What Are The Best Backpacking Tents?

Are you heading out for a long hiking expedition? Or are you looking for a trustworthy tent to get a comfortable sleep in the middle of the forest? In this article, I will be talking about the best backpacking tents.

The world is a beautiful place and there is countless scenery to explore. A hiking expedition is a great way to visit the inaccessible areas. These areas might bring you to a majestic place you have never seen before.

However, you can’t just keep walking for days, you need to sleep and rejuvenate your body. Then, you can carry on with the journey. A good backpacking tent is needed for a good sleep.

There are many backpacking tents in the market. Choosing the right one may take a lot of time. Since We have been researching on backpacking tents, I have condensed the things to look out for in this article and provide my recommendations.

Best Backpacking Tents Buying Guide

Weight

This depends on how long you expect to carry your backpack for. If you are thinking of doing long-distance wilderness hikes. You may want to get the lightest tent possible.

If you have the time and want to find out the ideal weight, you can simulate your backpack and do the balance time degradation exercise as suggested in this study.

First, add all your essential items into the backpack. Then simulate the weight of the tent by adding some random items. Measure the time you stand on one foot with and without the pack. Take these two timings and get the percentage difference. Aim for 20% or lesser. Record the backpack weight. Remove the essential items and there is your ideal tent weight.

Weather Resistance

This factor depends on the seasonality and the coverage of the rainfly. Many people go for 3-seasons tents as they are designed to withstand typical weathers that a backpacker will face: rain, the wind but not a bad storm.

4-seasons tents are designed to handle bad weather plus snow, maybe even sandstorm. They are made of stronger materials to withstand the harsh conditions. Because of the materials they use, they tend to be more expensive and heavier.

If you are not going to camp in the mountains or any place with extreme weathers, a 3-seasons tent would do.

Construction

There are freestanding and non-freestanding tents in the market. Freestanding tents are easy to set up because they come with a pole system and you can set it up almost anywhere.

Non-freestanding tents replace the pole system with trekking poles, stakes and guy lines. You have to hammer the stakes into the ground. If the ground is hard, you need to hammer even harder. Not only that, you need to place the stakes at the right spot if not the tent will be in an awkward shape. All these make set up time longer.

The lack of a pole system makes non-freestanding tents lighter. However, the first time setting up a non-freestanding tent will be hard. Once you keep practicing, it will eventually become easier.

If you are a new camper, a freestanding tent might be a good choice. If you want to challenge yourself, you can go for a non-freestanding one.

Condensation

When you exhale, water vapor comes out of your body. The water vapor gets trapped if the walls are not breathable. Condensation then occurs when the water vapor starts forming water droplets. It can become a nuisance when the water keeps dropping on your face while you are sleeping.

Some people may mistake the condensation as a leaky tent. Tent walls that are full of mesh help to prevent condensation as they allow the water vapor to escape out of the tent. This prevents condensation and improves ventilation at the same time.

Rainfly

There is partial and full rainfly for a tent. I recommend getting a tent with a full rainfly if you are camping in places with frequent occurrences of rain. If there is a torrential rain, a partial rainfly is not enough. The rain can blow sideways or water can splash up from the ground and get into your tent.

The rainfly can also come in as a double wall tent. The outermost layer will be the waterproof rainfly while the innermost layer will be the breathable tent body.

Space

The living space of the tent determines your comfort. The floor that is lengthy is better for tall people so they don’t have to bend their knees while sleeping. Floor width is also important so you know whether you have enough room for your shoulders and arms.

If you are going for a 1-person tent, you should look at the floor dimensions and see whether you can fit inside the tent comfortably.

Price

Many campers will tell you to pick two out of three things in a tent – weight, quality and price. If you are going for a lightweight and high-quality tent, you have to increase your budget as it won’t come cheap. If you are going with cheap tents, then you have to expect that the tent might not be either lightweight or reliable.

Other things to look out for

Insect Resistance

I woke up with a sandfly bite in my lips before. I felt annoyed because my lips were swollen and tender to touch. Not only that, my friends were laughing at me because of the big lips. It was in Thailand where sandflies were common in some areas.

While you may not meet sandflies in the place you are camping, there are always other pesky bugs waiting to meet you. Some of them even carry disease.

Some tents come pre-treated with Permethrin that is an insecticide. It is applied to the fabric of the tent. Any insects that land on it will be killed. This feature is nice to have as you don’t want the bugs to be staying on your tent mesh waiting to go inside. However, the effect of the Permethrin is not ever-lasting so you have to keep reapplying it.

Vestibules and Gear Storage

It’s a nice to have to have vestibules although they will add more weight to your backpack. You can leave your gear outside the tent and sleep more comfortably. Although this is not recommended, you can go out and cook dinner in the vestibule when there is rain. Do take note of the risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning and setting the tent on fire.

Some tents come with plenty of interior pockets. You can keep the smaller items in these pockets instead of putting them around in the tent. You get more space for just organizing the small items.

NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 

The Nemo Dagger OSMO 2 is an excellent choice for backpackers who want to balance space, weight, and eco-friendly materials. Weighing in at around 3.5 lbs, this 3-season tent offers ample interior space for two campers while maintaining a relatively low weight, making it great for long trips or multi-day adventures. The standout feature is its OSMO fabric, which is made from 100% recycled materials. Not only is this tent environmentally conscious, but it also provides enhanced waterproofing and durability without stretching or sagging when wet, a common issue in nylon tents.

The interior is roomy for two people, with near-vertical walls providing excellent headroom for sitting up comfortably. Its two large doors and dual vestibules make it easy for campers to enter and exit the tent without disturbing each other, and the vestibules offer decent gear storage. However, some users have noted minor condensation in humid conditions, despite the tent’s overall good ventilation system that includes mesh walls and raised fly vents.

One of the most praised features of the Nemo Dagger OSMO 2 is its ease of setup. The freestanding design, combined with color-coded poles and clips, makes pitching the tent quick and simple. The tent’s weight-to-space ratio, eco-friendly design, and durability make it a solid investment, especially for environmentally conscious backpackers.

Marmot Crane Creek 2P Tent

The Marmot Crane Creek 2P is a budget-friendly option for campers who want reliable weather protection without spending a premium. At around 4.5 lbs, it is slightly heavier than ultralight models but still manageable for short backpacking trips. The tent’s freestanding design and easy setup make it perfect for beginner backpackers or those who want a hassle-free camping experience. With two large doors and vestibules, campers have easy access and space to store their gear.

The full-coverage rainfly ensures that campers stay dry during wet conditions, and the bathtub-style floor prevents water from seeping in from below. Its durability makes it a great choice for those looking for a tent that can withstand regular use in various weather conditions. Despite the tent’s excellent rain protection, it does have limited ventilation, which could result in minor condensation on humid days. Additionally, the vestibule space is smaller compared to other models, making gear storage outside the tent more challenging.

Overall, the Marmot Crane Creek 2P is a well-rounded tent that excels in durability and weather protection, making it a reliable option for budget-conscious backpackers who don’t mind carrying a little extra weight.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 is one of the most sought-after ultralight tents for backpackers who prioritize space, weight, and comfort. Weighing just 2.6 lbs, it’s a standout option for long-distance hikers or those who want to keep their pack as light as possible. Despite its low weight, the tent offers plenty of interior space, with steep sidewalls that provide enough headroom for two people to sit up comfortably.

The dual vestibules offer ample space for storing gear, and the tent’s freestanding design allows for easy setup in a variety of terrains. The rainfly provides full protection from wet conditions, though some users report that the tent’s thin materials may require extra care to prevent damage. The tent also features excellent ventilation, thanks to its large mesh panels and strategic vent placement.

While the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 is more expensive than many other tents, it’s a top choice for backpackers who want a tent that’s both lightweight and roomy.

Featherstone Backpacking Tent

he Featherstone Backpacking Tent is designed for solo adventurers seeking a lightweight yet durable shelter for their 3-season backpacking trips. This tent strikes a good balance between weight and protection, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious backpackers.

Weighing around 3.8 lbs, it is easy to pack and carry on solo trips. However, some users may find it slightly heavier than ultralight alternatives. That said, for the price and durability, it’s still a great option for backpackers who need a reliable, affordable tent.

The tent includes a full-coverage rainfly, providing excellent protection from rain and wind, while also featuring ventilation windows to reduce condensation. The bathtub-style floor is designed to prevent water from seeping in, but using a footprint is still recommended for added floor protection.

With a single vestibule and door, it offers enough room to store gear outside the sleeping area, though some users may find the vestibule space a bit limited. Inside, the tent is spacious enough for one person, offering a comfortable place to sleep and move around.

This tent is well-suited for those looking for a balance of durability and affordability in a solo tent, especially for weekend trips or moderate weather conditions. While not the lightest option for long-distance hikers, it offers solid value for its price.

MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent

This 2-person tent is very spacious. When two people are sleeping in the tent, there is still room for storing their gear.

Some people find that the weight is light but some find it a little heavy. In my opinion, I think it is an alright weight for backpacking but can be light when the load is split between 2 people.

The tent body is complete mesh other than the bathtub floor. This creates great ventilation as well as a full view of the scenery around you. However, this can be an issue with privacy because anyone can see you.

The bathtub floor has also been designed to be extra higher so it can prevent the pool of water coming in even when the pool is a little deep. The rainfly does not go down all the way.

Even though the tent body is well ventilated, the rainfly also comes with vents to allow airflow when it is raining and minimize condensation.

Some people complain the tent stakes are too weak so you probably want to upgrade the stakes if you are getting this tent.

If you are looking for a tent that breathes well and is spacious, then you can go for this one.

Conclusion

For backpacking tents, I feel that weight is the biggest factor in deciding the tent. There are really good ultralight tents but they also come with a bigger price tag. There are tents that are cheap and ultralight but you probably fear that it tears easily.

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is definitely a high quality tent to consider if you have a bigger budget for it. However, in this article, we are also looking at the price factor to determine the winner.

In my opinion, the winner would be Kelty Salida 2 Tent. It is lightweight yet it is strong enough to protect against the bad weather. Not only it won’t be a huge burden on your back, you will feel safe sleeping in it. Kelty Salida 2 has a great combination of lightweight, durability, and affordability.