Is a heavier tent really more durable or are we just making excuses for bad gear choices?

I keep seeing people in forums say you need a heavier tent to get something that lasts, like 4+ pounds for a 2-person. But I owned a $150 Alps Mountaineering Mystique tent that was 5 pounds and it ripped a seam after 8 nights in the Adirondacks. Meanwhile my buddy's lighter Big Agnes Copper Spur at 3 pounds has held up for 40+ trips. Am I wrong for thinking weight doesn't automatically mean quality here? What's your experience with that trade off?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_hunt712d ago

Ngl I'm curious if you've ever actually weighed those tents yourself or just going off what the manufacturer says. Those numbers can be off by half a pound or more with stakes and guy lines included. More specifically, are you comparing a standard 2 pole design to a 3 pole or hybrid design? A basic dome with two poles can be super light and still bombproof if the fabric is thick enough and the seams are taped right. The weight to durability thing gets thrown around but it's really about construction, not just ounces. Your buddy's Copper Spur probably has better stitching and stronger pole clips than that Alps tent had. What exactly ripped on yours anyway?

olivia6702d ago

My husband weighs all our gear on a kitchen scale before trips, and I found @fiona_hunt71 is right about those manufacturer numbers being way off.

wright.leo2d ago

I started doing the same thing after I got burned by a tent that claimed to be 4 pounds but came in at almost 5 with everything included. Weighing gear before a trip just makes sense because those manufacturer specs are basically a starting point, not the truth lol. The kitchen scale trick is solid for small stuff like cook kits and first aid kits where every ounce adds up. I use a luggage scale for bigger items like my pack and tent and it's way easier than balancing stuff on a tiny scale. Once you start weighing everything it's kinda addictive though, next thing you know you're trimming tags off your rain jacket to save 0.2 ounces. But honestly it helped me find some real weight I was carrying around for no reason, like a heavy spoon I thought was light.