10 Finest Backpacking Tents of 2023

The Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 are a few of Massive Agnes’ best-sellers, and so they’re amongst our all-time favourite backpacking tents. The ultralight freestanding design of the Copper Spur allows hikers to pitch virtually anyplace, and it doesn’t sacrifice comfort, climate safety, or livability.

The Copper Spur is a well-liked selection amongst thru-hikers of the AT, PCT, and CDT, all of that are notoriously powerful on gear. When you take care to clear pokey particles out of your campsites, this tent will final for hundreds of miles. We’ve been backpacking with our Copper Spur 2 and three for a number of years and so they’re nonetheless going sturdy.

The Copper Spur’s bent-pole construction and prime crossbar create almost vertical sidewalls offering a ton of usable inside area and ample headroom. The UL2 has sufficient area for 2 regular-width sleeping pads and a few gear, whereas the UL3 is roomy sufficient for 2 broad pads and retaining all your gear inside. Whichever measurement you go together with, you’ll have a backpacking tent that gives an distinctive stability of camp consolation and weight.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Copper Spur HV UL2.

The Zpacks Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo are our go-to ultralight backpacking tents for thru-hiking and long-distance adventures. These tents present a superb quantity of inside area and climate safety at a freakishly low weight.

The key to those tents is the DCF materials. It’s waterproof, powerful, extremely gentle, and doesn’t sag when moist; the draw back is that it’s costly. The Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo could also be spendy, however they’re an unimaginable funding for those who like to backpack as gentle as potential. The opposite key to the Plex’s ridiculously low weight is the non-freestanding, single-wall design. This eliminates the necessity for tent poles and a rainfly, however it could take a number of pitches to get it excellent for those who’ve by no means used a backpacking tent like this earlier than.

The excessive ceiling of the Duplex/Triplex will enable you and your mountain climbing associate to sit down up comfortably on the similar time, and the two-door design will preserve you from crawling over one another to get out and in. When you’re searching for the very best ultralight backpacking tent in the marketplace, that is your man.

We expect the Duplex and Triplex are each spacious sufficient for 2 hikers. However since they’re so gentle, we’re keen on the Duplex for solo hikers who prefer to have further inside area and the Triplex for extra sq. footage when mountain climbing with a associate. Solo hikers who prioritize saving weight above something can’t go improper with the Plex Solo.

For extra, take a look at our full evaluations of the Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo.

REI’s Half Dome SL 2+ has an distinctive stability of value, sturdiness, and inside area. Its symmetrical freestanding design and really roomy dimensions make it snug and user-friendly for hikers of all expertise ranges. This tent is our favourite budget-friendly crossover selection for many who like tenting within the frontcountry and the backcountry.

Although the load of the Half Dome is greater than we want for strenuous backpacking adventures, it’s not too unhealthy when break up between two hikers. As well as, it can save you about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint – a pleasant tent flooring sturdiness bonus – at residence.

If a very good stability of sturdiness, comfort, inside area, and affordability is what you’re searching for, it’s very powerful to beat the REI Half Dome SL 2+.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Half Dome SL 2+.

REI has made a few of our favourite tents through the years, however few have been as spectacular because the Flash 2. This tent has a weight and inside quantity that rival among the hottest backpacking tents of all time, nevertheless it prices far lower than something in its class.

With its distinctive pole structure, the Flash 2 manages to really feel extra spacious than tents with the very same dimensions – just like the Massive Agnes Copper Spur 2. The headwall of the Flash 2 stands vertically and is supported by an arch pole that pulls the sidewalls out. Consequently, you find yourself with extra headroom the place you want it most.

Like most tents that goal to chop down on weight as a lot as potential, the Flash 2 will have to be handled with care to increase its lifespan. We had a pointy pine needle work its means by the ground early on throughout testing. There’s no everlasting injury to point out for it, nevertheless it did drive residence the necessity to actually filter out an area to camp for those who don’t plan to make use of a footprint. We at all times hike with a little bit of Tenacious Tape to restore the inevitable snags and tears that include use on path.

We extremely suggest the Flash 2 to hikers trying to save a major sum of money with out having to compromise on weight, area, or the comfort of a freestanding design. And people searching for much more area ought to take a look at the Flash 3, which nonetheless prices lower than most of the two-person tents on our checklist and solely weighs about 10 ozmore than the Flash 2.

We’re placing this tent by extra field-testing to find out its remaining place on this checklist. It has the potential to take excessive spot. Checkout our full overview of the Flash 2 right here.

Ounce-counting hikers will love the ultralight, semi-freestanding design of the Massive Agnes Tiger Wall 2. With sufficient construction to carry out properly in inclement climate, however a weight that’s barely over a pound when break up between two hikers – the Tiger Wall is a extra handy different to non-freestanding ultralight tents.

Usually semi-freestanding tents can really feel a bit cramped. And whereas the quarters within the Tiger Wall are a bit tight, it has a wider ridge pole than most different tents of this type. This creates extra livable area the place you need it most – on the head when sitting up. One other characteristic that will increase consolation within the Tiger Wall is the easy-to-use door toggles that provide the skill to roll again either side of the vestibule for taking in grand views or maxing out air flow on clear nights.

General, hikers who prioritize saving weight and don’t thoughts sharing a tighter area will love the minimal but purposeful design of the Tiger Wall 2. When you want extra room to unfold out, the Tiger Wall 3 has further flooring area and some extra inches of peak peak however remains to be lighter than many 2P tents. For more information, take a look at our full overview of the Tiger Wall right here.

With an additional secure body, maximized inside area, and top-quality development/supplies, the SlingFin Portal is a wonderful shelter to hunker down in when nasty climate hits. Thicker poles, inner guylines, and the power to connect trekking poles for added structural power make the Portal extraordinarily strong in wind, rain, and even gentle snow. These options are distinctive for a light-weight backpacking tent and are extra widespread in high-end mountaineering shelters.

Certainly one of our favourite options of the Portal is its beneficiant quantity of headroom, which makes it really feel way more livable than the common light-weight 2P backpacking tent. Different particulars, like nice pockets and further zipper sliders, come along with the storm-worthy design to make the Portal among the finest backpacking tents we’ve ever examined.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Portal.

Ultralight doesn’t should imply sacrificing consolation. With the NEMO Hornet OSMO 3, a pair of hikers can have all of the conveniences of a standard 2-person tent – two doorways/vestibules, a roomy inside, helpful pockets – with out the extra weight. As an added bonus, this spacious shelter prices across the similar sum of money as most of the main 2-person backpacking tents.

You may want further area for a wide range of causes – perhaps you wish to match two broad sleeping pads with room to spare, you journey with a big canine or an adventurous child, otherwise you simply need a bit of extra respiratory room when sharing your tent with a associate. No matter your purpose could also be, the beneficiant flooring dimensions and peak peak of the Hornet 3 will accommodate.

Not too way back, NEMO rolled out their proprietary OSMO material and commenced implementing it on all of their tents. OSMO material repels water higher than commonplace nylon or polyester flysheets, and better of all – OSMO stretches far much less when moist. This implies your pitch stays taut throughout rain, and also you received’t have to fret about saggy rainfly materials inflicting moist spots in your tent physique, sleeping bag footbox, or head.

We’ve at all times been massive followers of NEMO’s consideration to element, high-quality development, and modern designs, and the Hornet OSMO 3 positively doesn’t disappoint. For individuals who prioritize saving weight over having further area, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 can be an incredible selection and is a little more reasonably priced than equally designed tents.

The MSR FreeLite 2 is a superb choice for these trying to go lighter with out sacrificing the comfort of a double-wall tent. It has two massive doorways/vestibules, and the inside area feels extra roomy for 2 hikers at a a lot decrease weight than different equally designed tents.

We typically view the FreeLite as extra snug for solo hikers for the reason that inside headroom can really feel a bit of cramped when spending any prolonged period of time inside. However for pairs that worth saving weight over having further wiggle room, the FreeLite actually has sufficient area to accommodate two.

The rainbow form of the FreeLite is efficient at shedding rain, and some design particulars – like well-placed pockets and a rainfly gutter – make this tent notably interesting. Any backpacker wanting the very best mixture of weight, livability, and climate safety will certainly love the FreeLite.

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 is an modern tent with loads of distinctive options to like. It has extra headroom than any 2-person backpacking tent in its weight class, which makes it really feel much more livable than many others.

Creature comforts, just like the light-dispersing Lightbar and shady Hangout Mode, make the Telos really feel like a bit of slice of luxurious within the backcountry. Sea to Summit took further care designing the adaptable air flow on the Telos, and we discovered that it offered snug and virtually condensation-free nights.

Whereas it’s a bit of spendy, the consolation the Telos supplies is value the fee for those who’re searching for a flexible 2-person backpacking tent with all the particulars dialed in.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Telos TR2.

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is likely one of the finest worth backpacking tents on our checklist as a consequence of its wonderful mix of area, weight, and sturdiness. We’ve put the Lunar Duo by the wringer on a number of thru-hikes, and it held up like a champ in every kind of situations.

It’s a bit heavier than some ultralight non-freestanding tents, however we discover the load tradeoff to be value it for the numerous financial financial savings. One factor that makes the Lunar Duo distinctive is that the guylines could be re-tensioned from contained in the tent, which is absolutely handy throughout a downpour. The massive vestibules are designed to open fully with out disturbing the construction of the tent, so you possibly can have related air flow and look at advantages of a double-wall tent.

When you’re searching for a roomy ultralight shelter at an exceptionally reasonably priced value, there are few tents that come near the Lunar Duo. For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Lunar Duo.

The Lunar Solo is certainly one of our prime picks for solo hikers. It’s very spacious for one particular person and their gear, is simple to arrange, and packs down extremely small. For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Lunar Solo.

The reasonably priced REI Path Hut 2 is a wonderful tent for hikers on a good finances or these wanting a crossover tent for automotive tenting and backpacking. It’s fast and straightforward to pitch, made with sturdy supplies, and the load/bulk aren’t too unhealthy when break up between two hikers. You can even save about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint at residence.

Whereas not one of the Path Hut’s specs or options (apart from value) are actually standouts, this tried-and-true design will maintain up properly in unhealthy climate and preserve you on the path for tons of – if not hundreds – of miles.

The budget-friendly Path Hut doesn’t skimp on inside area or high quality, so we expect it’s a superb funding for these eager to hit the path with out spending a fortune.

When you’re trying to go as reasonably priced as potential, the REI Trailmade 2 prices much less and is a bit lighter. Finally we want the Path Hut for its bigger inside area, however both tent is a strong selection.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Trailmade 2.

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 affords a ton of inside area at an inexpensive weight, so it’s excellent for these wanting a tent that’s snug for each backpacking and automotive tenting.

The Dagger has a ton of handy options in-built, like two big vestibules for gear storage, light-dispersing headlamp pockets, and an included tub accent that retains your gear clear and dry within the vestibule. The modern OSMO material additionally doesn’t sag when moist like Silnylon and it’ll stay waterproof for longer than the coated materials used for a lot of different tents.

When you’re searching for light-weight livability in a handy design, the NEMO Dagger 2P is a wonderful selection.

For extra, take a look at our full overview of the Dagger OSMO 2.