If you’re choosing new gear for a backpacking trip, you’ve probably encountered trekking pole tents. These cool shelters are gaining popularity among outdoor enthusiasts for good reasons.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at setting up trekking pole tents. Join us as we explore the steps to achieve the perfect pitch every time.

Trekking Pole Tents: Set Up Fears

Setting up trekking pole tents demands more effort compared to traditional tents. Properly staking and tensioning for stability is essential, which can be time-consuming, especially after a long day on the trail.

These tents need the right amount of tension and strong stakes to stay in shape. If any part of the tent’s support system isn’t working properly, it can make the tent unstable, cause it to lose its shape, and fail to keep you dry in the rain.

And if you make the tent too tight, the fabric might tear – trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way.

Thus setting up a trekking pole tent might seem daunting at first, but with the right guidance, it can be a fairly straightforward process and a valuable skill to have.

TIP: In our opinion, if you’re new to trekking pole tents, you might find a single-walled design easier to set up correctly. So, if you don’t already have an ultralight trekking pole tent, it’s worth considering this option.

Step-by-step Set Up Process

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to prepare your trekking pole tent for a cozy night in the wild. Don’t forget to practice these steps before you head out on the trail:

Step 1: Clearing the Campsite

• Find a good place for your tent. Pick a flat area that’s clear of rocks and sharp objects.

This is crucial to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and keep your tent safe, especially if you’re not using a groundsheet. If you’re unsure about where to place your tent, take a look at our guide on selecting the ideal campsite.

Step 2: Preparing the Tent Site and Staking the Corners

• Once you’ve found the right spot, lay out your tent to form a square or rectangular shape (depending on your tent’s design) and secure the four corners with stakes. Insert the stakes into the ground at a 45° angle to ensure a taut setup at these attachment points.
• If your tent has a double-walled design, concentrate on securing the inner part. The rainfly should already be over the inner part but not fastened down yet.

This initial step makes your tent stable and firmly anchors it to the ground. If you’re using a groundsheet, it should be placed under the tent at this point but not fastened to the tent stakes.

Step 3: Utilizing Trekking Poles

• If you’re using a trekking pole, extend it to your preferred length, which should be around 43-51 inches (110-130 cm). Put the pointy end of the pole through the designated loop attached to the bathtub floor.

To figure out how far you can extend your trekking pole, just check the tent maker’s website or the papers that came with your tent. In this case, the length of the pole should match the height you need.

Step 4: Tensioning and Securing the Tent

• Place the pole’s handle in the tent’s upper apex pocket, being careful not to extend it too far. Your tent will take on a sturdy pyramid-like shape.

Ensure that the tip of trekking pole stays securely in the ground, and be cautious about preventing the pole tip from touching the tent floor material directly.

Step 5: Staking out the rest

• Now that you have the main structure set up, secure the main guyline in front of your tent. Then, you can fasten the vestibule doors to the stake point as taut as you can.
• Re-tension the corner pegs and peg out any intermediate points along the sides of the tent.

• If your tent has a double-walled design, before you can follow these instructions, connect the edges of the rainfly to the same stakes you used to anchor the inner. Ensure these points are secure, but don’t make them overly tight. The goal here is to create an equal gap between the outer fly and the inner tent all the way around to avoid any misbalanced tension.

This step makes sure your tent stays steady and safe. Keep in mind that all the lines should naturally come off your tent, following the fabric’s flow.

Step 6: Final Adjustments

Take a look at your tent. Is it all straight and even? If not, you can use the tension adjustment points to correct any problems. Also, if you think you put some stakes too near or too far, you can redo them.

When it’s chilly, you may want to lower any gaps near the ground, but remember to leave some space for air to circulate; otherwise, you will get condensation problems and it can make your night less enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

In the world of outdoor adventures, where every bit of weight matters, trekking pole tents have changed the way people backpack and hike. But it’s important to know that there are trade-offs, like the extra effort needed for setup.

Yet, with our step-by-step guide, you can master the setup process and enjoy the benefits of trekking pole tents. Practice caution, as I learned from my experience, where overtightening led to damage after a week of use. Remember, if it feels too tight, redo the step.

If you are feeling a bit confused, we recommend this video for clarification. With that in mind, best of luck on your adventures.

Interested in an ultralight trekking pole tent? Check out our TOP 5 guides that cover the lightest tents on the planet.

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