When you plan a getaway into the great wilderness, you know that you must think about everything you need beforehand. Part of being prepared is having a packing list and knowing what you will be able to carry when going camping. This includes the quantity and the weight of everything important like your tent!
Every kind of tent built for any situation has a certain average weight that you should be aware of. You need to know that you will be able to carry it, pitch it, and take it down at the campsite. If you can’t, your whole trip is a no-go! Today, you are going to learn about the weight of every kind of four-person camping tent on the market, so you know what you will need. You might even want to pick one out from the highly recommended examples!
So how much do four-person tents weigh?
The average weight of a 4-person tent is 8.5 pounds.
Here is the average of what you can expect your tent to weigh based on category:
- Ultralight/backpacking tent: The average weight is about 6 lbs.
- Standard tent: The average weight is about 10 lbs.
- Mountaineering tent: The average weight is about 8 lbs.
- Instant tent: The average weight is about 12 lbs.
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The Types of 4 Person Tents
You see, giving out a simple average weight of a general 4 person camping tent would be no good to you if you want to go backpacking because you would need a lighter version. There are different models of these tents meant for every kind of camper, and they all possess features that cause them to weigh different amounts. The types that will be covered today are:
● General tents
● Ultralight Tents
● Mountaineering Tents
● Instant Tents
General 4 Person Camping Tents and Weight
Your standard camping tent has a simple setup when it comes to the most crucial parts: poles, pegs, guy ropes, and fabric to cover the tent. All of these greatly affect the weight of the tent overall. The material that these parts are made up of also affect the weight.
When you buy one of these tents, you can expect them to be heavier than those of other categories because they are meant for people going to an established campground, somewhere that you have access to aid to help carry it and somewhere that you won’t have to constantly set it up and take it down. That said, let’s check out some examples and calculate the average weight of one from there.
- ALPHA CAMP 4 Person Tent.
This model is made up of fiberglass poles, mesh, and a lighter manmade material like polyester or nylon. It weighs just shy of 10 lbs., making it pretty easy for a group of regular campers to set up!
- Eureka! Tetragon 4 Person Tent.
This example also has a frame of fiberglass and all total, the tent weighs almost 9 lbs. This is even a bit lighter than the first one, so anyone with back problems or any other limitation might appreciate this on the trip.
Looking at these and a few other examples, the average weight of a standard, 4 person camping tent is between 9 and 10 lbs.
Ultralight 4 Person Camping Tents and Weight
A group of backpackers will need a tent that is at least a little bit easier to tote around than a 10 lb. model. Manufacturers knew that, so they made some to accommodate the needs of all those experiencing that intense wanderlust! The material will be lighter and possibly thinner, and the frame will be the same.
Take a look at these to give yourself a better idea of what you may be dealing with when it comes to backpacking in a group! The difference in just a couple of pounds will either make your trip go smoothly or will give you a bad back forever.
- Kelty Gunnison 4 Person Backpacking Tent.
This model from Kelty is made mostly of polyester and mesh, and the tent is freestanding (no pesky poles), so the weight comes out to be just under 6 lbs.
- TRIWONDER 4 Person Waterproof Backpacking Tent.
This weatherproof, 3 season tent is surprisingly light for something with so many protective features! In total, it weighs a smidge over 6 lbs., heavier than the Kelty but lighter than any standard tent you will find.
The average weight of a backpacking tent is generally between 5 and 7 lbs. This gives you just enough weight off of your shoulders to keep you motivated and active all throughout your journey!
4 Person Mountaineering Tents and Weight
You may be thinking to yourself, “What’s the difference between backpacking and mountaineering?” Well, that’s easy to answer. When you go backpacking, you just need a light tent that can shelter you for a short while in probably fairly mild conditions. Mountaineering involves rugged terrain, more extreme weather, and usually colder temperatures.
Mountaineering tents really need to have it all in order to protect you from the elements without being too heavy. The great thing is that tents made for such activities are usually as light as they can possibly be to keep you from struggling while navigating that mountainous landscape. They aren’t usually as light as a backpacking tent, but they’re on that end of the spectrum.
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4 Person Tent.
ALPS Mountaineering is becoming a well-known brand because their tents really deliver when it comes to durability and protection. This one is no exception. It has a freestanding design with aluminum poles, it’s waterproof, and it stands up to many of the more unsavory weather conditions. For all of that, you only have to carry 8 lbs. of weight.
- Black Diamond Bomb Shelter Tent.
The name kind of explains it all, really. This tent is meant to withstand just about anything nature can throw at you while weighing only 9 lbs! It is freestanding with aluminum poles and it has 2 doors if that is something you’d prefer.
Overall, the average weight of a 4 person mountaineering tent is between 8-9 lbs.
A little lighter than a standard tent, but a little heavier than a backpacking or ultralight tent.
4 Person Instant Tents and Weight
Maybe you are one of those campers who would rather focus on doing cool activities than setting up a shelter. You should not put that off because you’ll regret it later, but you don’t want to sacrifice your fun in the meantime! Tent manufacturers thought about that and came up with a brilliant solution: instant tents.
These tents are free standing and they come with the frame already attached for a really quick setup. Don’t expect it to be too easy, though! You will still have to tote a bit of weight, likely around the same as a standard tent or more, in some cases. Let’s see exactly how much with some examples of instant tents you can buy right now.
- Coleman Cabin Tent.
Coleman is one of the more well-respected brands on the market, and for a good reason. Their products are reliable! This one is both reliable and convenient because you can set it up in about one minute, according to the company. However, it does weight about 10 lbs. This is twice as easy as a regular tent and all you have to do is carry it to the campsite!
- Gazelle 22272 T4 Pop Up Tent.
This tent by Gazelle can be set up in 90 seconds, according to the company. You get a rainfly, a freestanding design, and plenty of place to stand (peak height is 78”.) It weighs 30 lbs., though, so it is way up on the higher end of tolerable to carry and may not be viable for people with health issues or disabilities to carry. So with some popular instant tents like this, you have to sacrifice your comfort in the beginning.
These two models combined with others on the market make the average weight of an instant tent about 8-15 lbs. This is a wide range, so it all depends on exactly which manufacturer made it and what features it comes with.
Choose a tent with a weight that you know you can carry alone or with someone else, even if there are more people in the group. You never know what may happen out there in the wilderness! Also, consider these factors before buying a tent:
● Your physical health. If you are disabled in any way physically, try to find a tent that someone can help you carry or that you can carry alone, meaning that it needs to be as light as possible. If someone else can carry it for you, maybe you would want an instant tent so you don’t have to do any of the setting up!
● The weather where you will be staying. Is it rainy and cold? Is the terrain rocky? In that case, you may want a mountaineering/4 season tent. If the weather is hot or mild, a backpacking tent may protect you just fine!
The great thing is that most tents on the market will not be super heavy! No matter what you need, there is a tent out there that can accommodate you without weighing a ton.
Now that you know what you need, you are ready to get on the road. Good luck and happy trails!
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