When you shop around for your tent, go to a store that employs people who actually hike. Tell them your plans and discuss the features that would best suit your needs. Before investing in a tent, it is a good idea to rent a tent from a reputable store. It is really after you've been backpacking that you see what features are most important to you. Camping in the Wilderness in The Backpacker's Handbook, Second Edition by Chris Townsend.
Poles are the long, segmented rods used for the structural support of the tent body.
Look for strength and lightweight material, one of the best being made of Easton 7075 tempered aluminum. Most of the leading tent makers use Easton poles. Ease of pitching, or setting up. The most impressive-looking tent will become a huge nuisance if it takes a rocket scientist to figure it out. Look for tents that require minimum staking or a freestanding design.