Best Backpacking Tent 2024
Want to know what we think is the best backpacking tent for hiking in the US? Pick the best backpacking tent for you from our list of clearly ranked and analysed tents. All reviewed tents are 2-person tents, ideal for carrying on your back, and assessed with US conditions in mind. View more details of each key product via the ‘Read Full Review’ buttons below. After a larger camping tent? Check out our list of top family tents.
Updated 22nd January 2024
Backpacking Tent Reviews
MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Price At Time Of Writing | $549.95
Overall Rating | 95
Comfort | 9
Construction | 9
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 8
Versatility | 10
Packed Size - 19x4.5in
Weight - 3lbs 4oz
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - Comfortable, light, liveable
Cons - Price
Overall - A great all-rounder
Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO
Price At Time Of Writing | $649.95
Overall Rating | 94
Comfort | 9
Construction | 9
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 10
Versatility | 7
Packed Size - 19x40x2in
Weight - 2lb 1oz
Sleeping Size - 27.3sqft
Pros - Extremely lightweight, easy setup
Cons - Small, expensive, delicate
Overall - Excellent for when lightweight is key
Hilleberg Nammatj 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $925.00
Overall Rating | 93
Comfort | 9
Construction | 9
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 7
Versatility | 9
Packed Size - 20x7in
Weight - 6lbs 10oz
Sleeping Size - 30.1sqft
Pros - Durable, wind-resistant, warm
Cons - Heavy, expensive, single vestibule
Overall - Our choice for rugged, all-season conditions
Nemo Dragonfly OSMO
Price At Time Of Writing | $499.95
Overall Rating | 93
Comfort | 7
Construction | 9
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 10
Versatility | 8
Packed Size - 19.5x5.5in
Weight - 3lbs 2oz
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - Ultra lightweight
Cons - Price, tapered design
Overall - Excellent pure hiking tent
MSR Access 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $799.95
Overall Rating | 92
Comfort | 8
Construction | 8
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 7
Versatility | 10
Packed Size - 18x6in
Weight - 4lbs 1oz
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - Weather resistance, large vestibules
Cons - Packed size not great for price
Overall - An excellent, versatile 4-season tent
REI Co-op Trailmade 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $199.00
Overall Rating | 91
Comfort | 8
Construction | 7
Features | 8
Size/Weight | 9
Versatility | 9
Packed Size - 18x8.5in
Weight - 5.65lbs
Sleeping Size - 30.21sqft
Pros - Reasonably priced, well-made, spacious
Cons - Heavy, limited storage and headroom
Overall - A simple backpacking tent for beginners
Lightwave Sigma S22
Price At Time Of Writing | $549.00
Overall Rating | 90
Comfort | 9
Construction | 9
Features | 7
Size/Weight | 8
Versatility | 7
Packed Size - 18x7in
Weight - 3.3lbs
Sleeping Size - 32.3sqft
Pros - Roomy, lightweight, waterproof
Cons - Dark, have to thread poles
Overall - A great option for a single-walled tent
Heimplanet Fistral
Price At Time Of Writing | $799.00
Overall Rating | 89
Comfort | 9
Construction | 7
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 6
Versatility | 8
Packed Size - 7.87x14.96in
Weight - 6.44lbs
Sleeping Size - 31.22sqft
Pros - Quick setup and pack down, spacious
Cons - Heavy, wobbly
Overall - An innovative approach with complications
The North Face AMK Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT™
Price At Time Of Writing | $800.00
Overall Rating | 88
Comfort | 7
Construction | 9
Features | 8
Size/Weight | 6
Versatility | 8
Packed Size - 7x22in
Weight - 5lbs 15oz
Sleeping Size - 26.76sqft
Pros - Lightweight for a snow tent, durable material
Cons - Very small internal space, no internal pockets, condensation
Overall - Exceptional materials but better as a 1P
MSR Elixir 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $319.95
Overall Rating | 88
Comfort | 8
Construction | 8
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 5
Versatility | 8
Packed Size - 20x7in
Weight - 6lbs
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - High-quality construction, considered features
Cons - Size and weight
Overall - A versatile choice prioritiing comfort over lightweight
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $900.00
Overall Rating | 87
Comfort | 9
Construction | 10
Features | 9
Size/Weight | 4
Versatility | 5
Packed Size - 8x24in
Weight - 9.09lbs
Sleeping Size - 40sqft
Pros - Durable, spacious, simple setup
Cons - Heavy, bulky, low ceiling
Overall - A remote and strong backpacking tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL-2
Price At Time Of Writing | $529.95
Overall Rating | 85
Comfort | 7
Construction | 8
Features | 8
Size/Weight | 7
Versatility | 5
Packed Size - 19.5x6in
Weight - 3lbs 2oz
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - Light, good accessories
Cons - Asymmetrical
Overall - A quality 3-season tent, well priced
Marmot Tungsten 2P
Price At Time Of Writing | $379.00
Overall Rating | 85
Comfort | 8
Construction | 7
Features | 8
Size/Weight | 6
Versatility | 6
Packed Size - 24.4x5.9in
Weight - 4lbs 15.7oz
Sleeping Size - 30.1sqft
Pros - Cheap, roomy
Cons - Fly hard to attach, lacks storage
Overall - An inexpensive and roomy tent
Kelty Wireless 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $129.95
Overall Rating | 80
Comfort | 7
Construction | 6
Features | 7
Size/Weight | 5
Versatility | 5
Packed Size - 22x6xin
Weight - 7lb 5oz
Sleeping Size - 29sqft
Pros - Comfortable and durable
Cons - Heavy and gathers condensation
Overall - Great, durable tent for the price
BlackWolf Wasp UL
Price At Time Of Writing | $439.99
Overall Rating | 80
Comfort | 6
Construction | 3
Features | 3
Size/Weight | 7
Versatility | 3
Packed Size - 21x7in
Weight - 6.6lbs
Sleeping Size - 34.4sqft
Pros - Extra large space
Cons - Weight, lack of ventilation
Overall - Heavy for hiking, ok for camping
Naturehike Cloud-Up 2
Price At Time Of Writing | $169.95
Overall Rating | 73
Comfort | 5
Construction | 3
Features | 4
Size/Weight | 8
Versatility | 3
Packed Size - 16x5in
Weight - 4.2lbs
Sleeping Size - 27.98sqft
Pros - Price, light
Cons - Space, lack of storage
Overall - Not enough storage space
Kelty Late Start
Price At Time Of Writing | $159.95
Overall Rating | 71
Comfort | 4
Construction | 3
Features | 3
Size/Weight | 7
Versatility | 3
Packed Size - 16x7in
Weight - 4lbs 8oz
Sleeping Size - 29.5sqft
Pros - Simple to set up, durable
Cons - Single door and vestibule, cheaply made
Overall - A basic, low-cost choice
Advice We’d Give to A Friend
The Basics
How important is weight? - Weight contributes to the overall backpacking experience, but it is not the defining feature one should look for. Weight can often be reduced by sacrificing sleeping size or material quality, but the best available backpacking tents manage to find a happy medium. We have found that around 4.4lbs is an ideal weight for a combination of quality and comfort.
How many season tents do I need? - It depends on when you want to go camping. A 3-season tent is best for warmer months in Germany, while a 4-season tent will stand up to harsher weather (get outside in winter!). It is worth noting that 4-season tents trap the heat, so can get quite warm during summer. Essentially, these tent categories will help you identify what you need, depending on your activity.
Are backpacking tents easy to set up? - Yes, backpacking tents are built for ease of use. Most of the models we tested take only a couple of minutes to set up. The best backpacking tents for hiking are cleverly designed with instant pop-up features.
What features are important? - We prefer having double vestibules for extra storage for camping gear. Aside from that, single or double pole setup and at least 2 internal pockets definitely make for more convenient use. Weight, durability, and a comfortable sleeping space are obviously the other key features for the best backpacking tents in the US.
Budget
You can definitely get a decent 2-person backpacking tent for hiking without dropping a ton of cash — our best value is in our lowest tier after all. For a more detailed comparison, we can break the market into three budget categories:
Over $500 - This will give you the best lightweight backpacking tents.
$200 to $500 - Tents sold in this price range are still great and slightly different to high-end models. They are fairly priced given their similar quality to the ones over $400.
Under $200 - These tents are typically cramped or made from cheap materials that can fall apart over time. We suggest investing a bit more for the better options.
Purpose of Use
Think about how you will use your tent. Are you using it for backpacking/hiking or camping as well? Consider these questions when choosing a tent, whether it is solely for one activity or something more versatile. For instance, if you’re planning on using it often for car camping rather than backpacking, you may be willing to get a heavier tent that offers a larger sleeping space.
Ratings By Category
Method
After reviewing the market, we pick what we think will be the best hiking tents in each category from a variety of retailers. Each product selected gets 50 points automatically, just for being selected. We then perform field tests and in-person assessments to rank them out of 10 on the following categories: Comfort, Construction, Features, Size/Weight and Versatility.
Rankings are adjusted or weighted based on importance and how much they vary e.g., some categories will be categorised from 1 to 10 whereas others 4 to 9 etc. but there are sometimes outliers as well. We have tried our best to paint an accurate picture of how we rate each tent overall and why.
If you are looking for the best hiking tent in the US, this is where we hope to provide you with all the details. We believe good hiking tent reviews should provide you with all the information you need to make a decide.
Comfort
Comfort looks at the size of the sleeping space, including these three main elements: floorspace, headroom and layout of the design.
There can be quite a bit of difference in this area. The Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 tent has a design that has sloped walls, which reduces the already cramped space. As for the Kelty Late Start, the inner space reduces due to the sagging of the fly, which can make living inside uncomfortable. In the mid-range and best backpacking tents in the US, there isn’t a great deal of variation, though. For instance, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL-2 and Heimplanet Fistral both have a lot of room inside, although the Big Agnes does taper in at the feet. In our view, a spacious, symmetrical space is better.
Vango Nevis 200’s cramped interior
The MSR Hubba Hubba has a comfortable, symmetrical internal space
Construction
Construction essentially looks at materials used and craftsmanship. Fabrics and pole materials play a massive role in how durable it will be. There is usually a trade-off here between weight, quality and cost.
Strong aluminum poles are important, as fiberglass tends to snap, which is the last thing you want when you are in the outdoors. Ripstop waterproof materials with a decent PU (1200+) are also going to keep you dry and will be strong. These are probably the main things we suggest looking out for when looking for the best hiking tents. Some of the best hiking tents have thicker gauge poles, a higher denier (density) fabric with great waterproofing, like the MSR Hubba Hubba NX, or better cinch straps, which can help with durability. Most of the top-rated tents are water-resistant, like the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO. On the flip side, budget models, such as the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2, have some of these features, but the design and layout of their poles make the overall structure weak or less waterproof as there are areas where water can pool rather than draining straight off.
The MSR Hubba Hubba uses high quality ripstop nylon and waterproofing, sturdy webbing and aluminum
The Vango Nevis 200 can be difficult to pitch correctly in a way that ensures water won’t pool on its less-sloped sides
Features
Features look at the more cosmetic liveability features such as the number of vestibules, privacy screens, number of pockets and ease of setup.
Given that these are 2-person tents, double vestibules are crucial features to look for as they provide extra room for each person to stow their hiking pack or other goods. Having a single-pole arrangement and a few pockets to store a headlamp or other items you want nearby are also helpful. Also useful are privacy screens. The majority of these features are included in all of the mid- to high-range hiking tents we tested. The Kelty Wireless 2 is easy to set up, while the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 has one very narrow vestibule and is light on features. The Copper Spur was the most fully-featured tent we reviewed, with a variety of pocket types and even vestibules that can act as awnings.
The Nemo Hornet has two doors and numerous ventilation points
The Vango Nevis 200 tent is more difficult to set up and low on storage space
Size/Weight
Size/weight looks at the weight in pounds and the packed size, i.e., how much room it will take up in your pack.
The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO is the clear standout here. At only 2lbs, it’s the best in terms of being a lightweight hiking tent if you are looking for something to use purely for hiking. Of the mid- to high-range tents, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL-2 is also great at 3lbs, but packs much larger than the Nemo Hornet. The Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 is lightweight, but it’s important to note that it achieves this to the detriment of quality in other areas. The Hilleberg Nammatj 2 is the heaviest tent we reviewed at 6.6lbs, which is heavier than we’d like in a hiking tent (but it does offer great durability and comfort, and is a proper 4-season/snow tent).
Marmot Tungsten vs Nemo Hornet Size
Versatility
This category looks at whether we would use the tent for short hiking trips, multi-day hiking trips or just camping. A good all-rounder can be used for all three.
With a spacious interior and lightweight package, the MSR Hubba Hubba NX is a great all-rounder that can be used for anything. While expensive, the MSR Access 2 is another good, versatile option with plenty of headroom. The Hilleberg Nammatj 2 works great if you’re camping out in rugged, all-season conditions and the Heimplanet Fistral is incredibly durable and resistant to windy and rainy weather. On the other hand, how the Marmot Tungsten will fare depends on how well you get the fly set. There are small differences between the top brands, as you can see from the below images.
The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is equipped with a net on top to allow you to stargaze in warm weather
Nemo Hornet has two wide, mesh doors
About Our Testing Process
Here at The Equipment Guide we write reviews for the US with the goal of providing genuine personal assessments of the best products on the market. We do detailed research including field tests to make an informed judgment and help you get a better understanding of what is out there.
All products are reviewed and ranked in a methodical and careful manner and we assess them on relevant key features. We do not accept free products from manufacturers.
Our mission is simple: To create the US’ best outdoor gear reviews.
Afterword
We hope our reviews have helped you pick from the best lightweight backpacking tents in Germany!
The main takeaway is that there is a tent fit for every purpose and budget. You’ll certainly find one among our reviews. If you have any feedback or product suggestions, feel free to drop us a note.
If you happen to buy one of the tents we’ve recommended, do share some pics with us — we’d love to see you in action!