Top 10 Backpacking Tents for Your Next Backpacking Adventure

Backpacking, car camping, fishing expeditions, or alpine excursions there’s one thing you want at the end of a day of adventuring, and that’s a place to shelter up. You want a comfortable spot out of the elements to relax, sleep well, and be relatively safe from the elements. So we put together a list of backpacking tents to help get a good nights sleep under the stars.

Best Backpacking Tents

Klymit Maxfield 1 Backpacking Tent

Klymit tents are engineered for adventure durability without compromise. The Maxfield 1 offers a spacious interior with two vestibules giving this 1-person tent plenty of room to spread out your equipment. Speaking of equipment, Klymit has created a tent stuff sack that is made to lay your tent setup out on to make it easier to put up and to make repacking easier. It’s the little things in the woods that become the big things.

This 3-season camping tent comes in at a low 2.0 lbs /.9kg of trail weight, making it very packable.

Nylon mesh and nylon ripstop make up the mesh and fly fabric of the Klymit Maxfield Tent, and it’s pitched with Yunan aluminum poles with an eco-friendly coating, a total package for lightweight overnighting in the bush.

Maximized storage area comes in the form of a 12.5 ft vestibule, that way you don’t have to sleep with dirty boots. Making this one of the best 1 person backing tents, as it can be hard if not impossible to get a pack inside a solo tent.

Priced right and ready for the trail, and as a bonus, they throw in a 2-year warranty on this lightweight tent.

Weight: 2.0 lbs.

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL2 Backpacking Tent

Mountain Hardware has done it again with this superlight backcountry tent. Back on our list of best 2 person backpacking tents for the second year in a row. This single-door 2-person tent has some eco-friendly features as well as some technical features I think you will like.

No PU coatings, no chemical flame retardants, and no dyes used make this tent very eco-friendly. There’s one pole, one door and one vestibule, the power of one is strong in this one.

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus Tent uses the G-Hook canopy attachment system for compressibility, and DAC Featherlite™ tent poles which are pre-bent give a substantial amount of headroom and more interior space. The sil-nylon fly will keep the rains at bay and the 30D floor will offer a durable surface to sleep on. With weight-dropping features added in the Nimbus is a superlight choice for your backcountry adventuring. A nonsense choice for an ultralight setup for someone looking for a small 2 person tent.

Weight: 2 lbs

Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Backpacking Tent

Sea to Summit has been around for a while and is a name that you can trust when it comes to durable outdoor adventure gear. The detail that has gone into the Tellos TR 2 is a sure sign that the attention to detail will continue.

Living space is the name of the game with the Trelos, with high tent doors for nature gazing on those occasions when some honestly earned tent sitting is occurring.

Tents that are made to travel generally come with some options you can add on or in the case of the Tellos, they are part of the package.

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 2 Person Tent comes with a stuff sacks that doubles as storage buckets that can be hung inside and the pole bag is called The Lightbar™. You can drop a headlamp into the pole carry bag and suspend it from the ceiling and have a light source.

Talk about cool options, the Trelos also has an optional “Hangout Mode” pole set that makes it possible to pitch a semi-open tarp shelter. So you can gather the “tramily” together and hang out and chill.

As a high quality 2-person freestanding tent Telos holds its own with a 28 sq ft floor plan, long enough for the tall folks and for two people to be comfortable.  A spacious 84.5 x 53 x 43 in. floor plan, rising 43.5 in at the peak, and a 19.5 sq ft vestibule area give two people a good amount of living space and a single can live in a pack-carried mansion.

Minimum Trail Weight 3 lbs 4.3 oz

Black Diamond Hilight Tent 2

Have you ever been in a tent where the rain is pouring down and the rain fly and the entire tent begins to sag because the deluge is causing it to stretch?

Well, the HiLight 2P is not that tent. Let’s start with the fact that it’s already taped sealed at the seam lines, and is rain ready, and the 30D Poly fabric is the reason it doesn’t sag and stretch when it gets wet.

If that’s not enough it’s spacious and well ventilated, you know all that rain builds up condensation and everything in the tent is wet, that is alleviated with Black Diamonds Flow Manifold which draws moisture up and out.

One door in and out, this four season backpacking tent is ready to assist you on your adventure. The Black Diamond HiLight 2P Tent is redesigned and ready for you to pack up and head out.

Weight: 3lbs 25 oz

Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon Tent

Counting ounces and cutting weight is the name of the game when it comes to ultralight and you won’t have to count very high with Big Agnes’s Tigerwall 2 Carbon tent. Coming in at a feather weight of 1 lb 6 oz / 624 g this ultralight backpacking tent featuring Dyneema fabric is a whisper when stuffed into your backpack even with the footprint. A footprint or groundsheet is a good idea when going with Dyneema to up its durability.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbo Tent is durable but not indestructible, lightweight with trail creds this 2 man tent is one that a “careful” hiker can carry a few thousand miles and not be mad about it.

Easton® carbon pole set and Dyneema® Composite Fabrics make for a really innovative designs.

Trail Weight 1lb 6oz / 624g

MSR Access 2 Tent

When it comes to the backcountry and snow,  Access 2 is a spacious and warm retreat at the end of the day. Don’t worry if it decides to snow a little bit at night, the frame is designed to bear the load and not leave you laying in a flat tent. Cold weather can take its toll on poles but the Access 2 comes with cutting-edge composite material Easton® Syclone™ Pole that won’t snap due to the weather. Notice I said pole, there’s only one.  Cutting weight and making miles.

MSR Access 2 Tent is engineered to be just a bit warmer than an average backpacking tent, but not quite as warm as an alpine mountaineering setup. It is as close to being waterproof as a tent can be because the rainfly material is made of 20D ripstop nylon 1200mm Xtreme Shield™ polyurethane & silicone.

With a 20D ripstop canopy with DWR, 10D mesh, and a bathtub made with 30D ripstop nylon 3000mm Xtreme Shield™ polyurethane & DWR, this is a durable tent. Making the MSR Access 2 one of the best winter backpacking tents.

Weight ; 3 lbs 10 oz

The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT 2-Person Tent

North Face is synonymous with the outdoors and when you think of alpine adventuring it’s a no-brainer to go with a name and gear you can trust.

North Faces’ FUTURELIGHT is where you look to make sure your next alpine adventure is a success via a more dedicated mountaineering tent.

Alpine tents need to meet the weather head-on, no matter what the environment throws your way, and the FUTURELIGHT stands strong against rain, high winds, and harsh conditions with 3-layers of material between you and the elements, ensuring you will have the best experience possible.

A single door opens up into an ample sleep area with a back door escape hatch, while Inside the tent, you will find plenty of tabs to hang your lights and stoves, and drying lines. The recycled nylon canopy with a durable water-repellent DWR finish will keep you safe and cozy. 10 sq feet of vestibule is not super spacious but you will have a good bit of room in the vestibule for storing gear. If you need to cut weight or conditions allow it, the vestibule is removable. Remarkably, the weight is not an issue with this tent, coming in a few ounces short of 6 lbs.

The North Face Assault FUTURELIGHT is a 4-season backpacking tent well worth adding to your rotation especially if you’re interested in trying winter camping.

Trail Weight:5 lbs 7 oz (2.47 kg)

Kelty Wireless 2

First-time campers and those with a bunch of trail miles both love a good deal. Finding a durable quality tent that won’t bust the bank is some awesome trail magic.

Kelty Wireless 2 brings to the table a solid 2-person tent that won’t break your budget.

From car camping to motorcycle camping to hiking out into the bush, Ketly has you covered. Compact and easy to set up and break down, the Wireless 2 has Kelty’s “Quick Corner Technology” making it less of a chore to get pitched.

Two doors are the way to go for ease of entry and having two vestibules is a bonus that adds square footage for storage and keeping things organized. Wireless 2 offers plenty of headroom, its spacious cabin has plenty of good ventilation for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Coming in super strong with fiberglass poles, 68D Poly 1200mm walls with “no-see-um mesh” , the same 68D Poly but 1800mm for the floor, and a 1200 mm 68D poly fly cover, this is one rugged tent.

Pack up for a week and take the Kelty Wireless 2 Tent on a trip into the outback and get away from it all, and rest easy, Kelty has you covered.

Min Weight 6 lb 9 oz / 2,97 kg

Zpacks Duplex

Zpacks brand is synonymous with ultralight. Their Dyneema tents are some of the lightest on the market. It can pack down into a tiny stuff sack and weighs virtually nothing. Its functionality and popularity are equaled by its perfect mix of durability and lightness.

Care needs to be taken with Dyneema, but with some restraint and conscious caution, this tent will last for quite a few seasons. It’s plenty big for two adults and it ventilates well.

It has a peak height of 48 inches and a ridgeline width of 53 inches, and it’s a whopping 100 inches in length. 7.5 feet in length.  Every tall hiker’s dream.

There are some things to know about this tent made of super lightweight material, one of which is that the strength-to-weight ratio is high. It’s waterproof without DWR coating, and it doesn’t absorb water adding weight to your pack. If you have ever packed a soaked tent this one thing alone is worth checking out the Zpacks Duplex Tent.

How about an oversized stuff sack as another perk? I know you know if you’ve ever tried to get it all back in the bag and literally wanted to throw the bag away.

Seams are taped and this material won’t sag when pulled taut. There is some semi-transparency you need to know about but it isn’t see-through.

All things must come to an end, and these tents have a life expectancy. Known to be around 2500 miles or the equivalent of one thru-hile on the AT or PCT.

Weight: 18.5 oz / 525 g

Decathlon Forclaz Quickhiker 2

This budget-friendly tent from Decathalon can be set up in three configurations. The separate elements of the full tent, fly sheet, and inner tent give you options to choose from. With its cationic nylon exterior “Blackout“ fabric offering 99% darkness even during the day you might catch yourself wanting to sleep in.

It may be a bit heavy for super long hikes but for the price, you can’t beat it for overnights or a good week of camping and backpacking.

Two porches give you plenty of room to stow your gear while you stretch out in the 82.7 inches of floor space. Four Interior pockets with a 42.5 in head space can make for a cozy house feel.

The Decthalon Forclaz Quickhiker Tent is wind tested and waterproof and since it is a freestanding tent with separate elements it will support three different assembly configurations to meet the weather head-on.

Total weight: 6.8 lbs

Previous Winners of Best Backpacking Tents Awards:

Best Backpacking Tents For The Light and Fast Backpacker

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 Tent

Alright, now we’re really going ultralight with Mountain Hardwear’s Nimbus UL 2. This great two person tent has a packed weight of 2 lbs. 2 oz. That’s right, basically 2 pounds for a 2-person tent. The Nimbus 2 even has aluminum poles, the industry-leading DAC NFL Ultra Hyperspace Poles. It also still has a 20D 1200mm fly and 30D 1500 mm ripstop nylon floor so it’s actually waterproof. While still only 2 pounds? They swing that by innovative design – the tent hits a high point, then narrows as the pole setup looks like a T. It’s basically a large bivy sack, tightening towards the feet. There’s still 28 feet of floor area, though. Amazing weight-to-protection ratio, industry-topping.

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL2 Tent even has a vestibule with that cool option to set it up as fully-closed or with only the side walls and a big opening in the middle. It’s pretty snug, though. Again, this is really a big bivy bringing the best of both tent and sack, with little extra.

Minimum Trail Weight: 2 lbs. 

Klymit Maxfield 2 Tent

Klymit was born in the Wasatch more than a decade ago, and their Klymit Maxfield 2 Tent shows how much those Utahns love their backpacking. The Maxfield 2 is an amazing ultralight tent that’s still super beefy despite weighing in at less that 5 pounds. Despite such a low weight, the Maxfield is packing Yunan Aluminum 7001 poles with an Eco-Friendly coating. Plus the 1200mm Nylon Ripstop Fly and the 40D PU 3000mm Nylon Ripstop Floor actually deliver some rain protection. And with its big front vestibule, smaller rear one and a floor area of 29.3 square feet, the Klymit Macfield 2 has plenty of storage but also actually feels super spacious thanks to the dome’s structure.

I love this backpacking tent for its balance of price, weight, and protection. It’s well-centered, making something that can protect you in a summer storm but still isn’t as heavy as a car camping tent. Go light, go fast, go with protection, and go with a company that lives in one of America’s most storied mountain ranges. Go with Klymit’s Maxfield 2.

Klymit Maxfield 2 Tent Review – https://mtnweekly.com/reviews/klymit-maxfield-tent/

Minimum Trail Weight: 3 lbs. 8. 0z. 

MSR Elixir 2 Tent

I fell in love with the MSR Elixir several years ago and it’s still at the top of my rotation. At 6 pounds packed weight, the Elixir 2 Person Tent is certainly heavier than the ultralights. But it’s also got a quick and easy setup and room for days. This tent can handle whatever the 3 seasons can send your way, with 68D fly and a 70D 3000mm polyurethane floor on the tent. The color-coded aluminum poles make it so easy to set up, you’ll get your home in the outdoors up and protecting in a couple minutes, even right out of the box. The Elixir 2 definitely delivers the most space of any tent on this list so far; hell, the vestibule alone is 24 square feet. And the most durability. Which makes it worth an extra pound or two.

The MSR Elixir 2 Tent feels pretty open given the wide space and the structure of the dome on top. This is the biggest of all tents before, easily fitting 3 people and a few dogs in the MSR Elixir 3. Even more, this is a super-bombproof backpacking tent, ready and able to stand up to whatever mother nature might throw at you.

MSR Elixir Tent Review – https://mtnweekly.com/reviews/msr-elixir-3-tent/

Minimum Trail Weight: 5 lbs. 

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2

I love ultralight tents, and so do the adventurers in Steamboat who work at Big Agnes as evidenced by their 3-pound Copper Spur UL 2 Tent. One thing I love about this tent is the fact that poles can be used to hold the vestibule corners out and open, making it great for when you’ve got hiking poles or even heading out in (light) snow (it is 3-season, after all). Making it a perfect backpacking tent.

The fly and floor both rock a mixed denier 1200mm nylon and those epic DAC Featherlite poles. Like all the Big Agnes tents, there are hooks and straps specially made for their lighting systems. Plus there’s the option to set up just the fly and floor if you’re out in the halcyon days of summer where you don’t need real walls. The mezzanine delivers more storage by your feet, which Big Agnes even incorporates into their UL1, another large bivy tent you can take solo (with space for a pup). That one clocks in at just barely 2 pounds. Either way, you’re talking a super durable, super light tent with all those special features only the team designing Big Agnes Tents thinks about.

Big Agnes Copper Spur Tent Review – https://mtnweekly.com/reviews/big-agnes-copper-spur-mtnglo-tent/

Minimum Trail Weight: 2 lbs. 12 oz. 

Black Diamond Distance Tent

Leave it to Black Diamond to make one of the most unique tents with their Distance Tent. That crazy design delivers a 2-person, 3-season tent that weighs in at around 1 and a half pounds. It packs down to about the size of a Nalgene bottle but still rocks 30D poly fabric and incorporates Distance Carbon FLZ-AR Trekking Poles to keep it up.

The Black Diamond Distance Tent has a big peak with a top pole that these trekking poles prop up to keep the ceiling above you. Of course with this low weight and high durability, there isn’t a ton of room. The roof especially isn’t high but you’re not camping in the backcountry to stay in your tent; you’re staying out there to explore the outdoors, using your tent only to sleep. If you got some big, ambitious treks in your plans, look no further than the Black Diamond Distance for a great ultralight backpacking tent.

Minimum Trail Weight: 1 lb. 9 oz.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent

Here’s another unique design: Six Moon Designs’ Lunar Solo Tent, perfect for your solo trip up the PCT. At 26 ounces, you’d think it was super small but this tent actually drops decent space thanks to its hexagonal shape. We’re talking 26 square feet of space, plus an 8.5 foot vestibule. With the pole in the middle, this ultralight tent can rise above 4 feet at its peak. But that doesn’t mean the Lunar Solo 1 Person Tent delivers less protection.

Like the Black Diamond tent, this one uses trekking poles, though this one actually uses just one, in the middle. There’s still a 20D fly and 40D bathtub floor, with a mesh lining just above it to let in that fresh air. When you add in that center pole, this tent can even handle snow, a real necessity if you’re through-hiking in the mountains where it might even snow up high in the supposedly warm months of summer.

Minimum Trail Weight: 1 lbs. 10 oz. 

Kelty Late Start 1 Tent

With its Late Start 1, Kelty delivers a 3 season 1 person tent with some space and the tried and true larger shape of standard dome tents. Its two aluminum poles are pre-bent so you have a little extra room in your backpacking tent. A 68D polyester wraps the tent above and below, with the floor being an 1800mm super waterproof base. That fly, though, it’s color-coded for easier setup, especially compared to others that require you to be hiking with poles.

The Kelty Late Season 1 Tent costs less than $150, making it a no-brainer to add to your tent quiver for a great one person tent. Especially since it has a 20-square-foot floor to give you tons of room, and there’s an extra 6.4 feet of space in the vestibule. Again, the biggest leg up it has over other 1-person tents on the list are Quick Corner pole sleeves and color-coding on the fly to really make it easy, thus the name Late Start. Because if you’re setting up at sunset or in the dark, it really needs to be quick and easy. Kelty understands that and gets it done.

Minimum Trail Weight: 3 lbs. 5 oz.

The North Face Stormbreak 1 Tent

And then North Face swoops in to steal the thunder with their Stormbreak 1. Also under $150. Also incorporating its quick pitch technology. It also incorporates 68D polyester taffeta 1200mm PU fly, as well as a 68D floor. Plus it all clocks in at about 3 pounds.

But wait, The North Face Strombreak 1 Tent has their own poles able to stand up to torrential downfall. Which the tent also fights with a fully-sealed canopy and floor to keep the wet from sneaking in through the cracks. There’s also its special ventilation in the top. But the most amazing thing is that this tent has enough interior space to fit you, your pack, and even a pup or baby, with a vestibule for more stuff. Yeah, those guys at North Face really know how to dominate a category blending weight, price, and protection in one kinda perfect one-person tent.

Minimum Trail Weight: 3 lbs. 1.4 oz. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Tent

When Hyperlite Ultamid 2, they were basically asking one simple question: How badly do you want to cut down weight? Would you be willing to drop the frills and extras for a waterproof tent that weighs in at a little over a pound? The 100% waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabrics will keep out any storms that might rise along the way (short of gale force winds or hail). You can keep it up with trekking poles or even just hook the top of the tent to a tree if you don’t like that whole trekking pole in the middle of your tent thing.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Tent is floorless, though. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who prefer floorless tents, surprising for winter camping but in the summer it’s a great option as long as you’re not at the risk of flooding. Once you have it all set up, we’re talking 63 square feet of space with a top height of over 5 feet. All at just 1 pound. If you’re going for distance not necessarily comfort, and are good with bivying out in a sleeping bag but want some protection from the elements, the Hyperlite Ultamid 2 is that next level minimalist adventure buddy you’ve been looking for.

Minimum Trail Weight:

Eureka Midori 2 Tent

Midori is Japanese for green and Eureka’s Midori 2 Tent is perfect for exploring the green eco goodness of the great outdoors. With 30 square feet of floor space, it’s worth the 6 pounds of weight. Plus you’re rocking 68D 185 T 1500 mm polyester taffeta fly and an 1800mm floor. This is obviously spacious and, throwing in the aluminum poles, it’s heavy duty.

But what’s really striking is the price tag. At under $200, it’s one of the most affordable on this list, but doesn’t add too much weight, nor does it sacrifice durability in this small 2 person tent. The Midori rocks a standard square-ish shape with nice, big vestibules. All told, you can’t do much better and keep within your standard budget.

Minimum Trail Weight: 4 lbs. 3 oz. 

Top 10 Backpacking Tents for Your Next Adventure in the Mountains

MSR Hubba NX 1

With a minimum trail weight of just 2 lbs. 7 oz., the Hubba NX 1 is an ultralightweight option for solo backpackers. 18 square feet of floor space provides enough room for a sleeping pad and bag, and the 9-square-foot vestibule gives you a little extra room to keep your gear out of the elements. Year after year this is one of the best backpacking tents for 1 person in the industry.

The MSR Hubba NX1 Tent single hubbed poleset and freestanding design make setup easy. A StayDry door keeps water out of the tent. The compression sack is only 6″ x 18″. In short, this is the perfect tent for minimal backpacking trips when you only need sleeping room for one.

Mountain Hardwear Aspect 2

This two-person tent comes in at 2.9 lbs., making it a good option for long-distance backpacking. Mountain Hardwear only put the essentials into this tent, keeping it light and functional.

Two doors, a three-quarter mesh canopy, and RipStop construction mean this tent is a solid choice for years to come.

The North Face Stormbreak 2 Tent

The North Face Stormbreak 2 tent has two configurable vestibules, which makes it great for car camping. That configurability comes with a price, though; the packaged weight of the Stormbreak tent is 5 lb 14 oz

But that weight does get you a 43″ peak height, good airflow, and compatibility with The North Face’s Tentertainment Center. Which is pretty great. One of the best backpacking tents for those on a budget.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX2

The solo version of this tent is great for one-person backpacking trips, and the two-person MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 is just as good when you need more room. And with a minimum trail weight of just 3.5 lbs., it won’t weigh you down.

The packed size is extra small, too—6″ x 18″ is one of the smallest on this list. But the tent still stands 39″ tall and has plenty of space for two people.

REI Passage 2 Tent

If you’re looking for the best value you can find in a backpacking tent, the REI Passage 2 Tent is a great bet. It’s under $200, comes with everything you’d expect from a backpacking tent: twin vestibules, adjustable ceiling vents, color coding for easy setup, and more. This is a great backpacking tent on a budget for 2 people.

This two-person REI Backpacking Tent is 88″ long. 5 lbs. 5.25 oz in weight.

Outdoor Vitals Dominion Tent

The Outdoor Vitals Dominion Tent is definitely an ultralight tent—if you use it in “ultralight mode” with the rainfly, poles, and footprint, you can get it down to 2 lbs. And the 5″ x 20″ pack size makes it easy to stash for your trip.

But that doesn’t mean this tent is tiny. It’s built for one person, but Outdoor Vitals spent time making it as spacious as possible. The tapered design, 35″ height, and wide crossbar let you move around better than you might think in such a small tent.

Alps Lynx 1 Tent

The Alps Lynx 1 is a two-pole design, which makes it slightly heavier than the single-pole tents on this list. But it’s also a fraction of the price, which is nice. The packaged weight of this tent is 4 lbs. 4 oz., which is still definitely in the lightweight category.

And you get a little extra room, too. While many backpacking tents are in the 85″ range for length, the Alps Lynx tent stretches all the way out to 90″, making it good for taller backpackers.

Geertop Pyramid I1

Geertop’s Pyramid series uses your trekking pole to support the tent, making this an especially light option. The total carrying weight—including the bag—is 2.65 lbs. Even for a one-person tent, that’s really light.

You don’t get a whole lot of extra features with such a light tent. But two vent windows and reinforced, waterproofed corners mean you’ll stay comfortable. And there’s enough room between the tent and the fly that condensation is kept to a minimum.

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