8 Finest Backpacking Tents of 2024

Finest Three-Particular person Backpacking Tent

Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3

Weight: 3.81 lbs | Dimensions (in): 89 L x 68/59 W x 43 H

The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 provides extra inside ground area and headroom per pound than any tent within the take a look at, but weighs lower than many 2-person choices and packs down as small because the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2. That makes it fairly compelling, even in case you solely hike with two different folks from time to time. The 18 sq ft vestibules and eight inner pockets, together with a large gear hammock hanging from the ceiling, ought to assist when sorting gear. A strutted vent within the ceiling cuts down on condensation contained in the fly and helps the tent keep cool on sunny days. 4 guylines safe the construction in heavy winds and the waterproof fly saved us dry throughout a three-day rainstorm. Coloration-coding, a multi-function double-door system, and labeled options make the Copper Spur simple to arrange and use. You can too flip the rainfly into an awning with trekking poles or a sunshade with a footprint, bought individually.

The tapered footprint design of the HV UL3 makes it tough to stash additional gear by your ft. Fortunately, you should buy a separate gear loft that attaches to a few loops within the ceiling if you would like further storage. A extra urgent downside is the tent’s extraordinarily light-weight material and poles aren’t as sturdy as we might like (the identical poles broke with two different tents throughout testing — fortuitously, they’re fairly simple to restore.) The corporate recommends shopping for a footprint to guard your tent. We agree with this advice, although we did not encounter any sturdiness points throughout testing. The rainfly also can sag over time and when moist. When it does, a pool of water can type on the roof the place the poles overlap until you retain it tightened. If sturdiness is your main concern, the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is constructed for excessive climate. Nevertheless, your third individual must pack their very own shelter, as this tent is simply sufficiently big for 2. Regardless of these shortcomings, the HV UL3 is a wonderful choice for many who need the pliability to vary the variety of people in your backpacking get together.

Weight breakdown: 10 oz tent physique, 7 oz fly, 16.7 oz poles, 2.5 oz per stake (8)

Learn extra: Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 overview

Finest Two-Particular person Backpacking Tent

SlingFin Portal 2

Weight: 3.34 lbs | Dimensions (in): 90 L x 51/42 W x 44 H

The SlingFin Portal 2 packs a great deal of good particulars into a light-weight package deal, nevertheless it’s the weather-resistant options that set it other than different choices examined. It features a whopping 12 attachment factors for exterior guylines to carry the poles regular in stiff winds. Inside guylines on the foot present additional help, and outrigger attachments use mountaineering poles to assist help the burden of an sudden snowstorm. The tent contains removable struts to prop the rainfly zippers open for additional air flow, which cuts down on condensation in a storm. The Portal additionally offers a beneficiant residing area, and you’ll sit up in almost half of it (27.7 sq ft). Seven pockets that vary from bedside telephone sleeves to a ceiling-mounted hammock enable you hold each stray hat, map, and sock organized. The tent is sturdy, too, with backup zipper pulls constructed into every of its mesh doorways.

With so many top-notch design parts, it is no shock that the Portal is a top-dollar tent. Excessive worth apart, our solely different critique is that its ground space is shorter than we might like. Throughout testing, we discovered it is nonetheless lengthy sufficient for taller people, however the few inches it lacks are noticeable once you slide down and your sleeping bag winds up pressed in opposition to the wall. Fortunately, the vestibules are roomy sufficient for many of your gear. If you’re looking for nice climate safety and spectacular consolation in a extremely moveable tent, this one will serve you nicely on a variety of adventures. In case you favor to sleep underneath the celebrities with out a rainfly, the Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2 has the identical darkish, star-gazing-friendly mesh on the ceiling however contains mild mesh on the partitions, providing you extra privateness.

Weight breakdown: 19.8 oz tent physique, 13.9 oz fly, 13.7 oz poles, 3.8 oz per stake (10)

Learn extra: SlingFin Portal 2 overview

Finest Bang for Your Buck

NEMO Aurora 2

Weight: 5.51 lbs | Dimensions (in): 84 L x 52 W x 44 H

The Nemo Aurora 2 is essentially the most spacious and ethereal feeling tent we have examined. We measured a peak peak of 44 inches, over 30 sq. ft of ground area, and sufficient headroom to sit down up in all however 5 of these sq. ft. It is sturdy and is backed by Nemo’s lifetime guarantee. The tent comes with a footprint to cut back put on and tear, and you’ll order a further Pawprint protector that snaps into the corners in case you typically journey with canines. Two vents on both finish of the tent open huge with struts to shed warmth and humid air, and the tent’s two huge doorways can totally open for an epic cross breeze. You can too pitch the fly and the footprint alone as a sunshade. 4 pockets offer you area to prepare your stuff, and there may be loads of room for the remainder contained in the tent or within the 18.4 sq. foot vestibules.

Regardless of holding its personal throughout our three-day rain take a look at, the Aurora had some water creep in and bead up on the ground by the pinnacle of the tent. We must always notice the fly options loops to connect guylines to stake it out on the tent’s head and foot, however the traces do not come connected. As soon as we added them, the tent stayed dry. At 5.5 kilos, this tent is heavy and ponderous to pack. Two folks can actually splint the burden and haul it into the backcountry, however they may not wish to. Nonetheless, it serves as a sturdy base camp in case you aren’t venturing too far and might be an ideal crossover tent for automobile campers who sometimes hit the path. The North Face Stormbreak 2 is a equally roomy, excellently priced, and weather-resistant tent that weighs 6.27 kilos, although we do have some sturdiness considerations attributable to fraying material and bunching seams.

Weight breakdown: 27 oz tent physique, 26.8 oz fly, 19.5 oz poles, 4.4 oz per stake (8), 7.3 oz footprint

Learn extra: Nemo Aurora 2 overview

Finest On a Tight Price range

REI Co-op Trailmade 2

Weight: 5.65 lbs | Dimensions (in): 87 L x 50 W x 40 H

Light-weight backpacking tents are dear. In case you’re keen to hold extra weight or have a stable associate to separate it with, the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 will get you out within the backcountry for much less. It is also more likely to final. Heavier tents — just like the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT — are sometimes extra sturdy since they will make use of thicker materials and sturdier elements. The hearty polyester material, footprint, sturdy aluminum poles, and old-school steel stakes of the Trailmade ought to stand as much as regular use. In our exams, we additionally discovered the setup simple, with easy cross-pole building, and you’ll zip and unzip the fly and tent doorways single-handedly. As soon as inside, there’s a formidable quantity of ground area, and the beneficiant size offers most campers sufficient room to retailer their packs by their ft. Two strutted vents within the rainfly hold air circulating.

The Trailmade lacks a cross pole. As such, it would not supply a lot in the best way of headroom, with lower than 5 sq. ft to sit up. It additionally solely has two small pockets measuring 5 x 13 inches. Although the tent remained dry throughout our rain exams, there are not any guylines on the head and foot to tug the fly out, shield the tent, and permit air to circulation — this isn’t the best tent for windy circumstances. Managing condensation may also be a problem contained in the thick rainfly. The ceiling vents assist, nevertheless it’s finest to make sure you go away room across the edges of the vestibule to extend air flow. Contemplating the whole lot, we really feel that is your finest guess in case you favor mellow circumstances and reasonably priced, roomy tents. The Kelty Late Begin 2 is one other cheap choice with an included footprint. It provides extra inside area and luxury per pound than the Trailmade, nevertheless it let water creep in throughout our storm exams.

Weight breakdown: 26.3 oz tent physique, 22.8 oz fly, 15.7 oz poles, 12.3 oz per stake (10), 6.9 oz footprint

Learn extra: REI Co-op Trailmade 2 overview

Finest Weight to Efficiency Ratio

Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Weight: 2.99 lbs | Dimensions (in): 85 L x 50/39 W x 40 H

The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is the 2-person model of the UL3 mentioned above. They share many options we love, together with 18 sq. ft of vestibule area, however the two-person model weighs virtually a pound much less. 4 neatly positioned pockets, together with a big hammock slung from the ceiling, and 9 easy-to-use loops offer you loads of storage choices. Coloration-coded straps and built-in attachment factors for the tent and rainfly make for a easy setup course of. The rainfly is light-weight, has one strut vent within the ceiling, and breathes nicely. We respect that you would be able to configure its doorways in quite a few methods, together with utilizing one door as an awning to maintain harsh daylight or drizzle at bay.

The rain flies on each Copper Spur tent fashions are lengthy, which blocks rain, but in addition restricts air flow. It additionally means retaining them stretched tightly is tougher. Let the fly sag, which it tends to do within the rain, and a pool of water can type on the roof the place the poles cross. Whereas the tent stayed dry throughout our take a look at, it will probably doubtlessly soak by way of in case you do not shake it off. In comparison with darkish mesh, the internal tent’s white mesh ceiling just isn’t as very best for stargazing, and all the material is extraordinarily light-weight. We might observe the corporate’s advice to buy the optionally available footprint to extend its sturdiness. Although this tent is lighter than the UL3, it would not pack down any smaller. The UL2 has rather less floorspace and headroom than the SlingFin Portal 2 however provides higher space-to-weight ratios. All-in-all, if you wish to save weight however aren’t keen to scrimp on consolation, this can be a compelling choice.

Weight breakdown: 14.4 oz tent physique, 16 oz fly, 12.8 oz poles, 2.6 oz per stake (8)

Learn extra: Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV 2 overview

Most Versatile Backpacking Tent

Sea to Summit Telos TR2

Weight: 3.67 lbs | Dimensions (in): 84.5 L x 53 W x 43.5 H

You should use the Sea to Summit Telos TR 2 in 3 ways: as a standard double-wall tent, as a single-wall tarp shelter, or as a solar shade, with the assistance of trekking poles and a guyline. In brief, it is essentially the most versatile backcountry tent we have examined. A particular, arched crossbar creates an expensive quantity of headroom the place you need it most, and it provides intelligent options like stuff sacks that double as storage pockets and a pole bag that snaps into the ceiling to grow to be an overhead mild. This tent is a compelling choice for hikers who’ve a spread of shelter necessities all year long.

The disadvantage is the Telos TR2 would not supply as a lot headroom or ground area per pound because the top-ranked fashions. The general weight can be a bit heavier. Quick-packers in search of the safety of a double-wall tent may not discover this essentially the most interesting choice. For individuals who favor a double-wall building and a lighter weight, the Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Answer Dye is a superb alternative. The Telos TR2 can be dear, however then once more, it’s three shelters in a single. In case you discover that form of versatility enticing, this tent is second to none.

Learn extra: Sea to Summit Telos TR 2 overview

Finest for Excessive Climate

Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT

Weight: 4.75 lbs | Dimensions (in): 86 L x 51 W x 39 H

When harsh climate is within the forecast, the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is the tent we attain for. It scored an ideal 10 in our climate resistance take a look at, taking the lead proper above the SlingFin Portal 2. It performs at its finest within the shoulder seasons –- the early thaw of spring and the yr’s first snowstorm. It has a large vestibule to maintain gear shielded from the weather, and its considerate design improves its efficiency in powerful climate. The ground can be tremendous sturdy and waterproof.

For all these attributes, you may anticipate to pay prime greenback. The Anjan is costly. In case you do not require top-tier climate resistance, the Nemo Aurora 2 has a lot to supply with out paying prime greenback. Our exams revealed the Anjan additionally takes considerably longer to pitch than a standard 3-season tent. As a result of heft, it is best for biking journeys or backpacking adventures the place weight just isn’t the principle consideration. Regardless of the very excessive worth, the sturdy building makes this tent a terrific long-term worth, particularly in case you use it recurrently.

Learn extra: Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT overview

Finest Ultralight Choice

Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Answer Dye

Weight: 2.48 lbs | Dimensions (in): 86 L x 52/42 W x 39 H

The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Answer Dye is a compelling choice in case you like the concept of going ultralight however cannot fairly convey your self to ditch the consolation and ease of a standard tent. Its packability helps it compete amongst semi-freestanding fashions, and we discover that it is the most snug of the sub-three-pound tents that we have examined. Its crossbar design offers distinctive headroom. The 2 massive aspect doorways, affordable footprint, and two vestibules make it a livable, if tight, match for 2. The material’s answer dye additionally makes for a extra environmentally pleasant manufacturing course of.

Once we left the Tiger Wall out within the rain for 3 days in Maine, the underside of the fly was consistently moist. The tent ground and physique remained dry, however we needed to keep away from brushing in opposition to the condensation on the fly. We had fewer condensation points with the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2, however it’s much less snug and tougher to enter and exit with just one door. Though, we did not have the identical subject with the Tiger Wall when tenting in Moab, Utah. Due to this fact, we advocate utilizing this tent in drier climates. The orientation of the zippers on the tent physique and fly additionally makes it tougher to enter and exit, particularly within the rain. This can be a dear and really skinny choice, and it feels fragile. Nonetheless, in case you deal with this tent properly, it ought to give you light-weight, snug tenting.

Weight breakdown: 13.7 oz tent physique, 13 oz fly, 8.9 oz poles, 2.5 oz per stake (8)

Learn extra: Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Answer Dye overview

Evaluate Merchandise

How We Check Backpacking Tents

Since we began testing backpacking tents again in 2011, we have researched a number of hundred fashions and examined over 100 in real-world situations. We have put them by way of inclement climate, carried them in our packs, set them up and tore them down, weighed every one, and carefully examined each seam, zipper guyline, tent, pole, and stake. We pay attention to numerous elements that influence the consumer expertise, together with consolation, ease of use, and building high quality. From livability to weight to climate readiness, we have put every tent by way of a fierce gauntlet of exams throughout the next 5 key ranking metrics:

• Consolation (25% of total rating weighting)

• Climate Resistance (25% weighting)

• Area to Weight Ratio (25% weighting)

• Ease of Use (15% weighting)

• Development High quality (10% weighting)

For extra on our testing course of, see our full How We Check Backpacking Tents article.

Why Belief GearLab

Our testers have spent a whole lot of nights underneath the celebrities in backcountry shelters of all types. Ben Applebaum-Bauch acquired his begin within the outside trade sustaining gear for guided journeys, together with loads of backpacking tents. A few years later, he turned a information himself, main multiday and multi-week backpacking, biking, and paddling adventures by way of Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. With a decade {of professional} expertise within the outside trade and several other thru-hikes of a few of America’s nice trails underneath his hip belt, he brings intensive information to this overview.

Ben is joined by Clark Tate, one other information who spent summers residing in a tent whereas raft guiding in Colorado and West Virginia. She’s backpacked within the Excessive Sierra, all through the Rockies, and alongside sections of the Appalachian Path and spends a variety of time balancing the burden of weight with the restfulness of consolation.

Evaluation and Check Outcomes

We analysis the highest choices available on the market earlier than shopping for and testing the very best within the discipline. Our findings are summarized under, highlighting fashions that excel in every metric that will help you discover the best one.

What is the Finest Worth?

We do not issue worth right into a product’s efficiency rating, however we acknowledge that it is on the coronary heart of many buying selections. To evaluate a product’s worth, we primarily ask, “What number of efficiency factors do you get per greenback spent?” The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ is a superb alternative. It is among the many most snug tents on this overview, with a beneficiant quantity of headroom and ground area. That is additionally true of the Nemo Aurora 2, which scores a bit larger and prices a bit much less. It weighs about half a pound extra, although, making the Half Dome engaging. The Aurora does appear extra sturdy, although, providing higher worth over time in case you do not thoughts the burden. If you really want to maintain prices down, the REI Trailmade and North Face Stormbreak are worthy issues. They’re heavy, but when funds are tight and also you’re in a position to cut up the burden with a pal, one in every of these tents might be the important thing to having the ability to lay underneath the celebrities sooner somewhat than later.

Consolation

In terms of consolation, dimensions and storage choices are key. Is there sufficient area to get a superb evening’s sleep, or do you wind up pressed in opposition to a moist wall? Are you able to sit up sufficient to vary simply, play playing cards, or unfold out and skim a e book? Are there sufficient pockets to retailer your issues, or are you sleeping in a pile of stuff? These are all issues included in testing every backpacking tent’s consolation degree. We additionally take a look at options that improve airflow, like storm vents and fly door openings, to see if the tent can minimize down on condensation and hold you cool as climate circumstances require.

Essentially the most snug two-person fashions we examined are the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and the Nemo Aurora 2. The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 earns prime marks as a three-person choice. Among the many backpacking tents we have tried, these really feel palatial, with comparatively tall ceilings, loads of headroom, and ample ground area. Every of them has one or two kickstand vents within the rainfly to maintain air flowing even in a storm.

Double doorways, massive twin vestibules, and beneficiant storage choices will hold your stuff off the ground and out of your approach. The Copper Spur HV UL3 will hold you extra organized than the remainder with eight pockets, together with a hammock hanging from the ceiling. The North Face Stormbreak 2 is one other tall and roomy choice with loads of headroom., although its lack of a real storm vent and simply 4 easy pockets are much less spectacular.

The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, SlingFin Portal 2, Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2, and Nemo Dagger Osmo do a pleasant job of balancing consolation and weight. The Dragonfly provides a pre-bent pole construction that maximizes inside quantity, and the Portal boasts a tall peak peak. The Dagger comes with a singular Touchdown Zone — a triangular basket of ripstop nylon that hooks onto the vestibule ground. It is an ideal place to maintain objects you need exterior the tent however not on the bottom. All of those choices offer you loads of cupboard space with myriad pockets and roomy vestibules.

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 has beneficiant lateral area, and it is easy for 2 folks to sit down up on the similar time with out bumping shoulders. It’s extremely adaptable and can be utilized as a double-wall tent, single-wall tarp, or open-air shade cowl, rising your consolation in a spread of circumstances.

The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Answer Dye takes the consolation cake so far as sub-three-pound backpacking tents go. It has an extended crosspole than the opposite lightest weight tents within the take a look at. That widens the ceiling between the 2 doorways, which considerably will increase headroom. The Copper Spur HV UL2 weighs extra but in addition offers you a bit extra space and has a devoted vent in its fly. The Tiger Wall doesn’t.

Climate Resistance

For testing climate resistance, we assess every backpacking tent’s efficiency in moist and windy climate, meticulously inspecting design parts that tighten sagging rainflies and hold water from dripping by way of zippers and vents. We additionally look at structural rigidity, aerodynamics, and guyline connection factors, which assist hold a tent upright in gusty climate.

The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT takes first place for climate resistance, due to its strengthened vestibule zippers, bathtub ground that protects in opposition to seepage from soggy soil, and a large vestibule that means that you can manage and shield gear with out storing it inside. It additionally successfully sheds condensation that drips from the roof, providing a bonus over tents with mesh partitions.

The Anjan 2 GT three-season is not constructed for snow, although, and has solely 4 guyline factors to carry it regular within the wind. In distinction, the SlingFin Portal 2 can function a four-season backpacking tent in a pinch, with 12 attachment factors for exterior guylines, inside guylines that you would be able to rigidity in heavy winds, and outrigger attachments that enable you rapidly brace the ceiling with trekking poles. The poles then assist help the burden of an sudden snowstorm.

The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 additionally rating nicely on this metric, providing above-average safety and an adaptable fly setup that may double as an awning over both door when propped up with a few trekking poles. Although their materials is extremely skinny, each tents repelled water, even when pitched on moist grass. The fly materials does stretch over time and when moist and is so lengthy that it may be a problem to maintain tight. When it does loosen, swimming pools of water can type on prime of those tents. Once we adjusted the poles and guylines recurrently, it wasn’t a difficulty, so hold this in thoughts.

Different notable performers listed below are the Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2 and Nemo Dagger Osmo 2, due to their trapezoidal fly geometry and simple tensioning. These tents not solely do an admirable job of shedding water however the form and stability of the vestibules hold the material comparatively quiet even in a stiff wind. These Osmo tents additionally sag noticeably lower than different ripstop nylon fashions, representing a invaluable step ahead in materials expertise. The Dragonfly encompasses a cutaway within the rainfly to avoid wasting weight. We did discover moisture in that nook throughout testing, and it affected the rating.

The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall offers extra stability than “fly away” fashions just like the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo. In moist environments, although, we seen appreciable condensation on the underside of the fly. We prefer it higher for dry climates just like the desert Southwest. The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 and Copper Spur HV UL2 are higher bets for light-weight moist climate journey.

Area to Weight Ratio

When carrying your shelter in your again, you have to steadiness its spaciousness and luxury with how a lot it weighs. We divided every tent’s ground area by its weight to calculate its space-to-weight ratio. For the backpacking tents we examined most lately, we additionally measured the quantity of ground area you should use to sit down up. Quick and lightweight or long-distance hikers could wish to put extra emphasis on weight alone, buying and selling much less inside area for simpler days on the path. Extra informal backpackers, or those that can have a good friend or two to assist carry their shelter, can afford to commerce just a few additional ounces to maximise area. Our area to weight ratio scoring is charted under.

The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 comes out forward in case you take a look at each ground area and headroom. It weighs 3.8 kilos however offers you 39.2 sq ft of ground area, and 25 sq ft of this are tall sufficient for sitting. That interprets to 10.3 sq. ft per pound of ground area and 6.6 sq. ft per pound of headroom. The HV UL2 is not as spectacular, nevertheless it nonetheless is spacious sufficient to be one in every of our favourite backpacking tents, supplying you with 25 inches of room for every individual to put down, in comparison with 22.7 inches for the UL3.

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 provides 12.3 sq. ft per pound, and the MSR Freelite 2 provides 12. However, since they solely weigh 2.3 and a pair of.4 kilos, respectively, that interprets to simply 28.1 and 28.2 sq. ft of residing area. The Freelite doesn’t present as a lot headroom as our favourite choices although — simply 8.7 sq. ft or 3.7 sq. ft per pound. In case you do not typically want to sit down up too typically, this might be an choice for you.

The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2, Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo, and Tarptent Double Rainbow DW additionally rating nicely, due to their light-weight building. Tents just like the SlingFin Portal 2 and the Copper Spur HV UL2 offer you extra horizontal and vertical area but in addition weigh extra.

Weight

We additionally issue absolute weight into our suggestions. Ounces make kilos and all that. A handful of backpacking tents we examined are at or round two kilos, together with the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo and Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2. One individual may simply carry both of those on a solo journey or cut up them between two hikers. The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 follows carefully behind, including a pair extra ounces for slightly extra inside area.

Backpacking Weight Tent Phrases
Packed weight contains poles, tent physique, fly, stakes, and guylines – principally, the whole lot that comes with a tent once you pull it off the shelf.
Path weight refers back to the weight of the minimal items required for setup – often simply the tent, fly, and poles.
Fastpitch weight simply the footprint (often bought individually), the fly, and the poles. Not out there for each tent.

Generally, light-weight fashions go all-in on lowering weight, often on the expense of consolation and, to an extent, sturdiness. For a bit extra consolation and a longer-lasting tent, we’re often completely satisfied to separate a 3 to four-pound tent with our mountaineering buddy for in a single day adventures and restricted backpacking journeys. Ultralight tents often earn their stripes on long-distance adventures.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the REI Half Dome SL 2+, The North Face Stormbreak 2, and the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT are a few of the heaviest tents we examined. The primary two are wonderful choices for automobile tenting or brief overnights. The latter is a specialty, harsh-weather backpacking tent.

If you wish to maximize area and scale back weight, we strongly counsel a three-person model of a light-weight mannequin. The Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is underneath 4 kilos and provides tons of area for 2 folks and simply sufficient for 3.

Ease of Use

This metric is about how intuitive it’s to pitch every tent, tear it down, and use it day-to-day. On this overview, we embody two varieties of shelters –- free-standing and semi-freestanding tents. The primary is extra acquainted, utilizing poles that tuck into every nook to offer a skeleton that the tent clips into and the rainfly drapes over. The second set of tents is semi-freestanding. Additionally they use poles for construction, however they require stakes to maximise quantity. Each sorts are comparatively easy to arrange on delicate floor.

A basic X-pole design, with two similar poles crossing on the prime and attaching to the tent physique throughout diagonal corners, isn’t utilized in high-end backpacking tents. It simply would not supply premium stability or headroom. When it’s used on tents just like the REI Trailmade 2 and the Kelty Late Begin 2, it is often in a heavy, price range tent meant for the brand new or informal backpacker who’s much less probably to make use of it in severely windy climate. (We hope!)

Many fashions we reviewed –- just like the REI Half Dome SL 2+, Nemo Aurora 2, and the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 — are variations on this primary construction. However typically, two poles are fused into one utilizing central hubs, and a cross pole is at all times added to widen the ceiling, rising inside quantity, headroom, and structural rigidity. The SlingFin Portal 2 makes use of two separate X-poles and a large cross pole, counting on a beneficiant provide of guylines so as to add help. The North Face Stormbreak 2 features a second cross pole to create a splendidly excessive, sq. ceiling. These modified X-pole buildings are all comparatively simple to arrange.

Of them, the 2 Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV tents are essentially the most easy to make use of day-to-day. Attachment factors are color-coded to easy the setup course of, you may open the tarp and tent doorways with one hand, and there are a number of methods to open both of two doorways. We additionally respect that the added options are intuitive, or labeled, just like the loop of cloth that you would be able to stuff the mesh doorways into. The REI Trailmade, Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2, Sea to Summit Telos TR2, and SlinFin Portal 2 are all equally seamless to make use of.

The Massive Agnes Tiger Wall, Mountain Hardwear Nimbus, MSR Freelite 2, Nemo Hornet Elite, and Dragonfly Osmo are semi-freestanding and could be a bit trickier, largely in case you’re in an setting the place stakes are onerous to make use of. These tents typically have a single pole that arches to the middle of the tent’s foot. You then stake out both aspect. In case you’re tenting on rocky soil, you will have to search out another method to anchor the corners.

A definite structural subcategory is the tunnel tent. This model makes use of semi-circle poles, leading to a tent that appears like a caterpillar. These are tougher to pitch as a result of they depend on rigidity from guylines to carry their type. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is an instance of this model of tent.

Development High quality

Although we put these backpacking tents by way of the wringer in our rigorous testing, our aim is not to push them to the purpose of catastrophic failure. Nonetheless, tent poles do break and rip by way of rainflies from time to time. We notice each failure, examine the durability of every seam and zipper, and seek for any simply frayed or scratched materials. We additionally notice if any of the poles, stakes, or guylines appear stronger or weaker than the remainder.

The fashions that earned the very best scores demonstrated each impressively modern options and strong building. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT has many options widespread to four-season tents, and we discovered it to be extremely sturdy. It contains sturdy zippers, tensioners with hefty webbing, and thick ground material.

We’re additionally impressed with the SlingFin Portal 2, which comes with a second set of zipper pulls on every door in case the principle ones break. You can too buy thicker, harder poles individually if you recognize you will want the added stability. It isn’t a foul concept.

Pole Splints
Most tent fashions we examined include a hole steel splint meant to bridge a damaged pole and hold your tent in working order till you get again to the trailhead. However after we broke two units of DAC Featherlight NFL poles throughout our exams, the splint didn’t work as meant. In each circumstances, the poles folded as they broke, making them too huge for the splint to slip over the break. The sides have been additionally very sharp, and the wire beneath was broken in each circumstances. You may both attempt to trim the corners with a multitool if in case you have one or attempt to connect the cut up externally with tape or rubber bands. The splints may help, however they don’t seem to be a magic bullet to resolve the issue of light-weight however much less sturdy poles.

The SlingFin Portal comes commonplace with 8.7mm DAC Featherlite NFL poles. So do each Massive Agnes Copper Spur fashions, the Tiger Wall, Dragonfly, Hornet Elite, Dagger Osmo, Half Dome SL 2+, MSR Freelite, and the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus. Two units of those poles broke throughout a single month of testing. One was as a result of a canine bumped into it, and one was as a result of the wind tossed the tent into our tester. Then, the damaged pole ripped by way of the fly. That was a enjoyable day. Gear testing could be very glamorous typically.

We respect that these poles are mild, however it will be good to restore them much less typically. Whereas the Massive Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 are neatly constructed, their supplies are very skinny and lightweight. The corporate recommends shopping for a separate footprint to assist them last more. We might must agree.

We additionally just like the Nemo Dagger Osmo and Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2. The Osmo tents are a superb compromise between power and weight. The straightforward and thick polyester material of the Nemo Aurora 2, REI Trailmade 2, and Kelty Late Begin 2 make all of them appear to be good investments. The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is extra worrisome — the fly ripped at two of the guyline factors throughout testing. The North Face Stormbreak arrived with fraying material.

Most of the lighter tents examined right here should not designed to endure a lot abuse. The Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo and Massive Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 have skinny supplies that must be handled with care. To extend sturdiness, be sure you retailer your tent correctly by cleansing and drying it totally earlier than packing it away within the low season.

Conclusion

Although having so many choices can really feel daunting, we hope our overview offers you the arrogance to decide on the best backpacking tent to your wants. In case you love spending nights underneath starry skies and basking in nature’s embrace, the best tent awaits you. Pleased trails!