Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking tents as a result of they are often arrange rapidly nearly anyplace, on wood tent platforms, rock, sand, snow, and even climber’s portaledges, with out having to be staked to the bottom first. That is notably helpful in poor climate when it is advisable to get out of the climate and might’t seek for a protected tent website or dig one out within the snow.
Listed below are the ten finest freestanding tents for backpacking that we suggest throughout a spread of worth factors and weights:
Most freestanding tents are wedge or dome-shaped, making them extremely climate and wind-resistant. Nonetheless, freestanding tents are typically barely heavier than non-freestanding ones as a result of they need to be self-supporting, with lengthy tent poles that add further weight. Some two-person fashions will be cramped, notably ones designed for mountaineering the place consolation is commonly sacrificed within the title of decreased gear weight. Nonetheless, the expertise of organising a freestanding tent is liberating as a result of you possibly can pitch one anyplace there’s flat floor. That type of flexibility is very beneficial when it is advisable to get out of the climate and right into a safe and secure shelter.
1. Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2
The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a well-liked two-person backpack tent and with good cause. This freestanding tent is straightforward to arrange and has two doorways so you will get out and in with out having to crawl over your companion at evening. It has a spacious inside with numerous headroom and vertical sidewalls so you possibly can change garments and sit up inside with out touching the edges. Off-the-floor storage within the type of an outsized ceiling pocket within the head, facet pockets, and media pockets present loads of house for private objects you need shut at hand. Weighing simply 2 lbs 11 oz, the Copper Spur is an exceptionally light-weight however absolutely featured backpacking palace. Learn the SectionHiker Copper Spur HV UL2 Evaluate. The freestanding one-person Copper Spur HV UL 1 can be a hiker favourite.
The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tent is a spacious freestanding double-wall tent for 2 folks with two doorways and two vestibules. Weighing 3 lbs 6 oz, the tent is made with NEMO’s new OSMO polyester/nylon ripstop material which reduces rain fly sag when moist and improves waterproofing. The spacious inside and quite a few livability accents make the Dagger OSMO 2P an important tent for tall folks or {couples} that need extra room to unfold out. Learn the SectionHiker Dagger OSMO 2 Evaluate.
Take a look at the most recent worth at: REI |Â NEMO
3. REI Trailmade 2 Tent
The REI Trailmade 2 is a budget-friendly two-person freestanding tent that’s light-weight sufficient for backpacking and tenting. With a minimal path weight of 4 lbs 4 oz, its X-pole configuration makes it a simple tent to arrange and will increase the vertical house on the ends. Its two stake-out vestibules present separate entrances for every occupant advert giant lined areas for gear storage with rainfly doorways roll up over the roof for a transparent view of the sky whereas additionally enhancing venting and lowering condensation. Inside, the symmetrical, rectangular ground supplies an environment friendly, comfy format with inner pockets and equipment loops to assist manage your necessities. An elective footprint is included together with stakes and stuff sacks, offering large worth.
The Zpacks Duplex is among the hottest Dyneema trekking pole tents at the moment. Weighing simply 18.5 oz, it could accommodate two adults and has two doorways and two vestibules. It will also be became a totally freestanding tent with the addition of the ten.2 oz Duplex Freestanding Flex Package (trekking poles not required.) The equipment consists of two Easton carbon fiber tent poles and easy-to-install adapters that let you arrange the Duplex as a freestanding tent so you possibly can set it up on rock ledge, snow, or wood platforms, the place it may be troublesome to safe tent stakes. Notice: The Duplex + Duplex Freestanding Flex Package isn’t the identical as Zpacks FreeDuo Tent.
The NEMO DragonFly 2 is a light-weight freestanding two-person tent with two doorways and two outsized vestibules that present ample storage for backpacks and moist climbing boots. Weighing 2 lbs 10 oz, the tent is made with NEMO’s new OSMO polyester/nylon ripstop material which reduces rain fly sag when moist and improves waterproofing. The tent’s exoskeleton structure comes with prebent tent poles that maximize head and shoulder house, offering loads of room inside to vary garments or sit out wet climate, whereas giant D-shaped doorways make it simple to enter and exit the tent and will also be rolled again in sizzling climate for additional air flow. Overhead mild pockets at each ends use particular light-diffusing material to forged a fair glow all through the tent whereas inside gear pockets within the corners supply occupants ample storage for private objects. Learn the SectionHiker DragonFly 2 Evaluate.
Take a look at the most recent worth at: REI |Â NEMO
6. SlingFin Portal 2
The Slingfin Portal is a light-weight two-person tent that can be utilized year-round in additional excessive climate (Slingfin was based by Martin Zematis, the man who began Mountain {Hardware}). Weighing simply 2 lbs 13 oz, it has a novel inner guyline system that provides very good wind resistance with out further weight. Two giant vestibules and quite a few inner pockets present best-in-class livability, whereas its freestanding, dome-shaped exoskeleton makes it simple to arrange. Kickstand door vents present unrestricted cross-tent airflow for wonderful condensation administration with out sacrificing climate safety. Learn the SectionHiker SlingFin Portal Evaluate.
The NEMO Aurora 2 is a freestanding two-person tent with two doorways, two vestibules, and lots of inside house. Weighing 4 lbs 9 oz, it has steep partitions and a ground plan that’s large sufficient to accommodate 25″ large sleeping pads. Constructed-in gear pockets supply ample storage for private objects, whereas overhead mild pockets use particular light-diffusing material to forged a fair glow all through the tent. This tent comes with a footprint and consists of snaps, so you possibly can snap in an add-on pawprint inside liner to guard the ground out of your canine’s paws.
Test for the most recent worth at: REI | NEMO | AmazonÂ
8. Mountain Hardwear Facet 2 Tent
The Mountain Hardwear Facet 2 is a spacious two-person tent with two doorways and two vestibules that weighs simply 2 lbs 14.7 oz. Regardless of its extraordinary light-weight (for a tent of this measurement), it’s made with sturdy materials together with a 40 denier ground making certain a few years of use. The rain fly is coated with silicone on each side for longevity, waterproof safety, and enhanced resistance to the solar’s dangerous rays.
The Tarptent Rainbow is accessible in a number of fashions: as a one or two-person tent, as a single or double-wall tent, and made with silnylon or Dyneema Composite materials. More often than not, the folks stake out the corners and vestibules of the Rainbow after they pitch it on floor that’s delicate sufficient to carry tent stakes. Nevertheless it will also be arrange as a very freestanding tent by connecting the corners to the tops and bottoms of a pair of trekking poles. There’s no add-on equipment required. You would set it up that approach on a regular basis if you happen to needed.
The MSR Hubba Hubba 2 is a good tent for 2 folks. It’s simple to arrange and has two doorways so you possibly can come and go at evening with out disturbing your accomplice. Freestanding, the pole configuration creates an inside house that has near-vertical partitions and a very rectangular ground plan, enabling the usage of large 25″ sleeping pads. With a path weight of two kilos and 10 ounces, the Hubba Hubba 2 is light-weight sufficient for backpacking use when shared by two folks. Learn the SectionHiker evaluation.
Take a look at the most recent worth at: REI |Â MSR
Freestanding Tent Choice Standards
When evaluating freestanding tents, it helps to analysis the local weather circumstances you count on to make use of the tent in, as this may inform the diploma of tent pole power and breathability required.
Tent Air flow
Tents home windows, doorways, and vents are Necessary to reduce and scale back inner condensation. That is achieved by protecting the door(s) open when possible, by means of peak and facet vents, and in some circumstances by means of the usage of breathable wall materials. You may by no means have an excessive amount of air flow in a tent, though the addition of doorways and zippers may end up in elevated weight.
Tent Pole Structure
Most freestanding tents have two or three crossed poles, anchored inside or exterior the tent partitions. Exterior poles which might be anchored in sleeves are a lot stronger than poles that hook up with an interior tent utilizing clips or velcro tabs. They’re way more wind resistant and able to withstanding heavier snow masses.
Inside Tent Area
Freestanding tents designed for top alpine mountaineering use are sometimes smaller and extra cramped than these designed for four-season use as a result of weight financial savings are so crucial when it’s a must to climb many 1000’s of ft to succeed in your vacation spot. When choosing a tent be real looking about your size and width necessities, notably when selecting a two-person wedge type tent.
Variety of Doorways
Tents designed to carry two occupants are extra comfy and handy to make use of if they’ve two doorways and vestibules as a result of you possibly can come and go with out waking your tent accomplice. Dome-style tents typically present higher lined vestibule storage, which might make a big distinction in livability.
See Additionally:
Test Out All of SectionHiker’s Gear Guides!
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We independently analysis, check, and charge the perfect merchandise. We solely generate profits if you buy a product by means of our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and impartial gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free climbing guides.
