How to choose the best backpacking tent?

Jul. 27, 2023

How to choose the best backpacking tent?

If you’ve been enjoying day hiking for a while and looking to get into backpacking and overnight hiking, shopping for gear can be overwhelming! There are so many options, brands and price points it can be hard to tell which will be the best backpacking tents and which ones will just fall apart on you after one summer.

In this ultimate guide to choosing the best backpacking tent, we’ll go over things you should consider before you buy, what different types of backpacking tents there are, what the top-rated tents are and where you can get them.

What to look for in a backpacking tent

Different hikers will have different needs, for example, a solo hiker won’t want the same tent as a family of four! So, think about how you’ll use your tent – how many people will be sleeping in it? What times of year are you most likely to use it? Will you be camping in particularly buggy areas, like near lakes and streams?

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The first question is easy – how many people need to sleep in your tent. This will help you start to narrow down your search, whether you need a one-man, two-man or more, tent. While you’re checking out, say, one-man tents, keep weight in mind. Don’t be deceived by tents labeled as a backpacking tent for one or two people but that weighs more than 4 pounds! That is not a good backpacking tent!

That might be a good tent for car camping, but for backpacking, you’ll want something lighter. As a general rule of thumb, I wouldn’t go over 2 pounds per person for a tent or shelter. I have a one-man tarp tent for myself that I love that is just over 1 pound. So, I’m always surprised when I hear some hikers lug around a 4-pound tent by themselves!

Also, lighter weight doesn’t always have to break the bank. For example, my tent that’s just over a pound, cost about $150, which isn’t so shabby for a good quality tent that’s held up over 1,300 miles on the Appalachian Trail, plus 5 summers since then. I know you may be tempted by the $30-$40 Walmart tent – but I promise it will be worth it to splurge a little on one that will last – and won’t leak on you.

Then, you have to think about when you will be camping. If you’ll be winter camping, you’ll want a four-season tent, specific for winter temperature and conditions. But if you’ll be camping out mostly in the summer, and maybe Spring and Fall, then a 3-season tent will be just fine.

If you’ll be camping in really buggy areas, think like back-country boating on a lake or river – you’ll most definitely want a tent or tarp tent that is enclosed, to help keep the bugs out. But if you’ll be camping mostly in high alpine areas, where bugs aren’t nearly as much of an issue, you could get away with just a tarp if you wanted. Or you may be able to squeeze by with a tarp and a bug head net if it’s too buggy out.

Types of backpacking tents

Freestanding tents

As the name implies these tents can stand up all by themselves, using their own poles. They don’t rely on tent stakes or tension to hold their shape. While tent poles are getting lighter and lighter over the years, these are going to be one of your heavier options as far as tents go. But they are a little sturdier in general, by design, and a little more fool-proof to get set up.

Best Freestanding Backpacking Tents

Nemo Dragonfly 2

Voted as one of the lightest 3-season, 2-person freestanding tents.

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rei co-op quarter dome

Voted as best compromise between price and weight for a 2-person, freestanding tent.

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rei co-op trail hut 2

Voted as most affordable 2-person, freestanding tent.

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Tarp tents

These are a kind of hybrid, based on the idea of using a tarp as a shelter, but they are still usually fully enclosed, with a solid floor and mesh along the sides to keep the creepy crawlies out. They do not stand up by themselves, they rely on a trekking pole (or two) and the tension of being staked well into the ground to keep their shape. Since they don’t use traditional tent poles, they are a lighter option.

And, yes, then you need trekking poles – but you should have those anyway, so it’s a win-win. These can be a little intimidating at first to set up, but once you have it figured it out and create a system and habit that suits you on the trail, you’ll have it set up in no time at all.

Best Tarp Tents

lunar solo

This is the one I personally use and is voted as most affordable, ultralight tent.

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black diamond distance

While this tent may seem to be the most expensive at a glance, it includes a set of Black Diamond trekking poles, which makes it the best overall package.

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rei co-op flash air 2

This ultralight 2-person tent is voted as most spacious backpacking tent at 28 square feet.

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Backpacking Tarps

As simple as it sounds, you can use just a plain old tarp. Well, not just any old tarp, those blue or brown tarps you get at hardware stores are heavy! Backpacking-specific tarps are made of ultralight material and reinforced in all the right places. Like tarp tents, these go up using tension, either staked down over trekking poles or tied out to trees to create a shelter.

If you’re using a tarp, you will be more exposed to nature, putting your sleeping right on the ground, or just a small ground cloth and the sides are open to critters and creepy crawlies. Most hikers that I’ve talked to who use tarps say they’ve never had issues with critters…. But I’m not willing to take the risk! I like to be all screened and zipped in at night, but that’s my personal preference.

Best Backpacking Tarps

sea to summit escapist

Voted most compact and ultralight at 9.5 ounces.

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Kammock Kuhli Ultralight tarp

Voted best balance of weight and price for a tarp shelter.

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rei co-op quarterdome tarp

This ultralight 2-person tarp is voted as most spacious backpacking tarp covering 90 square feet.

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Bivies

Okay, a bivy is not exactly a tent, but I think it’s worth mentioning while you’re shopping around. A bivy is simply a shield or cover that goes over you and your sleeping bag to protect you from the elements. You can find very lightweight bivies, about a pound, for under $200, so it is worth considering. Just keep in mind, these are great for sleeping in, probably not so much for hanging out in or spending a rainy zero-day in, since there’s not much room in there.

Best Bivies For Backpacking

black diamond twilight

Voted as best overall, ultralight, super compact, and mid-range price can’t be beat.

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rei co-op Shell bivy

Voted most affordable, while still staying ultralight.

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Outdoor research alpine bivy

Voted best 4-season bivy with pole support.

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Do you need a ground cloth for your tent?

Most manufacturers and retailers will recommend a ground cloth to extend the life of your tent and help protect the floor of your tent from tears and excessive water exposure. And, yes, that might help. But honestly, I think it’s a little overkill. Like I said, I’ve had and used my tarp tent for five summers now with NO ground cloth.

Gasp! And it’s really fine. I mean, I am careful with my tent and where I put it, but I’ve never had any issues or tears on the bottom from not using a ground cloth, knock on wood! Ground cloths are going to add a little extra weight, and sometimes extra cost, especially if you buy one from a retailer.

Alternatively, a lot of hikers just use leftover Tyvek from construction sites or hardware stores as a ground cloth, which you can sometimes get for free by asking nicely, so I hear.

If it’s going to give you peace of mind to have a ground cloth under your tent, then by all means, use one!

If you’re just tarping it, a ground cloth maybe a little more beneficial there to help keep your sleeping pad and sleeping bag clean and dry.

Where to buy your backpacking tent

First on the list, I have to say REI. REI has totally won over my heart with everything they stand for, and fight for, as a company through their actions and advertising. All the feels aside, their customer service and return policy can’t be beat. This is the place to go if you still have a lot of questions and need some more guidance about gear, their staff will walk you through everything and get you set up. Be sure to become a member first to earn back a dividend on your purchases.

If you already know what you want, and don’t need any extra help deciding from expert staff, then you can search for deals online on backcountry.com, steepandcheap.com or campsaver.com. Or, if you have an REI near you, keep an eye out for their annual garage sale, where you can get steeply discounted, used gear.

If you have any other questions about backpacking tents – let me know in the comments below!

For more backpacking gear recommendations check out:

About the author, Mallory:

After studying Recreation, Park & Tourism Management, Mallory spent several years teaching environmental education, guiding hikes, and leading backcountry trips. Her life-changing trek from Georgia to New York on the Appalachian Trail is what sparked the creation of Your Adventure Coach, to share backpacking tips and resources with as many new hikers as possible.

How to Choose the Best Family Tent for Camping [Buying Guide]

The first criterion to look at. You all want to be able to get into the tent and make yourself comfortable.

So first look at the capacity (number of people) indicated by the tent manufacturer.

Some manufacturers add a "+" sign after the number of people. This means that the tent has a little extra space, useful for storing your belongings in the tent for example.

In addition to the tent capacity indicated by the manufacturer, study the different areas of the tent.

Is there only room to sleep there? Or are recreational/kitchen/etc. spaces provided?

When camping with your family, it can be super useful and fun not to step on your feet.

Tent weight

Depending on the use you make of your family tent, its weight may go from secondary to crucial.

Large camping tents can quickly become heavy or even very heavy. 44-66 lbs (20-30 kg) for some of them!

If you do a lot of hiking, backpacking or biking, choose a family tent that is as light as possible.

You can find an ultra-light 4-person family tent starting at 6 lbs (3 kg). This is the ideal! Very easily transportable.

However, a light family tent weighing 8 to 13 lbs (4-6 kg) will also be an interesting choice.

Note: for more backpacking light tents, I wrote a special guide: Best 1-Person, 2-Person, 3-Person and 4-Person Backpacking Tents 2019

On the contrary, if you travel by car and usually stay in the same place for several days, you will probably attach less importance to the weight of your tent. And certainly not at the expense of other comfort criteria.

Also think about the volume of the tent when it is folded and make sure you have room to carry it in the trunk of your car and store it at home.

In order to reduce the amount of space your tent takes up when folded, you can use a compression bag.

Tent shape

There are different forms of family tents with their advantages and disadvantages.

There are 4 different types of family tents:

Dome or igloo: Dome or igloo tents are mostly self-supporting, i.e. they stand on their own, even without guy lines. They are easy to assemble and stable.

Tunnel: Tunnel family tents are more spacious and usually quite high. They offer a comfortable interior with large apses for storing equipment and one or more bedrooms.

Hybrid: The hybrid tent is a mix between dome and tunnel tents. Composed of two arches forming a dome extended by an awning, it thus makes it possible to combine the advantages of both types of tents.

Teepee: With its pyramidal structure and central pole, the teepee tent has a unique charm. Its interior is generally quite spacious and you can stand in the middle. Very user-friendly, some teepee tents are even compatible with the use of a wood-burning stove.

Organization of the family tent

Family tent with awning, with vestibule, with kitchenette...

The family tent can contain many spaces to accommodate the whole family.

Define the tent organization that suits you.

Do you want a spacious family tent or do you prefer a light and compact tent?

It all depends on how much time you spend in it and what you do. It is very practical to have a vestibule when it rains and to share moments with the family (board games, meals...) or an awning to enjoy the landscape while sheltering from the sun.

Tent height

The height of the tent is also a criterion to be taken into account. Family tents are usually at least 40 in (1 m) high. However, a height of 70 to 78 in (1.80 - 2 m) allows you to stand upright inside and move around inside the tent more easily.

To take care of the children, but also if you are tall, choosing a family tent high enough will bring real comfort.

Ease of assembly

If you travel regularly, the ease of setting up the family tent will be essential. You don't want to spend hours putting it together and taking it apart on a daily basis.

A traveling family tent is a family tent that is quick to set up.

To determine how easy it is to set up a tent, check customer reviews on Amazon. Those who have struggled to set up their tents are often quick to say so in their comments.

Also keep in mind that larger and heavier tents take usually more time to mount.

If you are looking for a tent that is really fast and easy to set up, look out for automatic tents, also called instant tents, 2-second tents or pop up tents.

These tents, which can be moved at will, unfold on their own to take their final shape.

You have almost nothing to do! Well, you always have to look for the place and install sleeping pads and mattresses and sleeping bags inside, right?!

Novices in camping, starting with an automatic tent is the solution to avoid difficulties in mounting up your tent.

Materials and durability

Your tent is your home! For a few days or weeks, your tent provides shelter from the elements.

It must therefore be solid and protective. It is consequently essential that your tent is built with quality, solid and durable materials.

How to choose the best backpacking tent?