Gear Guide: Tent & Shelter
Tent & Shelter
A packable shelter is a key piece of any adventure arsenal if you plan to stay outdoors overnight, or venture out in inclement weather. It’s definitely worth investing in gear that is genuinely weather-proof, but also easy to set up, lightweight, and comfortable to live with.
Here are some items that have served me well and dependably through many microescapes.
Tent
Unless you’re determined to try your hand at winter camping, for most Midwestern outings I’d go with a generously vented, 2-piece, freestanding 3-season tent. This type of tent combines ease of setup with maximum breathability in humid summer weather.
Ultralight tents can weigh 3lbs or less, but also cost an arm and a leg. For my overnight bike expeditions (ie.: carrying the tent on my bike rather than on my back), I have successfully used a moderately light ~6lbs 2-person, dual vestibule tent for about 8 years, and I am a big fan of this design. I don’t mind the little extra weight. When I am camping alone, it gives me generous room for all my gear. For camping with a tent-mate, the two doors/vestibules give each camper storage space, and a way to get in and out without climbing over each other, or the bedding.
Freestanding tents are a breeze to set up. You’ll still need to stake it down to ensure stability in windy weather, but you can pitch it on less than perfect surface. Plus, you can easily move the tent while dialing in your ideal staking location.
When used with the fly, a well-made tent will give you dependable protection from downpours, but still offer plenty of breathability so the interior doesn’t get clammy.
Though my Nemo brand tent is no loger manufactured, dual-vestibule tents are readily available from many brands, including REI, MSR, Eureka and more. Look for well-ventilated mesh body, quality zippers and generous door/vestibule openings for easy access.
Nemo Dragonfly Tent
The wide open mesh top offers superior ventilation when used with the fly (and fabulous stargazing without).
Hammock
A hammock can be a wonderful alternative to sleeping in a tent. It’s also the perfect tool for hanging out and relaxation. There are key differences between a lounging hammock and a camping hammock.
For a simple lounging hammock for your back yard or day-trip use, you can choose from a wide selection of excellent, lightweight single and double hammocks that easily fit in your daypack or even fanny pack. They are made out of parachute nylon or thin, strong taffeta fabric with a carabiner on each end. The whole thing rolls into its own pocket making a package the size of a grapefruit. Hammocks are usually available in single and double size. Hanging straps, usually sold separately, allow for convenient hanging wherever there are trees. We carry hammocks from ENO’s and Grand Trunk (more here).
A full hammock camping system is a bit more complex. I includes:
Hammock (including carabiners for hanging)
Suspension straps which allow for easy and versatile hanging of your hammock
Bug net (separate or integrated)
All-weather tarp
Underquilt for cool weather camping
Although there are excellent quality fully-integrated camping hammocks (eg. Hennessy, more here), for maximum versatility, I’d recommend a modular system, so that you can bring only those components needed for a particular outing.
Grand Trunk Air Bivy
The perfect portable cocoon for sleeping among the trees.
Tarp
There is something in us humans that relishes both the beauty of nature, and our ability to shelter and protect ourselves from its force. A tarp, such as one from your hammock kit mentioned above, is an un believably useful piece of gear for those days when weather doesn’t cooperate. It provides instant shelter almost anywhere, and allow you to duck in from the rain to rest, enjoy a meal or a hot drink.