Many backpackers who are hiking in good weather conditions decide to forgo carrying an outdoor tent and instead just pick a lightweight tarp or pad. But it is always a good idea to carry an emergency tent in case weather conditions turn bad or ill health strikes. Fortunately, there are many extremely light weight emergency tents on the market that make a great choice for a backpacker.
Lightweight emergency tents add only a few ounces to the backpacker’s load and can be set up in mere moments with no equipment. Most fit a single person, but some can be found that will fit two. Many hikers have been saved by having had the foresight to carry an emergency tent. Carrying a tarp is not a good alternative, because it can take a long time to set up the tarp adequately to protect you from the weather. In the case of a sudden storm, you won’t have any time to spare. You certainly don’t want to be caught out in the storm shivering while struggling to anchor a tarp that keeps threatening to blow away.