Tent for RTW Trip?

I am wondering if I should drop $400 or more on a tent, sleeping bag, and pad for my round the world trip? I do like the outdoors and kind that I would use it some, but not sure if it worth the money and with added weight to my pack for a year if I only use it some. Thoughts?

I would say a big no no to taking a tent around the world! The idea is very appealing in a romantic sort of way however when it comes to reality the tent is never used as much as intended, except by the most hardy of travellers.

Also if you do want to spend some time out in the wild just hire one or buy a cheapie when you arrive to be sold on or just chucked (I know in the UK you can get a tent for £12.99/$25).

Plus $400 could extend your trip by 2weeks in a cheap country!

Sonny

No way. I took a tent to Greece for a three month motor bike trip. I never used it.

yeah i took one to NZ and used it once in 2 months - never again.

Where are you going on a RTW? East/Southern Africa? In the dry season? Travelling through deserts?

I would never travel without a tent in those places! I'd rather sleep in my tent than a cheap dorm full of drunken teenagers/overlands, bed bugs and lice... take your pick!

I don't use it all the time, but its handy to know you have it... in Africa, many guesthouses will just let you pitch somewhere on their grounds for the night if there's no rooms left.

Of course, it depends where you're going.

Consider a Tadpole 23 or something - reasonably lightweight, 2-person tent, and its self-standing (to all intents and purposes). There inner doubles as a stand alone mosquito net which is ideal for hot countries.

The one time I took a tent with me I did not end up using it. Not even once! So I'd say no to the tent.

I find taking my own sleeping bag and sleeping sheet very, very handy. I always take mine and have always found them handy. Even if just as an extra blanket when it's cold.

We had the same question when we left and opted for no tent. So happy we did this, the less weight the better and you can get cheap accomodations everywhere. Take a sleeping sheet no matter what you will use it. Our sleeping bag has been useful but we did the Inca Trail and will do a 6 week overland trip in Africa so it was needed.

Tent? Absolutely not. So much weight, so few opportunities to use it.

The only way is if I were taking a trip especially for the purpose of tenting, like to New Zealand or something.

I've been pondering over this question for quite some time for my trip RTW as I'm going to a festival in the States which I'll need to camp at. Anyway I've just decided to buy one when I get there and give it away once I'm done with it. Too much hassle carrying a tent RTW and I'd probably end up throwing it at some poor unsuspecting person.

You can probably get one at Walmart or K-Mart (if it still exists) at about USD15.
Don't bring it with you.

It would depend completely on the type of trip you were doing.

In the Arctic - yes , primarily for the mosquitoes.

For remote mountain trekking - yes for wind and rain protection.

Long term outback African camping - sure

Hiking the Appalachian trail - a must

For trips across Europe - probably not

In Asia going where most travelers go - probably not, guest houses are so cheap, some people do take along a mosquito net

If you have your own car or motorcycle it can be great on remote beaches and the extra weight is not a problem, for backpacking on the tourist trail it would be dead weight

I definitely wouldn't spend $400 on one!!!

I'd say bring it. I brought mine to Australia/New Zealand and used it a lot! Depends on the person!

The only time to take a tent is when you know you are going to use it most of the time and at a bare minimum 1/3 rd of the time, the places you are planning to go there is either a decided advantage to camping or virtually no other option but to camp (cycling the Tibetan Plateau, TransCanada or the Carretera Austral for instance). The reason to spend $400 is to have one of the lightest idiot proof tents in the world(yes I have one that complies with my requirement that I be able to put it up in the dark in the rain without any instructions on my first attempt because that's what usually happens). Be aware though that the safest tent in North America is Orange, Yellow or Red and the safest tents in the rest of the world are Green or Brown unless you are doing some high alpine climbing. Low profile is best.

Well, I paid USD10 for my tent (1.6 kg) in Poland and usually pay under euro15 for a 2 person tent weighing under 2 kg. Not paying more allows you to dump it if you no longer need it!