How to Choose a Trekking Pole Tent

What to know before switching from a freestanding tent to one supported by the poles you already carry.

1. 1

   Check the required pole length against your actual poles

   Trekking pole tents specify a minimum (and sometimes maximum) pole length to pitch correctly — verify your poles extend to the tent's required height before buying, especially with fixed-length ultralight poles like the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z.

   See a fixed-length ultralight pole optionBlack Diamond Distance Carbon Z review

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2. 2

   Understand you'll need decent ground for staking

   Non-freestanding tents rely on proper stake-out tension to achieve their full shape and stability, which means they perform worse on solid rock or very loose sand without extra care (rocks as deadmen anchors, sand stakes, etc.) than a freestanding tent.

3. 3

   Weigh the pitching learning curve against the weight savings

   Trekking pole tents generally take a bit more practice to pitch well compared to a freestanding pole tent, but eliminate the weight of dedicated tent poles entirely — most users report the learning curve is short, typically a few practice pitches at home.

4. 4

   Decide between single-wall and double-wall designs

   Single-wall trekking pole tents (many DCF shelters) are lighter but more prone to condensation; double-wall designs (like the Durston X-Mid) add a small amount of weight but manage condensation noticeably better.

Trekking Pole Tents to Consider