{"id":2771,"date":"2024-09-09T23:49:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T23:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=2771"},"modified":"2024-09-09T23:49:18","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T23:49:18","slug":"freestanding-vs-non-freestanding-tents-outdoor-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=2771","title":{"rendered":"Freestanding vs Non-Freestanding Tents | Outdoor Life"},"content":{"rendered":"


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One of the first decisions you have to make when deciding on a backpacking tent is freestanding vs non-freestanding. Freestanding, means you don\u2019t need to stake out the tent in order for you to shelter inside. Non-freestanding tents use trekking poles or static poles to raise the tent, but they also rely on the tension from staking to stay upright.<\/p>\n

There are pros and cons to both types, and we took top tents from each category into the field this spring on our annual backpacking gear test. Two of our favorites are the Zpacks FreeZip and Seek Outside Sunlight. This premium semi-freestanding shelter and USA-made trekking pole tent highlight the best qualities of each category.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Staking<\/h2>\n

Alpine and desert environments where exposed rock and hard ground abound are notoriously difficult to stake into. It\u2019s a relief at the end of a long day to be able to set up your shelter without worrying about finding a patch of stake-holding ground. If more often than not you\u2019re setting up camp on too-soft or too-hard surfaces, the peace of mind of a freestanding, or even semi-freestanding, tent can\u2019t be overstated (semi-freestanding means that you can erect the tent without stakes, but you\u2019ll lose real estate inside).\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using a non-freestanding tent on hard ground, you have to get more creative. You can tie your guyline to a rock or leverage your stake against a rock. Macgyvering your setup does take time, and it can be frustrating when your hiking partner is already cooking dinner outside their freestanding tent.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re usually camping on dirt, sand, or otherwise stake-friendly terrain, a trekking pole tent is a great way to save weight and space.<\/p>\n

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Thess stakes down a double-wall semi-freestanding tent on hard ground. <\/p>\n

Alex Robins<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Weight<\/h2>\n

Freestanding tents are heavier than trekking pole tents because you have to carry tent poles, instead of relying on the trekking poles you\u2019re already carrying. Some non-freestanding tents offer an option to buy poles if you don\u2019t always carry trekking poles. Based on the average weights of freestanding tents vs non-freestanding tents in our backpacking gear test, going with a non-freestanding tent will save you about half a pound.<\/p>\n

Structure<\/h2>\n

There are a couple pros to the structured design of a freestanding or semi-freestanding tent. You can set up the tent, and then decide on a location based on how it\u2019ll fit. Or if you need to move spots, it\u2019s much easier. There\u2019s also the possibility of shaking out your tent at the end of the night. Dumping debris out of the inside of a non-freestanding tent is harder without poles keeping the tent open.<\/p>\n

Interior Space<\/h2>\n

During testing we found that the two-person trekking pole tents had an impressive amount of interior space thanks to the A-frame design. Some semi-freestanding tents on the other hand tapered to a single high point. Interior space varies greatly by individual tent design, but it\u2019s worth comparing the dimensions.<\/p>\n

Cost<\/h2>\n

Non-freestanding tents usually cost less than freestanding tents because you aren\u2019t paying for poles. Assuming you already have trekking poles, it\u2019s a great way to save money.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Durability and Weather Resistance<\/h2>\n

The durability and weather resistance of your shelter depends more on individual tent design than the structure category. In heavy winds a freestanding structure might have a general advantage because a non-freestanding structure has more fail points. While very sturdy, if a guyline snaps or becomes unstaked on a trekking pole tent, the whole thing could come down more easily.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s most common to see double-wall freestanding tents and single-wall non-freestanding tents, that\u2019s not always the case. Double-wall tents have the added weight and setup time of a rain fly, but also offer another layer of weather protection. Single-wall tents require more ventilation to avoid condensation in your shelter because there\u2019s only one layer of weather resistant fabric.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Freestanding vs Non-Freestanding Tents Field Test<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s a look at two of our favorite ultralight tents<\/a> from Outdoor Life<\/em>\u2019s 2024 backpacking gear test to give you an idea of how freestanding and non-freestanding tents perform in the field.<\/p>\n

Freestanding Tent: Zpacks FreeZip 2P<\/a><\/h3>\n
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