Tent Guide
Backpacking Tents

Backpacking Tents

A lightweight backpacking tent, seen here is the Tadpole from The North Face
If you plan on heading into the backcountry and spending the night, a backpacking tent is darn right mandatory. Believe me when I say that the last thing you want to carry on your back is a 10 pound tent, especially if your travels take you up big, long hills.

In essence, a backpacking tent is a lightweight tent designed to be BOTH portable (packable) and very light. In general terms, a backpacking tent for two people should weigh no more than 6 pounds (and the less the better) and still pack down to a size smaller than 10x20 inches (which allows it to fit nicely on or even inside a backpack).

For three season use, when choosing a backpacking tent, try to get one with LOTS of mesh. The mesh allows for superb air circulation - something needed in these small tents. And secondly, the more mesh a tent has, the lighter it will be. Also be sure that the rainfly has a nice vestibule on it - one that is at least 5 square feet (the vestibule is where you store your gear or cook when it is raining).

Additionally, I highly recommend getting a backpacking tent that is free standing. Most are, but a few still aren't. By getting a free standing tent, you'll have far greater flexibility in where to set up the tent as well as an easier time of setting it up to begin with.

You may also wish to read the article How to Select a Backpacking Tent. All tents below are available through Backcountry.Com.

Popular Brands of Backpacking Tents

North Face  |  Marmot  |   Mountain Hardwear  |  Kelty  |  Black Diamond  |  Sierra Designs



Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Ultra Light Tent: 2-Person 3-Season
$399.95




Big Agnes Fly Creek UL4 Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$499.95




Big Agnes Gore Pass 2 Tent: 2-Person 3-Season
$279.95




Big Agnes Hager House 3 Tent: 3-Person 3 Season
$299.95




Black Diamond Firstlight Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$359.95




Black Diamond Mirage 2-Person 3-Season Tent
$299.95




Easton Mountain Products Kilo Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$398.95




Eureka Mountain Pass 3XTE Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$249.90




Eureka Timberline SQ 4XT Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$289.90




Kelty Gunnison 2.1 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$199.95




Kelty Gunnison 3.1 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$239.95




Marmot Aura 2-Person 3-Season Tent
$328.95




Marmot Earlylight 2-Person 3-Season Tent w/ Footprint and Gear Loft
$228.95




Marmot Twilight 2-Person 3-Season Tent w/ Footprint and Gear Loft
$268.95




Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 3 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$424.95




MSR Carbon Reflex 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$499.95




MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$649.95




MSR Holler Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$449.95




MSR Hubba Tent: 1-Person 3-Season
$279.95




MSR Mutha Hubba Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$429.95




NEMO Equipment Inc. Losi 2P Tent: 2-Person 3-Season
$369.95




NEMO Equipment Inc. Losi 3P Tent: 3-Person 3-Season
$449.95




NEMO Equipment Inc. Meta 2p Tent: 2-Person 3-Season
$399.95




Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 XLong Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$334.90




Stoic Arx XL 2 Tent - 3-Season
$269.00




Stoic Arx XL 3 Tent - 3-Season
$299.00




The North Face Flint 2 Bx Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$148.95




The North Face Mica 1 Tent: 1-Person 3-Season
$248.95




The North Face Rock 22 Bx Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$208.95



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