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There comes a time in many happy campers’ lives when they ditch the safety and convenience of only setting up camp in close proximity to their steadfast vehicle, in favor of thru-hiking. Perhaps a certain sense of flexibility or even uncertainty fuels this nomadism. But one thing’s for sure: If you’re going to embark on such far-flung adventures, you’ll need a commensurate shelter that’s more compact and lightweight. You’ll need one of the best backpacking tents.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 shown here is our favorite overall backpacking tent, for when you … [+] need to travel light and set up quickly.
Big Agnes
As with all camping tents, each of these offers a number of tradeoffs. Generally speaking, the most lightweight will also be the most expensive. And the most well-ventilated, probably won’t offer the best protection in extreme conditions. But even given those rules of thumb, these backpacking tents are still highly capable, stable and durable. So you definitely don’t need to sacrifice comfort, safety or ease-of-use on your next sojourn. With these realities in mind, we’ve rounded up the eight best backpacking tents for your perusal below.
Although the Copper Spur may not be superlative in any one particular category (height, weight, price, durability), this well-designed sub-3-pound tent is packed with tons of features and does a lot very well. That’s why it perennially earns a spot on many Best Camping Tents lists. For example, its triple-function tent buckles serve to secure the pole tips, rainfly and stakeouts. And couples will love the fact that its two dual-zippered doors can be separately propped up as vestibule awnings (providing extra shade from direct sunlight and protection from light rain) or just as easily stashed away in special pockets. Speaking of which, lots of storage options and multiple interior loops for attaching accessories round out this fan favorite.
Pros:
Superb blend of space, quality and weight
Secure, easy set-up
Dual vestibule awnings provide extra room and protection
Cons:
Some users report that it’s a bit narrow
Delicate materials make it a little less durable than others
If you’re used to setting up freestanding tents, the Lunar Solo may take a little practice. But after a couple of times figuring out the order of tensioning all the guy outs, this single-pole tent looks like a cinch to set up. Given its space and durability, it’s very affordable. And the adjustability of the floating floor and canopy means you won’t have to sacrifice comfort in a wide range of conditions just because you’re solo.
It’s no accident that the lightest tent on this list is also the most pricey. After all, they’ve pulled out all the stops—along with the two tent poles and six to eight stakes you’ll need to set it up. However, the Duplex offers a bunch of distinctive features, such as the fact that its overlapping storm doors close with a custom metal hook at the bottom and a loop fastener in the middle. This keeps you protected and avoids the kind of zipper failures you might expect after years of mixing dusty trails with rainy nights. Also, the overhead tarp extends past the floor by a few inches on each side, so you don’t necessarily have to worry about annoying drips when the storm doors are peeled back. Furthermore, a screen situated between the sewn-in eight-inch bathtub floor and walls is held up at an angle by an elastic band, thereby increasing ventilation while preventing flooding.
The Duplex comes in different weights, depending on the fabric you choose—though the “heavier” ones only add a couple of ounces. Zpacks offers an optional kit to make the Duplex freestanding, an XL version that adds six inches to the floor length and a Triplex version if you want to add another person (or just prefer more space).
Pros:
Lightest tent on this list, making it perfect for long-distance backpacking
Dyneema composite fabric and taped seams help keep out water
Four independently opening storm doors offer 360-degree protection
Cons:
Expensive—and the price doesn’t include the poles or stakes
If you’re planning to camp in a variety of landscapes and conditions at different times of the year, this is a fantastic choice. Technically speaking, Nemo lists it as “three to four seasons.” Although zippered mesh windows and a strut flap help improve circulation, the ventilation on super hot summer nights isn’t stellar—as tends to be the case with all-season tents made to survive frigid temps. In fact, the Kunai would be more at home situated by treeline or in alpine locales in wintertime. Its tapered shape and ripstop nylon rainfly make it virtually impervious to wind, rain and snow. So the bottom line is: The Kunai is super if you don’t want the calendar or climate to dictate when or where you camp.
Pros:
Sturdy and stable
Weatherproof, pull-through hooded guy lines
Decent balance of weight and price, given its versatility
As opposed to Sea to Summit’s Telos model, a freestanding tent available in 2- and 3-person versions, their Alto is a semi-freestanding tent that’s available in 1- and 2-person iterations. It uses their proprietary tension rod (ergo the “TR” in its name) to create a higher canopy and vertical walls. It stuffs into three sacks, which helps distribute the already light weight (assuming you’re not solo). And coolest of all, the rainfly can be pulled back all the way for star gazing on breezy nights, configured partially or even set up independently as its own shelter for weathering a quick downpour before you reach basecamp.
Pros:
Proprietary tension rod system maximizes interior space
Tall doors and high canopy
Rainfly can be configured fully, partially or even as its own shelter
Cons:
A little more complicated than most for one camper to set up
You probably wouldn’t expect to see the word “sprawling” as a backpacking tent descriptor, but it certainly applies (almost exclusively) to this tent. The Wyoming Trail 2 features a roomy 34 square feet of space in the main living area—plus another 44 extra square feet of area thanks to its trekking pole-supported awning vestibules. Sure, it’s almost as heavy as the first five tents on this list combined. But the tent and pole stuff sacks can separate, so you and your partner can split the load…and then luxuriate when you arrive at your destination, with both of you, your bikes and all your gear protected from the blazing sun or light rain.
Pros:
Tallest on this list
Roomiest on this list—even without the spacious vestibule
Two doors allow entry via the rear or front (vestibule) side
No tent is perfect. (Otherwise this would be a very short article.) But this sequel to MSR’s popular Hubba Hubba sure checks a lot of boxes. Named with a nod to its unified hub-and-pole system, this well-rounded all-weather tent is easy to set up, in part due to its designed symmetry. Definitely a bonus when an unexpected squall arises. The rainfly not only protects everything (and everyone) under the canopy—thanks in part to built-in rain gutters—but it also adds 50 percent more area via vestibules that are great for preventing/storing muddy gear. Plus, its durable Easton Syclone poles, DuraShield waterproof coating and taped seams all combine to keep you stable and dry in even the most inclement conditions.
Pros:
Great all-around tent with superior weather protection
Redesigned to be significantly lighter than the previous model
Tech-friendly pockets feature cable ports for threading various cords
Cons:
A little bit less headroom than others (such as the Copper Spur)
The Discovery Trail 2 isn’t just the most affordable tent on this list—by a wide margin—but it’s also a great tent for beginner backpackers. Features such as their Quick Corners and pre-attached guy lines make it easier to set up (and more stable in windy conditions). And it offers other common features, such as internal storage pockets, lightweight aluminum poles, a rainfly, vestibule and nice carry bag. Really, everything you need to get started as you make the move from car camping to thru-hiking.
