Best Backpacking Tents
Out of all the gear you generally bring along on a backpacking trip, the tent is considered to be among the most important.
Backpacking tents provide a transportable way to bring a sort of mini-shelter with you during your trip, which gives you a temporary home to rest in when you aren’t on your feet.
Backpacking tents are no ordinary tents, however. While standard tents are often large, bulky, and heavy, best backpacking tents are specifically designed to compact down to incredibly small sizes — sometimes as small as the palm of your hand.
This not only saves you space but valuable weight as well. These tents are no-frills in nature, offering only some covered space, and room for one to three people.
You certainly have your options when it comes to picking out a backpacking tent to call your own.
Knowing the key factors to look for can steer you to the right path for choosing the best backpacking tent that is right for your own unique needs and preferences.
Snugpak 1 Person Dome Tent
- Inner tent dimensions are 94 inches long, 35 inches wide, and 28 inches tall; built to accommodate 1 person and their gear, features tape sealed seams
- Lightweight and compact pack size is 19 inches long by 5.5 inches wide; trail weight is 2.64 pounds, pack weight is 3.34 pounds
- Equipped with DAC Featherlite NSL anodized aluminum poles with press fit connectors; features No-See-Um mesh mosquito net for warmer climates
- Flysheet is 210t polyester RipStop with 5000 millimeter waterproof and windproof polyurethane coating; the 2 pole system keeps condensation buildup to a minimum
- A basic repair kit is included; contains metal pole repair sleeve, tent guide rope tensioner, spare cord, elastic loop, patch materials, and a storage bag
The Ionosphere is the perfect tent aimed for lightweight campers and hikers who are ready to compromise on internal space.
The tent is designed especially for outdoor professionals and military personnel who are in need of robust emergency shelters.
The 3-season tent is not designed for winter conditions. While the tent is of a bivy type, it offers sufficient room and a lot of space that can be used productively.
Single person tents are a great option if you are going on outdoor adventures on your own.
Features
- Side-Type Entrance – The tent features a single side-type entrance. The fly zipper provides extra protection as it is covered by a wide flap that also features Velcro to fix the flap in case it is too windy outside.
- Made from Inner and Outer Layer – The Snugpak Ionosphere is a proper tent that features an inner and outer layer. The tent features an inner no-see-um mosquito that is fully stitched into the waterproof groundsheet tray and is soft to touch. The design of the mesh covering is such that it maximizes ventilation.
- Two Small Pockets – The Snugpak Ionosphere features two small pockets on either side of the tent at the waist level. The small pockets come in handy for storing small accessories, such as glasses and watches.
- Includes a Repair Kit – The tent comes with a handy repair kit that makes it possible for campers to make repairs on the move without making stops on their trip.
The Snugpak Ionosphere is a great low profile tent and is suitable for hikers and for backpackers.
The overall weight ratio of the tent is excellent and it is priced reasonably.
However, keep in mind that it is not a freestanding tent, hence this might limit your ability to pitch the tent everywhere.
Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent
- 1-year limited warranty
Whether you’re car camping or backpacking for a few nights in the wilderness, a quality tent can make life a lot easier, especially if conditions aren’t ideal.
Adequate ventilation, protection from wind and rain, and a few strategic features are a few of the main factors that go into ensuring that a tent is worthy of use.
Coleman has long been a trusted name in manufacturing high-level, dependable outdoor gear, and this Sundome tent is a shining example as to why that is.
It has many of the qualities and features you look for in a versatile, multi-use tent — and even has room for a companion.
Features
The Sundome isn’t flashy, but it certainly provides users with some helpful benefits that can help ensure a great outdoor experience regardless of climate and weather conditions.
High Resistance to Rain – Coleman makes it a point to put all of their tents through a rigorous rain test, dumping over 35 gallons of water for 10 minutes, and checking for any moisture afterward. If there is more than 3 tablespoons of water measured inside, the tent fails the test.
The Sundome has been put through this test, so you know it can hold up. The tent’s polyethylene floors are bathtub-style, meaning the sidewalls curve up. Welded seams are used for a better seal as well. This is not only helpful during a rainstorm, but it also helps resist groundwater as well.
Extra Ventilation – Ventilation in a tent is not only just for keeping it cooler in the warmer months but for preventing condensation as well. The Sundome makes great use of ventilation on several parts of the tent, including the ceiling. This helps keep you both comfortable and dry.
An included rainfly can be placed over the dome of the tent, while still allowing enough space in between the roof and rainfly for air circulation
The Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent is a very quality tent option, especially for around $50.
You have plenty of room inside, lots of ventilation, and the assurance that comes from knowing your tent can withstand both rain and high winds. It’s spacious, provides some excellent views when inside, and sets up in a flash.
Although it may be on the heavy side in regards to backpacking use, it is still an acceptable option. Car campers won’t have any complaints with the Sundome however and would be wise to put it at the top of their list.
ALPS Mountaineering 1 Person Tent
- There's no assembly frustration with our Zephyr Tent series; this free-standing, aluminum two-pole design can be setup in no time, with pole clips that quickly snap over tent poles
- Polyester tent fly, with 1500mm coating, resists water and UV damage while adding two vestibules for extra storage
- Great ventilation with two mesh doors and entire mesh walls
- Fully equipped with #8 zippers, mesh storage pockets, gear loft, aluminum stakes and guy ropes
- Base Size: 6'2 x 7'5, Center Height: 41" Total Weight: 6 lbs. 6oz., Minimum Weight: 5 lbs. 9oz., Packed Size 6.5" x 19"
The Coleman Sundome 2 Person Tent is a very quality tent option, especially for around $50.
You have plenty of room inside, lots of ventilation, and the assurance that comes from knowing your tent can withstand both rain and high winds. It’s spacious, provides some excellent views when inside, and sets up in a flash.
Although it may be on the heavy side in regards to backpacking use, it is still an acceptable option. Car campers won’t have any complaints with the Sundome however and would be wise to put it at the top of their list.
Features
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Person Tent doesn’t mess around, placing an emphasis on all the factors that actually matter when you’re out in the wild.
- Free-Standing, Two-Pole Setup – This tent is about as simple as they come, with a quick and easy setup that comes from using just two intersecting aluminum poles. The result is a free-standing polyester tent with plenty of headroom for the average-sized person, with plenty of sturdiness as well.
- Weatherproof Rainfly – The tent includes a durable, heavy-duty rainfly that has some added adjustability, giving you the option to position it according to wind gusts. That’s pretty helpful in bad conditions and can also help keep the tent warmer. The fly extends nearly all the way to the ground for optimal coverage.
- Sealed Seams – Weatherproofing is a big theme with this tent, and that theme is driven home, even more, thanks to the sealed seams inside the tent. This locks out water and moisture and compliments the poly-taffeta floor rather nicely. Don’t expect to be anything but dry with this tent.
The overall size makes it easy to pitch in rugged areas with little room, and the weatherproofing aspects will certainly come in handy.
Sure, it’s a little cramped and heavy, but the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-person tent has too much going for it for that to be a deal-breaker in any way.
If you’re on a budget but need a quality one-person tent, give this one a long look.
Four Main Factors For Choosing A Backpacking Tent
The main criteria in choosing your tent can be narrowed down to four key factors:
1 – Capacity
How many sleepers do you plan on accommodating?
Carrying fewer tents in your group can free up pack space, but that means that your tent will need to be big enough for 2-3 people.
Otherwise, you’ll only need enough space for yourself, resulting in an even smaller and lighter tent.
Regardless of capacity, your tent is still likely to fit snugly, and the ceiling will be low no matter what. This saves space and weight.
2 – Seasonality
The tent’s construction and materials in relation to anticipated climate and weather. You may be able to get by during colder outings with a general use tent, but if you’re going to be backpacking in snow, you’ll need a tent specifically made for winter conditions.
On the other hand, if it’s hot where your backpacking trip is taking place, a thinner, more breathable tent is needed. You get the idea.
Seasonality can generally be broken down into three categories.
3 Season Tents
Perhaps the most popular of the three, 3-season tents are lightweight, and suitable for more temperate climates during spring, summer, and fall.
Although not designed for severe weather, 3-season tents can withstand light snow and downpours when used with a rainfly.
Other characteristics of 3-season tents include mesh for airflow and insect protection, higher walls for more headroom, and a smaller amount of poles.
Extended Season
Also known as 3-4 or 3+ season tents, these tents are perfectly fine for summer use, but can also be used in cooler locations that may have snow or higher wind chills at night.
These tents give you a similar look and feel that 3-season tents offer, but with a lower amount of mesh, and slightly thicker material for heat retention when needed.
4 Season Tents
These tents are made from thicker material and can withstand both high winds and fierce snows.
This does result in a substantial lack of ventilation, so using them in warmer climates can be fairly uncomfortable and stuffy. They are used almost exclusively as winter backpacking tents.
Some other main characteristics of 4-season tents include more tent poles, rounded domes to withstand snow accumulation, and rain flys that extend all the way to the ground.
3 – Weight
The overall weight of the tent. Higher quality tents will be incredibly light, without sacrificing durability, sturdiness, and features.
4 – Livability
Do you prefer your tent to be a little plusher?
Perhaps you’d like some extra features?
Livability refers to the ratio of comfort and added features that make your tent either a basic shelter or a comfortable and relaxing space that you don’t mind spending some extra time in, while also offering come added versatility.
Here are some of the common features that affect a tent’s livability.
- Interior Volume: This refers to the overall space inside. If the roominess of your tent isn’t that important to you, look for tents that have sloped walls, a small floor area, and low peak height. The smaller size will save weight in your backpack.
- Rainfly Color: This may seem a little silly, but the rainfly color matters. Lighter colors will transmit more light inside, making the tent appear more spacious and creating a more pleasant environment. That is a welcome feature if you get stuck in the tent during bad weather.
- Doors: The more doors, the easier access you have in and out. This is especially helpful if multiple people are sleeping in a tent.
- Vestibules: Rainfly extensions can give you sheltered storage for your gear.
- Ventilation: Stuffy tents are very uncomfortable, regardless of the climate. Tents with easy access ventilation give you the ability to create circulation. Lighter tents that include lots of mesh provide more natural ventilation.
Variations Of Backpacking Tents
Innovation and improved materials have yielded some specialized versions of backpacking tents that offer alternatives and their own unique advantages.
Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Ultralight backpacking is a backpacking type that places an emphasis on breaking a minimal amount of gear that also weighs the least amount possible.
This enables the backpacker to travel faster while using less energy due to a lighter load.
Tents made for ultralight backpacking are often very small, contain no extra doors or compartments, and are almost always a 1 person backpacking tent, although there is some 2 person backpacking tents available.
Hammock Tent
Backpacking hammock tents are rapidly increasing in popularity. These tents are more hammock than a tent, but they can still be used as a sort of shelter and bed all at once.
Backpacking hammock tents give you a lighter option that also gives you versatility when ground conditions aren’t ideal. These hammocks allow you to sleep off of the ground, sparing you from damp, rocky, or uneven ground.
Some hammock tents include mosquito nets, poles that can pop out and provide a dome over you, and an added compartment. Tarps can be set up over them to give you added shelter.
