Backpacking Tents For Your Overseas Adventure

If you are planning to travel overseas on your 'OE', you will most likely be sticking to a budget. A good way to save money on accommodation is to invest in a backpacking tent and pay the comparatively cheaper fee of booking a campsite, rather than motel or hotel rooms.

You will want a tent that supplies you with all the protection, space and features you need, without taking up all your carrying space or weighing you down, preventing you from travelling light.

Thankfully, with today's technology, it's relatively easy to find fabrics that are both strong and feather light, providing solid protection from the elements, without the negative attributes often associated with older styles of backpacking tents. There are several things you need to consider before making a purchase. The size and weight are of course major factors for anyone planning to carry it around with them, as you visit several countries over the space of a number of weeks, jumping aboard buses, trains and ferries.

If you only plan to use your tent for sleeping, then small is best. A tunnel type tent has little room inside it for anything but you and your sleeping bag. This is great for those individuals travelling solo, who want a small and compact backpacking tent. However, if you are travelling with a friend or partner, you are better suited to a dome style backpacking tent that gives you a little more room.

It's a good idea to find backpacking tents that have enough room for both you and your backpack. While you may be tempted to leave it outside, this is only a good idea if it is going to be safe from theft or animals during the night. You certainly don't want to risk having your clothing and possessions stolen while in a foreign country.

When taking weight into consideration, make sure you select a backpacking tent model that has aluminum instead of steel, as this is easier to pack up and carry. Even one kilo more can feel like a lot if you're walking during the day with it on your back.

The most important feature is how easy it is to put up and then pack away again. You may also look at windows, or pockets that you can store things in during the night such as your mobile phone, passport and wallet.

Take your time selecting the right backpacking tent, it's going to be your home while travelling overseas, so it's a good idea to choose the best one.