6 Greatest Backpacking Tents for 2024

As spring approaches, nature lovers begin to gear up for backpacking adventures. However with out the precise gear, having fun with the nice open air to the fullest might be difficult.

Have you ever ever set out on a backpacking journey and had the heaviest tent of all time, had condensation soaking your sleeping bag, or prayed to the universe to cease the rain soaking via your tent on a chilly evening on the path?

In case your present tent doesn’t meet your wants or is displaying indicators of damage, it might be time for an improve.

The perfect general selection for backpacking tents is the REI Half Dome SL 2+. Whereas it will not be the lightest, it’s very gentle for a tent, is sturdy, has a fantastic worth level, and is essentially the most bang on your buck.

Along with the Half Dome SL 2+, our choice includes a vary of backpacking tents, from light-weight choices for solo backpackers to expedition-style tents or these constructed for consolation. Learn on to find our picks for the most effective backpacking tents, and make 2024 your greatest backpacking 12 months but.

6 Greatest Backpacking Tents

Greatest General: REI Half Dome SL 2+

The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ tent has a compelling mixture of options, high quality, weight, and worth that units it aside within the backpacking tent market. This tent stays a favourite amongst tenting tents as a consequence of its spacious inside, and sturdiness. Plus, it’s a fantastic worth for the cash.

The tent is beneficiant and gives a really lengthy size and beneficiant peak peak, so taller of us will likely be comfy too.

The Half Dome SL 2+ excels in offering ample inside area, with a flooring space of 33.7 sq. ft, making it bigger than many different ultralight tents. The near-vertical mesh facet partitions additional make it really feel additional spacious.

Whereas the tent prioritizes inside area and sturdiness over weight, it nonetheless manages to weigh solely three kilos. Trimming away the footprint reduces the load.

The tent has high quality elements, just like the DAC aluminum pole system, upgraded stakes, a sturdy 40-denier flooring, and a 30-denier rainfly.

This ultralight backpacking tent has a full-coverage rainfly and a raised bathtub flooring. Whereas it performs effectively in rain and lightweight wind, its tall profile might make it inclined to bowing in excessive winds. Packing additional stakes for guying out the tent will help.

With two doorways and vestibules, the tent supplies loads of space for storing for gear on either side, not like many backpacking tents. It options massive vents and mesh panels for environment friendly air flow, minimizing condensation on humid nights.

The freestanding design and one-piece hubbed pole system make organising and taking down the tent straightforward, even for inexperienced persons.

Whereas it will not be the lightest possibility out there, its mixture of options makes it a high contender.

Specs:

• Seasons: 3-season
• Sleeping Capability: 2-person
• Minimal Path Weight: 3 lbs. 15 oz.
• Packaged Weight: 4 lbs. 11.5 oz.
• Packed Dimension: 7 x 20.5 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 90 x 54 inches
• Peak Top: 42 inches

Greatest for Residing House: Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent

The Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a good light-weight tent for these looking for area and luxury with out compromising on weight, with options like two massive doorways and vestibules. This freestanding tent can also be straightforward to arrange, making it appropriate for each quick weekend journeys and longer expeditions.

The Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 has massive facet door vestibules, plus loads of headroom so two folks can sleep effectively on the ground area, with room for gear.

It’s light-weight for a roomy tent, with the minimal path weight being about two kilos. Its peak peak is a beneficiant 40 inches. There are ceiling pockets, media pockets, and off-the-floor storage.

It’s spacious and has good headroom, however potential drawbacks are its worth and the material could also be a bit fragile; they tried to make it stronger with additional tear energy and puncture resistance. They advocate utilizing an identical footprint to lengthen the lifetime of the tent physique.

There are twin low-vent vestibule doorways and high-fly vent choices for each airflow. There are dual-zipper doorways, stash pockets, gear loops, and TopLok buckles that are handy for tying the tent physique down and stabilization.

In case you prioritize light-weight and spaciousness in your backpacking tent, the Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is price contemplating.

Specs:

• Sleeping Capability: 2 individuals
• Minimal Path Weight: 2 lbs. 11 oz.
• Packaged Weight: 3 lbs. 2 oz.
• Packed Dimension: 6 x 19.5 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 88 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches
• Peak Top: 40 inches

Greatest for Expeditions: MSR Distant 2

The MSR Distant 2 is a four-season backpacking tent that gives reliable safety and luxury, making it a perfect selection for lengthy stays in rugged alpine or distant terrains – a fantastic tent that may work for summer season outings however can also be engineered to face up to harsh storms.

It’s almost easy to assemble and disassemble, which is invaluable on expeditions or backcountry ski missions.

The roomy inside options make it a fantastic tenting tent with a spacious hooped vestibule, with ample storage and cooking area. It’s designed for moist climate and excessive temps, with strengthened attachment factors and snow flaps.

The MSR Distant 2 gives much less headroom in comparison with different high backpacking tents and the inside doorways are a bit small, however organising and taking down this tent is a breeze because of its intuitive design and safe pole attachments. It performs effectively in wet circumstances and can maintain you dry and cozy.

The MSR Distant 2 excels as a long-term shelter as its sturdy development means it can stick round. Whereas it will not be the lightest possibility, its efficiency and reliability make it a compelling selection for mountaineering expeditions, backcountry ski journeys, and backpacking adventures.

Specs

• Sleeping Capability: 2 individuals
• Minimal Path Weight: 6 lbs. 11 oz.
• Packaged Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz.
• Packed Dimension: 7 x 20 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 87 x 55 inches
• Peak Top: 44 inches

Greatest for Air flow: Sea To Summit Alto TR1 Tent

The Sea to Summit Alto Tr1 stands out as a top-notch one-person semi-freestanding double-wall tent, with nice airflow. For the solo hiker involved about path weight, that is the most effective ultralight backpacking tent. This can be a spacious tent that also manages to be very gentle, at 2 kilos.

That includes a single facet door and a generously sized vestibule, it supplies room for storing gear with easy accessibility. The air flow is great, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from a cool inside with minimal condensation buildup, even throughout heat climate or humid circumstances.

Though a lighter tent, its inside quantity, and near-vertical partitions make a novel five-sided inside tent. This configuration means it’s extra comfy to maneuver round than in most backpacking tents. You’ll be able to change garments simply and retailer private objects inside arm’s attain.

The inside tent’s abundance of mesh promotes wonderful airflow, whereas a single D-shaped door makes entry and exit swift, with twin zippers for simple entry to saved gear. The five-sided flooring structure supplies further area for inside gear storage and maximizing headroom.

Geared up with a multi-segment pole and a rigidity ridge cross pole, the Alto Tr1’s construction is secure. The rainfly, has a break up vestibule door, for gear storage and sustaining air flow. The added high vent regulates airflow between the inside tent and the rainfly, successfully venting heat air to mitigate moisture and condensation.

Nonetheless, the shortcoming to regulate the vent from inside the inside tent could also be barely inconvenient.

The tent’s high vent lacks screening, doubtlessly inviting bugs into the area between the inside tent and rainfly. Whereas this may increasingly not all the time be a big difficulty, it warrants consideration, particularly throughout peak insect seasons.

The Sea to Summit Alto Tr1 is a spacious and cozy one-person tent, providing ease of setup and spectacular livability for solo adventurers looking for a dependable and breathable shelter on the path.

Specs:

• Sleeping Capability: 1 individual
• Minimal Path Weight: 2 lbs. 1 oz.
• Packaged Weight:2 lbs. 7.2 oz.
• Packed Dimension:4.3 x 17.7 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 84.5 x 42/24 (L x W head/foot) inches
• Peak Top: 42.5 inches

Greatest for Consolation: MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Tent

The MSR Hubba Hubba is the most effective tent for backpackers looking for high quality, sturdiness, and luxury. There isn’t a foot taper so that you get additional room throughout the tent. There are overhead pockets and huge vestibules.

Its considerate design consists of composite poles, a water-proof rainfly, and a raised bathtub flooring, guaranteeing stable efficiency in moist and windy climate.

Though on the smaller facet at 15 sq. ft., the vestibule design successfully prevents water from dripping inside when opened. Whereas the most recent mannequin has much less mesh for air flow, deployable vents on the rainfly assist preserve airflow with out compromising waterproofing.

The Hubba Hubba is a good backpacking tent. Setup is simple, because of its freestanding construction and symmetrical design. Its inside area is beneficiant, and accommodating two folks comfortably with loads of storage choices.

Regardless of its skinny 20-denier materials, the tent proves sturdy, with minimal indicators of damage over time.

Specs

• Seasons: 3-season
• Sleeping Capability: 2 individuals
• Minimal Path Weight: 2 lbs. 14 oz.
• Packaged Weight: 3 lbs. 4 oz.
• Packed Dimension: 4.5 x 19 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 84 x 50 inches
• Peak Top: 40 inches

Greatest for 1 Particular person: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent

The lightest three season tent on our listing, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo backpacking tent is the most effective backpacking tent for solo adventurers looking for a light-weight, sturdy, and storm-worthy shelter.

It gives sufficient inside area on your gear inside, plus room on your canine. You’ll be able to pitch simply the tent physique in a path hut.

With wonderful storm safety, it’s the most effective backpacking tent for long-distance thru-hikes who wish to save weight wherever doable. With its modern single-pole assist design, the Lunar Solo is simple to arrange and take down rapidly.

It requires a tent pole to arrange, which you’ll lengthen all the way in which to create a really excessive peak. Many backpacking tents these days use this mountain climbing pole possibility to reduce packed weight.

That includes a 6-inch bathtub flooring and loads of inside and vestibule area, the Lunar Solo additionally protects from rain and snow. Constructed from high-quality silpoly material, it’s resilient to tears.

It has a silicone-coated polyester flooring and cover to face up to sharp objects and inclement climate. The modern floating bathtub flooring reduces stress on the tent physique and minimizes punctures. Whereas not essentially the most resilient to wind, the adjustable rigidity cords assist in windy circumstances.

Its massive facet entry and outsized display screen make it straightforward to get out and in. The tent’s optimized peak peak of 49 inches makes it comfy for taller hikers.

Whereas it might have bigger inside pockets, to avoid wasting a couple of additional ounces, that is the perfect tent so as to add to your out of doors gear.

General, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo stands out as a best choice for solo backpackers and bike-packers looking for a light-weight, sturdy, and spacious shelter for his or her journeys.

Specs:

• Seasons: 3-season
• Sleeping Capability: 1+ individuals
• Minimal Path Weight: 1 lbs. 9 oz.
• Packed Dimension: 11 X 4.5 inches
• Flooring Dimensions: 90 x 48 inches
• Peak Top: 49 inches

Purchaser’s Information: What to Contemplate When Shopping for a Backpacking Tent

Double-Wall Versus Single-Wall

Tents with two partitions have an inside tent with mesh for air flow and an outer rainfly for climate safety. They sometimes provide higher air flow and lowered condensation. Nonetheless, they could be heavier because of the additional layers.

Single-wall tents mix the inside tent and rainfly into one piece, which reduces weight and simplifies setup. They’re extra compact and lightweight, making them splendid for ultralight backpacking, however they could be much less breathable and liable to condensation buildup.

In case you prioritize weight financial savings and ease, a single-wall tent would be the approach to go. In case you worth higher climate safety and air flow, a double-wall tent is perhaps higher.

Sturdiness

Tent poles ought to be comprised of sturdy supplies like aluminum or fiberglass, with high-quality shock cords to keep up rigidity. Search for poles with thicker diameters, and think about hubs or interconnected segments for extra stability in windy circumstances.

Go for sturdy stakes comprised of supplies like aluminum or titanium, which supply higher strength-to-weight ratios than plastic stakes. Contemplate the design of the stakes, equivalent to Y-shaped or V-shaped, for improved holding energy in several types of terrain.

Search for tents with double-stitched seams and sealed seams to forestall water infiltration. Strengthened stress factors, equivalent to corners and guy-out loops, add longevity to the tent by decreasing put on and tear over time.

Increased denier materials are thicker and are extra resilient in opposition to abrasion and punctures. Ripstop materials forestall tears from spreading.

House to Weight Ratio

Take into consideration each ounce you’ll be carrying in your again. Search for tents made with light-weight supplies like Silnylon or Dyneema, and think about sacrificing a little bit of area for a big weight discount.

Search for tents with ample room however minimal weight and a small packed dimension so it doesn’t take up your complete backpack.

Set-Up

Ease of setup could make an enormous distinction on the finish of a protracted day on the path.

Search for tents with color-coded poles, clips as a substitute of sleeves for attaching the tent physique to the poles, and easy, freestanding designs that don’t require exact staking, like non-freestanding tents which can be restricted in the place they are often pitched.

Nonetheless, non-freestanding tents are sometimes lighter and extra compact, making them most well-liked for ultralight backpacking the place each ounce counts.

Climate Safety

Climate safety means extra than simply having a rainfly. Examine the hydrostatic head ranking (waterproofness) of the tent’s material and seams, and search for options like bathtub flooring and strengthened guy-out factors for added safety in opposition to wind and rain.

Storage

Dimension isn’t nearly how many individuals the tent can match; it’s additionally in regards to the inside area for gear storage and luxury. Take into consideration whether or not you want additional vestibule area on your backpacks and boots, or if you wish to go for a snugger match to reduce weight.

Regularly Requested Questions

What sort of tent is greatest for backpacking?

Many backpackers choose light-weight and compact tents. Usually, freestanding or semi-freestanding tents with double-wall development are well-liked decisions for his or her versatility and luxury. They’re simpler to make use of throughout seasons, the place it’s possible you’ll not need a tent fly, and are very quick to arrange.

A footprint serves as a protecting layer between the tent flooring and the bottom, offering further sturdiness and waterproofing.

In case you’re planning to backpack in rocky terrain or areas with sharp objects like twigs or thorns, a footprint can present essential safety in opposition to punctures and abrasions, doubtlessly saving your tent flooring from injury.

In moist or wet circumstances, a footprint provides an additional layer of waterproofing, stopping moisture from seeping via the tent flooring and conserving you dry and cozy all through the evening.

However, for those who’re embarking on an ultralight backpacking journey the place each ounce issues, skipping the footprint will help scale back pack weight with out sacrificing a lot when it comes to sturdiness or waterproofing, particularly for those who’re tenting on softer floor like grass or sand.

What’s packaged weight vs. minimal path weight?

Packaged weight consists of all elements of the product, like stuff sacks and stakes, whereas minimal path weight refers solely to the important elements wanted for setup, such because the tent physique, poles, and rainfly.

What’s the splendid weight for a backpacking tent?

Usually talking, a tent ought to weigh roughly 2.5 kilos per individual. It’s possible you’ll want to use a heavier tent in sure conditions. Heavier tents usually come at a cheaper price level in comparison with ultralight fashions. If funds is a matter consideration, you’ll be able to prioritize worth over weight financial savings.

In case you’re organising camp in a single location for an prolonged interval, equivalent to throughout a multi-day tenting journey or expedition, the load of the tent turns into much less of a priority because you gained’t be carrying it day-after-day in your again.

In environments with excessive climate circumstances, a heavier tent will likely be extra sturdy in opposition to the climate.

How a lot ought to a 1-person or 2-person backpacking tent weigh?

A 1-person backpacking tent sometimes weighs between two to 4 kilos, with ultralight choices usually weighing beneath two kilos.

A great weight for a 2-person backpacking tent is usually between three to 6 kilos. Ultralight choices might weigh nearer to a few kilos and even much less, whereas extra sturdy or feature-rich fashions might weigh nearer to 6 kilos.

Is 4 lbs, 5 lbs, or 6 lbs too heavy for a backpacking tent?

4 kilos could also be thought-about heavy for a backpacking tent, particularly for these aiming for ultralight or light-weight setups. For shorter journeys or much less bodily demanding terrain, a four-pound tent could also be fantastic if it gives different fascinating options like spaciousness, sturdiness, or higher climate resistance.

Nonetheless, for those who’re planning long-distance hikes or aiming to reduce pack weight, it’s possible you’ll wish to discover lighter tent choices to cut back the general burden in your again.

The Greatest Backpacking Tents

Selecting the most effective backpacking tent might be troublesome when there are a whole lot of choices on the market, however discovering the precise tent on your journey is simple when you recognize what you’re on the lookout for.

how massive of a residing area every tent has, how straightforward it’s to arrange, and whether or not it’s higher in opposition to harsh climate and excessive heavy (or gentle) it’s, will help you resolve.

You additionally wish to just be sure you can maintain carrying your tent in your again for lengthy distances if you will be backpacking for prolonged intervals, so all the time verify the load.

Our high decide for the most effective all-around backpacking tent is the REI Half Dome SL 2+. This backpacking tent is a workhorse that comes at a fantastic worth.

It could not have all of the flashy options of a few of the higher-end tents, nevertheless it has every little thing you want, is sturdy, and extra spacious than many different light-weight tents, and will likely be your trusted shelter for the lengthy haul.

However irrespective of whether or not you’re simply distant tenting or spending months on the path, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with one in every of our picks for the most effective backpacking tents.

For extra choices, try our picks for the greatest ultra-light tents.