9 Best Tents For Backpacking And Camping In 2022

Choosing a low-quality tent can affect your backpacking adventure. But with lots of options available, finding the best tent is not easy. So, we have written this buying guide to help you out in deciding which among the best tents for backpacking and camping you should buy. We have reviewed 9 popular and high-quality tents in the market today.

By the end of the article, you will be able to choose the right tent for your next camping journey. Our backpacking tent reviews include the different tent features, their specifications with pros and cons. However, if you would like to skip straight to the final verdict, here is a quick recap of our top picks.

Top 9 Tents [Table Of Comparison]

We have designed a comparison table below for your easy reference. However, it is important to note that the positions are in no particular order of importance.

Best Tents For Backpacking and Camping Reviews

1. Big Agnes Blacktail 4 - Best for 4 Person

Big Agnes Blacktail 4 is one of the best backpacking tent regarded and used by many backpackers due to it being very lightweight. Keeping their backpack as light as possible could be the main priority for most campers. Aside from being light, it has some great features that users would surely love.

2. CORE Equipment 4 Person Tent - Best for the Money

This 4-person instant dome tent can be set up under 30 seconds. The Core poles are already connected to the tent, all you need to do is to take it out, unfold and spread.

3. Nemo Hornet Ultralight - Best for One Person

This is one of the ultralight tent with two doors and weighs only 1 lb. 14.3 oz., excluding the tent stakes or stuff sacks. With this ultralight backpacking tent, you can enjoy the advantages of a double-walled tent without adding weight on it. Nemo Hornet is the most sought after 1 person backpacking tent in the market today.

4. Coleman Carlsbad Fast Pitch Dark Room Tent with Screen Room - Best For 6 Person

This 6 person tent can block 90% of sunlight to put the kids early to bed and those who still want to sleep at daytime.

5. OZARK Trail Family Cabin Tent - Recommended for Family Camping 

This family cabin tent is sturdy and spacious. The Ozark Trail Family Cabin can accommodate 10-person, and it has 3 room XL family cabin tent. If you are looking for a comfortable tent for your family, this will surely provide the best.

6. Hyke & Byke Yosemite - Best for 2 Person

If you are looking for a 2 person ultralight tent that can provide comfort, reliability, and convenience, the Hyke & Byke is what we recommend. This tent is very light, and it weighs only around 3 lbs.

7. NTK Arizona GT- Best For Rainy Areas

This tent is recommended if you are going to a place where it is most likely to rain. The NTK Arizona GT Tent is designed to last long. It is chosen in 2016 in the USA as one of the best family tents for bad weather. The recognition was given because of its impressive construction and ergonomic design.

8. ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian - Best for Winter  

The ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian is a 4 season tent with lots of features you will surely enjoy. It uses 7000 series aluminum poles. The tent has a full-coverage fly having two vestibules to keep your gear organized. Because of its additional pole on the fly, it makes a large vestibule on the front for additional storage.

9. Marmot Crane Creek 2-Person 

Marmont Crane Creek can accommodate from 2 up to 3 people. It is versatile and compact and made with good quality. With all these, this particular piece is also known as the best hiking tent.

The Significance of Tents When Camping

One of the most enjoyable outdoor activity is camping. It is done in a place where no proper accommodation is present. It can be done in an uninhabited island, mountain or forested areas. And camping can be a fun and romantic activity for couple to improve their relationship goal.

Camping is not only for those who are willing to move out of their comfort zone. For those who are into camping, they don’t just go on in this activity without preparing beforehand, such as understanding the possible dangers. Other than that, it is important that they are equipped with the right equipment and one of the things they would not forget to take with them is a tent.

Tents are portable shelter and are made of sheets of canvas and are supported by a framework of poles. There are different types of tents that you can choose from. The most common type of tents is the one that is made of fabric and is stretched out using ropes.

Not giving importance to tents could ruin your camping adventure. Who would want to sleep out in the open for the rest of the night? You could freeze out in the cold weather and will not be able to sleep comfortably.

Therefore, it is a must to bring your a reliable tent for camping in an isolated place. Make sure that it is big and comfortable enough to accommodate as many people as possible. It is also important that the tents are made of high-quality material to keep you protected from any problem.

Buying Guide

Buying a product you find online is not always a good idea. It does not mean that if you see a tent on top of the search results, it’s the best. There are some essential factors you need to look out first before choosing.

Price

Budget often plays an important factor in determining what kind of backpacking budget tents you are looking for. The price of tents may range from less than $100 to as expensive as $1000. Of course, brands, features and materials of a tent are those determine their price tag. 

Some tents are built durable enough to withstand harsh winter, strong winds, extreme heat, usually these tents come in higher price tag. On the contrary, cheaper-priced tents can be used for certain seasons such as early spring which usually doesn't require more features. Cheaper tents may not last you long but at least they can provide temporary solutions to your needs.

Number of People

When investing in a reliable tent, you need to know whether you are going with your family, friends or alone. You would not want to ruin the adventure because you have bought the wrong tent. Backpacking tents are usually designed to accommodate 1-3 people. However, there are some big tent that can house up to 10 persons.

In my opinion, it is better to buy larger backpacking tents compared to getting smaller tents because it will save your time to set up more tents . There are instances where the tent locations are small and can accommodate only one or two people. If you don’t mind carrying a heavy load and want a bigger interior space for you to move around, you can opt for the 2-3 person tent.

Size

Season Rating

Backpacking tents are rated according to the season to specify the features included. Those with thicker fabric and having more poles are more resistant to weather and are stronger. They are also a bit heavier and bulkier. The ideal backpacking tent is the one that can withstand any weather. Some of the season ratings are as follows:

Before buying, consider the weather in the area you will be backpacking and choose a tent appropriate for that.

Single or Double Wall

You can also choose between a single or double wall. The most popular is the double wall as it has an inner layer with fabric sections, mesh and waterproof outer layer and bottom known as rainfly.

The single wall tents have one waterproof layer. Most of the single wall is made of breathable fabric and have vents to reduce condensation.

Majority of the best tents are double walled because it is easy to use and are less expensive. You have the option to set it up without they rainfly or only the rainfly and poles to lessen the weight.

Weight

One of the most important factors is the weight. Make sure that you choose a tent that is not too heavy for you to carry on your back. Keep in mind that you might need to carry them for several miles.

It is important that you balance weight and comfort. Most of the time, lighter tents have smaller interior space. You can check the tent before buying by spending some time inside the tent to see how tall and wide it is. Some tent can be very lightweight but it may be too small for you.

Shape

Backpacking tents are shaped differently to suit the needs of every user.

1. Dome Tent

This type is by far the most popular tent. It has a simple design, assembling is effortless and lots of room inside. Poles are positioned on the sides, and the tent is hung on the poles with the rainfly outside.

You will find some of the dome tent is freestanding-style and others do not require stakes to hold it in position. Because of its round shape, it is ideal in higher winds as long as they are staked down. In case the wind change direction, you don't have to worry because it is aerodynamic from all sides.

2. Geodesic Tent

The bigger version of dome tents is the geodesic tents. This type of tent uses more poles that crisscross to produce a robust structure. You usually see them in winter expeditions because of their high wind resistance and strength.

3. Tunnel Tent

This is the most popular shape of backpacking tent. It is easy to set up; and is made up of 2-3 u-shape poles. It requires to be tied down at both ends in order to stand up.

You might encounter some problems when the wind hit the side of the tent because of its vertical surface. To solve this, you need to look for the cover of a pitch or hill with one end pointing into the wind.

4. A-Frame Tent

Freestanding or Staked

To make tents even lighter, manufacturers have removed everything that makes them heavy. It includes poles and straps which make the tent stand on its own. The freestanding or staked tent is recommended if you are looking for a lighter tent.

Footprints

The tent flooring is waterproof and durable but may wear down after several uses. If it starts to tear or leak, it means it’s time for a replacement. You can use a footprint to make the floor last longer.

Footprints are a piece of fabric added and placed on the ground before setting up the tent down. Some may use a light piece of plastic as protection at the bottom, but footprints have the same size as the tent bottom and connect to the poles similar to the fly and body.

Fast & Light

The rainfly, footprint and the body of a tent can occupy a lot of space in your pack. You can lighten your load by bringing only the rainfly and footprint using the Fast and Light configuration method. Other companies call it Fast and Light pitching.

To do this, place the footprint on the ground, then pitch the poles like normal and put the rainfly over the top, skip the body part which leaves out the mesh of the body and the bathtub bottom. This means you carry less and you don't get the water and insect proofing it provides.

Bathtub Floor

The waterproof lining on the bottom of the tent is referred to as the bathtub floors. This makes the bathtub or bucket for you to sleep in. Water will not enter the tent if you pitch the tent in a water-collecting low spot or if it is raining so hard it will seep in underneath the rainfly. With the use of a footprint, you will be able to extend the bathtub life.

Weather Resistance

During bad weather, some tents will not keep you dry. When it's going sideways, the rainfly keep the rain out. A properly waterproofed floor will keep the water out even if you have pitched the tent. Most of the tents are not sealed, so you have to do it on your own. Make sure that your tent is sealed before buying. It is best to buy a waterproofed tent.

No of Doors

Most of the backpacking tents have one or two doors. The one-door tent is lightweight, but you may have difficulty going in and out particularly at night when another person is lying near the door. Those with a single door at the end of the tent is more convenient. Each door has a vestibule with rainfly to store gear under.

Vestibules

The vestibules are the parts covered by the rainfly outside the doors of the tent for getting boots, cooking during bad weather and storing gear. Big vestibules cover bigger space, but it will make the tent a bit heavier. Their square footage measures the vestibules. It ranges from 6 sq. Ft. up to 10 sq. Ft. for each vestibule.

The Proper Way of Taking Care of Your Tent

Backpacking tents can be costly. You want them to last longer. If you apply the proper care to your tent, it will surely last for many years. Here are tips on how to take care of your tent:

Tips on Washing

Your tent may become dirty after camping. Mud, dust, and salt can damage the fabrics, poles, and coating over time. You can use a garden hose to clean the tent. In case you need more than just light cleaning, you can use a mild soap and a soft sponge. Machine washing is not recommended though, as they can be too rough for the fabrics. Before storing, dry the fabric completely.

Tips on Storing

Mildew may start to grow on wet tent thus it is very important that you store the tent only when it is completely dry. The moisture can damage the fabrics, and waterproof coatings can make your tent peel. Hang your tent to dry it completely. Do not leave in the sun for long as the sun rays can break down the rainfly.

After drying, roll or stuff it on a loose bag or mesh duffel and keep it in a cool, dry place. Avoid folding the tent on the same fold lines again and again. It will increase the tear and wear on those areas.

Tips on Sealing

The floors and rainfly of tents will be waterproof. As time goes by, you will notice the coatings to wear out and may create some leaks. You can use spray or paint-on sealers to seal the leaks. Some tents are waterproofed with silicone and polyurethane, so make sure the patches or sealant work with your tent's fabric.