The finest backpacking tents are light-weight, sturdy, weather-proof, and a cinch to arrange. Sounds easy sufficient, however with all the alternatives on the market, the seek for a tent can shortly get overwhelming. We’ve rounded up the most effective light-weight tents for backpacking that will help you slender down your search and discover the best tent for you.
At the top of this publish, you’ll discover extra data on what options to contemplate when searching for a backpacking tent and the way to decide on the most effective backpacking tent on your wants.
Best Backpacking Tents at a Glance
Backpacking Tents Comparison Table
See the comparability desk under for a fast abstract of every of the highest tents for backpacking. You can click on on the columns to kind by what’s most essential to you.
Pro Tip: The packaged weight contains every thing that the tent comes with together with stakes, stuff sacks, man traces, and the instruction guide. You can shed a couple of ounces by swapping out the stakes for lighter ones like these aluminum tent stakes and/or leaving the rain fly behind (though you’ll need it if there’s any chance of dangerous or chilly climate).
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Best Overall for Durability, Weight, & Roominess
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: light-weight backpacking, 3-season backpacking
- What we like: color-coordinated setup system, inside organizational pockets
- What we don’t like: requires trekking poles to stake out the awning, onerous to stake out fly on rocky terrain
The Big Anges Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent is a good choice for backpacking missions that require light-weight but dependable gear. A big door makes getting out and in straightforward and the awning-style vestibule expands the residing house to offer extra safety if the climate turns moist. You can arrange the awning with trekking poles or connect the man traces to rocks or a tree.
This tent additionally comes with a wide range of pockets and loops within the inside to assist with group and its simple-pole structure makes set-up and breakdown further environment friendly. If you need to go much more light-weight and the climate appears to be like good, you possibly can go away the tent at dwelling and simply pack the fly, poles, and footprint as a “Fast Fly” choice.
Zpacks Duplex 2P
Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: ultralight backpacking once you already carry trekking poles, long-distance journeys, 3-season backpacking
- What we like: most light-weight backpacking tent on our listing, don’t have to hold tent poles if utilizing trekking poles, comparatively straightforward to arrange, well-ventilated, sturdy, can stand up to sturdy winds
- What we don’t like: onerous to arrange on rocky terrain, costly funding, single-walled tent so it’s liable to condensation buildup
The Zpacks Duplex tent is a single-walled, ultra-lightweight 2-person backpacking tent. Weighing simply 1 pound, 3 ounces, and roomy sufficient to sleep two, it’s an important selection for long-distance backpacking journeys the place weight actually issues. This tent is persistently on the high of the listing for PCT and JMT thru-hikers.
Since it is a tarp-style tent moderately than a freestanding one, it does require a bit extra effort to arrange proper and makes use of trekking poles as an alternative of tent poles (though you should buy Zpacks tent poles individually for those who favor).
On my latest journey to Sequoia National Park the place we had been usually tenting on granite rocks, this tent was a problem to arrange, however with some creativity, you should utilize rocks to stabilize the tent. You’ll additionally want 8 stakes (offered individually), and I like to recommend the ultralight carbon fiber ones.
Under regular floor circumstances, the Duplex is simple to arrange. I’d simply suggest watching a video or studying the directions on the Zpacks web site earlier than heading out simply to be sure to are assured in find out how to set it up.
The Zpacks tent has 4 storm (vestibule) doorways that may open or shut independently relying on the climate and local weather. On a pleasant clear night, you possibly can hold the vestibule doorways open and stargaze proper out of your mattress. It’s really useful to maintain not less than one door open (climate allowing) to cut back the quantity of condensation buildup in a single day.
Other nice options embody 2 mesh pockets for storage, extraordinarily sturdy cloth (a footprint shouldn’t be vital, however might be purchased individually if desired), and a built-in design to stop condensation from dripping onto the ground.
This is a single-walled tent, and the material is totally waterproof. I’ve used this tent throughout a number of days of consecutive rain and heavy winds within the Boundary waters and we stayed dry as a bone inside. I additionally couldn’t imagine how sturdy it was.
However, this backpacking tent might be liable to condensation, which does make it troublesome to place the tent away moist within the morning.
If you need much more room, I’ve been utilizing the Zpacks Triplex (3-person model) of this tent for years. We obtained the Triplex as a result of it’s nonetheless mild and compact, however it’s roomy sufficient for us and our two canine. Even the Triplex model packs down smaller than any of my freestanding two-person tents.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Most Lightweight Semi-Freestanding Backpacking Tent
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: moist & windy circumstances, 3-season backpacking
- What we like: excessive inside ceiling, comes with many man traces and choices for staking it out, holds up properly in rain and wind
- What we don’t like: included stuff sack tears simply
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Tent is an ultralight, semi-freestanding tent with ample headspace. While your toes could also be a bit cramped with the tapered foot, it nonetheless has two doorways and vestibules designed for environment friendly entry and exit whereas preserving the inside dry throughout moist climate (this tent is thought to do very properly within the rain). It has a singular single-pole system for simple setup, reflective guylines, and inside storage pockets.
The draw back of this tent is that the mesh could be very skinny and may tear simply for those who aren’t cautious. If you need to go much more light-weight, make the most of the Fast Fly set-up by leaving the tent at dwelling and simply pack the rainfly, footprint (offered individually), and poles for a easy shelter.
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent
Durable Tent Without Breaking the Break
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: individuals who need a dependable, sturdy, roomy backpacking tent with out breaking the financial institution, backpacking with pets
- What we like: straightforward to arrange, features a footprint, spacious sufficient for two outsized sleeping pads and equipment, nice value
- What we don’t like: heavier than different backpacking tents
If you’re on the lookout for a sturdy and easy-to-set-up shelter, try the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+. At over 4lbs, it’s not essentially the most light-weight tent on the market, however it’s good for informal backpackers on the lookout for high-quality gear at an inexpensive value level. This tent is persistently one in every of REI’s finest sellers and we agree that it’s a strong selection for many backpackers.
The tent has ample inside house for 2 folks, their gear, and their pet (therefore the two+ measurement). It has two doorways and vestibules present easy accessibility and loads of storage choices. The Half Dome 2 can also be well-ventilated, with mesh panels that hold the inside from getting stuffy on scorching nights.
REI Co-op Trailmade 2
Best Budget Backpacking Tent
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: budget-conscious consumers, newbie or informal backpackers
- What we like: footprint is included with tent, straightforward to arrange, sturdy
- What we don’t like: heaviest and bulkiest tent on our listing
While all of the tents on our listing are fairly straightforward to arrange, the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent takes the cake. Two poles cross over in an easy design making setup plain and easy.
While this tent is on the heavier aspect of backpacking tents (5+ lbs), it’s a primary, funds choice that can can help you get out on the path and sleep comfortably within the backcountry. Plus, the footprint is included in each the packaged weight and the worth.
The Trailmade 2 has two doorways and two vestibules so that you received’t need to climb over your tent associate and the peak and non-tapered design make this tent really feel comparatively spacious. The mesh cover permits for stargazing and open-air sleeping with out the bugs, and the ceiling vents assist with airflow even when the fly is on.
Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Tent
Backpacking Tent with the Most Headroom
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: individuals who want further headroom, 3-season backpacking, backpacking with buddies
- What we like: straightforward setup, 3-piece storage sack system permits you to simply break up the load with a good friend
- What we don’t like: lacks inside storage pockets, onerous to arrange as a solo backpacker
Sea to Summit just lately added a sequence of light-weight tents to their line of backpacking merchandise. The Telos TR2 tent gives loads of livable house inside with excessive vertical partitions and huge doorways that make it straightforward to get out and in. Unique options embody a rain fly that may be rolled up or rolled down from contained in the tent as wanted relying on the climate – no extra getting out of your tent within the rain to place the fly on.
The Telos TR2 tent additionally has a singular “Hangout Mode” by which the fly can be utilized to create a rain or solar shelter that matches 4 folks. BFT’s Director Linda examined this tent on a Utah National Park street journey and beloved how straightforward the rain fly arrange was.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Tent
Best Backpacking Tent for Wet & Windy Weather
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: backpacking in heavy rain and wind, 3-season backpacking, backpacking in rocky terrain
- What we like: straightforward to arrange, roomy headspace
- What we don’t like: poles are delicate and the cords inside lose elasticity over time
The MSR Hubba Hubba Tent has been round for over a decade, and it’s an important compromise between sturdiness and weight. It has a non-tapered design so you could have simply as a lot room on each ends of the tent, which isn’t the case for most of the tents listed right here.
The Hubba Hubba has two doorways and two vestibules however the two options that basically make it stand out are the built-in rain gutters and the cross-ventilating rainfly that gives airflow in any climate. It additionally comes with a compression sack, making it tremendous packable. Other options embody waterproof coating and sturdy but versatile poles that may deal with difficult climate. Poles are on a hub system.
I used a beefed-up model of the Hubba Hubba – the Elixir – throughout a 10-day backpacking journey in Alaska. It’s similar to the Hubba Hubba and may stand up to even stronger winds, however it’s a bit heavier which is why it might be overkill for many backpacking journeys. Unless you’re usually backpacking within the heaviest of climate, the Hubba Hubba is our best choice.
NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P
Roomiest Backpacking Tent
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: individuals who need extra ground house, 3-season backpacking
- What we like: largest ground space for a 2P tent, straightforward to arrange
- What we don’t like: barely heavier than different backpacking tents on our listing
The NEMO Dagger OSMO Tent is the roomiest 2-person backpacking tent on this listing and nonetheless manages to be fairly light-weight for a tent of this measurement. It additionally has all of the options you may need in a multi-person backpacking tent.
It has two giant doorways and vestibules that make getting out and in straightforward with loads of house to maintain your gear dry within the occasion of a rainstorm, mild pockets to assist solid an excellent glow all through the tent with simply your headlamps, gear pockets in every nook to assist with group, and vents to assist with airflow and breathability even when the fly is on. As an added bonus, it comes with a twin stuff sack that permits you to simply break up the load with a associate.
Marmot Tungsten UL 4P Tent
Best Backpacking Tent for Families
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: households, {couples} backpacking with giant pets, 3-season backpacking
- What we like: straightforward to arrange, roomy vestibules, contains footprint
- What we don’t like: heavy even for those who break up the load, unipole might be delicate – take warning when organising the tent
The Marmot Tungsten UL 4P Tent is a freestanding 4-person choice that’s good for households. The mesh cover permits for airflow and stargazing when the climate’s clear whereas the strong house alongside the underside portion stops mud and wind. It has twin doorways and vestibules and a number of inside pockets for simple group. The rainfly doesn’t stretch or sag when moist and the color-coded clips make for a brilliant straightforward set-up.
Black Diamond HiLight 2P
Best 4-Season Backpacking Tent
Key Features
Where to buy
- Great for: 4-season backpacking, excessive winds
- What we like: extremely ventilated for good airflow and fewer condensation buildup, straightforward to arrange in harsh climate
- What we don’t like: door design permits for water to get in once you open it if it’s raining
The Black Diamond HiLight 2P Tent is our best choice for a 4-season backpacking tent. It is significantly light-weight for a winter tent and its 30-denier poly cloth will hold you tremendous heat whereas chilly climate tenting. Reviewers notice that this tent has nice air flow and the partitions don’t construct up condensation which is right for chilly temperatures.
This tent is simple to arrange with poles that connect on the within. The draw back of this tent is it has only one door, which isn’t the most effective in case you are sharing with one other individual and reviewers notice that it doesn’t maintain up properly within the rain.
How to Choose the Best Backpacking Tent
Shopping for a light-weight backpacking tent can shortly get overwhelming with all of the choices on the market, to not point out dear. To allow you to hone in on what’s most essential to you in an excellent backcountry tent, listed here are the principle options you’ll see talked about, what they imply, and a few useful issues to contemplate when making your choice.
Tent Weight
When looking for a backpacking tent, weight is the primary issue I think about. Most backpacking tents weigh someplace between 1-4 kilos. The lighter the tent, the extra comfy you will be if you find yourself carrying it in your again. That stated, there may be usually a trade-off between weight and sturdiness. Ultralight tents require extra care when setting them up and storing them once you get dwelling. They additionally include a heftier price ticket.
When evaluating tents, you’ll sometimes see two totally different weight specs. The packaged weight is the burden of the entire tent set once you purchase it together with the tent itself, the fly, poles, stakes, man traces, stuff sacks, and every other equipment. The minimal path weight is the burden of the tent, fly, and poles solely. Realistically, you’ll doubtless be carrying one thing near the packaged weight because you’ll need to convey the tent, fly, poles, stakes, and man traces. One option to save weight is to swap the stakes that include the tent with a set of light-weight aluminum stakes. Some of the tents on this listing even have a minimalist pitch choice the place you possibly can convey simply the fly, footprint, and poles to make a light-weight shelter in truthful climate.
Capacity / Interior Tent Space
Who and the way many individuals will you be sharing your tent with? And how tall are you? Many of the 2-person backpacking tents (particularly the ultralight choices) are very tight for 2 folks and have house for 2 sleeping pads immediately subsequent to one another and never a lot else.
If you intend to shack up with a good friend or associate, or for those who’re backpacking together with your pup, you’ll need a 2-person backpacking tent not less than. The finest 2-person backpacking tents have two doorways so that you don’t need to climb over one another when getting out and in of the tent. Also, search for ones which have a good-sized vestibule (or two) so you could have house to stash your backpacking packs and mountaineering boots in case of rain.
If 3 folks might be sharing a tent or for those who and your associate or good friend are backpacking together with your pup, you’ll need a 3-person backpacking tent. This is what I backpack with most frequently since my associate and I sometimes backpack with our pup, Charlie, who’s a diabetic alert canine.
Things to concentrate to are the ground space, whether or not or not the tent has a tapered design (the place the top aspect is wider than the toes aspect), and whether or not there may be sufficient headspace so that you can sit up and hang around for those who get caught inside resulting from dangerous climate.
Number of Doors
Two doorways will make getting out and in of the tent far more comfy if you find yourself tenting with another person. It means you received’t need to crawl over one another and generally, additionally, you will have your individual separate vestibule to retailer your stuff which helps you keep extra organized and to maintain your gear dry in case of rain. (A vestibule is the realm outdoors of the tent door beneath the tent fly).
Seasonal Rating
A majority of backpackers might be effective with a 3-season tent that are designed to breathe properly in average climate circumstances (together with heavy rain and lightweight snow) throughout spring, summer season, and fall.
If you intend on tenting in heavy snow or in excessive, uncovered circumstances, you could want a 4-season tent. Four-season tents have much less mesh and retain warmth higher, however the lack of air flow could make them really feel a bit stuffy.
Wall Construction
Most of the favored backpacking tents are double-walled – which suggests they arrive with the precise tent as your shelter and a separate rain fly which you can connect to the surface of the tent for climate safety. Double-walled tents ventilate higher and expertise much less condensation resulting from airflow.
A single-walled tent is weatherproof throughout with out the necessity for a fly, and that usually helps shave off some weight. But single-walled tents additionally sometimes don’t have any home windows and no mesh. This signifies that condensation is usually a drawback in moist circumstances. It additionally signifies that you doubtless received’t be capable of do any stargazing from mattress or have the choice to sleep within the open air since there isn’t any detachable fly. Single-walled tents are finest for chilly, dry circumstances (just like the southern Utah desert in early spring).
Freestanding vs Tarp-Style
A freestanding tent is one which comes with poles that assist it. They are fast and simple to arrange and might be pitched virtually anyplace, which is why this type is extra fashionable.
A tarp-style tent (just like the 3-person Zpacks tent under) is one that you simply arrange utilizing your trekking poles for assist and by tying man traces to stakes, timber, rocks, and many others to get it taut. Tarp-style tents are lighter since they don’t have poles and have a tendency to enchantment to skilled long-distance hikers seeking to save weight.
A couple of of the tents on this listing are semi-freestanding, which means they’ll stand on their very own however do should be staked out for full performance and climate safety.
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