10 Best Backpacking Tents of 2023

The Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 are some of Big Agnes’ best-sellers, and they’re among our all-time favorite backpacking tents. The ultralight freestanding design of the Copper Spur enables hikers to pitch almost anywhere, and it doesn’t sacrifice convenience, weather protection, or livability.

The Copper Spur is a popular choice among thru-hikers of the AT, PCT, and CDT, all of which are notoriously tough on gear. If you take care to clear pokey debris from your campsites, this tent will last for thousands of miles. We’ve been backpacking with our Copper Spur 2 and 3 for several years and they’re still going strong.

The Copper Spur’s bent-pole structure and top crossbar create nearly vertical sidewalls providing a ton of usable interior space and ample headroom. The UL2 has enough space for two regular-width sleeping pads and some gear, while the UL3 is roomy enough for two wide pads and keeping all of your gear inside. Whichever size you go with, you’ll have a backpacking tent that provides an exceptional balance of camp comfort and weight.

For more, check out our full review of the Copper Spur HV UL2.

The Zpacks Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo are our go-to ultralight backpacking tents for thru-hiking and long-distance adventures. These tents provide an excellent amount of interior space and weather protection at a freakishly low weight.

The secret to these tents is the DCF material. It’s waterproof, tough, incredibly light, and doesn’t sag when wet; the downside is that it’s expensive. The Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo may be spendy, but they’re an incredible investment if you love to backpack as light as possible. The other key to the Plex’s ridiculously low weight is the non-freestanding, single-wall design. This eliminates the need for tent poles and a rainfly, but it may take a few pitches to get it perfect if you’ve never used a backpacking tent like this before.

The high ceiling of the Duplex/Triplex will allow you and your hiking partner to sit up comfortably at the same time, and the two-door design will keep you from crawling over each other to get in and out. If you’re looking for the best ultralight backpacking tent on the market, this is your guy.

We think the Duplex and Triplex are both spacious enough for two hikers. But since they’re so light, we’re partial to the Duplex for solo hikers who like to have extra interior space and the Triplex for more square footage when hiking with a partner. Solo hikers who prioritize saving weight above anything can’t go wrong with the Plex Solo.

For more, check out our full reviews of the Duplex, Triplex, and Plex Solo.

REI’s Half Dome SL 2+ has an exceptional balance of price, durability, and interior space. Its symmetrical freestanding design and very roomy dimensions make it comfortable and user-friendly for hikers of all experience levels. This tent is our favorite budget-friendly crossover choice for those who like camping in the frontcountry and the backcountry.

Though the weight of the Half Dome is more than we prefer for strenuous backpacking adventures, it’s not too bad when split between two hikers. In addition, you can save about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint – a nice tent floor durability bonus – at home.

If a good balance of durability, convenience, interior space, and affordability is what you’re looking for, it’s very tough to beat the REI Half Dome SL 2+.

For more, check out our full review of the Half Dome SL 2+.

REI has made some of our favorite tents over the years, but few have been as impressive as the Flash 2. This tent has a weight and interior volume that rival some of the most popular backpacking tents of all time, but it costs far less than anything in its class.

With its unique pole architecture, the Flash 2 manages to feel more spacious than tents with the exact same dimensions – like the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2. The headwall of the Flash 2 stands vertically and is supported by an arch pole that pulls the sidewalls out. As a result, you end up with more headroom where you need it most.

Like most tents that aim to cut down on weight as much as possible, the Flash 2 will need to be treated with care to extend its lifespan. We had a sharp pine needle work its way through the floor early on during testing. There’s no permanent damage to show for it, but it did drive home the need to really clear out a space to camp if you don’t plan to use a footprint. We always hike with a bit of Tenacious Tape to repair the inevitable snags and tears that come with use on trail.

We highly recommend the Flash 2 to hikers looking to save a significant amount of money without having to compromise on weight, space, or the convenience of a freestanding design. And those looking for even more space should check out the Flash 3, which still costs less than many of the two-person tents on our list and only weighs about 10 oz more than the Flash 2.

We’re putting this tent through more field-testing to determine its final position on this list. It has the potential to take over the top spot. Checkout our full review of the Flash 2 here.

Ounce-counting hikers will love the ultralight, semi-freestanding design of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2. With enough structure to perform well in inclement weather, but a weight that’s barely over a pound when split between two hikers – the Tiger Wall is a more convenient alternative to non-freestanding ultralight tents.

Often semi-freestanding tents can feel a bit cramped. And while the quarters in the Tiger Wall are a bit tight, it has a wider ridge pole than most other tents of this style. This creates more livable space where you want it most – at the head when sitting up. Another feature that increases comfort in the Tiger Wall is the easy-to-use door toggles that give you the ability to roll back both sides of the vestibule for taking in grand views or maxing out ventilation on clear nights.

Overall, hikers who prioritize saving weight and don’t mind sharing a tighter space will love the minimal yet functional design of the Tiger Wall 2. If you prefer more room to spread out, the Tiger Wall 3 has extra floor space and a few more inches of peak height but is still lighter than many 2P tents. For more info, check out our full review of the Tiger Wall here.

With an extra stable frame, maximized interior space, and top-quality construction/materials, the SlingFin Portal is an excellent shelter to hunker down in when nasty weather hits. Thicker poles, internal guylines, and the ability to attach trekking poles for added structural strength make the Portal extremely solid in wind, rain, and even light snow. These features are unique for a lightweight backpacking tent and are more common in high-end mountaineering shelters.

One of our favorite features of the Portal is its generous amount of headroom, which makes it feel much more livable than the average lightweight 2P backpacking tent. Other details, like great pockets and extra zipper sliders, come together with the storm-worthy design to make the Portal one of the best backpacking tents we’ve ever tested.

For more, check out our full review of the Portal.

Ultralight doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. With the NEMO Hornet OSMO 3, a pair of hikers can have all the conveniences of a traditional 2-person tent – two doors/vestibules, a roomy interior, useful pockets – without the additional weight. As an added bonus, this spacious shelter costs around the same amount of money as many of the leading 2-person backpacking tents.

You might want extra space for a variety of reasons – maybe you want to fit two wide sleeping pads with room to spare, you travel with a large dog or an adventurous kid, or you just want a little more breathing room when sharing your tent with a partner. Whatever your reason may be, the generous floor dimensions and peak height of the Hornet 3 will accommodate.

Not too long ago, NEMO rolled out their proprietary OSMO fabric and began implementing it on all of their tents. OSMO fabric repels water better than standard nylon or polyester flysheets, and best of all – OSMO stretches far less when wet. This means your pitch stays taut during rain, and you won’t have to worry about saggy rainfly material causing wet spots on your tent body, sleeping bag footbox, or head.

We’ve always been big fans of NEMO’s attention to detail, high-quality construction, and innovative designs, and the Hornet OSMO 3 definitely doesn’t disappoint. For those who prioritize saving weight over having extra space, the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 is also a great choice and is a bit more affordable than similarly designed tents.

The MSR FreeLite 2 is a great option for those looking to go lighter without sacrificing the convenience of a double-wall tent. It has two large doors/vestibules, and the interior space feels more roomy for two hikers at a much lower weight than other similarly designed tents.

We generally view the FreeLite as more comfortable for solo hikers since the interior headroom can feel a little cramped when spending any extended amount of time inside. But for pairs that value saving weight over having extra wiggle room, the FreeLite certainly has enough space to accommodate two.

The rainbow shape of the FreeLite is effective at shedding rain, and a few design details – like well-placed pockets and a rainfly gutter – make this tent particularly appealing. Any backpacker wanting the best mix of weight, livability, and weather protection will surely love the FreeLite.

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 is an innovative tent with a lot of unique features to love. It has more headroom than any 2-person backpacking tent in its weight class, which makes it feel a lot more livable than many others.

Creature comforts, like the light-dispersing Lightbar and shady Hangout Mode, make the Telos feel like a little slice of luxury in the backcountry. Sea to Summit took extra care designing the adaptable ventilation on the Telos, and we found that it provided comfortable and practically condensation-free nights.

While it’s a little spendy, the comfort the Telos provides is worth the cost if you’re looking for a versatile 2-person backpacking tent with all of the details dialed in.

For more, check out our full review of the Telos TR2.

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is one of the best value backpacking tents on our list due to its excellent blend of space, weight, and durability. We’ve put the Lunar Duo through the wringer on multiple thru-hikes, and it held up like a champ in all kinds of conditions.

It’s a bit heavier than some ultralight non-freestanding tents, but we find the weight tradeoff to be worth it for the significant monetary savings. One thing that makes the Lunar Duo unique is that the guylines can be re-tensioned from inside the tent, which is really convenient during a downpour. The large vestibules are designed to open completely without disturbing the structure of the tent, so you can have similar ventilation and view benefits of a double-wall tent.

If you’re looking for a roomy ultralight shelter at an exceptionally affordable price, there are few tents that come close to the Lunar Duo. For more, check out our full review of the Lunar Duo.

The Lunar Solo is one of our top picks for solo hikers. It’s very spacious for one person and their gear, is easy to set up, and packs down incredibly small. For more, check out our full review of the Lunar Solo.

The affordable REI Trail Hut 2 is an excellent tent for hikers on a tight budget or those wanting a crossover tent for car camping and backpacking. It’s quick and easy to pitch, made with durable materials, and the weight/bulk aren’t too bad when split between two hikers. You can also save about 8 ounces by leaving the included footprint at home.

While none of the Trail Hut’s specs or features (other than price) are really standouts, this tried-and-true design will hold up well in bad weather and keep you on the trail for hundreds – if not thousands – of miles.

The budget-friendly Trail Hut doesn’t skimp on interior space or quality, so we think it’s an excellent investment for those wanting to hit the trail without spending a fortune.

If you’re looking to go as affordable as possible, the REI Trailmade 2 costs less and is a bit lighter. Ultimately we prefer the Trail Hut for its larger interior space, but either tent is a solid choice.

For more, check out our full review of the Trailmade 2.

The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 offers a ton of interior space at a reasonable weight, so it’s perfect for those wanting a tent that’s comfortable for both backpacking and car camping.

The Dagger has a ton of convenient features built in, like two huge vestibules for gear storage, light-dispersing headlamp pockets, and an included tub accessory that keeps your gear clean and dry in the vestibule. The innovative OSMO fabric also doesn’t sag when wet like Silnylon and it will remain waterproof for longer than the coated fabrics used for many other tents.

If you’re looking for lightweight livability in a convenient design, the NEMO Dagger 2P is an excellent choice.

For more, check out our full review of the Dagger OSMO 2.