Which Backpacking Shelter is the BEST

Sorry this was so late! Youtube wouldn't process the video for some reason! Here are the time stamps: 00:31 Tents (Pros and Cons) 02:19 What I Look for 04:19 Freestanding 05:22 Semi-Freestanding 06:07 Non-Freestanding 07:05 Double Wall 09:48 Single Wall 11:32 Footprints/Ground Sheet 12:33 Stakes 13:42 Tarps (Pros and Cons) 15:52 Poncho Tarps 16:45 Bivys (Pros and Cons) 18:24 Hammocks (Pros and Cons) 19:47 Components 21:38 Quick Summary

Attention side-sleepers: something I learned in the boy scouts a gazzillion years ago was to scoop out a hollow under where your hip will be. I haven't seen this mentioned on any youtube videos that I have watched, and it's probably less effective with an inflatable pad, but it is something to consider to make your sleep on hard ground a bit more comfortable, maybe.

I use a hammock and just wanted to add that I use a slightly modified clear shower curtain as a rainfly/tarp. It keeps me dry but offers the luxury of seeing the stars and nature around me!

Long time hiker here and one thing about hammocks they are addictive the first time I used one on a boy scout weekend trip when I was 13 I spent the rest of the summer trying to figure out how I was going to set it up in my bed room at home and now at 40 I still use a hammock everytime I go out

My friend sold me his very expensive, light weight double wall tent & I used it while travelling around the world for several years, I didn't realise till the end of my travels that you could separate the inside & outside!! Ahahahah Dixie talking about the inside section getting wet while attaching the outer shel & I'm laughing at my stupidity all those years, would have been cooler in India if I had taken off the outer shell, well mine came from my friend set up like that and I always packed it, unpacked & set it up as a single unit!! I loved that tent, single person tent that managed at a stretch to accommodate me, another girl & our 2 backpacks while hitchhiking around New Zealand - Huge Vestabule. It even survived a morning hungry duck attack!

I'm a ADV motorcyclist and this is some of the most useful camping information channel I have found.

If it’s pouring rain💦, with most freestanding double wall tents🏕, you can set up the fly (outer wall) first. It takes a little longer to clip the inner onto the poles from the inside, but at least your inner wall stays completely dry. Love 💕 your videos Dixie, keep them coming. I’m watching from Australia 🇦🇺. 👍🏻

I’ve been a backpacker for over 30 yrs. Yes it was a lot of info, but you presented it extremely clearly and thoroughly. I always like to see others takes on stuff, and being a packer from the 80’s I always try to stay up on the lighter materials, especially as I get older. 😁

Shug Emery’s YouTube channel is also a good hammock resource. Plus he’s a hoot to watch.

I'm a free-standing double-walled tent gal. I like the sturdiness of them, the warmth when it's cold, the stars when it's fine, and how lightweight they've become. As well, nowadays, most double walled tents can be set up with the fly and stakes or a footprint, then the inner tent is put up from the inside so it never gets wet. Or, in the case of my 4-year old Mira Exped ii, and many others, the fly and inner tent can be kept connected on take-down and set up as one, thereby also negating the wet floor issues of setting up in rain.

Thank you Dixie. That was an absolutely fantastic breakdown of the different shelter types along with the pros and cons of each. I really think this is going to be a great series and I appreciate you doing it.

Thanks for the advice! We’re shopping for tents for our summer trip right now and this has a great run down on general features and terms, and things to consider.

I'm so happy you're doing a series like this. It's also very clear how much effort you're putting into it. Love u!!

Excellent summary of the options - Thank you. Remember, you are NOT limited to tree areas with a hammock. Using rock climbing protection (stoppers/hexes, etc.) you can use cracks in boulders for support anchors. Also, let's say you'll be in trees for 5 days but open fields for 2. On those 2 treeless days, you can put a ground sheet down and your hammock on top of that. Use your hiking poles to support your tarp and you can tie the (built into the hammock) bug net to the hiking poles to keep it off your face. Sure - not as comfortable as in the air. But it allows you to mostly use the hammock as intended and still have shelter for the few days you can't. For privacy, you can stake your tarp low/close to the hammock and change with the hammock between you an any public. Without focusing on "ultra-lite" options, given the weight of components, the hammock is about as heavy as a tent setup but so much more comfortable. A good resource is www.hammockforums.net Remember, you get a flat lie by turning slightly diagonal; not making the hammock tighter. I like the first edition of Ultimate Hang a little better because it is much smaller/lighter so easier to carry in the field if you want printed reminders while learning. The second edition is good for a home reference. Thank you for giving hammocks another chance. Cougarmeat.

I love spreading out and having the den feeling in my tent! I can definitely be a home body at times, and it was nice to have that settling into my home feeling on trail.

Most useful run through I've come across! Always used tents but decided on an alternative for this season. Thank you!

Good to see you made it through the nasty weather. I hope your family/friends/loved ones are well. Thanks for the video.

Good to see the video, wondered if you were safe. That was terrible yesterday in Beauregard. Hope all your people were all right. We're down here in Montgomery. War Eagle!

It's GREAT! to hear your are still open to trying a hammock. Looking forward to hearing your opinion on this topic.

I ride mountain bikes in the desert and "camp" in the car. I stumbled on this video and learned so much that I may get and use a tent. BTW, the video is extremely well done and edited. Thanks for caring enough to do a good video.