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You’ve seen the pictures, and you’re now dreaming the dream: sleeping in the great outdoors. It’s an adventure, and it’s a big part of any exciting backpacking trip.
When you wake up to the sunrise, you can be right there on the beach or on the mountain. However, unless you enjoy the rain, you should consider what to pack for your trip.
Don’t worry, though; you don’t have to be an intrepid explorer to be able to take a tent traveling with you, because in most countries in the world there are some stunning campsites that you can stay at.
Having a good-quality backpacking tent is the best way to experience some of the most special places in the world at your own pace.
5 Best Backpacking Tents Reviewed
Let’s now take a closer look at our picks.
1. Big Agnes Backpacking Tent
- AWARD-WINNING COMFORT - Based on the features of our...
- A BETTER SHELTER - It’s not all about the volume; 2 large,...
- ULTRALIGHT STRENGTH - 4-way, high-volume hub design...
This Copper Spur HV UL tent is a best-selling, full-featured, ultralight backpacking shelter, designed with a high volume hub to maximize strength and increase your living space without adding extra weight to you while you travel.
Once counted, backpackers need not worry, as this tent is a game-changer. It may not be the tent for the user with comfort in mind, but the extra space on the inside and the vestibule design make it one of the most complete, ultralight options on the market for backpackers.
The large zipper door and wall architecture can make trips with a partner comfortable. The newfound open feeling is mainly caused by the near-vertical walls. The poles do an excellent job of stretching all four walls up and away from you, resulting in a peak height of 40 inches.
It’s durable and can stand up to your biggest adventures. It’s waterproof, lightweight, and weatherproof all at the same time, and given its weight, you’d expect it not to withstand heavy weather.
The pole structure is increasing its strength by 25, so while it doesn’t withstand all weather conditions, you can hunker down and remain protected in most 3-season conditions.
2. MSR 2-Person Backpacking Tent
- 3-season, 2-person backpacking tent that offers the most...
- Pole geometry maximizes space with 29 sq. feet of floor...
- Complete setup weighs 3.5 lbs. and packs down to 18x6...
This is a quintessential 3-season backpacking tent that is perfect for two people.
Easy to carry, easy to set up, and roomy enough for hanging out as well as sleeping, this tent strikes the perfect balance between lightweight and liveable.
Your floor area is 29 square feet, with a peak interior height of 39 inches. There are two generous vestibules, and you get an additional 8.75 square feet of space on either side of the door.
Built from lightweight material, this tent combines quality with livability. It’s a tough little tent, and it will last you for years, resulting in a pretty high durability score!
At just 3 lb 13 oz in weight, backpackers will hardly notice the tent on their bags, which means that if you’re looking to cut weight from your next backpacking adventure, you’ll love the Hubba Hubba.
It’s got so many options for excellent airflow, and there’s nothing worse than sleeping in a hot tent! With mesh paneling, you can get a fantastic view and plenty of space for air to flow right through the tent. You also have enough ventilation to prevent condensation from building up.
3. Nemo Dagger Ultralight Backpacking Tent
- High-performance, high-strength OSMO poly-nylon ripstop...
- Two large doors and massive trapezoidal vestibules lead the...
- Pre-bent anodized aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL poles and...
The Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T is our top pick for base layers for hunting due to its innovative design and high-quality all-natural fabric.
This undershirt, made of Merino wool, helps keep you warm on even the coldest of days and features an interlock knit pattern to increase heat retention on the field.
The Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T emphasizes comfort as its main feature, with specially designed shoulder panels so that you don’t have to worry about potentially irritating seams.
With flatlock seam construction included as part of the standard design feature in all of Smartwool’s undershirts, this base layer is less likely to cause irritation when worn for a longer period of time and during strenuous activity.
The Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T is a skin-tight undershirt option that can help provide warmth and comfort without causing irritation or restriction to the individual, and it is perfect for hunting trips.
The Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T is easily one of the most user-friendly and durable base layers on the market, with a center front zipper that allows for various levels of adjustment to help vent extra heat if necessary and avoid stretching of the neck area of the shirt.
This undershirt can be machine washed and air dried, and due to the 100% Merino wool base layers, it is much more moisture-friendly than most other natural fibers.
If you are looking for a comfortable, durable, natural base layer to add to your hunting gear kit, the Smartwool Men’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T is one of the best options on the market for the dedicated hunter.
4. Naturehike Mongar 2 Person Backpacking Tent
- SMALL and LIGHTWEIGHT: Naturehike's Mongar 3-season,...
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIAL: The Mongar tent is made of...
- EXTRA VESTIBULES: The Mongar 2-person tent has 2 doors, one...
It’s designed to be the ultimate tent for everyone to enjoy a backpacking adventure, with the intention of being lightweight but also tough.
Constructed with polyester anti-stretch fabric with added ripstop for durability, this creates an ultra-strong and ultra-light exterior for the shell and floor of the tent.
It’s not the most ultralight thing on the market, but it’s spacious and comfortable for backpackers who need somewhere to sleep for the night.
It can accommodate two, as there are extra vestibules with two-door access.
It’s not a tent for all four seasons, but it is well constructed, and at an excellent price, you can get a great option for your next adventure.
5. MaxMiles Premiuim Backpacking Tent
- THE ULTIMATE WATERPROOF HIKING & BACKPACKING TENT – This...
- EXCELLENT SPECIFICATION – Waterproof rating > 5000mm,...
- SUITABLE FOR 1-2 PEOPLE – This top-rated tent will...
The ultra-lightweight weatherproof tent is made from the best quality, super-strong material.
It’s perfect for hiking or backpacking, and it has great specifications, including a waterproof rating of >5000mm and aluminum poles.
Made from the same material as parachutes, this tent provides a durable, waterproof exterior for a restful night’s sleep during hiking or backpacking.
This tent has a lantern hook for those long nights and wide storage pockets for all of your belongings.
This tent is popular for hikers because it is ultralight, making it easy to transport. It is designed to fit two adults comfortably.
It’s easy to assemble, and as long as the weather holds while you do it, it’s going to be up in less than 10 minutes!
What to Consider Before Buying
An ultralight backpacking tent is going to be part of that packing. When you travel around the world, your adventure will begin with the best backpacking tent available.
It all comes down to that moment of unzipping the tent and revealing a breathtaking landscape. Throw in a thermos of hot coffee and the tent protecting you from cool morning winds, and you’ve got the perfect wake-up combination.
Having the best backpacking tent is as important as having a fantastic pair of shoes or the right toothbrush.
Consider your space when sharing a two-man tent, particularly if your trip spans months instead of days. When selecting the best backpacking tents, keep the following factors in mind:
- Size when it’s packed: You need to carry this tent with you while you travel, which means that you need it to be lightweight and easy to carry.
- Size when it’s open: If you are aiming for enough space for two people, you need to unpack it before you start traveling. Either it’s going to be too small for two people, too huge for the areas you want to camp in, or it’s going to be just right. Either way, you need to know if it’s right for you before you set off.
- Price: Let’s be honest, you want to stick to a budget, and this means including your equipment in that budget. Your tent needs to fit your budget; otherwise, you’re going to eat into your own cash reserves for your break.
- Weight: You realize that you have to carry this tent, right? Take this into consideration when making your selection. You will need to carry equipment to climb mountains and ascend major hills during your journey, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Worrying about the tent’s extra weight will prevent you from enjoying your holiday.
- Pitching Time: Some tents require poles and metal clasps to put them together, while others require just pulling them out of a bag and, boom!, unfolding and ready to go. You need to know how long this will take you to do when you’re traveling, and practice makes perfect!
- Season: There are backpacking tents out there that aren’t suitable for certain weather types. So, you need to consider the season you are traveling in, as well as the best type of tent available for that season.
- Durability: Are you hiking in harsh weather? If so, you need to make sure that your tent isn’t going to instantly cave in or blow away with the wind and harsh weather. Take the time to shop around properly before you buy it, so that you know it’s strong enough to withstand what you need.
Having a tent with you on your travels will open you to a world of possibilities. Half the places that you can explore may not have been available to you when you were visiting previously; you may not always know where you’re sleeping, either.
Wrap-Up
Choosing the right backpacking tent is crucial for a successful and enjoyable outdoor adventure.
By considering factors like weight, durability, size, and weather resistance, you can find the best backpacking tent that meets your specific needs.
Whether you’re a solo hiker or part of a group expedition, the top-rated tents featured in this article provide comfort, reliability, and ease of use.
Invest in a quality tent and embark on your next journey with confidence, knowing that you have reliable shelter to protect you from the elements and enhance your overall camping experience. Happy trails!