Heavy tents get a bad rap in reviews but mine kept me safe in a storm

Last month, I was camping in the mountains and a storm hit. My friend's ultralight nylon tent fell down from the wind, but my heavier canvas tent did not move. It got me thinking about how gear reviews always talk up lightweight stuff. Yes, it is easy to carry, but if it breaks when you need it, what good is it? I think reviews should look more at how tough gear is in real use, not just numbers on a page. But I know many people do not like carrying heavy things. What do you all think? Should we care more about how long gear lasts than how light it is?

4 comments

4 Comments

tarar381mo ago

I was all about weight until my tent failed.

thomas.eva1mo ago

Totally agree about "numbers on a page." I listened to a podcast last week where a guide said most lab tests for waterproof ratings don't match real world wind and sideways rain. He said his heavy old tent has outlasted three fancy lightweight ones because the seams are just built different.

path471mo ago

Yeah, "seams are just built different" really hits home. I feel like I'm the fancy lightweight tent that starts leaking immediately.

patel.morgan10d ago

Tell me about it. My last tent was all about the low weight number. The seams gave out in a real storm, not some lab test. Now I look at how a thing is put together, not just the specs. That extra few ounces for good tape feels worth it when you're dry. Learned that the hard way.