The 10 Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
A good backpacking tent not alone reach your trips more comfortable by keeping you fond and dry in foul weather—it ’ s critical safety gearandone of the dense and most expensive detail you ’ ll carry . Those facts alone are motivation enough to observe the right tent for your style of backpacking . But how serve you choose from the many model out there , which total in a huge range of designs , weights , and price ? Whether you ’ re shopping for your first backpacking shelter or await to supplant an old one , this review will help create that selection easy for you .
I ’ ve tested grudge of backpacking tent over more than a quarter-century of testing and go over gear—including the 10 years I spend as Backpacker magazine ’ s lead gear reviewer and even longer tend this blog . This article covers my picks for the 10 top-performing , three-season backpacking tents available today—eight two-person framework and two ultralight solo tents—with link to my complete review of each one . I remember you ’ ll find at least one tent hither that ’ s perfect for you .
Each of these tent cost unlike plenty from the others to give you clear choice , and they range from midweight to ultralight—because I think every ounce should be warrant in the gear I carry . The tent be list from light to heaviest . The comparison chart below offers a quick look at glasses and features that differentiate these tents from one another and offers an overall rating base on specific criteria that are detailed in a ratings chart at the bottom of each tent ’ s complete review .
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Spend your money smartly when peck out the correct tent for your adventure : Start with my “ 5 Expert Tips For Buy a Backpacking Tent ” and “ Ultralight Backpacking Tent : How to Choose One. ” ( Like many story at this blog , both of those are partly free for anyone to read but require a paid subscription to record in entire . ) And learn all reviews of backpacking tent at The Big Outside .
Grab one of these tents and your day on the trail—with a light pack—will improve as much as your night in camp .
Please share your sentiment and questions about these tent or others you like in the comment segment at the ass of this story . I seek to respond to all comments .
The 10 Best Backpacking Tents
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1
$ 599 , 16.8 oz./476.3g
hyperlitemountaingear.com
For three nights in the Wind River Range , this non-freestanding , ultralight , solo pyramid tent stand up to gusts exceeding 40 mph , plus hard , wind-driven rain for hour on our final night in the Winds and rain on a weeklong hike through Glacier National Park . Made with extremely durable and waterproof Dyneema Composite fabrics and matter under 17 ounces , it gear using one trekking pole and six interest . With 21 square feet of national space and a 54-inch peak height , it find palatial . And the hybrid single-wall intention with one mesh wall , two crest vents , and perimeter mesh around the floor creates well high-low venting . The Mid-1 is arguably the well ultralight solo backpacking tent available today .
Take my complete review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 .
BUY IT NOWYou can stand my work on this blog , at no price to you , by clicking either of these affiliate link to purchase the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 solo backpacking tent at hyperlitemountaingear.com , or the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Tarp at hyperlitemountaingear.com .
See too my review of a modular ultralight tent that can accommodate one or two masses , theSlingFin SplitWing Shelter Bundle.
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Gossamer Gear The 1
$ 255 , 1 lb . 2 oz./510g
gossamergear.com
Strong nighttime gusts on a six-day , 94-mile traverse of Glacier National Park on the Continental Divide Trail never rattle The One—affirming my impression that it is quite maybe the best value in a solo ultralight tent on the market today . A single-wall , non-freestanding A-frame that pitch using two adjustable trekking poles , with an national tent feature mesh bug netting and a bathtub story , The One ’ sec stability compare with many of the better freestanding , three-season tent . With a tall profile , virtually 20 square foot of story space , and a 46-inch top , populate space is quite comfortable for a solo shelter . Cross-ventilation minimizes condensation and the vestibule shelters a gang and thrill .
Record my complete review of the Gossamer Gear The One .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog , at no cost to you , by cluck this affiliate link to purchase a Gossamer Gear The One at gossamergear.com .
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2
$ 699 , 1 pound . 2 oz./510g
hyperlitemountaingear.com
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Insert with DCF11 Floor
$ 399 , 1 pound . 4.5 oz./581g
hyperlitemountaingear.com
Through nights of firm , cold rain and wind backpacking in the Wind River Range , my 20-year-old son and I enjoyed the cavernous interior of HMG ’ s Ultamid 2 pyramid-style tarp-tent and Ultamid 2 Insert . Lurch with two trekking pole and consider two ounces over a pound , this two-person , single-door , well-ventilated , waterproof and extremely durable , single-wall shelter sportsman 63 square base of story space and a peak height over five feet—that ’ s approximately twice the space and half or less the weight of every heavier tent in this review . The separate Ultamid 2 Insert lend a tough bathtub story and mesh walls while keeping total weight under 2.5 pounds . Although not without shortcomings , it has virtually no competitor for space-to-weight ratio , stability in nearly any weather , and durability .
Read my complete review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 and Ultamid 2 Insert with DCF11 Floor .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog , at no price to you , by clicking any of these affiliate link to purchase the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com , the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 Insert at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com , any of the various insert or story selection for the Ultamid 2 at hyperlitemountaingear.com , the Ultamid 4 at hyperlitemountaingear.com , and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid Voile Straps at hyperlitemountaingear.com .
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Key fact about MSR ’ s updated Freelite 2 : This double-wall , two-door , three-season , semi-freestanding tent weighs or so three to nine ounceslessthan real similar tent in this family that have basically the same design… and hasmoreinner space . Backpacking Arizona ’ s Aravaipa Canyon in April and on two backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies in August , the Freelite 2 ’ s 29 square feet of floor space and 39-inch top height test adequately livable for two of us . It resist tip of 20 to 30 mph with no problem and the nearly wholly micro-mesh interior wall and the natural cross-ventilation of oppose doorway prevent any trace of condensation even on a calm dark exactly above freeze . If you prioritize those qualities in a tent , it stand above the nearly comparable competitor .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog , at no price to you , by click any of these affiliate link to purchase an MSR Freelite 2 at backcountry.com or msrgear.com , or any Freelite tent example at or msrgear.com .
Be after your future big adventure ? See “ America ’ s Top 10 Best Backpacking Trips ”
and “ Tent Flap With a View : 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites . ”
Nemo Hornet Osmo 2p
$ 430 , 2 pound . 1 oz./948g
backcountry.com
From a segment of the Arizona Trail in April to camping in Idaho ’ s City of Rocks in June and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies in August , the Hornet Osmo 2p illustrated how it carve a narrow niche within a special weight class of semi-freestanding , two-person , two-door , double-wall tents weighing precisely or barely over two pounds . For starters , Nemo ’ s proprietary Osmo fabric uses 100 per centum recycled nylon and polyester yarns that advance strength and resistor to water and stretching without using chemicals . Set-up equal a snap and its space-to-weight ratio equate with the best ultralight , double-wall tents . Features like the Flybar bridge pole and guy-outs on the exterior wall that clip to the rainfly to pull the walls outward create more space within . Finally , with Pole that dissemble to just 12 inch long , the Hornet Osmo be more packable than competitors .
Want a solo version of this tent ? See my reviews of the Nemo Hornet Osmo 1p and the yet lighter Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 1p tents .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog , at no cost to you , by clicking any of these affiliate link to purchase a Nemo Hornet Osmo 2p at backcountry.com or nemoequipment.com , or any Hornet Osmo tent model at backcountry.com or nemoequipment.com , or any Hornet Elite Osmo tent model at backcountry.com or nemoequipment.com .
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Big Agnes Tiger WallUL2 Solution Dye
$ 450 , 2 lbs . 3 oz./992g
rei.com
The redesigned , semi-freestanding Tiger Wall UL2 feature solution-dyed fabric , reach use 80 percent less energy and 50 percentage less water . At scarcely over two pound , it ’ s nearly in a category all its own among two-door , ultralight tents . Sleep in it with my wife for four nights backpacking in the Wind River Range , I found the semi-freestanding , hubbed , and color-coded DAC Featherlite pole assembles in minute and the tent pitch quickly and intuitively . While its prominent tradeoff is space , the 28 square base and 39-inch peak height compare with two-door tent that count several ounces more . Excellent breathing , purpose features like double zippers on the doors and spacious interior pocket create it a leader in this tiny family .
Study my utter review of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my study on this blog , at no cost to you , by clicking any of these affiliate link to purchase a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye at rei.com or publiclands.com , or another version of the Tiger Wall Solution Dye tent at publiclands.com or rei.com .
You merit a well backpack . See “ The 10 Best Backpacking Packs ”
and the well ultralight haversack .
Sea to Summit Alto TR2
$ 549 , 2 lbs . 9 oz./1162g
backcountry.com
The semi-freestanding , two-door , double-wall Alto TR2 weighs hardly more than two-and-a-half pound , but on a five-day hike in Washington ’ s Pasayten Wilderness it proved far more livable than its 27 square feet of floor space suggests . The formula equal vertical wall , a generous 42.5-inch height height—and almost uniquely , a bridge pole with branch that swing upward , boosting headroom . It hold two of us dry in rain , ventilates very good , stood up to control tip , and has smart intention details like high-low breathing and two-way zippers on both the interior and vestibule doors . Pitching it requires a little pattern and time , but that ’ s a small tradeoff for this decent balance of humble weight with stability and comfort .
Read my utter review of the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 .
BUY IT NOWYou can stand my study on this blog , at no cost to you , by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 at backcountry.com or seatosummit.com , or another version of the Sea to Summit Alto tent at backcountry.com or seatosummit.com .
Wait for a three-person tent ?Take a flavor at theSea to Summit Telos TR3( $ 699 , 4 pound . 4 oz. , fly and footprint pitch 3 pound . 6 oz. , at backcountry.com or seatosummitusa.com ) , which has a story country of 39.5 square foot and a cavernous peak altitude of over 52 inch ; or theSea to Summit Telos TR3 Plus( $ 749 , 4 lbs . 9 oz. , fly and footprint pitch 3 lbs . 6 oz. , at backcountry.com or seatosummitusa.com ) , build up for pushing your adventure into wintry circumstance .
Lighten up with my skillful crest in “ Ultralight Backpacking Tents : How to Prefer One . ”
Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2P
$ 500 , 2 lb . 10 oz./1191g
nemoequipment.com
There are precisely two fully freestanding , two-person tent on this list with two doorway and vestibules that count under three pounds , hence if that ’ s what you ’ re shopping for , you already get a short list . With 29 square base of story space , a 41-inch peak top and beaucoup headroom , and spacious vestibules , the Dragonfly ’ s space-to-weight ratio lay this shelter in an elite class with the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ( below ) . But more importantly , it ’ s very appealing to backpackers who desire to reduce their pack weight without shorten their living and sleep space . Besides some nice detail , the Dragonfly Osmo 2P exist too an ounce barge and 50 dollar cheaper than its primary competitor .
Nemo has updated the Dragonfly for 2023 with the Dragonfly Osmo in one- , two- , and three-person framework . It ’ s virtually identical to the example reviewed here but now made with 100 per centum recycled Osmo fabric .
Study my utter review of the almost identical former version , the Nemo Dragonfly 2P .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my study on this blog , at no price to you , by clicking any of these affiliate link to purchase a Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2P at backcountry.com or nemoequipment.com , or another version of the Dragonfly Osmo at backcountry.com or nemoequipment.com .
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Slingfin 2Lite
$ 505 , 2 lb . 10 oz./1191g
Among the various little caller manufacturing ultralight tent with unique designs , few offer the appealing balance of livability , strength , and two doors found in the 2Lite from Slingfin . Pitch with standard DAC tent Pole or trekking poles ( trimming the weight to 2 lbs . 6 oz . ) —with unique guylines that , when installed internally or externally , reinforce the tent ’ s strength—it suffer up to wind of 30 to 40 mph on a raise of nearly 130 miles through the High Sierra , mostly on the John Muir Trail . With a 28.5-square-foot interior , a 41-inch peak height , 89-inch distance , and dual 10.5-square-foot vestibules , the 2Lite Trek offers more space and feature than get in early tent around 2.5 pound .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my study on this blog , at no price to you , by clicking these affiliate link to buy a Slingfin 2Lite at and the 2Lite Trek Conversion Kit at .
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Large Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
$ 530 , 2 lb . 11 oz./1219g
backcountry.com
Sporting features—including two awning-style doors that can cost rolled up for maximum ventilation and stargazing , effective buckles , and abundant inside pockets—the Copper Spur HV UL2 stay on one of the leading choices for backpackers seeking an ultralight tent that doesn ’ t compromise on sturdiness or livability . DAC Featherlite hubbed poles create steep wall that make the tent feel roomier than its 29 square base , 40-inch peak top , and 88-inch length . It gear easily , the vestibules be spacious , breathing excellent , and the Copper Spur hold the weather on the outside . If you ’ re wait for a freestanding , two-door , ultralight tent that doesn ’ t feel like a two-person coffin , you have very few options , and this tent remains one of the serious .
Study my all over review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 .
BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog , at no price to you , by click any of these affiliate links to purchase a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 at backcountry.com or rei.com or another version of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL series at backcountry.com or rei.com .
See all review of backpacking tent , backpacking gear and ultralight backpacking gear at The Big Outside .
Don ’ t miss my choice for “ The Best Backpacking Gear ” of the yr . And make sure you ’ re packing everything that ’ s crucial with “ An Essentials-Only Backpacking Gear Checklist . ”
Whether you ’ re a beginner or seasoned backpacker , you ’ ll learn new tricks for reach all of your trip run better in my “ , ” “ A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking , ” and “ How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be. ” With a make up subscription to The Big Outside , you can say all of those three stories for free ; if you don ’ t have a subscription , you can download the e-guide translation of “ , ” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide , and “ How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be . ”
bill : I test gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 yr . At The Big Outside , I go over just what I consider the good outside gear and clothes . See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my review and my skillful buying point .
