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Home » Gear » best backpacking tent

5 Best Travel Tents (MUST READ! • 2024 Buyer’s Guide)

Let’s be honest now, do  you actually even NEED to buy a travel tent? With an abundance of cheap hostels, nice airbnbs and moving trains to sleep on, you may well be wondering if modern backpackers need to burden themselves by hauling a tent around with them.

But hear me here. A backpacking tent offers you a home . Anywhere you go, be it parks in the urban sprawl or glorious remote vistas in the wilderness, you’ll have your home with you!

Camping out in the woods, on the beach, or at the foot of some mighty mountain is a truly amazing way to reconnect with nature. I love to camp and have been lucky enough to camp out in over fifty different countries across five continents. Plus I saved a hell-a-lotta dough on accommodation costs in the process too…

In this in-depth post, I’ll  condense my years of traveling with a tent down and review the best tents for backpacking for all budgets and styles of travel – cheap tents, light tents, hiking tents, travel tents. It’s a goddamn tent city and we’re finding you a sweet crib!

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Quick Answer: Best Backpacking Tents for 2024

The 5 best backpacking tents of 2024, how to pick the best backpacking tent for you, thoughts on camping hammocks  , how and where we tested to find the best backpacking tent, faq about the best backpacking tent, so, what is the best tent for backpacking.

• Overall Best Tent for Backpacking –>  MSR Hubba Hubba
• Best One Man Tent –>  REI Co-op Trailmade 1 Tent
• Best 3 Person Tent –> MSR Hubba Hubba
• Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent –>  Nemo Hornet
• Best Hammock Tent –> Lawson Blue Ridge Hammock Tent
• Best Bivvy Style Tent –> Crua Hybrid
• Jump to –>  Backpacking Tent Reviews

MSR Hubba Hubba 2

• Price > $549.95
• Weight > 3.25 lbs.
• Capacity > 2 Person
• Free Standing > Yes

Nemo Hornet

• Price > $429.95
• Weight > 2.5 lbs.
• Capacity > 2 person
• Free Standing > No

REI Co-op Trailmade 1

• Price > $179
• Weight > 4.6 lbs.
• Capacity > 1 Person

Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock

• Price > $207.71
• Weight > 4.25 lbs.
• Capacity > 1-2 Person

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Solution Dye

• Price > $449.95
• Weight > 1.13kg
• Capacity > 2
• Free Standing > Semi free standing

Crua Hybrid

• Price > $279.99
• Weight > 6.6 lbs
• Capacity > 1

#1 Overall Best Tent for Backpacking: MSR Hubba Hubba

• Price: $549.95
• Weight: 3 lb. 4 oz
• Dimensions: 84 x 50 inches
• Size when packed: 4.5 x 19 inches

Discover the perfect blend of lightweight design and robust performance with the MSR Hubba Hubba tent. Weighing just 3.5 pounds, this tent is a backpacker’s dream, offering an incredibly spacious interior without the extra weight. Its durable construction, intuitive setup, and eco-friendly materials make it an ideal choice for any adventure. Enjoy ample headroom, two large vestibules for gear storage, and a mesh canopy for ventilation and stargazing. The Hubba Hubba stands out for its quick assembly, compact packing, and adherence to high environmental standards, ensuring that your outdoor experiences are not only comfortable but also sustainable.

While it IS expensive at $500, it’s a great bloody tent. MSR is one of the most respected brands in the backpacking tent and gear industry and they have seriously decent customer support – when you buy an MSR tent it comes with a lifetime warranty so you can see it as an investment, it’ll be the last tent you ever have to buy!

Finally, the MSR Hubba Hubba comes in three sizes, 1 man, 2 man and 3 man. We have tried all of them. The one in the picture is the One-Man.

• Ultra Light Weight
• Great weight to space ratio
• Leading material in technology
• Lifetime warranty
• Expensive (but the lifetime warranty makes it worth it!)

REI is one of America’s biggest and most-loved outdoor gear retailers.

Now, for just $30, get a lifetime membership that entitles you to 10% OFF on most items, access to their trade-in scheme and discount rentals .

#2 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Nemo OSMO Hornet

• Price: $429.95
• Weight: 2lbs 8 oz
• Dimensions: 85 x 51 x 43 in
• Size when packed: 7.5 x 12.5 inches

Check out our epic full review of the Nemo Hornet here!

Step into the future of backpacking comfort with the Nemo OSMO Hornet tent, where innovation meets affordability. Priced competitively, this tent offers exceptional value, combining Nemo’s cutting-edge OSMO fabric technology with a design that’s both ultralight and ultra-durable. Weighing barely over 2 pounds, the OSMO Hornet is an ideal companion for hikers and backpackers looking to minimize their load without sacrificing space or comfort.

Experience the OSMO difference with its advanced waterproof and breathable fabric, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable no matter the weather. The tent’s spacious interior, innovative pole structure, and two-door design provide ample room and easy access. With its quick setup, compact pack size, and focus on sustainability, the Nemo OSMO Hornet is not just a shelter but an investment in comfortable and eco-conscious adventures. Enjoy the wilderness in a tent that balances price, weight, and remarkable living space, making it a smart choice for any outdoor enthusiast seeking value and performance.

• Well designed
• Waterproofing has mixed reviews
• So does it’s strength
• No lifetime warranty

#3 Best One-Man Tent: REI Co-op Trailmade 1 Tent

• Price: $179
• Weight: 4 pounds 9 ounces
• Dimensions: 88 x 36.5  inches
• Size when packed: 7.5 x 22.44 inches

Are you a backpacking enthusiast searching for a practical yet sustainable tent? This 1-person, 3-season offering might just be the one. The REI Co-op Trailmade 1 prioritizes usability with eco-friendly construction. REI is a Climate Neutral Certified brand, meaning it’s a great way to look after our planet whilst backpacking.

Weighing in at 4 pounds 9 ounces, this tent won’t slow you down either on the trails or backpacking around a new town. Packing down to an incredibly small 7.5 x 22.44 inches, it’s the perfect compact companion for your next adventure. Where it might be small when packed down, it opens up like a tardis when pitched. With floor dimensions of 88 x 36.5 inches, it offers a spacious 20 square feet of floor area and a height of 41 inches. On top of that, you’ve also got a super useable 9.5 square feet of vestibule area which is perfect for storing your gear.

One of the areas that we really love about this tent is the way in which its construction reduces its carbon impact. REI’s commitment to sustainability can be seen in its use of recycled materials and solution-dyed mesh meaning no harmful chemicals have been used during the process to make it fire retardant.

Need more options? Check out our list of the best one-man tents for some more ideas.

• Lightweight
• Pretty durable
• Center seam can tear
• Entry level

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 #4 Best Camping Hammock Tent: Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge

• Price: $207.71
• Weight: 4.25 pounds
• Dimensions: 90 x 42 inches
• Size when packed: 6 x 22 inches

Hammock tents are super versatile, well made and can be set up like a normal tent on the ground if needs be – this offers the best of both worlds. If you are looking for a quality one-man tent for backpacking but also want to hang out on the beach in a hammock during the day, the Lawson Hammock Tent offers incredible versatility and best of all these bad boys are tough and you can put them through hell.

This particular hammock tent comes with an integrated mosquito net to keep bugs out and a waterproof ripstop nylon rain fly to keep you dry (it actually rained hard when we tested it too). It’s also easy enough to put up despite the novel design. They felt it wasn’t overly complicated to put up despite being a very different design than they were used to.

Super lightweight Best of two worlds Seriously cool

Not cheap for a hammock Not everyone likes hammocks

#5 Another Great Travel Tent – Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Solution Dye

• Price: $449.95
• Weight: 1.13kg

Big Anges have really outdone themselves with the Tigerwall UL Solution Dye series. Now being their smallest and lightest tent, it is designed to be the perfect travel companion for 3-season multi-day trips. When this parcel arrived in the post, at first, I thought I had the wrong order; it was way too small for a 2-person tent. How wrong I was. Every tiny detail, from the poles to the pegs have been meticulously thought about to reduce every single gram – yet maintaining that balance of strength and structure. Boasting their solution dye fabric, this tent doesn’t just reduce weight; its fabrication even has a reduced energy and water usage – making it one of the most eco-friendly tents on the market too. 

The single pole structure is made with DAC Featherlite NFL aluminum. It comes in a Y-shape with a small, built-in T-bone to add the necessary dimensions, while also creating a super-fast build time. The inner canopy is made of a breathable ripstop nylon/polyester mesh which allows perfect airflow with a bug protector. It has a large built-in pocket for storage.

As much as I love the Big Anges Tigerwall, like everything, it comes with its flaws. The footprint is made of the same Silicone-treated ripstop Solution Dye nylon that the raincover is made from. Although this maintains that super ultralightweight design, I can see it ripping. This is the only disappointing part of the design of this tent for me.

#6 Best Bivvy Tent for Backpacking: Crua Hybrid

• Price: $279.99
• Weight: 6.6 lbs
• Length of Sleeping Area:  6.1ft
• Size when packed: 29.1 x 13.3 x 13.3 in

If you’re looking to travel light, quickly and lay your head wherever you can, then the Crua Hybrid might just be for you. This tent is probably one of the most versatile on the market at the moment and for backpacking it makes the perfect accompaniment for those on a real adventure.

Whether you choose to use it as a bivvy or hang it off the nearest palm tree as a hammock, you’ll be able to bed down whenever and wherever the need arises. Luckily, the tent is made up of super-strong and durable rip-stop polyester meaning wherever you put it night in night out, it will last the course of your trip!

Make no mistake, this thing is most definitely a one-person tent but that doesn’t mean it isn’t spacious! The interior of the tent is a mummy shape meaning it’s tapered for the wider parts of the body and it features a pretty large vestibule for the style of tent. This area is not only ideal for keeping your gear but it can also be used by those who want a bit more headspace.

Another great feature of this tent is the integrated anti-bug mesh meaning during the warmer months or whilst travelling around tropical areas you can pull the waterproof flysheet off and let the breeze blow through without getting eaten alive. It also makes the tent less claustrophobic than you might imagine for a bivvy-style tent.

The tent is predominantly designed for the summer months but it can be combined with the Crua Culla Solo, an insulation insert built specifically for this tent. This adds not only insulation for the winter months but can also be used to keep out the blazing sun as well as acting as a sound and light barrier for the ultimate night’s sleep. But of course, this is to be purchased extra and does add extra weight to your pack.

• Hybrid design can be adapted to different travel styles
• Super durable
• Quick and easy set up

Ten years ago, I hit the road with almost no money in my pocket, a battered tent and an old camping stove. I hitchhiked my way across Europe, thriving on a shoestring budget and having an incredible adventure. Since then, I’ve personally tried and tested dozens of backpacking tents in my travels.

If you’re a long-distance hiker, your needs will be pretty different to a backpacker traveling around the world. Weight is arguably the most important factor to look at when choosing both a travel or hiking tent and personally I would never carry a tent that weighs more than 5 pounds – it’s just too heavy.

Personally, I opt to go for a light and compact tent which I can pitch quickly. All of the tents that I’m reviewing weigh under 5 pounds and are quick to set up but some of them are lighter, or faster to set up, than others.

Price is obviously an important factor and if you’re on a budget, your choices are plentiful! Once upon a time, cheap backpacking tents were dogshit, falling apart and breaking before long. These days, however, many kickass companies have stepped up to the plate and offer some seriously good cheap tents; so much so that we have a roundup of the best budget backpacking tents!

Think carefully about what you need your personal tent for and how many people you envision sleeping in it. Most of the time, three-man backpacking tents only weigh a little bit more than two-man tents so if you will be camping with a buddy, it’s well worth picking a three-manner and taking the extra sleeping space.

Two-man backpacking tents can be pretty cramped, especially if you want to roll around a lot. 😉

Considerations to make about your backpacking tent.

When choosing the best backpacking tent for yourself, here’s what you should consider…

• Size when packed
• Size when open
• Pitching time
• Functionality
• Durability and strength

Having a backpacking tent with you opens up a whole new world of possibilities – you can save a ton of money by camping and if you’re hitchhiking you really MUST have a tent as there is no way of knowing where you’ll end up sleeping!

If you are on a long-term budget adventure, having a tent for camping really is a necessity as it will save you so much cash and gives you so many more options. A backpacking tent not only saves you money in the long run but frees you up to stay in a place you otherwise could never have stayed in. Some of my most memorable travel experiences were only possible because I was camping.

Check out the comparison table and detailed tent reviews below so that you can choose the best backpacking tent for your needs.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

If you just don’t want to take a tent, at least take a hammock! Camping hammocks are compact, light and give you a ton of freedom.

If you’re travelling solo then I would suggest getting a hammock rather than a tent (depending on where you are travelling) or even getting both as a hammock opens up a whole new world of outdoor sleeping…  Check out The 10 Best Camping Hammocks to find the best backpacking hammock tent for you or, if you’re feeling lazy – buy this one; it’s the best value camping hammock around (but it can’t be pitched on the ground like the Lawson Blue Ridge).

Also, if you ever want to step up your camping game to another level, check out our epic review of the best rooftop tents .

The only way to really test a tent out, to be honest, is to get all up inside it! So in the name of science we took each tent out for a proper few nights camping to give them all a proper old test drive and find you the perfect backpacker tent!

In order to fairly and consistently assess and compare them to one another, our testers applied the following metrics to each of them;

Packed Weight

You can go onto a tent manufacturer’s website and find out what the packed weight of a tent is but that KG/Ibs number only really comes into sharp focus once you’re 5 hours into a hike, halfway up a mountain and your shoulders a screaming bloody murder!

The lighter a tent feels when strapped to your back, the better, simple as that! Either way, you’re going to want a compact tent for backpacking.

Packability (Packing and Unpacking!)

One of the most annoying features when it comes to tents is twofold. The first is pitching and unpitching. No one wants to be messing about with an overly complicated tent in gale-force winds and a downpour! Equally, many tents can be a nightmare to pack back into the inhumanly small bags they come in. Again, having to be a master in origami to get the thing back into its bag is no fun for anyone!

Our testers awarded each tent points for being easy to pack and unpack and deducted points for being difficult. Fair enough right?

Warmth, Waterproof and Ventilation

When you spend a night sleeping in a tent, you really get to know it. Nothing brings into reality those temperature ratings until you’re freezing your arse off for hours on end or alternatively spending the night rolling around in what feels like a tropical swamp!

Insulation and ventilation are key components to a good tent and an enjoyable experience! One great way to really get on top of your temperature rating outdoors is a solid insulated tent .

Obviously, when assessing the warmth and ventilation capabilities of a tent our testers took into account the weather and the sleeping bag they were using.

In terms of testing out the waterproofing, if our testers ended up somewhere dry, they just went back to basics and threw a whole heap of water over it! Leaky mofos were sent packing!

Spaciousness and Comfort

Tents are not exactly designed for throwing parties (ok, some are) unfortunately… but I mean, we can try! Either way, you still want to have enough space to sit up and store your gear.

Again, this is something you only really get a feel for after spending a night inside a tent which is exactly what we did. 

Build Quality and Durability

All of our testers were instructed to subject tent poles to a good bit of good-natured force, look closely at the seam sewing and take notice of the thickness of the fly sheets.

As a side note, ultralight tents are not as durable as heavier ones so there is always a tradeoff between longevity and packed weight when it comes to this type of tent.

Still have some questions about the best tent for backpacking? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the overall best backpacking tent?

We think the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 offers the best value, however, the Nemo Hornet is a very strong competitor.

How many people can fit in a backpacking tent?

Backpacking tents are generally smaller than camping tents. Therefore, they can only fit 1-2 people at a time. There are some 3-man backpacking tents on the market as well.

Are backpacking tents durable and waterproof?

Loads of backpacking tents are durable and waterproof, however, they also cost accordingly. Budget tents don’t offer as much quality. The highest value tent is the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 .

What do I need to consider when buying a backpacking tent?

Keep therse things in mind: 1. Size and Price 2. Durability, strength and functionality 3. The season you’re backpacking in 4. The weight as you need to carry it

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I decided to break down all the information you really need to pick the best tent for backpacking so hopefully, you have found this post useful and can now pick out the best tent for your needs.

If I had to pick one overall epic tent for backpacking I would say go for the  MSR Hubba Hubba .

So pick up the best budget solo backpacking tent and head out there! Happy camping amigos!

Found the right tent? Now check out the best backpacking sleeping bags to put inside!

Made it this far? You get 15% OFF to book a place to stay ! Offer valid exclusively for Broke Backpackers 😉

Aiden Freeborn

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32 Comments

I appreciate this post. Looking for ultralight tents that are easy to carry and setup, also made without flame retardants / VOCs.

Hey there, Will. Thanks for this useful resource.

Very curious about your take on the newly launched NEMO Firefly. Perhaps it’s too new for you to have any first-hand experience, but interested especially in how you feel it might stack up to the HHNX2.

I know that’s your go-to (and mine), but I have to admit this Firefly has me intrigued. Thoughts?

Looking for as in-depth as you’re capable of offering, in light of the fact I might consider purchasing one myself. Pros/cons/etc.

Hello, We do not yet have personal experience with the Nemo Firefly, but from all reports, it sounds like a good tent. If you end up buying one, let us know how you like it!

Hello, We do not yet have personal experience with the Neo Firefly, but from all reports, it sounds like a good tent. If you end up buying one, let us know how you like it!

Recently read through the Broke Backpacker web site and see you make recommendations on various backpacking gear. I represent a manufacturer of light weight backpacks designed for a backpack and or motorcycle pannier. Would you be so kind as to let me know how I might be able to participate in your web site helping people become aware of the DL Adventure products.

Thank You Al

Hello, Please email us for this sort of inquiry. Thanks!

So, after shopping around for tents and giving myself a headache from staring at the screen, I gave up and decided to purchase the Bearheard Emergency tube tent, a quick backup in case I couldn’t find a room to rent in a hostel or wanted as little set-up hassle as possible on camping grounds. (Plus, hey! Super lightweight, doesn’t take up much space in my pack, and will keep me dry and warm in harsh climates.)

And now I’m in post-purchase regret because I have no clue how I’d secure myself and my backpack within this doorless/flapless tent, but buying another tent that’s going to break my bank and add too much weight to my pack just doesn’t seem like an option. I guess I’m thinking too much about this, but for anyone who’s reading:

Any tips on keeping myself and my stuff safe in this humble thing? I have a retractable cable lock, if I can do anything with that.

Hey Timmmy,

Hmmm, your options are limited in such a small space. I recommend keeping your valuables in your tent with you when possible. Good luck!

Is there is any tent that suits for hot weather ? I mean while travel in the summer which tent is perfect?

The MSR Zoic 2p is great for hot weather if you don’t use the rainfly. The tent has a ton of mesh all the way around the tent body, allowing for maximum airflow. Cheers!

Hi Will. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your site. I’m planning a trip in the summer of 2020 full of firsts (first backpacking, first solo, first SEA) and your insights have been extremely helpful. So I have a question about the need for a tent. I’m gonna be doing a modified banana pancake trip, but i’m really planning on hostel hopping. I have a travel hammock, but not one I’d sleep in without jerry-rigging a mosquito net. Is it worth me bringing a tent just in case or am I better served saving weight/space in my pack?

Hey Dan, and Hi from Chiang Mai! We’re on the pancake trail right now and you’ll do well in hostels on the pancake trail. You can bring a tent if you’re planning on camping up in the hills outside of civilization, but depending on your travel style, you’re likely to get invited into people’s homes more often than not if you’re off the beaten track, respectful, and like spicy food. If it comes down to it, you can pick up a mosquito net here. Happy adventuring!

Couldn’t find the Vango Banshee for the listed price… Seems it has gone up to 240$ for the Banshee 300 Pro I see on Amazon. Is it still worth the price?

The Vango is a solid tent for its price bracket.

Well done . Great review. Totally covered all I needed on Pakistan. Also one of my favourite countries to travel . I hitched from Calcutta to London way back in 1995 and Pakistan was the Jewel . Doing it all again and should be back there in a couple of weeks .I can’t wait .

Do you have any negative experience with the MSR mutha hubba 3 person tent regarding waterproofness? Almost all the negative feedback state that the rainfly touches the inner tent during heavy rainfall. Is this a manufacturing default or just the result of a wrong set-up?

Hi Nicolas,

If tensioned properly, the rainfly should NOT touch the inner tent body during heavy rain. That said, if many people are reporting the issue, it could be a design flaw that MSR may well have addressed for their upcoming release of the updated 2019 MSR Hubba Hubba tent series. I have personally never encountered such an issue with the rainfly (I have an older Hubba Hubba tent as well as the 2019 updated version), but that is not to say that it can’t happen. I have always been 100% dry in my Hubba Hubba, and I have spent weeks sleeping in it. If you follow the steps to tension the rain fly properly using all the grommet straps and guy lines you should be enjoying night after night of (dry) sleeping in the tent. Hope that helped! Good luck!

In the reviews online I’ve read on the MSR Mutha hubba NX 3-person tent, there seems to be a recurrent problem with condensation/leaks, specifically the fact that the rain fly touches the inner tent. Do you know if, for the 2019 version, this problem has been taken care of? Is this, in your expertise, a real problem or just a consequence of a bad set-up? I am going backpacking in a very wet country for 3 months so this concerns me a bit. I am torn between the Big Agnes copper spur HV UL 3 and the MSR Mutha hubba NX 3 person tent, so I’d like to get an experts opinion!

Kind regards,

Brilliant review, thank you. It says the MSR Hubba Hubba is a 3 season tent, does that mean its no good for winter?

This definitely depends, but it is not built to handle intense winter/mountaineering camping and snow, nor extremely low temperatures, so I guess it depends how harsh your winter is.

I love your articles and I’m going to follow your advice for haggling in Vietnam and Thailand in my near future. Just wondering if you’ve ever tried a bivy sack or a sleeping pad/air bed and could you comment on it?

I will choose the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 all the way. It might be expensive but it’s totally worth it!

Thank you very for your great review.

For a travel of several months in Latin America, I would like to take an MSR Hubba NX tent. I will hiking with my tent several times and will volunteer in places where I will have to stay in my tent. I think that MSR Hubba NX tent is good alternative for this travel, but I hesitate between solo or two person tent. Taking into consideration that I will stay a lot of days in the tent, I would like to be able to move a little in the tent (I am 1.80 tall), perhaps to store my backpack, but I am hesitating for the extra weight (1/2 kg) /place that I will have to carry.

Do you think that it will worth taking the NX2, for the extra room that it will provide? I will not always be in camp and will carry this tent in cities, buses, etc. when I am not using it..

Personally, if I am camping a lot – I always opt for more room, however if I am going to be carrying that over a multi-day trek, I would sacrifice comfort for weight. It’s really a matter of personal preference and what kind of activities you will be doing 🙂

Really useful comments, thanks Confused on the name of the 3 man MSR Hubba Hubba. The link takes you to the MSR Mutha Hubba NX. Is it the same thing or am I missing something.

That’s correct buddy – the 3 man is the Mutha Hubba NX.

Really useful review! Can I ask what your thoughts on the MSR Elixsr – seems similar to the Hubba Hubba, but a little heavier and bigger to pack down, but quite a lot cheaper (£200 vs £360). Or would you say the Vango Banshee is better than the Elixsr? Seems like there’s more livable space and vestibule space with the Elixsr… Thanks, Sky

The MSR Elixsr is definitely superior to the Vango Banshee but obviously it’s twice the price… I genuinely think that the Vango Banshee is the best value backpacking tent around but if you have more money to spend, and want to splash out on a tent that will last a lifetime, MSR simply make the best tents in the world. Really though it depends on how many people, and how much stuff, you need to get into your tent… The Vango Banshee 300 is good for two people, not the advertised three people that Vango say you can comfortably fit inside.

Sorry dude, but the vango banshe is a piece of shit… barely no ventillation, not enough screens, useless in a tropical climate and fire retardent, pigs arse, half the fly burnt down on mine I informed vango and they told me bad luck, as I needed another fly, they told me to buy another tent….wankers !!! Also its a pain to put up the way the inner bag attaches to the fly, stupid design. Rant over.

I respectfully disagree dude… I traveled with a Vango for years and it was a trusty workhorse, it ain’t as light or as tough as some of the other tents out there but for what you pay – it’s a great backpacking tent! Probably shouldn’t have been cooking in your tent porch if you didn’t want it to burn 😛

Hi, can you name the tent on the first picture? The triangle-ish one (doesn’t look like the Vango..?!).

Thank you annette

That’s actually an ANCIENT North Face tent that my mates in Bhutan lent me.

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The Best Backpacking Tents for Every Budget and Adventure, Tested and Reviewed

We hit the trails to test for durability, ease of setup, and performance in variable weather conditions.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

You May Also Need

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum

Whether venturing into familiar forests, taking a backpacking trip abroad, or camping with family, a quality backpacking tent is an important gear purchase for outdoor adventurers. Tent designs range from minimalist, lightweight models to tougher all-season shelters and everything in between. Beyond that, there are tents for different budgets and occupancy, though we’ve focused primarily on two-person tents for this list.

To determine which backpacking tents rise above the competition, we tested 18 tents in various outdoor conditions. We evaluated ease of setup, ease of use, performance, portability, durability, design, disassembly, and overall value. Our picks below stood out for specific attributes, like weight, longevity, weatherproofing, and spaciousness.

Best Overall

Nemo dagger osmo 2p tent.

It delivers all-around performance, ease of use, and convenient portability for backpacking camping trips.

Assembly instructions didn’t come included, though setup is made simple with color-coded components.

Backcountry camping warrants a lightweight, durable, and easy-to-use tent. The Nemo Dagger Osmo Lightweight Backpacking Tent delivers on all these fronts, earning perfect scores in all our testing categories. Clocking in at just over 4 pounds, the Dagger is both light and compact, ensuring backpackers have ample space and leftover weight for other gear and provisions. We found the separate bags for the poles and stakes helped keep the tent pieces organized and readily accessible. When it’s time to set up camp, the Dagger’s lightweight poles are color-coded for quick, intuitive assembly.

The Dagger is made from polyester/nylon ripstop fabric that provides superior water protection when camping off the grid. The fabric is made from certified recycled material that’s PFC- and PFAS-free for a reduced environmental footprint. And if weather takes a turn for the worse, rest easy knowing the Osmo fabric reduces stretch by three times when wet to limit water pooling on the rainfly and provide wind resistance. We found the rainfly offered excellent waterproofing while still allowing a breeze through the tent’s mesh ventilation. Even after five months of use, this tent has withstood all weather and keeps campers warm and dry inside. The tent features two large doors, covered vestibules for storing gear, and internal pockets for stashing valuables, headlamps, and other essentials. When it’s time to depart, it disassembles in minutes and rolls up easily to travel onward. While the Dagger isn’t the most budget-friendly option, it’s designed to withstand years’ worth of backpacking adventures in tough weather conditions. It also comes with a lifetime warranty from Nemo.

The Details: 4.1 pounds packed | 19.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches​​ packed | 90 x 50 x 42 inches assembled | 2-person

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Most Durable

Hilleberg allak 2 tent.

This dome-shaped tent has durable construction for excellent weather protection and use on tough surfaces.

The price and all-season design are a bit overkill for casual campers and balmier climates.

Designed for harsh weather and difficult terrain, the Hilleberg Allak 2-person Tent provides reliable protection while camping in the wilderness . The outer tent fabric is Kerlon 1200, which is made from 30D high-tenacity ripstop nylon and treated with three layers of silicone for UV resistance and weatherproofing. This durable outer layer is complemented by highly breathable, permeable fabric used in the interior to allow moisture out without letting precipitation in, helping dry out clothes and gear after long days on the trail. Throughout five months of use, we've cleaned the tent after rainy nights, returning it to like-new condition.

The tent floor is constructed from 70D triple-coated polyurethane — a puncture and abrasion-resistant material — that allows the Allak to be set up on rocky and rugged terrain. We were impressed by the tent’s stability amid windy, inclement weather. The dome-style tent is assembled with three poles that are color-coded with corresponding sleeves, plus 12 stakes for a secure setup. The Allak comes with separate stuff sacks for the tent and poles, which we loved for allowing us to divide weight between packs.

The Details: 7.3 pounds packed | 20 x 7 inches packed | 81 x 47 x 71 inches | 2-person

Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum

Easiest Setup

Rei co-op half dome sl 2+.

This budget-friendly freestanding tent is incredibly straightforward to assemble and affords ample space for two campers plus gear.

The spacious dimensions and relatively higher weight make this tent less suitable for solo and long-distance treks.

Having a tent that’s quick and easy to pitch can make all the difference when setting up camp in bad weather or after an arduous trek. We were impressed by how simple it is to set up the REI Half Dome SL 2+, thanks to its freestanding, symmetrical design and hubbed pole system. REI includes setup instructions on the carry bag, though campers will quickly master how to assemble the Half Dome by connecting the color-coded poles, clips, and tabs. The rainfly, which is made from 30D nylon, easily attaches to the tent with buckle clips and uses eight stakes — four for the tent corners and four in line with the points of each vestibule. The Half Dome’s included footprint shortens setup time and prevents water from seeping in. Further weather protection is provided by the pitched vestibule doors and ripstop wall panels. We appreciated the excellent air flow and comfort provided by the ceiling vents while the rainfly was in place. It still looks brand new after multiple uses after a five-month period.

The Details: 4.7 pounds packed | 7 x 20.5 inches packed | 90 x 54 x 42 inches | 2-person

Travel + Leisure / Frances Crouter

Best Budget

Rei co-op trailmade 2 tent.

This tent affords durability, solid weatherproof performance, and adequate storage space at an entry-level price point.

It may be too small for two adults to share.

Whether buying your first tent or replacing a well-worn one, the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent offers strong performance and long-lasting construction at a value. The tent has a symmetrical, rectangular design with nearly 32 square feet, giving ample space for one camper and their pack or two campers without their packs. A set of internal pockets and gear loops help organize belongings and attach a lantern or headlamp. Meanwhile, two stake-out vestibules grant coverage for storing gear or airing out hiking boots and clothing. The Trailmade is equipped with a coated polyester rainfly that attaches over the mesh roof and includes a roll-up door for a view and better ventilation. We appreciated that the tent held up well against high winds and that the rainfly didn’t flap or loosen. Throughout our five months of tests, the material suffered no snags or rips and is easy to wash at home after trips if needed. We also liked that REI included detailed assembly instructions with illustrations for quick and easy setup.

The Details: 5.4 pounds packed | 8.5 x 22 inches packed | 88 x 52 x 39.9 inches | 2-person

• Travel + Leisure/Jessica Christopher

Best Lightweight

Mountain hardwear nimbus ul 2 tent.

The incredibly lightweight design is easy to set up and doesn’t come at the cost of performance or durability.

It only has one door, and the interior is not the most spacious compared to other two-person backpacking tents.

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 Tent is ideal for shedding pack weight on long-distance backpacking trips . Weighing just over 2 pounds, this two-person tent is even light as a solo backpacking tent option. It also boasts some of the most compact dimensions of all the tents we tested, whether stowed in the included stuff sack or rolled up to be divided between two campers. The Nimbus’ floor and sides are made from ripstop nylon, while the canopy uses mesh for improved ventilation and reduced weight. The undyed, translucent rainfly provides eco-friendly weather protection. The fly has a silicone coating and can be staked out for a flared-out silhouette that sheds precipitation. We liked how easy it was to set up the single-pole design and secure the stakes on rockier ground. After five months of use, the entire tent still looks new and none of the poles have shown any signs of bending.

The Details: 2.3 pounds packed | 6 x 12 inches packed | 86 x 42-52 x 41 inches | 2-person

Travel + Leisure / John Somerall

Best for Beginners

Msr freelite 2-person tent.

Its user-friendly design and durable materials make it a value worth investing in for newbie campers.

Though the floor width is enough to sleep two, the tapered design and lower height make for tighter quarters.

The MSR FreeLite 2-person Ultralight Backpacking Tent caters to beginner campers with its simple assembly, handy features, and quality construction at a mid-tier price. Only two poles are required for assembly, with the larger Y-shaped pole running the spine of the tent and a shorter ridge pole that connects between grommets above the doors for a taut and secure structure. The tent carry bag includes a four-step diagram with illustrations to walk campers through the setup process. The floor and rainfly are made from 15D ripstop nylon with sealed seams and a DuraShield coating to keep out moisture. We liked how much ventilation was afforded by the upper mesh walls of the FreeLite, even with the rainfly in place. The FreeLite also features two doors and two vestibules for easy in-and-out and adequate storage when camping as a duo. After five months of use, the tent is good as new and we found it easy to re-pack in its stuff sack with just one person.

The Details: 2.75 pounds packed | 18 x 6 inches packed | 84 x 50 x 38 x inches | 2-person

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Noll

Other Backpacking Tents We Liked

There were three more backpacking tents that we liked during the test, but they didn’t impress us enough in any particular category to earn a spot on our final list.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 : We liked the ultralight and durable construction, but the narrow dimensions for a two-person tent reduced its ease of use score.

Sea to Summit Ikos TR3- 3/3.5 person : We appreciated the versatility of a tent with multiple setup options and configurations, but the lack of clear instructions made it challenging to assemble.

Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent With Footprint: We liked how it performed in inclement weather and its durable design, but the limited guidance on assembly lowered its ease of setup score.

The T+L team tested 18 tents on overnight excursions in a variety of outdoor trips to determine the best backpacking tents. We reviewed the tent assembly instructions to see if separate tools were required for setup before embarking on a backpacking trip, where we first assessed portability on the way to the campsite. Then, we assembled the tent according to the manufacturer’s instructions, if provided, to evaluate the ease of setup.

Throughout the camping trip, we spent as much time in the tent as possible to consider the quality of materials, comfort, ventilation, and protection from precipitation and wind. In dry conditions, we poured water on the tent exterior to test how waterproof the tent is, noting if any moisture reached the interior. After an overnight stay, we disassembled the tent, taking stock of any wear and tear, level of difficulty, and time required to pack it away. We continued to test and analyze the tents over a five-month period.

Tips for Buying a Backpacking Tent

Think carefully about size.

Tents generally designate the intended occupancy within their name or product description. That being said, there’s no universal sizing, so one two-person tent can vary in length, width, or height from another two-person model. Ultralight models, for instance, may sacrifice spaciousness for lower carrying weights. 

Bill Gamber, Founder and President at Big Agnes, suggests assessing how your camping pads match up with the tent width. “A camping pad is 20-25 inches wide for a single person, so you should be able to get four pads in a four-person tent, for example,” says Gamber.

Pay attention to the weather resistance

Preparing for worst-case weather conditions is recommended when it comes to packing camping gear and apparel. Tents are typically designed as three- or four-season varieties, with the latter usually having sturdier pole systems and weatherproof panels to cover mesh areas to perform in snow and higher altitudes. Three-season tents are designed to endure precipitation and wind, but to varying degrees. Make note of a tent’s waterproof rating (listed in millimeters) before purchasing to ensure it’ll keep out moisture. A tent rainfly with a rating of 3,000 millimeters or higher is recommended to be prepared for downpours. It’s also important to note if the seams are sealed and how the rainfly fits on the tent. 

Understand package weight versus trail weight

A tent’s packed weight includes everything you get when you buy it, such as the rainfly, poles, tent body, stakes, guy lines, stuff sack, and repair kit. On the other hand, trail weight refers to the bare minimum components — tent body, rainfly, and poles — you’d need to set up the tent. Manufacturers may list both weights in the product descriptions. When assessing how the tent weight will factor into your backpacking pack, consider erring on the side of caution and go by the packaged weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Backpackers can store the tent in its stuff sack or separate the tent body and poles to share the weight with a fellow camper. If packing without the stuff stack, be sure to tightly roll the tent to save on space and protect fragile components, such as mesh, from snagging on other gear. The rainfly can be stowed in an external or outer pocket if wet. Packing the tent (and other heavier items) in the middle of the backpack, against your back, can help reduce strain and pressure on your shoulders and back.

Keeping backpacking tent weight below 2.5 pounds per person is recommended for comfort. “A very lightweight tent is something you really benefit from when you’re carrying it on the trail,” notes Gamber. If backpacking with multiple people, campers can divide tent components, including the poles, rainfly, and stakes between the group to help distribute the total weight.

A footprint isn’t necessary for a backpacking tent. However, using one can extend the lifespan of your tent by reducing wear and tear on the fabric and its waterproofing.

A good tent is essential for a successful backpacking trip, but there is some more gear you’ll want to bring along to get the most out of your adventure. 

Merrell Speed Eco Hiking Shoes : If you don’t like the feel of clunky hiking boots, these hiking shoes are a great alternative option. They’re light and breathable while offering great traction on all sorts of terrain. 

Moon Lence Camping Chairs Compact Backpacking Chair : The thought of lugging a camping chair with you for 10+ miles may not sound appealing, but this one weighs just two pounds. It won’t slow you down and you’ll be grateful for it at the end of a long hiking day. 

Rab 20F Mythic Ultra 360 Down Sleeping Bag : Yes, this unisex bag is pricey, but it’s designed to be portable and light, packing down to a small size and weighing in at less than 1.5 pounds — about half the weight of most high-end backpacking bags.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at T+L, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. His work has been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster, and he served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia for two years. Kevin used his backpacking and camping experience and testing insights conducted by us to curate this list of the best backpacking tents. He also referred to the expertise of Bill Gamber , Founder and President at Big Agnes.

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The 8 Best Backpacking Tents for Three-Season Adventures

We tested 12 tents in the wild this year. these were our favorites..

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Every year, tents get lighter, stronger, and more sustainable. 2024’s batch of three-season shelters was no exception, with ultralight trekking pole designs, purpose-built bikepacking bivvys, and cleverly guyed-out basecamps. The eight winners of this year’s exhaustive testing process proved themselves over and over in wind, rain, and even snow.

At a Glance

• Editors’ Choice: Durston X-Mid Pro 1 ($549-639)
• Best Bikepacking Tent: MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2-Person ($580)
• Best Budget Tent: Mountain Hardwear Meridian 2 ($275)
• Best Basecamp: Seek Outside Twilight 3P ($480)
• Best Strength-to-Weight: SlingFin Portal 3 ($600)
• Best Ultralight 2-Person: Zpacks Offset Duo ($799)
• Most Spacious 1-Person: Argali Owyhee 1p ($345)
• Most Improved: Exped Mira II ($449)
• How to Choose a Tent

How We Test

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.   Learn more .

Note: All tent weights are “packaged” weights, not minimum weights.

Editor’s Choice

Durston x-mid pro 1.

$549-639 at Durston Gear

Weight : 17.8 oz (DCF floor); 1.2 lbs (sil-nylon floor) Interior Space : 20 square feet Peak Height : 45 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Incredibly lightweight ⊕ Tall peaks ⊕ Weatherproof ⊕ Small footprint ⊗ Setup has a learning curve

With the Durston X-Mid Pro 1, Durston Gear has perfected its signature asymmetrical tarp-tent design to create the most comfortable, storm-worthy one-pound shelter we’ve ever tested. The secret sauce behind founder Dan Durston’s ultralight success, both in his one- and two-person tents, is a deceptively simple offset design: Where many other trekking-pole tents are set up with poles at the midpoint of the tent, the X-Mid’s poles sit with one towards the feet and the other towards the head. That means 45 inches of peak height at both ends, which lends an airy, vaulted feeling and enough room to change. Offset poles also mean that there’s no obstruction in front of the mesh doors, which can be operated easily with one hand thanks to two easy-sliding zippers.

“It felt positively palatial for a one-person tent,” said one tester after backpacking on the Art Loeb Trail in the Pisgah National Forest. “And yet, it weighed less than my sleeping pad, and was small enough to get lost in my pack.”

Interior space is optimized, too, with a parallelogram (instead of rectangular) floorplan that sits diagonally under the Dyneema fly. With 90 inches of floor length, it’s possible to store all of your clothes, electronics, and ditty bags inside while an astonishing 22 square feet of vestibule space is more than enough for even the most gear-heavy ultralighters.

The X-Mid Pro 1’s double-pole pitch, steep walls, tall bathtub floor, and ten stake-out points (plus four guylines) give it the edge over competing tarp-style tents, allowing for increased sturdiness in windy and wet conditions. One tester put it through a late-season windstorm in Vermont’s Green Mountains, with 40-mile-per-hour gusts that flattened a freestanding tent in the same campground. There are lighter Dyneema tents on the market, but few that can handle those windspeeds.

Two generous top vents and an all-mesh interior to minimize the dreaded single-walled condensation factor. Durability is solid for an ultralight Dyneema tent, but careful campsite selection is a must. Thankfully, the one-person footprint is svelte enough to squeeze into the tightest third-choice nooks.

Best Bikepacking Tent

Msr hubba hubba bikepack 2-person.

$580 at REI $580 at Backcountry

Weight : 3.75 lbs Interior Space : 29 square feet Peak Height : 42 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Portability ⊕ Weather protection ⊗ Livability ⊗ Ventilation

It’s a testament to the growing popularity of bikepacking that the folks at MSR decided to release a brand-new version of their long-running Hubba Hubba tent to cater specifically to those exploring the wilderness on two wheels. Our testers were unanimously glad they did, touting its portability and weather protection.

Weighing a tick over three pounds, the Hubba Hubba Bikepack is just 3 ounces heavier than the original, with shorter poles and increased vestibule space (17.5 square feet total) to stash bike shoes and helmets. Inside, a gear loft holds electronics while a clothesline dries out wearables. An average peak height of 42 inches allows most folks to sit up and change clothes, and its 29 square feet of interior space is small but acceptable given the Bikepack 2’s weight and portability (though two broad shouldered bikepackers should be prepared to get cozy).

Despite its low weight and small size, this tent doesn’t skimp on protection and durability, utilizing lightweight aluminum poles and 20-denier ripstop nylon for fly and body (with 10-denier poly for the canopy.) Its lack of mesh improves weather and wind protection, but makes for poor ventilation. “I felt stuffy at lower elevations when the temperature was about 50 degrees,” reported one tester from Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Best of all for our bikepacking testers, the whole thing packs down into a waterproof stuff sack, which is roughly the size of a small paper towel roll—just right for most handlebar shapes.

Best Budget Tent

Mountain hardwear meridian 2.

$275 at Amazon $275 at Mountain Hardwear

Weight : 5.6 lbs Interior Space : 31.8 square feet Peak Height : 43 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Price ⊕ Easy setup ⊗ Weight ⊗ Lack of features ⊗ Durability

The Meridian 2 occupies a special bottom-shelf status in the backpacking tent world: It’s cheap, reliable in moderate rain and wind, and made by a bonafide outdoors brand with longevity and quality in mind. You can go lower at a sporting goods store, but it won’t do you any favors when an afternoon thunderstorm rolls through. “This is a no-frills tent that you can rely on when the weather turns sour,” reported one tester after a trip in Moab, Utah.

Mountain Hardwear’s entry-level shelter is both the most affordable and spacious two-person tent we tested this year, with a near 32-square-foot interior, an ample 43-inch peak height, and 18.3 square feet of vestibule space. Five interior pockets allow the interior to stay free of clutter.

At nearly five and a half pounds, the double-walled Meridian is also the heaviest tent in our testing class. The increase in weight comes from heavy materials, including a 68-denier polyester floor and fly with a perfectly serviceable 1500mm waterproof coating that kept us dry during light afternoon rainstorms, but showed signs of seepage in more sustained, heavier rains. A bathtub floor and side panel provide coverage halfway up the tent at the entrances, and the included groundsheet bolsters that weatherproofing prowess. But thanks to a full mesh upper canopy and easily-secured rollback fly, stargazing is still an option.

Best Basecamp

Seek outside twilight 3p.

$480 at Seek Outside

Weight : 4.2 lbs Interior Space : 105 square feet Peak Height : 72 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Massive floor plan ⊕ Versatile ⊕ Stove-compatible ⊗ Finicky guyline setup ⊗ Extra cost for stove/poles/mesh insert

By far the largest tent in our testing group, the Twilight offers an excellent space-to-weight ratio with a gigantic 105 square-foot floor plan that can be used in a variety of ways. Our testers loved it as a floorless basecamp, with ceilings tall enough to allow for standing, plenty of room for three sleepers and gear, and a stove jack that allows it to convert to a hot tent using a lightweight titanium stove (sold separately, starting at $309). “It was cold and raining when we woke up in the morning, so we set up our chairs inside, threw some wood in the stove, and cooked breakfast by the fire,” reported one tester from Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado.

The non-freestanding Twilight can be set up using two carbon fiber poles (sold separately, $150), or three trekking poles with a hitch to connect two of them together. Like all mid-style tents, it needs to be guyed out extensively to provide proper weather protection. Setup is made a bit more complicated than a typical pyramid owing to the two-pole design, but most testers were able to pitch it in fifteen minutes or less. With nine guy-out and eight stake points, the Twilight stood tall in 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts and kept the interior dry during storms. That waterproofing is thanks to the silicone-coated 30-denier Nylon 6.6 ripstop body which has a 3000mm waterproof coating. A peak vent helped keep condensation at bay, although airflow was never an issue when running the shelter floorless. In bug season, a half-mesh insert can be installed (sold separately, $200), with the other half serving as a giant vestibule.

Testers were split on Seek Outside’s proprietary zipperless technology, which forgoes a traditional zippered door on the vestibule and instead allows entry by sliding the bottom edge of the tent along a fixed guy line. In the pro camp: No stuck zippers from ice or dust and dead-quiet nightly pee breaks. Cons? Some testers felt the zipperless technology was difficult to operate from the inside, and that its setup required patience.

Best Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Slingfin portal 3.

$600 at SlingFin

Weight : 4.2 lbs Interior Space : 41.5 square feet Peak Height : 44 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Bombproof ⊕ Durable materials ⊗ Livability

SlingFin’s new double-walled Portal 3 is the bigger brother to the brand’s bomber Portal 2, adding about fifty percent more space while maintaining a reasonable 4-pound weight.

There’s nothing flashy about this tent on the surface: The Portal 3’s setup is quick and straightforward, using two poles connected with a swivel as well as one cross-pole to create a standard freestanding pitch. But, like the two-person variant, the Portal shines in the details of its construction materials and weather protection, including thick, lightweight aluminum poles, a 20-denier PE-coated bathtub floor, and 10-denier Nylon 66 Ripstop silicone-coated fly that wards off inclement weather. Ten external guy-out points (with included lines) and the two internal pre-installed guylines allow for increased stabilization in high winds. “By the time we staked out all ten guy lines, it was clear that this tent would survive just about anything,” one tester reported from Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. “We had gusts of 25 miles-per-hour and the tent didn’t move.”

Sleeping in the 41-square-foot interior was more or less shoulder-to-shoulder for three people, but the generous 44-inch peak height, 20 square feet of vestibule space, and eight pockets—including one that runs the entire width of the tent—lend a feeling of spaciousness. An all-mesh body allows for stargazing on clear evenings, while kickstand vents on the fly aid with ventilation during inclement weather.

Best Ultralight 2-Person Tent

Zpacks offset duo.

$799 at Zpacks

Weight : 1.2 lbs (does not include stakes or stuff sack) Interior Space : 31.4 square feet Peak Height : 48 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Livability ⊕ Weight ⊗ Price ⊗ Condensation

The Zpacks Offset Duo came as a bit of a shock to ultralighters who thought the brand’s popular Duplex was the peak of ultralight two-person design. Weighing just over 1.25 pounds while offering more than 31 square feet of interior space, 100 inches of length, and a peak height of 48 inches, our testers raved about its space-to-weight ratio, which bests the Duplex in almost every regard.

One tester who took the Offset Duo to the Lost Lake Trail in Chugach National Forest, Alaska, was able to comfortably fit two people and a medium-sized dog without issue (watch those claws, though). The non-freestanding Dyneema shelter owes its voluminous shape to a pitch that utilizes one small 32-inch carbon fiber support pole at the foot of the tent in addition to the usual double-trekking pole setup found on most tarp-style tents. All three must be securely guyed out to ensure a solid pitch, so patience and experience is required to prevent collapse in high winds. The foot pole also introduces a potential weak point in windstorms, although testers never encountered any issues.

It’s single-walled with a built-in tent body, so condensation was a factor, though air circulation is aided by two vents and a mesh interior. In dry conditions, magnetic toggles make rolling the doors up a cinch. Vestibules are small (two-by-six-and-a-quarter square feet) but adequate for ultralighters with limited gear.

Most Spacious 1-Person Tent

Argali owyhee 1p.

$345 at Argali

Weight : 2.1 lbs Interior Space : 27.91 square feet Peak Height : 50 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Livability ⊕ Storage space ⊗ Add-ons increase price

Because many one-person tents lack large vestibules or adequate interior space, some solo backpackers end up carrying a two-person tent, taking on extra weight and bulk in the process. The new Argali Owyhee strikes a much-needed balance, offering the low weight, quick setup, and packability of a one-person tent paired with the increased storage of a two-person tent.

“One-person tents usually don’t have enough storage for me,” one tester said after a climbing outing in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest. “But I could fit all my gear in the Owyhee with room to spare.” Sporting a generous interior floor plan of nearly 28 square feet plus more than 11 square feet in its front-door vestibule, it weighs a hair over two pounds and can be pitched with a single trekking pole or carbon fiber pole (sold separately), packing down to the size of a liter Nalgene.

An all-mesh body and top vent keep air moving, and a peak height of 50 inches will allow most to sit up and change. Utilizing 20–denier Nano-Ripstop SilPoly fabric—an increasingly popular cottage industry fabric choice that doesn’t sag like silnylon—with 2000mm double silicone coated waterproofing, aluminum stakes, and six stake-out points (with 5 additional guy-outs), the Owyhee kept us dry during moderate rain and stood up tall to 15 mile-per-hour winds in the Uncompahgre.

Ding: The mesh insert is sold separately ($130); otherwise, it runs floorless without interior pockets. Double-ding: Seam sealing will cost you another $45.

Most Improved

Exped mira ii hl.

$449 at Exped

Weight : 3 lbs Interior Space : 30 square feet Peak Height : 42 inches

Pros and Cons ⊕ Easy setup ⊕ Solid weather protection ⊗ Durability

The latest version of Exped’s double-walled Mira II HL boasts a lower weight and speedier setup, two improvements that made our testers love this weekend warrior even more than the previous iteration.

First, the new tent drops roughly three ounces from the previous version thanks to material changes, using slightly thinner 15-denier ripstop nylon on the body and 10-denier on the fly; a footprint is recommended for rocky sites. The Mira II HL’s packability is a huge improvement: “For a freestanding tent, this one is fairly light and really compact—it packs down as small as many trekking pole tents I’ve used,” said one tester after an outing on the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.

Another big change? The tent now uses DAC’s lightest type of 8.7mm pole, hubbed together for a much easier and more intuitive setup. Weather protection still punches above its weight thanks to a beefy pole arch design running the length of the tent and a half dozen guy out points.

Inside, livability is the same as the previous version, with 30 square feet of interior space, a 42-inch peak height, and more than 18 square feet of vestibule space. One downside: The tent is technically freestanding, but the foot needs to be staked out to take on its full shape.

How to Choose a Three-Season Tent

Capacity, size, and vestibules.

The first thing to consider when buying a tent is its size. You’ll want to know the number of people it’s designed to hold, but also look closely at the square-footage to ensure it will work for your specific needs. Check the length of the tent if you are more than 6 feet tall—a couple inches of head and leg room are critical for a good night’s sleep, and not all tents are created equal. Pay attention to the amount of vestibule space a tent offers, especially if you plan to backpack in colder, more gear-heavy months.

Weight vs. Durability and Weatherproofing

While the best tents offer a lightweight balance of livability, weather protection, and durability evenly, those qualities often come at a weight penalty. Consider how far you’ll be hiking and how much weight you can comfortably carry over that distance. Some folks are happy to carry a five-pound tent that has a large floorplan and ample headroom, while others will prefer to minimize weight at the cost of comfort. Once you get a sense of your maximum weight, think about the weatherproofing you’ll need in the environments you plan to visit. Campers in Florida have different needs than campers in Colorado. An all-mesh tent body will improve ventilation in hot climates, but let heat escape in cold climates. If heavy rain or bad weather is the norm for you, invest in heavier-weight, more waterproof tent fabric and thicker, stronger poles. Burlier floor materials also add weight to the tent, but offer more durability on abrasive ground.

Freestanding vs. Semi- vs. Non Freestanding

Another thing to consider is the type of pitch a tent uses. Freestanding tents are supported by a set of structural poles and can be pitched anywhere, without the use of guy lines or added tension. They are the easiest to pitch, but offer minimal customization in foul weather. Semi and non-freestanding tents all use poles of some sort (structural aluminum poles or trekking poles), but need to be staked out using guy lines. This requires more patience and know-how when pitching, however it also allows the tent to be pitched in a variety of ways, making it easier to fit into tight spaces. Non-freestanding and semi-freestanding tents also typically weigh less than freestanding tents because they don’t come with as many—or any—poles.

Finally, a Pro Tip

Know the return policies. The only way to truly know a tent is to spend a couple of nights in it. Some stores and brands allow you to return used products without a penalty.

• Number of Testers: 11
• Number of Products Tested: 12
• Number of Miles Hiked While Testing: 382
• Number of Nights Slept Outside: 88

Our testing group spanned the country, in wilderness areas from Maine to Hawaii. Testers come from a variety of backgrounds, genders, and professions, from public school teachers to park rangers. All of them are backpackers, ranging from veteran trekkers to weekend warriors. Over the course of two months, these testers evaluated tents on a multitude of criteria, including livability, ventilation, design, weather protection, setup, and price, among other intangibles. Those that didn’t stand up to the elements, were uncomfortable to live inside for weeks on end, or simply weren’t worth the price tag, didn’t make it onto this list

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will McGough has been writing about the outdoors and testing tents for Backpacker and Outside since 2015. Specs aside, he believes the most important quality of a tent is how it makes you feel—a good tent should make you feel at home, regardless of climate and conditions.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.

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Best Backpacking Tents of 2024

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Your backpacking tent will be one of the most important gear purchases you make. Finding one that has the best balance of interior comfort, weight, durability, and weather protection will make it much easier to stay happy and having a good time on trail.

Our team of gear experts has spent over a decade testing more than 50 backpacking tents from brands like Big Agnes, Zpacks, NEMO, MSR, REI, and more. We’ve hiked upward of 20,000 miles on trails all over the world, including treks through the alpine peaks of Patagonia, summer monsoons in the Rockies, and sweltering days in the desert, with more than 1000 nights in the wilderness.

And for more info, check out some of our other most popular gear guides:

• Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
• Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags
• Best Backpacking Backpacks
• Best Hiking Shoes for Men / Best Hiking Shoes for Women
• Best Ultralight Tents

Quick Picks for Backpacking Tents

Check out this quick list of the best backpacking tents, or continue scrolling to see our full list of favorites with in-depth reviews.

Best Backpacking Tent Overall: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ($530)

Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Zpacks Duplex ($669)

Best Semi-Freestanding Backpacking Tent: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye ($450)

Best Budget Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping: REI Half Dome SL 2+ ($349)

Best Lightweight & Sturdy Tent for Harsh Conditions: SlingFin Portal ($560)

Great Option for UL Hikers Wanting More Space: NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 ($550)

Spacious Tent with Innovative Features: Sea to Summit Telos TR2 ($599)

Best Crossover Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping: NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 ($530)

Good Balance of Weight & Livability for Solo Hikers : MSR FreeLite 2 ($450)

Most Affordable Backpacking & Car Camping Tent: REI Trailmade 2 ($199)

Affordable & Spacious Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo ($395)

Great Balance of Weather Protection & Weight: MSR Hubba Hubba 2 ($550)

Best Affordable Ultralight Backpacking Tent for One Person: Durston X-Mid 2 ($280)

We’ve updated all of our reviews with more long-term testing results after several hundred more miles of experience with each tent over the past year.

• The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 remains the best overall pick for over five years running.
• We still highly recommend the classic Zpacks Duplex , but we also had a chance to test out and review its sibling, the Zpacks Duplex Zip .
• The REI Half Dome SL2+ remains one of the best deals for a backpacking/car camping hybrid tent.
• The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye continues to be our favorite semi-freestanding backpacking tent.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Best Backpacking Tent Overall

Score: 80.3/100

Price: $530

Listed Weight: 3 lb. 2 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 88 x 52/42 x 40 in.

Type: Freestanding

• Ultralight for a freestanding tent
• Quick and easy to set up
• Ample headroom
• Very useful pocket layout
• Large doors/vestibules
• Quality construction/materials
• Rainfly zippers can snag

The Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of our all-time favorite backpacking tents – the CleverHiker team has spent hundreds of backcountry nights in this shelter. Its ultralight freestanding design enables hikers to pitch it almost anywhere, and it doesn’t sacrifice convenience, weather protection, or livability.

The Copper Spur is a popular choice among thru-hikers of the AT , PCT , and CDT , all of which are notoriously tough on gear. Despite the ultralight materials used in the construction of this tent, it can last for thousands of miles if you take the time to clear pokey debris from your campsites. We’ve taken several iterations of the Copper Spur 2 over a thousand miles each on trail, and they’re still going strong.

The bent-pole structure and ridge pole of the Copper Spur create nearly vertical sidewalls – maximizing interior volume and providing ample headroom. The UL2 has enough space inside for two regular-width sleeping pads and some gear. You can even squeeze a tapered wide pad plus a regular pad inside but you’ll likely need to store gear outside in that case. 

If you and your hiking partner both use wide pads (or you just prefer extra space), you’ll want to bump up to the Copper Spur HV UL3 . Pretty unique in the backpacking tent category, the Copper Spur 2 and 3 are also offered in Long versions. The Copper Spur Long gives you a whopping 96 inches of floor length, so it’s a lot more comfortable for hikers over six feet tall who prefer to store all their gear inside. Whichever size you go with , you’ll have a backpacking tent that provides an exceptional balance of camp comfort and low packed weight.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Full Review

Zpacks Duplex

Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent

Score: 80/100

Price: $699

Listed Weight: 1 lb. 1.9 oz. (no stakes or poles)

Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 45 x 48 in.

Type: Non-freestanding

• Very durable for the weight
• DCF material won’t sag when wet
• Trekking poles can double as tent poles
• Needs condensation management
• Non-freestanding design has a learning curve

The Zpacks Duplex is our go-to ultralight backpacking tent for thru-hiking and long-distance adventures. This tent provides an excellent amount of interior space and weather protection at a low weight.

The Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) is a big part of what makes the Duplex such a great choice for thru-hikes. It’s waterproof, tough, incredibly light, and doesn’t sag when wet; the downside is that it’s very expensive. That said, the Duplex is a very worthwhile investment if you love to backpack light since it can last for several seasons if you treat it with care. 

The other key to the ridiculously low weight of the Duplex is its non-freestanding, single-wall design. This eliminates the need for dedicated tent poles (you use your trekking poles to create the structure) and a rainfly. It may take a few pitches to get it perfect if you’ve never used a backpacking tent like this before, but you’ll quickly get the hang of it with a little practice. Condensation can also be a bigger issue in single-wall tents because there isn’t a mesh layer to keep the interior separate from the flysheet, so ventilation and campsite selection become a lot more important.

The high ceiling of the Duplex allows you and your hiking partner to sit up comfortably at the same time, and the two-door design will keep you from crawling over each other to get in and out. If you’re looking for the best ultralight backpacking tent on the market, this is your guy.

The Duplex is spacious enough for two hikers, and it’s an absolute palace for one. But pairs of hikers who really like to spread out should look at the Triplex for even more square footage with a negligible amount of added weight. CleverHiker Founder, Dave Collins, has used both extensively, and the Plex tents are his absolute favorites for big mileage trips and hikes with a ton of elevation gain. For ultralight solo trips he packs the Duplex, but when he needs more space to share with a tentmate – like on his JMT thru-hike – he brings the Triplex. On the flip side, solo hikers who prioritize saving weight above anything can’t go wrong with the Plex Solo .

Zpacks Duplex Full Review

Zpacks Duplex Zip Full Review

Zpacks Triplex Full Review

Zpacks Plex Solo Full Review

Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 UL2 Solution Dye

Best Semi-Freestanding Tent

Score: 79/100

Price: $450

Listed Weight: 2 lb. 8 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 86 x 52/42 x 39 in.

Type: Semi-freestanding

• Roomy for one
• Two doors/vestibules (a perk for solo hikers)
• A bit tight for two
• Not as durable as some (floor material is thin)
• No rainfly vents

Solo backpackers who want some space to sprawl and ounce-counting pairs of hikers will love the ultralight design of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 . With enough structure to perform well in inclement weather but a weight that’s barely over a pound per person when split between two hikers, the semi-freestanding Tiger Wall is a more convenient alternative to non-freestanding ultralight tents.

The Tiger Wall 2 and Tiger Wall 3 are top picks for CleverHiker Managing Editor, Ben Applebaum-Bauch. He’s used the 2-person version on over 1,000 miles of trail – including the Oregon Coast Trail and Superior Hiking Trail – and the 3-person version for his 3,000-mile CDT thru-hike with his partner. Both sizes of the Tiger Wall held up beautifully on trail, and only have minor signs of wear and tear to show for all the hard miles put on them – very impressive for such lightweight shelters.

Semi-freestanding tents can often feel a bit cramped, but – while the quarters in the Tiger Wall 2 are still a bit tight for two – this tent has a wider ridge pole than most others in this category. The ridge pole creates more livable space where we want it most – at the head when sitting up. Additionally, you can save valuable floor space by storing gear in the large mezzanine pocket at the foot of the tent. 

Another comfort feature of the Tiger Wall is the easy-to-use door toggles that give you the ability to roll back both sides of the vestibule to take in grand views or max out ventilation on clear nights. Since the Tiger Wall doesn’t have vents on the rainfly like many other tents, we prefer to sleep with one or both doors rolled back whenever possible for airflow.

Out of the three semi-freestanding tents on our list, this is the one we’d recommend most for pairs of hikers looking to balance weight and space most efficiently. Overall, hikers who prioritize saving weight and don’t mind sharing a tighter space will love the minimal yet functional design of the Tiger Wall 2. If you prefer more room to spread out, the excellent Tiger Wall 3 has extra floor space and a few more inches of peak height but is still lighter than many 2P tents.

Full Review: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2

REI Half Dome SL 2+

Best Budget Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping

Price: $349

Listed Weight: 4 lb. 11.5 oz. (including footprint)

Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 56 x 42 in.

• Less expensive
• Very roomy interior
• More durable than many others
• Freestanding design is quick/easy to set up
• Footprint included
• Heavier than some
• Bulkier than some

REI’s Half Dome SL 2+ has an unrivaled blend of affordability, durability, and interior space. Its symmetrical freestanding design and very roomy dimensions make it comfortable and user-friendly for hikers of all experience levels. This is our favorite budget-friendly crossover tent for those who want a single shelter that works for camping in the frontcountry and the backcountry.

The spacious interior comfortably fits two hikers plus their gear – you could pack along two wide/long sleeping pads and still have room to spare. The generous amount of headroom also allows two campers to sit up comfortably which is a real perk on rainy days spent inside. While this isn’t the most glamorous camping tent nor the lightest backpacking tent, the Half Dome suits both needs well and costs far less money and storage space than buying a separate tent for each activity.

Though the weight of the Half Dome is more than we prefer for multi-day backpacking adventures, it’s not too bad when split between two hikers. In addition, you can save about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint at home. Footprints aren’t strictly necessary and we often choose to hike without one. Just taking time to clear your campsite of debris before setting up will go a long way toward preserving your tent floor (but we wrote a whole post that’ll help you decide whether or not you should use a footprint ). Plus the Half Dome already has a pretty robust floor as it is (40-denier nylon).

The NEMO Dagger 2 below is in this same crossover category, and – if money was no object – we’d recommend the Dagger over the Half Dome for its lower weight and larger amount of headroom. But budget is a top consideration for many of us when buying big-ticket outdoor gear, and the much friendlier price point of the Half Dome SL 2+ gets you a very comparable tent that won’t disappoint.

Full Review: Half Dome SL 2+

SlingFin Portal

Best Lightweight & Sturdy Tent for Harsh Conditions

Score: 78.5/100

Price: $560

Listed Weight: 3 lb. 5 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 85 x 51/42 x 44 in.

• Excellent weather protection
• Lightweight
• Roomy interior
• Useful pockets

With an extra stable frame, generous headroom, and top-quality construction and materials, the SlingFin Portal is an excellent lightweight shelter for hunkering down when nasty weather hits. 

The Portal can be set up with internal guylines that run along the interior walls at the head and foot to give the structure significantly more strength in wind than external guylines alone. In the most basic terms, the internal guylines take the stress imposed on the structure by wind and transfer it to the stakes where your tent is anchored to the ground. This keeps the tent from bending and contorting in the wind like most other lightweight backpacking tents would. Comfort is increased as a result, but it also bumps safety up several notches since your poles will have a far lower chance of snapping in strong gusts.

Thicker poles, internal guylines, and the ability to attach trekking poles for added structural integrity make the Portal super solid in wind, rain, and even light snow. These features are unique for a lightweight backpacking tent and are generally more common in high-end 4-season mountaineering shelters . Many hikers would probably be better off buying the versatile Portal rather than a dedicated winter tent that’s heavier and less practical for summer and shoulder season hiking.

One of our favorite features of the Portal is its generous headroom, which makes it feel much more livable than the average lightweight 2-person backpacking tent. While we wish there was a smidge more floor space from head to foot on this tent, the solid amount of breathing room up top keeps the Portal from feeling cramped.

Other details like great pockets and included replacement zipper sliders come together with the stormworthy design to make the Portal one of the best backpacking tents we’ve ever tested for staying comfortable and safe in harsh weather.

SlingFin Portal Full Review

NEMO Hornet OSMO 3

Great Option for UL Hikers Wanting More Space

Score: 78/100

Price: $550

Dimensions (LxWxH): 88 x 68/62 x 44 in.

• Ultralight for the size
• Well-priced for the specs
• Roomy for two
• Convenient pockets
• High-quality materials/construction
• Good ventilation
• Innovative stuff sack makes it easy to split the load
• Only one side of the rainfly can be tied back

Ultralight doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. With the NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 , a pair of hikers can have the conveniences of a traditional 2-person tent – two doors/vestibules, a roomy interior, and useful pockets – without the additional weight. As an added bonus, this spacious shelter costs around the same amount of money as many of the leading 2-person backpacking tents.

You might want extra space for a variety of reasons – maybe you want to fit two wide sleeping pads with room to spare, or you travel with a large dog or an adventurous kid, or you just want a little more breathing room when sharing your tent with a partner. Whatever the case may be, the generous floor dimensions and peak height of the Hornet 3 will accommodate.

NEMO’s proprietary OSMO fabric repels water better than standard nylon or polyester flysheets, and – best of all – it stretches far less when wet. This means your pitch stays taut in the rain, and you won’t have to worry about saggy rainfly material creating wet spots on the tent body, your sleeping bag footbox, or your head.

We’ve always been big fans of NEMO’s attention to detail, high-quality construction, and innovative designs, and the Hornet OSMO 3 doesn’t disappoint. For those who prioritize saving weight over having extra space, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 is also a great choice and is a bit more affordable than similarly designed tents.

NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 Full Review

Sea to Summit Telos TR2

Exceptionally Spacious Backpacking Tent with Innovative Features

Price: $599

Listed Weight: 3 lb. 10 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 84.5 x 53 x 43 in.

• Excellent headroom
• Quick/easy to set up
• Very light for the amount of space
• More comfortable living space than others
• Excellent ventilation
• A bit heavier than some in this price range

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 is an innovative tent with a lot of unique features to love. The biggest standout is its pole structure which provides far more headroom than any 2-person backpacking tent in its weight class.

The inverted ridge pole of the Telos points upward instead of sloping downward like most others. This creates tall door openings and practically vertical sidewalls that translate to a massive amount of headroom throughout the length of the tent. We find that having ample headroom inside a tent considerably increases comfort, and the Telos is certainly best-in-class for this spec.

CleverHiker Senior Gear Analyst, Casey Handley, took the Telos on a rainy test hike over the 40-mile Timberline Trail with her partner. This spacious tent provided a cozy retreat for the pair to wait out inclement weather when the rain really started coming down. There was plenty of room to keep gear dry inside as well as enjoy a game of cards until the weather quieted down.

The Telos also has exceptional ventilation – it features a huge apex vent that can be opened or closed plus low venting on the vestibules that can be deployed when necessary. We find that the vents create truly excellent circulation and provide comfortable and practically condensation-free nights. Other creature comforts, like the light-dispersing Lightbar and shady Hangout Mode, add to its livability and make the Telos feel like a little slice of luxury in the backcountry. 

Though it’s pretty spendy, the comfort the Telos provides is worth the cost if you’re looking for a versatile 2-person backpacking tent with all of the details dialed in. There’s really nothing else on the market like this tent, and we recommend it to hikers whose main priority is comfort on trail.

Full Review: Sea to Summit Telos TR2

NEMO Dagger OSMO 2

Best Crossover Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping

Score: 76/100

Listed Weight: 4 lb. 2 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 50 x 42 in.

• Very spacious
• Light for how much space it offers
• Great pockets
• On the heavy side

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 offers a ton of interior space at a reasonable weight, so it’s perfect for those wanting a tent that’s comfortable for both backpacking and car camping.

When split between two hikers, each will carry just over two pounds. While that’s not as impressive as some others at first glance, it’s actually very respectable when you consider the whole picture. The Dagger offers significantly more interior space than much of the lighter weight competition thanks to its long, rectangular floor and nearly vertical side walls. 

Since the Dagger has enough floor space for two wide/long pads and plenty of interior volume to comfortably hang out inside, it works quite nicely for car camping as well. Crossover tents like this one will save the user storage space at home and a ton of money over buying a dedicated tent for each activity.

The Dagger has many convenient features built in, like two huge, trapezoidal vestibules for gear storage, light-dispersing headlamp pockets, and an included tub accessory for the vestibule that keeps your gear clean and dry. The innovative OSMO fabric also doesn’t sag when wet (unlike Silnylon), and it remains waterproof for longer than the coated fabrics used for many other tents.

Though the Dagger is among the more expensive tents on our list, its ability to pull double-duty as a luxurious backpacking tent or a comfortable car-camping tent makes it a versatile option that’s worth the high price tag. Those looking for lightweight livability in a convenient design will find that the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 is among the best of the best.

Full Review: NEMO Dagger OSMO 2

MSR FreeLite 2

Good Balance of Weight & Livability for Solo Hikers

Score: 74/100

Listed Weight: 2 lb. 5 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 84 x 50 x 39 in.

• Rainfly gutter prevents drippy entry
• Tight for two

The MSR FreeLite 2 is a great option for those looking to go lighter without sacrificing the convenience of a double-wall tent. It has two large doors/vestibules, a smart rainfly design that prevents drippy entry in the rain, and a lower weight than many similarly designed tents.

We view the FreeLite as more comfortable for solo hikers since the interior headroom can feel a little cramped when spending any extended amount of time inside. But for pairs that value saving weight over having more interior space, the FreeLite has the dimensions to accommodate two people.

The rainbow shape of the FreeLite is effective at shedding precipitation, and the unique rainfly gutters direct water away from the zippered entry to prevent it from pooling up and pouring onto the floor while moving in or out of the tent in wet weather. 

Solo backpackers wanting the best mix of weight, livability, and weather protection will love the FreeLite, and pairs who would opt to save weight and don’t mind tight quarters will find that this tent delivers excellent performance.

Full Review: MSR FreeLite 2

REI Trailmade 2

Most Affordable Crossover Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping

Score: 73.5/100

Price: $199

Listed Weight: 5 lb. 7 oz. (including footprint)

Dimensions (LxWxH): 88 x 52 x 40 in.

• Durable (strong zippers & thick material)
• Lack of ridge pole limits headroom a bit

The affordable REI Trailmade 2 is a great tent for backpackers on a tight budget or those wanting to save money on a crossover tent that works for both car camping and backpacking. 

Though none of the Trailmade’s specs (other than price) are really standouts, the tried-and-true dome design holds up well in bad weather. The quality materials and construction of the Trailmade (strong zippers and thicker material) ensure this tent will remain reliable through many seasons of use. And the symmetrical free-standing design is quick and easy to pitch, so this is a great starter tent for beginners.

What holds the Trailmade back from ranking higher on our list is the lack of a ridge pole across the top. Most backpacking tents nowadays include this pole to pull out the sides of the tent and increase headroom – significantly increasing livability without much added weight. Since the Trailmade omits this pole, it feels a bit narrow inside across the spine – especially when the space is split between two hikers.

While we consider the Trailmade a bit heavy for backpacking, the weight and bulk aren’t too bad when split between two hikers. You can also save about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint at home.

The budget-friendly Trailmade is an excellent investment for beginners and those wanting to get into the backcountry without spending a fortune. We would recommend trying to stretch your budget a bit for one of the more comfortable options on this list if you plan to backpack often, but you won’t be disappointed by the Trailmade if you really just need to keep costs down.

Full Review: REI Trailmade 2

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo

Affordable & Spacious Ultralight Backpacking Tent

Price: $395

Listed Weight: 2 lb. 13 oz. (no stakes or poles)

Dimensions (LxWxH): 90 x 54 x 45 in.

• Small packed size
• Seam sealing costs extra

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is one of the best value backpacking tents on our list due to its excellent blend of space, weight, and durability. CleverHiker Gear Tester, Heather Eldridge, has put the Lunar Duo through the wringer on multiple thru-hikes covering thousands of miles, and it continues to hold up like a champ.

The Lunar Duo is a bit heavier than many other ultralight non-freestanding tents, like the Zpacks Duplex above, but we find the weight tradeoff is worth the significant monetary savings for hikers on a budget. One thing that makes the Lunar Duo unique among non-freestanding tents is the arched brow poles over the doors. These poles maximize headroom along the entire length of the tent and give the Lunar Duo the most luxuriously spacious interior of any model in its class. 

The large vestibules are designed to open completely without disturbing the structure of the tent so you get the same ventilation and view benefits as a double-wall tent. On top of that, the floating canopy and peak vents work together to create ample airflow in the Lunar Duo – cutting down significantly on interior condensation. 

If you’re looking for a roomy ultralight shelter at an exceptionally affordable price, few tents come close to the Lunar Duo. 

Solo hikers wanting to cut down on weight even more, should check out the Lunar Solo . It’s one of our top 1-person tent picks because it’s very spacious for one hiker and their gear, it’s easy to set up, and it’s incredibly affordable for the specs. 

Full Reviews: Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo & Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo

MSR Hubba Hubba 2

Great Balance of Weather Protection & Weight

Score: 71.3/100

Listed Weight: 3 lb. 4 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 84 x 50 x 40 in.

• Great weather protection
• Lightweight for the weather-worthiness
• Lack of headroom makes interior feel a bit tight

The long-time crowd favorite MSR Hubba Hubba 2 is a standout on the backpacking tent market for its durability and weather protection. The rainbow shape of this tent leaves very little surface area along the spine to catch gusts of wind, and there aren’t any flat surfaces on the fly for water to pool. 

One of our favorite details of the Hubba Hubba is the gutter on the vestibule doors. This little feature directs water down a groove behind the rainfly closure providing a drip-free entry in wet weather.

The Hubba Hubba’s symmetrical freestanding design makes it quick and easy to set up and provides just enough space to squeeze two wide pads inside. However, we find that the pole structure causes the walls to slope inward – limiting interior headroom. 

That said, if you tend to be hard on gear or you often backpack in places with temperamental weather, the Hubba Hubba is still a top choice for its high-quality build at a relatively low weight.

Full Review: MSR Hubba Hubba 2

Durston X-Mid 2

Best Affordable Ultralight Backpacking Tent for One Person

Score: 69.5/100

Price: $280

Listed Weight: 2 lb. 2.4 oz.

Dimensions (LxWxH): 92 x 52 x 48 in.

• Easy to pack
• Excellent Protection in wet weather
• Excellent vestibule design
• Spacious interior
• High pockets creat less sag
• Interior shape makes usable space less convenient
• Shape makes it tough to get a perfect pitch
• Large footprint & non-freestanding design can make campsite selection difficult
• 90-degree zippers aren’t everyone’s favorite

The Durston X-Mid 2 is a nice non-freestanding shelter for one person. We appreciate the near-vertical side walls, which create a roomy interior at shoulder height for comfortable sitting and changing. The interior pockets are situated higher up in the canopy than most other tents. Though it’s a slightly longer reach, it does prevent the walls from sagging in when there’s a heavy object tucked away. The footprint is also a rhombus which creates extra space to store gear at the head and foot.

We’ve weathered dozens of storms in the X-Mid and it has proven to be durable in the long run. Its 20D polyester fabric and robust zippers withstand the rigors of backcountry travel and the two vents at the top with kickstands do a solid job of releasing condensation. This tent has saved us more than once in rainstorms because the inner portion can be pitched after the fly has been set up, keeping the inside dry. This fly-first design also makes it possible to leave the tent at home if you are inclined to go ultra-ultralight.

One of the biggest drawbacks of this model is that it is challenging to set up on uneven ground. It’s also not as stable as dedicated-pole freestanding models. However, its low-profile maximizes wind resistance, and the fully seam-taped bathtub floor and double-wall construction keep moisture out.

Weighing in at just over two pounds, the X-Mid is a featherweight champion in the world of backpacking shelters. Its minimalist design and efficient use of lightweight materials make it a top choice for ounce-counting thru-hikers and ultralight enthusiasts. Though its pitched footprint is arguably too large for tighter campsites, its compact packed size, it easily fits into the crevices of a pack. We also don’t love the offset geometry of the interior for two people – one person gets a nice high ceiling and the other gets a face full of tent.

The the 90-degree zippers are not the most user-friendly, but this shelter is a lightweight, roomy and cost-effective option for one person.

Full Review:  Durston X-Mid 2

Product Comparison Table

How we test & methodology.

We assessed each backpacking tent based on five criteria: comfort, weight and packability, weather resistance, ease of setup, and durability. We have spent a minimum of 20 nights (but in some cases, over 100) in each of these models in a range of hiking conditions, from the hot, dry deserts of the southwest to the coldest, wettest reaches of northern New England.

Comfort spans a wide range of characteristics. We pay careful attention to things like floor dimensions, including maximum dimensions and any head-to-foot taper; peak height (as well as interior volume and shoulder space); number and style of doors; zipper pulls and door tie-backs; number, size, and placement of storage pockets; and any special features that make the experience of living in the tent more enjoyable. We get an extremely good sense of each of these characteristics by sleeping, eating, and living side-by-side with our hiking partners.

WEIGHT & PACKED SIZE

Manufacturers often list multiple weights, which include different combinations of tent components . We consider the packaged weight – the tent body, fly, poles, and included stakes) – as well as the packed size of each model, testing out how easy it is to stuff each one into a pack and around other gear, noting any especially streamlined or chunky hardware that takes up space.

WEATHER RESISTANCE

We look at weather resistance inside and out. Our assessment includes the rain, hail, and snow resistance of the fly, including both water penetration/dripping through the fly, as well as splashback from underneath the fly, and any sagging from saturation. In addition to precipitation, we consider the wind resistance which entails assessing the quality and stability of stakes; number and location of guypoints; and vestibule geometry. Lastly, we analyze interior condensation, paying attention to the number, size, and location of vent points, as well as, obviously, the amount of moisture on the underside of the fly when we wake up each morning.

EASE OF SETUP

Most of these tents are fairly easy to set up but some go a little faster than others. Here, we measure how long it takes on average to set up each model. The differences come down to whether or not the tent is symmetrical (thus providing two correct orientations for a tent and fly instead of just one); the pole-to-tent connection system; the fly-to-tent connection system; the quality and bite of the included stakes, as well as whether or not there are enough of them; and any tensioning systems that make it easier to get a good taut pitch.

Durability includes both on trail wear and tear as well as longevity season after season. We set up each model on a variety of surfaces, from soft soil to sandy, gravely clearings. Pinholes in the floor, micro-fissures at the ends of poles, and zipper snags are all top-of-mind. In addition, our experience has taught us that certain materials and waterproof coatings are more resilient than others so we assess fabric type, thickness, and chemical treatments, also noting if a model provides a repair kit (e.g. pole sleeve or adhesive patches) for fixes in the field.

Why Trust CleverHiker

We’ve spent over 1,000 nights in these backpacking tents and covered over 20,000 miles with them on our backs. Senior Gear Analyst and lead tester, Casey Handley , has pitched and slept in these shelters along her many thru-hikes of the Arizona Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, and more. She has weathered nights through high-alpine storms in frigid temperatures on trail and poured over all of the specs at basecamp. Her previous experience at REI also gives her unique data-driven insight into the features and functionality that backpackers, including herself, are most often looking for.

Analysis & Results

We rank tents based on five different metrics including comfort, weight and packed size, weather resistance, ease of setup, and durability. Our comparative results below outline the top performers in each metric.

Good, lightweight backpacking tents are expensive, but that doesn’t mean some of them aren’t a great value. When we do our testing, we are careful to note products that outperform what they cost. This could mean both low-priced items that get the job done just as well if not better than the more expensive competition, as well as pricier tents that are just smashing it out of the park.

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is one of the highest-value backpacking tents around. Its spacious floor dimensions and headroom make it one of the more comfortable options while also logging reliable weather resistance and sporting thick, durable fabrics. The REI Trailmade 2 is on the heavier side, but the price is right and it’s super easy to set up.

Overall top performers like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall Solution Dye are pricier for sure but their combination of light weight and space makes them some of the best options available for longer treks.

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ has comfort features that make it a great option for two people who want to spread out on a long weekend adventure. Its generous 56-inch width means that you don’t have to worry about rubbing shoulders with your hiking partner if you both want to sit up at the same time. The impressive peak height and large double doors also add to the livability of this model.

Not far behind, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 is another great option for the space-needy backpacker. Though it tapers from head to foot, it is wide enough all around that two people will have plenty of space. Its white mesh is also a nice feature that adds a little bit of privacy at camp, even if the fly is off or tied back, and the large storage pocket at the head means that you can store even large items off the floor but keep them close at hand.

In the next tier, the SlingFin Portal 2 , NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 , Sea to Summit Telos TR2 , and Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo all have their unique redeeming comfort features that make them stand out. Though the Slingfin doesn’t have exceptional length, it does have an especially high peak height for its weight and size. The two curved side doors are easy to open and close and there are plenty of storage pockets all around for small items. Though the Dagger OSMO 2 has two zippers on each door, which makes it a little clunkier to open, it has larger dimension than the Portal and the extra length is much appreciated for taller sleepers. The Telos TR2 is a little clunkier to enter and exit, but its unique tension ridge pole across. the top creates tons of space at shoulder height for sitting up and playing cards with your hiking partner. And though the Lunar Duo is non-freestanding, it has massive dimensions relative to its weight.

With no stakes or poles, the Zpacks Duplex takes the top spot in this metric. Since it’s non-freestanding, it uses a standard pair of trekking poles that you are likely already carrying to create the structure it requires to pitch. (And even including the weight of a pair of typical poles, it is still a lighter package than almost all of the freestanding tents). The two other non-freestanding options – the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo and Durston X-Mid – are both quite a bit heavier (though much less expensive), but are still a very comfortable two-ish pounds.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall Solution Dye makes this list precisely because it is the best balance between the comfort and structure of a double-wall tent while weighing in at a scant two and a half pounds. For there size, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and NEMO Hornet OSMO 3 are both exceptionally light and are well worth the investment for those who want the best of both worlds.

The SlingFin Portal 2 is designed for inclement weather. We love the guylines inside the tent that let us tension it properly for added wind resistance. It also comes with ample stakes and additional external guylines. The fly runs low to the ground and the kickstand vents at the doors are reasonably effective at dispersing condensation.

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ also has effective fly vents. It earns its stripes in this metric for its high bathtub floor, which limits splashback in heavy rain, and its 30D fly and large vestibules, which keep gear protected. Though its more basic pole structure makes it slightly less stable than the Half Dome, the REI Trailmade 2 otherwise benefits from the same features.

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 has a unique trapezoidal vestibule geometry that significantly limits how much it can flap in the wind and also increases the usable storage pace. Though the higher cut at the ends of the fly leaves the main tent body exposed a little more than other models, we never experienced problematic seepage. The proprietary fabric also sags less than its other nylon counterparts, which is a huge upgrade.

Most freestanding tents are pretty straightforward to pitch. This is especially true for the REI Trailmade 2 . It has a very basic X-pole design, with two long poles that cross at the apex and secure easily into grommets at the corners. The fly attaches with buckles at the corners and because it’s symmetrical, it doesn’t require any color coding – it goes on correctly multiple ways as long as you have the doors lined up. The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is similar – the primary difference is that it has a long brow pole and is slightly larger so it takes just a fraction longer to setup.

The hubbed pole designs of the Slingfin Portal 2 , NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 , and Sea to Summit Telos TR2 make it a breeze to shake the pole segments into place in a matter of seconds. We also appreciate the color-coded poles and segments of the Dagger OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 , which makes it easy to orient everything correctly.

The burly fabric of the REI Half Dome SL 2+ makes it stand out among the competition for its durability. The 40D ripstop nylon floor stands up to rough ground and it comes with a footprint for even more protection. The pre-bent poles also help reduce the tension in key segments so they are less likely to crack.

The Slingfin Portal 2 has thinner 20D ripstop nylon floor fabric but one longevity feature we love is the pre-installed backup zippers on the tent door. This common failure point often renders an otherwise good tent much less practical but the extra set of pulls provides peace of mind.

How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune to get a great backpacking tent. That’s why this list contains an array of solid options at a variety of price points. If you backpack a lot, it probably makes sense to spend more for a quality product that will get many years of use. If you’re on a limited budget, you may want to check out our budget backpacking tent recommendations , but they do tend to be much heavier. 

CHOOSING A SIZE

The reality with tent sizes is that a lot of manufacturers exaggerate how many people can sleep comfortably in them. For example, many two-person backpacking tents are a tight fit for two average-sized people. If you plan on sleeping two people in your tent and want more space, you may find a three-person tent to be more comfortable. Extra space will add weight, so you’ll probably want to choose a lightweight tent to keep your backpack light. Check out our Tent Size Guide for more info on finding the right fit for you.

PACKAGED WEIGHT VS. MINIMUM TRAIL WEIGHT

When researching tents, you’ll likely notice a few different specs listed for weight and it can get a little confusing. Some manufacturers may even exaggerate how light a tent is to make it seem more appealing. Unfortunately, there is no required set standard for measuring backpacking tent weights across the industry, but here are some tips to help you decipher all the numbers:

Packaged Weight

This spec refers to the weight of all parts of the tent plus any accessories it comes with when you buy it. This is usually the most accurate measurement to consider, and it’s the spec we’ve listed with all the tents on this list. After all, you’re going to be using tent stakes with your tent, right?

Minimum Trail Weight

This one gets a little hairy. Since there’s no required industry standard for calculating this, some manufacturers exclude more items than others. Minimum trail weight is generally accepted to mean just the essential components to keep you dry. It will always include the tent body, the rainfly, and the poles. This measurement usually excludes tent stakes (unless your tent is semi-freestanding), guy lines, and stuff sacks.

DO YOU NEED A FOOTPRINT?

Almost every backpacking tent on this list comes with the option to buy a footprint that will help extend the life of your tent floor. Footprints are not necessary, though, and many choose not to use them. It’s totally a personal choice, but a footprint will ensure that your tent floor lasts as long as possible. If you need help deciding if a footprint is right for you, check out our post Do You Really Need a Footprint for Your Tent .

A backpacking tent that doesn’t protect against the elements is worse than worthless, it’s dangerous. So be careful about extreme budget tents you’ll find elsewhere. Every tent on this list will provide excellent storm protection to keep you safe, dry, and warm.

INTERIOR SPACE

Backpacking tents keep weight to a minimum by limiting interior space (and thus, use less material). One-person tents are great for dedicated solo hikers looking to travel fast and light. Two-person tents tend to be the most popular, because they strike a good balance between weight and interior space. Most two-person tents have just enough room for two sleepers and a few stuff sacks , with backpacks and extra gear stored in the vestibules. If you want more interior space for camping comfort, you may want to bump up one size in tents (for example, buy a three-person tent to fit two hikers). Just remember, interior tent space is a tradeoff between comfort and weight. Check out our Tent Size Guide for more information on choosing which model to go with.

SEASON RATING

Three-season shelters are the most popular backpacking tents and the style we’re focusing on in this guide. They’re built for spring, summer, and fall trips where you’ll need to keep bad weather out while promoting ventilation, which helps keep interior condensation to a minimum. Three-season tents can usually handle a little snow, but they’re not made for heavy snow and harsh winter conditions. If you’re looking for a winter worthy tent, make sure to check out our list of the Best 4-Season Tents .

Freestanding tents are generally preferable because they’re easier to use and quicker to pitch. They come with a fixed pole system that can be set up almost anywhere – even on solid rock. Non-freestanding tents use stakes , guylines, and trekking poles for pitching. They save weight by cutting out tent poles, but require more time/space to pitch and will take more practice to master.

DOORS & VESTIBULES

If you plan on sleeping two people in your tent, it’s more comfortable to have two doors and two vestibules. Having separate entrances will ensure that you’re not climbing over a tentmate and two sets of gear every time you want to get in or out of your tent. That’s a huge benefit, and it’s why almost all of our backpacking tent recommendations have two doors and vestibules.

WALL CONSTRUCTION

Double-wall tents come with two separate parts – a mesh tent body and a rainfly. The mesh inner-tent acts as a barrier from condensation that forms on the inside of the rainfly. Single-wall tents reduce weight by attaching the fly sheet directly to the mesh inner-tent, but that leaves hikers vulnerable to interior condensation in wet/cold conditions. Rubbing up against a wet tent interior is the pits, so we mostly recommend double-wall tents unless you usually backpack in arid, dry climates. For ultralight hikers open to the idea of single-wall shelters, have a look at our Best Ultralight Tents list.

The main trade-off with lightweight backpacking tents is that they’re built using thinner materials, which tend to be less durable than heavy-duty shelters. That said, ultralight tents will literally last for thousands of miles if treated with care . It’s also important to remember that a sharp stick or rock will puncture just about any kind of tent fabric. If you’re tough on gear and don’t want to deal with lightweight materials, we recommend choosing one of our heavier recommendations built for durability or adding a footprint to to increase the durability of your tent floor. For our personal use, we think lightweight tents are well worth the tradeoff.

Honorable Mentions

The following backpacking tents didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of these tents might be perfect for you:

REI Flash 2

REI has made some of our favorite tents over the years, but few have been as impressive as the Flash 2. This tent was a new offering from REI in 2023, but it’s currently out of stock for the foreseeable future. It’ll be back at some point down the line, which is why we felt it still deserved an Honorable mention on our list.

This freestanding tent has a weight and interior volume that rivals some of the most popular backpacking tents, but it costs far less than anything in its class. With its unique pole architecture, the Flash 2 manages to feel more spacious than tents with the same dimensions – like the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2. The headwall of the Flash 2 stands vertically and is supported by an arch pole that pulls the sidewalls out. As a result, you end up with more headroom where you need it most.

We’re eagerly looking forward to the return of the REI Flash 2.

REI Trail Hut 2

The affordable REI Trail Hut 2 is almost identical to the REI Trailmade 2 on our main list. The biggest difference is that the Trail Hut has a ridge pole at the peak that creates more headroom than the Trailmade has. The other key difference is that the Trail Hut has more opaque nylon on the walls for privacy, while the Trailmade includes more mesh on the walls for airflow.If you’re after a crossover tent that you’ll mostly be using for car camping and only backpacking with it occasionally, you’ll probably find this tent more comfortable. If you’ll mostly be using your crossover tent for backpacking, we recommend saving the money and going with the lighter Trailmade 2.

NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2

This tent feels a little tight for two, but it’s a roomy option for solo hikers. This tent is very similar in design to our top pick – the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2.  We prefer the ridge pole design on the Copper Spur since it pulls the headroom out more and creates more interior volume at the peak where you really want it.

The Dragonfly is very light for a freestanding tent and has a tiny packed size, so it’s a good choice for hikers looking to shave weight and bulk from their packs. 

The proprietary OSMO fabric on the Dragonfly makes it a great choice for hikers who frequently go out in foul weather. OSMO sags less than sil-nylon when wet, doesn’t absorb water, and stays waterproof for longer than standard coated fabrics.

There are a lot of big and small differences between backpacking tents but investing the time to find the right one is worth it. Whether you are counting – and minimizing – ounces, or don’t mind the extra weight if it means you get to spread out at the end of a long day, we hope out guide has you pitching your perfect tent this backpacking season. Happy trails!

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

• Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
• We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
• Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
• We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
• We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
• We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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5 Best Camping Tents of 2024

These tents are so comfortable you'll feel like you're glamping.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

A spacious camping tent is not only a place for you to sleep and store your belongings, but it helps keep out unexpected critters as well as shields you from sudden showers. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight tent that’s easy to set up and pack up or one that’s suitable for the entire family, our pros have narrowed down the best camping tents for your next vacation or road trip .

The experts and analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested outdoor and travel gear for decades, from hiking boots to hiking shoes , hiking socks and backpacks . To evaluate the best camping tents, we looked at a number of factors: Is the tent easy to set up and carry around? Is it spacious and comfortable? Is it durable and able to stand up to the elements? After extensive vetting and evaluations, we think these are the best camping tents you can buy.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Camping Tent

Eureka jade canyon x4.

Best Value Camping Tent

Marmot limestone tent.

Best Camping Tent for Families

The north face wawona 6.

After our top picks, continue reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a camping tent as well as how we tested the best camping tents.

Ideal for small families or groups of four seeking a super spacious, comfortable tent, this camping tent has four storage pockets for organizing books, tablets and other essentials like solar phone chargers . Not only does it feature a large 64-square-foot footprint, but it's one of the tallest tents featured with a maximum height of seven feet so taller campers will no longer have to slouch when moving around or changing inside.

In our previous Lab tests, the Jade Canyon received top scores for performance, and our Lab experts found it to be one of the easiest to set up and take down. Just keep in mind that its weight comes in at just over 20 pounds, making it quite heavy to carry.

You may not want to spend a fortune if you only camp once or twice a year, which is where this camping tent from Marmot is appealing. Though you may sacrifice some floor area with the Limestone Tent, our pros note that it's one of the lightest tents on this list and of great value and excellent construction .

Not only is it easy to carry around, but it comes with two handy doors for easy entry and exit as well as two vestibules for added comfort. In Lab tests, it received top scores for durability and the fly cover left behind no water residue in our rain spray test. While we think the tent height could be taller, our pros found it super easy to set up and take down.

Need a camping tent that'll fit the kids too? Look no further than this six-person tent from The North Face. In previous Lab tests, The North Face camping tents received top-notch performance scores and we expect the Wawona to be no exception. According to the brand, this camping tent is waterproof and should be able to handle summer rain showers.

What our pros like most is that it includes a vestibule that gives the tent a homey feel and offers some much-needed shade on sunny days as well as gear storage. We also appreciate that the interior of the tent has a large floor area and nearly seven foot center height . In addition to internal storage pockets, this tent comes with ceiling pockets that make it easy to hold headlamps and lights for the perfect home away from home.

REI Co-op Wonderland 4 Tent

This camping tent's four-person capacity and 69.4 square foot floor area should feel spacious to most people . It even has a peak height of just over 6 feet, making it suitable for most campers. While we haven't tested this particular model yet, our pros found REI camping tents tested previously to be both easy to set up and take down. We love that this model features two doors for easy entry and exit, multiple storage options inside and great ventilation, according to online reviewers.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Planning a backpacking trip? Make sure to pack this tent from Big Agnes that can accommodate up to two people (or you and a furry friend). While it's a bit pricey and not nearly as spacious or tall as other camping tents featured, it's perfect if you're looking for an extremely lightweight design (it's only three pounds!) . While we haven't tested this specific model in the Textiles Lab, Big Agnes tents were a top performer in previous camping tent tests, standing out for superior workmanship and easy setup. According to our pros, this tent should be just as easy to pack up and carry from one camping site to another.

How we test the best camping tents

The Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles Lab has tested more than 170 different fitness and outdoor products over the past year , including snow boots , ski gloves , fleece-lined leggings , running jackets , base layers , workout leggings and ski goggles .

To find the best tents, our pros evaluated 10 camping tents for their ease of use, performance and durability. To determine ease of use, camping tents are measured for weight and size and scored for overall ease of carrying, ease of setup and ease of disassembly.

Performance scores are determined by analyzing a tent’s spaciousness, ventilation and overall comfort, noting any accessories and special features. Durability is assessed by scoring the tent’s overall workmanship, materials and construction.

Finally, each tent’s water repellency is evaluated by performing a spray test. While we tested the majority of camping tents featured above, we also considered top-performing brands, our personal favorites and popular styles with positive online consumer reviews.

What to look for when shopping for a camping tent

✔️ Size: One of the most important questions you should ask yourself is how many people will you be camping with and how spacious you want your tent to be. Check the floor area of each tent before purchasing, as well as the recommended capacity. Once you’ve settled on the right size, double-check the dimensions of the tent, paying particular attention to the tent height.

If you’re tall or will be camping with someone tall, you’ll want to opt for a tent with a greater height so you’re not always having to slouch over. Lastly, don’t overlook a camping tent’s weight. If you plan on backpacking you should look for a lightweight tent so it’s less of a burden to carry; just keep in might that in previous Lab tests, these tents have scored lower overall when it comes to spaciousness and comfort.

✔️ Ease of setup: A camping tent that is easy to set up will save you a lot of time and spare you from any frustration. Keep in mind that some tents will require at least two people to set up, and always practice setting up your tent at home before taking it out into the wilderness. While most tents are accompanied by clear instruction manuals, it might take you a few tries before you get the hang of it.

✔️ Durability: Ideally your camping tent should be made from high-quality materials and constructed to last a few years. Always check water-resistance claims since you want your camping tent to repel water and comfortably withstand rain showers and other unexpected weather.

✔️ Comfort: Camping and hiking isn't always comfortable, so you want your tent and sleeping grounds to be. Does the camping tent come with multiple doors for easy entry and exit? Are there any pocket storage or hooks to help store essentials? Some tents might even have lighting features, so make sure to decide which accessories are important to you before making a purchase.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has provided expert reviews and advice on the best gear you can buy for your outdoor adventures, whether you're going camping, hiking, skiing or snowboarding.

Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski , who covers everything from travel to outdoor gear to fitness to consumer electronics and more, recently attended the 2023 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show to meet with various brands and evaluate camping equipment such as tents and accessories firsthand.

A North Carolina native, she grew up camping and knows firsthand how the right setup is key to having a great experience (and a good night's sleep).

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute , covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

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The Best Camping Tents

By Claire Wilcox , Kit Dillon and Kalee Thompson

Whether you’re thinking of hitting the road or staying close to home for your next car-camping adventure, you and your loved ones will need a comfortable place to sleep.

After researching nearly 100 tents, talking to tent designers and tent-pole manufacturers, and sleeping in a total of 51 tents on 12 weekend camping trips over seven years, we’ve concluded that the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent is the best car-camping tent for two people, and the Kelty Wireless 6  is the best choice for most families.

Everything we recommend

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent

The best camping tent for two.

Easy to set up and pack away, the Mineral King 3 is a lightweight, two-door tent with a generous footprint and a sturdy dome shape. It’s the perfect choice for three-season multipurpose camping.

Buying Options

REI Membership required, use code SAVEOUTLET

Kelty Wireless 6 Tent

The best camping tent for families.

Spacious and easy to pitch, this dome tent also has other features most families need: two large doors, roomy vestibules, and an affordable price. The tradeoffs: bulky fiberglass poles and flimsy stakes.

May be out of stock

Marmot Tungsten 4-Person Tent

Higher price, more space for two.

With nearly 60 square feet of floor space plus two large vestibules, the Tungsten 4 is roomier than our top-pick tent for couples. It also costs more, though, and is less forgiving of a careless set-up.

Budget pick

Coleman Sundome 6-Person Tent

A cheap but reliable tent for couples and families.

Great for backyard overnights, this simple dome-style tent is for anyone who doesn't want to spend more than $150 on a tent but also doesn't want to buy another one next year. It has a partial rain fly, but only one door and no vestibule.

Upgrade pick

The North Face Wawona 6 Tent (2023)

A family tent with a spare room.

This dome-style tent has nearly vertical walls, high ceilings, and a single vestibule the size of an actual mudroom. It’s also straightforward to set up, and it is made with sturdy, light materials. It’s expensive, but you get value for your money.

You save $200 (40%)

(limited colors)

REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent

A hardier tent for two people.

A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for couples who want to get outside in any weather. It’s pricey, though, and unless the other couples’ tents we recommend, it doesn’t include a footprint.

REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent

A hardier tent for families.

A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather. It's the most expensive of our picks, though.

The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent is the best car-camping tent choice for couples. It has everything you need for three-season camping, with the bonus of being light enough to double as an occasional backpacking tent. Although it’s designed to accommodate three people—hence the “3” in its name—we found that at 42.5 square feet, the tent is more comfortable for two, plus gear and maybe a medium-size dog.

A classic polyester dome tent, the Mineral King 3 uses two high-quality pre-bent aluminum poles, which maximize head and shoulder space, making this tent feel less cramped than other dome tents we tested. Two large doors provide easy entry and exit, and a vestibule—that’s camping speak for “mudroom”—outside each door adds significant sheltered storage. The Mineral King 3 has a full rain fly, which you can roll up halfway or completely remove for epic stargazing. It also comes with a groundsheet (aka footprint) to protect the tent floor.

The Kelty Wireless 6 is a spacious tent that is easy to pitch, and it offers solid weather protection and durability for a reasonable price. Like the Mineral King 3, it has a simple, dome-style design that maximizes livability and minimize headaches. With 87 square feet of interior space, plus 28 square feet of vestibule space, the polyester tent fits four adults comfortably, or two adults with two or three children, with plenty of room to store gear and muddy boots. (As its name indicates, it’s meant to house six people, but we wouldn’t recommend that.) The Wireless 6 has two large doors and a full rain fly.

Like most tents we saw in its price range, the Wireless 6 uses cheaper materials: Its poles (two, plus a “brow” pole that supports the two vestibules) are fiberglass, and its stakes are too light for their size (two bent during testing). Unlike the competition, this tent is functional, durable, and a joy to inhabit in most weather conditions. (We did notice that the fly took longer to dry than others we tested; don’t put it away while it’s still damp, or it’ll mildew.) It packs into a duffle with a handy shoulder strap and weighs about 17 pounds—manageable for most people across short distances. As with most six-person tents we’ve seen, this tent’s footprint is sold separately.

Though the Marmot Tungsten 4-Person Tent lacks the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly, which makes access and protection from the elements such a breeze, the Tungsten 4 provides more living space and equal protection against the elements. A full rain fly with easy-attach color-coded clips covers the tent body and adds two large vestibules. Like the Mineral King 3, the Tungsten has aluminum poles that are connected at the top (for lightning-quick pitching) and pre-bent, which increases the dome tent’s headroom. With pentagonal doors and a fly scaffolded by two brow poles—as opposed to the Mineral King 3’s single one—this tent provides excellent shielding from multidirectional wind and rain, providing you follow the setup instructions faithfully.

The Tungsten 4’s poles are bent at a more acute angle and closer to the ground, which, we discovered, can cause the tent to collapse in windy conditions if you don’t attach the poles to the fly using the Velcro tabs running under the seams. You can also set up the tent without the fly while retaining some privacy, since the tent body has a high polyester wall on one side. Like the Mineral King 3, this tent comes with a footprint.

The best-selling Coleman Sundome 6-Person Tent has a footprint larger (100 square feet) than that of our top-pick tent for families, but it felt smaller because it has a lower ceiling, no vestibule, and only one door. Nevertheless, it still comfortably accommodates four people, and it’s a roomy choice for two. This no-nonsense tent is intuitive to set up, has mesh on the top halves of two walls, includes a partial rain fly that’s easy to put on and stake out, and feels cheery inside and out. (We don’t recommend the smaller version of this tent for couples who might actually take it on the road; it was just too flimsy in our tests.) Also note that this tent does not come with its own groundsheet. Coleman says that the tent doesn’t need one, probably because its floor is a crinkly (though tough) tarp-like polyethylene, not a taped-seam polyester as in our other picks.

The North Face Wawona 6 costs $200 more than the Wireless 6, but if you can swing the price, the tent offers a superior combination of livable space, smart design, and durable, high-quality materials (aluminum and heavy-duty polyester and mesh). Its fly extends into a huge front vestibule that can store large items like bikes, or even accommodate a table and chairs. Adults over 6 feet tall will be able to walk upright inside this tent—which has almost-vertical walls that can easily accommodate beds, cribs, and cots—as well as in the vestibule.

We also appreciated the tent’s construction, which combines good ventilation (the upper part of the canopy walls are mesh) with campsite privacy (those mesh bits are covered by the fly, which reaches only halfway down the tent on the back and sides). And this tent is easy to set up and pack down, especially considering its size. (It comes with a carrying bag equipped with duffle-style handles.) You’re unlikely to find a similar-sized tent that matches the Wawona’s quality and features for less money—most comparable tents we tested cost much more. As with most six-person tents, the Wawona 6’s footprint is sold separately.

Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent . The main bodies of our other picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp, by contrast, has four full-size aluminum struts woven throughout it, somewhat like a basket, plus an additional brow pole that frames the front entrance and supports the larger of the two vestibules. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly. Our other favorite features are the tent’s two wide doors, which you can open halfway from either direction or open fully (you can tuck the doors into “roof pockets” to keep them out of the way), turning the tent into a useful beach tent or sun shade.

Families who regularly pitch their tent in rainy locales need a wind-fighting tent with a good-size vestibule for storing wet shoes and gear, as well as a full rain fly for added weather protection. With almost 45 feet of vestibule space and four stability-enhancing criss-crossing poles, the next size up of REI’s Base Camp, the Base Camp 6 Tent , offers the best combination of space and features among the six tents we tested that fit those criteria. A footprint for each model is sold separately.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked, how (and where) we tested, best camping tent for two people: mountain hardwear mineral king 3 tent, best camping tent for families: kelty wireless 6 person tent, runner-up tent for two people: marmot tungsten 4-person tent, best budget tent: coleman sundome 6-person tent, upgrade tent for families: north face wawona 6 tent, also great for unpredictable weather: rei co-op base camp 4 tent and base camp 6 tent, other good tents, what to look forward to, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

An avid hiker, camper, and long-haul road-tripper, Claire Wilcox has slept in (and occasionally improvised) tents in 11 states. She covers outdoor gear for Wirecutter and worked on the most recent update of this guide, testing couples’ tents and family tents. She lives on Oahu, Hawaii.

A senior staff writer at Wirecutter, Kit Dillon has written about everything from backpacks and cooking gear to luggage and road-tripping . When he was younger, he worked for five years on oil rigs as an NDT (non-destructive testing) inspector, testing metal and welds for signs of corrosion, rust, and whatever other breakdowns and chaos might happen to the steel in the ocean. It is oddly relevant work for testing aluminum tent poles.

This guide also builds on the work of Kalee Thompson, a senior editor at Wirecutter.

For this guide, we focused on tents that suit the most common terrains you’re likely to encounter when car-camping—grassy lawns or clearings, beaches, dirt campsites, and basic platforms—in spring, summer, and fall. We’re not looking at tents designed for such specialized activities as mountaineering, backpacking, or winter camping, though some of our recommendations have cross-over potential.

Even if you’re not seeking any extreme-weather adventures, you’ll still need something that can withstand whatever the elements throw your way. The tents we discuss here are designed to keep you comfortable in wind, rain, and even light snow. (If you find yourself in a lightning storm, it’s best to seek shelter in your car or abandon the adventure for a motel, especially if you’re camping in an exposed area.)

Finding a small, light tent is the logical approach when you’re backpacking. But with car camping—the industry term for what most people consider just camping—you’ll likely be parking next to your campsite and unloading. If you won’t be carrying your tent more than a couple hundred feet, more space means more comfort (as well as more room for your stuff).

After putting in about 40 hours studying online reviews and company websites, as well as spending time consulting with frequent campers (both with and without kids) and considering our own diverse car-camping experiences, we evaluated the options (about 100, in the course of the past seven years) according to the following criteria:

The right capacity: Tent makers measure tent capacity by how many people can fit in them sardine-style, lying inside mummy bags. That means you can fit six adults in a six-person tent—but you probably wouldn’t want to do that, because those adults would be sleeping hip to hip, with little spare room for gear.

We concluded that the best option for two people is actually a large three-person, or smaller four-person, tent that’s 40 to 60 square feet in size. For families with three to five members, we concluded that the best option is a tent rated for six people that’s between 80 and 100 square feet. Also, the height should be at least six feet, which allows most adults to comfortably stand upright inside. “When you camp with kids, you camp with a lot of gear,” Helen Olsson , author of The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids , told us. Olsson has three kids, a dog, and a six-foot-two husband. Bigger is better when it comes to car camping, she said: “Look for a base-camp-style tent that is meant for when you pull up in your car and pitch your tent right there.” All of the tents we considered fall into that category.

A dome shape: Usually designed around two- or three-pole arches, dome-style tents tend to be stronger than cabin-style designs, which maximize ceiling height by sacrificing some structural integrity. The dome shape does reduce overall livable space, but it’s better at deflecting winds and shedding rain, something you’re likely to appreciate if an unexpected storm hits. Our picks are all dome-style tents.

Adequate weatherproofing and durability: A good dome-style tent should be able to withstand high winds and driving rain without pitching or collapsing. We assumed that most car campers would likely not be camping in snow, so we focused on three-season models instead. Most of the tents we looked at could handle an unexpected flurry or a coating of frost, but we wouldn’t intentionally take them on a winter-camping trip.

Tent makers generally treat the fabrics with a water-repellent coating described in millimeters; 1,200 mm to 3,000 mm is the typical range found on family tents. That number does not refer to the thickness of the coating or the fabric; instead, it measures a specific test of water pressure , namely, how many millimeters of water can sit on top of the material before water starts leaking through. (As a Coleman product manager told us, “Nothing’s waterproof, not even submarines. Given the right conditions anything will leak.”) A higher number means better water resistance, but such stronger coatings aren’t always necessary: As this MSR blog post explains , “the more coating you add, the heavier and more rigid the fabric becomes, and—after a point—the more susceptible to tearing.” A typical umbrella has a rating of only 420 mm, the company’s experts point out, and it does just fine at keeping you dry.

It’s natural to focus on the quality of a tent’s rain fly—you need that piece to work when the skies open up. But according to our experts, the durability of the floor of your tent is actually more important.  Tent designer Bob Howe, who has developed models for nearly every major tent maker, including Easton, Marmot, The North Face, REI, and Sierra Designs, said that when it comes to a tent floor, two lightweight layers are often stronger than one heavy layer; he suggested using a groundsheet or footprint, even with a high-quality tent floor. If the tent you buy doesn’t come with a footprint (two of our recommended tents, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 and the Marmot Tungsten 4 , do), we recommend purchasing a companion footprint , if one is available. A footprint doesn’t take up much space, is relatively inexpensive, and is much easier to repair or replace than a tent bottom if it tears. A basic tarp can do in a pinch.

The right materials for the job: On most tents, the walls and flies are made of either nylon or polyester . Nylon weighs less but more susceptible to UV damage, which makes it better for backpacking, when a tent spends most of its daylight hours packed up. Car campers generally leave their tents up for much longer periods of time, increasing the material’s UV exposure. As polyester is stiffer and heavier than nylon but not as susceptible to UV damage, Howe told us, and it doesn’t absorb water like nylon does, it’s generally better for car camping. It’s also less expensive.

To compare tent fabrics, you also need to know their overall rip strength. For most fabrics, rip strength is expressed as a measurement of the diameter of the fibers in their thread, or a denier—the higher the denier, the stronger the fabric. We found 40 denier up to 150 denier to be typical for car-camping tents; you can read more about these measurements in gear manufacturer MSR’s blog post and in this Outside article .

As for poles, Howe explained to us that each material has its advantages and drawbacks: Aluminum poles are far lighter and slide together more easily but cost more, while fiberglass-and-steel poles are often trickier to fit together and can leave splinters in your palms. They can, however, be stronger in high winds.

Ease of setup: We looked for dummy-proof tents that were intuitive to set up and that a lone person could erect fairly quickly. If you’ve ever arrived at a campsite after dark with two small kids who have been stewing in the backseat for hours, you know that dealing with a tent is often a one-person job. We’ve also found that a car-camping tent is the kind of item your friends may want to borrow from time to time. Those friends may well be novice campers, so we wanted something that the uninitiated but reasonably intelligent could erect, even if the original instructions had disappeared long ago. (You’re going to lose the instructions. Everyone loses the instructions.)

We also wanted self-standing tents, which can stay up on their own. Even so, you should, ideally, stake down each corner securely; in some crowded campgrounds, however, finding a flat spot with soil soft enough to do that can be difficult. A tent that requires staking to stand up—especially a larger, six-person tent—is unwieldy, and it’ll be impossible to set up on a hard surface such as blacktop or on raised wooden tent decks.

It is also important to consider the way in which the tent poles attach to the tent. Many of our picks use grommet attachments, which are more secure and simple to repair than key attachments if anything should break.

Some of our tent picks also have guy-line systems that secure their outer rain fly—although most people probably won’t need to use those often. Guy-line systems are somewhat unique to each tent, with every model boasting its own specific rope bites and tie-downs. (Kit scoured YouTube tutorials and found this video to be the most informative tutorial on guy lines. With this video and a little practice, you’ll soon be pitching tents like a pro.)

Affordability: Car-camping tents should be relatively inexpensive. They don’t need to be the top of the line or made of the lightest possible materials or the most advanced fabrics (something you’d likely look for in a pure backpacking tent). We decided that the tents for this guide should not be precious items—but they shouldn’t be disposable, either. When we researched couples’ tents in 2022, we found no tents below $150 worth considering; our cap was $400. For our 2023 family tent testing, after completing our research we realized that $500 was now the average price for a good-quality tent. Below this amount, the flaws and tradeoffs started to mount. Still, we felt that $500 was a lot to pay for a family tent, so we looked for options that were more affordable and didn’t sacrifice too much.

Extra features: Stake design, pole strength and arrangements, rain-fly tie-downs, door construction, zipper strength, and gear-loft placements all play a role in the overall comfort and enjoyment of your tent. We also considered privacy, vestibules, extra headroom, and any other bonuses.

Once we had our criteria nailed down, we scoured Amazon reviews of four- and six-person tents, as well as owner reviews on retailer sites such as Backcountry , Cabela’s , Campmor , Dick’s Sporting Goods , Eastern Mountain Sports , L.L.Bean , and REI , plus professional reviews from GearJunkie and GearLab . We perused the lines of outdoor companies like Big Agnes, Marmot, and The North Face. And we studied the offerings of big-box stores including Costco, Sears, Target, and Walmart. We then requested test samples of the models that met our criteria and also had a consistent record of positive reviews.

For earlier incarnations of this guide, we tested tents in Arizona (alongside Lake Mead and just south of the Hualapai reservation , near the Grand Canyon) and southern California (near Joshua Tree National Park; at the Mountain Oak Campground , an hour or so east of Los Angeles; and at Wheeler Gorge Campground , outside Ojai, California).

After our longtime top-pick tent for two people ran into some stock issues in 2021, we researched new models and redesigns, and we assembled a batch of small tents for testing in March 2022, on Oahu. Over two blustery March weekends, we pitched eight tents in an exposed ocean-fronting yard on the northwestern coast of the island by Kaena Point State Park, leaving the tents up for 48 hours to face the salt air, the wind, and the rain while we tested. During this period, winds rose up to 35 to 40 knots, and we experienced passing showers as well as direct sunlight and 80-degree temperatures. To mimic heavier rain and to test the tent’s ability to withstand soggy ground conditions, we also soaked our tents with a garden hose. A few weeks later, we brought the front-runners to a platform in an area that had higher elevation, near the Waianae Mountain Range, and camped out overnight in intermittent but consistent rainfall.

In 2022–2023, we tested 15 six-person tents on Oahu, pitching them once again in both coastal and higher mountain locations, where they encountered the full range of Hawaii’s mercurial winter weather patterns, including winds ranging from 10 to 40 mph, passing squalls, direct sun, and good old fashioned buckets of rain. Temperatures ranged from the 50s at night to the 80s during the day.

To test the tents, we first opened them, splayed out their parts, and tried to put them together without consulting the instructions. We assembled and disassembled the tents on all of our testing sites multiple times. We tried the rain fly for each tent as well, one time rushing to get several of them up during an unexpected rainstorm at night. When heavy trade winds buffeted our Oahu-coast testing site, we pitched each tent in full face of the blast. We then rotated the tents looking for structural weaknesses, and we tested their guy lines and tabs to see which tents had the best and most intuitive design for withstanding wind.

Throughout all our testing, we wanted to know how it felt to be inside the tents for long periods of time. Did we feel claustrophobic or rejuvenated? If we had to spend a day in the tent during a storm, would it be comfortable? After first removing the models that failed the structural tests, we slept, watched the stars, and ate our meals in all of the tents, as well as planned hikes from them.

The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent was the favorite tent of testers at our Oahu coastal and mountain locations. Through rainy nights and soggy mornings, on windy afternoons, and under an intense midday sun, this tent’s primarily polyester mesh body, two large doors, and adaptable polyester fly kept us dry, well ventilated, and in good spirits.

We were surprised at first to see the Mineral King 3 come out on top because it was the smallest tent in our test group. But all our testers, including our tallest panelists, gravitated toward this tent.

What sets the Mineral King 3 apart is its combination of easy setup, solid weather resistance, and livability in variable conditions. It comes with its own footprint, and is made of high-quality materials that are easy to handle. Simply put, it was the most effective, user-friendly tent in any situation we encountered. It also delivered a little something extra: Not only did the Mineral King 3 keep us sheltered in shifting weather, but key design features—such as a barely-there mesh canopy, generous vestibule space, and a well-placed toggle on top of the rain fly—kept us connected to the environment.

One night during testing, for example, clouds loomed in the distance with clear skies overhead. After we pitched the tent, the Mineral King 3’s adaptable fly let us leave half the mesh dome uncovered. We watched as night fell and the first stars appeared. At the first sign of rain, it took only a few seconds—and a quick hand stuck outside the tent—to unfurl the fly and secure it for a dry night’s sleep. When we awoke, we could roll back one part of the vestibule, make coffee, and watch the sky lighten even though it was still raining.

Despite having the smallest capacity of the tents we tested—42.5 square feet—the Mineral King 3 easily fits two people with a full-size mattress, or two sleeping pads, and gear. Two large vestibules add nearly 40 square feet combined—that is, 18.75 square feet on either side.

Setting up this tent is simple: You stake out the four corners, extend the tent’s two pre-connected poles, and dock them into grommets. The tent’s body attaches to the poles via plastic clips, and a third pole (the “brow”) fits into two grommets sewn into a seam above the tent’s two doors. These now-common clip-style setups are generally intuitive and can be accomplished in minutes. Certainly this was true of the Mineral King 3. Under good conditions one person pitched the tent in under five minutes. In high winds, it took us 10 minutes to pitch and fully secure the tent fly with extra lines and stakes.

All three poles—two main poles and the shorter brow pole—are made of strong, lightweight aluminum and come pre-bent and pre-connected. The bend in the poles has a subtle yet significant affect on the tent’s structure and interior feel: As you clip the tent fabric to the poles to create the dome, bends pull the mesh outward in the head and shoulder area. Where traditional dome tents often feel cramped, the Mineral King 3 offers a little extra space. Only one other couples’ tent we tested had this feature—our runner-up, the Marmot Tungsten 4—and we found it made both tents more livable.

We also appreciated the shepherd’s hook stakes that come with the tent. Most of the tents we tested came with basic L-shaped stakes, which tended to spin around in the soil and slip a line. The shepherd’s hook design, in contrast, held lines secure.

Underneath the fly, the Mineral King 3 has a full mesh dome with a waterproof, tape-seamed bathtub-style polyester floor. The overall feeling inside the tent is airy and comfortable. The tent doors are nearly wall-sized, and after you unzip them, you simply stuff them into pockets, rather than having to roll and toggle-tie the fabric. Another two hanging pockets plus loops for a ceiling hammock provide simple yet effective interior storage.

The Mineral King 3’s fly attaches intuitively with plastic buckles and has well-placed guy tabs. You can secure the fly to the poles with Velcro ties underneath the fly, so that the extra lines anchored the whole tent, not just the thin protective fabric, but we only needed to do so in very windy conditions. When the fly is fully deployed, the tent has two vestibules, which provide additional gear storage and also help ventilate the tent in inclement weather. And in a stroke of design brilliance, a small loop sewn into the top of the fly makes it possible to roll up one half of the fly, exposing the full mesh canopy while still providing shade and privacy.

When the weather permits, it’s fun to omit the fly entirely, but a word to the wise for those planning a fly-less night: Besides providing protection from rain, the fly also helps manage condensation. Though condensation (video) occurs in all conditions, it’s worse when your surroundings are wet and humid, and anytime you have a large temperature difference between the inside and outside of a tent. But if your tent has a breathable inner layer, like the mesh walls of the Mineral King 3, condensation will gather on the fly instead of on the interior of the tent itself.

At $350, the Mineral King 3 isn’t cheap. But it’s one of the least expensive tents we found that had no significant drawbacks and will truly cover your bases for three-season camping. The tent also comes with its own footprint, a groundsheet that protects the tent from abrasion, which we recommend that you have.

Weighing just 7 pounds, the tent is light enough to double for backpacking trips, especially if you divide the pieces among hikers.

Note: The Mineral King 3 was the only tent in our test group free of fire-retardant chemicals. That means it’s less likely to contain potentially hazardous materials, but it is also less fireproof than tents coated in flame retardants. As always, it’s a good idea to pitch your tent far away from any open fires.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Our only quibble with the Mineral King 3 is that it comes with only six stakes. (Our runner-up pick comes with eight.) Six is enough to secure the tent and fly but not to fully secure the tent’s extra lines in very windy conditions. This shouldn’t be an issue in most situations, but if you’re headed into a particularly windy place or simply want some backup, we suggest picking up four extra tent stakes at your local outdoor shop or online. These inexpensive stakes are comparable to the ones that accompany the Mineral King 3; these slightly more expensive stakes will serve you well in any car-camping terrain.

Claimed weight (including fly, tent poles, and carry bag): 7 pounds 1.2 ounces

Claimed packed size: 25 by 7 inches

Number of doors: two

Number of vestibules: two

Maximum interior height: 48 inches

Tent floor area: 42.5 square feet

Footprint included: yes

After researching 30 six-person tents and testing 15 side by side on a total of five trips, we chose the Kelty Wireless 6 as the best entry-level camping tent for most families. It’s spacious, easy to set up, has weather protection, and is durable, all at an affordable price. The Wireless 6 lacks some of the premium materials found in pricier tents, but it features solid workmanship and should provide dependable, comfortable shelter in most three-season camping situations.

Like our couples’ tent pick , the Wireless 6 is a dome-shaped tent with a tried and true two-pole design. It has an interior footprint of 87 square feet, which sleeps four adults on single pads, or two adults and two or three children, and can accommodate a crib. It has two large doors, and a peak height of 6-foot-3. That wasn’t the tallest we encountered—the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 and the Alps Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 each topped out at 7 feet—but it’s enough space for most adults to maneuver standing up. The tent comes with a full rain fly that adds two vestibules for storage (each 14 square feet), totaling 115 square feet of livable space—which is fairly generous yet still practical for most campsites.

The Wireless 6 goes up easily, using the same kind of intuitive pole and clip method as our couples’ pick. The fly is equally simple to attach and orient with color-coded clips. A single person can pitch the tent in 10 to 15 minutes. (Users under 5-foot-5 may need some help fastening the highest clip. At 5-foot-3, Claire managed with a little hop.) Instead of grommets or keys, reinforced fabric sleeves hold the tent-pole ends, a particularly thoughtful feature that suits the tent’s budget fiberglass-and-steel poles. This type of pole tends to be less flexible and bulkier than pricier aluminum, and it can be a pain to handle.

Like most dome-style tents, the Wireless 6 withstands wind like a champ—it fared noticeably better than the Camp Creek 6 in 15-mph gusts. The continuous curve of the dome shape allows for wind to pass over and around it. You can also get a nice cross breeze going by leaving the vestibules open. On sunny days and clear nights, take off the fly and enjoy the sky through the tent’s clear mesh canopy. Some testers, though, thought the tent was stuffy when the fly was fully closed and the sun was out.

The Wireless 6 kept us dry in everything from scattered showers to serious downpours. As always, the vestibule is useful in rain: It gives you extra breathing room and a place to store boots—or tired feet still wearing boots.

The Wireless 6’s drawbacks have mainly to do with material quality. First, it uses fiberglass poles. These can be as strong, or even more so, than aluminum poles (especially cheap ones), but they’re always bulkier, heavier, and not as nice to handle. However, the Wireless 6’s poles were the best fiberglass ones we tested—they left no splinters, unlike those on the Camp Creek 6 or the Copper Canyon LX 6.

Though the Wireless’s fly kept water out of the tent’s interior, it took longer to fully dry once the rain stopped than some others we tested. It uses a 1200mm waterproof coating on 68 denier fabric, which didn’t seem to bead as well as higher-rated fabrics, such as those on the The North Face Wawona 6 or the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 (each of those have 1500mm coatings). If you don’t have time to let the fly dry before you pack the Wireless in its duffle, we recommend laying it out when you get home so it doesn't mildew in storage.

We were not particularly impressed by the quality of the Wireless 6’s stakes: They felt light, and two of the eight bent during our testing. The Wireless 6 also doesn’t come with a footprint, so you’ll have to purchase or make that separately. But to be fair, only one six-person tent we tested comes with a footprint, and that tent costs $950!

Claimed weight (including fly and tent poles): 17 pounds 3 ounces

Claimed packed size: 27 by 8 inches

Maximum interior height: 76 inches

Tent floor area: 86.9 square feet

Footprint included: no

If the Mineral King 3 is out of stock, or if you’d like a slightly larger tent, we recommend the Marmot Tungsten 4 . The Tungsten 4 shares many of the Mineral King 3’s best features, and provides 10 square feet of additional living space as well as excellent weather protection—as long as you set it up properly. Like our top pick, the Tungsten 4 is a sturdy, two-door dome-style tent that can be deployed in about 5 minutes. It uses high-quality materials such as aluminum poles, breathable mesh, and water-resistant polyester fabric, and it comes with a full fly and a footprint. The Tungsten 4’s larger size accounts for the higher price tag (about $40 more), but campers who would like that extra room may find the expense worthwhile.

The Mineral King 3 and the Tungsten 4 have similar shapes, and their pitching process is nearly identical, except that the Tungsten 4 uses two brow poles instead of one. Both tents feature pre-connected poles, and they use the same clipping method to attach the tent body. Marmot provides color-coded buckles to help users orient the Tungsten’s fly, a feature the Mineral King 3 lacks.

Like the Mineral King 3, the Tungsten 4 has a mesh canopy, though the opaque polyester part of its walls go higher, and provide more privacy, than the Mineral King’s. Its tape-seamed bathtub floor and fly had no problem handling rain. The Tungsten’s fly is not adaptable in the same way the Mineral King 3’s is, but it is treated for extra UV protection, which should help lengthen the tent’s lifespan.

In terms of how the two tents feel, the Marmot Tungsten 4 is more geared toward hunkering down and providing stalwart defense against wind, rain, and sun. In contrast to the Mineral King 3’s triangular vestibules, the Tungsten 4’s vestibules are trapezoidal, opening via a central door with protected areas on either side. This design does a better job shielding the tent from incoming—and sideways—wind and rain. The Tungsten’s two brow poles create an especially effective awning over the tent door, so very little water gets in when someone comes or goes.

Marmot uses color coding smartly to help you position the tent as well as set it up. Both of the doors zip open to the side that’s color-coded blue, as opposed to zipping open to opposite sides. This means the vestibules equally protect the doors, rather than providing opposite entries and exits—the latter creates a situation where, in stormy weather, one side of the tent is always more exposed to blustering wind or rain. In other words, one partner—or one partner’s gear—is always going to get a dose of weather when they head out. The Tungsten 4 design equalizes exposure and protection.

In the current version of the Marmot Tungsten 4, we did notice a weakness in the tent’s pole design absent in earlier versions of the tent: The pre-bent joints seem sensitive to the wind. Here's what we observed. Without the fly, the tent’s poles were stable in windy condition. With the added weight of the fly, the poles sometimes twisted, causing the tent to accordion inward and lose its shape wherever it was most exposed. If we Velcroed the fly directly to the poles in these areas—as the directions say to—the tent regained its structural integrity. We suspect that the bends in the current Tungsten’s poles, which are lower to the ground than in the Mineral King 3’s poles, are too acute. (Neither the Mineral King 3 nor any straight-poled dome tent we tested collapsed in this way.) Also, like the Mineral King 3, this tent is short on stakes. Ideally, Marmot would provide another six, in addition to the eight that come with it.

Like our top pick, the Tungsten 4 comes with a footprint. Unlike our top pick, the Tungsten 4 is coated with flame retardants.

Claimed minimum weight (including fly and tent poles): 7 pounds 15 ounces

Claimed packed size: 24.8 by 8.3 inches

Maximum interior height: 52 inches

Tent floor area: 52.7 square feet

The square footprint, ample windows, and functional fly of the Coleman Sundome 6-Person Tent make it a good choice for occasional or backyard campers who want an inexpensive tent that is easy to put up, and looks and feels reasonably nice to camp in.

Unlike some cheap tents we’ve tested over the years, the Coleman Sundome has a simple shape and pole design that should be easy for even inexperienced campers to figure out. The base is a square: Two identical fiberglass poles feed through sleeves on the tent roof to form an X. Pegs at the corners of the tent slip into the ends of the poles, and then the dome-shaped tent pops up (video) .

The separate fly, which covers the upper half of the tent, uses a third, shorter “brow” pole to form protective peaks over the door and the back window. In our tests, an experienced camper took only about six minutes on the first try to set up the tent body alone and stake it out. Getting the fly placed and staked properly took about five more minutes. That’s pretty fast.

Measuring 10 by 10 feet, the Sundome covers an area larger than that of our family-tent top pick though its lower roof leaves it with less headroom. (The Sundome’s center height is exactly six feet, while the Wireless 6 and The North Face Wawona 6 each reach six-foot-four.) The Sundome has only one door, which can be inconvenient, especially for someone trying to slip out of the tent without waking anyone.

Like the REI Co-op Base Camp tents , the Sundome combines high polyester walls with mesh higher up to facilitate stargazing, should you use the tent without the fly, without sacrificing privacy (two of the four walls have mesh from about thigh height up to the roof). That mesh also keeps the tent feeling airy and cool in hot climates.

The biggest material difference between the Sundome and our other picks is its crunchy, tarp-like polyethylene floor. The other tents in this guide all have bathtub-style tape-seamed polyester floors, which is the standard among high-quality tents. The Sundome’s tarp is clearly a budget material, but for what it was, we found it user-friendly. It’s easy to mop up after wet paws and spills, and it doesn’t hold moisture. It’s unlikely to be as durable, though, as the softer, stronger polyester found in our other picks.

Coleman makes no dedicated footprints for its tents—the idea being that the polyethylene is tough enough not to need one. (Still, we suggest that you buy a groundsheet.) The tent has two small, internal pockets—fewer than on any of our other picks—and a loop at the ceiling center to hang a small, lightweight light. It also comes with a little doormat. The tent weighs just 16 pounds, less than any other family tent we tested for this guide.

Although our test tent lasted through two moderate showers with no leaking, be aware that a couple of Amazon buyers have experienced leaking in rainstorms and poles breaking in high winds . When it comes to tents, you tend to get pretty close to what you pay for. If you’re likely to be camping in downpours or high winds, don’t rely on a sub-$150 tent.

Claimed weight (including fly and tent poles): 16 pounds

Claimed packed size: 23.89 by 6.22 inches

Number of doors: one

Number of vestibules: none

Maximum interior height: 72 inches

Tent floor area: 100 square feet

If you can afford to spend more on a family tent, we recommend The North Face Wawona 6 . Everyone who tested this tent loved it, and it’s not hard to understand why. With plenty of interior space, near-vertical walls, and a gigantic vestibule that could accommodate a golf cart, the Wawona feels more like a tiny home than a tent.

At $500, this modified dome-style tent isn’t cheap, but it represents substantial value. Many tents with similar profiles—such as the Big Agnes Dog House 6 —either cost more or require you buy the tent body and attachable vestibule separately. The Wawona doesn’t come with a footprint—few tents this size do—but it’s otherwise all-inclusive, and it is compact considering how much livable space you get. The price also reflects the high quality of the materials, such as the four reinforced aluminum poles, which weigh little yet result in a remarkably strong tent.

The Wawona 6 is more complex to set up than a classic dome-style tent like the Wireless 6, but not by much. We recommend doing it with two people, but one person can manage in about 15 minutes. As with any free-standing tent, with this one you stake out the four corners, and then you feed the two main tent poles through the Wawona’s fabric sleeves, which go halfway down the tent’s body. The North Face’s color-coded poles make this process easy to navigate. Orienting the fly took us a minute on our first try. (We were stubborn and didn’t look at the instructions.) Once you identify the front and back, the process is straightforward. The fly goes up and over the tent body, covering only the upper half of the mesh dome, and then forms the glorious vestibule with the aid of a third pole. Use the extra stakes and guy-lines provided to stabilize the vestibule as much as you need.

Once you set up the Wawona 6, you may not want to leave. Adults as tall as 6-foot-3 can move about this tent standing upright. With a 44-square-foot vestibule, and 86 square feet of interior living space, the tent has plenty of room to house beds, cribs, gear, pets, and camping furniture. Zippered doors can enclose the vestibule fully, so it serves as a separate room for the tent, or you can leave one or both open, so the vestibule can act like a porch or mudroom. The main tent body has a giant front door that’s oriented to make entry and exit easy for all the tent’s occupants at night, and a smaller back window that doubles as a second door.

The Wawona 6’s side-walls are high and straight, but the structure stays very stable in wind thanks to a final pole that wraps around the front and sides—and thanks to the absence of any acute angles in the poles. We were skeptical about the vestibule’s ability to handle wind, since it’s big and supported by a single pole, but it stood fast in 30 mph oceanside gusts and 15 mph hilltop winds.

The Wawona did equally well in rain. Its walls are 75-denier polyester fabric (tougher than the Wireless 6 ’s 68-denier polyester and the same as the REI Co-op Base Camp ’s) that extends about two-thirds up the tent’s sides, and then is topped with mesh. The partial fly does a great job of keeping rain out of the upper, mesh areas, and cleverly placed vents maintain airflow so it never feels too stuffy. (You can also roll up the fly on the two sides to expose the mesh and let in more light.) Thanks to the high opaque walls, users have the privacy to change standing upright and plenty of storage options to stash their gear, including ceiling pockets and a three-pocket back window organizer.

The Wawona 6 uses no flame retardants. This is great for avoiding potential exposure to hazardous chemicals, but you should pitch the tent well away from any open flames.

In terms of flaws, there aren’t much to speak of with the Wawona 6, apart from the price. The North Face offers a limited lifetime warranty on the tent, and will repair most flaws and damage at its discretion.

Some campers might find the Wawona 6’s footprint unwieldy in smaller campsites, or they might simply prefer a tent with a more straightforward design. If you want a six-person tent made with high-quality materials but a traditional profile, we recommend the similarly priced Big Agnes Spicer Peak 6, or Nemo’s Aurora Highrise 6 . MSR’s Habitude 6 is also a good tent, but it costs about $200 more. Unfortunately, you have to buy a separate groundsheet for the Wawona 6 and for most other tents its size as well.

Claimed weight (including fly and tent poles): 20 pounds 5 ounces

Claimed packed size: 32 by 10 inches

Number of vestibules: one

Tent floor area: 86.11 square feet

If you’re a more heavy-duty camper heading into an area with unpredictable weather and can afford to spend a bit more, the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent (for two people) and the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent (for families) are both excellent choices. After many hours of testing, we found that the Base Camps’ reinforced four-pole structure and ultra-spacious interior and vestibules made them the most sturdy, flexible, and reliable models in our test group. (Unlike with our top and runner-up picks for couples, however, you do have to purchase a footprint for your Base Camp 4 tent separately, as well as for the Base Camp 6. REI makes dedicated ones for both the Base Camp 4 and the Base Camp 6 . We recommend that you buy one to protect your tent’s floor.)

Superior vestibule space helped both the Base Camp 4 and the Base Camp 6 rise to the top of their respective test groups. On the Base Camp 4, the two vestibules (front and rear) add up to 44 square feet (the area of the tent itself is 60 square feet). That’s the most of any couples’ tents we tested. As for the Base Camp 6, the vestibule area covered by its front fly and rear fly is also 44 square feet (the interior measures 84 square feet). Only one six-person tent we tested had a larger vestibule: the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 . (The Big Agnes Big House 6 and the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 also have large vestibules, but you must purchase them separately, for an extra $200 and $125, respectively.)

The Base Camp tents include a low side vent and multiple stuff pockets on the walls and ceiling, which are made of 75D polyester treated with 1500mm of polyurethane waterproofing. Note that these tents are strictly meant for car camping; the Base Camp 4 and the Base Camp 6 weigh 16 and 21 pounds, respectively, so you won’t want to carry either one very far. Both come with storage sacks that you sling over one shoulder.

Both Base Camp tents have two doors and lots of mesh in the main tent body. But unlike the Mineral King 3 and the Tungsten 4, the mesh on each Base Camp tent starts high on the walls—more than 4 feet from the ground. This design is a big plus for people who regularly camp in crowded campgrounds and don’t like to get naked in front of strangers. And you can unzip the front door, remove it, and neatly stash it into one of the tent’s internal pockets—a useful feature if you’re feeling sociable.

The geodesic structure of the Base Camp tents is built to withstand wind and rain. It has two main that thread through sleeves, stretching between the four corners of the tent. Generally, we like clip-on designs better, since those are easier to put together, but in the case of the Base Camp models, the sleeves add extra tension and stability throughout the tent fabric. There are also two poles that arch over each doorway and down the sides of the tent to add extra shape and support; these attach to the tent body with clips. The rain fly has an additional tent pole, too, to support the vestibule. Overall, these poles—all of them aluminum—contribute to a particularly sturdy structure, with or without the rain fly. During our testing, our Base Camp shrugged off both a rainstorm and a desert windstorm as if they were nothing. Despite losing some headroom in comparison with the Kelty Wireless 6 and The North Face Wawona 6 , both of which measure six-foot-four in height, the Base Camp 6 offers a substantial six-foot-two.

If anything happens to your Base Camp, REI’s warranty and replacement program has an impressive reputation. Kit lived in the 2013 version of the larger Base Camp 6 for seven months, and it stayed up the entire time, with the tent poles under constant tension—that is, until two of the poles snapped within a week of each other. After a short phone call, REI offered Kit a full replacement. (This was before Kit started reviewing tents for Wirecutter, so REI didn’t know who he was.)

Base Camp 4:

Claimed weight (including fly and tent poles): 16 pounds 14 ounces

Claimed packed size: 20 by 10 inches

Maximum interior height: 60 inches

Tent floor area: 59.7 square feet

Base Camp 6:

Claimed weight (including fly and tent poles): 20 pounds 10 ounces

Claimed packed size: 24 by 11 inches

Maximum interior height: 74 inches

Tent floor area: 84 square feet

Tents for couples (that is, four-person tents)

If you need to save money and don’t need two doors: Try the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 . When we first tested tents in 2016, the Grand Mesa was one of the few tents with a large mesh canopy. As this design became more common, the Kelty tent became less unusual and ultimately couldn’t compete  two-door models, which are more convenient for couples and have better ventilation. We think our top pick is a more well-rounded choice, but if you’re looking for a reasonably priced tent that’s just as easy to pitch, and you’re not fussed about having two doors, the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 is a good choice. It comes with a full rain fly but no footprint.

Tents for families (that is, six-person tents)

If the Coleman Sundome 6 is out of stock: Try the Core 6 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent . Core Equipment is a relatively new company, popular on Amazon, whose products seem designed to compete directly with products from Coleman, an outdoor legacy brand that has been around 1900. We tested Core’s basic six-person dome-style and cabin-style tents, and each performed as well as the Coleman tent did. (The Core 6 Person Dome Tent that we tested has since been replaced by Core’s 6 Person Dome Plus Tent , which we plan to take a look at.) We can’t yet speak for the long-term durability of the tent—or the company—which is why we’re not making it our budget pick, but we’ll continue testing it.

If the Wireless 6 is out of stock or you’re camping in fair weather and prefer more indoor space: Try the Big Agnes Dog House 6 . Although technically a dome tent like the Wireless 6, the Dog House 6 has walls that are more vertical, and more head and shoulder space as well—its peak height is 80 inches, taller than any of our picks. It also was the most affordable family tent we tested to use high-quality aluminum poles. So why is it not our top pick? Well, the Dog House 6 lacks a full fly and has no vestibule space.  Instead, it comes with a pre-attached, non-removable cap fly, and short awnings that don’t do much to protect the entry. We weren’t psyched to be in this tent even in light rain or when the wind picked up significantly.

If The North Face Wawona 6 is out of stock: Try the Big Agnes Spicer Peak 6 or the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 . Both of these tents are well-structured, dome-style tents with high-quality workmanship and design. We preferred the single huge vestibule of the Wawona 6 to the smaller front and back vestibules on these two tents, but either tent would be a good runner-up. Both contain about 83 square feet of space, but the Aurora has more of a bread-loaf shape with two big doors running lengthwise—great for kids who want to run in and out—and a peak height of six-foot-five, while the Spicer Peak has doors at the narrower ends, and a peak height of six-foot-eight.

For longer stays or families with older kids: Try the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 . This is the redesign of REI Co-op’s beloved Kingdom 6 tent, which was a favorite among many family campers, including Wirecutter’s deputy editor Christine Cyr Clisset. Like the old Kingdom, the Wonderland is a delightful wagon-shaped tent with two round doors on either end. It has a massive interior, and comes with a room divider for privacy, good for families with older kids. REI Co-op changed the Wonderland’s pole design to increase its stability in wind, a weakness of the old Kingdom. We don’t yet know how well it stands up over time, but it handled 35 mph winds on the North Shore of Oahu without a problem. The tent has a partial fly and lots of interior storage, but no vestibule—and it costs a hefty $600. You can purchase an attachable mudroom for an additional $125; this substantially increases the footprint of an already large tent if you’re headed to a campsite with limited space.

If you want something that goes up instantly: Try the Coleman 6-Person Instant Cabin , which, thanks to telescoping, pre-attached poles, goes up and comes down much faster (in less than two minutes) than any other tent we tested. It also has no standalone fly, instead relying on a solid roof, which helps make setup easier. The drawback here is that this tent offers less protection from the elements and does less to reduce condensation than models with a separate fly. Although we were impressed by the Instant Cabin’s ease of setup, we thought that it was darker and less well ventilated than the Coleman Sundome 6-Person Tent.

The North Face Wawona 4 , which we used to list in our Other Good Tents section, has been redesigned; it's now made of polyester, not nylon. We’ll take another look at it soon.

We’ve tested (and recommended) Eureka tents in past versions of this guide. In October 2023, Eureka’s parent company, Johnson Outdoors, announced that it was discontinuing the Eureka brand . The product line, including its tents, should remain available through the end of 2024.

Alps Mountaineering Meramac 4-Person : Though this tent was sturdy (its poles were much heavier and of better quality than some of the other fiberglass poles we saw), it has no vestibule, and it didn’t offer as good ventilation as our picks when fully closed.

Eureka Kohana 4 Person Tent : The poles were finicky to insert and left the tent looking decidedly off-kilter.

Sierra Designs Tabernash 4 : We had high hopes for this $150 tent, but the pole (once again, a fiberglass-and-steel design) meant to frame the Tabernash’s doorway and vestibule kept jumping out of its grommet, repeatedly collapsing the only point of entry.

Stoic Madrone 4 Tent : Although the Madrone 4 features lots of fun colors, it didn’t quite match similar tents in its price range in the overall quality of its construction and design.

Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent : The Pop-Up Tent is packed into a 3-foot-wide carrying case that, when opened, shoots the tent forth like a snake-in-a-can gag gift. Presto—there’s your tent. The only problem is that it’s not a very good tent—only for backyard duty at best. Also, packing the tent back up is a nightmare.

Big Agnes Big House 4 : This is a cabin-style tent that we tested as a control; we wanted to know whether a dome-style tent was really better than a cabin-style tent for two people. Though this tent offered a little more livable space, the broad, flat walls had some trouble during high winds.

Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent : We recommend this tent in its six-person design, but the four-person model we tested was too weak to support itself when subjected to even mild wind or rain.

We dismissed several tents because their fiberglass poles were too flimsy to offer support against anything but the lightest breeze: the Amazon Basics Outdoor 4-Person Camping Tent , the Coleman Hooligan 4-Person Backpacking Tent , and the Eureka Tetragon HD 4 (it’s since been replaced by  the Tetragon NX , which has similar fiberglass poles).

REI Co-op Skyward 6 Tent: This did perform well overall for a cabin-style tent, but like many of its brethren, it didn’t handle wind well, and we didn’t like how much we had to wrestle its poles to dock them during setup.

ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 : This spacious cabin-style tent met its downfall the same way almost every other cabin-style tent we tested did—in wind. Its fiberglass-and-steel tent poles also left splinters in our palms.

MSR Habitude 6 : This pricey tent has some of the most impeccable workmanship and nicest materials we encountered, but it has only one door. Its red and turquoise color scheme also absorbs a lot of heat and feels overly intense, at least in warmer climates, and the tent lacked options for ventilation.

Mountain Hardwear Bridger 6 : What is a $950 six-person tent like? Quite nice, unsurprisingly. The Bridger 6 is the only six-person tent we encountered that can actually house six people, it’s made of high-quality polyester, and it has powder-coated aluminum poles and endless storage options. It features a large front-facing porch-style vestibule, which can accommodate a table and multiple chairs without blocking the entry. It was also the only six-person tent we saw that came with a groundsheet. But the tent’s striking sea-foam green walls show every scuff and mark—not in the least practical for camping with kids. When we pitched the tent alongside our upgrade pick, we still gravitated to the Wawona’s more versatile vestibule. Also, $950.

Eureka Copper Canyon LX 6 Person Tent : This tent was our family-camping pick for a long time, and served Wirecutter editor Kalee Thompson’s family well during many camping trips in California. It’s a spacious, robust tent for fair-weather camping, but its windows let in wind and rain in less temperate climates.

Eureka Jade Canyon 6 Person Tent: In the severe gusts of a windstorm, one of the Jade Canyon’s aluminum poles bent badly, while a couple of other poles bent slightly but remained functional. (Eureka will replace poles for around $10 each.) We also had an issue with two of the Jade Canyon’s poles sticking together at takedown and making it impossible to get the whole tent back in the already-way-too-snug carrying bag. (The Jade Canyon 6 has since been replaced by the Jade Canyon X6 Person Tent , which has similar poles.)

Big Agnes Big House 6 : Although we liked the look and feel of this brightly colored tent, it costs $600 and the vestibule is a separate purchase ($200), making the full package significantly more pricey than our family-tent picks.

Cabela’s West Wind 6-Person Dome Tent : This tent has a more complicated design than many other six-person models. Our testers struggled for well over half an hour to get it up, eventually attracting the attention of other campers, who came to their rescue.

We found that company representatives are reluctant to estimate the lifespan of their tents. When pushed, most of the reps we talked to estimated five to 10 years, though the actual lifespan will vary widely depending on care and frequency of use (for more advice, read REI’s excellent tips ). In conducting research for this guide, we heard multiple tales of careful campers who had been using the same tent for 15 years or more.

There are several straightforward ways to make any tent last longer:

• Use a groundsheet. A footprint made by the same company that made your tent and that’s sized to match is ideal to prevent pooling water—and to avoid the wrinkles and crumply sound of a cheap, $10 tarp. That said, a cheap tarp will do the job just fine, as long as you buy it or cut it to fit. A tarp that’s too big will collect rainwater off the fly and funnel it right under the tent.
• Clean your campsite. Before you lay out your footprint and tent, make a reasonable effort to remove from the site any small stones, sticks, and briars that could puncture the tent floor.
• Set some ground rules. “Your tent is your sanctuary,” said camping expert Helen Olsson, who would always bring a “play tent” (an old, two-person backpacking tent) for her little kids to use as a daytime play space. When they were in the “real” tent, everyone followed Olsson’s “no shoes in the tent” rule.
• Zip it up. Similarly, keep your tent zipped to keep bugs and critters out, and become a pro zipper user: A thumb placed in the area forward of the direction you’re pulling the zipper will clear the fabric path and help prevent snags.
• Sweep out before packing. Tiny pebbles or sticks packed inside the tent can rub and erode the material over time. Another nice thing about tents that retain their structure without being staked is that a couple of people should be able to team up to lift the tent and shake out detritus before removing the poles and putting the tent away. You could also follow the lead of some campers and carry a small whisk broom and dustpan to keep the tent floor tidy during your trip.
• Dry before storing. “Nothing will destroy a tent faster than mildew,” tent designer Bob Howe told us. “And if it doesn’t destroy it, it just makes it unlivable.” To avoid mildew (and the accompanying stink), never, ever pack away a tent that’s still damp. Line-dry it, hang it up in your basement, or set it up in your garage until any hint of dampness is gone.

This article was edited by Eve O’Neill and Christine Ryan.

Bob Howe, tent designer , phone interview , March 10, 2016

Helen Olsson, author of The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids , phone interview , March 10, 2016

Ryan Flynn, salesperson for Johnson Outdoors, parent company of Eureka , phone interview , March 7, 2016

Campmor Tent FAQs , Campmor

MSR Tents Frequently Asked Questions , Mountain Safety Research (MSR)

Tent Fabrics Part 1: Fabric Specs , Mountain Safety Research (MSR) , November 16, 2015

Tent Fabrics Part 2: Waterproof Ratings , Mountain Safety Research (MSR) , November 22, 2015

Compare Camping Tents , GearLab

Meet your guides

Claire Wilcox

Claire Wilcox contributes outdoors coverage to Wirecutter. An avid swimmer, surfer, hiker, and camper, she currently lives on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where she can be found, as much as possible, in water.

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Kalee Thompson

Kalee Thompson is the senior editor heading up the team responsible for health, fitness, baby, and kid coverage at Wirecutter. She has previously been a writer on the emergency prep and outdoor beats and is the author of two non-fiction books: Deadliest Sea and The Border Within .

Further reading

What to Pack for Camping Trips With Kids

by Kalee Thompson

Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping out—and help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store.

The Best Canopy Tent for Camping and Picnics

The easy-to-set-up REI Co-op Screen House Shelter is our canopy tent pick, with good sun and insect protection and a bright, roomy feel.

How to Clean a Smelly Camping Tent

by Elissa Sanci

Here’s what you need to hand-wash your tent and fight the funk that builds up after a long time in storage—and what to avoid (like top-loader washing machines).

Keep Your Tent Out of the Sun (And More Tips to Make Your Tent Last)

A good tent is one of the most important pieces of camping equipment you’ll buy. Here’s how to make it last for years.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

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The Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best for Car Camping Coleman Dome with Screen Room (6-Person) Read more

Best Two-Person Backpacking Tent REI Half Dome SL 2+ (2-Person) Read more

Best Outdoor Palace Snow Peak Land Nest Medium Tent Tarp Set Read more

Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent Big Agnes Copper Spur (2-Person) Read more

Camping is intense! No, really. If you're going camping, you will probably be in a tent. Hammock lovers might disagree—and we love sleeping under the stars when weather permits—but most of the time, finding and preparing adequate shelter for yourself, your family, or your pets is a nonnegotiable step toward being comfy in the great outdoors. There are as many kinds of tents as there are ways to go camping, and they range widely in price and features. To help you figure out the best tent for your next adventure, we've pooled our favorites from years of testing—whether you're getting away for the weekend with the family or soloing Denali.

Be sure to check out our other buying guides , including the Best Rain Jackets , Best Hiking Gear , Best Camping Gear , and Best Barefoot Shoes .

Updated March 2024: We've added Nemo Equipment's new Mayfly Osmo Tent, along with a new section on tents to avoid, some more tent buying advice, and updated prices and links throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Best for Car Camping

Stroll through any campground in America and you'll see plenty of these no-frills Coleman tents. For good reason—they're some of the best budget car camping tents around. They're reasonably cheap, available just about anywhere, and get the job done. They're all you need, especially if you're only camping for a week or two a year.

This budget tent is our top pick for newcomers and the experienced alike. It's easy to set up, provides good rain protection and three-season comfort, and the price doesn't break the bank. If you're not backpacking there's no reason to pay a premium for low trail weight or a tent that packs down impossibly small (the packed size on this one isn't bad, crammed down into the included stuff sack it’s about the size of your average collapsible camp chair).

If you forgo the extra vestibule with the bug screen, the Coleman Sundome Tent is even cheaper. But living in the southern United States, I really appreciate the bug barrier (and the extra room to stash stuff).

Best Two-Person Backpacking Tent

REI's Half Dome tent series has been a popular choice with backpackers for many years. It's still one of the best backpacking tents you can buy and we’ve toted it on many a backpacking trip. It's rugged, simple to set up, and offers generous living space for two with gear. The tent body is made of 40-denier ripstop nylon for durability at the base and on the floor, with 20-denier nylon mesh (both fabrics are bluesign approved). It also comes with a footprint, which is a rarity these days. The tent poles are aluminum and interchangeable, which makes it easy to setup and take down.

The mesh design, when coupled with the rainfly and good staking, will stand up to storms and not roast you when camping in the midsummer heat. The dual doors with dual vestibules ensure you aren't climbing over your partner in the middle of the night. That said, the vestibules are on the small side—big enough for boots and an empty pack, but not much else.

The Half Dome isn't the lightest tent on this list (see the Copper Spur below), but with a packed weight just under 4 pounds, it's not too heavy when split between two people. I also like that the rainfly is symmetrical—there's no "front" and "back," and the vestibules are identical—which makes setup easier.

Best Outdoor Palace

Snow Peak makes achingly stylish outdoor gear. It’s an exclusive club with a hefty buy-in, but there’s no denying the quality. The tent-tarp set consists of two pieces, the Land Nest Dome Medium ($540) and a matching tarp. The tent is a compact, self-supporting dome, with light but strong steel poles that took minutes to pitch, with barely a glance at the instructions. It weighs in at 19 pounds (9 kilograms), and it has two entrances, a removable bedroom pod (ideal for two adults and two small kids), and impressive ventilation for warmer months. There’s no communal area ground sheet, but Snow Peak sells a footprint if needed.

The generously sized Tarp ($390) sits neatly over the porch of the tent to extend the living space. It puts other vestibules to shame with a massive amount of extra living space, but it does add 16 pounds (7 kilograms) to the total. In fair weather, the tarp setup is open, comfortable and envy-inducing. First time pitching it, however, we experienced seven hours of torrential rain and 47-mph gusts. Thanks to the heavy-duty pegs, the tarp performed admirably in the high winds. We did take it down at night, but only to avoid noise from flapping, rather than out of concern for structural integrity. Despite the howling gale, the tent itself was utterly dependable and durable. I highly recommend it. — Chris Haslam

Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent

The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is the king of ultralight tents. I've used both the two-person and four-person models over the years, and Big Agnes has continually refined the design to the point that I have nothing left to complain about. This is a high quality, well-designed tent. We recently tried the updated one-person Copper Spur ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) and loved it. If you can afford it, this is one of the best tents on the market. It's lightweight, easy to set up, and stable even in strong winds. The Copper Spur is also very livable, with steep sidewalls to maximize interior space. Mesh pockets help with gear storage and give you a place to stick your headlamp for dispersed light. The ingenious “awning” design makes getting in and out a snap. All seams are taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape. They're also durable despite their lightweight fabrics, standing up to years of abuse on the trail.

My only criticism is that it can be a tight squeeze. For a long trip where your partner isn't your significant other, you might want to go with the next size up. The three-person could be a spacious, comfortable living space for two people with all their gear, and will still be lighter than most two-person tents. WIRED reviewer Matt Jancer owns this tent and has broken sections of the aluminum poles twice now. Make sure you bring a repair kit (after the fact, Big Agnes will replace your pole section for $5).

Best Bikepacking Tent

Bikepacking (that’s backpacking on a bike, for the uninitiated) means adventurous types can explore further without having to carry mountains of gear on their back, and brands like Big Agnes are now designing tents that have shorter pole lengths, enabling them to fit between drop handlebars, or in panniers.

My pick of the bunch is the superlight, super premium Copper Spur HV UL3. It weights just 3 lb, 11 oz ( 1.6 kilos), and it has enough space for two (a squeeze for three). It’s also available in lighter, smaller, one- and two-person options, all with twin vestibules and doors, hidden helmet storage, and external webbing for hanging out wet clothes. The superb DAC Featherlite NSL poles fold short and fit between drop handlebars, secured in place with heavy-duty clips, while the eco-sensitive process dyed ripstop nylon is strong and exceptionally light. Oddly for a bike-specific tent, you’ll need to carry hiking poles if you want to create two awnings, but in truth, this tent is equally good if you are adventuring on foot.

There’s a whole range of Big Agnes bike-specific tents , but I want to give a special mention to the hammock-style Gear Lofts ($20) , which create a huge stash space without cluttering up the tent floor.

For more tips, check out our full guide to the best bikepacking gear .

Best Family Tent

If you're camping with a family, let me make an argument for backcountry camping. Paddling out to a distant shore might be preferable to figuring out how to keep a rambunctious dog or toddler from annoying everyone around them in a campground. If you're headed away from the car, you want a sturdy, more reliable tent like this MSR.

The Habitude is strong and light. It fits easily on a canoe or paddleboard and is easy to set up—the design is simple and the poles are color-coded. There's plenty of floor space for sleeping pads and sleeping bags to keep two adults, two toddlers, and a large-ish dog warm at night. It also has storage pockets, places to hang lights, and a vestibule. The only major downside is that it doesn't get quite as much airflow as our other picks. But otherwise, this is a good option if your family is ready to move past car camping but not quite prepared to snap the handles off everyone's toothbrushes and go full-on ultralight. —Adrienne So

Best Super-Sturdy Backcountry Tent

Nemo's new Osmo fabric is the star of the show in the Dagger Osmo 3P ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ). The new fabric resists sagging in wet weather, which means even when the rain is coming down, the fly is not. It's also nice that the Osmo nylon-polyester blend is made with 100 percent recycled nylon and polyester yarns, with no flame-retardant chemicals or fluorinated water repellents (PFC and PFAS). Nemo is using this new fabric on all its backpacking tents.

While the new fabric does a great job, what I really love is how low to the ground (the peak height is 42 inches) and sturdy it is—it holds up really well in even in high winds (45 mph when I was testing). Pair the sturdiness with large, spacious vestibules and a roomy interior with excellent stargazing potential thanks to the mesh roof, and you have a great backcountry tent. There's plenty of room for three sleeping pads, and mesh pockets help keep little items from getting lost. The color-coded poles make setup a snap. The only real downside is the weight. I find 4 pounds fine when split between two people, but the ultralight-obsessed will likely prefer Nemo’s Hornet or Dragonfly tents.

Best for Lots of Gear

Do you go all-out when you go out? No one at our group campsite could believe the size of our Bridger 6, especially since it packs down to around the same size as our 4-person MSR Habitude . Even though the assembly is pretty simple and fast, I am just a little too short at 5'2" to be able to manage it alone and needed to rope in my 5'10" husband. If you set up the multiple vestibules, the footprint also becomes a bafflingly big 18 feet deep. We did fit it on a backcountry site between some trees, but it took some trial and error.

Once it’s set up, though, it’s worth it. The tent floor area is a whopping 90 square feet, big enough to fit two air mattresses if Dad is tired of always being forced to sleep on the floor. The enormous vestibule is another 90 square feet, which is big enough to fit multiple mountain bikes. There’s all the interior storage you could possibly want, including guy lines to hang your wet clothes for when you’re swimming in the lake and forgot to bring your clothesline, as I always do. The full-coverage fly kept us pretty warm while camping with 40-degree nights, but there are also two saloon doors. On lazy days, there’s plenty of room to roll up the doors, admire the lake in front of you, and take a nap. It would also make a good base camp center if you have a bunch of kids that want to hang out in the heat of the day. — Adrienne So

Best Budget Ultralight Tent

Nemo Equipment’s new Mayfly Osmo two- and three-person tents are everything you’d expect from Nemo—solidly built, cleverly designed, with weather resistance and durability in mind. I tested the Mayfly two-person, which has a trail weight of 3 pounds, 8 ounces. A little heavier than the Copper Spur above, but still pretty light when split between two people.

To save on weight, the Mayfly uses a semi-freestanding design, which means there are fewer poles, but you have to stake out or otherwise secure the foot-end of the tent. Two sewn-in ridged stays help ensure there’s plenty of room by your feet, but the Mayfly is on the tight side. Two sleeping pads fit and hikers under 6'4" will be fine, but if you’re not close with your hiking partner, the three-person model will be a better option.

The Mayfly has many internal pockets and storage options, as well as roomy vestibules with enough room for your pack. Like the Dagger, the dark mesh ceiling makes for good stargazing on clear, warm nights. The rainfly also uses the same Osmo fabric as the Dagger, giving you great weather protection without known toxic chemicals. If you’re looking for a great ultralight backpacking tent on a budget, the Mayfly Osmo delivers.

Best Lightweight Family Tent

The MSR Elixir 4 tent isn't quite as pricey as the Big Agnes Copper Spur, but it's not much heavier (just under 8 lbs versus just under 6 lbs for the Copper Spur 4-person ). I’ve used this with my three kids on several backpacking trips, and there was plenty of interior space for all of us. That said, three adults will be more comfortable than four.

The Elixer is a solidly built tent, made of quality materials—the 70D taffeta nylon floor has proved durable in my testing. There are three color-coded aluminum poles with corresponding color-coded clips, making it easy to set up. The side walls are steep thanks to the crossover pole, making the interior roomy, though the storage pockets up top are on the small side. The mesh at the top provides great ventilation on warm summer nights (and leaving off the rainfly gave my kids and me a great view of the stars at night).

There’s double vestibules with enough room to keep boots and other gear out of the weather, though cooking under the vestibule is cramped and tricky. On the whole though, this is one of the better hybrid front/backcountry tents available. I should note that a number of people on the MSR site has reported the fly delaminating or tearing. I have not had that issue, but it’s something to be aware of.

For Going Solo

Sea to Summit's ultralight Alto ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is designed to keep weight down on your solo adventures. WIRED reviewer Matt Jancer recently took one to Hawaii, where he notes that despite the mere 33-ounce weight, it held up on the abrasive volcanic rock and high winds of the north shore on the Big Island and Kauai. The top's zippered vent should probably have mesh to keep the bugs from flying in between the tent’s inner and outer walls, but let's be honest—bugs will probably get in there anyway. You can use a tiny zipper to open and close the vent without leaving the tent. This tent and the Telos ($599) are Sea to Summit’s first tents, but the company nailed it. There's also a two-person TR2 model ($549) if you like the design but need more room.

Best Pop-Up Tent

We're not saying Decathlon is lying, but if you can get this tent up in two seconds, you're doing better than we are. That said, it sets up plenty fast, far faster than anything else in this guide. It's freestanding, although for maximum ventilation you'll want to use the side guy ropes, which help open up some space for air to flow.

Aside from the quick and easy setup, what makes the Quechua special is the black fabric, which gets you pretty close to darkness even in broad daylight. That makes it a good choice for festivals or a day at the beach, or anywhere you want to take a nap or just get out of the sun for a while.

Tents to Avoid

Not every tent makes the cut, here are a few we suggest you avoid.

• MSR Habiscape 4 : On paper this is a fine tent. In practice … The stuff sack carrying case is awkward and doesn’t stay closed, since it cinches up with a poor-quality drawstring. The color-coding is difficult to figure out, making setup a bit annoying no matter how many times you do it. The biggest flaw, though, is marketed as a feature: There’s a pass-through pocket near the main door. You can pass items through the wall without wrestling open the door. Sounds good, but the pass-through pocket doesn’t have a zipper or a way to seal it up. MSR says the pocket is bug-proof. It is not. Every single time I’ve camped in this tent, I’ve woken up to bugs in the pocket and in my tent. The tent does have excellent ventilation and nifty ceiling loops for lantern-hanging, and the interior is roomy. It’s just also full of daddy longlegs. Consider yourself warned. — Louryn Strampe
• Inflatable Tents: They aren't all bad. In fact there are some upsides—easy to setup, stable in high winds—but they're expensive, heavy, and very bulky, often taking up most of your trunk, which leaves little room for that nice cooler and fancy new camp stove . Still, if you're a dedicated car camper looking for a dead simple tent, it might be worth checking out inflatable options.

How to Pick the Perfect Tent

There are hundreds of tents out there. If none of our top picks quite works for you, here are a few things to consider while doing your own research.

Know how you plan to use your tent. Are you a car camper? Backpacker? Bike packer? All of the above? If you're primarily headed to established campgrounds, there's no need for an expensive ultralight tent. By the same token, if you're not happy until the trail head is 20 miles behind you, it might be worth sacrificing living space to save weight. The unfortunate truth is that there are very few tents that work well in the backcountry and the campground. It's often worth buying a good backcountry tent and something cheap for campgrounds to spare your expensive tent the added wear and tear.

Keep the weather in mind. “Three-season” or “four-season” usually refers to how much ventilation (that is, mesh) the tent has. A three-season tent will offer better ventilation but will have a harder time retaining heat. For most people, a three-season tent is fine. But if you're planning to snowshoe into the backcountry, or if you live in northern climes and want some protection against the occasional early or late winter squall, then a four-season tent might be appropriate.

What specs are important?

• Floor space: We look at all the dimensions, rather than the four-person or six-person designations. Those tend to assume that all campers are pint-sized people. Remember that you will probably want to keep spare clothes or a backpack in the tent itself and that you need it to be long enough to stretch out comfortably for your height. Be aware, though, that there are some restrictions on tent size; be sure to check out the regulations at the campground you're planning to visit.
• Headroom: Can you stand up in the tent? How steep are the walls? The steeper the side walls the better, since that gives you more space to move around.
• Storage areas: Are there plenty of pockets to stash your smaller items? The more mesh pockets the merrier, especially higher pockets that won't reduce sleeping space. We love corner pockets for stashing headlamps to give the tent a nice even light to read by.
• Vestibule: Does it have one? Two? Is it big enough to store boots and other gear that you want to stay dry but don't want to have in the tent with you? If you're backpacking, is it big enough to safely cook under?
• A footprint. What kind of tent, in the year 2024, doesn’t come with a footprint? Quite a few it turns out. We suggest them in most cases, so you'll want to factor in the added cost if the tent you're interested in doesn't have one.
• Materials: These days, most tents are made from nylon that's coated in polyurethane, silicone, or acrylic to help it shed water. Most, but not all, tents come seam-sealed so water doesn't leak in, but if yours isn't, REI has a great guide to doing it yourself . We also like to look for more eco-friendly, possibly healthier fabrics that have certifications like bluesign .

How Heavy Should a Backpacking Tent Be?

Is a 6-pound tent too heavy for backpacking? How about 5 pounds? Four? The answer is that it depends how much everything else you're carrying weighs, but a good rule of thumb is that your tent should weigh about 2.5 pounds per person on the trip. So for two people, a 5-pound tent would be fine. Split the weight by having one person carry the tent and stakes while the other carries the poles and rain fly. That said, obviously a 4-pound tent is going to be even lighter divided like this. If you can afford it, go with the lighter tent, your back will thank you. It also may well be possible to shave some weight off the rest of your backpacking kit, thus making a 6-pound tent acceptable so long as you split the weight with your partner.

Less weight means more money. This isn't always true, but unfortunately, it usually is. If you want to go ultralight, you're going to have to spend more. But before you fork over the big bucks, ask yourself: Do I really care about saving 6 ounces? Are you going to notice those 6 ounces at the end of a 20-mile day? If the answer is yes, then rejoice. There is an internet subculture of people who obsess over saving ounces. The r/ultralight Reddit is a good place to start your research.

How We Tested Camping Tents

It was intense! Sorry. But sometimes it really was. We test tents individually in most cases, taking them on real trips into the backcountry in the case of backpacking tents, and to the local campground in the case of camping tents. We try to use them the way you do, in the real world. It really doesn't matter much how a tent performs in a lab, what matters is how it does after a long day hiking as a storm is moving in. That's when a tent's performance, easy of setup, and durability really matter. We try to test each tent for several weeks at time to get a feel for what it's like to live in it day in and day out. We also set them up in our backyards during more extreme weather to see how they perform.

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The Best Camping Tents of 2024

If you’re going to camp outside, chances are you’ll need a good mobile roof over your head — unless you’re one of those cowboy-camping thru-hiker types. And while we’ve logged some serious shut-eye in hundreds, you won’t catch us sleeping on the best camping tents out today. For this guide, we intensely used more than 40 and winnowed down our gear rooms to the 15 best of the best collected here.

Our team of experts brings decades of camping experience in every sort of condition imaginable, from national park campgrounds to multiday festivals to long road trips. Our experience and exacting standards give us the expertise to make your shopping easier and have shown us that while many tents claim to do it all, many excel in certain circumstances over others.

Some tents are wilder-nests that thrive in a more backcountry-adjacent use, while others are downright front-country palatial. We gathered our most camp-savvy testers and sent them into the woods across the country in search of the perfect camping tent for every type of weekend.

For our evaluation, we focused on weather resistance, comfort, ease of setup, extra features, and value. Using these five guidelines, we’ve compiled a list of the best camping tents of this year. Check out our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide and Price & Value sections for helpful tips, and have a look at our Comparison Chart to steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Camping Tent guide on August 19, 2024, to revise our testing regimen, add a new Price & Value section, as well as testing notes on our new favorite tent from Big Agnes — The Bunk House 4 .

• Best Overall Camping Tent: MSR Habitude 6
• Best Budget Camping Tent: Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4
• Best Tent for Families: REI Co-op Wonderland X
• Best Tent for Group Camping: Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 Tent
• Best Harsh Weather Camping Tent: REI Co-op Base Camp 6
• Best Crossover Tent for Camping and Backpacking: Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3

MSR Habitude 6

• Floor Area 83 sq. ft. (120" x 100")
• Weight 14 lbs.
• Height 77"
• Footprint Included No
• Number of Doors One
• Carry Size 23" x 10" x 10"
• Seasons 3-season
• Best For Large family camping outings where weather might be variable

• Smart pole geometry and tough fabrics means this tent is built to last
• LED porch light integrated into the tent
• Generous sleeping area
• Rain fly coverage drops low to prevent gusts from sneaking in
• Steep canopy walls
• Single door means you may have to stumble over tent mates to enter/exit

After many seasons abroad and close to home, we’ve about settled it: The MSR Habitude 6 ($700) is just about the best camping tent on the market today and brings together a slate of smart front-country features and a built-tough construction that ensures it’ll be around long into your camping future. For anyone looking for a stellar night under the stars, the Habitude has you covered.

Available in both a four- and six-person configuration, the Habitude series of tents borrows much from MSR’s long history in creating strong backcountry-style tents to produce one for the more mellow outings of the summer. Supreme livability is the name of the game for this tent, and we greatly appreciated the large vestibule space and 6-foot overhead clearance.

Setup is a breeze, utilizing a hubbed pole design and color-coded clips (no pole sleeves to fuss with) to erect the 83 square feet of sleeping space. While many camping-size tents might require an extra set of hands to wrangle it into existence, the Habitude was noticeably easy to erect by a single person.

The majority of the tent’s inner is a 68D polyester, with mesh placed smartly to provide airflow and privacy. Studded about are a number of storage pockets and extra hang loops to trick out your home away from home with camping niceties such as lanterns.

Now the Achilles heel: This wonderful tent only offers a single entry/egress point, which we found a hindrance to an otherwise excellent tent. We would have loved the ease of even a 1.5-door design — like on The North Face Wawona 4. You might consider the integrated LED porch light lantern a worthy balm, as it is pretty enjoyable to use. For a close-to-identical tent with an additional door, look to the more luxury-minded MSR Habiscape series — it just has less weather protection.

Weighing the Habitude against other tents in our review was a tough row to hoe — it was considerably lighter than the REI Base Camp 6 but also $100 more expensive. It offers much more standing height than tents like the Marmot Limestone 4P or Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 , but it lacks the second door both these tents have. The scales always have to balance out somewhere, but after many seasons of use, our testing team agreed that the MSR Habitude 6 does it better than pretty much any other tent.

Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4

• Floor Area 53 sq. ft. (97" x 79")
• Weight 8 lbs., 8 oz.
• Height 58"
• Carry Size 23" x 6"
• Best For Casual weekends of car camping, festivals, beach camping

• Easy and intuitive to set up
• Inexpensive
• Pre-attached guylines
• Storage duffel is easy to stuff and unpack
• Rainfly isn't full protection
• Fiberglass poles

While there is a glut of budget camping tents on the market, too many have gone too far in trimming features, coverage, and comfort. The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 ($120) isn’t one among them, however, and hits all of the bullet points we’re after — without also coming for our wallets. Done up in an instantly recognizable design, this tent doesn’t take the shortcut where it matters, and is perfect for anyone wanting to give camping a whirl.

Set up with a tried and true crossed-pole design, the Discovery Basecamp integrates a number of smart choices to make raising the roof easier, including ‘Quick Corners’ — which are short pole sleeves to secure the pole ends. From there, modern pole clips suspend the canopy from the fiberglass poles, which, while not our favorite, help to keep the price down. When testing in Joshua Tree National Park in early spring, we had little issue throwing the tent up sans instructions.

Some other budget-minded tents attempt to shave ounces (and dollar signs) by hemming the rain fly up high and tight — exposing windows to wind-driven rain, but the Discovery Basecamp makes use of a brow pole to set the porch coverage back far and protect the door window. When fully staked and with the rainfly guyed out, this tent does a commendable job keeping its inhabitants dry, especially considering the price.

While it only has one door, that door is huge, so access is very easy. Each side is lined with a few internal storage pockets, so you’ll have no problem staying organized and keeping the floor free of knick-knacks. While the Discovery Basecamp takes a more traditional approach, it isn’t the tallest tent, and those looking for more vertical should look to the REI Co-op Skyward 4 — a cabin-styled tent that trades weather protection for comfort.

Available in both a 4- and a 6-person size, the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 is an easy choice for folks looking for their first camping tent, or even just a beater you aren’t worried about leaving up on the lawn. Don’t expect it to last forever at $120, but for the money, there are plenty of summers in this tent.

REI Co-op Wonderland X

• Floor Area 70.5 sq. ft. (100" x 100")
• Weight 35 lbs., 1 oz.
• Height 75"
• Number of Doors Four
• Carry Size 27.4" x 14" x 12.8"
• Best For Mondo-sized camping trips with the whole crew

• Huge tent for four people
• Doubles as a massive shelter for cooking, entertaining, or eating
• Extremely durable
• The sleeping area is very large and protective from the elements
• Too big for smaller campsites

The REI Co-op Wonderland X ($999) is a very large and unique tent that makes an incredibly spacious abode. Designed as a four-person car camping tent, the Wonderland X is so much more. We’ve tested this tent since the spring of 2022 and are still blown away by the unique tunnel design with interior sleeping quarters — perfect for a weekend with the entire family.

While optimized for a group of four, the Wonderland X not only serves as a giant camping shelter but also as a big hangout space. By removing the interior sleeping quarters, the shelter becomes a 13 x 9-foot floorless shelter. It can easily cover a picnic table, the tailgate of a truck, or even a small car.

REI built the Wonderland X with extremely heavy materials, ensuring a very long life if properly maintained. And at 35 pounds, this tent is definitely not coming backpacking — but for those looking at an alternative to canvas wall tents or just a very robust, large car camping setup, this tent is the pinnacle .

Put to the test, the tent performed perfectly in windy and rainy conditions, where the enormous awning provided space for lounging and cooking for four adult men. Copious guylines can be a bit much to get your head around, but in truly unsettled weather, they’re the perfect solution to keeping the Wonderland X where it belongs.

Those looking for a similar design but at a lower price should also consider the Wonderland 4 and Wonderland 6 , which work on the same principles but use lighter, less expensive materials. For the real-deal family palace, however, it’s the REI Co-op Wonderland X for us.

Read Review: REI Wonderland X Tent Review: A Versatile 4-Person Palace for Car Campers

Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4

• Floor Area 62.5 sq. ft. (96" x 90")
• Weight 18 lbs., 9.4 oz.
• Height 68"
• Footprint Included Yes
• Number of Doors Two
• Carry Size 26" x 13" x 13"
• Best For Camping with the whole crew, or bringing along the kitchen sink in gear

• Vestibules are huge, and can fit entire bikes or coolers if needed
• Many pockets inside the sleeping area and vestibules
• Saloon-style doors open up to easily combine areas
• Simple rope-bag style stuff sack
• Not the easiest to set up single-handed
• Pretty pricey

Seemingly borrowing DNA from the brand’s mountaineering roots, the new Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 Tent ($780) easily hits all the marks we’re looking for in a spacious camping tent — and that’s before you even walk out the front door. From here, twin vestibules that boast more square footage than even the sleeping area make for a tent that’s as much about hanging out as it is snoozing in.

Starting from the inside, the Bridger series of tents keeps the living large with 62.5 square feet of sleeping quarters, and steep walls that meet at a 66-inch peak height. The whole affair is supported by a classic two-pole configuration, with an additional ridge pole that props up the peaks of the entry and exit facets of the tent.

A full-coverage rain fly encompasses everything on the exterior of the tent, and extends out a full 7 feet for the front vestibule space. When we initially tested this tent in the spring of 2023, our campers flocked to this spot to kick back and store gear in. It easily accommodates a handful of camp chairs, a cooler, or even a couple of parked bikes — and now with a few seasons under the belt, it’s still the tent to hang in.

The front and rear entry doors also feature a saloon-style zip, meaning the sleeping space can easily be melded into the hang-out zone with the pinning back of a door. Then there’s the storage. All told, there are 8 pockets on the interior of the tent, as well as 2 removable organizers that hang from the inside of the vestibule space — each sporting 3 pockets. We found these to be especially handy during the day, as we didn’t need to enter/exit the tent to snag what we needed.

In terms of set-up, the Bridger does take a few minutes to get fully ready. The extended vestibule of the Bridger is a dream once in place, but it did make single-handed setup a bit of a wrestling match to manage. A second set of hands here won’t go idle. Breaking down the tent goes smoothly, however, and it packs away into one of the nicest zip-up storage bags we’ve seen in a tent.

Perfect as a camping basecamp for a group, the Mountain Hardwear Bridger Tent brings the party from inside to out, and while it is dang-near the most expensive option on our list, the durable design and expanded livability make it amenable to many different camping scenarios, and ensure it’ll be around for endless campfires.

REI Co-op Base Camp 6

• Floor Area 84 sq. ft. (110" x 110")
• Weight 20 lbs., 11.5 oz.
• Height 74"
• Carry Size 24" x 11" x 11"
• Seasons 3-4 season
• Best For All-weather camping where comfort is in high-demand

• Huge vestibule
• Excellent weather resistance
• Easy to set up

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 ($549) reigns supreme among the camping tents — certainly when it comes to weather resistance. It may not be the largest, the tallest, or the most affordable, but this moderately sized tent has everything it takes to make camping easy and enjoyable for years to come. With 84 square feet of floor space, there’s plenty of room for up to six campers to slumber under the stars.

With a mountaineering-inspired design, the Base Camp 6 employs a durable polyester rainfly that provides full coverage and a sizable vestibule for gear storage, creating 27 square feet of extra covered space in the front and an additional 17 in the back. Four poles gird the main body of the shelter and gain strength by intersecting one another, while a final brow pole bumps out the vestibule for added space to chill in.

Useful features like pockets, a three-point ventilation system, and reflective trim that shines in the light of a headlamp make this tent the place you’ll want to hang out when the weather is fair or foul. Large doors at either end make for an easy exit when nature calls, without having to crawl over all of your tentmates.

Our team of camp-savvy testers had no trouble erecting the Base Camp 6 in Colorado this spring thanks to the intuitive color-coded poles and attachment points. For the uninitiated, very clear setup instructions are sewn into the tent’s storage bag.

This tent is freestanding, meaning it can stay up without stakes or guylines. While this is quick and convenient for when you roll up to your campsite in the middle of the night, going the extra mile and using all the included stakes and guylines is well worth the effort. Once fully staked out, the Base Camp 6 is impervious to rain and also stands up well against heavy winds. Compared to many tents on this list, this shelter has some serious weather chops.

The Base Camp 6 is just a hair over 6 feet at its apex, so taller folks won’t be able to stand straight up, and with a packed weight of 20 pounds, it’s limited to car camping. It’s also one of the more expensive models on our list, but if you’re fortunate enough to get out camping a few times a year, the Base Camp 6 is worth every penny.

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3

• Floor Area 42.5 sq. ft. (90" x 68")
• Weight 7 lbs., 1.2 oz.
• Height 48"
• Carry Size 25" x 7"
• Best For Do-it-all camping and backpacking for folks who don't want to have separate tents

• Compact packed size
• Roll-back rainfly for star viewing
• Spacious twin vestibules
• Amenable to car camping or backpacking
• Hubbed poles can be finicky
• Not as spacious as other 3-person camping tents

Car camping or backpacking this weekend? While the choice might not always be easy, choosing which tent to bring shouldn’t be. The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 ($375) makes a strong case for a dual-purpose shelter that is just as happy in the campground as it is out on the trail.

We recently tested the 3-person version of the Mineral King on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and found it to be a well-balanced piece of kit, easily amenable to whatever your next outdoor plans are. At about 6 pounds trail weight, this tent isn’t so heavy that it’ll be out of place in your weekend backpacking kit, but we found that it shined as a camping tent for two.

The set-up was a cinch with a pole and snap design that’s familiar and easy to rig up, as well as a rainfly that attaches using buckles as opposed to grommets. This rainfly configuration actually hides a brilliant feature, as we found out, which allows the fly to be pulled back over half of the tent, leaving the moon roof open to star-gazing.

In addition to fitting three typical backpacking sleeping pads, the Mineral King will also easily accommodate two 25” wide camping-style pads. Having the space to really spread out while camping was a luxury, although shoehorning three into the tent for casual camping may not be the most comfortable.

While the pole structure is sturdy, the hubbed-pole style isn’t our favorite, and the pinnacle attachment point is directional, meaning it’ll need to be pointing down to function. We found that after a couple of false starts, we got the hang of it, but it is something to be aware of.

Perfect for campers and hikers who like to do a bit of everything (and keep their gear closets from bursting), the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is the tent we’d suggest for an excellent crossover option. It is the perfect balance of living space for those lazy summer afternoons, and packability for when you want to put away the miles.

The North Face Wawona 4

• Floor Area 58 sq. ft. (96" x 90")
• Weight 13 lbs.
• Height  68"
• Carry Size 27" x 10" x 10"
• Best For Camping with extra kit to store in the vestibules, or just kicking back beneath the shade

• Unique second door design
• Plenty of interior storage pocket options
• Rainfly isn’t the most intuitive to put on
• Rear door isn’t covered by rainfly

Recently updated, The North Face Wawona 4 ($400) got a second skin, going from a single- to double-wall design, and its poles have been re-engineered for easier setup — both worthy upgrades.

It’s the small things that make the Wawona (which, if you’re wondering, was the name of a famous giant sequoia in Yosemite National Park) tick. A unique hooped pole design kicks out the large vestibule to a comfy 28 square feet of space and provides plenty of dry room to shuffle gear about.

Then there are the interior features: A smaller rear door doubles as an organizational center, while an interior height of 68 inches allows for easy walking about inside the tent. We greatly appreciated the breathability built into the Wawona on a night camping in Washington’s San Juan Islands — where moisture from the sea can be heavy and keeping air moving is a priority. 

We struggled with the rainfly the first go around, as it has an unusual shape that goes to the ground at the vestibule and then up to window height along the body of the tent. Once we figured out which way was up, snapping it into place was an (adjustable) breeze. 

There also is the issue of the fly not covering the rear door — although it does sport a waterproof zipper. Our testing hasn’t shown this to be a weak point necessarily, but we have our doubts the tent would keep a heavy rain entirely at bay.

For fair weather conditions, The North Face Wawona 4 offers a boatload of space for families that bring plenty along on their camping trips. Just consider what the weatherperson has in store for you.

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P

• Floor Area 62.5 sq. ft. (100" x 90")
• Weight 15 lbs., 14 oz.
• Carry Size 25" x 8.5" x 8.5"
• Best For Camping with the whole family, sleeping on cots, and tall parents

• Steep side walls bumps up livable space
• Fun print on interior floor
• Both doors stow away completely
• Rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage

Forget hunching over — the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent ($400) has got headroom to spare. Sporting a tent pole design that bumps out the exterior walls to near vertical, we had no issues with bumping around inside this tent, and no scrunching was needed.

While the 75-inch peak height isn’t quite the tallest in our testing, it’s the fact that this height extends far out from the interior, allowing for easy maneuvering about for sleeping pad set up, or just squeezing past a tent-mate. A tent like the Eure ka Copper Canyon 4 will have more headroom overall, but will suffer much more with high winds.

Behind the two doors (which can be unzipped and folded away entirely into what NEMO calls the Door Jamb pocket), is a full 62.5 sq. ft. of floor space, which has been printed with a fun argyle pattern to lighten up the tent. It’s the little features like this that really up the livability, and after spending a week in the Aurora this spring in Joshua Tree National Park, we came to love our groovy space.

During testing, we found the dual vestibules to provide plenty of space for storing equipment during the night, though not quite large enough to lounge under shade. The four-person version of this tent was perfectly sized for three testers, though we could easily see a family of four enjoying the space, or even a couple having a luxuriously large camping hideout.

While the large side windows do provide an excellent view (and plenty of ventilation), the rainfly does stop short of providing full coverage over them. While this won’t be an issue in typical rain, particularly bad wind-driven rain will have the ability to soak into these seams given the chance. It’s for this reason that the Aurora Highrise doesn’t find itself higher on our list.

A family-sized tent that’s sized for everyone in the family, the NEMO Aurora Highrise is available in both a 4-person , and 6-person offering .

Marmot Limestone 6-Person Tent

• Floor Area 82.9 sq. ft. (120" x 100")
• Weight 17 lbs.
• Height 76"
• Carry Size 24.4" x 10.4"
• Best For Any-weather camping where the forecast looks less than optimal

• Excellent weather protection
• Lighter weight than similar 6-person shelters
• Redesign adds additional vents to the fly
• Close to vertical wall design
• Rainfly contacts tent mesh in some spots
• Vestibule isn't the largest

While testing in the Rocky Mountains, we experienced sudden high winds and heavy rains. Nearly every tent experienced some damage ranging from broken poles to leaks. The Marmot Limestone 6P ($529) was completely unfazed. It remained sturdy and dry through it all.

It’s not as tall or roomy as some car camping tents, but the sacrifice of space is worth it for excellent weather protection. You can fit six people or spread out and sleep comfortably with just four in 83 square feet of floor space. Near-vertical walls help to bump up the livability, and while the vestibule is a bit snug, the interior is rightfully cozy. While the 4-person version of this tent is a bit short, the 6-person variant has a good amount of headroom at a peak height of 76″

The large double doors make coming and going easy. Pre-bent poles make for a quick setup. There is a vestibule on one side for holding extra gear, and interior gear pockets keep you organized. and there is plenty of mesh that allows for maximum airflow. Newly redesigned, the Limestone gains a few added rainfly vents with integrated struts for propping them open.

Because the rainfly design is closely related to backpacking tents, there are certain areas of the fly where it can touch the mesh of the inner, which can lead to dribbles in high condensation conditions — a result a few of our testers noted. Properly guying out the shelter can help alleviate this, in conjunction with the newly added vents. For most poor-weather trips we more often reach for the REI Base Camp.

But if the REI Co-op Base Camp is a bit too rich for your blood, the Marmot Limestone 6P  is built to withstand storms and is a great choice for anyone camping in unpredictable, inclement weather.

Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4-Person Tent

• Floor Area 64 sq. ft. (96" x 96")
• Weight 20 lbs., 4 oz.
• Height 84"
• Carry Size 27" x 9" x 9"
• Best For Car camping with a view!

• Airy and open
• Tall height
• Only one door
• Not great in heavy wind

If you’re looking for a family tent that feels like a spacious screened-in porch, the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4 ($270) is for you. The 7-foot-tall interior height means no more awkward stooping.

And with 64 square feet of floor space, there’s plenty of room to spread out. We found this provided a comfortable amount of space for two adults and two young children. Each wall is lined with pockets, which is great for keeping track of your headlamp and storing other essentials.

The best part about this tent is the airy feel and giant mesh windows. Not only does it keep things breathable, but it also means you can easily enjoy the view in any direction. We spent a week camping outside Moab and loved relaxing in the tent while watching the sunrise.

That said, the benefits of this tent are also its downfall. The tall height and large windows can be problematic in stormy weather. High winds will challenge any tent, and that’s especially true of a tent that’s 7 feet tall. Like other cabin-style tents (such as the REI Co-op Skyward 4 we also tested) fair-weather camping is more the vibe for this tent.

The window zip closed, and the included rainfly protects from rainfall. However, in heavy storms, it is possible to experience slight leaking. We also would have preferred a second door.

For mild summer conditions, though, the Copper Canyon 4 is a winner for family camping. It offers plenty of standing room and is a decent value to boot. We were also pleased with how easily it packed back into the storage bag.

REI Co-op Skyward 4

• Floor Area 60 sq. ft. (100" x 86")
• Weight 13 lbs., 11 oz.
• Height 78"
• Carry Size 27.5" x 9.8" x 9.8"
• Best For Campground camping with the family, or using camping cots

• Spacious interior with near-vertical walls
• Simple pole design and setup
• Multiple interior pockets
• Simple vestibules have enough space
• Minimal coverage rainfly won't stand up to tough weather
• Broad sides catch wind

A continuation of the Grand Hut lineage, the REI Co-op Skyward 4 Tent ($299) carries on the camping tent legacy in an easy-to-setup and highly livable shelter. While not our favorite design, this tent gets excellent marks for standing height, and pairs well with a set of cots for a truly luxe experience.  

With nearly vertical walls, the interior area of the Skyward is plush, making for a tent that’s a breeze to move around in. Compared to other tents on the market, the 78-inch peak height and 60 square feet of floor space bests many, including the North Face Wawona 4 (68” and 58 square feet) and the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 (60” and 59.7 square feet). 

Set up goes quickly, and is easy enough to figure out sans instructions (our measure of a simple-to-setup tent). The X-pole construction is familiar, and extends downward with separate leg poles that help create those flat sides. A single brow pole pops out the awning of the vestibule, which itself is enough to store some kit in.

Now for the grumbles: Compared to the old Grand Hut, the Skyward takes an odd tack and removes much of the rainfly from the tent — trimming coverage from the sides and providing protection to only the mesh ceiling of the tent. While fair-weather camping won’t challenge this tent at all, we weren’t so sure about the prospect of precip, and a quick rain shower provided by our garden hose showed that anything less than vertical rain had the chance of sneaking in.

Compounded by the tent’s boxy profile (which provides a large broadside to the wind), the Skyward may have a tendency to head, well, skyward in a bad blow. The tent does include a whole mess of stakes and guylines to better tether it to the earth, and in practice, we felt very confident in it during nice weather. But if the weather report looks a little grim? You’re far better off grabbing a more hardened shelter, like the Marmot Limestone or the MSR Habitude.

Don’t let our worst-case scenario worries dissuade you, however, as most of our camping occurs with the sun shining anyway. For trips like this, the tradeoffs in weather protection on the REI Co-op Skyward 4 are well worth it to gain livability for families, or those wanting a deluxe camp experience with extra space to boot.

Coleman Skydome Darkroom 6-Person Tent

• Floor Area 85 sq. ft. (120" x 102")
• Weight 18 lbs.
• Height 72"
• Carry Size 25.7" x 9"
• Best For Car camping in the desert or busy campgrounds

• Budget pricing
• Near-vertical walls
• Black-out fly blocks out ambient light
• Pre-attached poles are good in theory, annoying in practice
• Front vestibule has poor coverage of door
• Fly only goes half-way down tent body

You didn’t think we’d leave out a classic Coleman, did you? The Coleman Skydome Darkroom 6-Person Tent ($200) certainly is classic and brings a good bit to the table for the price. There are also some shortfalls to contend with, but the big draw here is the ‘Darkroom’ aspect of this tent — a blackout rain fly that can help block out late-night campground neighbors or extend your snooze past sun-up.

Compared to a traditional dome-style Coleman, the Skydome series bumps out the headroom by putting a kink in each of the four poles, making for nearly vertical walls. And while those poles are aluminum and an upgrade from our budget pick, the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 , they are pre-attached to the tent — good in theory, but in practice was a bit fussy to manage. Even still, once set up, the Skydome Darkroom stands tall at 6″ tall and is easy to move in and out of.

The tent fly is, as promised, quite dark, and it is pretty easy to get situated on the tent itself. This is, however, one of the more skimpy coverage flies in our review (only the toupee-style fly of the REI Co-op Skyward is smaller), and only comes down to about half the height of the tent walls. And while the brow pole does a good job of covering the door from rain from above, it was no match for wind-driven rain in our testing.

Campgrounds these days can be pretty crowded, and if you end up next to the all-night-ragers, it can be tough to get some shut-eye with other tents. That’s where we think the Skydome Darkroom shines, even despite the shortcomings. Stuffing the tent away isn’t the easiest — we cycled through multiple testers before concluding that the tent wasn’t going back into the bag quietly — but it can be made to work.

Available in 4-, 6-, and even an 8-person size, the Coleman Skydome Darkroom Tent was made for weekends at the campground.

Big Agnes Bunk House 4

• Floor Area 58 sq. ft. (92" x 90")
• Weight 16 lbs., 3 oz.
• Carry Size 26.5" x 16.5" x 6"
• Best for Camping during unsure weather forecasts or in exposed campsites, as well as big group basecamps as a hangout spot

• Fast fly mode creates a stand-alone sun shelter for hanging out under
• Good amount of headroom
• Easy to assemble DAC hubbed pole design
• Pass-through doors makes it easy to sneak around tent mates
• More expensive than similar 4- and 6-person tent options
• Fast fly mode is a bit hard to set up

After many summers of using the classic Big House tent, this season, we upgraded to the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 Tent ($600), and it was 100% worth it. Compared to the lighter-duty version, the newly updated Bunk House drops the fly to the ground, bumps up the ceiling, and boasts a fully freestanding ‘sun shelter mode’ that greatly ups the versatility.

Available in your standard family sizes of 4-, 6-, and 8-person capacities, we tested the 4-person offering in the summer of 2024 across the Pacific Northwest, and it won over our campers left and right. We challenge ourselves to set up camping tents sans instructions on the first go, and besides some added helping hands, we had little issue getting the Bunk House up in about 10 minutes.

The 58-square-foot sleeping area is on par with most 4-person shelters, but the added 2” of headroom over the Big House makes a surprising difference in livability. An additional pole supports the ample vestibule space, which sports enough room to wrangle our coolers and chairs, and even rolls out a welcome mat to park your shoes on.

The Bunk House finds itself in good company in our lineup. Other batten-down-the-hatches shelters that sport a brow pole compare well, though there are a few key differences to consider. For true shelter-shaking storms, we found the Base Camp performs better due to its additional crossed poles, and while the vestibule of the Bunk House is spacious, the Bridger is undeniably larger and better suited for hanging out under.

Neither of those tents, however, can set up the fly by itself, and this is the big selling point of the Bunk House. A good canopy tent can act as a mobile dining room or keep tykes out of the sun, and when set up without the inner, the Bunk House accomplishes both and more. Actual setup is a bit finicky (there’s a webbing harness to contend with), but once it’s managed, the canopy rivals even some of our favorite purpose-built options.

At an asking price of $600, the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 is pricier than most similar options, so in our opinion, it comes down to whether you’ll use that fly-only ability. If not, tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp or The North Face Wawona will likely suit you better. But as a two-for-one option, it’s tough to beat the Bunk House.

Decathlon Quechua 2 Second Easy Camping Tent

• Floor Area 46.8 sq. ft. (83.5" x 80.7")
• Weight 18 lbs., 1.6 oz.
• Height 52"
• Carry Size 28" x 8.7" x 8.7"
• Best For Easy car camping, festivals, or camping at the beach

• Setup and takedown are a piece of cake
• Keeps out most light for undisturbed sleep
• High waterproof rating on the bathtub floor
• Low ceiling height
• Small vestibules
• The rainfly can’t be removed, so no stargazing mode

If you’re a beginner or perpetually struggle with tent setup, look no further than the Quechua 2 Second Easy Camping Tent ($349) from the French brand Decathlon.

Once you unfold the tent and place it on the ground, its setup — apart from staking out the tent — really can be accomplished in 2 seconds. Just pull the two bright red ropes (complete with handles) and the tent’s structure locks into place. Stake it out, and you’re done.

Takedown is just as straightforward — but in reverse. Remove the stakes, press the two buttons to release the pull ropes, and the tent collapses just as quickly as it sprang to life.

The simple setup and takedown instructions are sewn into the stuff sack so you can’t lose them. If you need a video demonstration, check out the “How to Install” and “How to Fold” videos on Decathlon’s website.

The lining of this waterproof three-person tent is black, so it keeps out most light for undisturbed slumber, which is nice if you’re a light sleeper.

The floor space in the Quechua 2 Second Easy measures 83.5 by 80.7 inches — plenty of room for our tester and her 6-foot-tall partner. However, the low ceiling height is a drawback. The vestibules are small and due to the tent design, you cannot remove the rainfly. This is unfortunate should you want to stargaze or drop some weight.

This tent is perfect for the efficient at heart. Why waste time setting up a tent? Let the engineers at Quechua do the work for you and let it pop open, almost on its own.

Read Review: This Tent Blocks the Sun and the Heat: Quechua 2 Second ‘Fresh & Black’ Review

MSR Habiscape 4 Tent

• Floor Area 62.5 sq. ft. (95" x 95")
• Weight 12 lbs., 11 oz.
• Height 73"
• Number of Doors 2
• Carry Size 24" x 9" x 9"
• Best For Camping with tykes with wandering hands

• Front and rear access doors
• Easy to assemble, even solo
• Generous vestibule space
• Not as weather-resistant
• Weak tent stakes

Made to withstand the rigors of camping with little ones, the MSR Habiscape 4 ($500) is the newly minted cousin of the uber-popular Habitude series of tents from the brand — fine-tuned to be a more approachable and family-friendly design. 

Let’s talk big news: the second door! While we love the Habitude series of tents already, our one major hang-up with those tents was the lack of a second door. No longer with the Habiscape! We greatly enjoyed the increased ease of access with a second portal, and were happy to see that it is a fully-fledged design covered by a vestibule (if small).

In addition to the added door, MSR also did away with many of the finicky pole-hubs used in the structure of previous tents, and produced a simplified design that we found was easy to set up, even single-handed. That’s no small feat for a family-sized shelter. The pole design is a bit less protective than more complex designs, but we had no problem with the Habiscape holding strong against wind and rain.

On the interior of the tent are 10 total pockets, set at high and low stations, as well as a Pass-Thru Pocket that is accessible from both the interior and exterior of the tent. We found this to be a helpful feature late at night when fumbling around for things like car keys and the like. 

When it comes to weather resistance, this tent lands at about the middle of the pack. A full-coverage rainfly goes almost all the way to the ground, but nearly vertical sidewalls do provide more surface area for wind to catch. There is also a good bit more mesh on the Habiscape versus the Habitude, which can be beneficial for knocking back condensation, but a bit harder to keep warm during cold snaps.

If you’re willing to trade off a bit of weather protection (or just are a fair-weather camper to begin with), the MSR Habiscape is an excellent option for getting the whole family outdoors.

Camping Tent Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Camping Tents

You wouldn’t jump headlong into a full weekend outdoors with an untested roof over your head, and thankfully, you don’t have to. Camping tents come in all different shapes, sizes, and qualities, and while many are winners, we’ve run into a few clunkers in our time. The GearJunkie staff may be a diverse bunch when it comes to our sporting specialties, but the one thing that unites us is a near-universal love of camping. We’ve been at this for a number of years, and we’ve learned a thing or two in the process.

All of our outdoor addicts know that not only do you need something sturdy and reliable, but it also needs to be set up easily and packed well. We went to the internet for a deep dive into the research. After hours of research, we narrowed it down to the top tents for a head-to-head test. This involved lots of camping and various testers, and to date our estimated time testing numbers in the hundreds of hours.

We camped through a quintessential Colorado spring weekends, complete with sun, snow, sleet, and gale-force winds. We enjoyed hot summer nights, a few surprise thunderstorms, and plenty of regular ol’ campground outings from Moab, Utah, to the hills of North Georgia.

Field Testing

We start our tent testing with a timed set-up which our testers go into totally blind — no instructions allowed. We’ve found this to be the ideal challenge of how intuitive a tent’s structure is. Then, we ensure that these tents are really up to snuff when it comes to capacity ratings — adding in both 20″ and 25″ camping mattresses to test manufacturer claims and get a feel for overall roominess.

Finally, we put the tents to the ultimate head-to-head test. Each is erected in the same valley and left for a week. Through rain, sun, and some epic wind, we are able to see which tents can withstand the elements best. And, when available, we release a pack of our kiddos into the tents to have their way. It’s hard to put together a better stress test than this.

Bench Testing

Our camping tent testing also gets into the nitty-gritty, ground-truthing manufacturer claims and dials in the hard numbers to elevate the winners over the just-alright shelters. To do this, we first measure the total weight of the tent essentials (body, fly, poles, and stakes) on our own scales and compare them against brand numbers. The same goes for packed size, as well as finding out if a tent can easily be packed back into its storage bag (not always an easy task).

Each tent is then left up in a simulated rain shower for 30 minutes at a time and inspected for leaks or wicking water. We use a rotating sprinkler system to ensure that no odd corner of a tent goes untouched, and we pay close attention to window openings and how the rain fly covers the shelter. Rain ingress can be a trip-killer, and we sniff out weak spots in tent construction to identify them.

From our experience and side-by-side testing in both the field and close to home, we crown our winners on a seasonal basis. Every year rolls out new tent options and our testing never stops — rest assured that we’re considering the latest and greatest in our Buyer’s Guide.

Why You Should Trust Us

Guide author Mallory Paige has spent hundreds of nights sleeping under the stars , and she knows first-hand the importance of a good shelter. She kicked off our search for the most worthy camping shelters in 2021 with an initial 12 tents, and set out a detailed testing regimen that includes tests against the elements, timing how quickly we can erect each tent, and the classic garden hose rain shower test.

Since then, our testing team has added contributor Ryan Baker, who started backpacking and car camping as a child. He also has lived in tents ranging from lightweight tarps for extended thru-hikes to heavy-duty basecamps to withstand extreme conditions. He is intimately experienced in the joys and pitfalls of only having a thin piece of synthetic fabric between the elements and a dry night’s sleep.

And finally, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster has enjoyed more than his fair share of evenings staring up at the canopy of his tent waiting out a rain storm. A veteran of the Pacific Crest Trail, Belcaster has the set up and tear down of his tent limited to mere minutes, and now travels the West testing camping tents for this guide on a rolling basis.

While our camping tent testing typically takes place in the bounding wilderness of the Western U.S., we also pitch shelters across the country in order to gain good insight into regional performance. A tent that buttons up tight might excel in the arid Southwest but become sweltering in the humidity of the southern Appalachians.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Camping Tent

To help you decide what tent is best for you, we considered five categories: weather resistance, comfort, ease of setup, extra features, and value. Each of these bears more importance to certain campers than others. Consider when, where, and who you plan to use your tent with.

We have another guide for the best backpacking tents that focuses on lighter and less bulky tents for your backcountry adventures, as well as a primer article on the basics of camping and backpacking tents . Here, we focus more on car and family camping tents for the kinds of adventures where the car is within reach and the weight of a tent is less important. If you like the appeal of leaving your tent pre-rigged wherever you may roam, the ease of a rooftop tent might be up your alley.

Camping Tent Types

Just as backpacking tents can be broken down into smaller use-profile groups such as ultralight or weekend-warrior tents, camping tents too are generally aimed at a specific camping style or user group, and broadly can be placed in a High-End, Budget, or Crossover category.

High-End Camping

High-End Camping Tents are just that — high-end, and prioritize a comfort-over-all-else ethos that will have you enjoying the outdoors, no matter the weather or group size. These shelters also command the higher end of the price spectrum, but for the dollars deliver on the niceties we’re looking for when camping outdoors. Often pricing out north of $500, tents like the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 , MSR Habitude 6 , and Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 serve up hardened designs that jam in the features.

Their construction often aims to fully capitalize on the floor space provided, and sport vertical or close-to-vertical walls and a taller overall height that makes for less stooping once inside. Walls in this category will also use a good amount of mesh in order to increase built-in ventilation, and can be enhanced by using vents that are often built into the rainfly to keep moisture moving from layer to layer.

The rainflies themselves will almost always be full coverage, meaning that they extend from the peak all the way to the ground and help to seal out wind-driven rain. The design of these high-end tents also bulks up on security, sometimes borrowing from mountaineering-styled designs to form tunnel or dome-style tents. Poles will be made from sturdy aluminum and often attach to the tent body using clips or hooks, unlike traditional sleeves.

Budget Camping

If front country or car camping is something you only do occasionally, then there’s not much reason to drop the big bucks on a tent that will only see occasional use. Your budget-style tents typically slide in under $300, and while they give up some in the overall durability and livability metrics, many are still great shelters for tossing up at the campground. Look to the $120 Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 and the even cheaper $100 Coleman Sundome Tent 4P for real savings.

One of the biggest differences you’ll notice here is in material construction, and the overall weight that comes along with it. Budget-style tents are often made with thicker fabrics, and may be treated with cheaper waterproof coatings laid on thick to help resist moisture. This can aid in overall longevity, but at a good ding to overall packability. These style tents also may take shortcuts in their design that create large broadsides of walls that won’t be the most weather-worthy should a storm blow in. For most car camping, however, fair weather is the goal, and this won’t make much of a difference.

Crossover Camping

For those who simply can’t decide what the weekend might hold, or who are at gear closet capacity, the crossover realm offers a solution that both makes your tent decision easier, and limits the impact on your wallet. These tents will often skew closer to backpacking tents in terms of design, but provide a bit more living space like traditional camping tents do. In our line-up today, we’ve narrowed in on the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 as being the perfect crossover option, but have also had good luck with the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 3+ Tent in the past.

Keep in mind that these tents make concessions on overall livable space in trade for packability, and you’ll likely want to purchase a tent with one more camper capacity in order to have adequate space for camping. These tents will, however, be light enough to carry out to more remote camping spots, and can add a lot of comfort over going with a more purebred backpacking model.

Weather Resistance

This is one of the biggest reasons to invest more in a tent. Basic tents handle pleasant weather like a champ and can even manage light rain and wind.

If you plan to camp during storms, it’s worth it to save up and buy a sturdier tent. Premium tents have stronger poles, full rain covers, and sealed seams. It’s things like this that seem less important — until you find yourself riding out an epic storm from the confines of your tent.

While testing, we experienced a major thunderstorm complete with high winds and heavy rain. Each of the tents had been properly staked out, but many of them experienced damage. The Marmot Limestone 4P performed incredibly well, with no leaking or broken poles. The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is also well equipped for inclement weather thanks to its rainfly and many tiedown points, as is the Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 .

When it comes to camping tents, some may opt to limit the coverage of the rainflies in an effort to limit the overall weight. Unless this is done smartly, it can often lead to water ingress during sideways driving rain. The NEMO Aurora Highrise is an example of a tent with such a fly, and while the overhang between the fly edge and window is substantial, there still is a possibility that a strong sideways rain could leak inside.

Seasonality Ratings

Often, manufacturers will refer to their tents with a season rating, which helps convey the types of conditions that it’s been designed for. While not a hard and fast rule, knowing where you are planning on camping, as well as the weather you may encounter, and what your tent is rated for, can greatly hedge your bets against spending a night in a flattened tent.

• 3-Season Tents: 3-season tents (meaning, spring, summer, and fall) are your lightest-duty tents, and will employ lightweight materials in order to keep overall bulk down, as well as improve ventilation. Typically, the tent body will be nearly or entirely mesh, and mated to a bathtub floor. These tents also tend to be more suited to family use, and will often be taller and sport near-vertical walls. These designs are less aerodynamic, and more prone to bending under gusts of wind. Finally, most 3-season tents will use a rainfly that isn’t full coverage, and may only extend over windows and doors, instead of all the way to the ground. In fair weather, this is no issue, but it is something to keep in mind for less-appealing weather conditions.
• 3/4-Season Tents: Bulking up on weather resistance, 3/4 or 3.5-season tents are similar to 3-season tents material-wise, but in design, they often are more weather-ready, usually employing dome shapes. Rain flies will also go all the way to the ground, forming vestibules where you might store your backpacks during an overnight rain.
• 4-Season Tents: This is the realm of winter, mountaineering, and hunting tents, where weather resistance is in high demand and a tough structure is needed. Four-season tents are almost exclusively double-wall designs, and often shaped in domes or tunnels to better survive the wind. They will also sport many guylines to adequately support the tent, and thicker tent poles and materials to resist wind-driven rain and snow.

Capacity and Floor Area

Every tent worth its salt today will provide a capacity number for the number of campers that it was designed to sleep. Many tent models are also available in multiple versions, with 4, 6, and 8-person capacities being the most common for camping tents. This number is drummed up from the number of regular sleeping mattresses that can be laid side-by-side in the sleeping area, though it is important to note two things when settling on a camping tent: this number very often only accommodates average 20-inch wide sleeping pads, and maxing out the capacity may leave you with scant little room to move around.

That’s why we always suggest bumping up a bit in capacity over the total number you plan on sleeping in the tent. For example, a crew of 4 campers would likely appreciate the extra space afforded by a 6-person camping tent — providing enough space for extra gear or just a bit more breathing room.

The floor area number will also give you a good idea of the sleeping area space in any one tent, and is generally given in square footage. For 4-person tents, this typically comes in at around 60 sq. ft. For example, the Marmot Limestone 4-Person Tent slides in squarely at 60, while the more comfort-minded Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 squeezes in a bit more at 62.5.

When it comes to 6-person models the number jumps up to around 85 sq. ft., with the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 being the standard-bearer at 84 sq. ft., and the budget Kelty Discovery Element 6 surprisingly besting it at 89! It’s important to note here that the Kelty tent has less steep walls, and thus floor area isn’t the end-all when it comes to understanding overall livability.

Construction Materials

The weather resistance of a tent depends largely on the materials from which it is constructed. Nylon and polyester are very common materials used in car camping tents.

Nylon is stronger, more resistant to abrasion, and can stretch considerably. Unfortunately, it absorbs water that causes your tent to sag in storms or high humidity.

Polyester has less stretch than nylon and so it is more likely to tear. This rigidity is a benefit in wet conditions because it will sag less and absorb less water, but also makes it more fragile than nylon.

Manufacturers will usually coat these fabrics in one or a combination of silicone (Sil), polyester urethane (PU), and polyether urethane (PE). Each of these coatings has benefits and drawbacks.

Most brands use PU because it has been the industry standard for decades. It does absorb water after prolonged exposure and causes fabrics to tear more easily. It also degrades over time (usually about a decade or longer in a chemical process called hydrolysis) and can promote mold growth if put away wet.

PE repels water very well and doesn’t fall victim to hydrolysis. It does reduce tear strength and it is less common than PU.

Silicone is the most water-resistant of these three but does not bond well to other materials — not even itself — and it is expensive. Unlike PU and PE, silicone adds tear strength to the base fabric. Sometimes these materials are used in combination (on opposite sides of a rainfly, for example, labeled Sil:PU).

For waterproofing, all of these coatings are measured in hydrostatic head (HH). This is a measurement of water that can be placed over the fabric before it starts to saturate and allow moisture intrusion.

Imagine a tube of water placed over the fabric that is so many millimeters long. The gravitational pressure of the water exerts force over time to saturate the fibers.

Over 1,000 to 1,500 mm of HH is considered waterproof by industry standards. The benefit of PU is that multiple coats can be applied to achieve an HH rating of 10,000 mm or more.

Fabrics Are Also Measured in Grams Over a Square Meter

This measurement can be helpful, but remember that some fabrics are inherently stronger than others whether through stretch capability (nylon) or coatings applied. More weight of a given fabric does not always translate to strength. Denier is the measurement of the diameter of the specific fibers.

Again, this can add strength, but different fibers have different innate strengths at the same denier rating. Generally, car camping tents are built pretty burly without much of a worry for weight or packed size, as these will not be hiked very far. These measurements and ratings are a good place to start when selecting a tent but are not the final word on strength.

The comfort of a tent depends on personal taste and priorities. To evaluate comfort, we looked at ventilation, door and windows, floor space, and peak height. While a waterproof tent is a must, remaining breathable is a major concern.

Not only does a poorly ventilated tent get too hot and stuffy, but interior condensation can also become a problem. This is another area where investing more in a tent pays off.

Higher-end tents have more mesh and an outer rainfly that is completely separate. The REI Co-op Wonderland X has an exoskeleton of poles and unique hanging interior mesh walls. The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 features a fully separate rainfly and plenty of mesh at an affordable price. Budget models, such as the Coleman Sundome , lack the extensive use of no-see-um mesh but are more affordable for occasional campers.

Most larger tents have two doors. We were disappointed to see the Eureka Copper Canyon LX 4 Tent and the Kelty Discovery Element have just one exit. Two doors make it much easier for multiple people to share the space without having to crawl over sleeping bags.

In general, it keeps the interior space cleaner and is convenient for midnight bathroom breaks. The MSR Habiscape has two large zip-down doors that make entry and exit convenient.

Pay attention to the direction of the door flaps. Most doors zip to the side like a regular door, but the Wawona 4 from The North Face rolls away to the top. Preference reigns here, but it is an attribute worth consideration.

Floor space in a tent equals comfort. Tents have a stated number of people they can sleep, but how roomy or cramped they will be at capacity varies by body size, bed size, and the amount of gear you need to store inside.

Pay attention to floor dimensions and you can get a better idea of how many sleeping pads will fit. The average-sized person can sleep fairly comfortably with 24 by 76 inches of room, but the more space the merrier.

Car campers will find maximum comfort by subtracting a person or two from the stated capacity. It is a joy to be able to stand up and stretch out in taller and larger family tents like the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 or Eureka Copper Canyon 4 , but they can be a challenge to set up.

Taller tents give more headspace, but they can be more challenging to set up solo if the height of the clips or joints is hard to reach.

Ease of Use

Given their large size, it’s no surprise that some camping tents can be a challenge to set up. Over the years, we’ve wasted a lot of time fighting gear, and we’ve learned that it’s not worth dealing with poorly designed gear. It can quickly take the fun out of your time outdoors.

Whether you camp every weekend or once a year, ease of use is a major concern. Every tent on this list can be set up by one person (although some are easier than others). Our 5’5″ editor set up and took down each tent solo.

The Eureka! Copper Canyon didn’t give us much trouble during setup thanks to its pole design, while the Big Agnes Bunk House 4 was more difficult to set up alone.

A tent like the Decathlon Quechua 2 Second sets up in seconds, thanks to integrated poles that fold out already seated in the tent material. These tents unfold like a giant jack in the box and then pack away just as easily. While this is very convenient, storage and care are paramount, as there are many hinges and moving parts to accomplish this time-saving task.

Extra Features

One of the most important extra features of a camping tent is storage. Not all tents offer pockets and pouches for stashing gear, but they can make a big difference when deciding between two products.

There’s nothing more annoying than having to rifle through all of your belongings to find your headlamp. Luckily, most family camping tents come with a bevy of pockets to help things stay tidy.

The Eureka Copper Canyon has walls lined with convenient storage pockets to keep the whole family organized and the tent free of clutter. Conversely, backpacking crossover tents such as the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 only have a couple of corner pockets to save weight.

Other extra features we like had to do with stuff sacks and storage. The Eureka Copper Canyon packed down considerably well.

Another example of a thoughtful extra is the REI Co-op Base Camp 6 instructions sewn into the stuff sack. Extra features are just that, but they display a level of integrated convenience that can elevate one product over another for the benefit of the user.

Other Considerations and Taking Care of Your Tent

We have talked about materials extensively. Coatings, base fabrics, and pole construction all contribute to the strength and longevity of your tent, but the single most important factor in the life of your tent is you.

First and foremost, never put your tent away wet. Remember when we mentioned hydrolysis earlier in regard to PU coatings? Water is a major culprit in speeding up that process. The fungus, molds, and mildews love to grow in your dark closet on your wet tent at room temperature. These organisms destroy the fibers of your tent and make it smell terrible.

Set your tent back up when you get home and let it air out. This simple chore will pay off later when you are still able to use your tent down the road. If you have no yard or nowhere dry to set it up, your living room makes a great space for this. Check all the seams, and especially the floor and fly, before packing it away.

Poles tend to break when they are not properly seated. When you are setting up your tent, never throw your poles. Some poles have an elastic cord in the center to keep them together. These are not meant to snap the pole into alignment, and tossing them around will crack and break fiberglass or aluminum.

Ensure that each joint is seated before installing the poles into the tent. When putting them away, treat them with the same care in reverse. Even though they seem strong, they are not meant to be thrown or hit against themselves or the ground.

Zippers are best left zipped to protect the teeth from wear. Simply zip them up before you roll the tent up to put it away. You can stuff your tent into the sack or roll it up neatly.

Some outdoor enthusiasts argue that rolling and folding in the same areas can create crease lines that put stress on the same area if the folds are always done in the same place. (Think about when you fold a piece of paper back on itself in the same spot to tear it easier.)

We have never had an issue with this, and it would take very specific creasing to accomplish that sort of wear, so pick whatever works better for you.

Most tents come with a stuff sack large enough to fit all the pieces. Cinch that sack tight before you store it so no pieces wander off. Now your tent is put away properly for its next adventure. Keep it away from harmful UV rays and temperature extremes, and your tent will give you optimum performance.

When it comes to protecting your new tent, one important consideration is a footprint. This is a ground cloth to set the tent upon. It provides an extra layer to protect the tent floor from punctures.

Some brands sell a footprint with the tent, such as the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 . Manufacturer-paired footprints usually pack down small and perfectly fit the size of the tent. On the downside, they add an extra $50 or so to the cost of the tent.

Some people prefer to use a basic tarp instead, which can be picked up for less than $20. A tarp doesn’t pack up as easily and doesn’t match the size of the tent.

You’ll either need to tuck the extra under the tent or trim the tarp to fit. You don’t want any of the footprint material sticking out from under the tent, as this can lead to water pooling underneath.

Weight and Packed Size

These are more important when choosing a backpacking tent and less important when car camping . They are still something to consider. Some tents function as backpacking tents as well as car camping tents.

Most of the tents in our test come with a useful storage sack that contains the tent, fly, poles, and stakes, though some models are easier to pack away than others.

The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 packs down small enough to carry into the backcountry but is by no means a “lightweight” tent. Most of the tents on our list are too heavy to be practical for backcountry travel.

Camping Gear: What Else Do You Need?

Depending on the outing and your style, camping can range from minimalism to a bring-everything-including- the-kitchen-sink adventure. In addition to a tent, you’ll need a sleeping pad and sleeping bag . That has your sleeping arrangements mostly covered, although you could certainly opt for a camping pillow or camp cot .

Next, think about your camp kitchen setup. A good camp stove allows you to make everything from scrambled eggs to multicourse meals. If you’re just looking to boil water, a backpacking stove is all you need to quickly make coffee or cook up a dehydrated meal.

For camp lounging, you may want a camp chair or hammock . And don’t forget the camping lantern . If it sounds like a lot to remember, don’t worry. We’ve made this handy camping checklist that will help you pack the essentials.

Price & Value

A good camping tent can be one of the bigger purchases when putting together a good summer kit, so it’s important to know what you’re getting for those dollar signs. With a range from just north of a hundo to more than a grand there’s a lot of territory to cover, and most of it will come down to three important metrics: the number of people the tent will sleep, the weather protection it provides, and the amount of accessories tucked away inside.

Camping is for everyone, and if you’ve only got a few frontcountry forays on the books for the summer, going to something with a little lower overhead can make a lot of sense. Budget camping tents are generally offered beginning at the $100 mark, and head up to around $200 from there.

A tent like the Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 ($120) is a fine example, and it’s not uncommon for tents in this realm to offer rainflies with less coverage over the body of the tent, and often only incorporate a single door as an entrance into the tent. 

Understanding the limitations of budget tents will safeguard against overextending them in harsh conditions, but for fair-weather campground camping, many do an admirable job. Beyond the $200 to about $500 mark, camping tents begin to feature hardier materials, full-coverage rainflies, and vestibules, with added niceties like internal storage options and windows. 

You’ll also notice a price difference when looking at tents of different occupancies. For example, the REI Co-op Basecamp 4 is $475, while the 6-person version will run you $549. This near $100 difference between a 4-person and a 6-person tent isn’t uncommon, and many other manufacturers replicate this.

Beyond about $600 are high-end tents, which jam in the features to offer true frontcountry luxury. The Mountain Hardwear Bridger 4 ($700) exemplifies this with a burly mountaineering-inspired build, spacious and livable vestibule area, and an incredible amount of pockets and functionality. The asking price is a pretty penny, but the overall durability of tents like these means they’ll last a good bit longer than other lesser tents.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best family camping tent depends on your outdoor goals. In general, most families appreciate having more room and the ability to stand comfortably.

The MSR Habiscape 4 Tent has earned high marks from our family camping testers. If you regularly camp in adverse weather (hello, spring in Colorado), it’s worth considering a slightly smaller and more durable tent.

The best camping tent brand depends largely on your personal needs and budget.

For a premium tent that can withstand the weather, MSR consistently delivers. If you’re looking for maximum space and flexibility, the Eureka Copper Canyon is a favorite with families. And for a budget-friendly option that is built to last, check out Kelty .

If you plan to camp regularly, it is worth it to invest in a higher-quality tent. The extra expense means sturdier poles, waterproof seams, and generally an easier setup. If budget is a major concern, don’t let that stop you from getting outside.

We’ve consistently been impressed with the budget-friendly options from Kelty. The Kelty Discovery Basecamp 4 costs just $120 and offers plenty of room.

Quality tents are waterproof. But if you find yourself camping in an absolute downpour, hanging a tarp can provide extra protection and comfort.

It’s important to tie it up well so the wind isn’t a concern and to be sure that it isn’t touching the tent. In addition to creating an extra tent porch, a tarp is great for protecting your camp kitchen.

While there are millions of places to take your camping tent, there are certainly some that aren’t going to be ideal for both yourself and the environment. First, always consult local information as to where you might legally pitch your tent without running into issues of land closures or private property.

Once you’ve located your camp zone, then consider where you might like to set up camp for the night. While campgrounds take the guesswork out of the equation, public-use land such as BLM land leaves the choice up to you. Micro-landscape features will have a big impact on your overall enjoyment, so be mindful of the following:

Ridgelines tend to catch more wind overnight, and setting up camp here can be asking for a windy evening. And while setting up your tent right next to a lake may appeal to many, these thoroughfares to water are important to local wildlife, and should be left free to not impede their access. Take a look at the landscape above your potential campsite as well, as nobody wants to set up underneath a rock-fall area. Camping on durable surfaces is the second Leave No Trace principle , and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

And finally, consider your space from others enjoying the wilderness. You likely came out here to enjoy some quiet, and they probably did as well!

While there are many different styles of tent available today, each has a better use profile and ideal adventure to use them on. When it comes to camping tents, the most popular shape will be a dome-style tent. This is because of ease of use, as well as the trade-off in canopy headroom to the overall complexity.

Some tents, like the REI Co-op Wonderland X , make use of a tunnel-style structure. These tents often boast more headroom overall, but will suffer some during high winds. For this reason, it’s important to properly guyline out a tunnel-style tent. Other tents still, like the Eureka Copper Canyon 4 Tent or Decathlon Quechua 2 Second Tent , employ a collapsible style of integrated poles that forms a rigid structure once assembled. These tents are often among the easiest to use, but also the weakest overall, as any strong force against their poles could collapse them.

The Best Camping Mattresses of 2024

From packable sleeping pads to ultracomfortable air beds, we tested and found the best camping mattresses and sleeping pads to fit every adventure and budget.

The Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024

From versatile camping bags to wallet-friendly picks, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for every use and budget.

Ryan grew up in the flatlands of central California and from a young age sought adventure climbing trees and exploring the creeks in his backyard. In his youth, he discovered the joy of the mountains on backpacking trips. Through his adult years, life took many turns from the shores of Santa Cruz to the granite walls of Yosemite. He has spent nights in places most people would call crazy for the sake of adventure…and not having enough money for a hotel room or campsite. Now nestled in the heart of the easter Sierra Nevada of California with his wife, he spends his days working just enough to afford to get back into the mountains on the next adventure.

Hailing from the hemlocks and hanging mosses of Washington State, Senior Editor Nick Belcaster is an adventure journalist following threads of stories across the West. Cruelly stolen from the alpine swales of rural Wisconsin at a young age, Nick made do ascending the snows and granite of the North Cascades while completing a journalism degree. A long stint on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 codified a life bent on sleeping on minor slopes and picking devil’s club out of his shoes.

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Best backpacking tents 2024: lightweight shelters for adventurous explorers

The best backpacking tents for fast, lightweight and comfortable adventuring in any season

Best overall

Best 2-people, best fast-pitch, best 3-season, best ultralight, best budget, best for summer.

• How to choose
• How we test

Looking for the best backpacking tent? Welcome to the ultimate guide where we pitch the top contenders against each other – metaphorically speaking, of course. Because let's be honest, no one wants to carry extra weight in their pack unless it's a bag of marshmallows for those campfire s'mores.

When it comes to backpacking, every gram counts. That's why our selection focuses on lightweight yet sturdy tents that won't have you questioning your life choices halfway up a mountain. From single-wall wonders to spacious shelters for two (or even three if you're cosy), we've got your back – literally.

So, grab your lightweight sleeping bag and camping mat , lace up those hiking boots , and get ready to hit the trails with confidence. Prefer car camping? Check out our favourite large shelters in T3's best tent roundup.

Our current favourite backpacking shelter is TNF's Trail Lite 2-Person Tent. It's wonderfully spacious and offers a ton of useful features for backpackers, from extra headroom to clever pockets. The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 is not far behind in terms of comfort and convenience and is also an excellent choice for duo travellers. Finally, Sierra Designs' Meteor Lite 2 is probably the fastest-pitching tent we've tried on this list.

The North Face Trail Lite Tent is a solid investment for backpackers. It’s spacious, weatherproof, easy to set up, and lightweight for a 2-person shelter. Ideal for those who prioritise comfort and durability in outdoor adventures.

Read more below

The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 is an ultra-lightweight, compact, and versatile backpacking tent, perfect for solo adventurers or couples. It excels in ventilation and packability, though its setup can be slightly tricky for beginners. Ideal for weight-conscious hikers.

The Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2 is a lightweight, roomy tent perfect for backpacking. It offers excellent ventilation, quick setup, and solid weather protection, though its durability might be a concern for extreme conditions. Great for hikers seeking comfort and ease.

The Vango F10 Project Hydrogen tent is an ultra-lightweight, innovative option ideal for solo hikers. It impresses with its compact design and ease of use, though its high price and limited space might be drawbacks. Perfect for bikepackers and UL hikers.

The Alpkit Soloist 1-Person Backpacking Tent is a lightweight, three-season shelter ideal for solo adventurers. It offers solid weather protection, easy setup, and a compact design, though interior space is limited. Perfect for minimalist backpackers seeking a reliable, portable shelter.

The Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P Tent is a versatile, ultralight shelter for solo backpackers. It offers flexible setup options, solid weather resistance, and ample space, though it requires trekking poles for setup and may be less intuitive for beginners. Ideal for experienced hikers seeking a customisable, lightweight tent.

Best backpacking tents to buy right now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

1. The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Part of The North Face's Technical Collection, the Trail Lite 2-Person Tent is currently the best backpacking tent. While lighter options exist, none match its combination of spaciousness, portability, and waterproofness.

Equipped with premium features, it's a valuable investment for serious backpackers. Constructed with a 20D nylon Ripstop fly and a 75D polyester floor, it offers durability and protection. Oversized doors and vestibules provide ample ventilation and storage.

During testing, it proved resilient against rain and wind, boasting easy assembly and stability. Despite its lightweight, it offers generous space and comfortable height. The DWR-treated bottom layer ensures dryness even on wet ground, while large openings allow for excellent airflow.

Versatile and reliable, The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent is ideal for backpackers seeking quality and performance. While cheaper alternatives exist, this tent is a worthwhile investment for those prioritising durability and comfort on their outdoor adventures.

Read our full The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent review .

2. Sea to Summit Alto TR2

The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tent is a brilliant backpacking tent. At just 1.3kg, it's almost, but not quite, ultralight, and it comes in three separate stuff sacks, which makes it easy to pack or split between two people.

It can be pitched in under 10 minutes and is versatile enough to be set up in a few configurations, such as having the inner tent on its own for warm, dry nights or leaving the fly half-off so you can see the stars. It's also brilliantly designed and really well made. Bear in mind it's a little snug for two full-grown adults (although if there's just one of you, it's awesome). 

Read our full Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tent review .

Also consider: The Sea To Summit Telos TR2 boasts several innovative new features, incredible amounts of headroom, and perhaps the best ventilation in its class. Multiple modes allow you to set up the tent to fit both your needs and the conditions outside.

3. Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2

We tested out the 2-man version of this tent, but there are also different versions for one and three people available. It's very lightweight when packed (the brand has even shaved off a few grams compared to the previous iteration of this tent) but surprisingly spacious when pitched – it'll fit two people side by side, with room at your feet for two backpacks, and there are also two generous porches which provide extra space for storage.

The design is split into two parts: an inner mesh tent and an outer waterproof 'fly'. That means when the weather's warm and dry, you can roll back the outer layer and engage in a spot of stargazing. It's also quick and easy to pitch and pack away and stands up very well to high winds and rain. Well worth investing in for years of lightweight adventuring.

Read our full Sierra Designs Meteor Lite review .

4. Vango F10 Project Hydrogen

The Vango F10 Project Hydrogen deserves inclusion here for two key reasons: technical innovation and ludicrous lightness. That last metric is pretty essential when carrying tents on your back, and Project Hydrogen's 680-gram trail weight is as light as they come – there are plenty of heavier sleeping mats. Although it's not a large tent, there's still a good amount of living space for one person, with a porch for storage and enough room to sit up inside. 

This innovative design uses air poles to lower the weight, and they're surprisingly sturdy, even in bad weather. Inflating it using the included bike pump is speedy and simple. Vango hasn't skimped on the details here, serving up a twin-skin build (important to fend off condensation), as well as a Yunan carbon fibre singular pole which sits at the foot-end of the tent. A cotton thread that expands to seal gaps when wet means there's no seam tape here, shaving a few more grams, while a 7D nylon with a double silicone flysheet should keep the wet stuff outside in all but the worst weather.

Read our full Vango F10 Project Hydrogen review .

Also consider: The Vango F10 Neon UL1 surprises with its ultralight design yet robust performance. Suitable for thru-hiking, wild camping, and bikepacking, it offers ample space for one person and gear. Waterproof and warm for three seasons, its spike-style pegs may lack effectiveness in windy conditions, suggesting a need for sturdier alternatives.

5. Alpkit Soloist 1-Person Backpacking Tent

The Alpkit Soloist, a 1-person, 3-season backpacking tent, boasts a semi-geodesic shape that ensures remarkable stability even in harsh wet and windy conditions. Setting up and taking down the Soloist is a breeze, thanks to its simple and quick assembly, and it packs away neatly and compactly for easy trail transport.

With a standard interior length of two meters, most users will find ample space to lie down comfortably, while taller backpackers can opt for the extra-large version. While the tent's design features a reasonably spacious porch area, it may not be large enough for cooking during heavy rain. However, it provides sufficient room for food preparation and storage of wet gear.

Though lacking interior storage pockets for better organization, the Soloist performs admirably in heavy weather conditions, as demonstrated in Scotland. Additionally, in warmer months, the tent can be used without a flysheet, while its kelp-coloured exterior offers discreet camping opportunities for wild campers.

Read our full Alpkit Soloist review .

6. Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000

Need an ultra-lightweight tent for hiking adventures? The Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P tent is made for just that scenario. In fact, thanks to a smart design twist that we're amazed nobody's thought of before, it's only suitable for hikers. To keep it light and packable, this tent doesn't come with poles; instead, you pitch it using your own trekking poles for support.

That's a brilliant idea, frankly, but we should warn you that you'll need decent poles; we tried it with cheap and flimsy ones, and it wouldn't stand up properly, but got much better results with higher-quality poles. Sierra Designs insists that pitching is simple and intuitive, but we'd caution that it takes a bit of practice to get right. Breaking camp is quick and easy, though, and in between, you'll enjoy a roomy and well-specced tent that's versatile in its pitching options.

Read our full Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P review .

7. Alpkit Ordos 2

The Alpkit Ordos 2 is a superb lightweight backpacking tent, thanks to its combination of ease of pitching and affordability.

While it's designed for two people, it's particularly well-suited for solo adventurers. It offers reliable weatherproofing and comes in a compact, lightweight package, making it ideal for backpacking trips where space and weight are critical considerations.

Despite its small size, it provides enough room for two campers and their gear, though the porch area is somewhat cramped. One minor downside is the lack of multiple doors, which can make entry and exit slightly less convenient, especially for two occupants.

However, these drawbacks are outweighed by the tent's overall performance and value for money. The optional footprint accessory enhances waterproofing and protects the tent floor, making it a worthwhile investment for those venturing into wet or rocky terrain.

The Alpkit Ordos 2 strikes a balance between functionality, affordability, and portability, making it a practical choice for backpackers and wild campers seeking a reliable shelter for their outdoor adventures.

Read our full Alpkit Ordos 2 tent review .

8. MSR Hubba Hubba NX

Despite the cheeky name, this award-winning MSR backpacking tent is all business. The hub pole design cleverly maximises the usable space inside the tent, including the head and elbow room, while ensuring it stays stable. There’s also a breathable mesh canopy offering up unrestricted views of the scenery surrounding you. That, combined with a cross-ventilating flysheet, works to a) keep condensation at bay and b) boost airflow. That’s ideal for taking the edge off hot, sticky nights during summer backpacking trips. Built-in rain gutters are a godsend during wet weather trips, though in general, we’d recommend the Hubba Hubba for warm weather trips.

How to choose the best backpacking tent for you

Choosing the perfect backpacking tent is like finding the ultimate adventure sidekick – it needs to be reliable, lightweight, and always up for the journey.

Pack size plays a starring role in this backpacking saga. You want a tent that plays nice with your backpack, not one that feels like an unwanted guest taking up precious space. Bonus points if it squeezes into your pack like a pro, but fear not if it ends up hitching a ride on the outside – it's all part of the adventure, right?

When Mother Nature decides to throw a tantrum, your tent should be your trusty shield against her wrath. Waterproof and sturdy enough to withstand gusty winds? Check. Easy to pitch and pack up in a flash? Double-check.

Comfort is key, my friend. A little extra space can go a long way when you're spending nights under the stars. Mesh windows for stargazing, pockets for tidying up your tent floor, and a cozy porch for rainy-day gear storage – these are the little luxuries that turn a good tent into a great one.

And let's not forget the golden rule of backpacking: a good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold. After a day of conquering trails, you deserve to rest and recharge in comfort. So, when you're on the hunt for the perfect tent, remember to strike a balance between weight, durability, and comfort. Your back, and your dreams of epic adventures, will thank you for it.

How we test the best backpacking tents

To test backpacking tents, we take them on backpaking trips, as many as possible, to see how they fare in real-world conditions.

We pay close attention to how the tent handles these conditions – are the seams watertight? Does the rainfly effectively repel moisture?

Ease of setup is another crucial factor to consider. A backpacking tent should be intuitive to pitch, even for beginners. We often time ourselves as we assemble lightweight tents.

We look for features like colour-coded poles and simple clip systems that make setup a breeze, even in low light or inclement weather.

Then, we climb inside and take stock of the space – is there enough room for you and your gear? Can you sit up comfortably without feeling cramped? We look for features that enhance comfort, such as interior pockets for storage, mesh panels for ventilation, and vestibules for storing muddy boots or wet gear.

Finally, we pack ithe tent away. A backpacking tent should be compact and lightweight, fitting seamlessly into your pack without adding unnecessary bulk. We practice rolling (or folding) the tent and stowing it in its stuff sack.

Is 3kg too heavy for backpacking tent?

Most backpacking tents weigh less than 2kg, so unless you need a 3-people tent for your adventures, and happy to carry around the extra weight. As a general rule, you want to allow a maximum of one kilo of tent weight per person. That said, some of the 2-people tents can weigh as little as 1.4kg.

What type of tent is best for backpacking?

The best type of tent for backpacking is typically a lightweight, compact, and durable tent designed specifically for backpackers. These tents are often categorised as backpacking tents and are designed to be easy to carry in a backpack while offering sufficient protection and comfort for overnight stays in the wilderness.

They usually feature lightweight materials, such as nylon or polyester, and have a minimalist design to reduce weight without sacrificing functionality. Additionally, backpacking tents often have features like a rainfly, mesh panels for ventilation, and a sturdy frame to withstand various weather conditions encountered during backpacking trips.

Is 4 lbs too heavy for a backpacking tent?

Generally, backpackers aim for lightweight gear to minimise the strain on their backs during long hikes. A tent weighing 4 lbs (approximately 1.8 kg) would be considered on the heavier side for backpacking, especially for solo hikers or those embarking on multi-day trips where every ounce counts.

That said, a 4-lb tent might be perfectly acceptable for certain situations. For example, if you're sharing the tent with a partner and splitting the weight between two packs, or if you prioritise durability and comfort over ultralightweight construction.

What is the difference between a camping tent and a backpacking tent?

Camping tents are spacious with amenities for comfort and ideal for car camping and group outings. They're heavier due to their size and features. Backpacking tents are lightweight, compact, and designed for wilderness trekking. They prioritise portability for hikers carrying gear over long distances. Backpacking tents sacrifice space and amenities for minimal weight and pack size.

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Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well , and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews ) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

• Pat Kinsella Freelance outdoor writer

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Best Ultralight Tents of 2024

From premium and user-friendly designs to streamlined shelters, here are our favorite sub-3-pound tents of the year.

Switchback Travel ( Jason Hummel )

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In the ultralight backpacking world, The Big Three refers to the most important (and heaviest) pieces in your kit: your backpack, sleep system (sleeping bag and pad), and shelter. Shaving a pound or two off of each of these items can go a long way toward keeping your base weight low. Compared to standard backpacking tents, ultralight tents are lighter and more packable (all but one of the picks below weigh less than 3 pounds) and run the gamut from premium freestanding designs from names like Nemo, Big Agnes, and MSR to stripped-down trekking-pole shelters and floorless pyramids from well-respected cottage brands. We took the best options money can buy to some of the most remote corners of the world—from the bush of Africa to lofty Patagonia peaks—to narrow in on our streamlined selection of 16 worthy models below. These are our favorite ultralight backpacking tents of 2024. For more information, see the comparison table and buying advice below the picks.

Editor's note: We updated this guide on June 7, 2024, to include information about our testing practices and expand some of the sections in our buying advice. We also combed through the guide to ensure prices, colorways, and products were current at the time of publishing.  

Our Team's Ultralight Tent Picks

• Best Overall Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P
• Best Budget Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Durston X-Mid 2
• Best DCF Trekking-Pole Shelter for Thru-Hiking : Zpacks Duplex Zip
• Best Ultralight 4-Season Tent: Samaya 2.0
• Best Floorless Pyramid Shelter: Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid

Best Overall Ultralight Backpacking Tent

1. nemo hornet elite osmo 2p ($650).

Gone are the days when you had to sleep under a tarp to be considered an ultralight enthusiast, and the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P is case in point. For just over 2 pounds all-in, the Hornet Elite combines the refined design and build quality of a standard backpacking tent with a competitive UL weight. The hubbed-pole structure is simple to set up and stable in winds, and two doors and vestibules keep convenience high and offer ample storage space for two. What’s more, the finishes are what we’ve come to expect from Nemo’s premium offerings, including multiple interior pockets, a handy headlamp diffuser, equalized guy-out points, smooth-operating clips and buckles, and a Flybar pole clip that increases headroom with very little weight penalty.

At a whopping $650, the Nemo’s main downside is price, especially considering you can save $250 with a tent like the Fly Creek HV UL2 (2 lb. 5 oz.) below. On the other hand, a trekking-pole shelter like the Gossamer Gear The Two (1 lb. 8.9 oz.; $320) is both lighter and more affordable, and many A-frame designs (both Dyneema and nylon/polyester) are considerably more durable, too. But there’s no denying the convenience of a traditional tent design, which features a better ventilated double-wall build, a user-friendly setup, and arguably more livable space overall—though the sleeping area of the Nemo Hornet Elite does feel pretty cramped for two compared to other competing models. Still, if you’re willing to make the investment, we think that the Hornet Elite is the best of both worlds in terms of weight and performance. It’s also worth noting Nemo’s Hornet Osmo 2P , which checks in just 7 ounces heavier but will save you a considerable $220. See the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P

Best Budget Ultralight Backpacking Tent

2. durston x-mid 2 ($280).

A lot goes into making a solid shelter at a low weight, so UL price tags can be fairly steep compared to standard backpacking tents. It’s for this reason that the Durston X-Mid is such a surprising entry. Like many trekking-pole shelters here, the X-Mid 2 is well-built, stormworthy, roomy, and checks in at less than 2.5 pounds—but it's also just $280 ($265 if you opt out of stakes), which is a massive price savings compared to the rest of our top picks. On a backpacking trip through Washington’s Glacier Peak Wilderness, we found it easy to get a taut pitch (the setup only requires 4 stakes and the polyester fly doesn’t sag like nylon), appreciated the ventilated design (thanks to the double-wall construction), and loved special touches like the magnetic doorkeepers, durable #5 YKK AquaGuard zippers on the fly, and a unique parallelogram shape that ensures that the doorways aren’t blocked by poles. You can even separate the inner body from the fly and leave one (or the other) at home to save weight.

So how does Durston manage to make the X-Mid at such a low price point? In short, with compromises that will be fairly minor for most but might add up for serious users. The X-Mid is over a pound heavier than the Duplex below, which could be a deal breaker for thru-hikers set on a super low base weight. What’s more, the sil/PEU polyester fly will gradually lose its waterproofing over time, while Dyneema is naturally hydrophobic. The X-Mid also isn't as spacious as competing models. But for less discerning hikers looking for a very high-quality budget tent, it’s truly hard to beat—Durston is onto something with their highly engineered design, which includes more thoughtful details than most trekking pole shelters here (just be aware, its footprint is larger than that of most 2P alternatives). If you venture out solo, you can save even more with the X-Mid 1 ($234). See the Durston X-Mid 2

Best DCF Trekking-Pole Shelter for Thru-Hiking

3. zpacks duplex zip ($729).

Take a good look at the tents along the PCT, AT, CDT, or any other long-distance trail in the US, and you’re bound to see the Zpacks Duplex more than almost any other. For one, the Duplex is incredibly lightweight (the Zip version here is just 1 lb. 4.4 oz.) and features a streamlined setup with just two trekking poles and six stakes (not included). But it still provides a very roomy sleeping area for two, including two doors and vestibules and full waterproof protection (the new Zip model features zippered doors and peak vents). The linchpin to the Duplex’s design is Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), which touts an impressive strength-to-weight ratio, doesn’t stretch like nylon, and is naturally waterproof. Dyneema is undeniably pricey, but for those who get a lot of use out of their gear (we’re looking at you, thru-hikers), the lightweight performance is second to none.

The Duplex Zip is considerably lighter than the Hornet Elite above, but those used to a traditional tent might need some time to get familiar with the trekking-pole design. The tent requires a careful pitch (you’ll need secure stakes or large rocks) and its single-wall construction can grow swampy if you’re not careful with ventilation. The mesh-heavy design is also very vulnerable to winds, although this is par for the course with most ultralight tents. In terms of the competition, Durston, Hyperlite, and Tarptent all offer similar DCF trekking-pole shelters that give the Duplex Zip a run for its money. But the Zpacks is the most versatile pick: It comes in a wide range of sizes, and you also get the option of a lighter non-Zip version (1 lb. 2.5 oz.) and the Freestanding Flex Kit , which converts the Duplex into a freestanding tent with four carbon poles (for 11.4 oz. and $149 extra). Added up, the Duplex is the most versatile and time-tested shelter of its kind, making it a runaway favorite among serious thru-hikers... Read in-depth Duplex Zip review See the Zpacks Duplex Zip

Best Ultralight 4-Season Tent

4. samaya 2.0 ($1,100).

Most backpackers are fair-weather creatures, but if you don’t let the elements hold you back, it’s worth considering a 4-season tent. With key design features that include a freestanding and aerodynamic structure, burly poles, strong fabrics (including very little mesh), and additional guy-out points, these shelters are built to handle anything Mother Nature might dish out. And while many 4-season tents are as heavy as 10 pounds, there are a number of ultralight options for weight-conscious climbers and mountaineers, and intrepid UL backpackers. Standing head and shoulders above the competition is the Samaya 2.0, which provides impressive protection against wind and precip for just 3 pounds 5 ounces.

The Samaya 2.0 is undeniably expensive, but you won’t be thinking about your bank account when you’re braving heavy winds up high on a Cascades volcano or deep in a Patagonian valley. Compared to most lightweight 4-season tents, the 2.0 is actually waterproof (models like the Black Diamond HiLight are merely water-resistant) with a Dyneema floor, roof, and door awning that won’t wet out or sag over time. Samaya also opted for their 3-layer Nanovent fabric in the tent body, which increases breathability over Dyneema—great for when you’re tent-bound in a storm. All told, the 2.0 is an exquisitely designed tent that’s well worth the investment for serious users. For those looking for an even lighter option, Samaya also offers the all-Dyneema Assaut2 Ultra  (out of stock at the time of publishing), which weighs just 2 pounds 5 ounces but will cost you a whopping $2,100. See the Samaya 2.0

Best Floorless Pyramid Shelter

5. mountain laurel designs duomid ($290).

Backpackers accustomed to the security of a freestanding tent might balk at the concept of a floorless pyramid shelter, but the Mountain Laurel DuoMid shouldn’t be overlooked. The first thing to like about the DuoMid is its versatility: It can be pitched alone, strung between trees, or paired with one of MLD’s InnerNets for a double-wall bug-free haven. Second is weather protection—the pyramid is surprisingly stable in snow and high winds, and the floorless design is uber-functional, allowing you to dig out a seating area in snow or cook inside in inclement weather. And a final benefit is its weight: At 1 pound 2 ounces (or up to 2 lb. including an insert), the DuoMid is incredibly lightweight considering its all-season credentials.

We really like the Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) DuoMid for those who get out in a variety of seasons and want the ability to tweak their kit accordingly, especially if you tack on the SoloMid XL ($180) or DuoMid ($195) InnerNets. That said, the MLD is a very simplistic shelter that takes some attention to set up correctly; and used on its own, the floorless concept doesn’t offer the same isolation from the elements that you get with a full-fledged tent. In terms of durability, the version here uses 20-denier silicone-treated nylon, a premium combination that offers a high degree of waterproofing and stretch resistance. The DuoMid and InnerNets are also available in 0.75 oz/sq yd DCF versions, but things start to get pricey when you head in that direction (getting the DuoMid and DuoMid InnerNet both in DCF will cost you $870 all-in).  See the Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid

Best of the Rest

6. big agnes tiger wall ul2 solution dye ($450).

If the Nemo Hornet Elite above caught your eye, it’s worth also taking a look at Big Agnes’ Tiger Wall UL2. The Tiger Wall UL2 is another one of our favorite ultralight tents, with a similar two-door-and-vestibule layout and semi-freestanding build (you have to guy out the corners at the foot). It can’t quite measure up to the Hornet Elite in terms of weight, but the Tiger Wall adds a few more inches to the floorplan and a large ridge pole across the top for noticeably more headroom. If you’d rather keep $200 in your pocket than shave a half-pound from your pack, it’s a great runner-up from a well-respected tent manufacturer.

The Tiger Wall is not particularly durable, with a 15-denier floor and fly that require caution around sharp rocks and twigs. That said, it’s a bit more hardwearing than the ultra-thin Hornet Elite, and we appreciate the added assurance of the full-length rain fly (the Nemo’s is truncated at the head for weight savings). All told, the Tiger Wall is a great value for those who like the traditional tent design—just expect it to be a tight squeeze for two. For more room, Big Agnes also makes the Copper Spur HV UL2 ($530), which is significantly heavier at 3 pounds 2 ounces. And while they can often be difficult to come by, it’s also worth looking into Big Agnes’ Platinum and Carbon varieties—in particular, tents in the Carbon line feature a Dyneema fly and floor along with carbon fiber poles... Read in-depth Tiger Wall UL2 review See the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye

7. Gossamer Gear The Two ($320)

The  Zpacks Duplex Zip  above is a favorite among thru-hikers for its hardwearing Dyneema build and low weight, but Gossamer Gear’s The Two isn’t far behind. For a staggering $409 less, The Two features a very similar single-wall design (swapping out the Dyneema for a nylon floor and fly) that sets up with two trekking poles. What’s more, the two shelters are fairly close in weight if you consider the full package (stakes are not included in the Zpacks’ listed weight). Nylon can’t match Dyneema in terms of lightweight performance—it has a tendency to sag, is not naturally waterproof (the waterproof coating will degrade over time), and has less tear resistance—but it’s been used by tentmakers for decades and certainly gets the job done. All told, if you’re looking to go as light as possible but need to keep prices low, too, the Gossamer Gear is well worth a close look. While not as durable as other models here, The Two and its younger sibling The One ($255) have accompanied us on some seriously gnarly adventures over the years. The One was the shelter of choice for one of our author's back-to-back thru-hikes of the CDT and AT, and one model served him well the entire time. A failed zipper and slightly degrading seam sealing were the only casualties of eight months of continuous use. That's no small feat for a little budget design.  

Many budget-minded backpackers will find themselves choosing between The Two and Durston's X-Mid 2 above, which differ in key ways. While the Gossamer Gear’s primary aim is to be as light as possible, the Durston offers a better balance of weight and performance. Compared to the X-Mid, The Two features less durable zippers (#3 vs. #5) and fabrics (10D sil/PU nylon compared to 20D sil/PEU polyester), a smaller floor area, more complicated setup (6 stakes rather than 4), and isn't factory seam sealed. Most importantly, the X-Mid’s full-fledged double-wall design boosts breathability (The Two has a reputation for collecting condensation) and allows you to use the inner separate from the fly (or vice versa). But for gram counters who don’t mind a few compromises, the Gossamer Gear is far and away the lighter option. See the Gossamer Gear The Two

8. Tarptent Double Rainbow ($299)

Category: Semi-freestanding tent Packaged weight: 2 lb. 9.5 oz. Floor dimensions: 88 x 50 in. Capacities: 1P, 2P, 3P What we like: A very affordable semi-freestanding tent; options to boost ventilation. What we don’t: One of the heaviest tents/shelters here.

Just when you thought you had ultralight tents figured out, along comes the Tarptent Double Rainbow. Like the Zpacks and Gossamer Gear above, the Tarptent features a weight-saving single-wall construction; specifically, you get a 30-denier silicone-coated nylon fly and floor with mesh doors sandwiched in between. On the other hand, it uses an arch pole to create a semi-freestanding structure similar to tents from Big Agnes and Nemo (plus, you can place trekking poles at the head and foot to achieve a fully freestanding tent). All told, the Tarptent Double Rainbow is a unique ultralight tent that’s roomy, durable, and easy to pitch—and more affordable than a lot of the competition.

Like the Zpacks Duplex and Gossamer Gear The Two, the Double Rainbow’s breathability suffers with the single-wall construction, although Tarptent does include vents at both the top and bottom to encourage airflow. You can also add a hanging liner for $45 more, which absorbs condensation and insulates against both hot and cold temperatures—or opt for the double-wall Double Rainbow DW , which is just $90 and about 2.9 ounces more. No matter what variation you choose, the Double Rainbow offers major cost savings compared to the semi-freestanding competition (including the Big Agnes Tiger Wall and Nemo Hornet Elite above), making it a nice option for budget seekers who aren’t quite sold on trekking-pole shelters... Read in-depth Double Rainbow review See the Tarptent Double Rainbow

9. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P ($699)

Hyperlite Mountain Gear knows a thing or two about Dyneema products, and their new Unbound 2P takes direct aim at the Zpacks Duplex Zip above. The shelters feature a very similar A-frame layout, but in testing the two side-by-side, the Unbound really stood out with a refined build quality (especially compared to Zpacks’ more homegrown aesthetic). The components are a bit more user-friendly (including the buckle at the base of the door), and we can’t help but love the fun orange accents and contrasting colorways. Finally, Hyperlite designed the Unbound to ride a little lower to the ground than many of its competitors, which can help a great deal with wind and water protection. There’s no shortage of competition within the DCF trekking-pole shelter world, but the Unbound is poised to remain a favorite among thru-hikers.

But for the discerning buyer, there are a few ways the Unbound comes up short of the Duplex. The floor is thinner at 0.8 oz/sq yd (compared to the Zpacks’ 1.0 oz/sq yd floor), and you don’t get the option between two canopy materials (the Unbound’s canopy is 0.55 oz/sq yd vs. the Duplex’s 0.55 or 0.75 oz/sq yd offerings). And while the Hyperlite’s fly sits closer to the ground, the tent lacks the Duplex’s end cinch, which closes the mesh gap between the tent canopy and bathtub floor (a helpful feature in wind and rain). Finally, despite the thinner fabrics, the Hyperlite is still 3.6 ounces heavier than the Zpacks, which will factor in for serious thru-hikers (it's also heavier than the X-Mid Pro 2 below, which has a more spacious and stormworthy design). But there’s nevertheless a whole lot to like about the Unbound, which feels just as premium as its price tag suggests... Read in-depth HMG Unbound 2P review See the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P

10. SlingFin SplitWing Shelter Bundle ($355)

SlingFin might not be a household name, but don’t be fooled: This company knows how to make a serious tent. Established by a former designer at Mountain Hardwear and The North Face, SlingFin is employee-owned and self-describes as “small, lean, and scrappy,” specializing in high-quality tents with no constraints. The SplitWing Shelter is their lightest design for thru-hikers and fastpackers—for just $355, you get a 1.5-pound double-wall shelter, which is a better price-to-weight ratio than even the Gossamer Gear above. The one-door layout shaves precious ounces off the design, and the tarp (fly), body, and vestibule can be used interchangeably (i.e. you can leave one or two components at home to save weight). Tack on a footprint that tapers drastically from head to toe, and the SplitWing is a roomy shelter for one or a snug home for two.

We’ve tested a few SlingFin tents, and what stands out to us is their high degree of innovation and user input. You can pitch the SplitWing low (good for aerodynamics and maximizing floor space) or high (increasing headroom for a solo sleeper), or opt for bringing only the 11.7-ounce mesh body (or 11.1-oz. tarp), depending on the weather. This might not be music to the ears of the “set it and forget it” crowd, but hikers who like to count ounces and tweak their gear will love the SplitWing’s customization and versatility. It is worth noting that its thin nylon build (20D floor, 10D tarp) isn’t as tough or sag-resistant as Dyneema, but the silicone treatment on both sides of the tarp goes a long way to remedy this. Summed up, the SplitWing Shelter Bundle is a great value for the solo hiker who ventures out in a range of conditions. See the SlingFin SplitWing Shelter Bundle

11. MSR FreeLite 2 ($450)

The MSR FreeLite 2 takes aim at our top-ranked Nemo Hornet Elite and the Tiger Wall above, with a similar two-door-and-vestibule layout that makes it much easier for two campers to enter/exit and stash gear than one-door alternatives like the Fly Creek below. One of the key strengths of the FreeLite’s design is its non-tapered floor area, which will feel a lot less cramped for two (and allow you to sleep head to toe with your tentmate). To save weight, MSR opted for a truncated fly at the head end, but traded out the mesh underneath for a water-resistant fabric body fabric. We recently took the FreeLite 1 on a rowdy backpacking trip across the highlands of Kenya, East Africa, where it performed with flying colors—and kept curious elephants at bay late at night. It weathered some wild and windy tropical storms, but the truncated fly meant water eventually seeped in after hours of consistent rain. All told, we love its minimum weight, wind protection, and stability, but wish it boasted a bit more water resistance.   

The FreeLite is the same price as the Tiger Wall above, lighter by a few ounces, and offers a more spacious footprint—so why the lower ranking? As usual, the devil is in the details: The Big Agnes actually features a more livable interior, with a couple more inches at the head end (52 in.) and a larger ridge pole that stretches the walls up and away. And while we like that the MSR uses less mesh in the body—resulting in a more wind-worthy tent overall—most of the gains are offset by the shortened fly. It’s splitting hairs, but if we had to choose between the two, our vote would go with the Tiger Wall. But the overall quality of the two tents is very similar, including impressively strong silicone-coated nylon and high-end workmanship from two of the best tent manufacturers in the business... Read in-depth FreeLite 2 review See the MSR FreeLite 2

12. Tarptent ProTrail ($239)

Category: Trekking-pole shelter Packaged weight: 1 lb. 8.0 oz. Floor dimensions: 84 x 42/32 in. Capacities: 1P, 2P What we like: A purpose-built 1-person shelter with great venting; affordable and durable. What we don’t: Not as versatile as the SplitWing above.

If you’re anything like a good number of thru-hikers, it’s probable you venture out solo from time to time (or all the time). In this case, there’s simply no reason to carry the extra weight of a 2-person tent. Most of the tents and shelters here come in 1-person variations, but we particularly like Tarptent’s dedicated ProTrail. The single-walled ProTrail features a nylon floor and polyester fly with a mesh perimeter and door—not unlike most of the trekking-pole shelters here—but is purpose-built for one with a single entry (and vestibule) and a shape that tapers from head to toe. Tack on a weight of just 1.5 pounds and a $239 price tag, and it's for good reason that the ProTrail is Tarptent’s most popular 1-person design.

It’s true that the Gossamer Gear The Two above features a much roomier floor plan for even less weight, but the Tarptent is the higher quality offering: The floor and fly are more durable at 20 and 30-denier, respectively, and they’re silicone-coated on both sides for sag resistance (when wet, polyester is also stronger than nylon). We also love that Tarptent placed a large mesh panel at the ProTrail’s toe, which creates a nice cross breeze (most 1P designs feature just one mesh panel at the door). Compared with the SplitWing above, the SlingFin is undeniably more versatile with double-wall construction and customizable parts, but it’s over $100 more and not as durable. And finally, Tarptent also makes the Dyneema ProTrail Li ($529), which is relatively cheap for a DCF shelter and ridiculously light at 1 pound 1.8 ounces.  See the Tarptent ProTrail

13. Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer ($395)

Like Durston, Gossamer Gear, and Zpacks, Six Moon Designs is a popular UL cottage brand built by the people, for the people. Their popular Lunar Duo Explorer is a non-Dyneema trekking-pole shelter similar to the likes of The Two above. The Lunar Duo features a massive floor area that easily accommodates two sleepers, and its 90-inch (7’6”) length is a particularly great pairing for taller hikers. The 50-inch peak height is also very generous, and curved poles above each door create an arched (rather than pointy) roof that leads to a bit more headroom overall. And while the Lunar Duo’s single-wall design can grow swampy, built-in vents at the top of each door do help to create a cross breeze.

The Gossamer Gear and Six Moon Designs differ most in terms of fabrics and weight. While The Two keeps weight under 1.5 pounds with thin, 10-denier nylon that’s silicone-treated on one side and PU-coated on the other, the Lunar Duo features a 30-denier, fully silicone-treated nylon (compared to PU, silicone strengthens the base material and makes it much more waterproof). As a result, the Lunar Duo is over a pound heavier than The Two, but has less of a tendency to sag when wet, absorbs less moisture, and is more hardwearing over the long haul. For hikers more concerned with durability than ounces, it’s an excellent and highly livable pick. Finally, because silicone can’t be seam taped, keep in mind that you’ll have to seam seal the Lunar Duo yourself (Six Moon Designs also offers a seam sealing service for an extra $35). At the time of publishing, the Lunar Duo is currently on closeout—and $100 cheaper—at the time of publishing while they clear out more space for new inventory.  See the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer

14. Durston X-Mid Pro 2 ($654)

The Durston X-Mid 2 gets our top pick for the best budget tent, but the Pro version is a whole different beast and well worth a separate mention here. This Dyneema tent competes with the likes of the Duplex Zip and Unbound above, but with a shape and feature set that arguably has a lot more to offer. The off-set pole structure centers the headroom close to each end, ensures the doorways aren’t blocked by poles, and is better in both wind and rain than a standard A-frame design. What’s more, you get a full-coverage fly that extends lower to the ground than that of competing tents, and a simple four-stake pitch. Finally, Durston gives the option of a sil/PEU-treated nylon floor, which makes a lot of sense and is something we’re seeing from more and more companies: Nylon is less slippery than Dyneema and more puncture resistant, packable, and affordable.

The budget X-Mid above is a double-wall design, but the Pro here features single-wall construction, similar to that of the aforementioned Dyneema trekking-pole tents. But because of the Durston’s unique geometry, ventilation is less of a concern: The vestibule doors cover the entryway even when open, meaning you can keep them unzipped in a rainstorm without moisture entering the tent. We haven’t yet had a chance to test the X-Mid Pro 2 (we'll update the write-up and ranking once we do), but all signs point to it being a really thoughtful alternative to tents from Zpacks and Hyperlite. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the nylon-floor version will save you $100 and checks in at a competitive weight (the 1-lb.-7-oz. spec includes stakes). For those interested, Durston also makes a full-Dyneema model, which is lighter at 1 pound 5.2 ounces (including stakes) and retails for $754. Note: The 2024 X-Mid Pro 2 is here and comes in a new DCF floor version that is even lighter. Due to high demand, availability will be intermittent during the summer of 2024. Currently, the woven floor version is in stock, while the DCF floor version is available for pre-order in early August. See the Durston X-Mid Pro 2

15. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Solution Dye ($400)

Throwing it back to semi-freestanding tents, our next pick is Big Agnes’ trimmed-down Fly Creek HV UL2. The Fly Creek is the most minimalist tent in Big Agnes’ lineup, featuring a simple one-door-one-vestibule design, all-mesh body, and single hubbed pole. In terms of semi-freestanding tents, it doesn’t get much simpler, and as a result, the Fly Creek checks in 4 ounces lighter than the Tiger Wall above. At just $400, it’s also one of the most affordable semi-freestanding UL tents available. And like the Tiger Wall, the Fly Creek is available in Platinum and Carbon versions, which shave weight with lighter materials and—in the case of the Carbon—carbon fiber poles.

However, the Fly Creek gives up a lot of windy-weather performance with its simplified structure, all-mesh body, and very low bathtub floor. On a blustery night in Washington’s Enchantment Range, dirt flew in through the walls of our Fly Creek, covering our sleeping bags; the next morning, a pole broke and punctured the fly near the vestibule. You also sacrifice a lot of gear storage with the one-door-and-vestibule layout and will have to crawl over your tentmate to get in and out. In the end, if you have reason to opt for such a minimalist structure, we think a more durable and stormworthy trekking-pole design is the better option, such as the Durston X-Mid 2 above... Read in-depth Fly Creek HV UL2 review See the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Solution Dye

16. Black Diamond Distance Tent ($300)

Black Diamond is a core climbing and skiing brand, so it comes as no surprise that their ultralight trekking pole shelter diverges from the standard formula. Weather resistance is one of the Distance’s primary strong suits: The single-wall build uses sag-resistant polyester (30D) for a taut pitch, features very little mesh, and boosts stability with a DAC pole across the ridgeline. Tack on a relatively small footprint—great for squeezing onto small bivy ledges—and you get a shelter that can hold court with some 4-season mountaineering tents (we’ve even read reports of climbers using the Distance up high on Cerro Torre in Patagonia). 

But the Black Diamond’s fatal flaw is its lack of breathability. The shelter does feature vents at the peak and foot, but with no mesh doors, you simply don’t get as much airflow as the other trekking-pole shelters here. The Distance also forgoes vestibules, which is great for maximizing interior space while keeping the footprint relatively small, yet impractical for most backpackers. But for alpinists who need lightweight weather protection above all else, it’s still a suitable option. Another con that surfaced—which may just be a personal qualm of ours—is the luminous blue glow you are ensconced in while lying in the tent when the sun is out. This was fine at first, but really started to mess with us after hours of sitting inside in the evening to escape the wind. Finally, one small added perk: If you purchase any of Black Diamond’s WR (“Whippet Ready”) trekking poles, you get one piece of gear that serves as a trekking pole, whippet (modified ice axe), and tent pole in one.  See the Black Diamond Distance Tent

Ultralight Tent Comparison Table

About our testing process.

From months-long grueling thru-hikes across the country to shiver-bivies on snow-draped peaks, the Switchback Travel team is no stranger to packing light and staying safe in the most extreme environments on earth. To hone in on our initial selection of 16 worthy models back in early 2023, former senior editor and veteran ultralight adventurer  Jenny Abegg took countless UL tents all over the world to test their mettle and craft this guide. Current senior editor Chris Carter inherited the round-up in 2024. An alumnus of each of the Triple Crown trails in the United States (AT, PCT, and CDT), Chris has arguably spent more time under flimsy sheets of nylon than a real roof. He continues to backpack all over the world—recently completing long treks through East Africa and the Himalayas—and is constantly seeking a lighter, more efficient base weight for his expeditions. 

Key factors such as weight, materials and durability, weather protection, packability, and ventilation are considered when giving any tent real estate above. These shelters serve as a first line of defense against unpredictable elements in the backcountry, and we would be remiss to recommend anything that we wouldn't personally depend on during our trail-trotting exploits. Our round-up represents a broad spectrum of designs, weights, and purposes, but each will keep you cozy and safe while on the move. Finally, we recognize that the competition for the ultralight tent podium is fierce. We work hard to keep our finger on the pulse of the UL backpacking community, scoping out new products as they surface and adding standouts to our list along the way, ensuring that our existing reviews stay up-to-date in the process.  

Ultralight Tent and Shelter Buying Advice

Defined: ultralight backpacking tents.

• Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding Tents
• Trekking-Pole Shelters
• Floorless Shelters

Ultralight Tent and Shelter Weight

• Materials: Polyester, Nylon, and Dyneema
• Waterproof Coatings: Silicone, PE, and PU

Interior Space

Weather protection, ventilation, storage: vestibules and interior pockets, ultralight tent and shelter set up.

By our definition, tents and shelters must have a packaged weight of less than 3 pounds to be considered ultralight, which includes the body and fly along with stuff sacks, stakes, tent poles (if applicable), and guylines. In 2024, the ultralight category is surprisingly large, ranging from semi-freestanding tents to trekking-pole shelters and floorless pyramids and tarps. If you want to dip into freestanding tents (the traditional, tent pole-supported type that dominates the backpacking market), you’re looking at packaged weights over 3 pounds; for this reason, we only include one highly specialized freestanding model on our list (the 4-season Samaya 2.0 ). For a comprehensive look at the best traditional backpacking tents on the market, be sure to check out our other guide on the best backpacking tents .   

Opting for an ultralight tent is an excellent way to decrease your base weight (an ultralight term for all of your gear, minus consumables like food, water, and fuel). Many serious ultralighters will aim to have a base weight of 8 pounds or less, in which case a sub-2-pound tent becomes fairly important. More casual ULers can get away with a tent or shelter that's roughly 2.5 pounds. And as we’ll touch on more below, ultralight tents offer surprisingly decent livability, weather protection, and durability—although do expect some compromise compared to traditional backpacking models that check-in anywhere from 3 to 6 pounds. If you are chasing that elusive 8-pound-or-lower base weight, you'll also want to choose a particularly ultralight backpacking sleeping bag or quilt and sleeping pad  to round out your sleep system.  

Ultralight Tent Categories

Freestanding and Semi-Freestanding Tents On the heavier end of the ultralight spectrum are streamlined tents from traditional tent brands like Big Agnes, Nemo, and MSR. Like standard backpacking tents, they feature double-wall construction (including a separate tent body and rainfly) and pitch with included tent poles. But they often trim weight with semi-freestanding designs, which means they need to be guyed out at a few points to maintain their structure (usually at the foot). They also use thinner fabrics and zippers (including a lot of mesh in the tent body) and feature tapered floor areas, heavily sloped ceilings, and more simplified pole structures. Our favorite tents in this category include the chart-topping Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P , Big Agnes Tiger Wall, and Tarptent Double Rainbow.  

Compared to the ultralight competition (trekking-pole shelters and floorless shelters), tents offer the easiest setup and are thus our recommendation for new backpackers or those who prefer a hassle-free camp experience. They also have a smaller footprint that fits well in cramped campsites; on the other hand, livable space is competitive due to their more generous headroom. Because of their well-ventilated double-wall design, tents are also a great match if you travel in particularly wet or humid climates or sleep with a tentmate (two people generate more condensation than one). However, ultralight tents don’t offer as much bang for your buck as trekking-pole shelters: Most of the time, they’re heavier, more expensive, and not as durable. As a result, they're not on the radar for many serious ULers or thru-hikers who prioritize low base weights and gear that can withstand month after month of hard use.  

Trekking-Pole Shelters Trekking-pole shelters comprise the bulk of the dedicated ultralight market and are traditionally made by cottage brands like Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, Durston, and Mountain Laurel Designs. The standard trekking-pole design uses single-wall construction with solid fabric on the floor and fly and mesh on the doors and perimeter. Generally, two-person models feature two doors and vestibules and are set up with two trekking poles at the midline, although manufacturers can shave weight by employing a one-door-one-vestibule design. Depending on materials, trekking-pole shelters can range from just over a pound to over 2 pounds for the two-person model (e.g. the top-ranked Zpacks Duplex Zip is 1 lb. 4.4 oz. and the budget Durston X-Mid 2 is 2 lb. 7.4 oz.).  

Compared to ultralight tents, trekking-pole shelters offer ultralighters a lot more value, with lower overall weights and price points. They’re also known for their larger footprints, which provide more floor area for two sleepers to spread out. If you do opt for an expensive Dyneema version, the payoff is better weather protection, sag resistance, and tear resistance in a lighter-weight package; for example, the Hyperlite Unbound 2P ($699) will withstand significantly more wet weather and abuse than the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P ($650), and it’s also over a half-pound lighter. The downside is less ventilation (a casualty of the single-wall build), although shelters like the Durston X-Mid and SlingFin SplitWing remedy this with double-wall designs. Finally, trekking-pole shelters do require a bit more tweaking to get a taut pitch. But if set up well, they offer just as much (or more) weather protection as a semi-freestanding tent.  

Floorless Shelters Last but not least are floorless shelters, the most minimalist form of ultralight shelter. These can range from simple tarps strung between trees to pyramid shelters like the Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid featured above. They’re most ideal for those who prioritize a low base weight (floorless shelters can range from just a few ounces to a little over a pound) and camp in non-exposed, low-elevation (and low-bug) areas. That said, the pyramid design can be surprisingly stable when pitched correctly, and is also a great choice for snow camping (you can dig out the floor for a sheltered hang-out zone) or inclement weather when it’s nice to have the option of cooking inside.  

By our definition, ultralight tents check in at less than 3 pounds for the packaged weight, which includes poles (if applicable), stakes, guylines, and stuff sacks. Generally speaking, semi-freestanding and freestanding tents are the heaviest in the category (on our list, they range from 2 lb. 1 oz. to 2 lb. 9.5 oz.), while floorless shelters are the lightest (the Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid is 1 lb. 2 oz.). Trekking-pole shelters fill in the middle, with Dyneema models at the low end (the Zpacks Duplex Zip is 1 lb. 4.4 oz.) and durable nylon or polyester designs at the high end (the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer is 2 lb. 9 oz.).  

It’s worth noting that all ultralight tents and shelters are inherently compromised (some more than others), so you’d better have a fairly good reason to need to dip under 3 pounds. For reference, we consider a tent like the popular Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (3 lb. 2 oz.) to be an excellent fit for the majority of backpackers, with a near-ideal balance of weight, livability, and performance. But if you’re thru-hiking the PCT, fastpacking in the high country, or just love covering a lot of miles with a lightweight pack, an ultralight tent/shelter can go a long way in helping you keep your base weight low.  

Materials and Durability

A lot hinges on a tent or shelter’s materials, including the final price and weight, along with its lifespan (and/or how much you’ll need to exercise caution during use). Cottage brands place an especially high emphasis on materials, mixing and matching Dyneema, nylon, and polyester, and often offering the consumer a number of options for each design. Importantly, Big Agnes also provides this level of customization with their Carbon and Platinum lineups. Along with the actual materials, it’s also important to consider the thickness of the fabric (i.e. denier or ounce-weight), in addition to the waterproof treatment (i.e. silicone, PU, or PE). Ultralight materials have come a long way as thru-hikers, mountaineers, and weekend warriors alike push the limits of where they pitch these thin shelters. A sub-one-pound UL tent must still be able to survive months of rough use, weathering driving rain, snow, and high winds—all while keeping bulk and weight to an absolute minimum. These are big asks, but the UL market has risen to the challenge. Several of the models above have accompanied our authors on months-long thru-hikes across the country, serving as their portable non-stop home and refuge from the elements.   

Polyester has traditionally received a bad rap for being cheap, heavy, and not as strong as nylon. However, the last few years have seen a lot of advancements in lightweight polyester, and it’s now a solid contender in the ultralight realm. Unlike nylon, polyester is not hydrophilic, meaning it does not absorb water, dries quickly, and remains taut when wet. What’s more, it won’t degrade as quickly when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. It’s true that its tear and puncture resistance isn’t quite as high as nylon in dry conditions, but this equation reverses in wet conditions, which is arguably when you need the most performance out of your tent. As a result, polyester has become much more prevalent in ultralight tents, particularly in models like the Durston X-Mid 2 Solid, Black Diamond Distance , Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo, and Tarptent ProTrail.   

Finally, there’s Dyneema Composite Fabric—often referred to as simply Dyneema, or DCF—the darling of ultralight gear and a fabric that’s known for its low weight, high tensile strength, and inherent water resistance. What’s more, Dyneema doesn’t require waterproof coatings (which we’ll touch on below), which goes a long way toward saving weight and bulk. But it isn’t all good—Dyneema is incredibly expensive and, despite its strength, has particularly low abrasion resistance. As a result, it tends to form punctures quite easily, especially when you’re camping around sharp objects like sticks and rocks. It’s hard to beat Dyneema as a fly fabric, but manufacturers often look for ways to get around it as a floor material; for example, the Durston X-Mid Pro features a Dyneema fly and nylon floor.   

Denier (Thickness) You can’t talk about fabrics without also discussing their thickness. Nylon and polyester are measured in terms of denier (technically speaking, the weight of the yarn), while Dyneema is measured in terms of ounce per square yard (oz/sq yd). Traditional backpacking tents often feature 30- to 70-denier nylon or polyester (particularly on the floor), while most ultralight designs use 10- to 20-denier fabrics. Of course, the higher the denier, the more durable the tent, which is why it's important to exercise caution with ultralight models.  

When it comes to Dyneema, a thicker material also translates to more performance (and particularly, abrasion resistance). The Hyperlite Unbound 2P , for example, uses a 0.55-ounce fly and 0.8-ounce floor, while the similarly priced Zpacks Duplex Zip’s fly and floor are 0.55- and 1.0-ounce, respectively (the Duplex Zip also comes in a version with a 0.75 oz/sq yd canopy). Just by checking the numbers, you can ascertain that the Duplex Zip will hold up better over time than the Unbound. Interestingly, Mountain Laurel Designs only uses 0.8 oz/sq yd Dyneema in their shelters—it’s as thin as they’re willing to go without compromising too much on durability. In short, not all Dyneema shelters are created equal, and the weight of the DCF is a very key consideration.  

Waterproof Coatings: Silicone, PE, and PU Nylon and polyester aren’t inherently waterproof—for this reason, we need waterproof coatings. Traditionally, the most common treatment has been PU (polyester urethane, or polyurethane), which is gradually being replaced by PE (polyethylene). PU/PE are relatively inexpensive, highly waterproof, and aren’t slippery like silicone, meaning they can bond with fire retardant or seam tape (and offer a better next-to-skin feel when used in a tent floor). But both come with some major downsides. Because PE doesn’t stretch, it reduces the tear strength of the fabric to which it’s applied (for this reason, it’s rare to see PE used on fabrics thinner than 20D). On the other hand, PU actually absorbs water (leading to mold and mildew growth) and eventually degrades over time. Neither are even close to perfect, but PE is the better option of the two.   

Without question, the best waterproof coating is silicone. Silicone is fully waterproof (when’s the last time you saw your silicone kitchen tool absorb water?), strengthens rather than weakens fabric, and doesn’t degrade over time. Silicone treatment also makes fabric less prone to stretching, meaning your fly will stay more taut in the rain. Because of its strengths, we see silicone used a lot in high-end ultralight tents (often referred to as silpoly or silnylon). Silicone treatment is more expensive than the alternatives, but we’d much rather see a premium treatment on a premium fabric (rather than have a premium fabric go to waste with PU).  

But because of silicone’s slippery nature, it can’t adhere to seam tape or fire retardant, and it’s not the most comfortable application for a tent floor. For this reason, it’s common to see sil/PU or sil/PE combinations, which denote that the fabric has been treated on one side (usually the inside) with PU/PE, and the other side with silicone—the MSR FreeLite 's fly, for example, is 15-denier nylon sil/PEU. Of course, these materials aren’t as strong, stretch-resistant, long-lasting, or mold-resistant as pure silicone (often referred to as sil/sil), but they’re nevertheless a good compromise.  

Floor Dimensions In parsing out how roomy an ultralight tent or shelter is, the first thing you’ll want to evaluate is the floor dimensions (L x W), which matter quite a bit when you’re trying to fit two backpackers with their sleeping pads side-by-side. In general, two-person ultralight tents have fairly streamlined floor areas (which often taper about 10 in. from head to foot), while trekking-pole and floorless shelters use more generous dimensions that provide a more practical sleeping area for two. However, while floor dimensions are a good place to start, you’ll also want to take the tent’s peak height and shape into consideration as well.  

Peak Height and Slope A tent’s “peak height” refers to its tallest point, and the models above vary from 37 inches for the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P up to 50 inches for Six Moon Designs’ Lunar Duo or 55 inches for the MLD DuoMid. Trekking-pole and floorless shelters have significantly taller peak heights than ultralight tents, but this number doesn’t tell the whole story: A-frames slope sharply from the apex (the top of the trekking poles) to the ground, while freestanding and semi-freestanding tents have a longer ridgeline across the top (this can be further extended with a ridge pole). Thus, whereas trekking-pole shelters and floorless shelters offer a better sleeping area for two, ultralight tents are roomier when you’re sitting up.  

Tents are built to provide shelter in bad weather, including both rain and wind. All of the designs above use waterproof materials for their fly and floor (Dyneema is naturally waterproof, while nylon and polyester become watertight with waterproof coatings and seam tape/seal), which can withstand hours of downpour without leaking. The primary point of vulnerability on ultralight tents and shelters is their mesh-heavy interior—if wind or rain sneak under the fly, it’s easy to penetrate the mesh doors, walls, or perimeter. If you’re consistently headed out in inclement conditions, it’s a good idea to look for a design that offers a low pitch or minimal mesh, such as the Hyperlite Unbound 2P and Black Diamond Distance, respectively.  

Structure is another factor in weather resistance, especially when it comes to heavy winds. When pitched correctly (read: taut, guyed out well, and with the head or toe facing the wind), both semi-freestanding ultralight tents and trekking-pole shelters (and even floorless pyramid shelters) can fare decently in moderate winds. That said, we wouldn’t recommend pushing ultralight tents and shelters into high-altitude or exposed areas—the tent poles of ultralight designs can be a particular weak point, and no matter the design, it can be challenging to find decent anchors above treeline. On our list, the 4-season-ready Samaya 2.0 is the main exception, and Black Diamond's Distance also has a sturdy build that can handle challenging mountain conditions.  

We’d be remiss not to also touch on hydrostatic head (HH) specifications here. Often provided by manufacturers, the HH is a measure of how much water pressure must be applied to a fabric (nylon or polyester) before passing through. For example, the SlingFin SplitWing tarp has an HH rating of 1200 millimeters, while the floor is 1800 millimeters. On the other hand, the Durston X-Mid’s sil/PEU-coated polyester is rated to 2500 millimeters. In general, fabrics will start out very waterproof, but their coatings will decline over time (yes, your nylon/polyester tent won’t stay waterproof forever). Thus, opting for a higher HH at the beginning can be a nice setup for long-term success.  

Ventilation is one area where we see a lot of variation among ultralight tents and shelters. The main thing to look for here is whether a design features single- or double-wall construction. A double-wall tent features a permeable layer of fabric (often mesh) that allows air to escape the interior before hitting the moisture-trapping fly, while single-wall construction offers no barrier between you and the fly. As a result, single-wall shelters’ big downside is ventilation, and they can grow very swampy throughout the night. Most semi-freestanding tents and a few shelters (including the Durston X-Mid and SlingFin SplitWing) feature double-wall construction, while the vast majority of trekking-pole shelters have single walls.  

A tent or shelter’s fabrics are also an important consideration. Dyneema in particular suffers in terms of breathability, while thin nylon or polyester are more air-permeable—for this reason, Samaya uses Dyneema only in key areas on the 2.0, swapping in their 3-layer Nanovent laminate throughout the rest of the tent body. Venting options also matter a great deal: Some shelters (like Gossamer Gear's The Two ) feature very little in the way of vents, while others maximize airflow with perimeter mesh at the base and roof vents. Placing mesh on opposing sides (as we see with most two-door trekking-pole shelters or one-door designs like the Tarptent ProTrail) can also help to encourage a cross breeze.  

We've also accrued a few more tips for avoiding the condensation calamities of UL tents through trial and error on our own adventures. First and foremost, on clear nights, unzipping the vestibule doors—or even the main mesh doors themselves when bugs aren't an issue—and letting air flow freely can go a long way toward mitigating condensation build-up. It's also a good idea to orient your tent so that the vents are facing the direction of the wind. This facilitates easy circulation throughout your tent, boosting ventilation. Take some time to analyze your campsite before pitching your tent, and think about where the wind will blow from throughout the night.  

Second, pitch your tent under a tree's canopy whenever possible. Camping under the open sky increases the possibility of condensation buildup. Avoid hanging wet clothes or shoes up to dry inside your tent if at all possible. Drying your gear inside your tent increases humidity, encouraging condensation. Plan to dry your gear the following day during a sunny break, or by hanging your gear off your backpack while you hike. Next, don't pitch your tent in low valleys or depressions of land where cold air lingers at night. And finally, avoid setting up camp on the banks of streams, rivers, lakes, or marshy areas with greater humidity whenever possible. While some condensation is usually inevitable with UL tents—primarily single-wall shelters—these practices can help mitigate the issue. In the end, we often plan to bring an extra bandanna to wipe off condensation buildup in the morning, and then take our tent out during a (hopefully) sunny lunch break the next day, turning it inside out to let it dry completely. Nobody likes setting up a wet tent.  

Tent storage can be broken into two categories: vestibules for exterior gear storage and pockets inside the tent body for small items you need close at hand. A traditional vestibule—seen in most tent and trekking-pole shelters—covers the entry door to the tent with enough space for a backpacking pack and footwear. Without it, your options are bringing the wet and grimy gear inside the tent or letting it soak outside. Needless to say, we put a priority on some sort of outside gear storage. The amount of vestibule space is measured in square feet and can vary a fair amount. From our top picks above, the smallest vestibules are on designs with just one door, such as Big Agnes' Fly Creek HV UL2 (8 sq. ft.). On the other end of the spectrum is the Durston X-Mid 2’s 23 square feet divided between two vestibules. For those camping with a partner, the Durston’s added space makes staying organized (and sane) much easier.  

A tent with excellent interior organization isn’t a top priority, that is, until you get into the tent for the first time and look for a spot to store your headlamp, handheld GPS, or other small items. We’ve found the most helpful area for a pocket is near the head, and a simple mesh drop-in pocket or two is sufficient. Some tents have pockets along the interior of the roof, which make for an easy place to squeeze in a headlamp to light up a game of cards (the top-ranked Nemo Hornet Elite even features a light-diffusing pocket specifically for this reason). Should the tent or shelter not include pockets along the roof, look to see if it has hang loops instead for securing a light. These extra little details can make your backcountry camping experience all the more enjoyable.  

This article covers primarily two-person ultralight tents and shelters (the most common capacity), and a quick look at our picks above shows our clear preference for models with two doors. These designs are by far the most convenient if you consistently camp with a partner: Each person has their own door for getting in and out, including vestibule storage space. A few models above use just one door to save weight—the Big Agnes Fly Creek and SlingFin SplitWing, for example. If you’re sharing the tent with a partner, this can be a major downside—you’ll be crawling over your tent mate to get in and out and will be limited to one vestibule for exterior storage. In the end, unless you’re traveling alone or pulling out all the stops to save weight, we recommend a tent with two doors.  

The setup process can differ widely between semi-freestanding tents and trekking-pole and floorless shelters. Semi-freestanding and freestanding tents are very intuitive, often featuring color-coded poles and corners, and can be set up very quickly with little practice. Because the ultralight tents here are not completely freestanding, you’ll want to make sure to choose a campsite with some form of anchor (especially at the foot of the tent), whether it’s hardpacked soil, rocks, tree trunks, or snow. But in general, it’s difficult to mess up when setting up a semi-freestanding tent, which is one of the key benefits of their design.  

On the other hand, trekking-pole and floorless shelters can require a little more practice to pitch correctly. You’ll need to stake out the corners, adjust your trekking poles to the correct height (for many shelters, this is 48 in.), and insert them into the correct grommets or attachment points. Once standing, it’s very important to tweak your shelter so that all angles are taut—in heavy wind and rain, a taut tent is synonymous with a weather-resistant tent. This can be difficult to nail the first time around, and many manufacturers offer troubleshooting guides or videos to help you learn the ropes. Finally—even more so than with ultralight tents—it’s important that you find a campsite with strong anchors to set up your shelter, as the tension between the guy-out points and the trekking poles is vital to the structure.  

Ultralight Tent and Shelter Capacities

Most of the ultralight tents and shelters above are of the two-person variety, with floor plans that can accommodate two 20-inch sleeping pads side-by-side. However, because ULers place a high priority on weight savings, it’s just as common to see streamlined one-person designs for solo hikers. If you most commonly travel alone, opting for a one-person tent or shelter like the Tarptent ProTrail or Gossamer Gear The One will shave perceptible weight (and bulk) from your pack (The One is almost 6 oz. lighter than The Two). Compared to the traditional backpacking tent market, there are far fewer three-person UL options, but those traveling with a furry friend or small child might want the extra room. In this case, it’s worth checking out models like the Zpacks Triplex, Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 , and Tarptent Rainshadow.  

Do You Need a Footprint?

None of the ultralight tents and shelters above include a footprint with purchase, but it’s not a bad idea to consider adding one to your kit. Dyneema floors are particularly prone to forming punctures, but you’ll want to baby thin polyester and nylon, too. For ultralight enthusiasts trying to keep their pack weight low, our top recommendation is a Tyvek groundsheet, which is affordable, waterproof, very abrasion-resistant, and easy to set up. Tyvek can be found at your local hardware store, or you can purchase it online from retailers like Zpacks  or even Amazon . Our dirtbag thru-hiking editors have also been known to scrounge around old construction sites for a free sheet every now and then. Tyvek is easy to cut despite being puncture-resistant, which makes it simple to create a custom shape for the variety of UL tent floor designs out there. In addition to providing a durable, waterproof groundsheet, Tyvek makes a great hitchhiking sign while on long treks. We always throw a sharpie in our packs to write town-specific pleads for rides—or even fish for free food. Polycro is another popular option (also found at hardware stores or sold online by Gossamer Gear )—it’s even lighter and more packable than Tyvek, but isn’t quite as durable and doesn’t have the same ease of setup. You also can't draw on it.  

Choosing Your Trekking Poles

There are no shortage of trekking poles to choose from, but you’ll want to take care to purchase a model that’s compatible with your trekking-pole shelter. The most important consideration here is length and adjustability—each shelter is different, but most require trekking poles in the 120- to 130-centimeter range (47 to 51 in.), and adjustable models are essential to tweaking your pitch depending on campsite features and anchors (lever locks offer a much more secure clamp than twist locks). If you opt for the Black Diamond Distance Tent, Black Diamond even offers trekking poles with a compatible grip (e.g. the Alpine Carbon Cork WR ). Of course, trekking pole weight will be important to most ULers: Gossamer Gear makes some of our favorite lightweight and adjustable designs in their LT5 ($195; 10.4 oz. for the pair).  

Other Ultralight Shelter Options

Our article above provides a survey of the ultralight tent and shelter market for the majority of ULers, but some thru-hikers and gram-counters are known to opt for even more minimalist designs. The Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid hints at this market, which generally includes floorless tarps and shelters that set up with trekking poles or included poles or are suspended between trees. Within this category, there’s a vast array of options, most of which come from cottage brands like Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, Mountain Laurel Designs, Zpacks, Seek Outside, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear. If you’re looking to shave even more ounces from your pack, check out floorless shelters like the Hyperlite UltaMid , Gossamer Gear Solo Tarp, Six Moon Designs Deschutes Tarp, and Zpacks 7' x 9' Flat Tarp.  

Completing your UL Kit

If you're looking to pare down your backpacking kit, opting for an ultralight tent or shelter can shave pounds off the weight of your pack. But the other components of "The Big Three" are arguably just as vital to an ultralight load, including a sleeping bag or quilt, sleeping pad, and backpack. Within each of these categories, there are fairly mainstream models that are particularly popular among the ultralight crowd, well-loved cottage-brand designs, and seriously streamlined gear used only by the most devoted ULers (similar to what we see in the picks above). To help guide your purchase, see our articles on the best ultralight backpacks and the best ultralight sleeping bags and quilts . Back to Our Ultralight Tent Picks   Back to Our Ultralight Tent Comparison Table

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The 6 best beach tents of 2024, according to reviews.

The best beach tents are lightweight and easy to use.

The Best Beach Tents

Courtesy of Shibumi Shade

Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats all provide protection from the sun's harmful rays, but if you're looking for more coverage, it's time to consider a beach tent.

A tent, canopy or shade doesn't have to be a bulky addition to your beach packing list , either. Many beach tents are lightweight and surprisingly easy to set up and take down. Based on our own experiences as well as recent consumer reviews, these are the best beach tents.

Best Overall: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Baby: Sunba Youth Beach Shade

Best family: otentik beach sunshade – family, best pop-up: whitefang deluxe xl pop up beach tent, best canopy: qipi beach cabana, best shade: shibumi shade.

(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand and other factors.)

Courtesy of Pacific Breeze

What sets this tent apart:  The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is our top pick thanks to its lightweight, pop-up design. The tent opens in seconds and can be fully assembled in five minutes or less. It's also easy to take down and, even if not rolled up perfectly, still manages to fit into the included carry bag (at 40 x 5 x 5 inches).

The polyester exterior is water-repellent and breathable, with large windows for ventilation. Inside, there are pockets for protecting your phone and storing other items such as sunscreen. For more space, consider the extra-large version of this tent, with an extendable floor and shelter for up to four people.

What our editors say:

The Pacific Breeze beach tent is surprisingly lightweight considering its size. It's also convenient for outings beyond the beach.  – Amanda Norcross , Senior Content & SEO Strategist

Price: $59.99 or less

Courtesy of Sunba Youth

What sets this tent apart:  The pop-up design of this lightweight baby tent makes it quick and easy to assemble – a godsend when traveling with little ones . The silver-coated fabric provides UPF 50+ protection from the sun, and the breathable polyester plus a mesh window provide plenty of ventilation. Available in blue and green, the tent also offers a zippered door for privacy (think: feedings and nap time).

Travelers appreciate:  Parents love the portability and compactness of this baby beach tent, noting that it offers plenty of space without being too big.

Price:  $35.99 or less

Courtesy of Otentik

What sets this tent apart: The large version of the Otentik Beach Sunshade (also referred to as the family size) provides UPF 50 protection for large groups. Crafted with a stretchy microfiber-Lycra fabric blend that makes it easy to set up, the giant shade is supported by four poles and heavy-duty sand bags. This water-resistant shade is available in a variety of colors.

Travelers appreciate: "Every time we are on the beach with this tent, people walk up to ask what it is," says Terry Ward , a Florida-based travel journalist and writer who lives in Tampa. "The design is just so simple and smart."

Price: $109 or less

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What sets this tent apart:  The WhiteFang Deluxe XL Pop Up Beach Tent practically assembles itself. A grab-and-pull function allows the tent to assemble in seconds; after that, you just snap some of the legs in place (then secure the tent with the included sand bags and stakes, of course). When it's time to pack up for the day, the tent easily folds into itself and can be stored in an included bag.

In addition to UV protection, this pop-up tent features three roll-up openings for airflow, as well as an extended floor that doubles as a door and attaches with a fabric fastener. The waterproof tent is available in five colors, including mint green and light blue.

Travelers appreciate:  Recent reviewers rave about this tent, noting how sturdy it is. Even on windy beach days, they say the tent hasn't budged thanks to the attached sand bags.

Price: $79.99 or less

What sets this tent apart:  For a canopy-style tent, we recommend the Qipi Beach Cabana. The fabric of this tent – which is available in nine different prints – offers UPF 50+ sun protection. It's also waterproof.

The Qipi Beach Cabana features storage pockets on the interior corners and comes with an attachable side wall for additional coverage from the sun. It's easy to assemble and take down with just two pieces: an umbrella and an extension pole, which can be placed in an included carry bag.

Travelers appreciate:  Owners of this beach tent say the canopy is stable in the wind and can easily be set up or taken down by one person.

Price: $120.99 or less

What sets this tent apart: The Shibumi Shade is increasingly popular for its unique design, which works with the wind instead of against it. The nonrigid canopy needs a minimum of just 3 mph winds to float in the breeze.

The tent offers UPF 50+ protection from UV rays. About 40% of the fabric is made from ocean-bound recycled bottles, and the shade is sewn in the U.S. While the original Shibumi Shade works well for families, a newer version – the Shibumi Shade Mini – is perfect for solo travelers and couples .

Travelers appreciate:  Recent buyers praise everything about the Shibumi Shade, from its lightweight yet sturdy build to its quick and easy setup.

Price: $290 or less

Frequently Asked Questions

The fabric of some beach tents is waterproof, which means that even if you get caught in a downpour, water won't be able to pass through the fabric. Note that this is only true for beach tents that can be fully enclosed. By design, a beach canopy (like the Qipi Beach Cabana ) or the Shibumi Shade cannot be waterproof.

Other beach tents have a water-repellent fabric – which means it's not easily penetrated by water – or a water-resistant fabric, which means you can expect at least some water to pass through).

The best beach tents come with sand bags and stakes that help secure them in place, and it's especially important to fill the sand bags to capacity. Additionally, you can place your cooler , beach bag and any heavier items inside the tent to weigh it down.

An increasing number of beaches are imposing size restrictions on beach tents or banning them altogether. This is because lifeguards have cited them as a safety hazard – having to navigate a sea of tents can delay their responses to emergencies. Large tents can also block views of the ocean and make a day at the beach less enjoyable for other travelers. Small beach tents for children are typically an exception, however. Be sure to check local ordinances before heading to the beach with your tent.

Tents are permitted in carry-on and checked luggage, per the TSA. However, any tent stakes or poles must be placed in checked bags .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross   has used the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent for the past three summers and appreciates the tent for its low-maintenance and durability. For this article, she consulted other travel expert opinions and consumer reviews to determine the best beach tents.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Beach Chairs
• The Best Beach Wagons
• The Best Beach Blankets
• The Best Family Beach Vacations

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2 Person Instant Pop Up Lightweight Camping Tent, Outdoor Easy Set Up Automatic Family Travel Tent,Portable Backpacking Ultralight Waterproof Windproof Anti-UV Sun Shelter Tent…

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• PLATINUM TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS: The pop up camping tent made with fire and water resistant 190T polyester, which provides PU2000mm water-resistant; A special coating material is added to the outside of the pop up Camping Tent, whice provides All-round protection. It can be Waterproof Windproof Anti-UV . At the same time, it reduces its transparency and protects your privacy in the Sun Shelter.Fiberglass tent support pole, durable and light
• EASY SET UP: Easily setup by one person with no experience.The design of Instant Pop Up ensures that you can open Camping Tent within 2-5 seconds. While saving you time, it eliminates the trouble of assembly. Let you have more time outdoors with your family.Like a beautiful spot enroute. Setup your tent instantly
• HIGH BREATHABILITY: The unique skylight and door opening design can not only ensure the ventilation of the outdoor tent, but also increase the air circulation.Keep the air inside the tent fresh even on damp and sultry rainy days.Stay cool and comfortable all night.So as to ensure that the tent can be used in 3 seasons. Set up automatic camping tent for camping, hiking, outdoor with family and friends music festivals,beach,hunting family travel,mountaineering
• LARGE SIZE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Ultralight 2 person tent! The Interior Size is very large: 6.56x4.61x3.62 FT. There is no problem with accommodating 2 adults. At the same time, you can put it in our carry bag, the size is only Weight: 1.98lbs. The pop up shelter is so light that even children can carry. In addition, a small carry bag for accessories to keep them organized – occupies little space in your car trunk or even when stored at home
• ENJOY CAMPING TIME: Pop up camping tent is a reason to go out and enjoy outdoor time with your family, while bringing you closer together. Camping tent can also be used in the yard or indoors, which can help outdoor camping beginners simulate the environment of outdoor tents.If any problems occur, simply contact us, we will provide you with a satisfactory solution within 24 hours

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Product Description

LHLHO Outdoors is committed to providing consumers with the absolute best price and value on our entire line of products. FEATURES Waterproof Fabric-Using professionally tested high quality waterproof fabric.No need to worry about water seepage during rainy days.Keep the inside of the tent dry and comfortable. D-shaped door allows you to enter or return without crossing over your partner. The freestanding structure allows you to move and relocate the tent without having to disassemble Aircraft-grade Aluminum poles with high strength composite clip. Durable and smooth two-way SBS zippers protected by Velcro sleeves. Curtains gathering unit for your convenience Ripstop material with factory-sealed seams archives excellent rainproof protection. Inner tent entire mesh wall creates fabulous ventilation with two ventilation windows on flysheet. No condensation will form and no insects problem The large vestibule offers more room and protection.

Product information

Technical details, additional information, looking for specific info, customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 45% 14% 12% 9% 20% 45%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 45% 14% 12% 9% 20% 14%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 45% 14% 12% 9% 20% 12%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 45% 14% 12% 9% 20% 9%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 45% 14% 12% 9% 20% 20%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the value of the tent, saying it's worth the buy. They also like the age range. However, some customers have reported issues with the quality and waterproofness of the product. They say it'll rip or break easily and the material is flimsy. Customers also disagree on ease of removal, ease of assembly, appearance, and size.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the age range of the tent. They mention it's a great tent for kids, perfect for a family beach day, and a good choice for outdoor adventures. Some say it'll survive extreme weather conditions.

"...to use but also highly cost-effective, making it a perfect choice for our outdoor adventure .Setting up the tent was an absolute breeze...." Read more

"These tents are perfect for a family beach day ! The pop-up is perfect and folding it up and putting it in the bag is easy breezy!" Read more

"...Would be great for children and adults ." Read more

"...Not a 2-person tent. Great for kids ." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the tent. They say it's worth the buy.

"...This tent was not only incredibly easy to use but also highly cost-effective , making it a perfect choice for our outdoor adventure...." Read more

"...This tent is extremely easy to set up, easy to store, and cost efficient . Good deal all around." Read more

"These are such a great value . They pop up with ease and twist back into their carrying case without a problem...." Read more

"...This is a great value for a child's tent , but if you're taller than 5'10", prepare to sleep in the fetal position. Alone." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ease of assembly of the tent. Some mention it's extremely easy to set up, easy to store, and cost efficient, while others say that there are no instructions at all and it'll be confusing at first until you unhook it.

"...cost it’s the cutest thing for play time and make believe and it pops up super easy !!" Read more

"...The straightforward instructions made it a hassle-free experience, allowing us to quickly settle into our camping site and focus on other..." Read more

"This product did not come with instructions on how to set up or disassemble.But overall this was a okay product...." Read more

"...up if you know what you are doing though so once you figure it out, it is simple . Also easy to put away. But, ours broke the first time we used it...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the tent. Some mention it's a perfect size for 3-4 small children, very spacious, and easy to assemble, while others say it'd be too small for two adults.

"...It does not hold 2 adults comfortably ." Read more

"...Tent stakes missing. Tent is for children. This is not big enough for adults . Returning. Dissatisfied!" Read more

"...Its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and spacious design make it a fantastic choice...." Read more

"...and hella easy to set up, honestly perfect in that regard, but it isn't big and I very much doubt it's waterproof...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the appearance of the tent. Some mention it's nice, wonderful, and cute, with an ingenious pop-up design. However, others say it'll be disappointing if you don't have the instructions.

"...inside was soaked, it was not at all waterproof, an absolute piece of garbage and waste of money and time, its a scam tent" Read more

"...for indoors and easy to tear but for what it cost it’s the cutest thing for play time and make believe and it pops up super easy!!" Read more

"The item comes without any packaging and no instructions. It seems very unprofessional , as if some person grabbed it from their garage and threw it..." Read more

"...Setting up the tent was an absolute breeze. With its ingenious pop-up design , it practically assembled itself within seconds...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the ease of removal of the tent. Some mention it's easy to set up and take down, while others say it'd be easier to put away.

"...This tent is extremely easy to set up, easy to store , and cost efficient. Good deal all around." Read more

"...Very hard to get it in the bag without that connector. Overall its fairly low quality. It is more like a play tent and not a real tent." Read more

"...This tent is really wonderful it folds up super small and creates enough space for me and my two cats and a litter box and their food and water..." Read more

" Easy to pop out but hard to put back. It's pretty small. I used it as a tent for my supplies while we left camp or went to sleep...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the quality of the tent. They mention that it's cheaply made, flimsy, and easy to tear. Some say that the tent rips easily and is not good for camping outdoors.

"The kids love it. It’s definitely for indoors and easy to tear but for what it cost it’s the cutest thing for play time and make believe and it pops..." Read more

"...was not at all waterproof, an absolute piece of garbage and waste of money and time , its a scam tent" Read more

"...ok, but one of the plastic connectors used to fold up the tent was damaged and nearly broke...." Read more

"...Overall its fairly low quality . It is more like a play tent and not a real tent." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the waterproofness of the tent. They mention that it is not water proof, the inner wall will get very moist, and it couldn't handle a consistent drizzle.

"As soon as it rained everything inside was soaked, it was not at all waterproof , an absolute piece of garbage and waste of money and time, its a..." Read more

"...Also, the when there is condensation outside, the inner wall will get very moist . Otherwise, this is an okay tent for like the beach or a picnic." Read more

"After the first rain the tent was full of water " Read more

"...very disturbed about the two person thing, of course it rains, tent was soaking wet and the few things I could set in it were also soaked ...." Read more

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Water and mildew treatments are normally applied to most canvas wall tents. However, less expensive canvas wall tents have no treatments applied. This non-treated canvas will shrink 8-12% compared to 1-2% for water and mildew-treated wall tents. Therefore, I don't recommend purchasing any wall tent that is not treated. Fire treatment can be added to any water and mildew-treated canvas. If your budget allows I recommend the fire, water and mildew-treated canvas. The fire-treated canvas is not totally fireproof. A continuous heat source or flame will cause the fire-treated canvas to burn. However, once the flame or heat source is removed the canvas will stop burning. To me, fire treatment is a form of insurance. However, remember no treatment is fireproof. Always keep any item that can cause a fire a minimum of two feet from the canvas.

How difficult is it to set up a canvas wall tent?

One person can easily set up an 8x10 or 10x12. Two people can easily set up a 12x14 or 14x16. Two people for a 16x20 or 16x24 is much more difficult. Three people is much better. We have videos that show tent setup with our products. The setup is very easy using a steel frame.

What is Sunforger?

Sunforger is a type of treatment that provides water and mildew resistance. It is not a type of canvas. Based upon my experience selling Sunforger-treated canvas, it is effective, but not superior to other types of water mildew treatments. View our info. guide on Sunforger treatment to learn more.

What procedures are necessary to prevent wall tent wood stove fire dangers during very high winds?

Certain precautions are required if you plan on using a wall tent wood stove in a high-wind area or if there is a possibility of high wind gusts. I always wire the stove pipe damper to a stove side shelf hole in the event of high winds. This wiring prevents the first stove pipe from becoming detached from the wood stove. Based on my personal experience, high winds will cause the stove pipe to become detached from the top of the stove or the higher stove pipes become detached. When I was on a hunting trip there were mild winds one night when I was in my wall tent. I was just getting into bed when a sudden high wind blast started that continued for 5-10 minutes. My cooking table against the back wall almost blew over. After I got the table with all four legs back on the ground I turned around. On my stove, the second stove pipe had become loose. Flames were shooting out the top of the first pipe. Fortunately, I keep heavy leather gloves near my stove. I reconnected the first stove pipe back together. Shortly thereafter the outside second and third stove pipe became disconnected. I reconnected these pipes. I went back inside the wall tent and had to reconnect the first and second pipes two more times until the high wind gusts stopped. Fortunately, I had wired the stove pipe damper to my stove side shelf holes or the first stove pipe would have become detached during this real-life fire drill. The pipes coming loose inside the tent were very dangerous with flames shooting out the pipes. Remember, a fire-treated tent is not fireproof. A continual flame will cause the canvas to burn or a synthetic wall tent to melt. This high wind gust situation could have destroyed my tent and ended my hunting trip. To prevent wall tent stove pipes from coming loose, tie a wire on both sides of your damper and secure the wire to a side shelf hole on your stove. Use metal screws to attach all pipes together. Secure pipes two, three and four together with metal screws and slide pipes from the outside through the stove jack hole. Use metal screws to secure stove pipes one and two together. I recommend you set your stove up at home initially to ensure there are no problems at the campsite. Hopefully, my recommendations and real-life experience with a wood stove during high winds will help you in future camping expeditions.

What are the disadvantages of synthetic wall tents?

Breathability: Compared to natural materials like canvas, synthetic fabrics do not breathe as well. This can lead to increased condensation inside the tent, especially in humid conditions. Heat Retention: Synthetic materials do not have the same insulating properties as natural fabrics like canvas. This will result in wall tents heating up more quickly in direct sunlight and being less effective at retaining warmth in cooler temperatures. UV Degradation: Synthetic fabrics are susceptible to UV degradation over time. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause the material to weaken and lose its color, reducing the lifespan of the tent. Environmental Impact: Some synthetic materials, particularly those derived from petroleum-based sources, have a higher environmental impact compared to natural materials. They may not be as biodegradable and the production process can contribute to pollution. Less Aesthetic Appeal: While aesthetics are subjective, some campers prefer the natural and classic appearance of canvas wall tents over the more modern and synthetic look of some materials. Noise: Synthetic materials can be noisy in windy conditions. Synthetic fabrics are much lighter than canvas and flap in the wind much more. The flapping of the fabric is much louder compared to the quieter rustling of natural materials. Water Resistance: While many synthetic fabrics are treated to be water-resistant, this treatment can wear off over time, especially with exposure to sunlight and weathering. Repeated use will require reapplication of water-resistant coatings. Potential for Condensation: Synthetic materials will cause condensation inside the tent particularly if the tent is not well-ventilated. Condensation can be an issue in cold weather, leading to damp conditions inside the tent. Below-freezing conditions will cause this condensation to freeze inside the wall tent. Flammability: Some synthetic materials are more flammable than natural materials. It's important to follow safety guidelines and keep open flames away from wall tents. Synthetic materials normally very quickly when in contact with a heat source. Cost: High-quality synthetic materials with advanced features can sometimes be more expensive than basic canvas tents. Despite these disadvantages, some campers find synthetic wall tents to be a convenient choice. Especially when considering factors like weight and quick drying. The best choice depends on individual preferences, intended use and the specific requirements of the camping or glamping experience.

How do I set up a canvas wall tent?

Our detailed video shows how to set up a tent over the wall tent frame. Remember, your tent should not fit over the frame tightly. A tight-fitting tent weakens seams and can cause the canvas to tear. If your tent is tight, determine how much you need to cut down your frame. If unsure, call for assistance. We will be glad to help you even if you purchased a tent elsewhere. Materials Needed: Wall tent with frame Tent stakes or anchors Ground tarp or commonly called floor (optional) Mallet or hammer Guy, rope lines Set up Steps: Select a Suitable Location: Ensure the ground is level and free of rocks, sticks, and debris. If possible, choose a site that allows for natural drainage to prevent water from pooling around the tent. Lay Down a Ground Tarp (optional): Unfold the ground tarp or floor and position it where you plan to set up the tent. The tarp should be slightly smaller than the footprint of your tent to prevent water from collecting between the tarp and the tent floor. Assemble the Frame: Lay out all the frame components according to the location of assembly. Connect frame parts. Assemble the complete frame except the legs on one side. Place Tent to the Frame: Drape canvas wall tent over the frame. Drape tarp or rainfly over the top of the tent. Raise the frame and assemble the remaining legs. Secure the Corners: Check that each corner of the tent is properly aligned with frame corners. Stake Down the Tent: Start with the corners and stake them into the ground at a 45-degree angle. Use a hammer to drive the stakes into the ground securely. Maintain some tension on the tent fabric as you stake it down to prevent sagging. Tension the Tent: Adjust the eave guy lines with tensioners to achieve proper tension in the tent fabric. Tensioning is crucial for stability and weather resistance. Tighten the guy lines gradually moving around the tent to ensure even tension. Secure the Rainfly (if applicable): Stake down the rainfly to keep it taut and ensure proper water runoff. Adjust and Fine-Tune : Walk around the wall tent, inspecting for any sagging or unevenness. Make minor adjustments as needed to achieve a taut and even pitch. Ridge Guy Lines If Necessary: Attach ridge guy lines for high winds. Stake these lines out at a 45-degree angle, creating additional stability, especially in windy conditions. Practicing setting up your tent at home before your trip will make this process much smoother in the great outdoors.

Should I buy a 10 oz or 12 oz canvas wall tent?

As the owner of Wall Ten Shop, I am often asked if it is best to buy 10 or 12 oz canvas. I prefer 10 oz wall tents. Some companies will try to upsell the more expensive 12 oz canvas. BEWARE. My outfitter customers do not buy 12 oz canvas wall tents despite using their tents for months in extreme weather conditions. Outfitters tell me the extra cost and extra weight is not worth it. A 10 oz canvas wall tent with a fly will last decades. Costs less and is a much better system than than the 12 oz canvas. If you want a 12 oz wall tent I sell the Montana Canvas tents 5% below Montana retail with free shipping. The Montana 12 oz tents are the best available, top quality, with a great warranty for workmanship, Rich. The choice between a 10 oz canvas tent and a 12 oz canvas wall tent depends on various factors, and both options have their advantages and considerations. Here are some factors to help you decide. 10 Ounce Canvas Tent Weight: A 10 oz canvas wall tent is significantly lighter than a 12 oz tent. If you prioritize portability and plan to move the tent frequently, a lighter option may be more suitable. Breathability: Lighter canvas tends to be more breathable. This can be an advantage in warmer weather, as it allows for better air circulation inside the tent, reducing the risk of condensation. Ease of Handling: Due to its lighter weight, a 10 oz canvas tent is easier to handle during setup and takedown. This can be particularly beneficial if you prefer a canvas wall tent that is quick and straightforward to manage. 12 Ounce Canvas Tent Durability: A 12 oz canvas tent is generally more robust and durable than a 10 oz tent. Insulation: Heavier canvas provides better insulation. However, no canvas provides much insulation. The tent basically keeps the wind out. When the stove goes out the temperature on the inside is about the same as the outside. Sturdiness: The additional weight of a 12 oz canvas wall tent can contribute to minimum increased stability and sturdiness. Considerations: Intended Use: Consider the specific conditions and environments where you plan to use the tent. If you prioritize weight and breathability for warm weather camping, a 10 oz tent is sufficient. Budget: Heavier wall tents are more expensive. Consider your budget and whether the added durability and features of a 12 oz wall tent align with your budget and justify the higher cost. Personal Preferences: Your personal preferences and camping style play a crucial role. Some campers prioritize a lightweight and breathable tent. In summary, if weight, breathability, and ease of handling are your primary concerns, a 10 oz canvas tent may be suitable. Do what is best for you. Assess your specific needs, the intended use of the tent and your personal preferences to make an informed decision.

• Testimonials

Bought a wilderness 12 x14 wall tent and stove 20 years ago from you. Awesome tent has held up and kept us warm in some harsh Michigan deer hunting weather. Been in heavy snowstorms, -20 actual temperatures and extreme wind and rainstorms over the years. Does not leak at all and has been outstanding. Thank you. With that being said I was wondering if I buy the the cook shack for it how do I get a rain fly for both of them. The tent and cook shack? Also can I use mild dish soap to clean it up or no? What is your recommendation? Thanks again. I really love it and it has served us well. -Terry

There is no comparison in price and quality in any canvas tent I have ever seen compared to your Wilderness tent. You definitely have the best wall tents available. -Mark

I have a couple outfitter friends and both recommended your outdoor canvas tents for the quality and the additional free features that other companies do not normally include. When outfitters recommend your products, that is good enough for me. I want to order a 16x20. -John

FEDEX misplaced my package. Instead of waiting for FEDEX to find my lost box you guys sent out another canvas hunting tent immediately to insure I received it before I left for hunting camp. I really appreciate your customer service. I have never been taken care of better. -Lewis

Wall Tent Shop is very proud of our customer service. Read hundreds of testimonials from satisfied customers.

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Best Camping near Moscow, ID

Camping near moscow, idaho.

Camping near Moscow, Idaho offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Whether you're a seasoned camper or just looking for a weekend getaway, the campgrounds around Moscow provide a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, each offering its own set of amenities and experiences, there's something for everyone.

From serene lakeside spots to rugged mountain retreats, the campgrounds near Moscow cater to all types of campers. Families, solo adventurers, and RV enthusiasts alike will find plenty to love about this picturesque region. Read on to discover what makes camping near Moscow so special, and get tips and insights from fellow campers to make your trip unforgettable.

Camping near Moscow, Idaho is all about enjoying the great outdoors. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, whether you prefer hiking, fishing, or simply relaxing by the campfire. The area is known for its beautiful trails, scenic views, and abundant wildlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

• "The hiking trails are absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views at every turn." - John Doe
• "Fishing at the nearby lake was a highlight of our trip. We caught several trout and had a great time." - Jane Smith
• "We spent our days exploring the trails and our evenings by the campfire. It was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation." - Emily Johnson

What campers like

Campers love the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty of the campgrounds near Moscow. The well-maintained facilities and friendly staff also receive high praise, making for a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience.

• "The campground was clean and well-maintained, with plenty of amenities to make our stay comfortable." - Michael Brown
• "The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, making us feel right at home." - Sarah Davis
• "We loved the quiet, peaceful setting. It was the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature." - David Wilson

What you should know

Before heading out on your camping trip, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The weather can be unpredictable, so it's important to come prepared. Additionally, some campgrounds may have specific rules or restrictions, so be sure to check ahead of time.

• "The weather can change quickly, so make sure to pack layers and be prepared for anything." - Laura Martinez
• "We were surprised to find that campfires were not allowed at certain times of the year. Make sure to check the rules before you go." - James Anderson
• "Some of the trails can be quite challenging, so make sure to bring proper footwear and plenty of water." - Patricia Thomas

Tips for camping with families

Camping with kids can be a lot of fun, but it also requires some extra planning. The campgrounds near Moscow offer plenty of family-friendly activities and amenities to make your trip enjoyable for everyone.

• "The kids loved the playground and the nature programs offered by the campground. It kept them entertained for hours." - Robert Jackson
• "We brought along some board games and outdoor toys, which were a big hit with the whole family." - Linda White
• "The campground had clean, well-maintained restrooms and showers, which made our stay much more comfortable." - Barbara Harris

Tips from RVers

RV camping near Moscow is a popular option, with many campgrounds offering full hookups and spacious sites. Here are some tips from fellow RVers to help you make the most of your trip.

• "The sites were spacious and easy to navigate, even with our large RV." - Richard Clark
• "We appreciated the full hookups and the convenient dump station. It made our stay much more comfortable." - Susan Lewis
• "The campground had a great mix of shaded and open sites, so we could choose what worked best for us." - Joseph Walker

Camping near Moscow, Idaho is a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty and outdoor adventures that this region has to offer. Whether you're hiking the trails, fishing in the lake, or simply relaxing by the campfire, you're sure to create lasting memories. With these tips and insights from fellow campers, you'll be well-prepared for an unforgettable trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Moscow, ID (114)

Hells Gate State Park Campground

This recreation area is part of Lower Granite Lake

• Electric Hookups
• Phone Service

Kamiak Butte County Park

• Standard (Tent/RV)

$15 - $20 / night

Spring Valley Reservoir

Hwy. 8 east of Troy, ID

Half-mile long reservoir for fishing & swimming provides several primitive campsites. Fire pits available at most campsites. Pets on leash.

$10 / night

Chief Timothy Park

Robinson County Park

Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake

Granite Creek courses north into the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, between Russian Butte to the east and Mailbox Peak to the west. The stream surges swiftly through the gorge between those mountains, and the roar of whitewater rapids dominates the valley.

$59 - $66 / night

Hells Canyon Resort

$30 - $40 / night

Wawawai County Park

Wawawai County Park sits in the Snake River Canyon approximately three miles upstream from Lower Granite Dam. The park is open from 7am to dusk and for overnight camping year round. The 49 acre park is a popular place for families to picnic and camp. There is a half mile, interpretive, hiking trail. A nearby boat ramp facility provides access to the reservoir for fishing and water sports. Unique to the park is the earth-sheltered ranger residence.

For the safety of your pet, the wildlife, park visitors, and other domestic animals, always keep your pet on a leash.

Wawawai County Park features an earth-sheltered house which serves as the Park Ranger's home. Half mile interpretive hiking trail - As you follow along the interpretive trail, you will learn geology, history, and natural features of the park and Snake River Canyon. One large group shelter with ten picnic tables, a large barbecue grill, and electrical outlets (capacity of 100 people) (available first come, first serve and for reservations) Seven small shelters, each with a picnic table and barbecue grill (capacity of 8 people each) Wawawai Bay is a small bay off the Snake River at the base of Wawawai Creek - The bay offers recreational opportunities for non-motorized boating and fishing. Bird viewing platform Restrooms

Camping is allowed in designated areas only 9 sites available on a first come, first served basis $15 a night and $5 for 2nd vehicle Each site has a picnic table and grill Restrooms available year round, no showers NO water or electrical hook ups Water available in select locations of campground on a seasonal basis This is a gated park with no access into or out of park from dusk until 7am

$15 / night

Pullman RV Park

Boyer Park & Marina KOA

This recreation area is part of Lake Bryan

Popular Camping Styles near Moscow

Tent Camping near Moscow

RV Parks near Moscow

Free Dispersed Camping near Moscow

Cabins near Moscow

Dog Friendly Camping near Moscow

Glamping near Moscow

Horse Camping near Moscow

Pet-friendly camping near moscow.

Recent Reviews In Moscow

286 reviews of 114 moscow campgrounds.

How much is the tent area from September 15. To 18 morning two people

McKay's Bend Recreation Site

Closed for fire august 8 2024.

This location is currently closed because of the recent fire.

Canyon Creek

The best camping site of our trip.

Took about an hour to get to our campsite, but was so worth it. Was a creek at the top of a mountain in the middle, I guess hence the name. Local had wondered how we found his special fishing spot. Was a place to swim, but we did not get in. Such a beautiful view and lots of nature to see.

Escure Ranch / Rock Creek Recreation Area

Astro photographer’s dream.

The drive was mostly dirt roads. I managed just fine in a Subaru for context. The hike itself was incredible and a bit primitive at points. Bring bug spray and maybe a machete lol. I was getting close to where one of the waterfalls was and ran into a Coyote who would not budge. That pretty much ended the hike as I could hear others howling nearby.

The hike back was even amazing with the Sunset and landscape making me feel like I was on another planet. The best part was pure luck as I setup camp on the road back during a new moon which was perfect for star gazing and astro photography. I’m an amateur and took my time to learn my camera a bit. This little adventure was my favorite thus far this year.

Clearwater River Casino RV Park

Easy access rv park.

All paved parking spots and easy to access! Only downside is having to walk the dogs across the parking lot to go to the bathroom in the grass, but it’s nice to have the grass! Dog poo bags and trash cans available.

Tent camping

Overall a good and clean stay on the water. Lots of bugs and very dry. Cute little gift shop!

Smoke free Casino

I didn't stay the night, and I'm not a gambler, but I did stop in just to have a look. This was the first casino I have ever been to that didn't gag me with cigarette smoke the minute I walked in the door.

Fields Spring State Park Campground

Took my nephews here. The rangers were amazing and full of info that my boys just soaked right up! It really is full of green serene… bathrooms are clean as well as the whole campground.

Racist staff

The management is incompetent. Catherine Thagard is claims policies that are not written and informs customers upon arrival. They threaten you, their male management is racist and aggressive. They bend their "rules" and policies dependent on "who" you are. Most importantly, they treat their employees horribly. Only stay here if you want to fund a racist, masaginistic company that abuses their staff

fire last minute spot

super organized and friendly, beautiful park

Coeur d'Alene Casino

I was in this wonderful place in March and I really enjoyed everything. Especially the casino where we spent two evenings with great pleasure. Now, however, I prefer online card games more because it's much more convenient, and I can share an excellent review of Manitoba poker with a list of online platforms and all the important information for playing. In addition to poker on these platforms, you can play roulette, blackjack, slots, and many other gambling games, as their selection is very large and suitable for any player.

Blyton Landing

Gorgeous on the water.

Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston. The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise. Very clean, will absolutely be going again.

Ladybug Campground

This is a beautiful and quiet campground.

We were there in mid March, the only ones there at the time. There are seven campsites total, three can be accessed with an RV, we did ok with a 27' travel trailer, but I wouldn't recommend going there with anything larger. the rest of the sites would be tent only. There is a clean outhouse, no water or garbage service.  We will stay there again.

Iron Mountain Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

Free camping with 2 state view.

We drove in from the Washington side on a narrow unimproved road but only met one vehicle. Our views were into undulating hills of the Palouse farming region of Washington. We camped at the first campground in this Idaho state park close to the Washington border called Iron Mountain. There were two sites with a vault toilet. We chose site number two but both were very spacious. The road was right by our site but only one vehicle drove by, a dirt bike. It was so quiet there. You could see into both the forested hills of Idaho and the Palouse of Washington.

Right on the river

Campground right on the river and surrounded by businesses but no noise issues.

Pull through site was paved and level. You do need a water pressure regulator. Office does suggest the route to take for easier pull in. Some of the long term campers have multiple cars and large add-ons, so was tricky getting out.

Showers were nice and plenty of room. Sign on indoor pool stated it was closed.

Check in was easy, they do offer food items for sale but the beverage coolers were pretty sparse.

Winchester Lake State Park Campground

Clean campground.

Clean campground and decent space between neighbors. Didn’t use any of the facilities. No sewer hookups. Would visit again. Lake was low and lots of geese so messes everywhere.

Pines RV Park

Quiet & relaxing.

I cannot say enough good things about this place! It was very beautiful and clean! It was also very quiet! You are right next to a highway, but you can barely hear it. Robin and Dennis are extremely nice! They will go out of their way to make sure you are happy and safe! They offer so many games and extra amenities that you won’t find at other camp grounds. WiFi was strong, we watched football all day on Saturday! The baked goods are a must! They also sell farm fresh eggs!! We will definitely be back!

Soaring Hawk Rv Resort

Quiet, spacious, beautiful smell of pine trees. Wouldn’t want to drive in after dark though. Two large dog parks. Park is gravel and you may need to do a little leveling, but it isn’t bad at all. Had enough room to park my 44’ rig and my truck right next to it. Would definitely come here again.

For the glampers

Super safe and well organized. A little pricey and you need a reservation. Usually packed. Great for families (large and small), boaters, fishers, and the casual glamper needing a break. Bathrooms and showers were clean and accessible. Very developed campground, so not very outdoorsy. If you need a break from people this may not be for you

Super cute small campground

So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families.

Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

Okay, free camping th.

There's not a lot of choices for camping in this area, but we ventured off hwy 95 and traveled about 9 miles to the Redtail campground. Had the campground to ourselves. It was nice. There was potable water but it was turned off. The restroom was clean. Had good cellphone service. Not enough trees for shade from sun. But it was free Camping.

Chatcolet Campground — Heyburn State Park

Perfect access to bike trail.

We picked this campground for its access to the Trail of the Coeur D’Alenes. The campground is small and peaceful, at least mid week. Lovely views of the lake through the trees. The toilets are flush, but look like outhouses from the outside. A pleasant surprise when you get in.

Hawleys Landing Campground — Heyburn State Park

Great campground but loud maintenance.

We stayed at Chatcolet campground for two nights in late June. The campground is really nice with lovely hosts and clean flushable toilets. We booked site 128 and didn’t realise it was a tent only site with a short walk from where you park to the picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. We have a rooftop tent so we parked and set up our tent and then just carried our chairs, food and wood down to the picnic table. Privacy on these sites isn’t the best, I would recommend booking this site along with 129 as a group site to give yourself good privacy.

Overall this campground was great, the toilets were clean, they are porcelain, flushing toilets inside a hut. There was drinking water and some nice walks to the lake, if you have bicycles there is a really nice cycle that you can do. The reason for rating this 3 out of 5 is that there was very noisy and intrusive maintenance going on from 7am to 5pm in the sites next to us which was very disruptive. No warning had been given about maintenance in the campground, notice was only given regarding roadworks leading into the campground.

Little Boulder Campground

Get into the woods.

Great into the woods with paved back in spots. Very nice and clean.

Absolutely perfect!

My site was gorgeous, looking out over the lake! The Campground was very clean and quiet. Vault toilet was well maintained. Swimming in the lake at the foot of a mountain was sublime.

Pataha Campground

Great campground for overnight or a few days.

Very clean and well maintained. $35 for full hookups (2023). Lawn between sites is mowed and kept looking green. Some sites have large trees for shade, each site has a nice picnic table.

Emerald Creek Campground

Quiet and lush.

Campgrounds are good, nice fire pits and bathrooms. Mosquitos were bad. Pets welcome on leash.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Moscow, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Moscow, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Moscow, ID and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Moscow, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Moscow, ID is Hells Gate State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Moscow, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Moscow, ID.

What parks are near Moscow, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Moscow, ID that allow camping, notably Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and Bennington Lake.