Best Backpacking Tents for 2025

We dive into the important features of backpacking tents and how to decide what you need, along with our picks for the best backpacking tents of 2025.

We’ve spent a lot of time in backpacking tents, from quick weekend trips to through-hikes. This article is aimed to be a jumping off point if you’re planning on carrying a tent on your back, or bike. The best backpacking tents are lightweight, but not light on features. They range from ultralight minimalist (picture a tent that requires trekking poles to stand) to more spacious abodes. To help you decide what is right for you, we start with a list of features that are important to consider when shopping for a backpacking tent. We give you our top all-around choices for 1-person, 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person models. 

Full Specs

Here is a backpacking tent spec chart as a reference. In you're on mobile, rotate your phone to landscape.

Best Backpacking Tents: Our top picks

It's of course hard to pick a single "best" tent as we have many favorites depending on the use. This list are the leaders in our all-around category, meaning that they hit the sweet spot of weight, space, features, and price. See our separate articles for more detailed coverage.

Best 1-Person Backpacking Tent: MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1

MSRP: $469.95

For solo backpackers, the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1 is both lightweight and roomy. Weighing in at just 2 pounds 11 ounces (packed weight), this ultralight tent features a true rectangular floor measuring 88 x 32 inches. A crossover pole provides a peak head height of 39 inches as well as an 8sqft vestibule. The Hubba Hubba LT 1 holds up well in moderate winds and rain, thanks to its 20D 1,200mm rainfly, 20d 1,800mm floor, and DAC NFL 8.7mm poles. on par with 3-season ultralight tents. There are lighter options out there, but not many offer a mix of weight savings and usable space.

Best 2-Person Backpacking Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2

MSRP: $549.95

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 has been a leader in the full-featured ultralight category for a number of seasons. Few other tents offer the interior and vestibule space for the weight that you get with the Copper Spur. New for 2025 is the Big Agnes proprietary Hyperbead™ fabric technology, which claims to be 6% lighter and 25% more waterproof than traditional Nylon. It also improves the stretch resistance of Nylon, which is a common complaint when the fabric becomes wet. Packed weight is right at 3 lbs, offering 18 sqft of total vestibule space split between the two side-entry doors. If you need shorter poles, check out the Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack version. If you want even more space Big Agnes offers the Copper Spur UL2 XL.

Best 3-Person Backpacking Tent: Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P

MSRP: $599.95

The 2025 Nemo Dagger OSMO 3P improves on the long-running Dagger series. At the time of its launch it was the first Bluesign approved backpack tent due in part to the solution-dyed recycled fabric. Solution-dying reduces the water needed to dye fabric and saves thousands of gallons each year just in tent fabric production. With a total weight of 4lbs 7oz this tent is packed with features. The OSMO™ poly-nylon ripstop fabric has 4x longer lasting water repellency and 3x less stretch when wet. Inside you’ll find Nightlight Pockets™ that diffuse the light on your headlamp to create an even glow. With a class leading 12.1sqft of vestibule space outside each door there is plenty of room to keep your gear protected.

Best 4-Person Backpacking Tent: Marmot Tungsten 4

MSRP: $399.95

The Tungsten 4 tips the scales on the heavier side and lacks the floor area of its rivals. That said, it has the most vestibule space and tallest head height of all 4-person tents in our list, making it a great choice for families with kids. The polyester taffeta floor and included footprint also make it a great choice for couples bringing along a dog. Dual crossover poles offer great headroom and 18sqft of vestibule space outside each door. Bonus points for an included footprint at $399.95.

What to Look for in a Backpacking Tent

Let’s break down the most important features of the best backpacking tents. These are the things you should consider when shopping for your next adventure.

Weight

Tents typically have two weights listed. The minimum weight (sometimes referred to as trail weight)  includes the tent body, rainfly, and poles, but nothing else. The packaged weight (or total weight) is the weight of the tent as it is sold, including all parts. We always compare packaged weight, because that’s what most people should plan on carrying.

How much should a backpacking tent weigh?

Backpacking tents should be lightweight, but exactly how light depends on your style of hiking. Most one or two-person backpacking tents are between 2.5 and 6 pounds in packaged weight. If you’re looking for something even lighter, ultralight options under 2 pounds are available, though they tend to sacrifice either comfort or durability for weight. Larger tents (3+ person) will naturally be heavier, ranging from 4 to 10 pounds depending on size and features.

Packed Length

The packed length is the longest side of the tent when broken down for storage and it is determined by the longest segment of the pole set. If you’re bikepacking or trying to fit your tent into motorcycle panniers, this is something you should pay extra attention to. Many brands offer bikepacking specific tents that feature shorter pole segments. For example the poleset on the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack is 12”, while the standard Copper Spur UL2 comes in at 19.5”.

Vestibule Space

Vestibules are a must for storing your gear. They keep your pack, boots, and other equipment dry outside the sleeping area. If you need more space for gear, look for tents with larger vestibules, or consider a model with two vestibules for added storage. The NEMO Dagger OSMO 3-person backpacking tent has a massive 12.1 sq ft of vestibule space outside of each door and comes with an included storage tub to keep gear off the ground.

Strength and Wind Resistance

A good tent should be able to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it. Look for tents with a sturdy frame, durable fabric, and reinforced seams. Wind resistance is particularly important in exposed areas, and the fabric denier rating plays a big role here. Tents with higher denier fabrics (like 30D or 40D) offer better durability and resistance to high winds, making them ideal for tough conditions.

Water Resistance & Hydrostatic Head Ratings: 

The hydrostatic head rating measures how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before leaking. Backpacking tents have lower ratings than your jacket and you’ll find more lightweight options are between 1,500mm and 2,500mm. There are some notable exceptions, like the Durston X-Mid Pro series which feature Dyneema fabric rated at 8,000mm. A tent floor will often have a higher rating than the rainfly, since it faces abrasion and the pressure of your body weight. 

Should you use a tent footprint?

A footprint is a protective groundsheet that goes under your tent to guard against abrasions and sharp objects. If you’re camping in rocky or rough terrain, a footprint can save your tent floor. But for minimalist setups, it’s optional—and most ultralight tents don’t come with one to save on weight. If you’re going on a 3-day trip and counting grams then leave the footprint behind, but for the longevity of your tent we recommend using a footprint. Not only will it add a layer of protection against cuts and abrasions, but it also keeps dirt and sap off your tent, and is easier to toss in the washing machine. tents like the Marmot Tungsten 4 come with an included footprint.

Roominess

There are two components of roominess, the floor dimensions and the pole construction. Many full-featured backpacking tents have a crossover pole that runs perpendicular to the doors. This creates headroom as well as steeper walls. Two tents may have the same floor dimensions but feel very different inside (especially tents where the ceiling tapers to the foot). One to Three person backpacking tents are typically 86-88” long, but there are options as long as 96”. If you’re over 6 feet tall you’ll want to pay close attention to the floor length and walls.

Door and sleeping configuration

Sleeping configurations differ depending on the tent. Tents are offered in a head-entry (typically one door) and a side-entry (one or two doors). This is a creature comfort decision. A side-entry is often more convenient than crawling through the front. Tents with two doors and vestibules make it easier for multiple people to get in and out without disturbing one another. With a side-entry tent that only has a single door, you may need to crawl over your tent mate for a late-night nature call.  For smaller tents, most feature a side-by-side sleeping arrangement, but larger tents might have sleepers lay head to toe.