Finest Backpacking Tents of 2024

Backpacking tents are our house within the wild. Inside, we will unfold out our gear on the finish of a protracted day and shut off our minds to get that eight (or 12) hours of sleep essential to hit the subsequent day working. That will help you select the fitting setup on your subsequent backcountry journey, Outside Life editors and contributors examined dozens of freestanding and trekking pole tents aspect by aspect on the Pacific Crest Path and Oregon Coast Path. Listed below are our prime picks for the perfect backpacking tents. 

↓ Leap to Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding Tents

↓ Leap to Trekking Pole and different Non-Freestanding Tents

How We Examined the Finest Backpacking Tents

Choice

Backpacking tents are chosen throughout a variety of producers, from massive names like MSR and Mountain {Hardware} to cottage firms like Search Outdoors and Durston. We have a look at a spread of tent kinds — each freestanding and trekking pole — so as to get a greater sense of which tents are acceptable for folks of varied sizes and with completely different expertise ranges.

Since our testing is targeted on backpackers, notably backpackers trying to crank out massive mile days, extra consideration is given to weight than to non-necessary options. We additionally divided the tents into two classes: 

• Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding: Freestanding tents could be arrange with out stakes, whereas semi-freestanding tents can arise with out stakes, however will likely be lacking some actual property on the within. These tents ought to nonetheless be staked down throughout windy situations and to assist maximize the utility of the rainfly throughout downpours.
• Trekking Pole and Non-Freestanding Tents: Non-freestanding tents use poles, however have to be staked into the bottom so as to arise. Trekking pole tents are a subset of non-freestanding tents that use hikers’ trekking poles instead of devoted tent poles. 

Testers

To check the perfect backpacking tents, OL recruited a testing panel with a spread of expertise ranges, physique varieties, and preferences.

• Adam Tycaster — Over 4,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the PCT 2014 and CT 2017. Peak: 6-foot-3. 
• Alex Robinson — OL editor-in-chief; a backcountry massive sport hunter and fair-weather path runner. Peak: 6-foot-2.
• Ashley Thess — OL affiliate gear editor. Over 600 miles of backpacking expertise. Peak: 5-foot-7.
• Diana Helmuth — Writer of How one can Endure Outdoors (Nationwide Outside E-book Award winner). Over 1,500 miles of backpacking expertise. Peak: 5-foot-11.
• Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell — Over 11,000 miles of backpacking expertise together with the PCT 2014, CDT 2016, AZT, 2017, and GET 2017. 5-foot-6.
• Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster — OL employees author. Over 4,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the PCT 2014 and CT 2017. 5-foot-5.
• Patrice “Regular” La Vigne — Gear reviewer, Denali information, and writer of Between Every Step. Over 7,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the AT 2011 and Te Araroa 2014-2015. 5-foot-5.
• Sven “Magic” Anderson — 1,350-mile LASH (PCT) 2022. Mountain climbing with Parkinson’s illness. 6-foot-2.

Testing

Outside Life conducts an annual backpacking gear testing journey that focuses on revolutionary light-weight and ultralight backpacking gear. These testing journeys happen on America’s nationwide scenic trails, together with three nights alongside the northernmost part of the Oregon Coast Path and 4 nights on a stretch of the Pacific Crest Path within the Goat Rocks Wilderness. 

These journeys often see the testing group protecting 10 or extra miles every day, organising camp in environments starting from the alpine to lowland coastal areas to deep forest. Testers obtain a brand new tent for testing every night, which they’re accountable for organising, sleeping in, taking down, and carrying to the subsequent camp. Small particulars, like a too-small door, a sticky zipper, or tough to make use of connection factors can begin to actually soar while you evaluate this many tents aspect by aspect in a real-world surroundings. The place attainable (and affordable) testers arrange their tents in lower than supreme situations to see how they might fare within the parts. 

Scoring

After taking copious notes within the discipline, the testing group then spends a day filling out scoring sheets for every merchandise within the check. When scoring tents, we arrange every tent once more in order that we may evaluate and distinction their relative deserves. We additionally focus on and evaluate with each other, which is useful for understanding how and why experiences with the identical gear can differ from individual to individual. 

Backpacking tents are scored on arrange, inside house safety, and worth, along with different managed assessments we run. Scores are then averaged among the many testers, with the highest scoring tents receiving prime honors. 

• Ease of arrange: Tents have been arrange by a number of testers, permitting us to evaluate which have been appropriate for amateur ultralighters and which needs to be dealt with solely by skilled backpackers. 
• Inside dwelling house: Most backpackers will spend eight or extra hours a day sleeping — that’s a 3rd or extra of your day out on the path. A tent that feels claustrophobic or cramped will make for a worse outdoor expertise and doubtlessly negatively have an effect on your sleep at evening. We assessed the usable house in every tent, noting how the slope of pitch or vestibule dimension modified our expertise.
• Safety: Testers thought of whether or not the tents they slept in offered enough safety from rain, wind, and condensation. 
• Worth: The worth of an ultralight tent can differ wildly, from a pair hundred {dollars} to upwards of $600 — the costliest ultralight tent we checked out prices effectively over a thousand. We ranked every tent on whether or not the setup, weight, and liveability is merited by the worth level.

We additionally independently weighed the tents as used within the discipline. This is a vital distinction, as a result of, most producers solely present “packaged weight” (every part that got here with the tent) and “minimal weight” (simply the poles, primary physique, and rain fly). However nobody is bringing the directions for the tent into the backcountry, and the overwhelming majority of backpackers additionally don’t deliver the restore equipment. On the identical time, skipping the stakes and the guy-out strains is simply foolhardy. (Ultralight tent producers generally complicate issues much more by skipping the load of stakes on non-freestanding tents.) For sure, the weights offered within the report card differ from manufacturer-provided weights.

Inside Area

A second check we pioneered throughout our evaluate of two-person tents is OL’s Two Dudes in a Tent. In our expertise, a “two individual tent” can imply a couple of various things. Generally it means it’s an incredible tent for {couples}. Generally it’s simply an additional giant tent for a single individual. More often than not, it’s going to match two ladies fairly effectively. And generally it’s going to really present sufficient house for 2 common sized males to sleep subsequent to one another with out issues getting awkward. This check consisted of two phases. Within the first, Alex Robinson and Sven “Magic” Anderson — each over 6-foot-2 — obtained into every tent and evaluated whether or not or not they might need to share it whereas backpacking. For these tents that failed this metric (and there have been loads of these), Ashley Thess and Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell examined to see which they might be prepared to share with each other. One observe on this check is that these outcomes aren’t presently out there for the tents lined in OL’s first spherical of backpacking gear testing, which targeted on one-person fashions. 

Lastly, many outside gear producers are engaged on eradicating PFAS, a virtually ubiquitous ceaselessly chemical, from their waterproof gear as we strategy the 2025 deadline set by California and New York. I queried producers to see the place they have been on this course of and have included that data under within the report card part. Typically, responses have been very encouraging. Producers have already made vital strides in eradicating PFAS from the principle materials of their tents, and are actually engaged on getting it out of the trimmings (zippers is a giant one which retains arising). Nearly all had plans to be PFAS free by spring of 2025. A number of are already there. 

Learn Subsequent: PFAS Defined: These Perpetually Chemical compounds Are Being Banned from a Number of Outside Merchandise. Now Gear Makers Are Scrambling

Comparability Desk

Under is a side-by-side have a look at the specs most vital to backpackers (value, dimension, and weight) together with the typical of our testers’ scores. The tent weights right here come from the producers; our measured weights could be present in the important thing options part under. Costs are present as of the date this text was final up to date. Tents are organized by pitch fashion and listed within the order during which we advocate them. 

Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding Tent Specs & Tester Scores

Tent	Value	Marketed Weight	Size x Max Width (Min Width)		Setup	Inside Area	Safety	Worth
Huge Agnes Fly Creek	1P: $370 2P: $400	1P: 2 lb 2P: 2 lb, 4oz	1P: 86” x 38” (28”) 2P: 86” x 52” (42”)		4	2.3	3	4.3
Huge Agnes Tiger Wall	1P: $400 2P: $450 3P: $500	1P: 2 lb, 2 oz 2P: 2 lb, 8 oz 3P: 2 lb, 15 oz	1P: 84” x 38” (28”) 2P: 86” x 52” (42”) 3P: 88” x 66” (60”)		5	4	4	3.5
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus	1P: $400 2P: $420	1P: 1 lb, 14.8 oz 2P: 2 lb, 4.6 oz	1P: 86” x 38” (28”) 2P: 86” x 52” (42”)		4.7	3	3.7	3.3
MSR Freelite	1P: $420 2P: $450 3P: $540	1P: 1 lb, 15 oz 2P: 2 lb, 5 oz 3P: 2 lb, 11 oz	1P: 87” x 33” 2P: 84” x 50” 3P: 84” x 66”		5	3.5	5	4
NEMO Hornet	1P: $400 2P: $430 3P: $550	1P: 2 lbs, 4 oz 2P: 2 lbs, 8 oz 3P: 3 lbs, 5 oz	1P: 87” x 39” (30”) 2P: 85” x 51” (43”) 3P: 88″ x 68″ (62″)		4.5	3	4	3
Slingfin Portal	1P: $490 2P: $560	1P: 2 lbs, 14.5 oz 2P: 3 lbs, 5 oz	1P: 88” x 35” (28”) 2P: 85” x 51” (42”)		4.5	4.8	3.8	3.2

Trekking Pole and Different Non-Freestanding Tent Specs & Tester Scores

Tent	Value	Marketed Weight	Size x Max Width (Min Width)		Setup	Inside Area	Safety	Worth
Durston X-Mid	1P: $234 2P: $270	1P: 1 lb, 14.8 oz 2P: 2 lb, 6.4 oz	1P: 90” x 32”  2P: 92” x 52”		4	3.5	4	5
Gossamer Gear THE ONE & THE TWO	1P: $255 2P: $320	1P: 1 lb, 8 oz 2P: 1 lb, 11. 9 oz	1P: 84” x 33” (21”) 2P: 84” x 48” (42”)		4	4.5	4	5
Search Outdoors Cimarron	4P: $465	4P: 3 lb, 7 oz	4P: 102” x 114”		5	5	4	5
Search Outdoors Daylight	2P: $450	2P: 2 lb, 7 oz (2 lb, 15.4 oz with poles)	2P: 99” x 60” (50”)		4	4.8	4.3	3.8
Six Moon Designs Haven	2P: $375	2P: 2 lb, 4.3 oz	2P: 88” x 44”		1.2	4	3.8	4.3
Six Moon Designs Lunar	1P: $260 2P: $400	1P: 1 lb, 12.4 oz* 2P: 2 lbs, 13 oz*	1P: 90” x 48” 2P: 90” x 54”		4	3	4	4

Finest Backpacking Tents: Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding

Finest Total: MSR Freelite

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One-Individual Mannequin Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Diana Helmuth and Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 5
• Inside Dwelling Area: 3.5 
• Safety: 5
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the 1-Individual Mannequin: 1 pound, 14.5 ounces (half an oz lower than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 39 inches (1P & 2P), 43 inches (3P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P & 3P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: 3 years
• Value: $420 (1P), $450 (2P)

Execs

• One of many lightest semi-freestanding tents we examined
• Size on the 1-person mannequin makes it an inexpensive alternative for people as much as six toes tall
• Straightforward to arrange 

Cons

• Barely narrower inside house than different tents at this value level

This freestanding tent is available in beneath 2 kilos for the one-person mannequin. In case you are questioning what the catch is, so have been we. Organising the MSR Freelite was extraordinarily quick (one tester set it up in beneath two minutes with out having used it earlier than), and it took minimal effort to realize the storm-worthy profile. The inside of the one-person mannequin, whereas not precisely spacious, was giant sufficient for the most important sleeping pad on our check (a full-size rectangular Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xlite NXT), with a backpack becoming handily into the vestibule. Testers reported that it felt bigger than it was, which is a vital element should you get caught inside ready out a storm. The mesh and fly have been extraordinarily light-weight and many sturdy, with the grime falling proper off after we shook it out earlier than stuffing it away for the day. The poles have been even comprised of aluminum, versus splinter-prone carbon fiber. Our solely concern was with that 15D bathtub flooring — it could profit from a groundsheet on more difficult terrains — however this was strictly theoretical as we didn’t expertise any holes on our testing journey. 

Whereas some backpackers favor the load financial savings of a single-wall tent, the intense condensation of the Oregon Coast confirmed some great benefits of a double-wall setup. Whereas the remainder of our testing group was rigorously packing up for the day, avoiding the soaked sides of their single-walled tents lest they unleash a rainstorm on their sleep system, the tester within the MSR Freelite 1 may sit up, bump their head on the mesh on the prime of the tent, and keep dry. 

There are just a few small quibbles with this tent. One is the door: It’s on the small aspect in comparison with the remainder of our discipline, forcing our tallest tester (5 toes, 10 inches) to pretzel her limbs greater than she would have appreciated when getting out. The included stakes (needle stakes) are additionally decrease high quality in comparison with different choices within the MSR arsenal. Contemplate upgrading to both the light-weight MSR Carbon Cores or the MSR Groundhog Minis, which have nice holding energy. 

Finest Freestanding: Slingfin Portal

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Two-person mannequin examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Ashley Thess, Adam Tycaster, Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Sven “Magic” Anderson

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4.5
• Inside Dwelling Area: 4.8 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 3.3
• Measured Weight of the 2-Individual Mannequin: 3 kilos, 3 ounces (two ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 41 inches excessive (1P), 44 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P) 
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $490 (1P), $560 (2P)

Execs

• Nice inside house (and pockets)
• Straightforward to realize a primary setup
• A number of methods to make your setup extra storm worthy

Cons

• Costly
• Heavy in comparison with different fashions we checked out

At first look, the Slingfin appears like every other freestanding backpacking tent. Two poles crisscross and join in on the tent corners. Clip up the physique, safe the fly, and also you’re accomplished. However whilst you can completely cease there in your arrange (and a number of other of our testers did, extra on that under), you may as well undergo any variety of extra steps to make an much more bombproof setup for these instances while you anticipate to come across tough climate. 

Our third evening testing within the Goat Rocks Wilderness we obtained the chance to check some tents on a very uncovered, exhausting, non-stakeable ridge. Tycaster, the tester for the Slingfin that evening, was not in a position to make the most of plenty of the extra choices for making a taut setup with this tent. Nonetheless, whereas different testers that evening reported heavy winds pushing the partitions of their tents inward, Tycaster — who didn’t even get his vestibule totally staked out — skilled no compromise of the tent construction itself.

In order that’s what you get with the Portal while you don’t do something. However along with the guylines (hooked up on the identical spot on the rainfly because the pole clips for extra structural integrity), tensioners inside the tent can help you scale back slack with out even getting out of your sleeping bag. Unusually for a freestanding tent, you may combine your trekking poles into the design (on the midpoint on the doorways), so as to add extra construction. You possibly can even buy extra sturdy poles for this tent, for high-wind environments. 

All this makes the Slingfin Portal one of many extra fascinating backpacking tents that we’ve checked out. It’s an acceptable alternative for a newbie simply getting began with multi-day journeys. It’s additionally an incredible alternative for knowledgeable backpackers that desire a light-weight tent that may carry out in a number of environments.

There have been additionally user-friendly options on the within of the tent. Pocket-enthusiast Regular advised me, “There have been virtually too many pockets! I counted two gear lofts, two pockets on either side on the head finish, and one giant pocket on the toes.” A number of testers additionally famous the comparatively excessive peak inside top, which was 44 inches (practically 4 toes). Higher but: This tent simply handed our Two Dudes in a Tent check, making it an actual choice for non-romantic mountaineering companions. 

So what’s the dangerous with this tent? First off, it’s each just a little pricier and just a little heavier than different fashions that Outside Life has examined as a part of its backpacking gear check collection. However on this case, the advantages of this tent — notably for people who anticipate to camp in uncovered places — outweighs these points. And in comparison with the MSR Hubba Hubba or Nemo Dagger — its equally priced bombproof rivals — it’s a few pound lighter. 

Huge Agnes Tiger Wall

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One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne with extra enter by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 5
• Inside Dwelling Area: 4
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 3.5
• Measured Weight of the 1-Individual Mannequin: 2 kilos, 2 ounces (identical as marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 39 inches excessive (1P & 2P), 42 inches (3P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P & 3P) 
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $400 (1P), $450 (2P), $500 (3P)

Execs

• Similar to our greatest total choose, the MSR Freelite
• Comparatively spacious flooring house

Cons

• Heavier than different picks on this record

Whereas testers on our Oregon Coast Path testing journey raved concerning the MSR Freelite’s ease of setup and lightweight weight, they have been equally enthusiastic concerning the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall. This one is simply as simple to arrange, with a hair extra inside house throughout its lineup of sizes. However, given the rise in flooring house isn’t mirrored by a rise in head top, the bump up in weight doesn’t fairly make it price it by our estimations. However should you discover that you just are likely to collapse the edges of the bath flooring within the extra slender MSR Freelite, then this one is actually price a glance.

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL

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Two-person mannequin examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Adam Tycaster, Ashley Thess with extra enter by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4.7
• Inside Dwelling Area: 3
• Safety: 3.7
• Worth: 3.3
• Measured Weight of the 2-Individual Mannequin: 2 kilos, 3.7 ounces (0.9 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 38 inches excessive (1P), 41 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P & 2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $400 (1P), $420 (2P)

Execs

• One of many lightest non-trekking pole tents we’ve examined
• Straightforward to arrange

Cons

• Entrance entry was not well-liked with testers
• 2-person mannequin was not giant sufficient for 2 folks

I checked out the one-person model of this tent as a part of my scouting for the second annual OL backpacking gear check and got here away impressed. It arrange quick and was light-weight with a small packed dimension (important while you’re carrying the Palante Desert, one of many greatest ultralight backpacks). It wasn’t essentially the most home-like tent I had ever used, nevertheless it felt secure and safe and, to be sincere, I don’t prefer to spend time in my tent, anyway.

The tester panel for the backpacking gear check used the two-person model of the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus. Let’s begin with the dangerous: for a two individual tent, they weren’t impressed by the inside house it offered, with a number of testers noting that it felt cramped and they’d not need to share it with a second individual. After we ran our Two Dudes in a Tent check on this one, it was the one tent that our two gal testers advised us was too small to make use of. (Tycaster, our tallest tester, did just like the two-person for simply himself.) Testers have been equally nonplussed by the entrance entry door. Whereas it does present some weight financial savings, it cuts the variety of attainable vestibules down from two to 1. It additionally implies that you enter the tent on the prime of your sleeping space, which loads of folks discover awkward.

However testers did respect how simple it was to arrange and take this down (no directions wanted for this group), particularly in comparison with the trekking pole and different non-freestanding tents we checked out. Regular talked about that, when securing the rainfly to the principle physique, “the hooks have been so small, they have been just a little tough to safe with out effort.” Whereas this semi-freestanding tent does keep up with out staking down, Thess famous that whereas she was testing the tent, on the third evening, an absence of stakes meant she was lacking out on vital actual property contained in the tent. She additionally reported that the tent, even when totally staked out, flapped round considerably in heavy winds. This one is a greater wager for backpackers prepared to hike a couple of miles previous that ridgeline to succeed in the protection of the timber. 

One attribute of this tent that testers have been torn on was the white material. It tended to select up grime simply, but additionally made the tent extra seen in low mild situations. 

NEMO Hornet OSMO

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One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path with enter from Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 5
• Inside Dwelling Area: 3 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 4
• Measured Weight of the One-Individual Mannequin: 2 kilos, 4 ounces (identical as marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 39 inches excessive (1P & 2P), 44 inches (3P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P & 3P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon, OSMO
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $400 (1P), $430 (2P), $550 (3P)

Execs

Cons

• Heaviest freestanding tent we checked out

In recent times there’s been rising consciousness that what goes into creating these virtually weightless waterproof tent materials isn’t at all times nice for the surroundings. If that is beginning to weigh on you (it’s beginning to weigh on us), then the NEMO OSMO collection is one to noticeably contemplate. 

NEMO is likely one of the backpacking gear firms main the cost in creating extra environmentally sustainable materials and processes. Their OSMO tent material is comprised of 100% recycled materials (a composite of polyester and nylon) and achieves a powerful water repellency with out the usage of PFAS — and it’s been that approach since 2022. Like different gear producers, they’ve been auditing and testing each element of their line to uncover PFAS and make specification adjustments as wanted.

The NEMO Hornet OSMO is a freestanding tent that holds its personal within the ultralight area. It was simply a few ounces heavier than the opposite freestanding tents we checked out (the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL and MSR Freelite), with related inside house and ease of setup. In case you’re trying to scale back your influence on the surroundings, this can be a nice choice that can preserve your backpacking equipment ultralight.

Huge Agnes Fly Creek UL

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Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

Two-person mannequin examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Alex Robinson, Adam Tycaster, and Sven “Magic” Anderson

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Dwelling Area: 2.3
• Safety: 3
• Worth: 4.3
• Measured Weight of the Two-Individual Mannequin: 2 kilos, 4.7 ounces (.3 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 40 inches excessive (1P), 42 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P & 2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $370 (1P), $400 (2P)

Execs

• Inexpensive than different tents on this record

Cons

• Heavier than different tents we checked out (though nonetheless very light-weight)
• Entrance entry could be extra awkward to get into

The Huge Agnes Fly Creek is an analogous design to the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus, and testers’ suggestions on this tent mirrored as such. The front-end entry was irritating, however setup and takedown was simple sufficient. Regardless of the tent coming in at a lower cost level than the Nimbus, testers rated it much less favorably, together with the tester, Tycaster, that used each tents. He and Magic each famous that the vestibule was small and that the inside was oddly claustrophobic with the edges tending to sag. “The inside felt like a coffin,” stated Tycaster. Whereas he was our tallest tester, these aren’t the outcomes you need for a two individual tent. It’s price noting that, in our Two Dudes in a Tent check, testers reported that two ladies can match into the two-person model simply nice. 

Finest Backpacking Tents: Trekking Pole and Non-Freestanding Tents

Finest Total: Gossamer Gear The ONE and The TWO

Purchase the 1-Individual Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Diana Helmuth and Ashley Thess 

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Dwelling Area: 4.5 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the One-Individual Mannequin: 1 pound, 6.6 ounces (1.4 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 45 inches (1P), 43 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: One yr
• Value: $255 (1P), $320 (2P)

Execs

• Straightforward to arrange
• Fairly priced
• Good sized inside that felt homey to our testers

Cons

• Technically a smaller footprint than comparable fashions

The Gossamer Gear The One is the whole package deal. It’s simple to arrange, even for first-time ultralight tent customers. It’s very mild. It has sufficient head room to maneuver round comfortably within the morning. The vestibule match all our gear with room to spare. It packs up small. It even had an inside stow pocket for odds and ends like eyeglasses. Test. Test. Test. 

Learn Subsequent: The Finest Trekking Poles

However that is the actual purpose it received the highest slot: The Gossamer Gear The One, greater than every other tent in our check, simply had that je ne sais quoi that we search for in our house on the path. Our testers wished to be on this tent on the finish of the day and have been joyful to get up in it within the morning — even our tallest tester at 5 toes, 10 inches. There was extra wrangling to be the subsequent tester for this tent than of every other we checked out.

Each testers who took this tent out reported that they have been ready to determine the way to arrange the tent with out instructions (one thing that was decidedly not true for all of the ultralight tents in our check), even after they have been comparably inexperienced with trekking-pole fashion tents. Nevertheless, they each famous the dearth of instructions offered within the package deal — contemplate downloading these to your smartphone earlier than heading out into the sphere.

The one draw back to this tent is that it requires two trekking poles to arrange, making it much less weight-conscious for backpackers who solely carry one for tough stream crossings or steep talus. 

Finest Improve: Search Outdoors Daylight

Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Alex Robinson, Adam Tycaster, Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, and Diana Helmuth

Report Card

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Dwelling Area: 4.8
• Safety: 4.3
• Worth: 3.8
• Measured Weight: 3 kilos, 2.5 ounces (consists of non-obligatory carbon fiber poles, 3.1 ounces heavier than marketed)
• Didn’t hear again in time for the story’s publication 

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 50 inches (2P)
• Doorways: Two doorways (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime (additionally supplies restore for a charge)
• Value: $450 (2P)

Execs

• Spacious
• High quality supplies
• Straightforward setup (for a trekking pole tent)
• Made within the USA

Cons

• Costly
• The non-obligatory carbon fiber poles confused testers

One other tent that shared the above Gossamer Gear’s design was the Search Outdoors Daylight. The testers for this tent have been effusive of their reward. “Best trekking pole tent to arrange I’ve ever skilled,” stated Helmuth. 

It was the one non-freestanding tent that was arrange within the uncovered alpine space on our third evening of testing within the Goat Rocks Wilderness (the opposite three trekking-pole tents have been arrange among the many timber). The tester, High Shelf, reported that it stayed up nice, though there have been some hiccups alongside the best way given the lower than supreme staking-out state of affairs. “It felt homey, spacious, and tremendous storm-worthy,” she famous. Robinson, who examined it on the ultimate evening after we have been camped in muggy situations close to a pond, reported no condensation. 

Whereas the Search Outdoors Daylight is noticeably costlier than the Gossamer Gear The Two, which has an analogous silhouette, there are a number of causes to decide on this model. First off, this tent has unimaginable inside house, by far essentially the most of any two-person tent we checked out. Two giant and tall people will simply match inside this tent with out feeling overcrowded. It’s additionally comprised of 30D nylon, which ought to have an extended lifespan than the Gossamer Gear’s 10D. I additionally appreciated a novel characteristic, the place a sliding toggle on the center edge of every vestibule allowed you to simply entry the zipped mesh door. “So easy and enjoyable,” famous Helmuth. “Why aren’t all tents like this?”

One facet of this tent that stymied our testers was the non-obligatory carbon fiber poles, that are offered as an extra add-on. These got here in 4 separate sections, with no shade coding or different indicators to point out you ways greatest to assemble them. Nearly everybody finally figured it out, however the consensus was that trekking poles have been a lot simpler to make use of. 

Finest Design: Durston X-Mid

Purchase the 1-Individual Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell with enter by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster and Patrice “Regular” La Vigne

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Dwelling Area: 3.5 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the One-Individual Mannequin: 2 kilos, 1 ounce (2.2 ounces heavier than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 46 inches (2P)
• Doorways: Two doorways (1P & 2P)
• Supplies: Polyester
• Guarantee: Two years
• Value: $234 (1P), $270 (2P)
• Additionally out there as a one-pound DCF tent

Execs

• Wonderful geometry makes for a secure arrange
• Most vestibule house of something we checked out
• Very affordably priced

Cons

• Not as mild as another ultralight tents in our check (DCF model is far more costly)
• You’ll need to seize some completely different stakes (included choices weren’t the perfect)

When arrange appropriately, the Durston X-Mid 1 had a few of the greatest geometry of any tent our testers had ever tried. It’s totally taut and safe towards wind and rain, not sagging within the slightest when severe moisture units in. Even when it wasn’t arrange completely (a unfastened stake popped on my first evening on this tent), it was shockingly secure: I didn’t even discover till morning.

Although the rainfly was soaked from the unrelenting condensation of the Oregon Coast, I used to be fully dry on this tent, due to its double-wall setup. What makes the Durston X-Mid 1’s double-wall design particularly distinctive is that it was designed to be pitched fly first — no extra groundsheet required. That is such a preferable order of operations in inclement climate that I hope this turns into the norm sooner or later. Our testers additionally seen that the pitch had steeper partitions than was typical, which maximizes livability — even when it doesn’t technically provide you with extra flooring house. 

The Durston X-Mid 1 even had two doorways and two vestibules, distinctive amongst one-person tents to our information. Although it’s an analogous weight to the opposite double-wall ultralight tents we checked out, the Durston X-Mid 1 is (on the time of this evaluate) about $200 inexpensive. Hiker trash: This one is a no brainer. 

So what’s unsuitable with this tent? To begin: It’s not your lightest choice. For a similar weight because the Durston X-Mid 1, you possibly can get a totally freestanding tent. (Durston does supply a 1-pound model of this tent in DCF, however the value level for that’s up there with a few of the pricier ultralight tents.) Its setup additionally proved difficult for testers accustomed to freestanding tents. If that is your first trekking pole tent, give your self a while and house to mess around with perfecting the setup. 

Learn Subsequent: Finest Tent Stakes

Lastly, you bear in mind I discussed a stake popped out the primary evening we used this tent? That stake had bent whereas being pushed into moderately tender floor. I’d plan to exchange them with probably the greatest tent stakes, with a watch towards MSR Groundhog minis or Huge Agnes Grime Daggers. 

Learn our full evaluate, Durston X-Mid 1 Evaluate: A Newbie-Pleasant Ultralight Shelter.

Finest for Teams: Search Outdoors Cimarron

Purchase the Tent Solely

Purchase the Tent & Range Combo

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 5
• Inside Dwelling Area: 5 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight: 3 kilos, 7 ounces (identical as marketed weight)
• Didn’t hear again in time for the story’s publication 

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 72 inches (4P)
• Doorways: One door (4P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon

• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime (additionally supplies restore for a charge)
• Value: $465 (4P)

Execs

• Straight-forward arrange
• Light-weight for its dimension
• Got here with some the perfect tent stakes of any tent we checked out
• Choice to pair with a light-weight titanium range

Cons

• Big footprint could make it exhausting to discover a appropriate pitch web site
• No flooring (choice to buy a flooring if you don’t plan to make use of the range)

For a tent this spacious, the Search Outdoors Cimarron is exceptionally simple to arrange. Step one is to stake out the 4 corners of the tent, a activity made simpler by the lengthy (virtually 10 inches) twisted aluminum stakes. I used to be comfy pounding these in with a rock they usually held nice. Then merely assemble the pole sections collectively on the lowest size setting, place it within the middle of the tent, and modify it up till it’s at its highest setting. Finished. The one tough half is that, like with the Search Outdoors Daylight, it will possibly take a little bit of trial and error to determine how the pole sections greatest assemble collectively. 

Search Outdoors states that 4 folks can sleep on this tent, and after experiencing it first-hand, my sense is that that is an understatement. 4 people and all their gear wouldn’t be a decent squeeze on this tent. If the people are on the smaller aspect, you possibly can in all probability squeeze in a single or two extra. Throughout our testing journey alongside the Oregon Coast Path, 5 of us match comfortably chatting and consuming within the tent on the finish of the day. In contrast to the opposite backpacking tents on this record, the model of this tent that I examined didn’t have a flooring, and wouldn’t be an acceptable alternative for buggy environments; nevertheless, Search Outdoors does promote a nest (primarily an interior tent which is suspended beneath the outer tent).

One thing distinctive concerning the Search Outdoors Cimarron is that it may be paired with a light-weight, collapsible, titanium range. Like most backpackers, I’m usually boiling water for my morning espresso within the vestibule whereas warily eyeing the express all-caps directions to not use a range within the tent. So beginning an precise wood-burning fireplace within this tent was fairly thrilling. Having now skilled what a game-changer a sizzling tent could be in a few of the questionable climate backpackers too-often find yourself in, that is one to bear in mind.  

Learn Subsequent: The Finest Scorching Tents

It’s powerful to seek out fault with this tent. Maybe its greatest pitfall is that it may be a problem to discover a place for it. With the massive footprint and have to stake the tent down, you would possibly spend extra time looking for a spot to arrange than really organising.

Six Moons Lunar

Purchase the 1-Individual Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Dwelling Area: 3 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 4
• Measured Weight of the One-Individual Mannequin: 1 pound, 12.9 ounces (weight consists of stakes; not included in buy value or marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 49 inches (1P), 45 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P)
• Supplies: Polyester
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $260 (1P), $400 (2P)

Execs

• Straightforward to arrange
• Means to regulate the door guyline from contained in the tent
• Reasonably priced
• One individual mannequin wants just one trekking pole 

Cons

• Low partitions could be claustrophobic

Possibly you’re like me: You don’t usually use trekking poles whereas mountaineering, however you’ve been identified to toss one into your pack for gnarly river crossings or for additional stability on steep, snowy terrain. However there’s no approach you’d carry two simply to make use of in a trekking pole setup — at that time you would possibly as effectively simply use a freestanding mannequin. 

The Six Moons Lunar Solo was one of many few ultralight tents in our check that used one trekking pole in its design reasonably than two. The end result was a modified teepee construction that was surprisingly intuitive to arrange. Regardless of having by no means used this tent, I used to be in a position to put it up in solely a few minutes with no instructions.

It additionally had a couple of particulars I appreciated. The primary was a vent on the highest of the tent. It didn’t assist with the unrelenting fog of the Oregon Coast, however in drier climes it could scale back condensation buildup from exhaling inside your tent. It additionally had a pressure adjustment for the rainfly door contained in the tent, a considerate element that I hadn’t seen earlier than. This might can help you eliminate extra slack (usually brought on by wind or condensation) within the a part of the tent protecting your gear with out having to get out of your tent.

Whereas the height top of this tent is enough, I discovered it tough to keep away from bumping my head towards the condensation-soaked tent partitions within the morning. This was partly attributable to my web site location: I used to be pitched on barely uneven floor, which made it tough to realize the steeply sloped partitions that might have been attainable on flat floor. 

Whereas this tent is affordably priced, observe that the worth doesn’t embrace stakes; you’ll have to buy these individually. 

Six Moon Designs Haven

Purchase the 2-Individual Mannequin

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Sven “Magic” Anderson, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, and Diana Helmuth

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 1.8
• Inside Dwelling Area: 4 
• Safety: 3.8
• Worth: 4.3
• Measured Weight: 2 pound, 10.5 ounces (weight consists of stakes; not included in buy value or marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 45 inches
• Doorways: Two doorways
• Supplies: Silnylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $375 (2P)

Execs

• Versatile setup
• Straightforward to separate the load between two folks

Cons

• Time-consuming preliminary setup
• A bigger stuff stuff sack is required to simplify subsequent setups

The Six Moon Designs Haven has a considerably distinctive setup that maximizes versatility whereas preserving the load down. Like with the Durston X-Mid, you pitch the rainfly first, after which dangle the shelter beneath it. There are a couple of benefits to this design. In dangerous climate, it makes it a bit simpler to maintain the within of the tent dry when taking down the tent. (And, not like single-wall tents, it fares a bit higher towards condensation.) It additionally implies that should you don’t anticipate to come across vital bugs, you may merely go away the tent physique house and select to sleep beneath the tarp alone. 

In observe, clipping the mesh tent physique beneath the rainfly is a little bit of a ache. “I’ve at all times hated the entire ‘arrange the rainfly first’ as a result of then it’s important to yoga pose beneath the rainfly to attach it to the tent physique,” famous Regular, our first tester. Magic, who’s mountaineering with Parkisnons, additionally famous that “the setup could be very tough,” rating it a 2, his lowest rating throughout our testing journey.  Different testers expressed related frustration, particularly with appropriately orienting the bug internet to the rainfly physique, which, a minimum of in our model of the tent, was not shade coded. A few of this might need been minimized tester to tester by merely leaving the bug internet hooked up; nevertheless, as a result of the bug internet and the rain fly every have their very own devoted stuff sack, there wasn’t a straightforward method to pack them away collectively. I’d advocate that anybody this tent additionally buy a bigger stuff sack to simplify setup in these conditions the place you need to go away the 2 halves related.

All testers famous that the within of the tent was a lot spacious (this one simply handed our Two Dudes in a Tent check), though two talked about that they wished the bath flooring had come up a bit greater. Helmuth additionally famous that the zippered doorways are each on the identical aspect of the inside bug internet, but the rainfly doorways open on reverse sides, which appeared odd. 

Issues to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for a Backpacking Tent

Goal 

Backpackers can anticipate to face quite a lot of situations relying on the time of yr and the a part of the nation they’re exploring. Realizing the extremes of your local weather is crucial to picking a tent. First-time tent consumers ought to know that four-season tents are typically constructed to carry warmth in, and aren’t an acceptable alternative if the first season you intend to backpack in is summer season. 

Freestanding vs. Non-Freestanding Backpacking Tents

Nearly all of backpacking tents available on the market are freestanding. Which means that when you snap poles into their grommets, you’ll have an inexpensive approximation of what the ultimate construction will appear to be. Freestanding tents are an incredible alternative for first-time backpackers. There tends to be much less guesswork throughout the preliminary arrange. The benefit of non-freestanding tents is that they’re usually lighter than their freestanding counterparts (some even get rid of separate poles by incorporating trekking poles into the design), however they often take some observe to get used to. As a result of they must be staked out, they’re usually a much less acceptable alternative for locations, just like the desert, the place that isn’t at all times an choice. 

Single-Wall vs. Double-Wall Backpacking Tents

With these tents, the principle physique of the tent is waterproof, reasonably than a separate rainproof shell that attaches to the outside aspect of the poles. Single-wall tents are likely to work greatest for backpackers in climates with minimal bugs and an inclination for rain. The principle benefit is that the inside of your tent will keep dry throughout setup (they’re often additionally a bit lighter in weight), however they have a tendency to gather condensation extra quickly on the inside and run hotter on the top of summer season. Double-wall tents, which have a mesh physique with a water-resistant layer thrown over prime, are likely to breathe higher. 

Weight

Automobile tenting tents are cumbersome, with even the lightest fashions weighing upwards of 5 kilos per individual. Backpacking tents are a lot lighter, usually weighing lower than 3 kilos per individual, with some ultralight fashions approaching 1 pound or much less. There may be often a tradeoff with weight financial savings for sturdiness and value with backpacking tents. Backpackers targeted on quick journeys could favor a heavier choice whereas those who plan on high-mileage days would do higher with a light-weight mannequin. 

Measurement

Over time, many backpackers have discovered {that a} one-person tent is a decent squeeze for anybody over 5-feet, 10-inches — neglect about squeezing in your pack and the remainder of your gear. It’s not unusual to see bigger backpackers go for two-person, and even three-person, tents to get sufficient leg room. 

FAQs

Q: How a lot do backpacking tents value?

The price of a backpacking tent is nearly at all times tied to weight—the lighter a tent is, the extra you may anticipate to shell out for it. Our funds choose is well the most cost effective choice out there—most single-person backpacking tents run between $150 and $400, whereas backpacking tents for 3 or extra folks can run upwards $1,000. I like to recommend aiming to spend round $300 for a one-person tent, $400 for a two-person tent, or $500 for a three-person tent. 

Q: What’s the distinction between a tenting tent and a backpacking tent?

The important thing variations between backpacking tents and campings tents are weight and quantity. Most tenting tents are too giant to suit within a backpacking backpack (though you may generally strap them to the skin) they usually are likely to weigh upwards of 5 kilos per individual. That being stated, in case your tenting tent is beneath 5 kilos per individual, and you may securely strap it to your pack, then this could be a affordable method to discover out should you like backpacking sufficient to put money into lighter gear particularly for the path. 

Learn Subsequent: The Finest Household Tents

Q: What do backpacking tents weigh?

Backpacking tents usually weigh between 1 and three kilos per individual, with some ultralight fashions (often designated as such with the initials “UL”) weighing even much less. Except you might be an skilled backpacker, I like to recommend staying away from tents with poles comprised of light-weight supplies (comparable to carbon fiber), as these are typically fairly fragile. Dyneema is a well-liked light-weight material that’s more and more being utilized by tent producers, nevertheless it comes with a considerable value bump (and tends to look, although not carry out, worse for put on over time). 

Last Ideas on the Finest Backpacking Tents

There are nice backpacking tents available on the market at the moment for each funds and backpacking fashion. The introduction of ultralight tents onto the market has led to a revolution in each weight-savings and engineering. However first-time backpackers ought to store cautiously, as most of the lightest tents available on the market require particular dealing with and have a shorter lifespan. Select the perfect backpacking tent for the adventures that you’re planning, reasonably than what’s the newest and best.

Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding Tents

Trekking Pole and different Non-Freestanding Tents