Best backpacking tents 2024: lightweight shelters for adventurous explorers

The best backpacking tents for fast, lightweight and comfortable adventuring in any season

Best backpacking tents 2024: Quick links

Best backpacking tent

(Image credit: Teemu R from Pexels)

00. Top 3↴
01. Best overall: The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent
02. Best lightweight 2-person: Sea to Summit Alto TR2
03. Best fast-pitch: Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2
04. Best solo: Vango F10 Project Hydrogen
05. Best 3-season: Alpkit Soloist 1-Person Tent
06. Best ultralight: Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000
07. Best budget: Alpkit Ordos 2
08. Best for summer: MSR Hubba Hubba NX

Looking for the best backpacking tent? Welcome to the ultimate guide where we pitch the top contenders against each other – metaphorically speaking, of course. Because let's be honest, no one wants to carry extra weight in their pack unless it's a bag of marshmallows for those campfire s'mores.

Choosing the right backpacking tent is like picking a hiking trail: you want something that fits your style, won't weigh you down, and can handle whatever nature throws your way. Whether you're a solo adventurer or part of a dynamic duo, we've got options that'll make you say, "I'm tenting with that!"

When it comes to backpacking, every gram counts. That's why our selection focuses on lightweight yet sturdy tents that won't have you questioning your life choices halfway up a mountain. From single-wall wonders to spacious shelters for two (or even three if you're cosy), we've got your back – literally.

So, grab your lightweight sleeping bag and camping mat, lace up those hiking boots, and get ready to hit the trails with confidence. And remember, the best part of any adventure is the journey – especially when you've got the perfect backpacking tent waiting for you at the end of the trail. Happy hiking!

Best backpacking tents to buy right now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent reviewT3 Awards 2023 Logo

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best backpacking tent overall

Specifications

Sleeps: 2 people
Packed weight: 2,010g (4 lbs)
Pack size: TBC
Seasons: 3-season

Reasons to buy

+
Spacious internal space
+
Clever storage solutions/pockets
+
Durable Water Repellent and windproof cover
+
Packs down small

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite a bright inside
-
There are lighter backpacking tents

Part of The North Face's Technical Collection, the Trail Lite 2-Person Tent is currently the best backpacking tent. While lighter options exist, none match its combination of spaciousness, portability, and waterproofness.

Equipped with premium features, it's a valuable investment for serious backpackers. Constructed with a 20D nylon Ripstop fly and a 75D polyester floor, it offers durability and protection. Oversized doors and vestibules provide ample ventilation and storage.

During testing, it proved resilient against rain and wind, boasting easy assembly and stability. Despite its lightweight, it offers generous space and comfortable height. The DWR-treated bottom layer ensures dryness even on wet ground, while large openings allow for excellent airflow.

Versatile and reliable, The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent is ideal for backpackers seeking quality and performance. While cheaper alternatives exist, this tent is a worthwhile investment for those prioritising durability and comfort on their outdoor adventures.

Read our full The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent review.

Best lightweight

Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tentT3 Best Buy badge

(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Best lightweight backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 2 people
Packed weight: 1,340g
Pack size: 52 x 12 x 12 cm
Seasons: 3-season

Reasons to buy

+
Waterproof and lightweight
+
Lots of room for one
+
Great quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Not much room for two
-
Slightly flimsy bottom

The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tent is a brilliant backpacking tent. At just 1.3kg, it's almost, but not quite, ultralight, and it comes in three separate stuff sacks, which makes it easy to pack or split between two people.

It can be pitched in under 10 minutes and is versatile enough to be set up in a few configurations, such as having the inner tent on its own for warm, dry nights or leaving the fly half-off so you can see the stars. It's also brilliantly designed and really well made. Bear in mind it's a little snug for two full-grown adults (although if there's just one of you, it's awesome). 

Read our full Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tent review.

Also consider: The Sea To Summit Telos TR2 boasts several innovative new features, incredible amounts of headroom, and perhaps the best ventilation in its class. Multiple modes allow you to set up the tent to fit both your needs and the conditions outside.

Best fast-pitch

Sierra Designs Meteor Lite tentT3 Award Winner sponsored by Wiggle

(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Best fast-pitch backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 2
Packed weight: 1,660g
Pack size: 43 x 15 x 12.5cm (17 x 6 x 5")
Seasons: 3

Reasons to buy

+
Top quality
+
Surprisingly spacious
+
Outer fly rolls back for use in warm weather

Reasons to avoid

-
Not many pockets

We tested out the 2-man version of this tent, but there are also different versions for one and three people available. It's very lightweight when packed (the brand has even shaved off a few grams compared to the previous iteration of this tent) but surprisingly spacious when pitched – it'll fit two people side by side, with room at your feet for two backpacks, and there are also two generous porches which provide extra space for storage.

The design is split into two parts: an inner mesh tent and an outer waterproof 'fly'. That means when the weather's warm and dry, you can roll back the outer layer and engage in a spot of stargazing. It's also quick and easy to pitch and pack away and stands up very well to high winds and rain. Well worth investing in for years of lightweight adventuring.

Read our full Sierra Designs Meteor Lite review.

Best solo

Vango F10 Project HydrogenT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Vango)
Best solo backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 1
Packed weight: 700g
Pack size: 20 x 10cm
Seasons: 3

Reasons to buy

+
Stupidly light
+
Quick-to-pitch Airbeam design
+
Super-compact

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey compared to other one-man tents

The Vango F10 Project Hydrogen deserves inclusion here for two key reasons: technical innovation and ludicrous lightness. That last metric is pretty essential when carrying tents on your back, and Project Hydrogen's 680-gram trail weight is as light as they come – there are plenty of heavier sleeping mats. Although it's not a large tent, there's still a good amount of living space for one person, with a porch for storage and enough room to sit up inside. 

This innovative design uses air poles to lower the weight, and they're surprisingly sturdy, even in bad weather. Inflating it using the included bike pump is speedy and simple. Vango hasn't skimped on the details here, serving up a twin-skin build (important to fend off condensation), as well as a Yunan carbon fibre singular pole which sits at the foot-end of the tent. A cotton thread that expands to seal gaps when wet means there's no seam tape here, shaving a few more grams, while a 7D nylon with a double silicone flysheet should keep the wet stuff outside in all but the worst weather.

Read our full Vango F10 Project Hydrogen review.

Best 3-season

Alpkit Soloist backpacking tent

(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Best 3-season backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 1
Seasons: 3
Packed weight: Regular: 1,200g; X-Large: 1,318g
Pack size: Regular: 42 x 12cm; X-Large: 44 x 13cm

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Small pack size
+
Good, robust design
+
Discreet colour
+
Great value

Reasons to avoid

-
Lack of interior pockets
-
Mesh door lowers internal temperature
-
Zips can catch

The Alpkit Soloist is a 1-person, 3-season backpacking tent has, with a semi-geodesic shape, which makes it really sturdy, even in severely wet and windy conditions. Simple and quick to pitch and drop, the Soloist packs away nice and compactly, and it’s light and easy to carry on the trails.

At two metres, the interior length of the standard size is large enough for most people to lie down comfortably, but taller backpackers can opt for the extra-large version. The design incorporates a reasonably generous porch area – it’s not really big enough to cook in during times of driving rain when the outer door would need to be closed, but you can do some food prep, and there’s more than enough room for wet and dirty boots or a damp pack.

There’s a lack of storage pockets on the inside of the tent, which would make organisation easier. The HH rating isn’t as high as some other backpacking tents, but it performed well in heavy weather in Scotland. In warmer months, the Soloist works without a flysheet. And for all the wild campers out there, the flysheet is kelp coloured, which makes it ideal for discreet camping.

Read our full Alpkit Soloist review.

Best ultralight

Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P tentT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Sian Lewis / T3.com)
Best ultralight backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 1
Packed weight: 898g
Pack size: not stated
Seasons: 3

Reasons to buy

+
Super light and packable
+
Waterproof
+
Lots of room for one person

Reasons to avoid

-
Tricky to pitch
-
Needs trekking poles

Need an ultra-lightweight tent for hiking adventures? The Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P tent is made for just that scenario. In fact, thanks to a smart design twist that we're amazed nobody's thought of before, it's only suitable for hikers. To keep it light and packable, this tent doesn't come with poles; instead, you pitch it using your own trekking poles for support.

That's a brilliant idea, frankly, but we should warn you that you'll need decent poles; we tried it with cheap and flimsy ones, and it wouldn't stand up properly, but got much better results with higher-quality poles. Sierra Designs insists that pitching is simple and intuitive, but we'd caution that it takes a bit of practice to get right. Breaking camp is quick and easy, though, and in between, you'll enjoy a roomy and well-specced tent that's versatile in its pitching options.

Read our full Sierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P review.

Best budget

Alpkit Ordos 2 tent reviewT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Best budget backpacking tent

Specifications

Sleeps: 2
Packed weight: 1,700g
Pack size: 13 x 42cm
Seasons: not stated

Reasons to buy

+
Small and light pack size
+
Affordable pricing
+
Useful additional footprint available

Reasons to avoid

-
Only one door
-
Cramped for two

Lightweight and with a small pack size, the Alpkit Ordos 2 tent is versatile and well-priced – even if you add the extra footprint, which we'd suggest you do. The tried-and-tested semi-geodesic shape is reliably weatherproof and gives enough headroom not to feel claustrophobic, although this is on the small side for two people. It's nice and simple to pitch, with helpful colour coding making the put-up process even quicker. The mesh inner can be used alone on hot, dry nights, too.

Read our full Alpkit Ordos 2 tent review

Best for summer

MSR Hubba Hubba NX lightweight backpacking tentT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: MSR)

8. MSR Hubba Hubba NX

Best backpacking tent for summer

Specifications

Sleeps: 2
Packed weight: 1,720g
Pack size: 15 x 45.72cm
Seasons: 3

Reasons to buy

+
Space-saving hub pole design
+
Well-ventilated

Reasons to avoid

-
There are more weatherproof options

Despite the cheeky name, this award-winning MSR backpacking tent is all business. The hub pole design cleverly maximises the usable space inside the tent, including the head and elbow room, while ensuring it stays stable. There’s also a breathable mesh canopy offering up unrestricted views of the scenery surrounding you. That, combined with a cross-ventilating flysheet, works to a) keep condensation at bay and b) boost airflow. That’s ideal for taking the edge off hot, sticky nights during summer backpacking trips. Built-in rain gutters are a godsend during wet weather trips, though in general, we’d recommend the Hubba Hubba for warm weather trips.

How to buy the best backpacking tent for you

Weight is paramount while travelling, as you'll find even lightweight tents seem to get heavier and heavier with each extra mile you carry them. Pack size is also important for longer trips, especially in more rugged countries. Ideally, you'll be able to fit your tent pack (either whole or split it up with your mates) into your hiking backpack, but it's not uncommon for backpackers to strap it to the outside. The best backpacking tents should also be waterproof and durable enough to withstand blustery weather and go up quickly and come down in a jiffy.

While you'll generally want to prioritise weight savings, there's a balance to be had with comfort and features – a little extra internal space could save your sanity on longer trips. Things like mesh windows, pockets for keeping floor space clear, and porches for stashing kit in rainy weather can all help eke out extra room and make things that much more comfortable. When you're spending long days on the trail, a good night’s sleep is important for helping you to rest and recover.

FAQ

Is 3kg too heavy for backpacking tent?

Most backpacking tents weigh less than 2kg, so unless you need a 3-people tent for your adventures, and happy to carry around the extra weight. As a general rule, you want to allow a maximum of one kilo of tent weight per person. That said, some of the 2-people tents can weigh as little as 1.4kg.

What type of tent is best for backpacking?

The best type of tent for backpacking is typically a lightweight, compact, and durable tent designed specifically for backpackers. These tents are often categorised as backpacking tents and are designed to be easy to carry in a backpack while offering sufficient protection and comfort for overnight stays in the wilderness.

They usually feature lightweight materials, such as nylon or polyester, and have a minimalist design to reduce weight without sacrificing functionality. Additionally, backpacking tents often have features like a rainfly, mesh panels for ventilation, and a sturdy frame to withstand various weather conditions encountered during backpacking trips.

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

With contributions from