87” x 59” x 46” (W x L x H)

Weight: 5lb 8oz

Materials: Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (5000mm PU) and Bathtub Floor (5000mm PU)

Design: Freestanding

Cost: $

WolfWise 2 Person 3-4 Season Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Rating: 4.8/5

Floor Size: 82.7” x 55.1” x 43.3” (W x L x H)

Weight: 4lb

Materials: 190 Thread Ripstop Polyester Rainfly (2000mm PU) and 150 Denier Floor (3000mm PU)

Design: Freestanding

Cost: $

Featherstone Outdoor UL Granite Backpacking 2-Person Tent

This affordable backpacking tent from Featherstone strikes the perfect balance between weight and comfort. It is a highly durable, breathable, and lightweight tent ideal for backpacking.

The Featherstone Outdoor UL is a spacious lightweight two-person tent measuring with a floor space of 84 x 51 inches. It includes two doors and two vestibules for storing backpacks. This product is a 3-season tent made from 75-denier Ripstop Polyester with a 3000mm polyurethane hydrostatic-rated coating. The floor is made from thick 210-denier Nylon with the same hydrostatic coating.

One of the best features of this tent is how weatherproof it is. The seam-taped construction forms an impenetrable barrier against moisture — critical when backpacking in the rainy season. The bathtub floor design also prevents water from the ground from leaking into the tent through the walls.

The Featherstone Outdoor UL is fairly easy to set up, with a single aluminum pole design. It is a freestanding tent, so you can quickly pick it up and move it to another location when necessary. The generous lifetime warranty, price, and features make this tent an excellent choice.

Pros:

Excellent weatherproofing
Spacious for two people
Lightweight tent
Packs into a small space

Cons:

Could have stronger zippers

Buy on Amazon

Hyke & Byke Yosemite 1 and 2 Person Backpacking Tents

Hyke & Byke have built a reputation for making excellent backpacking tents that are both affordable and highly durable. Their Yosemite tents are no exception. This tent is available as both a one-person and two-person tent, with the lightweight one-person tent measuring 88” x 75”, and the two-person tent measuring 88” by 110”. There is plenty of headroom in these tents with the one-person and two-person having 42” and 45” respectively.

The Yosemite is very easy to set up. It uses 2 poles with a clip-pole attachment that can be assembled in a couple of minutes. The poles and stakes are both very lightweight, which is handy for backpackers who are already carrying a fully loaded pack. The entire tent weighs just 3.2 lbs for the two-person model and 2.5 lbs for the ultralight one-person tent model. This tent also collapses down to a small size (17.75” by 6.3”).

The materials used to make the Yosemite are all very high quality. The rainfly is 63 denier polyester with a 190 thread count and 2000mm polyurethane coating. The inner tent body is made from the same material but also has a B3 Net yarn. The floor is identical but with a 5000mm polyurethane coating for additional waterproofing.

Pros:

One-person tent is ultralight at 2.5 pounds
Two-person tent model is particularly spacious
Rip-resistant material

Cons:

Lower denier compared to some other budget backpacking tents

Buy on Amazon

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx One-Person Tent

This freestanding one-person tent from ALPS Mountaineering is highly durable, lightweight, and simple to set up. It has been designed to be an ultraportable tent that packs into a small form factor. It is perhaps the easiest tent to assemble from the 5 being reviewed in this guide, which makes it useful for when you quickly need some shelter. Simply thread the two aluminium poles through the tent and stake it in 4 places.

The proportions of this tent are perfectly suited to the solo backpacker or camper, coming in at 32” x 90” x 36”. The weight is also quite reasonable at 4 lbs 4 oz or 3 lbs 8 oz if you only take the essentials. This tent is made from high-quality materials including water and UV resistant polyester, and aluminium poles. A great choice for solo backpackers.

Pros:

High-quality zippers
Lightweight tent
Perfect for the solo backpacker
Fantastic value for money
Very long, so great for taller backpackers

Cons:

The stakes could be higher quality
May not stand up to extremely wet conditions

Buy on Amazon

Clostnature Lightweight 2-Person Backpacking Tent

This 2 person backpacking tent from TNH has been designed with convenience and comfort in mind. The tent measures 7’3” x 4’11” x 3’10” with a maximum height of approximately 45”. When it is packed up, it measures 16.5” x 5.9” x 5.9”, which is quite compact compared to many other budget backpacking tents. It is by far the best budget backpacking tent under $100, in fact, it’s the most affordable one on our list.

This is another freestanding tent design that uses two aluminium poles and a small number of pegs. The curved design of this tent makes it a great choice if you expect to be camping in windy conditions. It also has interior mesh walls, which provide plenty of ventilation if the weather becomes hot. The two D-shaped doors open up the spacious interior which features 2 vestibules offering plenty of room for storing your backpacks.

This is one of the most waterproof backpacking tents reviewed, thanks to its 201 thread polyester rainfly (5000mm PU), groundsheet, and bathtub design. The water-resistant coating is quite thick and performs well in harsh weather.

Pros:

At under $100, the tent is remarkably affordable for these specifications
Very spacious
A high level of water resistance
Interior accommodates very tall people

Cons:

Slightly heavier than some of the other tents at 5lb 8oz

Buy on Amazon

WolfWise 2 Person 3-4 Season Lightweight Backpacking Tent

This WolfWise two-person 3-4 Season tent is made from high-quality anti-tear polyester with 190 thread count, double-stitched seams, PU coating, and stitch taping. The floor is made from 150 denier anti-tear Oxford cloth and has a waterproof index of 3000mm.

The tent expands to a size of 82.7” x 55.1” x 43.3” from its folded size of 20.9” x 6.7” x 6.7”. It comes with some fantastic features including a USB LED roof light, wind rope, and shock-corded pole. The oversized doors make entry and exit simple.

This tent combines high-quality materials with ease-of-use and some excellent features. The LED roof lights are very useful and the professional construction tent makes it capable of operating in all weather conditions. The affordability of this tent is a major selling point, especially given the quality of its construction.

Pros:

Handy LED roof lights
Easy setup
Large size

Cons:

At over 5 pounds it is heavier than some other tents

Buy on Amazon

How to look after your backpacking tent

Here are a few quick tips for caring for your new backpacking tent!

Storing your backpacking tent dry

If you can, avoid rolling the tent up while it is wet. This will cause mildew to form on the tent, which will ruin its appearance and may cause a health hazard. Leaving moisture on a rolled-up tent can also damage the polyurethane coating that is on the rain fly. A budget backpacking tent with a polyurethane coating will dry very quickly, so simply hang your tent out of the rain for a few minutes or wave it around to remove moisture.

Wash your tent when it needs it

Backpacking can be a dirty business! You may often be camping in locations that are muddy or dusty. It is important to remove any debris from your tent as soon as possible because mud, salt, and dust can damage the water-resistant coating on a tent.

Fortunately, cleaning your tent is simple. Just spray a water hose on the tent until the debris is off. Never use chemical cleaners on your tent and don’t place it in a washing machine as they may also damage the coating on the tent.

Re-sealing your tent

The water-resistant coating that is applied to your tent’s surfaces is not permanent. It will gradually wear out over time as it is exposed to harsh weather, dirt, and other contaminants. Fortunately, you can purchase spray-on water-resistant coatings for tents. Once you have owned your budget backpacking tent for a year or two (depending on how often you use it), test how water resistant it is by running a hose over it. If water seems to penetrate into the tent, apply a layer of water-resistant coating.

Thanks for reading Our Gear Review of The Best Budget Backpacking Tent. For more outdoor gear reviews check out our other blog posts.

March 4, 2023/4 Comments/by Monica W.

How to Make Coffee While Backpacking: 6 Quick and Easy Methods

Hiking Tips

Going on a backpacking trip and would love to brew coffee along the way?

We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ve gathered 6 quick and easy ways to make coffee while backpacking. We will show you options like instant coffee, portable backpacking coffee makers, coffee bags, and more.

Keep reading to learn more.

1. Instant Coffee

Instant coffee is one of the best ways to brew coffee while backpacking. It has many benefits, but it is not for everyone. Let’s talk about its pros and cons.

The major advantage of instant coffee is its convenience in terms of time savings. You just have to measure the amount of powder and water you want, add some hot water, and stir. All of this in less than a minute.

Its learning curve is almost nonexistent, so anyone can prepare it, additionally, since instant coffee dilutes in liquid, it produces no waste in comparison with other brewing methods.

The final advantage is that usually, instant coffee is cheaper in the short term because you don’t need to buy any additional equipment.

However, the major downside of instant coffee is its flavor, it will never be as good as coffee brewed with fresh grounds.

Our top picks for the best instant coffee for backpacking:

2. Portable Battery Powered Coffee Machine

Coffee makers are usually confused with bulky machines only used in stores or at home. Well, that’s not the case.

The Makita DCM501Z Cordless Coffee Maker, as the name suggests, is a coffee maker that doesn’t require to be connected to a power source to work because it is powered by a potent Lithium battery. That makes it the best backpacking coffee maker option.

This coffee maker brews up to 3 cups of coffee of 5oz each. Additionally, it doesn’t need paper filters since it comes with a permanent drip filter.

These features are extremely helpful to make coffee while backpacking since you can enjoy several cups of coffee and you don’t need to pay extra money or extra storage on paper filters.

Apart from its extremely convenient battery, its design is very compact. It is only 8-9/16″ tall with a 3-1/2″ cup clearance, so you can store it easily in a bag. Or, if you don’t want to do that, it has a handle at the top that you can use to carry it around with you.

Despite all of these benefits, we only recommend this coffee maker for short backpacking trips since when it doesn’t have a battery it is pretty useless.

In case you are camping and you have a power generator, we would also recommend the K-Mini or K-Express, which are coffee makers that require a power source to work, but are kind of portable too.

3. Coffee Bags

In short, coffee bags are small portions of coffee inside sealed bags of paper, exactly the same as tea bags, but instead of tea, coffee.

The way they work is very simple, you add the coffee bag inside a cup with boiling water and wait for 2 to 5 minutes. The longer you leave the bag in the water, the stronger the coffee will be.

These bags also come in a lot of varieties, like decaffeinated coffee, and in several roasts, for example, light roast or medium roast.

So, their major advantage is that they are extremely easy to use and make coffee really fast. The major downside is that the flavor is not as good as if you were using a normal coffee maker like a coffee pot. The flavor is very similar to instant coffee for backpacking.

Our top picks for the best coffee bags for backpacking:

4. Collapsible Pour Over

If you really like pour over coffee this is a pretty good option while backpacking due to its extreme portability.

Collapsible pour over coffee makers are made of silicone and, as the name suggests, they can be easily stored by collapsing them.

Since they are made of silicone, they are very resistant, cheap, and they do not absorb odors or chemical taste, extremely convenient properties.

To make coffee while backpacking with one of these products, you just have to put your collapsible pour over a cup, insert a filter, add some coffee grounds, and then pour hot water over the grounds.

Our recommendation for enjoying pour over coffee while backpacking is the collapsible reusable silicone coffee dripper by Kuissential.

5. AeroPress Go

The AeroPress Go is a portable espresso coffee maker that doesn’t require electricity to function. It is another excellent choice to make coffee while backpacking.

It can produce from 1 to 3 servings of espresso coffee depending on the amount of water you add. Also, the coffee seems to be pretty good according to many reviews from previous customers.

Additionally, it comes with a handy mug and some accessories perfect for bringing this coffee maker with you everywhere.

The device itself is very simple to use, but it requires some practice to use to brew the best coffee possible from it.

6. Cowboy Coffee

This method has been used by wilderness travelers all over the years. It’s a unique way of brewing coffee that actually tastes pretty good, but it requires some technique.

First, you need a good pot with a handle, a pair of sturdy gloves, or a heavy cloth, and a cooking fire or portable stove.

First, you need to add some water to the pot and put it in the fire until it boils, and then add the coffee. It is recommended to add one tablespoon of coffee grounds per person. Also, 8oz of water per person is a good measure.

After about 5 minutes, remove the pot from the fire, and wait until it cools a little bit until the grounds are at the bottom of the pot.

Now, you just have to stir and pour your coffee into a cup. Make sure to do it slowly because you don’t want coffee residues in your cup.

Conclusion

These were 6 quick and easy ways to make coffee while backpacking. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, so we recommend that you experiment a little with them to find out which one is your favorite.

Personally, our favorite way to prepare coffee while backpacking is the AeroPress method due to its convenience and nice flavor.

December 19, 2022/0 Comments/by Leandro Santorsola

8 Travel Memory Gifts and Keepsake Ideas

Backpacking Gear

When you share a love of travel with someone, giving them something you have discovered during your travels is a great gift idea. It gives them a gift they will remember for the rest of their lives and allows you to share your memories with them in a way that other people would not be able to.

Giving travel memory gifts is an easy way to make sure that your friends and family feel valued when they are around you. You can share these travel keepsakes in different ways too – whether giving them something small like a postcard or something more substantial like a new camera, there is always an option for everyone.

A small gift can go a long way and doesn’t have to be expensive. It could be as simple as giving your travel companion a book about the destination or some postcards from local artists.

If this sounds like something you want to do, here are several ideas of travel memory gifts and travel keepsake ideas you can give your travel buddy.

Wooden World Map

A wooden world map keepsake is a great travel keepsake gift for your travel buddy. It can be a great way for them to show where they have been using pins, inspire them to continue the adventure, and get them excited about their next destination.

A wooden world map is a fantastic decoration in any home, making them feel like they are always on the go, no matter where they are. This map will remind them that there is always more to explore and more places to go. A wooden world map can also give you more knowledge about the world and helps you get acquainted with the geography of different countries.

Local Rocks or Minerals

A rock is a perfect travel memory gift for a travel buddy because it can be a symbol of your friendship. A stone can remind them of you and your shared memories. It’s also a great way to say that you are always there for them, even when you are not physically present.

We often think of rocks as boring and not something we would like to get as a gift. But they can be a great travel keepsake for your travel buddy.

Rock collections are inexpensive to show someone you care about them and that you want to commemorate their love for travel. You can create your collection by picking up a few rocks from your favorite destinations or buying one of the many ready-made collections available at stores.

Personalized Travel Memory Gifts

Personalized gifts are a great way to show how much you care about your travel buddy. Something as simple as personalized books for adults can be great memorabilia for your travel memories together. It can be a story about the two of you or an adventure you went on together. It will remind them of all the good times you had when traveling together.

Personalized books are a great way to show appreciation for someone who has traveled with you. They can be funny, sentimental, or adventurous depending on what kind of person they are and what kind of trip it was.

Local Toys

The best thing about local toys is that it offers something different from the usual travel gifts people give each other.

Local toys are a great travel keepsake for your travel buddy because they are unique, and the receiver will think of you whenever they play with the toy.

Local Currency

One of the best travel memory gifts for your travel buddy is local currency from the country you are visiting together. You can buy it at the airport or before your trip online. The local currency is a fabulous souvenir and an excellent way to get more bang when traveling abroad.

Local currencies are great gifts for travelers who already have an upcoming trip planned. Give them a bit of starting cash that they can spend in the country they visit. They can also use it as a travel souvenir of their trip and keep it as a memory of their travels.

Wine and Spirits

Local wine or spirits make excellent travel memory gifts for your travel-loving buddy. Many cultures around the world pride themselves on their unique traditional beverages, and this is a great way to bring that culture home. Maybe your travel buddy and you can enjoy the wine or spirits together while reminiscing about your trip.

Plates and Cutlery

Decorated earthenware in a souvenir shop, Sozopol, Bulgaria

Pick up decorated earthenware as a travel keepsake, like these in Sozopol, Bulgaria

We have the perfect suggestion if you are looking for unique, thoughtful, and practical travel memory gift ideas for your travel buddy. Plates and cutlery can make a truly unique travel keepsake. Locally-crafted plates and cutlery are typically elaborately decorated and will add an international flair to your kitchen equipment back home.

Consider buying these travel memory gifts or travel keepsake ideas when you’re interested in showing appreciation for your travel buddy. Aside from your usual postcard, these gift ideas can be more interesting for your recipient. Check these out for yourself so that it becomes easier to find the right travel gift.

November 22, 2022/0 Comments/by Monica W.

How to Choose a Family Tent

Backpacking Gear

Going camping is always exciting, and it gets doubled when it’s with family, right? If you’re embarking on a group trip, choosing the right family tent is an essential part of the trip.

The right-sized tent determines the comfort level throughout the camping trip for you and your family, but choosing the right size isn’t an easy task. To help with the process of how to choose a family tent, we’ve assembled this guide.

Tent Size – Why Is It So Important?

The tent’s size holds the utmost importance for your camping trip. Its size determines your trip’s comfort level, not just for you but for your family as well. No matter the family size it’s better to get a slightly bigger tent than you need. Otherwise, you and your family members will feel cramped inside throughout the trip.

If you don’t select the right-sized tent for the family camping trip, you’ll face discomfort while staying inside. Not only that, you won’t have enough room to move around and sleep comfortably.

That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right-sized family tent. However, as mentioned at the beginning it’s not as you might think. Without the right know-how, you might miss something that’ll ruin the whole trip.

Not to worry, our following segments will help determine the right-sized tent for your family trip.

Different Types Of Family Tents

As we mentioned earlier, there are quite a few types of tents but not all of them are well suited for your family and conditions.

In the following segment, we’ll have a brief discussion about a few types of family tents, which will help you have a better understanding of your needs.

Pop-Up Tents

A typical pop-up tent with external flexible poles

The Pop-up tent is the most portable tent on our list. It’s built with light aluminum looped framing which is confined with a tension strap.

When you release the tension strap from the framing you’ll have your tent ready to set up. Once the tent is popped you need to locate the braided loops at the bottom of the tent.

They are the stakeout points of the tent. Just stake out the braided loops and you’ll have your tent ready for camping. It’ll take about 2 to 4 minutes to complete the setup.

Yes, it’s true that pop-up tents are easy and quick to set up. However, it has a significant drawback, which is that it can’t withstand bad weather conditions. Because of its light aluminum framing, it can’t withstand bad weather such as heavy rain, wind, and snowfall. So if you know it’s going to be bad weather where you’re going then the pop-up tent is probably not the one for you.

Instant Cabin Tents

A large ‘instant cabin’ style family tent

Instant cabin tents are square or rectangular-shaped tents that provide a huge vertical space.

The instant cabin tents are structured with large aluminum pole framing, which makes them sturdy. That makes them withstand bad weather with ease.

It takes roughly 5 to 7 minutes to set up this type of tent for a single person. However, the larger cabin tents are harder to set up and require at least 2 people.

One of the major drawbacks of this type of tent is that it’s hard to carry because of the large size even after being folded in a box. So if you wish to use the instant cabin tent then you’ll need a much larger space inside your car.

Dome Tents

A typical dome tent for families

Dome Tents are the most popular tent, the reason being they’re widely available, unlike the other tents, also they’re very cost-effective.

That being said dome tents are designed with versatility in mind. That means these tents can easily withstand any kind of weather.

It’s because of its structure. Dome tents are made from a flexible interlocking frame that supports the main body of the frame and helps withstand bad weather conditions.

One thing that makes the dome tent different from the other two is that it’s a double-wall tent. This means it’s both properly ventilated and well protected at the same time.

The only drawback when you choose a dome family tent is the setup process, which is quite complex. One missed alignment will make your tent set up unsuccessful.

So if you are planning on using the dome tent for your family camping trip you should learn the setup process.

Factors to Consider When Choosing A Family Tent

As we mentioned earlier, determining the right size of your family tent depends on many structural factors as well as your personal situation.

The variety of tents available on the market can easily overwhelm you if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In this segment, we’ll review the factors you’ll need to consider while choosing a family tent for your next trip.

Tent’s Shape

The tent’s size and shape is the factor that will influence your comfort throughout the camping trip. Tents come in different shapes, and not every shape will provide the best support for you.

No matter the size of the tent, if the shape is not suited to you, it’ll cause hindrance to movement freedom and thus lead to discomfort.

So make sure you choose the right shape along with the size that’s suited to your needs and comfort for the tent. It’ll help ensure a successful trip for you and your family.

Living Space for a Family Tent

A family tent will offer plenty of space for the group

When you’re choosing a tent, you must consider the living space, and while considering the living space, you must include a few things. Such as:

Family members (How many members of your family you’re bringing along)
Trips duration (How many days are you going to stay for camping)
Whether you’re spending a lot of time inside the tent or not

According to these considerations, you must choose an ideal living space for your family tent. The rule of thumb is to plan for at least 20 square feet in the tent for each person. But if you plan to spend more leisure time in the tent, you will want to allow for even more space.

Entry Points

Along with shapes and sizes, there are different types of entry points that you can leave open or close as per requirements. You might be thinking that fewer entry points on the tent would be good for better protection of your tent. Well, just like living space, it depends on your needs.

Most tent doors are designed with nets that will keep the insects out and will let you enjoy the view without opening the whole door.

While choosing the entry points, you should also consider the number of members using the tent. For example, if you’re buying a large tent for 16 people, you should look for a tent with multiple entry points on each side.

Ventilation System

A proper ventilation system is necessary to allow for proper airflow inside the tent. Just having a few entry points can’t provide the required ventilation for you and your family.

So it’s a good idea to choose a tent with several windows. It will ensure the necessary influx of air, which will provide the proper ventilation system inside the tent.

Ease of Set Up

Setting up a tent can be easy or hard according to the methods. Some tents have an easy setup system that can be done by one person and some are so hard that it needs more than two people to set up properly.

So unless you want to go through a complex tent setup process you should choose an easy-to-set tent. It will not only save you a lot of hassle but also your valuable time. It’s also a good idea to run thru the setup process before your trip.

Organizational Features

Keeping your necessary items organized inside the tent is a hassle, especially if you have children.

You should know that there are tents that come with features that help you better organize your essential items and tools. If this is something you’re interested in, look out for tents that have organizational features like vestibules, gear lofts, and tent dividers. This will help keep the interior of your large family tent organized and make your camping experience more enjoyable.

Portability

It’s ideal for a tent to be portable, and as we all know, portability makes traveling much easier.

Before you buy a big family tent, you must consider its portability as well. Otherwise, you’ll face trouble and complexity while traveling.

Logically, a bigger tent takes a lot of space even after being folded in a box. So make sure you plan out enough space inside your vehicle for the large tent.

Rainfly

The rainfly is a water-resistant material that stops the rain or condensed water from coming inside the tent. If you’re looking to buy the cheapest possible family tent, the quality of materials may not be the best. If the rainfly material is of poor quality, it can lead to water condensing inside the coating, causing water to leak inside the tent.

On the flip side, buying a tent with a proper rainfly will help prevent the heavy rainwater from getting inside the tent, which is especially important if you’re faced with bad weather conditions. While buying your family tent make sure to check reviews that mention the rainfly.

Durability

Family tents need to be much more durable than your regular tents. The more people who will be using the tent, the more wear and tear will occur. The sturdiest tents are those built with aluminum framing. These are more resistant to damage.

Just so you know, aluminum frames bend if stressed, however, they can be easily repaired and you don’t need any special expertise for it either. So while buying a tent make sure you get the one with aluminum framing.

Final Considerations for Choosing a Family Tent

Not only is it important to choose the right-sized family tent, but there are also plenty of factors to consider before making your purchase. Luckily, now you can follow the above-mentioned factors and easily find the right tent for your family camping trip.

July 25, 2022/1 Comment/by Monica W.

The Best Books to Read While Backpacking

Travel Advice

This selection of the top 8 backpacking books will make you want to travel the world, whether you’re just planning your next backpacking trip or an ambitious round-the-world adventure. These are the finest novels to read when traveling if you want to be inspired to go on amazing adventures and explore more. This collection is the best reading list of books for backpackers, with everything from romance to wanderlust novels.

The One Woman By Laura May

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The One Woman, one of Laura May’s books, is a great book to read while backpacking, because it tells the story across multiple countries like Israel, Spain, Ukraine, and the USA. Julie, a graphic artist, is the main heroine of Laura May’s first LGBTQ romance book. Regrettably, we know little about Julie’s life or her partnership with Mark. That is, until she meets Ann. Web developer Ann is a kind and outgoing person. It is obvious that Julie has affections for Ann. The spark is genuine as their history and present converge in Barcelona. Julie will have to choose between her love for Ann and her allegiance to Mark when catastrophe strikes. Will true love last the distance? Read this book by writer Laura May to find out.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

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A book about pushing one’s boundaries, cutting ties with society, and looking to nature and solitude for enlightenment. These are all the ingredients necessary to make a great book to read while backpacking.

The inquiry into the true tale of Chris McCandless, missing Alaskan wilderness hiker, whose SOS letter and skeletal remains were discovered months later, served as the inspiration for the book’s plot. One of the top books to read while backpacking.

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

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An unsuccessful novelist approaching his 50th birthday is Arthur Less. A nine-year ex-boyfriend who is engaged to another person sends him a wedding invitation in the mail. Both saying yes and saying no are out of the question for Arthur because doing so would be embarrassing and defeatist. So he starts to accept the invites to shoddy literary events that arrive on his desk from all over the world.

Arthur almost falls in love, almost dies, and travels from France to India, Germany to Japan, all the while putting distance between himself and the situation he doesn’t want to face. The book Less is about misunderstandings, accidents, and the depths of the human heart.

Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

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Since her mother, a journalist, passed away while on the job, Marin has stayed within Tennessee, playing it safe. Sadie, her rambunctious younger sister, has traveled the world as a photographer while subsisting on art and adrenaline.

Marin reluctantly agrees to a sisters’ spa weekend on the tropical island of Saba after Sadie returns from a challenging job abroad and appears a little worse for wear. But when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s luggage gets mixed up with another passenger’s, and a turbulence episode sends her crashing into the lap of Lucas Tsai, the attractive stranger who took her sister’s seat. As she and Lucas explore the island, Marin is forced to leave her comfort zone for the first time in a long time and discover what she’s been missing. Marin discovers more about herself, the man she’s falling for, and the agonizing reason she’s there with each breath-taking new encounter.

The Cloud Garden by Paul Winder and Tom Hart Dyke

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The Darien Gap is a legendary location. It’s the lone rest stop along the Pan-American Highway, which connects Alaska with the southernmost point of South America. The gap is frequently portrayed as a nearly impenetrable area of marsh, rainforest, and cloud forest home to FARC guerillas. It is a well known no-go zone for world backpackers everywhere.

This interesting book relates the tale of two unusual travelers who band together and attempt an on-foot crossing from Panama to Colombia. They had endured a difficult journey and are just hours away from victory when they are taken hostage by FARC insurgents and held captive for nine months in the bush.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

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Alex and Poppy don’t have much in common. He’s dressed in khakis, she’s a free spirit. He loves to stay home with a book, whereas she has an insatiable need to travel. They have been the best of friends ever since a tragic car share from college many years ago. While she lives in New York City and he in the little town for the majority of the year, they have spent one wonderful week of vacation every summer for the past ten years.

Up until they wrecked everything two years ago. Since then, they haven’t spoken.

Poppy is in a rut despite having everything she should want. She is certain that the heartbreaking, last trip she took with Alex was the last time she felt completely content. In order to make everything right, she resolves to persuade her best buddy that they should go on one more vacation together. Amazingly, he consents.

One River By Wade Davis

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This is the epic tale of two generations of South African scientists who have traveled the world. Wade Davis, the protégé of Professor Richard Evan Schultes, and he set out on a trip to study natural history. Schultes left Harvard and spent twelve years living among the locals in the Amazon while charting unexplored rivers. You’ll definitely be on the edge of your seat as you read this tale of devastation, treachery, discovery, and adventure. One of the best non-fiction adventure novels available, you must read this book before backpacking anyplace in the Amazon (Peru, Colombia, or Brazil).

Wild By Cheryl Strayed

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A novel that became well-known as a result of the movie. But the book—trust me—is better. For those who are unaware of the storyline, Cheryl believed she had lost everything when she turned 22. Her family was dispersed, her mother had passed away, and her marriage had failed. She made the rash decision to trek alone on a quest over a thousand miles long because she thought she had nothing left to lose. While maintaining its style and suspense, this backpacking-themed book glistens with love and humor. Everything revolves around a journey that strengthened and healed a broken woman.

What books would you recommend reading while backpacking?

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July 22, 2022/0 Comments/by Monica W.