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 Emerald Mountain SL2 Super Light Tent: 2-Person 3-Season
$349.95




Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Super Light Tent: 3-Person 3-Season
$399.95




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




Big Agnes Salt Creek 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$349.95




Black Diamond Firstlight Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$320




Black Diamond HiLight 2-Person 3-Season Tent
$370




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




Black Diamond Oneshot 1-Person 3-Season Tent
$299.95




Kelty Crestone Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$159.95




Kelty Grand Mesa 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$139.95




Kelty Grand Mesa 4 Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$209.95




Kelty Gunnison 3.1 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$229.95




Kelty Gunnison 4.1 Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$249.95




Kelty Teton 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$149.95




Marmot Abode Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$318.95




Marmot Aeolos Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$338.95




Marmot Aeros Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$368.95




Marmot Limelight 2-Person Tent w/ Footprint and Gear Loft
$188.95




Marmot Twilight 2-Person Tent w/ Footprint and Gear Loft
$248.95




Marmot Zonda 2-Person 3-Season Tent
$288.95




Mountain Hardwear Helion 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$424.95




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




MSR Elbowroom Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$349.95




MSR Hubba HP Tent 1-Person 3-Season
$349.95




MSR Hubba Hubba Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$299.95




MSR Mutha Hubba HP Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$549.95




Sierra Designs Meteor Light 3 Tent 3-Person 3 Season
$348.95




Sierra Designs Vapor Light 1 Tent 1-Person 3-Season
$268.95




The North Face Big Fat Frog 24 Bx Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$258.95




The North Face Double Headed Toad 44 Bx Tent 4-Person 3-Season
$328.95




The North Face Manta Ray 23 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$348.95




The North Face Meso 22 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$278.95




The North Face Rock 22 Bx Tent 2-Person 3-Season
$188.95




The North Face Spectrum 33 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$328.95




The North Face Vario 33 Tent 3-Person 3-Season
$358.95



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