Best Bug Out Tent
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If you ever need to bug out, you want your tent to be lightweight, easy to store, quick to assemble and protect you from the elements.
It would be even better if it had plenty of room inside. The River Country Products Trekker Tent 2.2 is my pick for the preferred bug-out tent.
And while as a backpacker, I prefer to use Tyvek as my ground cloth footprint, for bug-out or survival purposes, I would also pack a survival tarp with me too. It is acceptable to pack the tarp into your vehicle while keeping your tent in a backpack.
A tarp provides additional flexibility for shelter, such as providing a covered area to cook or sit but if you have to hoof it to safety, then you can leave it behind.
There are three things I like about River Country Tent which I have used for several years of trips including swamps, forests, and deserts. I’ve slept in the 90s and I’ve been freezing temperatures with it.
Plus as you can see in my video this tent has a lot of room. I’m 6’4” and 260 pounds. But you could fit two of me in this tent.
Thus as a single person, you will have plenty of room for yourself and your gear.
And while the rainfly is attached to the tent, it is technically a double-walled tent so it keeps you protected from the rain without condensation.
The tent doesn’t use traditional tent poles but instead uses trekking poles. You could use sticks or even tie them off to trees if necessary.
Finally, it comes in a dark green color that will blend into most forest environments. And while I can sit up in the tent, it’s still a low-height tent.
Thus if you are looking for a bug-out tent that can also be used for traditional camping or backpacking then get the River Country Trekker 2.2.
Now let’s look at why we want a bug out tent to begin with.
A bug out tent is one of the things that you will need in your trusted bug out kit. Why is this? Well, having a tent in your bug out kit while you are bugging out seem likes a good idea.
A bug out tent is often a small tent that fits one or two people. The tent is lightweight and can be easily carried in a backpack as you explore the great outdoors. A bug out tent can also be a tent that you put up once you get to your preferred outdoor space to act as a form of shelter or expanded living space.
Survival Frog-BEST BUG-OUT TENT THAT FITS IN YOUR HAND
If you want to maximize portability then get the Survival Frog Tube tent.
The Survival Frog tube tent is an innovative new product that can be a lifesaver in emergencies. This small, lightweight tent can be easily carried in your pocket or purse and set up in minutes. The tent is made of durable materials that can withstand harsh weather conditions, and it includes a built-in groundsheet that helps to keep you dry and comfortable. The tent also has a reflective interior that helps to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Best of all, the Survival Frog tube tent can be reused repeatedly. So if you find yourself in a situation where you need shelter, the Survival Frog tube tent will be there to help you get through the night.
Is it worth it to buy a bug out tent? Read on to find out.
WHEN WOULD YOU USE A BUG-OUT TENT?
There are two obvious scenarios where you would want to have a bug out tent. The first scenario is pretty straightforward. You may need a bug out tent during a time of the year when you are forced to leave your home, and you need to protect yourself from harsh weather conditions. This can be during seasons with extreme weather conditions like frequent storms, tornados, hurricanes, floods and freezing temperatures.
The second scenario is often overlooked by most individuals. You would want to have a bug out tent as an addition to your outdoor shelter when bugging out in remote locations.
If you reside in an area that experiences very long rainy seasons or freezing temperature, then it’s highly advisable to include a bug out tent in your bug out kit or travelling backpack. During emergency situations, you may need to move to a safe location pretty fast, and having a small tent that you can use for shelter is extremely wise.
Another reason why you would want to have a bug out tent is if you plan to travel to a destination that doesn’t have any existing shelters or if you’re not certain where you may end up bugging out to.
A bug out tent can help you to expand the living space at your preferred bug out location. In this case, you would take a gazebo or pop-up carport to supplement a small permanent shelter such as a fishing or hunting cabin.
You can pack a bug out tent in your truck or car and use it as an extra space to set up an eating or cooking area. This allows you to use the permanent shelter for more essential things like sleeping during the night.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN USING A BUG-OUT TENT?
There are specific factors that make a tent to be better suited for bugging out as opposed to other uses or applications. Factors like water resistance, material color, weight and price are all very crucial. It’s important to note that bug out tents follow all the fundamental principles of building basic shelters. It is important to understand these principles before going out into the wild.
Water Resistance
It goes without saying that a good bug out tent should be waterproof. This is extremely important, especially if you plan to use the tent in wet weather conditions. A tent that includes a rain fly is highly recommended if you want to stay dry and warm while bugging.
If you are planning to bug out during the rainy season, it’s better to go for a waterproof bug out tent, even though they may be slightly heavier. The additional weight will offer some much-needed comfort.
Material
Most bug out tents are made of nylon or some other synthetic material. These materials are chosen because they are light and do not allow water to sip through them. It’s important to look for a tent made using a durable material in order to get a good return on your investment.
The most obvious way that the material impacts the bug out tent is durability. Go for sturdy tents that are not going to tear or wear easily, but are still light enough to carry comfortably in your backpack.
Color
The choice of color is equally vital because you want to blend in with your surroundings, especially if you are bugging out in a forest or park. Most people don’t put a lot of emphasis on the color of their bug out tent, but there are occasions where you will not want to be easily found or seen when bugging out.
With that said, you should a color that match closely with the surroundings you plan to bug out in. If you cannot find the exact color you want, go for the closest variation possible.
If you really want to blend in with your environment, you can use the nearby vegetation and bushes to help your tent to blend in. If there aren’t a lot of vegetation and shrubs to help you blend in, then your bug out tent is going to stick out no matter what color it is.
Size
The main disadvantage of carrying a tent with you is the amount of space that it occupies in your backpack. Traditional tents that require poles to set up may be bigger and thereby take up more space. Tents that can be tied to trees or set up with sticks may be smaller and thereby occupy less space in your backpack.
The type of tent you go for should be influenced by the amount of free space in your backpack. Tiny bug out tents seem great because of their small size, but they may not be as attractive if you need a huge space.
For tents that go into your truck or car, you don’t need to worry about how big or bulky they are. If your bug out tent forces you to displace crucial amenities like water and food from your load, then you should probably look for a smaller tent.
Weight
Tents made using synthetic materials usually weigh less compared to how big they are. It’s advisable to keep the weight of your bug out tent down as much as possible with. You should consider anything over 3 pounds to be heavy.
If you are using a bug out tent for an emergency situation, then you can get the weight down to under 1 pound. Such a lightweight tent may not be effective in keeping out the elements, but it’s better than not having a tent.
If you plan on packing a bug tent in a car, then the weight of the tent should not bother you as much. Just make sure that your bug out tent is light enough so that you can easily get it out of your car and set it up without using too much effort or looking for help.
Price
The cost of a bug out tent also matters, especially if you are on a budget. Fortunately, there are lots of brands to choose from that offer quality products at different price points.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUGGING-OUT AND TRADITIONAL CAMPING OR BACKPACKING?
When you hear the phrase ‘bugging-out’, you probably think of yourself heading out into the wild with your favorite backpack to survive with nothing more than some few essentials and a buzzing spirit of adventure. Regardless of the reason or situation that causes you to leave your home and go to a far and remote location, chances are you’ll be spending a lot of time in nature.
So, how best can you define this activity? Is it camping, backpacking, or simply bugging out? Well, the answer to this question is not so simple.
What Is Camping?
Camping and backpacking often involves spending one or more days/nights outdoors. There is no specific way or requirement to go camping. You can choose to go camping in the woods and hang between trees in a comfy hammock, or go to your local campground and sleep in a spacious tent. No matter the method you’re using or where you’re headed, backpacking and camping often involve spending a lot of time outdoors.
Is Bugging Out Different?
Yes. Bugging out is associated with last-ditch efforts of survival during emergency situations like when the grid goes down or there is a gas shortage. When you decide to bug out for whichever reason, you need to have certain gear and amenities in order to survive in your preferred outdoor location.
Essentially, people go camping when they are looking to have a fun and exciting time outdoors. On the other hand, people bug out when they are faced with a survival issue such as a large scale emergency or for isolation purposes.
Whether you set out for a bug out trip or a camping trip, you still have to be concerned about your safety, nutrition, shelter and overall well-being. These things do not change whether you are going for a fun outing or for reasons that are out of your control.
Having a tent that you can use when spending time in nature is extremely important for survival.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, bugging out and camping seem to share a lot of features and characteristics.
Before ou bug-out make sure you have enough survival food.
