Backpack and camping tent size guide

Size is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a backpack or camping tent. You need a spacious and comfortable refuge, but at the same time you have to consider weight, size, convenience and cost.

If you want to buy a new backpack tent, but are at a loss as to what size to buy, you have come to the right place. This article is based on decades of experience in the outdoor industry. They will help you choose the best tent model for your next adventure.

Backpack tents and camping tents have many similar features, but backpack tents have a special and very important requirement: keep the weight to a minimum. Therefore, choosing the right size for the backpack tent is tricky, but very important. The goal is to find a shelter that is comfortable, spacious, yet lightweight and compact.

Most backpack tents come in various sizes. Such as 1P, 2P, 3P and 4P capacity.

The capacity rating can give you a good idea of how many people can be tightly secured in a given tent, but most users believe that the capacity rating of a tent will exaggerate its true size. In other words, the fit of the backpack tent is more important than its rated capacity implies.

In terms of internal space and livability, not all backpack tents for 2 people are the same. Here are some tips and tricks for specific tents that can help you guess the feel of a backpack tent just by looking at the tent design.

Two standard-width sleeping mats (20 inches) will fill most of the floor space of the lightweight 2-person backpack tent. Usually, there will be 1-2 small sacks near your head or feet. Unless you are a short person or have nothing to do with private spaces, the fit of most 2-person tents will make two people feel tight. If you are using a 2-person tent, it is recommended to use a sleeping mat of regular width.

A wide cushion (25 inches) and a regular cushion (20 inches) will completely fill the floor width of most lightweight 2-person backpack tents. People with wider mats will dominate the space, but if the mats are exactly the same height, they can work normally. Usually this is not a good sleep pad setting, but it works.

If you want to accommodate two wide sleeping mats (25 inches), you usually need to hit a 3-person lightweight backpack tent. Two-person backpacking tents are generally not suitable for using two wide cushions. The advantage of using a three-person tent is that two people can have a more comfortable interior space. For this reason, we prefer a three-person backpack tent. The disadvantage of expanding the tent is that it will weigh more, so make sure to choose a lightweight tent model.

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