I was two years old when saw “the mobile home” at the first time. My dad took me to his field expedition. We lived in the luxury tent, from Poland, with the rigid skeleton made from the steel pipes and a double layer tent cover. Telling the truth, I wouldn't mind even now to accommodate in such tent - roomy, breathable and strong. We used it more than 20 years, the only disadvantage of that tent was its weight.
I used and tested lots of touristic equipment during my field career. I’ll try to make conclusions basing on the several hunting scenarios which can be different and we need to have different protection in dependence on the situation.
Scenario 1. You can drive to the place where the camp will be located.
Thus, you can load everything to the car. I’m used to sleep in the car, my Landcruiser is made for this purpose and do other things under the special awning.
Scenario 2. You have to ride by horses to the Base camp. It's the most common scenario. It limits the weight and the volume of equipment which you can take to the mountains. Overnight stay in the mountains is closely connected with the risk to be caught by strong wind, snowfall or a pouring rain. It’s ideal to use storm tents, some people call them Alpine or Extreme. Usually there are three and more arcs, with the snow skirt or not (it can be made with the usage of membrane, the breathable materials). The price for such luxury tent can reach 500$ or even more. I use the old but good one tent “Hannah”.
If you ask me about the minimum requirement to the tent, I’d say that it has to have classical cross construction, invented by legendary Messner when he’s climbed Everest without oxygen. Almost all manufacturers have this model.
First of all, pay attention to the quality of the tent, we know that all tents are produced in China but we advise to choose the branded products because the companies control their quality and reputation. Tent’ fabric and seams have to guarantee the bottom waterproof not less than 6000mm and not less than 3000mm for a tent. The arc diameter, made from aluminum alloys, has to be from 8mm and more (I know when it’s not even enough). Textolite arcs are heavier on 0,5kg or even more. And they are softer in the same time, such tents fall under the pressure of the wind. The arcs don’t break but external and internal layers touch each other and the tent is getting wet. Once I tried to break the Textolite arcs, twisted them into a ram's horn but broke the steel pipes between the fiberglass links.
The tent weight is about 2,5-3 kg. The expedition tent has to have double wall design and to be high enough to seat in it, not less than 120cm height, with a vestibule and good ventilation.
The optimal choice for a one person is to take a double tent (width not less than 120cm). Or to take 3- person tent for two. The backup option is to use NATO 3-person sleeping bag which weights as a tent.
Scenario 3. We have to hike to the camp. All other tourists can take any tents, I've described above, but the hunter has the additional weight, about 10kg, which the tourists don’t need such as weapon, optics, ammunition and others. I have the special decision for this case: the first thing is the no-frame, single layer tent - weight about 900gr, put on the trekking poles; a waterproof bag - 108gr, a silicon awning - 360gr. I've used the tent and the awning for a couple of times but the bag is one of the latest purchases. The no frame construction doesn’t add stability to the tent and I’d be in a very unpleasant situation if used it in last year. The awning would have been blown away.
The single layer tent saved me from bad weather but I won't dare to use it in the fall when snowfall can be. The alternative to this one can be the classical double-pitched climbing tent, tested by time and still used for climbing.
That's why I've bought waterproof bag which guarantee to keep me dry and warm. I guess that the bag, produced by a well-known British company Mountain Equipment, is made from non-breathable materials and it means that my sleeping bag could get wet. But I’ll test it. Fortunately, I’ve found the breathable light bag. Moreover, I can use the membrane from NATO sleeping bag. It weights 1kg but it’s better than to take the tent.
