Updated November 13, 2022
Whenever you go camping a tent is one of the most important pieces of your gear to assure comfort and safety. As a backpacker you want to keep the weight low but not at the expense of key factors like ease of setup, protection from the weather, and durability, as well as safety, basic comfort, and enjoyment.
Selecting the best for your needs can be a bit daunting with the large number on the market today. To help you take the first step, some of the best suitable to sleep 1, 2, and 3 backpackers have been chosen as an introduction. They are compared in a basic table to start, followed by descriptions, key features, specifications, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Best Backpacking Tents Review
- Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Backpacking Tent
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Backpacking Tent
- Winterial Personal Bivy Backpacking Tent
- Nemo Hornet Ultralight Backpacking Tent
- MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Backpacking Tent
- Nemo Dagger Ultralight Backpacking Tent
- Black Diamond Firstlight 4 Season Backpacking Tent
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Backpacking Tent
Backpacking Tent Comparison Table
| Photo | Tent | Capacity, Packed Weight, Floor Area, Peak Height | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Backpacking Tent | 1 Camper Packed Wt: 2 lbs 3 oz Floor Area: 19 sq ft Peak Ht: 39" | 4.5 | $$ |
  | ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Backpacking Tent | 1 Camper Packed Wt: 4 lbs 1 oz Floor Area: 20 sq ft Peak Ht: 36" | 4.3 | $ |
  | Winterial Personal Bivy Backpacking Tent | 1 Camper Packed Wt: 3 lbs 4.8 oz Floor Area: 23.75 sq ft Peak Ht: 28" | 4.2 | $ |
  | Nemo Hornet Ultralight Backpacking Tent | 2 Campers Packed Wt: 2 lbs 6 oz Floor Area: 27.5 sq ft Peak Ht: 39" | 4.8 | $$ |
  | MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent | 2 Campers Packed Wt: 3 lbs 4 oz Floor Area: 29 sq ft Peak Ht: 40" | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Nemo Dagger Ultralight Backpacking Tent | 2 Campers Packed Wt: 3 lbs 14 oz Floor Area: 31.3 sq ft Peak Ht: 42" | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Black Diamond Firstlight Ultralight 4 Season Backpacking Tent | 3 Campers Packed Wt: 4 lbs 1 oz Floor Area: 33 sq ft Peak Ht: 44" | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Backpacking Tent | 3 Campers Packed Wt: 3 lbs 14 oz Floor Area: 41 sq ft Peak Ht: 43" | 4.7 | $$$ |
| Photo | Tent | Capacity, Packed Weight, Floor Area, Peak Height | Rating | Price |
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 Backpacking Tent
Its semi-freestanding design has a hubbed DAC Featherlite NFL aluminum pole with preattached tensioners and pre-cut guylines making it a breeze to set up.
Ultralight ripstop nylon with a water-resistant PU coating keeps the weight low without sacrificing durability.
Relatively narrow with ample length and height, it has a single vestibule, 3 interior pockets, attachment loops for stowing gear, and a low vent and mesh canopy to keep it ventilated to minimize condensation.
The pricing is moderate and it is backed by a Big Agnes quality guarantee.
- Sleeping Capacity: 1 (also available in 2 and 3-person models)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: silicone-treated nylon ripstop fly and floor with a PU waterproof coating, canopy of nylon ripstop with polyester mesh
- Sturdy taped seams
- Poles: 1 DAC Featherlite NFL aluminum pole
- Doors: 1
- Vestibules: 1 (with storm flaps on zippers)
- Vestibule Area: 8 square feet
- Peak Height: 39”
- Floor Area: 19 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 84” x 38”/28”
- Packed Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz
- Packed Size: 17” x 5.5”
- Other Features: 3 interior pockets including a ceiling pocket, multiple loops for accessory storage or a gear loft (sold separately), low vent on vestibule door, footprint optional
- Color: light grey/gold
- Warranty: Big Agnes guarantee against manufacturing or material defects
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Backpacking Tent
Fortunately, that is compensated for with a much lower price while still having durable construction with a competitive design and features.
It has 2 aluminum poles and a free-standing design that is easy to set up with a polyester canopy that is half-mesh providing good ventilation, and a floor and rainfly that employ UV and water-resistant polyester taffeta with secure factory-sealed seams.
A solo camper finds more than adequate space with a 90-inch length and 36-inch height, a gear loft, a mesh pocket, and a 10-square-foot vestibule for stashing gear.
To go along with the low price, ALPS provides a generous lifetime warranty.
- Sleeping Capacity: 1 (also available in 2, 3, and 4-person models)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: Canopy of ½ polyester/½ polyester mesh good for ventilation, rainfly of 75D 185T polyester, floor of 75D 185T polyester taffeta, both UV and water-resistant
- Sturdy factory-sealed fly and floor seams
- Poles: 2 x 7000-series aluminum
- Doors: 1
- Vestibules: 1
- Vestibule Area: 10 square feet
- Peak Height: 36”
- Floor Area: 20 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 90” x 32”
- Packed Weight: 4 lbs 1 oz
- Packed Size: 17.5” x 6”
- Other Features: 1 mesh pocket and a gear loft for storage, 7075 aluminum stakes, guy lines, weatherproof fly buckles, large #8 zippers
- Color: blue/green, grey/navy, clay/rust
- Warranty: lifetime for defects in materials or workmanship
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $
View More From ALPS Mountaineering
Winterial Personal Bivy Backpacking Tent
The Winterial Personal Bivy Backpacking Tent is light at a little over 3 pounds packed weight with plenty of legroom and substantial floor space to put your gear for a solo model.
In the bivy style, the 28-inch height at the taller end doesn’t provide a lot of headroom, so this is really a shelter designed for sleeping.
Easy to set up with 2 hoop aluminum poles, it has a large zippered door for easy access.
Not freestanding it requires staking and tying down for secure placement with the included tie-down line and heavy-duty stakes.
Mesh walls give you good ventilation and the sturdy nylon floor and removable rainfly are waterproof to keep you nice and dry.
With 3-season capability, it’s a great tent for a serious backpacker who is looking for a super-low price.
- Sleeping Capacity: 1
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: waterproof nylon floor and rainfly, ventilated mesh canopy
- Pre-sealed seams
- Poles: 2 aluminum
- Doors: 1
- Vestibules: 0
- Vestibule Area: NA
- Peak Height: 28”
- Floor Area: 23.75 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 90” x 38”
- Packed Weight: 3 lbs 4.8 oz
- Packed Size: 18” x 4.5” x 4”
- Other Features: zippered door, 3 bundles of tie-down line, 14 heavy-duty stakes
- Color: orange or green
- Warranty: ask for details on the lifetime warranty
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $
Nemo Hornet Ultralight Backpacking Tent
With a packed weight of only 2 pounds 6 ounces, it is easy to set up with its single-pole hubbed system and color-coded guy lines.
The 27.5 square feet of floor space is more than adequate for couples with a height of 39 inches assisted by the Flybar pole clip providing substantial headspace to sit inside.
The sturdy nylon ripstop rainfly and floor are waterproofed using silicone and PU and the no-see-um mesh on the sides and black mesh on the top allow plenty of ventilation and views of the stars at night.
Also, there is a place to put a lamp in the overhead light pocket, two 7.1 square foot vestibules, a gear loft, and a mesh pocket for stowing plenty of gear.
Also, a Divvy rucksack is provided allowing the load to be split in two so both campers can participate in portage for load lightening.
Along with the reasonable price, Nemo adds a lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship and materials.
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (also available in a 1-person model)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: 10D ripstop nylon/mesh canopy,15D ripstop nylon floor, 10D nylon ripstop rainfly, PU treatment on the inside, and silicone on the outside of the rainfly and floor for a 1200mm waterproof rating
- Sturdy factory-sealed fly and floor seams
- Poles: 1 hubbed aluminum DAC Featherlite NFL pole
- Doors: 2
- Vestibules: 2
- Vestibule Area: 7.1 square feet in each vestibule
- Peak Height: 39”
- Floor Area: 27.5 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 85” x 51”/43”
- Packed Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
- Packed Size: 19.5” x 5.5”
- Other Features:1 mesh pocket and a gear loft for storage, easy setup using color-coded guy lines and pole sections, includes a flybar clip for added space, overhead light pocket, 2-stage Divvy rucksack to split the load into 2 sacks for 2 backpackers, repair kit included, optional footprint
- Color: birch leaf green
- Warranty: NEMO lifetime warranty for defects in materials or workmanship
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Backpacking Tent
The packed weight is about a pound and a half heavier with slightly thicker nylon ripstop fabric that is also well waterproofed in the rainfly and bathtub-style floor.
It also has 2 vestibules with a bit more area at a combined 17.5 square feet for storing gear as well as a hubbed aluminum pole system with color-coded clips for easy setup.
The non-tapered floor area is slightly larger at 29 square feet and there are 2 D-shaped stay-dry doors with built-in rain gutters and an adjustable roll-up fly for additional ventilation through the mesh of the canopy.
It packs into a compact 18” x 6” in its compression stuff sack for easy portage.
The pricing is a little higher than that of the Nemo Hornet and it is backed by 3-year limited warranty.
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (also available in a 1-person model)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: 20D ripstop nylon canopy with 15D nylon mesh, 20D nylon ripstop rainfly with 1200mm PU and silicone waterproofing, 30D ripstop nylon bathtub style floor with 3000mm PU and DWR waterproofing
- Poles: 1 hubbed aluminum DAC Featherlite NFL pole
- Doors: 2 D-shaped doors, built-in rain gutters
- Vestibules: 2
- Vestibule Area: 8.75 square feet in each vestibule
- Peak Height: 40”
- Floor Area: 29 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 84” x 50”
- Packed Weight: 3 lbs 4 oz
- Packed Size: 19” x 4”
- Other Features: adjustable roll-up rainfly for sky views with a kickstand vent, color-coded clips, and a unified hub and pole system for easy setup, reflective lightweight guy outs, compression stuff sack, footprint optional
- Color: Sahara/red/white
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Nemo Dagger Ultralight Backpacking Tent
It has a larger floor area at 31.3 square feet with more height at 42 inches and a thicker rainfly and floor. The prebent hubbed aluminum pole system provides enhanced headroom across the top and two 11.4 square foot vestibules and gear pockets in each corner giving 2 campers a lot of storage area for gear.
The mesh canopy and strut vents at the top of both zipper flaps allow enough ventilation to minimize condensation.
This tent also comes with a Divvy rucksack so the load can be split in two for campers to share the backpacking load.
The Nemo Dagger is around $60 more expensive than the Nemo Hornet, at present, but actually cheaper than the MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 reviewed just above. The roomiest of these three 2-person tents, this one is also backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 (also available in a 3-person model)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: 10D ripstop nylon/mesh canopy, 30D sil/PeU nylon ripstop floor (3,000mm waterproof), 15D sil/PeU nylon ripstop rainfly (1200 mm waterproof)
- Sturdy factory-sealed fly and floor seams
- Poles: 1 hubbed aluminum prebent DAC Featherlite NSL pole
- Doors: 2
- Vestibules: 2 (trapezoidal)
- Vestibule Area: 11.4 square feet in each vestibule
- Peak Height: 42”
- Floor Area: 31.3 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 90” x 50”
- Packed Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
- Packed Size: 19.5” x 6.5”
- Other Features: overhead light pockets at each end, gear pockets in each corner, strut vents at the top of each zipper flap, color-coded poles and matched webbing, 2-stage Divvy rucksack to split the load in 2 for 2 backpackers, repair kit, optional footprint, stakes, and guy-out cord
- Color: birch leaf green
- Warranty: NEMO lifetime warranty for defects in materials or workmanship
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Black Diamond Firstlight 4 Season Backpacking Tent
The Black Diamond Firstlight Ultralight 4 Season Backpacking Tent is the only one reviewed here that is suitable for use all year in very cold conditions.
The simple free-standing, single-wall design uses sturdy, water-resistant, breathable, Nanoshield fabric with a 70D polyester floor and is reasonably lightweight for a 3-person tent at a packed weight of 4 pounds 1 ounce.
The internal Featherlite DAC poles allow for quick setup and create steep walls to go with the 44-inch height to maximize space.
For ventilation and to hold down condensation, there are no-see-um mesh panels on the single door and a small rear window.
The available floor space with 3 campers and their gear inside is a pretty tight fit. There are 2 mesh pockets to help and the addition of an optional vestibule would be a further step to consider, or you could limit use to 2 campers.
Pricing is pretty reasonable and it is backed by a 1-year warranty.
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
- Seasons: 4
- Fabric: single wall design with durable water-resistant, breathable, NanoShield fabric, 70D polyester floor
- Double-sewn seams and reinforced stress points
- Poles: 2 internal DAC Featherlite aluminum poles
- Doors: 1
- Vestibules: 0
- Vestibule Area: NA
- Peak Height: 44”
- Floor Area: 33 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 82” x 58”
- Packed Weight: 4 lbs 1 oz
- Packed Size: 7” x 9”
- Other Features: zippered mesh panels on the door and small rear window for ventilation, 2 mesh pockets for storage, durable reflective, stretch-resistant guy lines, vestibule and ground cloth available separately
- Color: wasabi
- Warranty: check with the seller for details of the 1-year warranty
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Backpacking Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Backpacking Tent is light, with a packed weight of under 4 pounds, durable, and loaded with features.
Like the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 tent reviewed at the top, it has a semi-freestanding design that is easy to set up using its DAC hub-design pole system.
The mixed denier fabrics employed are sturdy and waterproof with a PU coating and PE-taped seams.
There is substantial floor space for 3 sleepers at 41 square feet and reasonable headroom with a 43-inch height.
Two large vestibules with awnings highlight the large amount of storage space which is augmented with a variety of internal pockets including mesh, media, and ceiling pockets and a special 3D bin “mezzanine” at the foot for elevated storage.
Available also in 1, 2, and 4-person versions, the pricing is a little higher than the other tents reviewed here but still reasonable for what you get, and it is backed by the Big Agnes guarantee.
- Sleeping Capacity: 3 (also available in 1,2, and 4-person models)
- Seasons: 3
- Fabric: lightweight double rip-stop, mixed denier construction, 1200mm waterproof PU coating on the fly and floor
- Sturdy PE taped seams
- Poles: DAC hub-design Featherlite NFL and NSL aluminum pole system
- Doors: 2 (duel zippered)
- Vestibules: 2 awning-style
- Vestibule Area: 9 square feet in each
- Peak Height: 43”
- Floor Area: 41 square feet
- Floor Dimensions: 90” x 70”/62”
- Packed Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
- Packed Size: 17” x 5.5”
- Other Features: 4 interior mesh pockets, 1 large ceiling pocket, 2 media pockets, 3D bin “mezzanine” for elevated storage, 8 lightweight aluminum stakes, 4 awning guylines, multiple loops for accessory storage or a gear loft (sold separately), footprint optional
- Color: orange or olive green
- Warranty: Big Agnes guarantee against manufacturing or material defects
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Backpacking Tent Buying Guide
Size and Weight
Keeping the size and weight to a minimum is of primary concern to a backpacker that has to haul it over potentially long distances over variable terrain. The lighter the tent and the smaller the packed size, the easier it will be to carry.
The “packed weight” term used in the tent descriptions refers to the weight of the tent and necessary accessories including the carry bag and repair kit, as well as all components like poles, stakes, guy lines, and the canopy and rainfly. You’ll see that in the tent reviews here the highest packed weight is only 4 pounds 1 ounce.
Capacity and Space
Based on the maximum number of people that a tent is designed to sleep, they are described as 1, 2, 3, or 4-person tents. In striving to keep weight to a minimum by using less material, the interior space is usually very economically organized in backpacking tents. You and any partner(s) that plan to occupy the space should keep in mind your sleeping style(s) as well as the amount of gear you need to store. Storage pockets and lofts can provide good opportunities for stowing baggage, as well as vestibules, that you can consider in selecting a tent. Another consideration for campers that don’t want to risk cramping is to bump up to the next size for more space, for example, 2 campers could use a 3-person tent.
Season Rating
As for all categories of tents, backpacking tents are rated by the number of seasons of the year for intended usage. Most for backpacking have a 3-season rating meaning that they can handle temperature conditions for the spring, summer, and fall seasons. A 4-season tent is designed for even the colder conditions in wintertime. These models will usually be heavier and more durable. The only 4-season tent reviewed here is the Black Diamond Firstlight model.
Design
Besides being lightweight, ease of assembly, and functionality are the major concerns. There are a variety of designs available with freestanding generally being the simplest to set up. Tents with a minimum of poles, guy lines, and stakes are the lightest, as well as easiest to assemble. Features to look for and consider are the number of doors, ventilation for reduction of condensation, peak height headroom, vestibule space, and pockets for storage.
Wall Construction
Tents for backpacking come in single and double-wall configurations. Double-wall tents have a mesh canopy with an outer rainfly. The mesh canopy is great for ventilation and works as a barrier from condensation from the rainfly. It also allows you to get a look at the environment outside when the rainfly is not used. Single-wall tents need to incorporate other means for ventilation like vents and doors. Shelters and open-sided designs for warm-weather backpackers employ a single-wall design as do some 4-season tents like the Black Diamond Firstlight Ultralight 4-Season Backpacking Tent reviewed above.
Price
It is quite possible to get a good-quality backpacking tent that fits into any budget. Entry-level models and those with heavier weights and minimal features can be found at quite affordable prices. Ultralight tents with advanced features, the most modern materials, durability, and weather protection are the most expensive. The prices for tents discussed in this review start at around $85 and top out at around $500.
Additional References:
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents 4 Person Tents Beach Tents
Feedback and Comments
I hope you have found this review of backpacking tents to be useful. If you have any questions, ideas, or personal experiences, please feel free to share them in the comments. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
Leave a Reply