Accessories for Consideration

Additional features that should be considered for the lightweight backpacking tent are a waterproof floor and fly. A waterproof floor is generally turned up the sidewalls which prevents the lighter weight wall material from contacting the moist ground plus it keeps out mosquitoes, flies and crawling insects. A fitted fly will provide additional wind and rain protection which is welcome when you are in cramped quarters for any extended length of time. A waterproof tent with a waterproof floor will become a condensation trap inside under some weather conditions, thus the convenience of a fitted overhead fly which provides a space between the tent and fly for ventilation.

Poles to setup and provide rigidity to should be fiberglass or fiber so they can be easily flexed but resist being crimped or crushed. Some peaked tents may require just two poles, for front and back, to set up dome types require thin flexible poles.

Unless you plan on pitching your tent on rocky ground or dry sand a waterproof ground sheet is recommended for under the tent floor to prevent the tent floor becoming damp from ground moisture particularly in wooded or grassy locations. This is particularly important for lightweight backpacking tents where you are likely required to pack them up each day without properly drying. It is very important that the tent be thoroughly dried and not packed away for any length of time in a wet or damp condition.