Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents 2025

Best for comfort: REI Half Dome 2 Plus

MSRP: $359.00    Packed Weight: 6lbs

See the Half Dome 2 Plus at REI

The "Plus" category has been a growing category within backpacking tents. Offering more space than a standard 2-person, but often saving you a half pound compared to moving up to a 3-person tent. They also provide more length for taller backpackers. 

Within this category, the REI Half Dome 2 Plus sticks out as a spacious and durable tent at an incredible value. The 92 inch floor on the 2 Plus is 4 inches longer than the standard REI Half Dome, which is great for tall campers to keep the wall away from the foot of your sleeping bag. It's also great for increased storage at your foot and being able to spread out gear. We appreciate the durability of the 40 denier rainfly and 75D floor on the REI Half Dome 2 Plus, which are the proper choices for a tent that prioritizes comfort and durability over weight. The large vertical D-shaped doors make for easy entry.

For an ultralight Plus option take a look at the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL, which will save you a massive 2.5 pounds.

Best ultralight (trekking poles): Durston X-Mid 2

MSRP: $274.00    Est. Packed Weight: 2lb 2oz

Durston Gear is without a doubt one of the up and coming brands in the ultralight backpacking space. They offer some really interesting tents and packs that have won a bevy of awards. Founded by Dan Durston, who has completed the PCT and the first out and back on the Canada Great Divide Trail. Durston Gear is based in the Canadian Rockies and this environment comes through in their product designs.

The X-Mid series is based on Durston's patented X-Mid geometry which uses twin offset trekking poles to create a very spacious and stable structure.  This 2-person tent offers a massive 52 inch interior floor width, enough space for wide sleeping pads. The unique shape provides for gear storage inside the tent at both the head and foot. You also get 16.5 sqft of vestibule space outside of each door, more than most 2-person tents on our list. While Durston offers numerous Dyneema™ Composite Fabric (DCF) options across their product line, the standard version of the X-Mid uses an innovative 15d polyester fabric. This fabric has a silicon coating and sports a waterproof rating of 3500mm hydrostatic head, while non-DCF ultralight tents are typically 1200mm - 2000mm. This tent can also be pitched fly-first, keeping your inner tent dry when setting up in the rain. On top of all of this, the Durston X-Mid 2 is the only ultralight 2-person tent under $300. The X-Mid series has gotten a lot of praise and it is well earned.

When displaying and comparing weights of trekking pole tents we add 2.7oz to the packed weight for stakes, to give you an idea of the weight with everyone you realistically need to pitch it in the backcountry. We assume that you will in fact be using trekking poles, so no pole weight is included. 

Best on a budget: NEMO Aurora 2

MSRP: $299 w/footprint    Packed Weight: 5 lbs. 10 oz w/footprint

Current price comparison NEMO Aurora 2:

The NEMO Aurora 2 backpacking tent offers super value at $300, starting with the included footprint. We suggest using a footprint on all but the most minimalist trips, so add $40 to the price of any other 2-person tents in the comparison set if they don't include one.  Like most NEMO tents, the Aurora 2 is rich in features. We particularly like the structure of the Elements™ hubbed pole set which creates very steep walls. TheNightlight Pockets™ use a special fabric to create a nice glow from your headlamp. The 68D rainfly with 2000m waterproof rating provides both durability and protection from the elements. Bonus points for this tent being one of the few Bluesign certified backpacking tents on the market, showing NEMO's commitment to sustainability. 

A close runner up, best on a budget :

Big Agnes Blacktail 2

Best 4-season: MSR Access Ultralight 2

MSRP: $799.95    Packed Weight: 3 lbs. 10 oz

Current price comparison MSR Access 2:

There are not many 4-season tents that we classify as truly backpacking, as opposed to mountaineering. There are some good options for single wall tents like the Black Diamond Firstlight 2, but these are more suitable for below-freezing adventures and not rainy or humid environments.

The MSR Access 2 Ultralight's double wall design and  packed weight of 3lbs 10oz makes it the most versatile 4-season 2-person backpacking tent on our list. While not suitable to really heavy snow load or winter mountaineering, it is designed to withstand severe weather all year long. The fly and floor use MSR's Xtreme Shield™ polyurethane (30d/3000mm floor and 20d/1200mm fly) to give extra protection compared with their 3-season models. The poles are Easton® Syclone™ composite, specifically chosen for strength and cold weather performance. Our one callout with this tent is that it is not expedition level protection. Notably, the vestibule is going to collapse under any real snow load as there isn't a pole supporting it.

If you are looking for a mountaineering tent which you can still split up and carry, check out the  NEMO Chogori 2P. It features an integrated fly and body, an external poleset suitable for snow load, and full snow skirt.

Best for Bikepacking: MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Bikepack

MSRP: $579.95    Packed Weight: 3 lb 12 oz

Current price comparison MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Bikepack:

Bikepacking became its own category in the last 5 years or so and we're glad it did, because it's super fun! You can now find a host of gear dedicated to overnights on your bike, including specifically designed frame packs from brands like Revelate Designs to of course, tents. The main feature of bikepacking tents is a shortened poleset. You get some other bells and whistles for biking, but they are usually of secondary importance. The poles need to be short in order for the tent to fit between the brake levers on your handlebar, in a seat bag, or panniers. 

MSR has made a notable entrant into this space by porting over their award winning Hubba Hubba design. This tent tops our list as an all-rounder. It's not the lightest or cheapest 2-person bikepacking tent, but it's a great design. Starting with the spacers for mounting the bag on a bike, it is clear that at least some of the designers at MSR are spending time in the saddle. The StayDry™ doors on the fly have a small built-in gutter to prevent rain from entering the vestibule through the zipper, or when opening the fly. These are very functional design elements that contribute to strong performance. Our other big callout on the Hubba Hubba 2 Bikepack (and the Hubba in general) is the rectangular floor. Most 2-person tents taper heavily to the foot. The extra room for wide sleeping pads is appreciated.