Choosing a Tent

• How many people will be in the tent
  
• Do you expect heavy snow or high winds (4 season)
  
• Will you have lots of extra gear (vestibule)
  
• How critical is weight? (ultralight)

Most backpackers will want a 3 season, 2 person, free standing tent with a vestibule, rain fly and ground tarp. This allows you to setup the tent anywhere, camp in most weather, have plenty of room for your gear and withstand rain showers.

Mountaineers will want to consider more robust 4 season tents to protect against heavy snow and winds. Ultralight backpackers often use shelters that use their trekking poles for the frame to minimize weight.
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