Whether you’re researching small tents for backpacking as seasoned backpacker looking for an upgrade, a change to your kit or someone who wants to try out backpacking and wild camping to help push your adventures further, your tent is going to be one of the best investments you can make. However, there are seemingly endless options out there from the top rated tent brands through to names you might not have heard of. You’ll find hiking tents that range from ultralightweight, where every gram counts towards your pack weight all the way through to more entry level, weightier models that may be perfect for beginners or those wanting to make shorter trips. There’s a huge range of different price points, weights, durability and suitability for the kind of camping you want to do that you need to consider, and it can be very difficult to know where to start. You also want to know what is going to give you the best return on your investment for (hopefully) years to come. What is the best backpacking tent? In our roundup we’ve taken our extensive knowledge of backcountry camping and wild camping in a whole range of terrains to carefully put together our recommendations and considerations for the best two person backpacking tents on offer in 2023 to help you find the best tent for your needs.
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the very best small 2 person backpacking tents in 2024, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Analysis Results of Small 2 Person Tents
What were some of the key things we found in our testing and analysis of the best backpacking tents on offer in 2024?
How big is a 2 person tent? This varies considerably from brand to brand, so this is something you really need to keep note of – there is no standard size when it comes to a 2 person tent for backpacking.
Small 2 person tents are going to be the most comfortable for you if you’re travelling as a group of two or if you’re a solo wild camper or backpacker who wants a bit more room. Plenty of space isn’t really something you’re going to get with lightweight backpacking tents as they’re designed to be small. Generally, one person tents can be incredibly claustrophobic, just presenting enough room for your sleeping pad and or sleeping bag. That might not seem like too much of a problem if you’re trying to conserve weight, but if you know there is a likelihood on a longer trek that you might get ‘weathered’ into your tent for a while, you’re going to be very aware of how small it feels. A sense of space, or lack of can be the case two when it comes to two people using a two person tent too, and so this is why getting the best compromise between weight, floor space and the general roomy feel of the tent you choose to buy is going to make all the difference.
Top Small 2 Person Backpacking Tents
Here’s our round up of 25 of the best 2 person backpacking tents and best hiking tents on the market at the moment:
Please note: We’ve gone on packed weight rather than minimum trail weights for this quick roundup. For more detailed comparisons of our top 12 small 2 person tents including trail and packed weight, check out our comparison table. Prices are correct at time of publication and are monitored and updated for any major changes; prices may not include shipping and handling costs – click our ‘Buy Now’ links alongside each product to check finalised prices.
Tent | Price | Weight |
$450.00/£479.12 BUY NOW | 1.72kg/3lb 13 oz | |
$299.99/£347.76 BUY NOW | 1.81 kg/3lb 15oz | |
$540.00/£449.95 BUY NOW | 1.43kg/3lb16oz | |
$498.00/£648.95 BUY NOW | 1.86kg/4lb 2oz | |
$129.95/£127.99 BUY NOW | 2.4kg/5lb 4oz | |
$119.00/£165.00 BUY NOW | 1.9kg/4lb 2oz | |
$449.95/£519.95 BUY NOW | 1.13kg/2lb 8oz | |
$184.95/£222.47 BUY NOW | 2.41kg/5lb 4oz | |
$649.95/£679.97 BUY NOW | 935g/2lb 1oz | |
$134.95/£129.90 BUY NOW | 1.76kg/3lb 9oz | |
$749.95/£851.60 BUY NOW | 3.47kg/7lb 11oz | |
$199.99/£179.99 BUY NOW | 2.47kg/5lb 7oz | |
$682.83/£549.95 BUY NOW | 1.65kg/3lb 10oz | |
$199.00/£160.00 BUY NOW | 3.05kg/6lb 6oz | |
$798.85/£642.35 BUY NOW | 4.62kg/10lb 3oz | |
$798.85/£642.35 BUY NOW | 3.2kg/7lb 1oz | |
$323.93/£260.44 BUY NOW | 3.76kg/8lb 5oz | |
$349.44/£280.95 BUY NOW | 2.1kg/4lb 9oz | |
$721.92/£580.43 BUY NOW | 1.28kg/2lb 13oz | |
$555.27/£448.49 BUY NOW | 1.7kg/3 lb 7oz | |
$122.80/£98.73 BUY NOW | 2.02kg/4lb 7oz | |
$73.37/£58.99 BUY NOW | 2.14kg/4lb 11oz | |
$246.07/£197.84 BUY NOW | 2.65kg/5lb 13oz | |
$129.90/£104.45 BUY NOW | 2.36kg/5lb 3oz | |
$73.37/£58.99 BUY NOW | 3kg/6lb 10oz |
Our 12 Top Backpacking and Wild Camping Tent Picks
Our round up of our 12 top rated and favourite backpacking tents and hiking tents, taking into consideration price, performance, durability, usability, seasonality.
#1 Best Backpacking Tent Overall
MSR Hubba Hubba
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Best 2 person tent for the money. Great, lightweight all rounder with ample space, easy to set up with robust weather protection makes it good for multiple terrains and environments you’re likely to encounter.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
The solid walls that make this tent suitable for a huge variety of environments also mean that it struggles a little more in terms of ventilation.
Minimum Weight: 1.4 kg/3lb 7 oz
Packed Weight: 1.72kg/3lb 13 oz
Floor Area: 2.7sq. m/29sq. ft
Packed Size: 46 x 15cm/18 x 6in
Suitability: 3 season tent. This tent makes use of a DuraShield rainfly which creates an incredibly waterproof and storm proof solution with hubbed pole design. You’ll find this tent can withstand three seasons comfortably in alpine, colder, heavy rain, inclement and windy conditions (it would most likely even be more than ok in light snow) all the way through to desert and hotter locations. From the wettest of UK wild camps to backcountry in the desert of Arizona, the MSR Hubba Hubba is a great all rounder and solid investment! It’s also an easy set up backpacking tent, meaning your stuff will stay dry as it takes little time to get the rainfly on.
Why did we rate this as the best 2 person tent in our roundup? Simply, out of all the tents we tested, we have found that the MSR Hubba Hubba fits the bill for a lot of uses – it’s very lightweight coming in at roughly 1.3kg and to be honest, we hardly noticed the weight when packed down. It’s a great back country tent. When we first looked at the MSR Hubba Hubba, we admittedly thought the material for the removable rain fly felt really flimsy, most likely due to how lightweight the tent is. However, it stands up exceptionally well against heavy rain and is really hard wearing. We also think that for the price, in comparison to some of the other, more expensive tents out there it really hits above its weight.
MSR have recently made some updates to the Hubba Hubba and it seems that from the previous design, they’ve managed to shave off some weight whilst still keeping an extremely robust tent that is going to last you (hopefully) for a long time when taken care of. The MSR Hubba Hubba has a non tapered floor that makes the most of space which makes it feel pretty roomy to spend time in for two people and an excellent solution for those who are looking for a new long distance trail tent. We’ve been really wowed by the space you get in the MSR Hubba Hubba actually – it feels like a bit of a luxury and actually feels like it has more additional space compared to some of the other tents in our review.
The non tapered floor also means that you’ve got plenty of room to store your gear overnight or sleep head to toe no problem. The tent is really quick and easy to put up, especially so because of the one pole system – if you’re hiking at altitude, this is something we really think about, as we often find at the end of the day, the last thing we want to put effort into thinking about is our tent. Oh and by no means least, it has a good amount of storage pocket space too! The MSR Hubba Hubba is a great piece of gear. Read our in depth review here.
#2 Best Backpacking Tent Balancing Lightweight and Spec
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Very lightweight 2 person backpacking tent design – one of the lightest in our reviews with easy to fit removable rain fly and one of the best 3 season tents out there.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
It’s pricy and we’re not sure how long the fabric will last.
Minimum Weight: 1.22kg/2lb 11oz
Packed Weight: 1.43kg/3 lb16oz
Floor Area: 2.69sq. m/29sq. ft
Packed Size: 49.53 x 15.24cm/19.5 x 6in
Suitability: This small 2 person backpacking tent, from outdoor giant Big Agnes, is rated for 3 seasons, and we’d say that’s accurate. The Copper Spur HV UL in our opinion is sturdier (and in fact heavier) than the Tiger Wall UL which we’ve also reviewed, and this really does help in regard to weather protection. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL holds up exceptionally well against inclement weather, windy conditions and heavy rain as much as it does warmer temperatures because of its adequate ventilation. A great light weight all rounder!
A great back country tent and piece of gear to add to your arsenal. When looking at lightweight tent reviews and backpacking tents, there is a fairly strong chance you’ve heard of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL by this point – it’s well regarded as one of the best tents on the market and often comes up with top marks in editor’s choice, backpacker forums and online reviews time and time again. The tent itself is one of the priciest in our review – but is it worth it? Well, we think so, and we think it’s one of the best Big Agnes tents out there as well as being the best 2 person tent for balancing lightweight and spec. But it depends what kind of hiking and backpacking you plan to do.
This tent gets the balance right between weight, durability and protection from the elements even in heavy rain, it also feels like a roomy tent to sleep in and in our opinion is what makes it one of the best tents for backpacking. This tent is set up to taper from head to toe, meaning you don’t have as much space at the bottom of the tent as you do the top – whilst this isn’t our favourite design, we think it’s worth considering and would also make a great lightweight option if you plan on backpacking or wild camping on your own – allowing for more additional space. A great hiking tent. Read our in depth review here.
#3 Best Backpacking Tent for Sustainability and Durability
Near Zero 2 Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
One of the most versatile tents out there. Easy to put up, robust removable rain fly and packs down small with great weight ratio.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Plastic clips for attaching fly could create a weak point.
Minimum Weight: 1.72 kg/3lbs 8oz
Packed Weight: 1.81 kg/3lbs 15oz
Floor Area: 2.54sq. m/27.4sq. ft
Packed Size: 48.26 x 11.43cm/19 x 4.5in
Suitability: This is rated as a 3 season tent, and we’d say this is about accurate. However, we have no concerns at all about this tent and its ability to manage itself in heavy storms. Spec wise, the Near Zero 2 Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent sits well amongst some of the more expensive, tech driven models we’ve reviewed and has a strong, robust design. Built in rain gutters also help this tent. We’d have no problem using this tent in a huge variety of weather and climate settings and we see this tent as a great investment.
What we loved about the Near Zero 2 Person Ultralight Backpacking Tent was that it sits up well in terms of price next to some of the more specialist backpacking tents out there that are a good bit pricier. You might think for that, you would get a lot of corners being cut, but we found this was anything but the case with the Near Zero Ultralight. Near Zero have made a name for themselves specialising in lightweight hiking and camping gear, and whilst this tent certainly isn’t the lightest in our roundup, for the price point it is positioned at, it gets the balance right. One thing we weren’t hugely keen on was the asymmetric, tapered design, which was most likely introduced to save on weight, as it made the tent feel a bit cramped and removes a lot of the additional space we’d like to see. This is of course a personal thing, but we would have liked to have seen a little bit more room in the Near Zero it does certainly feel like a small 2 person tent. We would have liked to have seen more storage pocket space too. What’s more, this is an easy tent to set up – even with its tapered design. Near Zero have color coded the poles, grommets, and clips to make things feel more intuitive and to help with quicker pitching. It’s a great design, looks good and has some impressive specs – simply put, we think its a great piece of gear and punches well above its weight when you take into consideration all it offers for the price point it’s being offered at. Read our in depth review here.
Best of the Rest
#4 Nemo Dagger Osmo Ultralight Backpacking Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Plenty of space, durable material, great weatherproofing, easy to use tent pole design and light weight.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Quite pricy!
Minimum Weight: 1.52kg/3 lb 6oz
Packed Weight: 1.86kg/4 lb 2oz
Floor Area: 2.9sq. m/31.3sq. ft
Packed Size: 50 x 9cm/19.5 x 3.5in
Suitability: We wouldn’t be keen to take this tent out into very cold conditions or heavy snow (and it is rated as a three season) but the durability and weather resistance that Nemo’s own OSMO fabric provides makes this tent a sturdy and weather protected contender which will keep you safe amongst the elements. The color coded poles are a great addition to make this tent hardy for all weather conditions – meaning set up in less than perfect weather is much quicker and easier.
The Nemo Dagger Osmo and the Nemo brand in general have a pretty well regarded presence when it comes to tents especially with versatile tents. Their sustainability credentials seem to be at the heart of what they do, which we love. However, is it worth the price? (At time of publication $498/ £648.95). Perhaps overkill for the occasional hiker, but if you’re planning to use your tent quite a lot, are serious about long distances or want to invest in a piece of kit that could last you a long time, we think the Nemo Dagger Osmo is a great ultralight tent and boasts a lot of durability and weather resistance features that will have you feeling safe and secure on your camps and backpacking trips.
One of the things we liked the most about this backpacking tent was just how roomy it feels with a good ratio of storage pocket space too. If you’re hiking long distances or are used to being ‘rained off’ some days in your tent, you’ll likely know how much having that extra space can make a big difference. The rectangular main sleeping compartment means you can easily sleep top to tail with someone else and have enough room to store your backpack and other items easily without feeling crushed in.
What really makes a difference to this tent is the OSMO fabric that Nemo use. A nylon blend introduced in 2022 has improved water resistance and durability which offers 2000mm of resistance to the rain and is reluctant to sag or slouch when wet – perfect if you’re used to trekking somewhere in less than perfect conditions. It’s also not treated with harsh chemicals. If you’re looking for step up or an investment from a brand who are well known for their incredible, forward thinking design, this may well be the best two person tent for you and one of the best two person backpacking tents out there. Read our in depth review here.
#5 Naturehike Cloud-Up 2
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Great features on a budget – offering lightweight and small packed size to rival some of its pricier competitors. Good ratio of storage pocket space.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Fiddly setup could benefit from color coding, single entrance door, we found the included guy lines length quite short.
Minimum Weight: 1.7kg/3 lb 7oz
Packed Weight: 1.9kg/4 lb 2oz
Floor Area: 2.5sq. m/27sq. ft
Packed Size: 40 x 13cm/16 x 5in
Suitability: The Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 is available in two different materials – a 20D Nylon (which is the tent we have assessed here) and a 210T Polyester. This shouldn’t really make that much difference in general, and it’s also good to keep in mind that the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 comes with a footprint to match in the package, so this of course will help with the longevity of the tent. After assessing, the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 would work well as a 3 season tent, being able to withstand heavy storms successfully. We’d be more keen to use this tent for cold weather camping and if you’re going to be desert camping or in hot temperatures, this might be one to avoid as the ventilation wasn’t as good as some more pricey competitors, such as the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL, which we’ve also reviewed.
If you’re on a budget, the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 is one of the best 2 man tents out there. Coming in at 1.7kg trail weight with a packaged weight of 1.9kg, this tent rivals some of its much pricier competitors. However, there have been a few concessions made to meet the lower price point and indeed weight point of this backpacking tent – such as only having one vestibule. Of course, this might not be a problem for you, especially if you plan to hike alone, but it does limit storage space, additional space you may want for other things, and does mean if you’re sharing your tent with someone else, one of you will have to step over the other if you need to get out in the night.
The Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 could also do with its poles being color coded to make set up easier – however, this could be negated once you’d gotten the hang of putting up the tent more frequently. What we also really loved was that the package comes with a matched footprint within the price – this is actually quite a big deal as many of the more expensive tents in our roundup require this to be added as an extra element. So, when you think about the price of the Cloud-Up 2, it is actually pretty good value for money. We think the Cloud-Up 2 really does present some pretty impressive specs in terms of weight and packed down size, so if you’re on a budget and want something that competes in scale with some of the more expensive options, this may well be the best two person tent for you. Read our in depth review here.
#6 Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Best 2 person backpacking tent for weight. The lightest tent we’ve assessed by a long way! Good environmental credentials on materials used.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Lightweight like this carries a cost – very expensive. Needs more consideration when pitching.
Minimum Weight: 779g/1 lb 11oz
Packed Weight: 935g/2 lb 1oz
Floor Area: 2.5sq. m/27.3sq. ft
Packed Size: 48 x 10cm/19.0 x 4.0in
Suitability: The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO backpacking tent is incredibly lightweight and makes use of a semi freestanding design and one of the best small 2 person tents we’ve reviewed in our roundup. This means that the poles only contact the ground in three places, instead of four, like the majority of the tents we’ve covered in this round up. The corners of the tent need to be staked out well for the tent to be at its most secure, which is something to keep in mind if you know you’re going to be camping on very rocky surfaces where this may not be possible. One thing that we were a little concerned with was the rainfly. There is a small ‘cut out’ area at the top of the tent where it doesn’t come down as close to the ground. This does line up with a non mesh section on the main tent body, but we would be cautious about just how well the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO might stand up to heavy storms or driving rain. However in dry conditions, this tent fairs exceptionally well, even for year-round use.
This is a small 2 man tent, but ultimately, the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO is designed for the ultralightweight backpacker or ultralightweight enthusiast, and given its hefty price point, is going to be a serious investment in your kit. However, what you get for that is a seriously incredible piece of engineering in tent form to meet the weight and size that Nemo have achieved here. Is it the best Nemo tent out there? Well, we think it ranks pretty highly. As an asymmetrical design, this backpacking tent is narrower at one end than the other.
Of course, Nemo have prioritised weight as much as possible, so this does make sense. However, this does make the interior of the tent feel a little cramped and we would have loved to see more additional space. The double vestibules and entrances do help here and really give the tent more a sense of functionality. The packed size of the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO is pretty impressive too and is on the smaller side of the tents we’ve assessed at 48x10cm. This is music to many backpackers’ ears and could even help lead the decision to be able to take a smaller pack, meaning you could potentially go further. Overall, we loved the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO and we still just can’t get over the fact that this tent, even at packed weight weighs under 1kg – that truly is amazing! In our opinion the best 2 person backpacking tent for weight out there. Read our in depth review here.
#7 Kelty Discovery Trail Backpacking Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Spacious vestibule, interior, good storage pocket space and quick set up. Overall a good durable tent.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Very bulky and heavy compared to competitors.
Minimum Weight: 2kg/4lb 5oz
Packed Weight: 2.4kg/5lb 4oz
Floor Area: 2.6sq. m/28 sq. ft
Packed Size: 55.8 x 15.24cm/22 x 6 in
Suitability: Kelty have opted for a 68D Polyester for the Discovery Trail tent and claims up to 1200mm waterproofing. That isn’t as high as some of the other tents in this review, but if you are looking for a more reasonable option for your budget, the Kelty Discovery Trail will do the job well as a 3 season tent. What we also love is that Kelty has a lifetime guarantee on their products, as well as DIY repair kits available for purchase which is a big deal when it comes to the long term durability and usage of this tent.
The Kelty Discovery Trail Backpacking Tent is one of the easiest and most versatile tents to set up in our review – and Kelty even claim that this tent can be set up in under two minutes (we’re not entirely sure we’d agree, maybe with a lot of practise) but none the less it’s an easy tent to set up and one of the best 2 person tents for camping. The tent has an easy to fit removable rain fly and makes use of two separate poles that are crossed in an X shape to form a dome which is then inserted into the inner tent mesh body. We loved this and thought it was one of the unique points of the Kelty that really made it stand out.
However, there is no denying that the Kelty Discovery Trail backpacking tent is by far one of the heavier tents in our review. It also has one of the largest packaged sizes too. But considering it’s price, we think that for many beginning backpackers or those who want to try out wild camping, this could be a great introductory tent. In many circumstances, you might even find this is the only backpacking tent you’ll ever need – it is quite a bargain! Read our in depth review here.
#8 Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Very lightweight.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Durability concerns with fabric used and waterproof coating, it’s not as light as some competitors for similar price points.
Minimum Weight: 992g/2lb 3ozPacked Weight: 1.13kg/2lb 8ozFloor Area: 2.6sq. m/28sq. ftPacked Size: 14 x 46cm/5.5 x 18in
Suitability: To help with its weight, the Tiger Wall UL Backpacking tent, similar to the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Backpacking Tent only touches the ground in three places, meaning that the tent is semi freestanding. So, if you know you’re going to be pitching up on very solid, rocky, or even icy ground, this is something to keep very much in mind as the tent will require staking out more than entirely free standing tents. Due to its weight also, the tent walls and rainfly are incredibly thin, and can easily be torn.
This might not be the best news for you if you know you’ll need to hike somewhere with very bad weather. However, if you’re hiking in hotter climates, this tent would be a good choice for you!
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL Backpacking tent is impressively lightweight making it an incredible option for ultralightweight backpackers from one of the biggest and most trusted brands in the backpacking and hiking scene. If you check in on ultralight trekking forums, you’re likely to see this tent come up time and time again. However, like many of the ultralightweight backpacking tents in our round up, the Tiger Wall UL does make some compromises to achieve this. The internal space of this backpacking tent, for example, is one of them. The Tiger Wall UL is only slightly smaller than the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL that we’ve also reviewed and received our recommended status. But the main difference is that this ultralight tent takes advantage of a more tapered roof which really does impact the sense of space, and therefore comfort, that you get inside – however its still a narrow tent. Let’s not pull punches here – this tent serves a purpose, and it would be impossible to have a tent that meets these kind of impressive weight metrics without a reduction of fabric somewhere but I think we would have liked to have seen a more spacious vestibule for the price. Either way it’s a great backcountry tent and all in all, if ultralightweight is your thing, and you want to buy from a brand like Big Agnes who are well renowned for their good customer care and also after care, then this may well be the tent for you. Quite simply, you know what you’re getting with Big Agnes tents and this would be a great investment to your outdoor gear. Read our in depth review here.
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#9 The North Face Stormbreak Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Reasonable price point, large 2 person tent.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
Some aspects of the design and material seem outdated.
Minimum Weight: 1.76kg/3lb 14.1oz
Packed Weight: 2.41kg/5lb 4oz
Floor Area: 2.84sq. m/30.56sq. ft
Packed Size: 55.9 x 17.8cm/22 x 7in
Suitability: Outdoors giant, The North Face have created a really robust tent with the Stormbreak. Whilst many of the competing tents in our review make use of 20 or 30 D Nylon, The North Face have opted for 75D. This is of course a heavier weight choice, but still stands up very well against the other backpacking tents in our roundup. This tent would comfortably sit up against 3 seasons in stormy weather and strong winds, but ventilation could cause a problem in hotter climates.
This is a fairly no frills, no nonsense tent from outdoor giant, The North Face. Whilst there are other tents in our review that beat The North Face Stormbreak in terms of price and spec, if you’re looking for a two man tent from a very well known brand and if weight isn’t the only deciding factor, the Stormbreak could be a good choice for you. What we really loved about this tent was its ease of set up. The Northface Stormbreak uses individual poles, with four poles in total. Two long poles that go over the main dome of the tent and two shorter poles that create the shape at the top of the tent. This is fairly old school, but still a very valid thing! The two shorter poles do of course add weight to the overall pack, but they also add to the spacious feel of the tents interior. Overall, The North Face Stormbreak is one of the heavier tents in our review and by no means an ultralight tent, coming in at 2.41kg packed weight – that is heavy, but if weight isn’t the only deciding factor for you, and you want a tent with quite a roomy feel for a 2 person hiker tent and are prepared to carry the weight, this may well be the choice for you. Read our in depth review here.
#10 Nemo Chogori Mountaineering Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Exceptional weather resistance and sturdy build.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Heavy and quite as complex setup relative to most lightweight tents (more complex tent pole design).
Minimum Weight: 3.2kg/7lb 1oz
Packed Weight: 3.47kg/7lb 11oz
Floor Area: 3.4sq. m/36.3sq. ft
Packed Size: 46 x 22cm/18.0 x 8.5in
Suitability: The Nemo Chogori Mountaineering Tent is designed for exactly that – mountaineering expeditions that need that extra protection from the elements, heavy wind, bad weather and particularly in very cold conditions. So, if you’re planning to go hiking in the desert, this tent won’t be for you and it maybe isn’t the best tents for hiking perse. However, if you are planning to visit much colder temperatures, harsh weather and hike much later into the year high into the mountains, this tent may well be the answer for you. It is incredibly weather tough, rigid and will last you a very long time as a potential 4-Season tent.
This tent certainly is specialised, but it has some incredible features that make it stand up extremely well. Sure, it is certainly not light, in fact, it is one of the heaviest tents in our reviews, at 3.47kg packed weight. However, its specialised. If you’re looking for a tent that would stand up well on serious backpacking or expeditions to high mountains, against strong winds or colder temperatures, with an incredibly rugged design, this may well be the tent for you. What we also loved about the Nemo Chogori Mountaineering Tent was the packed down size, rivalling many of the other tents in our round up.
It’s a good 2 man tent with standing room and considering the spacious feel that this tent has inside (with 36.3 square feet of space) that is impressive. In terms of general pitching, though, the Chogori is more effort than many of the tents we’ve assessed in our roundup, however one thing we love is that The Chogori makes use of fully internal pitching as well – meaning that whilst you’re getting the tent set up, none of the inner mesh or tent body is exposed to the elements – this is great news for those setting up on the regular in snowy and very rainy conditions who want to ensure the inside of their tent is dry when they get in. Read our in depth review here.
#11 Kelty Far Out Backpacking Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
Keenly priced and sits well within more budget tents with included footprint.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Heavier without the use of higher tech materials.
Minimum Weight: 2.09kg/4lb 10oz
Packed Weight: 2.47kg/5lb 7oz
Floor Area: 2.59 sq. m/27.85 sq. ft
Packed Size: 40.64 x 15.24cm/16 x 6in
Suitability: The Kelty Far Out Backpacking Tent has a 1500mm waterproof guarantee, which is great to see on such a reasonability priced tent. Whilst heavy, the Kelty Far Out is hardy and stands up incredibly well to the elements, both in stormy and bad weather weather and warmer climates, which makes it a great choice for an all round three season tent.
We’ve also compared the Kelty Discovery Trail Tent in our roundup, so it would be hard not to think of the two in comparison, and with this in mind, we’d say that the Kelty Far Out Backpacking Tent is a much better option when it comes to backcountry tents. Why? The Far Out has a number of features we think were missed in the Discovery Trail Tent, however, this does come at a heavier weight than the Discovery Trail. The Far Out makes use of 68D polyester material for its floor, which has a slightly higher water resistance than the Discovery trail (at 1500mm vs 1200mm) for example. We also love that for the price point, Kelty have included a matched footprint, which as you’ll likely know at this point can make a significant difference to the overall price of the tent you’re going to buy. This makes it a very affordable tent against the other 2 person hiking tents in our roundup.
However, if weight is a deciding factor for you, this certainly isn’t an ultralight tent or even a light weight tent for that matter and there are certainly other 2 man backpacking tents in our round up that hit a much lower weight. If price is a deciding factor and you want a two man tent with a lifetime of customer service with repair options, this tent may be a great option for you, especially if you’re just getting into backpacking or wild camping and want ample (27.85) square feet of space. Read our in depth review here.
#12 Wandelen Appalachian Lightweight Backpacking Tent
Pros / Reasons to Buy:
A very well priced and affordable tent, packs down small and great tent pole design. One of the lightest tent designs in our round up.
Cons / Reasons to Avoid:
Single entrance and could feel cramped.
Minimum Weight: 1.67kg/3lb 7oz
Packed Weight: 1.76kg/3lb 9oz
Floor Area: 2.69sq. m/29sq. ft
Packed Size: 39.4 x 11.43cm/15.5 x 4.5in
Suitability: Wandelen make use of materials often found in much more expensive tents, such as silicone coated ripstop nylon which sees the tent stand up well in inclement weather as well as more favourite climates. The tent is well stitched and comes with a lifetime warrantee from the manufacturer, so these are all great assurances. The tent feels robust and well made – making it a great piece of kit you can rely on for the trail even in bad weather and heavy rain.
A great backcountry tent! We were very impressed with this tent considering its price – Wandelen are a brand we hadn’t heard of before, but if this is a sign of things to come, they are a brand to keep an eye on. If you’re looking for a tent to get into backpacking or wild camping, this may well be a great option for you. It’s at a great price point for many beginners, especially if you aren’t sure how much you plan to go backpacking or wild camping, and it sits up well in terms of its packed weight with many of its competitors. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the tents’ asymmetrical design – something that we see fairly commonly in lightweight backpacking tents, to help towards the overall weight.
However, this does compromise the size inside and how much comfortable space two people would have to sit up and sit up across from each other when inside. The one door entrance was something we weren’t keen on either, preferring a two-door set up where you don’t have to disturb your tent mate if you need to get up in the middle of the night. That aside, the tent makes use of 20D Ripstop Nylon, like many of its much more expensive competitors, so you really are getting a great tent for the money. It’s not the lightest, or absolute cheapest tent in our reviews, but it gets the balance right in our opinion. Read our in depth review here.
Small 2 Person Backpacking Tents Buying Guide
Below, we’ve outlined the key factors that we used to decide which tents made the cut to help you find the right tent for your needs.
Price
When looking at back country tents, we truly believe that you shouldn’t have to spend the earth to get gear that is fit for purpose, and that’s why we’ve made a point of reviewing a range of tents at different price points. Tents are sadly not all created equal though, and often what you’ll find yourself paying for, aside from the brand name on a more pricey tent, the quality of the build, stitching, technical fabrics, detailing and weight as well as durability and overall design. Generally, you’ll find that the lighter the tent is, the pricier it is going to be, so if you are looking for a more budget option, you can expect it to be heavier too.
A more affordable tent option may be a great way for you to try out what works for you if you’re new to wild camping or backpacking – weight is also personal. What one person classes as a heavy pack might not be such a problem for someone else. It can also vary depending on how long you’ll be heading out for – an overnight may be more manageable with a heavier tent than a three week trek. However, if you’re in a position where you’re looking for an upgrade to your current set up or already go backpacking and wild camping fairly regularly, investing in a more expensive tent can be a decision that will last you for years with some care and attention.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, we think there are a number of things you need to take into consideration with small 2 person tents:
- Liveability: Does the tent feel homely? Could you imagine spending a few days huddled away in it or are you going to feel pressed up and squished together? Is there more than one door on the tent so that you have ample space to get out in the night and don’t have to climb over your hiking partner to get out in the middle of the night to enter and exit? This can usually be decided by looking at the space you’re going to get, which we refer to more shortly.
- Weight: How is the weight of the tent you buy packed down in your backpack going to feel on your back as you transport it through the day?
- Space: How do the tent’s dimensions fair up against who you’ll be with, your height and size as well as the things you’ll be bringing with you? Is there ample space for you?
- Feel: How does the tent feel? This can come down in part to the space you have – for example, what extra space do you have available when you’re rained in? Does it feel like you could actually enjoy cooking? Reading a book? Relaxing? Spending time backpacking isn’t just about sleeping in your tent, it needs to become your home away from home. How the tent feels can also come down to things like ventilation, too. This is a personal preference and is going to be based heavily on where you’ll be using the tent – for example, if you’re used to camping or hiking in very wet locations, you might find that humidity and the condensation on the tent you choose to buy is important.
Weather Resistance
One of the most important considerations we made when reviewing the backpack tents we’ve included was looking at weather resistance and what was it that actually made some of them the best hiking tent out there. We’ve been fortunate enough to wild camp and backpack in numerous different locations and have experienced everything you could think of when it comes to weather. Take into consideration where you will most likely be using your new tent. For example, if you plan on doing a lot of dry climate alpine summer hiking, you might find one of the Big Agnes tents we’ve reviewed, such as the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL to be more appropriate.
However, if you’re looking for something that can withstand a lot of bad weather such as heavy rain, storms and changeable, unpredictable weather, you might find that the MSR Hubba Hubba or the Near Zero Ultralight would be more suited to your needs. We genuinely don’t think that everything boils down to denier when it comes to weather resistance and durability – a lot has to do with how well the tent is built to withstand water and storms.
Weight
Lightweight tents for hiking are not all built the same, with a huge variance in weight. When looking into the weight of a two man tent or two person tents for backpacking, you’ll generally see that most manufacturers will list the packed weight and trail weight (which can also be referred to as minimum weight). The packed weight refers to everything that comes with the tent when you open the package on its arrival – this can include things like stakes, guys, stuff sack etc. It’s also worth considering if you’re going to be using a footprint as well (you can read more about a tent footprint in our guide) as this can add quite a considerable amount more weight to the overall tent.
The trail weight generally refers to just the tent, rainfly and poles. There are ways, depending on the type of camping and backpacking you’re doing, that you can shave off extra weight from your pack by leaving things that you won’t need – for example, you can likely get away without needing the stuff sack in your backpack. However, it’s really worth paying attention to the packed weight versus trail weight that’s listed, and also listed on the manufacturers pages. We’ve tried to keep our reviews focused on packed weight, as we believe this is more in line with what you’re likely to carry with you.
Packed Size
Packed size is a big one when deciding which two man tent to go for, as this can impact your whole experience. Many people seem to focus quite heavily on how the tent feels to use, and we get it. However, you need to be able to either fit or attach your tent to your backpack. You’ll need to consider how big your pack is when backpacking a two person tent around with you alongside the space you need for the other things you need to bring with you. Things like poles set up, pockets, chunky things like pole hubs or vestibules will all contribute to the overall packed size and bulk that your tent creates. Generally, you’ll find that a compact tent will have a smaller package and if the tent is bulkier, you can expect it to be heavier. When you look through our reviews, you’ll generally see that the smallest tent in terms of packed weight is generally some of the most lightweight backpacking tents out there.
Durability
When it comes to durability amongst the various backpacking tent brands we’ve reviewed, we are looking at a number of points, and we wanted to make sure that we were taking into consideration the different kind of environments you’d be using your 2 man tent combined with personal experience when making our recommendations. You’ll often find that tent fabric, due to it generally being made of nylon, is referred to in denier – with the higher the denier relating to a stronger material. Again, it’s about getting the right balance for the situations you’re most likely to find yourself in to prolong the life of your tent. If you know that you’re going to be camping in very rocky areas – such as with loose scree or anything that could be considered sharp, it’s really worth looking at the denier strength of the bottom of the tent as a deciding factor for your purchase. However, the heavier the denier, the more likely you are to see an overall increase in weight.
You’ll likely find that some of the ultralightweight tents we’ve listed are not as durable as some of the heavier tents – so looking after and storing your tent well as well as repairing any damage as soon as you can afterwards is going to prolong the life of your tent as long as possible. The pole design and guy system plays a huge part in durability as well – as this is what is going to keep your tent feeling sturdy and doing well against the elements through windy weather, heavy rain or a storm – we’ve tried to take this into consideration as much as possible when rating whether any of the tents we’ve recommended are durable or not.
Ease of Setup
When talking about how easy the backpack tent is to set up, we took into consideration how easy it is to put up the tent, but also how intuitive or not it feels. You also have to think about the conditions you’re likely to be putting up a tent – for example, at the end of a long days hike, particularly at altitude, the last thing you want is to be spending ages putting up a tent that just doesn’t make sense. It was also important for us to consider the put up and break down times when it comes to less than perfect weather – if there’s heavy rain, you want to know that your tent is going to be up fast to prevent any water within the interior of the tent. Many of the tents we’ve looked at have colour coded poles, or very simple pole designs and we absolutely love this when it comes to putting the tent together – we genuinely believe putting together your tent shouldn’t be a huge production. We also considered how easy it would be to construct the tent alone – so that you’re not relying on the tension of another person to put the tent together. Again, it’s a situation of looking at your intended use and seeing what is right for you.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for an upgrade to your current backpack tent or are new to wild camping and backpacking, finding the best 2 person camping tent for your needs can feel daunting because of the seemingly endless options out there. It’s important to look at your intended use and where you’ll actually be using your tent and what is important to you to help you decide which model is right for you. Of course, our recommendations and reviews are not a definitive list, but we hope we’ve been able to help you get more clarity when it comes to choosing the best two person tent for backpacking and the right tent for you!
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