This is a paid partnership with our friends at BACH
Choosing a tent is a very subjective topic: factors like personal preferences, destination, time of year and type of use all come into play. Here at Bach we understand that with the wide range of camping tents available to you, it is harder than ever to find the right option.
So let us make it easier for you. Here is our easy guide on how to choose your best camping tent.
What kind of person are you?
Your tent is your mobile home, so before you start looking for the options, always think about yourself first! Do you need more space to relax after hiking? Or do you prefer to save your back and some space in your backpack? Are you only outside when it’s sunny? Or do you need a tent for every kind of weather? Are you hiking for fun and to relax? Or do you want to challenge yourself in rough conditions and reach the highest peaks?
When you answer these questions, then you already know your most important preferences and values. Now you just need to decide for how many people you need the tent to accommodate, what conditions you are going to camp in, and which type of the tent is the best fit for your comfort preferences.
Bivi bags, one-person tents or group tents
If you are traveling alone and you need to save every gram, then the lightest options are a bivi bag, a half-tent or a one person tent.
If you’re looking for a lightweight solution for one person, our Bach Half Tent Pro is ideal. However, for long-distance trekking, thru-hikes and more-days-hikes, a two-person tent might be a better solution, because of additional baggage space and comfort. By the same token, for two people hiking and sharing a tent, a three-person tent is often a more spacious option. Keep in mind, that for every additional person, the weight will also rise.
BACH Half tent pro – minimalistic, lightweight but super breathable 1 person bivi-bag.
Three-season vs. four-season tents
For most backpackers a three-season tent is sufficient from spring to late autumn. Often, they are made of two layers – an inner ‘mosquito’ net and an outer weatherproof cover. In BACH, additionally, all our three-season tents are made robustly enough to survive even a couple of snowy days. Three-season tents are often used for both thru-hikes and shorter hikes in the warmer months. But if you’re planning to camp in rough conditions, such as those typically found in winter – or even in summer but in high mountains with unpredictable weather – then a four-season tent could be best for you.
BACH Guam 2/3/4 – 3 season 2 layers dome tent
Dome, tunnel vs. tipi tents
Your choice of dome, tunnel or tipi tent depends mostly on the terrain, weather, and your comfort.
In general, dome tents are easy to put up and pack down. They are known as ‘self-standing’. They are also a good option for people who want to sleep under the stars, because of their two-layer construction – you can pitch them without the outer tent, just using the inner ‘mosquito’ mesh, in calm conditions. Dome tents tend to be a bit higher than tunnel tents and offer more entrances, which is a huge plus for the comfort of a hiking couple. On the other side, they offer less luggage space and might be less stable in rough conditions. Dome tents are often popular with backpackers in places which typically enjoy good weather. Our BACH portfolio offers a wide range of lightweight, breathable and durable three-season or four-season dome tents. Check out our range here.
Tunnel tents can often be a good bet for backpackers in more unpredictable climates because of their robust stability and the more generous inner space they usually offer. They offer space for sleeping as well as extra space for storage or even cooking. They are a bit lower than dome tents and will typically be more stable if you pitch them at the correct angle to the wind, but they could be less stable, if you position them wrong. Pitching them takes a bit longer than dome tents, but with the right pitching, they are super stable and perfect even for the rough expedition – like our spacious BACH Spix 3 tent.
Professional four-season expedition tent, the BACH Spix 3
Tipi tents are perfect option for hikers who require more breathability and space. They are usually lightweight, often have two layers (like dome tents), and their additional height can offer great comfort. You can also keep all your stuff nicely dry just right next to you. With the right pitching, they are super stable. Our Wickiup ultralight trekking tipi tents are often a great choice for Scandinavian hikes. They come in three-person, four-person and five-person versions.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours. But whatever you choose, remember that your tent will be your best partner in crime for a long time; you should always go for the highest quality, durability and comfort you can afford. And if you decide to buy a BACH tent, you can have it all in a lightweight style, made by hikers, by hikers.
