New for 2018: Backpacking Tents

Welcome back to The Northeast Hiker’s spring 2018 gear feature. This week’s topic is shelter. Click here if you missed last week’s post about 2018 sleeping bags. This article will highlight three new for 2018 backpacking tents that recently caught our eye.  We chose one for hikers looking to save, one for hikers willing to splurge a little, and one for hikers going ultralight. It is by no means a complete list of the best shelters on the market but will definitely get you started in your search or inspire you to try something new. (Because what backpacker doesn’t like looking at shiny new gear, right?)

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For Savers

Big Agnes C Bar 2

Hikers new to backpacking or on a tight budget should be sure to check out the new, easy to pitch, polyester C Bar tents from Big Agnes. Similar in size and structure to the brand’s very popular Fly Creek series, they are free-standing, double-walled tents with a single door and vestibule The floor shape of these tents tapers at the foot. A cross pole at the top of the C Bar helps to create additional interior space. These extremely affordable tents are full of features such as pockets, reflective guylines, and loops to attach an optional gear loft. The C Bar 2 has a claimed packed weight of four pounds, 28 square feet of floor space, and a 41 inch interior height. A three-person C Bar is also available.

For Splurgers

Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 2

Those willing to spend a little bit more will find a lighter weight shelter with dual doors and vestibules and a little bit of extra space in the Sweet Suite 2 from Sierra Designs. The Sweet Suite 2 is a semi-freestanding, silnylon, double-walled tent that weighs in at 3 pounds, 10 ounces. It has a height of 41 inches and 29.2 square feet of floor space. The fly can be rolled back part way, exposing the mesh of the tent for views or ventilation. A three-person version of the Sweet Suite is also available.

For Ultralighters

Tarptent Notch Li

Tarptent, know as a reputable manufacturer of lightweight silnylon shelters, has broken into the world of Dyneema (formerly known as Cuben Fiber). They are now producing their popular Notch, single person, trekking pole supported tent in a Dyneema version that weighs in at 19.9 ounces. (That’s right, 1 pound, 3.9 ounces!). The Notch Li is a double walled, two door shelter with plenty of vestibule space for gear. It has 15.2 square feet of floor space and a height of 43 inches. Backpackers willing to trade an ounce or two to save a few bucks can order the Notch Li with a silnylon floor. Support poles are also available for hikers who don’t use trekking poles.

What shelter do you have your eye on this spring?  Are there any other 2018 backpacking tents that you would recommend?  Leave a comment below!