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Backpacker Radio

#220 | How to Choose a Tent for Backpacking with Owen Eigenbrot

Backpacker Radio

Zach Davis

Hikertrash, Thruhiking, Continentaldividetrail, Julianachauncey, Thruhiker, Backpacker, Thetrek, Pacificcresttrail, Appalachiantrail, Wilderness, Hiking, Sports, Zachdavis, Backpacking

4.71.6K Ratings

🗓️ 25 September 2023

⏱️ 153 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are giving you a thorough breakdown on all things backpacking tent related. We are joined by The Trek's Managing Editor, accomplished thru-hiker, and gear encyclopedia, Owen Eigenbrot. We introduce today's panel by giving you a thorough run-through on everything you need about backpacking tents, including the various types of tents, feature sets, terminology, material options, and more. We then do a roundtable offering our top actionable advice for picking a tent, considerations to make, and a few of our favorite specific models. Whether you're new to backpacking, are looking to level up your gear, or are curious about the various nuances of the world of tents, this podcast has something for you.

We wrap the show with a triple crown of Taylor Swift songs (Owen is a certified Swiftie), we share some of our strangest beliefs, and we offer a not-so-happy update on the status of Backpacker Radio's Iceland Trip.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKELESSTREKMORE” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.

CTUG: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for 15% off at chickentrampergear.com.

[divider]

Panel with Owen Eigenbrot

Timestamps & Questions

00:03:49 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon, Iceland is off, leave us a voicemail, and apply to be a Trek blogger!

00:06:48 - Introducing Owen

00:08:07 - What’s your backpacking background?

00:10:44 - What are the basics of the Eastern Continental Trail?

00:12:32 - Introducing the structure of today’s show

00:16:10 - Tent capacity

00:21:00 - Tarps and bivvies

00:23:50 - 3 vs. 4 season

00:27:25 - Single vs. double wall

00:35:05 - Trekking pole vs. (semi) freestanding

00:46:06 - Tent weight variations

00:53:18 - Common materials

01:14:25 - Bathtub floor

01:16:05 - Door location

01:19:42 - Height

01:22:55 - Bug protection

01:23:32 - Pockets

01:24:38 - Stakes

01:31:52 - Tent terminology

01:36:30 - Footprints

01:41:36 - Zach’s Tent Tip #1: If you’re new to backpacking, go with a semi-freestanding tent

01:48:54 - Owen’s Tent Tip #1: Don’t give up on 1-person shelters

01:51:10 - Chaunce’s Tent Tip #1: Measure how tall you are when sitting straight up

01:52:30 - Zach’s Tent Tip #2: Broadest audience tent recommendation

01:55:03 - Owen’s Tent Tip #2: Have realistic expectations about tents in general

01:57:00 - Chaunce’s Tent Tip #2: Consider the terrain you’ll be hiking in

01:58:01 - Owen and Chaunce’s tent recommendations

Segments

Trek Propaganda: The 15 Best Long-Distance Trails in the US by Diane Duffard

QOTD: What is the strangest thing you believe in?

One Minute Gear Review: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie

Triple Crown of Taylor Swift songs

5 Star Review

[divider]

Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross.

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Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.

A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns.

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by the Trek, we are giving you a thorough breakdown on all things

0:06.5

Backpacking Tents related. We are joined by the Trek's Managing Editor,

0:11.3

Accomplished Through Hiker, and Gear Encyclopedia Owen Eigenbrook.

0:16.5

We introduce today's panel by giving you a thorough run through on everything you need to know about Backpacking Tents,

0:23.5

including the various types of tents, feature sets, terminology,

0:28.5

material options, and much more. We then do a roundtable offering our top actionable advice

0:34.6

for picking a tent, considerations to make, and a few of our favorite specific models. Whether

0:40.7

you're new to Backpacking are looking to level up your gear or are curious about the various

0:46.5

nuances of the world of tents, this podcast has got something for you. We wrap the show with the

0:52.0

triple crown of Taylor Swift's songs, Owen is a certified swifty. We share some of our strangest

0:58.8

beliefs, and we offer a not-so-happy update on the status of Backpacker Radio's Iceland trip.

1:05.5

But first, if you've listened to Backpacker Radio, you know that both Zach and I are big fans of

1:10.8

Gosmer and Gear, manufacturers of lightweight backpacking gear and accessories. Their packs carry

1:16.7

comfortably, their roomy shelters protect and harsh weather conditions, and the trekking poles

1:21.3

are some of the lightest on the planet. Gosmer Gear is changing the perception of delicate

1:26.0

ultra-like gear. Zach and I are both users of Gosmer Gear's packs and shelters. I brought the

1:32.4

Gosmer Gear the one shelter on the AT and PCT, which is both roomy and light, weighing less than

1:39.4

one and a half pounds. It's the one you need, as some have been saying. I've also taken the two

1:44.8

unwiken trips in Colorado with Harper, which gives us each her own space when she spent the day

1:49.8

getting acquainted with the bottoms of mud puddles. And as you may already know, the one now comes in

1:55.2

DCF, which means it's even more durable, even more waterproof, and even lighter than the original.

2:01.9

Zach has used the Gorilla, their 40-liter pack, for more than 3,000 miles of backpacking,

...

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