The default term “tent” is no longer accurate to describe the various shelter options used by backpackers. Tarp-tents, tarps, bivy sacks, hammocks, and tents generally cover the gear used to seek refuge from the elements, but each have further sub-categories that merit examining and understanding when making the best decision about what you will put in your pack.

Freestanding tents add convenience, but also add weight.

Freestanding & Non-Freestanding Backpacking Tents

In the case of tents, the difference between “freestanding” and “non-freestanding” is an important consideration. With a freestanding tent it means that the tent body can be erected without the use of stakes to provide tension to the main set-up. That said, you will still need to stake out the rainfly in order to make the shelter weather-resistant and it is important that anything, including the body of the tent, that can be staked out is staked out. Heavy rocks can help secure guylines when stakes can’t penetrate the ground. Nail type stakes are typically best for this type of ground – for more take a look at our backpacking stake guide.

Freestanding tents are great choices because they are quick and easy to set up (which is especially nice in stormy conditions), but they tend to weigh a bit more than non-freestanding options. Note that some tents are referred to as "semi-freestanding". Semi-freestanding tents typically require that some elements, such as the vestibules be staked out, but the main tent body will still be freestanding.

If you primarily backpack in areas where the ground is rocky and it can be difficult to get stakes in, then freestanding tents are usually going to be the best choice. For areas with softer ground, non-freestanding tents are suitable and have few noticeable drawbacks for their weight savings. They take a bit more time to erect, but you end up with lighter shelter that won’t blow away except in a hurricane.

As noted above, due to the requirements of staking out the rainfly and in certain cases portions of the tent body to achieve maximum interior space, “freestanding” can be a bit of a fluid term. It is important that you know what are getting if you are buying a “freestanding” tent online and being able to set one up in a store is the best way to know whether you will be happy with any tent. Even if the tent does set up perfectly with no stakes, and the forecast promises no winds and clear skies, following the “without a doubt, stake it out” mantra will save you from the unpleasant surprise of seeing your freestanding tent become a $400 freeflying, sil-nylon kite.

More Tent Information and Resources

For more information on backpacking tent features and design considerations, see our full guide on how to choose a backpacking tent, and for our top tent choices currently on the market, take a look at our best backpacking tents article. To view a selection of many freestanding backpacking tents available, check out this page at REI Co-op.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 33 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here.