The Best Backpacking Tents
Nothing beats the feeling of waking up to a view of unspoiled nature right at your doorstep. Fortunately, you don't need to own a cabin in the mountains or an expensive RV to enjoy this breathtaking experience. Whether you're conquering the Appalachian Trail or just enjoying an overnight getaway at your local state park, backpacking is the best way to appreciate the natural world in its purest form. To wake up refreshed and ready for each day’s adventure, you’ll need a dependable tent that keeps the elements out without adding too much weight to your pack. We have handpicked the best options for your portable home away from home.
Drop + Dan Durston X-Mid Tent
Headroom without the heft
Plenty of tent designers have capitalized on the fact that hikers often carry trekking poles with them, and these can easily double as tent poles for an ultralight shelter. Strangely, many such designs utilize only one pole for the tent, even though hikers generally use trekking poles as a pair. The X-Mid uses both poles to create a roomier tent with better headroom. Experienced thru-hiker Dan Durston has applied this same common-sense approach to every facet of this tent design, and an example of that is the fly-first setup that allows for pitching it in the rain. For serious backpackers in search of a minimalist but high-quality shelter, look no further than the X-Mid.
Pros:
- Each component has been thoughtfully designed for frequent use
- Rigorously tested to withstand wet weather conditions
- Both one- and two-person options available
Cons:
- Requires trekking poles to set up, which not all backpackers use
Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent
Cozy for companions
The only thing better than going on a solo adventure is sharing it with someone. If you’re shouldering the burden of a shelter for both of you, this tent from Clostnature is plenty roomy. It boasts a spacious sleeping surface that’s seven feet long and almost five feet wide, and its 5.4-pound weight is very manageable. Notably, this tent sports an entrance on both sides, so you’ll never have to crawl over each other. As far as setup goes, it couldn’t be more simple. Clipping the interior mesh layer to the poles is much easier than wrestling with a pole-in-sleeve design, and the rainfly sits on top without the need for additional poles.
Pros:
- Double-door design eliminates awkward entry and exits
- Simple to set up
- Full mesh interior layer allows for maximum ventilation when the rainfly is open or removed
Cons:
- The low-slung interior may be a bit cramped for taller people
Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One
A solid starter
If you’re in need of a tent for your first backpacking excursion or a quick jaunt in a mild climate, this one from Night Cat covers the bases while only including features you need. It can be erected and positioned without stakes, although pegs and guylines are included for added stability. The single-layer construction is waterproof while still allowing air to flow through the window and at the vent at the top.
Pros:
- Freestanding, single-layer design is simple and functional
- Ample headroom with a 4-foot4-tall dome
- The centered zipper at the entrance makes it easy to get in and out after dark
Cons:
- Setup may be slightly tricky
- Lack of a second window means no cross breeze in hot weather
Firiner Camping Hammock
Hang out in style
Even the finest tent is only as comfortable as the bedding inside it. When backpacking, the combination of a tent and a comfortable sleeping pad can add up quickly in terms of weight and pack space. If your destination offers a few trees, why not go for an all-in-one solution? This hammock eliminates the need for a cushion, offers protection from bugs and weather, and is lighter than many tents. It also offers a high degree of versatility. The rainfly can be used alone as a shelter or kept in the pack during dry weather. While the mosquito netting is permanently attached to the hammock, you can simply flip it over and fold it away when you want a net-less hammock experience.
Pros:
- Quite lightweight at 2.9 pounds
- More comfortable than sleeping on the ground
- Multipurpose modular design
Cons:
- Not suitable for destinations that lack closely-spaced trees or some sort of support for the hammock and fly
AbcoSport Instant Pop-Up Tent
Indoors in an instant
If you’re like most folks, you’d prefer to spend your coveted leisure time playing hard or resting soundly without anything coming in between those two activities. Setting up this tent is as simple as unzipping the carrying case and setting it out on the ground. While we wouldn’t rely on it for a weeks-long trek through the mountains or for holing up during a monsoon, it is the most effortless option next to foregoing a tent altogether. Even if you’re planning to spend the night under the stars, the AbcoSport tent could provide shelter from bugs and sun during a midday lunch break or nap. It’s also perfect to bring along for a day at the park or the beach.
Pros:
- Foolproof setup
- The flexible ventilation and UV protection are ideal for warm-weather use
- Surprisingly big enough to fit two people if needed
Cons:
- Although it is quite lightweight, the flat disc shape of the package may not be ideal for a hiking pack; strapping it to the outside of a pack is likely the best option
- Folding up the tent could take a little practice
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a backpacking tent weigh?
The right weight for a tent depends on your own size in a few ways. Not only will you need to select one with enough interior space for yourself and any companions, but you must account for your overall carrying capacity before you know how much you can allocate to your tent. If you’re trying to keep your bag’s weight in check, the rule of thumb is that your total pack should weigh no more than 20 percent of your body weight. Food, gear, and other supplies will vary greatly with the length and climate of your trip. And don’t forget about the weight of the backpack itself.
How do I know if a tent’s material will stand up to the weather?
Waterproof material is rated using a “Hydrostatic Head” (HH) test. The rating is based on the number of millimeters (mm) of water that the material withstands in the test. Tent walls may range from 1,000 mm to 3,000 mm or even much higher. The key is to research the recommended rating for the locale and the season in which you expect to use your tent. Design is important, too. A small amount of leakage is more problematic in a single-layer tent than in a multi-layer one. And it’s important to have adequate ventilation to air out the tent after rain, dew, or internal condensation in the case of cold weather.