Five kinds of tent, and what each one gives up

Three to six pounds, a pole set in the bag, and a double wall. This is where most people actually end up: heavy enough to be tough, light enough to carry for a weekend, and roomy enough that two adults are not negotiating for elbow space.

~$119–$610 · 9 brands

Under roughly three pounds on the trail. Almost all of them buy that weight with thin fabric, a single wall, or your trekking poles doing the job a pole set used to. The compromise is never hidden — it is just never on the front of the box.

~$250–$795 · 10 brands

Built for snow load and wind rather than for summer heat: stiffer poles, a solid inner instead of mesh, a much higher floor rating, and a low profile. You give up ventilation and headroom, and you pay a lot for both.

~$600–$1,385 · 4 brands

Five people up, standing height, and a bag you carry with two hands. The real questions are what the poles are made of, whether the floor will take a week of boots, and whether there is anywhere covered to put wet gear.

~$250–$700 · 8 brands

Driven to the pitch, so weight stops mattering and floor area starts. The trade here is between dome tents that survive wind and near-vertical-wall tents that let you stand up — very few do both.

~$118–$489 · 2 brands