The best backpacking tents are durable and lightweight. They’re made to be packable, yet they must unfailingly shelter weary hikers from the wind, rain, snow, and outdoor pests. Modern backpacking tents make adventuring much easier and more comfortable now than it has ever been before. Prepare to embark upon your own rugged wilderness expedition, or a gentle national park retreat, with a new, streamlined backpacking tent.
After reviewing dozens of different backpacking tents we have identified the best for your backcountry travels. Considering factors such as fabric durability, weatherproof design, and overall packability we have decided our top picks and provided a detailed rundown of many additional quality backpacking tents for your consideration.
We’ve chosen the Moon Lence Compact Tent as our overall top pick. There are many great backpacking tents on the market today, and the competition is fierce, but the Moon Lence Compact Tent has the right combination of overall size, weight, durability, storage options, and price that made it stand above the rest.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Backpacking Tents
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Backpacking Tent Overall | Moon Lence Compact Tent | 4.9 |
| Best 4 Season Backpacking Tent | BaiYouDa Backpacking Tent | 5.0 |
| Best Budget Backpacking Tent | River County Products Trekker Tent | 4.6 |
| Best 1 Person Backpacking Tent | ALPS Mountaineering Lynx | 4.7 |
| Best 2 Person Backpacking Tent | Bessport Ultralight Backpacing Tent | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Backpacking Tent Overall: Moon Lence Compact Tent
The Moon Lence Compact Tent is a well-rounded backpacking tent that can be used in a variety of situations. The tent’s light carry weight and spacious interior are a one-two combo that makes this an easy to use and versatile tent. A waterproof and UV-resistant rainfly ensures that you’ll have a great wilderness adventure no matter the weather, and the durable bathtub floor will keep you dry if you accidentally pitch it in a puddle.
Two D-shaped doors on either side of the tent act as entryways and provide access to the two spacious vestibules. One of the vestibules is enclosed by a single zipper, while the other features a dual-zipper awning panel that can be rolled up to let in some sun or tied to a tree with a guy rope to create an extended, shade-providing awning. Two people will fit comfortably inside, or one person who enjoys a bit of extra room can make good use of the tent on their own.
Inside, there are multiple pockets and hooks for convenient storage of your personal necessities. The floor space measures 86.6″ by 55.1″, and the interior height reaches up to 47.2″, providing plenty of room for two tired hikers to lay or sit next to each other without pushing up against the tent walls. When stowed away in the provided carry bag this tent packs down to 18.1″ by 5.9″ by 5.9″ which is small enough to fit into most multi-day backpacks.
Moon Lence Compact Tent Key Features:
- Dual doors and vestibules
- 210D Oxford fabric bathtub floor
- 5.2 pounds with compact carry bag
- Lifetime warranty
Best 4 Season Backpacking Tent: BaiYouDa Backpacking Tent
No matter the time of year, the BaiYouDa Backpacking Tent will be your cozy home away from home. This tent is comprised of thick 210T polyester cloth that is waterproof, dustproof, windproof, and exceptionally durable against fierce weather. The snow skirts help to keep this tent stable and weatherproof during winter storms, and the extra layer of fabric on the doors provides much-needed protection against the harshest of weather.
What makes this tent fantastic is that it is a truly versatile four-season backpacking tent. The snow skirts are detachable, the layer of protective fabric on the doors can be peeled back, and the roof vents can be propped open on sunny days and warm star nights. Additionally, the entire rainfly can be removed for stellar stargazing opportunities. This tent will transform to fit your needs.
The 5.9 carry weight and 18″ by 6.3″ by 6.3″ packed size is acceptably lightweight, and some of that bulk can be shed during most of the year when snow-readiness isn’t required.
BaiYouDa Backpacking Tent Key Features:
- Dual doors and vestibules
- Detachable snow skirts
- 5.9 pounds
- One-sided roll away awning
Best Budget Backpacking Tent: River County Products Trekker Tent
It may be impossible to find more value in a backpacking tent than what you get with the River County Products Trekker Tent. Not only is this tent affordable, but it’s also extremely lightweight and spacious. At seven feet long, five feet wide, and three and a half feet tall, this is a veritable backcountry mansion when compared to most other backpacking tents. Tall people can have a difficult time finding backpacking tents that are long enough to fit their frame, and this Trekker Tent should fit the bill better than most.
What helps bring this tent down to its budget-friendly price is that there are no support poles included. Instead, backpackers must use their trekking poles at either end of the tent to hold up the triangular point of the roof. This support is stable, but it requires that you use trekking poles that are long enough for the task. An optional combo pack with carbon fiber poles is available for a higher price if you cannot use trekking poles.
This double layer tent has large mesh sidewalls and a zippered doorway that provide amazing ventilation, and the all-encompassing rainfly layer protects everything under its guard from the elements. The single doorway is staggeringly large. Because there are no vestibules you will have to bring your gear inside the tent when the weather turns.
River County Products Trekker Tent Key Features:
- Two-layer tent with large mesh sidewalls
- Utilizes trekking poles for erection
- Seven feet long
- 3.2 pounds
Best 1 Person Backpacking Tent: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is sized just right for a solo backpacker. A single door and vestibule are situated on one side of the tent while the other stands tall and flat. The arched design rises to three feet in height, and the floor stretches to an astounding seven and a half feet in length from head to toe. Here’s another great option for the taller hikers out there.
Inside, the tent features a gear loft and storage pockets to help keep your supplies organized. The single vestibule reaches out far enough to cover a backpack and boots, and the durable #8 zippers are easy to use and unlikely to get stuck. For a single backpacker, there is plenty of space to store gear and more than enough interior floor space for a standard sleeping pad and sleeping bag.
The tough rainfly is fitted with a storm flap at the main vestibule zipper and has factory sealed seams for added weather protection. Adjustable roof vents and guy rope loops decorate the outside of the rainfly, adding increased versatility.
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Key Features:
- Freestanding aluminum pole design
- Factory-sealed seams
- 4.1 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
Best 2 Person Backpacking Tent: Bessport Ultralight Backpacking Tent
A freestanding backpacking tent with plenty of room for two, the Bessport Ultralight Backpacking Tent is a wonderful choice for couples or a solo hiker and their canine companion. Weighing in at a hair over five pounds, this tent will be easy to carry, and its durable welded Oxford bathtub floor will hold up well to flooded tent sites and rough country.
The 88.6″ by 33.5″ floor space is roomy for two people without going overboard. An extra-long twin size mattress can fit the dimensions, as can two conventional sleeping pads side by side. The ceiling height comes in at a tall 43.5″ that is complemented by vertical walls for a nearly box-like shape that drastically increases the interior volume. There should be ample space for maneuvering and sitting for two average-sized occupants.
Excellent ventilation, smooth zippers, and loads of mesh contribute to this backpacking tent’s serene and open interior. The rainfly is comprised of robust 68D polyester and features guy line supports for when the weather really gets rough.
Bessport Ultralight Backpacking Tent Key Features:
- Dual doors and vestibules
- Seam-taped construction
- Welded bathtub floor
- 5.2 pounds
Who Should Buy a Backpacking Tent
Anyone who enjoys hiking and is looking to spend a night in the wilderness away from paved roads and crowded campgrounds should buy a backpacking tent. Traditional camping tents are too heavy and bulky to carry for miles away from your vehicle, which is why backpacking tents are often smaller and weigh much less.
Even if you’re experienced at backcountry hammock camping or tentless cowboy camping, a reliable backpacking tent is essential to year-round backpacking opportunities. A backpacking tent is a necessary piece of gear in your outdoor arsenal.
Adventuring into the wilderness can be a wonderful experience, one that can be easily be ruined when preparation and planning are neglected. Proper backpacking gear is required for a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable backpacking experience. Buy a proper tent to ensure that you have a wonderful night on the trail. Along with a backpacking tent, you should consider purchasing a proper sleeping bag, backpack, and backpacking stove.
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing a backpacking tent.
- How much room do you need? Will you be sleeping solo, with a partner, or is the entire family going to join in on your adventure? The interior size not only determines how many people can sleep in a tent, but it also dictates how well tall people will fit, and how much vertical space is available for sitting or standing.
- Three or four season. Most people will want a three-season tent. Three-season tents are capable in most situations except for extreme cold and heavy snow, and they are much lighter than their counterpart. Four-season tents are only required if you are planning a backpacking trip into extremely wintery conditions where frigid winds and snow blizzards are to be expected.
- Weight. There’s an old saying in the backpacking community that goes something like “The less weight on your back, the more fun you’ll have on the trail.” You’ll want to choose as lightweight a tent as is possible in your means. Make note of a tent’s weight before you purchase, and also be sure that it fits within your budget and can handle the elements you expect to face.
- Packability. Most modern backpacking tents feature collapsible poles and lightweight materials that pack down into small stuff sacks. Not all tents have supreme packability, however. You’ll find that some will easily breakdown into a small package that can stow away into your backpack, while others will require exterior storage because of their less than ideal packability. Look into the tent’s packed size before you make your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a tent for backpacking?
Almost everyone uses a tent when backpacking, though it’s not strictly required. There are other options available, such as hammock camping, but more people find tents to be the most convenient option because they are often the best choice for protection from foul weather and bugs.
How heavy should a tent be for backpacking?
Backpacking tents should be relatively lightweight. You’ll be hiking a number of miles to reach your destination, and so it’d be best to keep your backpack’s overall weight to a minimum.
One and two-person backpacking tents should be ideally kept under six pounds. This is light enough for a single person to carry without much effort. Larger three, four, or six-person tents may weigh much more, but you can split the tent pieces among everyone’s packs for a relatively light carry. Ultralight tents are the easiest to carry, however, they tend to also be the most expensive.
Where do you put a tent on a backpack?
Tents can be stored inside or outside of a backpack. Compact tents can fit snugly inside with the rest of your outdoor gear, though larger tents will likely have to be strapped to the outside of your backpack. Hikers are creative when it comes to attaching objects to their backpack exteriors. Tents are often strapped to the bottom of a backpack, but they can be attached in whatever way is most comfortable for you.
Should I get a 1 or 2 person backpacking tent?
If you’re backpacking by yourself, a one-person tent might make the most sense. Larger people, those who carry excess gear, or those who simply love to spread out might be better choosing a two-person tent even if they only intend to sleep in it themselves. For a few extra ounces of carrying weight, you can gain a lot of extra interior room.
This rule of thumb applies as you increase the number of occupants. Two people will fit snugly into most two-person tents and may want to opt for a larger size if they desire more personal space. Extra room can make activities like food preparation, changing your clothes, and playing games much easier.
Other Backpacking Tents We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other backpacking tents. Even though they didn’t make our five best backpacking tent list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your outdoor adventures. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- 1 Person Backpacking Tents
- 2 Person Backpacking Tents
- 3 or More Person Backpacking Tents
- Budget Backpacking Tents
1 Person Backpacking Tents
The Hyke and Byke Yosemite is a durable, roomy, and weather-resistant solo tent that can be broken down into an ultralight variant when needed. The total package is nearly 4-season ready with its durable bathtub flood and rainfly, and the ultralight mode is an excellent option for summertime backpacking.
Key Features:
- PU 2000 rainfly and bathtub floor
- 4.4 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $80
Naturehike Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Equipped with removable snow skirts for your snowbound journeys, the Naturehike Ultralight Backpacking Tent is a top-tier choice for ultralight backpackers who frequently backpack on snow-capped mountains. The tent is extremely lightweight and can shed extra parts like the snow skirts to make it a truly ultralight option.
Key Features:
- Double skylight vents
- Four-season freestanding tent
- 2.9 pounds
Cost: $120
The SAFACUS Portable Tent is priced competitively and is designed better than most other backpacking tents at its price point. This tent isn’t ultralight, but it’s light enough for most, and the durable materials will stand up to foul weather and rough terrain better than any bargain-bin tent.
Key Features:
- Seam-sealed 20D nylon rainfly
- 68D polyester bathtub floor
- 3.9 pounds
Cost: $65
Designed to lay low and fit in any tent site no matter how small, the Winterial Bivy Tent is ideal for backpackers who need a refined sleeping enclosure and nothing more. There isn’t much vertical space, nor much extra floor space to stretch out in, but this discreet tent is perfect for sleeping in tight backcountry nooks.
Key Features:
- Completely open netting and a tough rainfly
- Compact when stored away
- 3.3 pounds
2 Person Backpacking Tents
To some, the ALPS Mountaineering Aries is the perfect two-person backpacking tent. Dual doors and vestibules allow for each person to have their own personal space and entryway, and the vertical walls provide ample sitting space that can easily be shared by two people. Two-person tents don’t get much more comfortable than this.
Key Features:
- Dual doors and vestibules
- Vertical walls and a height of 42 inches
- 5.9 pounds
Cost: $155
The Clostnature Backpacking Tent is a fantastic choice for campers who like to spend a little extra time enjoying the outdoors from the sanctuary of their tent. This robust tent features a vestibule awning that can be strung up to a nearby tree or standing trekking poles for great visibility and shade. Make your tent your temporary outdoor home with this setup.
Key Features:
- Vestibule awning
- 5.4 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $75
The Forceatt 2 Person Tent is a sturdy piece of equipment made from thick, durable materials. The product description claims that this tent is four-season ready, but its limits are likely to be at light snowfall use as there are no provided snow skirts or additional winter features. This tent is waterproof and its materials are quite durable, however.
Key Features:
- Dual doors and vestibules
- Buckle rainfly locks
- 5.5 pounds
Cost: $85
Larger and more durable than its little sister tent, the Hyke and Byke Zion is a well-rounded two-person tent that is improved in every way over its one-person counterpart. It is heavier, of course, but that weight translates into a tougher bathtub floor and rainfly combo that can withstand harsh weather and rocky tent sites without issue.
Key Features:
- PU 5000 rainfly and bathtub floor
- 6.2 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
Cost: $100
Classicly designed with an aesthetic balance from all angles, the Mountainsmith Morrison utilizes two crisscrossing support poles to create an x-shaped arch. There is plenty of mesh to view the stars through on clear nights and each occupant has their own entry door and storage vestibule.
Key Features:
- Seam-sealed rainfly and bathtub floor
- 5.6 pounds
- Dual doors and vestibules
Cost: $125
The MSR Hubba X is an extremely lightweight and stable backpacking tent. Some see this tent as a paragon in its class because it maintains an ultralight presence while providing plenty of interior space and weather protection. This is the kind of backpacking tent you won’t feel on your back and won’t mind sleeping in for days on end.
Key Features:
- Coated with durable water repellent
- three-year warranty
- 3.5 pounds
Cost: $450
V VONTOX Lightweight Backpacking Tent
If you want a large two-person tent, the V VONTOX Lightweight Backpacking Tent is an excellent choice. The product description states that three slim people can sleep side by side and that there is enough floor space for a queen or king-size air mattress.
Key Features:
- Large floor space
- 5.3 pounds
- Two-year warranty
3 or More Person Backpacking Tents
Making it onto our list for the third time, ALPS Mountaineering is known for making quality backpacking tents, and the Taurus is no different. This four-person tent has an extra-thick 210D nylon floor and extra-large number 10 zippers. The build quality is top-notch, and we’d expect this tent to last you a good long time.
Key Features:
- 210D nylon floor and 75D rainfly
- Four-person tent
- 9.5 pounds
Cost: $265
Bessport Lightweight Backpacking Tent
The Bessport Lightweight Backpacking Tent is a three-person tent with adequate floor space and phenomenal headroom. The vertical walls open up interior space quite nicely, providing room for sitting and maneuvering that all three occupants will appreciate.
Key Features:
- Vertical walls with a 47.2-inch height
- Three-person tent
- 6.5 pounds
Cost: $105
Large and supremely reliable, the Eureka! Assault is a true four-season backpacking tent that can handle harsh winter weather with its Full-Coverage Storm Shield Rainfly. This tent has an impressive 56 inches of interior height and features a rollaway awning for each of its two vestibules.
Key Features:
- Four-season, four-person tent
- 14.8 pounds
- 56-inch interior height
Cost: $500
Ideal for a family backpacking excursion, the Eureka! X-Loft can easily fit up to six cozy campers underneath its mesh walls and stable rainfly. There are smaller three and two-person variants available as well, each with a similar design that cuts down on the overall size and weight. This model has an incredible 70 inches of interior height.
Key Features:
- Six-person tent
- 13 pounds
- Padded Eureka! Camp Comfort Sleep System
Cost: $445
High Peak 4 Season Backpacking Tent
The High Peak 4 Season Backpacking Tent is a four-season capable tent with large vestibules that are great for storing your winter expedition gear. The sturdy design will keep you safe from the elements and it is rated to withstand a 3000 mm water column.
Key Features:
- Four-season, three-person tent
- 9.7 pounds
- One-year warranty
Cost: $200
The Kelty Grand Mesa 4 features a single D-shaped doorway and one extra large storage vestibule. This four-person tent also has a smaller two-person variant, and both are equipped with compact folding poles that pack away small into a backpack-friendly storage sack.
Key Features:
- Four-person capacity
- 6.8 pounds
- Compact folding poles
Budget Backpacking Tents
The Coleman Sundome is available in a variety of sizes, all with budget-friendly pricing. Each is designed with a spacious interior for the rated number of people it can hold, and they all have superior ventilation that is aided by a ground vent and short rainfly. This tent is waterproof, but a strong wind will allow exterior moisture to get past the shortened rainfly.
Key Features:
- Four-person tent with other size options
- 9.3 pounds
- Ground vent for enhanced ventilation
Cost: $90
FLYTOP Double Layer Backpacking Tent
The FLYTOP Double Layer Backpacking Tent is advertised as a four-season, two-person tent, but those terms are a bit beyond its actual limits. This is a stellar budget tent, but two people would be a tight squeeze and heavy snow will cause it trouble. For the price, however, this is a great one-person three-season tent.
Key Features:
- 3.5-season, 1.5-person tent
- Dual doors and vestibules
- 5.9 pounds
Cost: $60
This iCorer Backpacking Tent is quite light for a three-person backpacking tent, though it comes packaged with a minuscule rainfly that won’t hold up to any foul weather worse than a moderate sprinkle. Though this tent is a great value for sunny backpacking trips, you’ll want to look for something with a larger rainfly if you expect any rain or snow whatsoever.
Key Features:
- Three-person tent
- 4.8 pounds
- Fiberglass poles
Cost: $50
