Choosing any gear comes down to a balance between the ideal choice and what you can spend. I have spent a number of decades collecting gear, so I am now in a place where most of my gear is able to be the ideal choices, but that wasn't always the case. Even if you can't afford it, however, it helps to figure out the ideal choice because that will allow you to be clear on what you are looking for in your secondary-but-much-more-affordable options. (See the bottom of this page for ideas on getting reduced price gear.)

backpacking gear - tents

MY CRITERIA:
  1. weight and size - I want it to be as lightweight and small to pack as possible. This is good in general, but also because I do better if I can leave the tent  up until the horses are all packed and everything is ready to go, thus allowing me to rest after packing and before getting on the trail. But this requires that it be able to tuck into my horse's pack at the last minute, and the smaller it is, the easier for that.
  2. Ease of setup - Having a lot of things to worry about before or after I ride for a day is hard for me. The fewer pieces I have to put together (one pole vs. two, for instance) and the easier the setup and take-down, the better. The more it can feel like I just get off the horse and crawl into bed, the better. Lots of camp set-up is hard on me, especially as it involves an equal amount of take-down the next morning.
  3. Comfort - Turns out this is pretty important too, depending upon what kind of trip I am doing. I always have to balance the ability to really shut things out and get a good night's sleep with weight and ease of use. In some situations, if I am not just riding-sleeping-riding with few days in between, the simplest solutions are the best. But if I am going to be out for close to a week and take days to rest, I need to be able to rest well. My sleep needs to be effective. That is greatly improved by having a tent spacious enough to move around in, which can zip both me and my dog away from the world and let us shut everything out.​​
  4. Freestanding - because I often pack in rocky areas, I need a freestanding tent rather than one which requires stealing down.

evaluations of specific tents:

  • MSRs - This has become my favorite brand of tent, though it is often too expensive for me to actually afford one. None-the-less, I have done the most research on this brand and it remains my ideal tent choice. There are three tents I particularly like of this brand...
    • MSR Hubba Tour 1 3-Season Tent
Tips on Purchasing Gear:
Gear doesn't have to be purchased new. There are lots of ways to reduce the cost of your gear and still get something close to the ideal. 
  1. ​Look on Craig's List for specific brands and models. Keep looking, as these things vary greatly over time. Look in other cities, especially cities known for their outdoor enthusiasts. Visiting Denver for Thanksgiving? Check there. Have a friend who lives in Portland? Check there and see if they would do the purchase for you.
  2. Look at REI's used gear page or their outlets. 
  3. Look at Cabella's Bargin Cave. 
  4. Look for older models of the gear you want. They may not have the traits you are after, but they might be close enough!

Got any other recommendations for people on where to find deals on gear? Tell us and we will add them to this page!
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.