The broad array of backpacking tents on the market today and the vast price differential can make it confusing at best to choose the right equipment. Backpacking tents are primarily a personal choice. Of course, there are certain criterion that you want to meet, among them, that you find lightweight backpacking tents in order to alleviate the strain that it requires to pack a heavy tent in and out.
The cost for backpacking tents these days can range from about $50 dollars, onward up to about $800. Depending on what you want to spend and what you can afford, you can get lightweight backpacking tents that will sleep 6 or even 8 people comfortably.
Various factors determine what you want or need from your pack-tent. light tents aren't all created equally, any more than any other item is. Choosing based on the climate, the terrain, and the personal needs you have means that you will get a tent that is more useful to you. Quality and cost effective price also has to figure in to the equation as well.
For those who have little experience in lightweight backpacking tents, the price may leave you a little shell-shocked. Midrange lightweight backpack tents can come a little steep in price, with most beginning about 300 dollars for a good quality tent.
How often will you be using your tent? Will a lower priced tent that may be a little less high quality serve your purposes just as well as another one? if you hike every weekend, chances are that the answer to that is no. You're going to need something that is more sturdy and will stand up to heavy use. If you're a once every six months hiker, you can probably get away with a midrange tent that won't need to see severe weather and be able to stand up to it.
What climate will you be hiking in and how warm will your lightweight tents need to be? If you are a winter hiker and camper, as many are, the tent will need to be a bit sturdier and more able to keep you warm and withstand some elements. This means you're going to be paying a little more for it, but you need to be concerned with a higher quality tent. Some of the more top range, high quality four seasons lightweight backpacking tents can be found weighing in as low as 5 pounds. However, you're going to likely pay about 500 dollars for that backpacking tent. If you're never a winter hiker, and you don't need your tent to withstand anything more than a freak rainstorm, a mid-range quality tent will serve you just as well and may lower your costs about 200 dollars.
When you purchase lightweight tents, consider all of your options and all that you may call on your tent to do. Quality and solid construction are a necessity even in a lower priced tent. Check the tents that you're considering carefully for stitching and waterproof elements. These need to be the best even in a lightweight summer-only tent. Typically the fiberglass poles are not the best idea, although they do pack well, they are not as sturdy as other varieties.