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Best Backpacking Tent

Last Updated: December 28, 2020

Packing a top of the line tent is one of the best ways to ensure comfort, safety, and enjoyment when embarking on an outdoor adventure.

If your enthusiasm for the outdoors is fresh, you will soon realize how overloaded the market is and how difficult it can be to choose the best backpacking tent that best compliments your preference and your circumstance.

You’ve commenced your search at a prosperous time with the market offering an array of products ranging from ultralight to budget-friendly, which makes it very likely you’ll have a connection with at least one backpacking tent out there.

There are many things to consider; an exemplary backpacking tent will be lightweight, spacious, and tough enough to handle an impressive range of weather and climates.

That’s why we’ve created the best backpacking tent guide to assist your search.

We’ve narrowed it down to five products that we believe are excellent contenders to be crowned the best backpacking tent to shelter you on any future trips.

Our Reviews
1

Bessport Camping 2-Person Backpacking Tent

The Bessport Backpacking Tent, designed for two people, has plenty of room to accommodate up to two adults.

The featured two D-shaped doors and two vestibules increase the tent’s overall space and make for a comfortable space to shelter you in between demanding outdoor tasks.

The tent has an overall weight of 5.2 pounds, which is an excellent weight for two people taking on the outdoors.

Weather resistance is vital for a tent, and the seam taped construction of this tent makes an impassable barrier against rain and prevents leakage from occurring.

Protection from wet grounds is essential, and this tent has you covered by offering a welded floor design that elevates the bottom of the backpacking tent.

The full-coverage rain fly also protects you from rain, making it a useful choice for backpacking endeavors during potential rainstorms.

The mesh panels improve ventilation and allow you and your partner to enjoy the view of your surroundings, but includes a ripstop that offers privacy and wind-resistance – all without sacrificing breathability.

You can add this tent to your outdoor gear at a reasonable price, and although no warranty is offered, Bessport is known for their good communication with customers and will replace faulty tents.

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Pros

  • Weather-resistant
  • Easy setup
  • Lightweight
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Some consumers have experienced problems with zippers
2

ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent

The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is a rare find and an excellent choice for a tent to entertain various outdoor adventures, and primarily works well as a backpacking tent.

It is a one-person dome tent that is designed to give the lone-ranger enough space to create a home to recuperate in between the difficulties of outdoor life.

It is worth noting the tent is narrow and doesn’t leave room for an extra person or a large amount of equipment, so it would be ideal if you planned to keep your gear at a minimum.

The tent is a freestanding shelter constructed with an aluminum frame, and the well-crafted pole clips create an easy assembling of the frame poles.

With a total weight of 4.1 pounds and a trail weight of 3.5 pounds, it brings ease to your back when getting from point A to point B.

For a one-person tent, it is quite expensive and might be out of reach to some consumers on a budget that restricts their options.

However, we believe if you’re looking for a personal tent that will protect you from the outdoors on a backpacking endeavor, it is an excellent choice with the value for money.

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Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Great ultralight size
  • Excellent weather protection

Cons

  • Some users have experienced issues with stitching and zippers
  • Not as spacious as other tents on the market
3

Big Agnes Copper Spur Backpacking Tent

The Copper Spur HV UL, created by Big Agnes, falls on the more expensive side of the price spectrum.

That said, a rise in price is typically associated with higher quality. The 2-person edition has a trail weight of 3.7 pounds, which provides you with an ultralight experience without compromising vital features.

It is famous for the high volume it provides. The volume increase is due to the pole architecture and angle hub, which creates a grand interior and overall structural reliability.

A solid structure and plenty of space allow you and your group to mimic your home design by providing the room for living space, which will be handy if you encounter any storms.

The tent can endure potential rainstorms and will keep you dry and high with its waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane taped seams. Both the rain fly and floor are heavy-duty with a waterproof rating of 1200mm.

You can acquire the Copper Spur in a range of sizes, from 1-person to 4-people, and is available in two color combinations: grey and orange or olive green.

To create a better shelter, it includes two large, dual-zipper doors, which betters the overall accessibility.

Storage won’t be an issue as this backpacking tent provides storm flaps, ceiling pockets, and various mesh pockets to keep your survival gear organized and ready to use at any given time.

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Pros

  • Ultralight
  • Compact and packable
  • Available in 2 colors/4 capacities
  • Waterproof
  • Plenty of storage

Cons

  • Price might not be compatible with budgets
  • Quality of zippers have been questioned
4

MOON LENCE 2-Person Backpacking Tent

The MOON LENCE 2-person backpacking tent offers outdoor enthusiasts a lightweight and roomy tent that is spacious enough for two adults, and compact to entertain a backpacking experience.

Its durable polyurethane fabric used to craft the tent provides 2000mm water resistance and excellent UV resistance, so whatever the climate, you will be covered to entertain a range of weathers.

When on the move, this tent, weighing 5.2 pounds, won’t burden your back or dampen your spirits.

It is equipped with a rainfly and has a double-layer design that provides a stronger resistance to harsh weather.

Although the tent is double-stitched, it features a large section of mesh netting and 2 D-shaped doors to provide better ventilation and prevents condensation from occurring.

Enjoy an easy setup time with its two shock cord connecting poles with clips, which can be ready to shelter you in under 10 minutes.

Designed for two people, if you’re riding solo or want to hear your echo, you can easily use this tent for personal pleasure. It’s also available in three colors: blue, green, and orange.

On the market at a reasonable price, the MOON LENCE backpacking tent is an excellent choice and will honor budgets.

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Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Waterproof
  • Easy setup
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Hard to compress it to its original size
5

Bessport Camping & Backpacking Tent

The Bessport camping tent has impressed backpackers with its excellent combination of weight and capacity.

At 5.5 pounds, it is lightweight with a simple design and can be easily stored in your backpack and won’t halt your backpacking-performance.

It has enough space to room two people, and has been designed to fit either one full-size air mattress or two sleeping bags, and even leaves room for any equipment you have stored.

The tent, engineered to endure even the harshest climates, has an impressive waterproof index of 3000mm. The fully taped seams ensure the rain stays where it belongs and keeps you dry.

Its high waterproof index and wind-responsive frame with redesigned poles mean it performs best in windy climates where rain and snow are inevitable. That said, it can accommodate warmer, drier environments.

Its large mesh window and two ceiling vents in the upper section of the tent provide ample airflow and prevent condensation from causing inconvenience and discomfort.

You can acquire the tent at a reasonable price, and it is available in a range of colors and capacities to meet different needs and preferences.

The colors available are inconspicuous and will integrate you with nature and hide you from any surrounding threats.

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Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Easy setup
  • Waterproof
  • Available in 4 colors & different capacities

Cons

  • Although lightweight, it's heavier than average

The Best Backpacking Tent: A Buyer’s Guide

Looking for a high-quality tent that best suits your preference, budget, and circumstance requires a thoughtful search before finalizing any purchases.

Therefore, looking for the best tent explicitly designed for backpacking needs more attention.

A range of factors should be considered, including the weight and trail weight, its durability, the ventilation it offers, interior storage, and space. Will the tent bring a homely ambiance throughout your trip?

Weight and Trail Weight

You are backpacking, and you won’t have a vehicle to carry your equipment for you. Therefore weight is essential to make your backpacking trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Favorable, lightweight tents are your best option on a backpacking trip, and most (if not all) tents are as lightweight as possible. The lighter the weight, the more overall enjoyment you’ll experience.

A tent is one of the most cumbersome items on your back (grouped with a backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad), so this is where you should keep the weight as minimal as possible.

The tents featured on our list succeed in combining weight and comfort, all while bringing convenience when you’re on the move. Ultralight tents are also on the market, but will likely mean compromising other features that may be important to you.

Durability

Lightweight and ultralight tents, usually constructed with thinner materials, can be more prone to damage if not used cautiously.

That’s not to say lightweight tents won’t be a long term investment; there are plenty of lightweight and ultralight tents on the market that will last for thousands of miles on your trek.

However, they are overall less durable than heavy-duty shelters, so if a tent with longevity is vital to you, you perhaps might want to choose one of the heavier recommendations built for durability.

Ventilation

Whatever the climate, you will want a tent with proper ventilation. You can prevent condensation from occurring if you acquire a shelter that offers value in tentsite selection and ventilation. A backpacking tent with lots of mesh netting will allow air to flow effectively and contribute to a comfortable experience.

Interior Storage

Outdoor gear and equipment will be stored in your bag to elevate your backpacking experience. Therefore you will need room to unpack and have your equipment nearby in case of an emergency.

So, when you find a base, a tent that is spacious and offers storage will be preferred.

If this is essential to you, you should look out for a tent that has internal pockets and gear loops to hang gear from the ceiling. Some will have a gear loft and vestibule space, these are both not necessary, but they are incredibly beneficial.

All of these features, including multiple doors, helps to prevent any commotion on entry and exit.

Home Away from Home

It might not be a priority for you. Still, if your adventure runs over an extensive period, you will probably want some familiarity with your backpacking experience.

You can mimic the comforts of your home if you find a tent that provides exceptional amenities with a house-like design.

Even though the majority of backpacking tents, due to their lightweight, are designed for two people, acquiring a tent with doors and windows can create a home illusion. It provides the shelter with a more spacious feel and brings in natural light.

However, it’s not just about the shelter; you can find ways to increase comfort with all of the gear you acquire in your backpack.

Price

Tents designed specifically for backpacking often means a rise in price, however, you can find tents that both exceed in quality with a budget-friendly price.

Recap

Out of the five tents featured on our list, the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent gets our vote as the best backpacking tent.

It offers a range of features that is impressive to hold for an individual tent to possess and is best suited for mountain goers, lone-explorers, and backpackers.

This tent comfortably sleeps one person, and although ALPS doesn’t offer other capacities, we believe that this personal tent will be an excellent investment to last you a long time.

Highly durable and weather-resistant, this tent with a 2000mm waterproof coating protects you from various elements and can entertain a range of climates, wherever you find yourself backpacking.

That said, our best might not be your preference. All five tents offer originality and bring something special to the table, and will all be worthy choices to shelter your adventure.

We hope you’ve found a tent that entertains your needs.

Thanks for reading, and please leave any recommendations for future posts or reviews. We’d love to hear from you!

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