Backpacking Tent Reviews 2 Person 3 Season Lightweight
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Top 12 Product Ratings
Displaying one - 5 of 12
Best Overall Backpacking Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Higher up-average space-to-weight ratio
Comfortable for two people
Massive storage pockets
Wing and tent doors don't marshal well
Tapered foot
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 strikes a superb residue between competing factors. It is spacious enough for ii people to sleep comfortably but remains lightweight and packs downwards small. Every bit a elevation overall option in our review, it embodies what many backpackers are looking for in a backpacking tent. It is also resilient in windy conditions, providing crucial protection when the weather turns grey. Information technology has two large side doors and roomy vestibules that convert into useful awnings with a set of trekking poles. This is a versatile option, slap-up for backpacking or car camping.
This model'south drawbacks are comparatively minor. If we had to choose something, we would point out that the taper at the foot makes it experience a lilliputian on the small side. Nosotros have also found that the fly and tent doors are somewhat oddly aligned, so entry and get out take a little bit longer. Nevertheless, on the whole, long-distance hikers and frequent backpackers will get pregnant utility out of this tent. It takes top honors for the super accommodating experience it offers.
Read review: Large Agnes Copper Spur UL2
The large doors and spacious interior brand this one of our acme tents for lightweight, comfortable backpacking.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
First-class Remainder of Features and Weight
NEMO Dragonfly 2
Exceptional vestibule area
Sturdy in air current
Many storage pockets
Tapered width is narrow at feet
Expensive
The NEMO Dragonfly 2 strikes a prime number balance between comfort and weight. Two substantial side doors, 2-tone mesh for increased privacy at a busy army camp, and air current-resistant lower sidewalls add together to this tent'southward allure. The material is durable, and the trapezoidal rainfly stays taut (and serenity) in the wind, which turns out to be a surprisingly rare characteristic in a tent. The massive vestibules provide plenty of infinite for gear storage. Its exceptional pattern ways that six-pes-tall sleepers accept enough caput-to-toe length when lying down and enough vertical headroom for sitting up.
This tent is keen, merely the interior width of l" tapering to 45" leaves some foot-terminate pinching. Though it comes with an impressive array of storage pockets, they aren't super conveniently located and crave a long achieve from a lying-down position. All things considered, this tent is infrequent for its balance of performance and weight — a combination that we would take with us on almost whatsoever adventure.
Read review: NEMO Dragonfly two
We wouldn't hesitate to take this tent out with us on our next gamble.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best for Luxury Car Camping on a Budget
REI Co-op Half Dome SL two+
Very spacious
Durable
Tons of interior pockets
Heavy for backpacking
Fly can sag in heavy rain
The REI One-half Dome SL two+ is ane of the most livable and comfortable tents in this review. It provides the most bang for the cadet of any model in the category. With a spacious interior and thoughtful construction, it is a expert choice for taller folks or anyone who opts to bring their pet on the adventure. We love it for its exceptional comfort, luxurious dimensions, and practiced ventilation, too as its wide array of interior storage pockets.
All that interior space comes with additional weight. As one of the heaviest tents in our armada, information technology is more than double the weight of the lightest models in the category. It may be inconsequential over curt distances, especially split between two people, simply for longer trips, nosotros would look elsewhere. Information technology is best suited for weekend backpacking, canoe trips, and car camping. Overall, this tent is a real rock star that comes at a comparatively affordable price.
Read review: REI Half Dome SL 2+
This is a good option to have on mitt for a quick, coincidental weekend camping trip.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best Lightweight Choice
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye
Two large side doors
Fantabulous headroom for a tent this size
Lightweight
Foreign door and wing zipper configuration
Splashback can striking mesh walls in heavy rain
No tension adjusters at the pes of fly
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye is a great choice to consider if you like the idea of going ultralight only tin can't quite bring yourself to ditch the condolement and ease of setup that comes with defended poles. Its lite weight makes information technology a truthful competitor in the semi-freestanding subcategory; we found it to be the most comfortable of the sub-three-pound models because of its exceptional headroom and two large side doors. The fabric'due south solution dye likewise makes for a more environmentally-friendly production procedure.
The biggest head-scratcher is the orientation of the zippers on the doors and wing; our testers plant that it is just more challenging than information technology should exist to open and enter, especially in the pelting. It'south a niggling pricey but comparable to its close competitors. If you lot treat it nicely, it should offering you many years of lightweight, comfortable camping ground.
Read review: Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye
This tent is a lightweight wonder that can pitch even on small sites.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best for Weather Resistance
Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT
Durable
Withstands extreme conditions conditions
Difficult to set up
Expensive
The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is what we reach for when harsh weather is in the forecast. It performs at its best in the shoulder seasons: the early thaw of spring and the first autumn or winter snowstorm. It has a massive foyer to protect gear and thoughtful design elements that improve its performance in tough weather, likewise every bit several guy points for stability. The floor is super durable and waterproof.
For everything it offers, expect to pay top dollar for this model. In addition, it takes significantly longer to pitch than a traditional three-flavor tent. Its heft makes it improve suited for biking trips or backpacking adventures where gear weight is not a primary consideration. Though it is very expensive, its durable construction makes it a long-term value if you employ information technology frequently.
Read review: Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT
This caterpillar-looking tent performs well in cold weather.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Best Three Person Version
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3
Nigh versatile three person tent tested
Very low-cal
Good headroom
Tapered footprint makes for a tight fit
Much like its smaller sibling, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is an splendid backcountry companion. It maintains the same features but with room for one more than. It is designed to adapt three, merely it is likewise lite plenty for two people to comport a very reasonable load, with room left over for extra gear storage. Information technology has double side doors, and its loftier-volume blueprint provides enough of headroom. The massive gear storage pockets are a nice perk equally well.
Nosotros don't recollect that the tapered footprint serves information technology too in this larger configuration; it feels like a squeeze for three people. However, we like it because of its flexibility, allowing a group of three to travel light.
Read review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3
The fly converts into an awning, which can be really nice for ventilation on warm days and for atmospheric precipitation protection.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Notable for Comfort Camping on a Shoestring Budget
REI Co-op Passage 2
Weight: 5 lbs, v oz | Dimensions (50 ten W x H): 88" x 52" x 40"
Double doors open all the way around
Trapezoidal vestibules
Like shooting fish in a barrel to set upwards
The REI Passage 2 combines space, comfort, and affordability in a way few others practice. This tent takes a height spot in the Budget Backpacking Tent category, and for those looking to get outside on the cheap, it is worth a potent look. We love its double doors, and its two-pole setup is only nearly as straightforward equally information technology comes.
Its primary drawback is that its price point limits the quality of the materials that can go into information technology. Information technology's a great value, just information technology is worth noting that much of the torso of the tent, as well equally the fly, is coated polyester (as opposed to nylon), which makes for a heavy deport. However, if yous are new to camping or just desire a uncomplicated and solid tent that will offering you a good night's sleep, this model is a true contender.
Read review: REI Passage two
Notable for Superior Headroom
The North Face Stormbreak two
Weight: v lbs, xiv oz | Dimensions (L 10 West ten H): 87" x 50" ten 43"
Significant lateral headroom
Double doors
Ample storage pockets
Heavy
Lower quality materials
The North Face Stormbreak 2 offers something that many other far more expensive backpacking tents don't: plenty of headroom. This is another carryover from our budget tent category. 2 adults can easily sit up comfortably at the same time. It comes with a flexible lobby configuration, so you lot can rest ventilation and weather protection in many unlike means. There is also plenty of infinite to stash small items that y'all want to go on shut at hand with large storage pockets.
The bummer with this tent is that you sort of go what you pay for. It'south sturdy, merely its polyurethane-coated polyester wing and flooring make for a heavy last product. On the other manus, if the weight doesn't matter so much for your adventures, we would strongly recommend this 1 for the folks who like to sit up and live in their tent.
Read review: The North Face Stormbreak 2
Compare Products
The right tent is relative. You may want one that is super low-cal, or y'all may opt for a model that tin can handle the snow and ice.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Why You Should Trust U.s.a.
Our backpacking tent testers have spent hundreds of nights nether the stars. Lead reviewer, Ben Applebaum-Bauch, has been testing tents for GearLab for almost 4 years. He got his kickoff in the outdoor industry, maintaining gear (plenty of tents included) for guided grouping backpacking trips. A couple of years later, he became a guide himself, leading multi-week adventures on the Appalachian Trail, cycling through Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and paddling down the Androscoggin and Magalloway rivers, pitching plenty of tents along the way. With a decade of professional feel and several thru-hikes of some of America's peachy long trails backside him, he sleeps easy knowing that the world is filled with infrequent tents.
We tested the models in this review with a focus on comfort, weight, and weather resistance, with some boosted attention on ease of setup, durability, and packed size. For comfort, we look at flooring dimensions, only we also assess each model on its livability, asking the question, what can we actually practise in this tent? Sure features like double side doors and ample pockets likewise make for a cushy shelter. Weight is a crucial consideration besides — generally, the lighter, the better. About tents are pretty like shooting fish in a barrel to set, but we look at different connectedness points between poles, tent body, and fly. Weather condition resistance tests each wing and floors' abilities to protect sleepers from whipping wind and pouring pelting. In terms of durability, nosotros don't intentionally endeavor to pause our tents, but sometimes things happen, and we take annotation of delicate fabrics and brittle clips.
Analysis and Test Results
Nosotros evaluate dozens of the best options on the market place and rigorously test our pinnacle picks in the field. The following analysis summarizes our findings, and we point out models that excel in each metric to help you find the correct model. Metrics are weighted according to their relative importance.
Value
We don't count value as part of a production'southward overall score, just we recognize that it is at the heart of many people's purchasing decisions, so we do our best to quantify it hither. To appraise value, we compare the price of each product and its overall score, substantially answering the question, "how many points per dollar do you go with whatsoever given model?". If the value is a main consideration when making your buy, the Big Agnes Copper Spur (two- and three-person) and NEMO Dragonfly 2 are pricey, but they score highly. The REI Half Dome SL two+ doesn't perform quite besides, but it is comparatively cheap.
Comfort
Comfort is the hominess of a backpacking tent. Dimensions are key; is there enough space to become a good nighttime'due south slumber, or do sleepers end up pressed confronting a moisture wall all night? Is it easy to enter and exit, or is climbing over a camping partner in the nighttime part of the experience? We also talk most a tent equally livable, which refers to the power to practise things other than slumber (e.one thousand., sit upwardly to eat dinner or spread out and read a book).
The virtually comfortable two-person backpacking tent nosotros tested is the REI Half Dome SL 2+, which has a palatial interior and two large vestibules. The height of the fly also has iv kickstand vents to keep air flowing while keeping the rain out. Nosotros love it on stormy days when we plan to spend more than time hunkered downwardly at basecamp rather than out on the trail. It goes all-in on maximizing space and other vital features like double doors, large dual vestibules, and storage pockets (and consequently, it weighs a bit more than the overall top tents).
The roomy interior of the Copper Spur HV UL2.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Honor winners like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and NEMO Dragonfly two do a nice job of balancing comfort against other considerations. The former offers a pre-bent pole structure that maximizes interior volume. The NEMO Dagger two also scores well here.
Large vestibules that can fit a pack and shoes and make or break a camping experience. Especially when bad weather rolls in.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye takes the cake as far as sub-three-pound tents go. Information technology includes a pole segment that extends from door to door, which increases the lateral peak elevation of this model. Despite being otherwise well-designed tents, the NEMO Hornet Elite 2 and Tarptent Double Rainbow score lower in this metric, with both models heavily prioritizing weight-savings over interior flooring infinite.
Nosotros similar tents with multiple tie-dorsum points for the vestibules. Shown here is the Tarptent Double Rainbow.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weather Resistance
For this metric, we assess the protection that each tent provides against precipitation and wind. We are interested in any design features that impact a tent'south ability to resist sagging and keep water from dripping through zippers and vents. We are besides interested in structural rigidity and features like ventilation points and fly door configuration, which reduces condensation on the within.
The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT takes first place for overall weather resistance, partly for its reinforced anteroom zippers, a bathtub floor that protects against seepage from soggy soil, and a massive foyer that allows you lot to organize and protect gear without storing it in the tent itself. Information technology also effectively sheds condensation that drips from the roof. In this example, information technology offers an advantage over tents that take mesh walls.
Almost all tents accept a 'bathtub' floor that rises slightly up the sides to keep dirt, debris, and wet exterior.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Other weather-resistant peak scorers are the NEMO Dragonfly 2 and NEMO Dagger 2 for their trapezoidal wing geometry and easy tensioning. They non only exercise an admirable job of shedding water but are relatively quiet in stiff air current. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 also scores well in this metric, offer above-boilerplate protection and an adaptable fly setup that can be pitched traditionally but can too convert into an overhead awning when propped upwardly with a couple of trekking poles. The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye is a top contender for semi-freestanding tents.
Many tents, like the REI Wink Air 2, have double zippers on their vestibules that allow for additional venting without having to roll back the fly.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Large Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 and REI Co-Op Flash Air 2 are among the weaker models in our fleet for weather condition resistance. Perhaps surprisingly, it is the wind that undoes them faster than precipitation. However, we also found in the case of the first two that unusual fly geometry makes them a challenge to set upward and increases their susceptibility to blowing rain.
On the other hand, it does come with the ability to make an fantabulous extended vestibule encompass (Tarptent Rainbow pictured).
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Weight
Our weight metric ranks each tent on its measured packed weight, which includes poles, tent body, fly, stakes, and guylines — basically, everything that comes with a tent when y'all pull information technology off the shelf. Many manufacturers volition also include a trail weight in their product specifications; this typically refers to the weight of the minimum pieces required for setup — usually tent, fly, and poles. Models that include the feature also refer to a fastpitch weight, that is, the footprint (usually sold separately), the fly, and the poles.
A scattering of tents in this review are at or around two pounds, including the NEMO Hornet Elite 2, Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye, and REI Co-Op Flash Air 2. These models get all-in on reducing weight, unremarkably at the expense of condolement and, to an extent, durability. We would exist pleased to separate a three to four-pound tent with our hiking buddy for most typical overnights and backpacking trips. On the other stop of the spectrum, the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and the Hilleberg Anjan two GT are a couple of the heaviest tents that we tested. The former is a great option for auto camping, and the latter is a specialty, harsh-weather condition tent.
The two pound Hornet Elite 1000 miles into a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
If you lot want to maximize space and reduce weight, we would too strongly suggest looking at a three-person version of a lightweight model. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is under four pounds, and of class, offers tons of space for two people. The Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 is under 3 pounds. Of course, its dimensions are slightly smaller than the Copper Spur, only it still provides ample space for two people.
Durability
This variable is based on our experiences field testing these products and involves our all-time approximate of the long-term durability of each tent. Though nosotros utilise our tents long and hard, our goal isn't to become them to the bespeak of catastrophic failure. We consider the quality and blazon of materials, overall design, and results during field testing.
The Hilleberg Anjan two GT has a host of features mutual to four-season tents, and we institute information technology highly durable. It includes sturdy zippers, tensioners with hefty webbing, and thick floor fabric. Other summit overall performers like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 all the same have sparse materials merely go along an eye on increasing their forcefulness. We are too impressed with the durability of the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and the NEMO Dagger 2. The erstwhile has heavy, thick fabric, and the latter is a skillful compromise betwixt strength and weight.
Straps and hardware are an important component of durability. This model comes with metal tensioners that are extra sturdy.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Many of the lighter tents tested here are non designed to suffer a ton of abuse. The NEMO Hornet Elite 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye have thin materials that need to exist treated with intendance. To increase durability, make certain you store your tent properly by cleaning and drying it thoroughly earlier packing information technology abroad in the offseason.
Ease of Setup
Ease of setup refers to how quick and intuitive information technology is to pitch a tent. The models in this review more often than not come in 2 slightly unlike flavors. The majority are cocky-supported, also known as free-standing. These shelters have a set up of defended poles that provide a "skeleton" that the tent clips to. An increasingly common variation on this is the semi-freestanding tent, which has poles but also requires stakes to maximize its volume. Both types are relatively simple to prepare.
A classic X-pole pattern (2 identical poles that cross at the elevation and adhere to the tent body across diagonal corners) is rarely used anymore in its nearly straightforward form — it just doesn't offer as much stability on its own. But many models like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and REI Half Dome SL two+ are variations on this basic structure, including an boosted cross pole. This modification increases interior volume and structural rigidity. These types of models are all easy to gear up. Some tents, similar the Copper Spur HV UL2, include special hardware at the tent corners to quickly and deeply adhere poles while pitching the tent alone.
The Dagger is relatively easy to gear up, only the connected branching poles brand getting it under a control a little tricky sometimes.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
There are also semi-freestanding tents, such as the Large Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye and NEMO Hornet Elite. They are also very straightforward. These tents have pole segments connected with elastic cord, and so the pole structure often snaps itself into place with a few shakes once you have it out of the bag. Near universally, the ends of the poles click into grommets (or grommet-similar holes) at the four corners of the tent. The variability largely comes with how the wing is attached and how many stakes it requires to pitch. The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is an example of a tent with a fly that attaches with clips, whereas the Hornet Elite relies on guyline to secure the wing. The REI Co-Op Flash Air ii is an exception in the fleet. It is a not-freestanding tent; that is, it comes with a couple of poles simply relies almost entirely on stakes and guylines to pitch, which we found makes it trickier to ready.
Color-coded poles and webbing is a nice design feature that makes pitching a tent even easier.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
A singled-out subcategory of tent pole configuration is the tunnel tent. This style uses poles that bend into semi-circles (resulting in a tent that looks like a caterpillar). These models commonly require much more time to pitch because they rely on tension from guylines to have a livable form. An case of a tunnel tent is the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT.
Since all of the tents we tested are relatively easy to pitch, this metric assumes a insufficiently small percentage of the total score. Withal, at that place are times when information technology'south disquisitional to be able to set up camp and dive into your tent in a hurry. College scorers include the REI One-half Dome SL 2+, NEMO Dragonfly 2, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, and NEMO Dagger two.
This tent served us well, merely didn't offering upwards a whole lot to become really excited virtually.
Credit: Jiin Cruz
Packed Size
Packed size strongly correlates with weight. Almost of that number will be determined by the type and denier of the tent and fly fabric, merely actress features like storage pockets, gear lofts, roomy vestibules, or chunky parts like pole hubs rapidly increase the measurement.
Nosotros love the materials and compact pole sections of the Tarptent Double Rainbow, NEMO Hornet Elite 2, and Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye. We blimp and compressed these high-scoring tents into our bags with ease. The REI Co-Op Flash Air 2 also performed well higher up average in this metric and could easily be carried by one person, especially if you use trekking poles instead of the included poles.
The Hornet Elite is super lightweight and packs down incredibly small-scale, simply the tradeoff is limited headroom.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
1 of the big surprises of this review is the NEMO Firefly, which is slightly heavier just still packs downwards as minor every bit the UL models listed above. On the flip side, the REI One-half Dome SL 2+ is generally higher-performing but scores lower in this metric considering of its thick cloth and beefy hardware.
There is a tent out there for your next backpacking or camping adventure.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Decision
Though the number of options out at that place can be overwhelming when shopping for a new backpacking tent, we promise that our expert reviews provide the conviction you demand to brand your right purchase. If you love spending nights in nature, in that location is a tent out there for yous. Happy trails!
Source: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-backpacking-tent
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