The Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
- Best Overall Backpacking Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
- Best Budget Backpacking Tent: REI Co-op Trail Hut 2
- Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Zpacks Duplex Lite
- Best Budget Ultralight Backpacking Tent: Gossamer Gear The Two
- Best Minimalist Backpacking Tent: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2
- Weight: 3 lbs., 2 oz.
- Height: 40 in.
- Floor space: 29 sq. ft.
- Materials: Nylon, aluminum, and composite
- Vestibule area: 18 sq. ft.
Pros
- Light
- Stable
- Roomier than expected
- Excellent storage and vestibule design
Cons
- Expensive
- Struggles in high winds (above 40 mph)
- Somewhat fragile
- Weight: 5 lbs., 15 oz.
- Height: 40 in.
- Floor space: 31.7 sq. ft.
- Materials: Polyester, aluminum, and coated nylon taffeta
- Vestibule area: 19 sq. ft.
Pros
- Affordable
- Fully featured
- Durable design
Cons
- Bulky
- Heavy
- Weight: 14.9 oz.
- Packed size: 5" x 11"
- Peak height: 48"
- Floor space: 25 sq. ft.
- Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.55 oz./sq. yd. canopy, 0.75 floor)
- Vestibule area: 11 sq. ft.
- Doors: 2
Pros
- One of the most ultralight two-person shelters out there
- Very compact packed size
- Durable enough for an entire thru hike
- Small footprint for compact sites
- Doors can be closed individually
Cons
- A tight squeeze for two hikers, or anyone tall sleeping on an inflatable
- Expensive
- Rainbow zippers degrade quicker than L-zip designs
- DCF can shrink with age
- Weight: 23.5 oz.
- Height: 43 in.
- Floor dimensions (LxWxH): 84 x 48/42 (head slightly wider) x 43 in.
- Materials: Custom 10D nylon ripstop SIL/PU fabric
- Vestibule area: 10 sq. ft.
Pros
- Super spacious
- Ultralight
- Affordable
Cons
- Condensation tends to build up pretty easily
- Internal mesh pockets are placed a little awkwardly
- Weight: 1 lb., 2 oz.
- Height: 64 in.
- Floor space: 50 sq. ft.
- Materials: Cuben fiber, your trekking poles
Pros
- Ultralight
- Very strong
Cons
- Expensive
- Trekking pole tents aren’t for everyone
- Need space to set up guy lines
More Great Backcountry Options, Field Tested
- Weight: 13.9 oz. (for the blue color scheme)
- Height: 52 in.
- Floor space: 20.6 sq. ft.
- Materials: Dyneema (0.75 oz./sq. yd.)
Pros
- Extremely ultralight
- Well-ventilated
- Unique system of dealing with condensation buildup
- Only uses one trekking pole instead of two
Cons
- Expensive
- Somewhat annoying not having a zipper on the vestibule
- Weight: 2 lbs., 1 oz.
- Height: 37 in.
- Floor space: 27.3 sq. ft.
- Materials: OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric
- Vestibule area: 12.4 sq. ft.
Pros
- Ultralight
- Packs small
- Withstands weather
Cons
- Expensive
- Fragile for car camping or sharp rocks
- Weight: 6 lbs., 5 oz.
- Height: 43 in.
- Floor space: 32.9 sq. ft.
- Materials: Nylon and aluminum
- Vestibule area: 8.7 sq. ft.
Pros
- Value
- Storm-ready
- Lightweight for a four-season tent
Cons
- Single door
- Heavy
- Packed weight: 3 lbs., 10.7 oz.
- Height: 43.5 in.
- Floor space: 23 sq. ft.
- Materials: Polyester and aluminum
- Vestibule area: 19.5 sq. ft.
Pros
- Light but fairly durable
- Accommodating for people over 6 feet tall
- Steep walls
Cons
- Expensive
- Storage system overly complicated
- Packed weight: 3 lbs., 2 oz.
- Height: 41 in.
- Floor space: 29.0 sq. ft.
- Materials: OSMO ripstop/nylon blend, aluminum
- Vestibule area: 10.0 sq. ft. x 2
Pros
- Quick, simple setup
- Lightweight but durable
- Thoughtful storage design
Cons
- Narrow floor plan
- Expensive
- Weight: 1 lb., 14.4 oz.
- Height: 46 in.
- Floor space: 46.5 sq. ft. (fly), 20 sq. ft. (insert)
- Materials: 20-denier polyester with 2,500mm sil/PEU coating
- Vestibule area: 20 sq. ft. (10 sq. ft. x 2)
Pros
- Durable construction
- Unique, double-wall design
- Simple, four-stake pitch
- Affordable
Cons
- On the heavy side for an ultralight tent
- Small internal storage pockets
- Guy lines are a bit difficult to adjust
- Packed weight: 2 lbs., 13.7 oz.
- Height: 46.85 in.
- Floor space: 49.9 sq. ft.
- Materials: Nylon, mesh, aluminum
- Vestibule area: 28.7 sq. ft.
Pros
- Light
- 2 vestibules
- Can be supported with trekking poles
Cons
- Setup takes practice
- Not freestanding
- Minimum weight: 4 lbs., 11 oz.
- Packed weight: 5 lbs., 10 oz.
- Peak height: 44" / 111.76 cm
- Floor area: 32.4 sq. ft./ 3.0 sq. m
- Floor dimensions: 88" x 53" / 223.52 x 135.62 cm
- Vestibule: 9.2 sq. ft .+ 9.2 sq. ft. / 0.9 sq. m + 0.9 sq. m
- Canopy fabric: 68 D polyester / no-see-um mesh
- Rainfly fabric: PU polyester (2,000 mm)
- Floor fabric: 75 PU recycled polyester (2,000 mm)
Pros
- Very spacious
- Durable (a great long-term option)
- Footprint included
- Easy set-up
Cons
- Heavier than most backpacking tents
- Weight: 2 lbs., 2 oz.
- Height: 45 in.
- Floor space: 38 sq. ft.
- Materials: Nylon
Pros
- Ultralight
- Packs down small
- Can function as a tarp alone at just 17 oz.
Cons
- The 30-denier fabric is somewhat fragile
- Requires hiking poles (or a pole kit, purchased separately for $30-80) to set up
- Weight: 2 lbs. 14 oz. (10 oz. reduction from previous model)
- Floor space: 29 sq. ft.
- Height: 40 in.
- Materials: 20D ripstop nylon & DWR (canopy fabric), 20D ripstop nylon 1200mm Durashield polyurethane & DWR (floor fabric)
- Packed Size: 19 x 4.5 in.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Spacious
- No-curve door zippers
- Rain gutters on the fly
Cons
- Pretty expensive
- Rainfly somewhat difficult to set up
- Packed weight: 1 lbs., 8 oz.
- Height: 48 in.
- Floor space: 28 sq. ft.
- Materials: DCF5, DCF8, No-See-Um Mesh
- Vestibule area: N/A
Pros
- Ultralight
- Time-tested, simple design
- Stable in high wind
- Comparatively roomy
Cons
- Pricey
- Hot when in direct sun
- Waterproof zippers a bit difficult to close
Backpacking Tent Comparison Chart
Tent | Price | Weight | Height | Floor Space | Materials | Vestibule Area |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Agnes Copper Spur | $530 | 3 lbs., 2 oz. | 40 in. | 29 sq. ft. | Nylon, aluminum, and composite | 18 sq. ft. |
REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 | $229 | 5 lbs., 15 oz. | 40 in. | 31.7 sq. ft. | Polyester, aluminum, and coated nylon taffeta | 19 sq. ft. |
Zpacks Duplex Lite | $699 | 14.9 oz. | 48 in. | 25 sq. ft. | Dyneema Composite Fabric | 11 sq. ft. |
Gossamer Gear The Two | $320 | 23.5 oz. | 43 in. | 84 x 48/42 (head slightly wider) x 43 in. | Custom 10D Nylon Ripstop SIL/PU fabric | 10 sq. ft. |
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 | $699 | 1 lb., 2 oz. | 64 in. | 50 sq. ft. | Cuben fiber, your trekking poles | N/A |
NEMO Hornet Elite Osmo 2P | $650 | 2 lbs., 1 oz. | 37 in. | 27.3 sq. ft. | OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric | 12.4 sq. ft. |
Zpacks Plex Solo | $599 | 13.9 oz. | 52 in. | 20.6 sq. ft. | Dyneema (0.75 oz./sq. yd.) | N/A |
REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 | $449 | 6 lbs., 5 oz. | 43 in. | 32.9 sq. ft. | Nylon and aluminum | 8.7 sq. ft. |
Sea to Summit Telos TR2 | $449 | 3 lbs., 10.7 oz. | 43.5 in. | 23 sq. ft. | Polyester and aluminum | 19.5 sq. ft. |
NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2P | $500 | 3 lbs., 2 oz. | 41 in. | 29 sq. ft. | OSMO Ripstop/Nylon blend, aluminum | 10 sq. ft. x 2 |
Durston X-Mid 1 | $230 | 30.8 oz. | 46 in. | 46.5 sq. ft. (fly), 20 sq. ft. (insert) | 20 denier polyester with 2500 mm sil/PEU coating | 20 sq. ft. (10 sq. ft. x 2) |
REI Co-op Flash Air 2 | $329 | 2 lbs. 13.7 oz. | 46.85 in. | 49.9 sq. ft. | Nylon, mesh, Aluminum | 28.7 sq. ft. |
NEMO Aurora 2 | $300 | 5 lbs., 10 oz. | 44 in. | 32.4 sq. ft | 68 D polyester, PU polyester fly | 18.4 sq. ft. |
Six Moon Designs Haven Bundle | $375 | 2 lbs., 2 oz. | 45 in. | 38 sq. ft. | Nylon | N/A |
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 | $550 | 2 lbs., 14 oz. | 40 in | 29 sq. ft. | 20D ripstop nylon & DWR | N/A |
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P | $699 | 1 lb., 8 oz. | 48 in. | 28 sq. ft. | DCF5, DCF8, No-See-Um Mesh | N/A |

How We Tested Backpacking Tents
Our Expert Testers
Our Testing Grounds

Bench Testing
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Backpacking Tent


Ease of Setup

Freestanding and Non-Freestanding Backpacking Tents

Durability and Materials


Weight and Packed Size

Interior Space

Weather Resistance


Price & Value
Budget

Mid-Tier
Premium

FAQ
Prices of backpacking tents vary considerably. Materials and the weight of the tent cause prices to range from under $200 (such as the Kelty Late Start 2) to over $1,000 out the door.
Specialized ultralight tents such as the Hyperlite UltaMid or burly all-weather mountaineering tents are usually the most expensive and are made from very strong and light materials.
Less expensive tents are priced for the beginning or occasional hiker. Expect to spend a third of your budget on a tent, another third on your sleeping bag, and the rest on your cooking supplies, etc.
The amount you are willing to spend depends on your commitment to the sport. Affordable options are a great place to start, as you can then gauge your willingness to invest.

When buying a backpacking tent, pay attention to whether it is freestanding, like the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2, or requires trekking poles, like the Zpacks Duplex. Tents that use trekking poles are on average far lighter, but they take guy lines and know-how to set up.
Materials are important to consider as well. The more expensive tents offer light rip-resistant materials like cuben fiber (such as the Hyperlite UltaMid), while more economical models are bulky and heavier (see the REI Co-op Trail Hut). This affects not only weight but also packed size.
Make sure the tent has adequate space for your needs, with floor space, vestibules, and storage. Minimalist tents will be lighter but usually offer less in terms of extra pockets and storage. Tents more suited for car camping will have those amenities but weigh considerably more.
Ultralight tents are fragile, expensive shelters exposed to potentially harsh conditions in the wilderness. The major benefit of a tent like the Six Moon Designs Haven comes in very little weight and volume on your pack.
Having used several ultralight tents, we would say that most backpackers should steer clear of the absolute lightest tents unless they are extremely cautious with their gear.
And by that, we mean they put it away perfectly every time, and even go so far as to load their car and backpack with the care of their gear in mind. We’ve had holes worn in ultralight tents from nothing but friction and vibration during a 2-hour drive, so this isn’t an exaggeration.

So, if ultralight is too light for you, what is a reasonable weight for a backpacking tent? A well-established guideline is about 2.5 pounds per person, meaning a tent under 5 pounds for a two-person tent is reasonable.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur weighs in at 3 pounds, 2 ounces, which is very light split between two people, while the Zpacks Duplex is 1 pound, 3 ounces. Both tents are for two people but are made from different materials, and the Duplex depends on your trekking poles to set up.
Many tents offer footprints as an aftermarket add-on. A footprint is a piece of fabric that matches the shape of the tent floor. It often will clip into your tent poles or stake system to integrate with your setup under your tent.
The footprint offers protection against sharp objects on the ground and may increase the lifespan of your tent. However, carrying a footprint adds to the weight of your pack. So, you need to balance the need to protect your tent with the added weight of the footprint.
For ultralight tents such as the Hyperlite UltaMid or Zpacks Duplex, a footprint is often important to prevent damage. That’s somewhat ironic, as the tent is meant to be as light as possible.
For that reason, sometimes a slightly heavier floor build, as on the REI Co-op Arete, makes more sense, as you can leave the footprint behind. For car camping, a footprint is always a good idea, as it will increase the life of your tent.


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