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Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just diving into the activity for the first time, our expert camping and hiking team has recommendations for the best tents. You want your backpacking tent to be lightweight and packable enough to carry in your pack, yet also feature enough for comfort while out on the trail.
Our favorite two-person backpacking tent is the SlingFin Portal 2 for its comfort and great weather resistance. We also love the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, which is lightweight and spacious, with large vestibules to stash gear in.
If you need to house three sleepers (or a dog, or heck, if you just want more room to spread out), our favorite is the [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3].
Editor's Note: We updated our backpacking tent review on July 25, 2025, to update our lineup.
The SlingFin Portal 2 includes a whopping 12 attachment points for external guylines to hold the poles steady in stiff winds. Internal guylines at the foot provide extra support, and outrigger attachments use hiking poles to help support the weight of an unexpected snowstorm. The tent includes detachable struts to prop the rainfly zippers open for extra ventilation, which cuts down on condensation in a storm. The Portal also provides a generous living space (27.7 sq ft). “I was able to sit upright without my head touching the ceiling in nearly half of the tent,” our tester said. Seven pockets that range from bedside phone sleeves to a ceiling-mounted hammock help you keep every stray hat, map, and sock organized. The tent is sturdy, too, with backup zipper pulls built into each of its mesh doors.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Two door freestanding
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
3.34
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
85.6 x 51/42 x 44 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
27.74
Packed Size (length x diameter)
14.5 x 6 in
With so many top-notch design elements, it's no surprise that the Portal is a top-dollar tent. High price aside, our only other critique is that its floor area is shorter than we'd like. During testing, we found it's still long enough for taller folks, but the few inches it lacks are noticeable when you slide down and your sleeping bag winds up pressed against the wall. Luckily, the vestibules are roomy enough for most of your gear. If you are searching for great weather protection and impressive comfort in a highly portable tent, this one will serve you well on a wide range of adventures. If you prefer to sleep under the stars without a rainfly, the Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2 has the same dark, star-gazing-friendly mesh on the ceiling but includes light mesh on the walls, offering you more privacy.
Weight breakdown: 19.8 oz tent body, 13.9 oz fly, 13.7 oz poles, 3.8 oz per stake (10)
The Nemo Aurora 2 has a measured peak height of 44 inches, over 30 square feet of floor space, and enough headroom to sit up in all but five of those square feet. It's sturdy and is backed by Nemo's lifetime warranty. The tent comes with a footprint to reduce wear and tear, and you can order an additional Pawprint protector that snaps into the corners if you often travel with dogs. Our mom tester said, “My kids had a campout with our two dogs in the backyard, and the tent held up shockingly well.” Two vents on either end of the tent open wide with struts to shed heat and humid air, and the tent's two massive doors can fully open for an epic cross breeze. You can also pitch the fly and the footprint alone as a sunshade. Four pockets give you space to organize your stuff, and there is plenty of room for the rest inside the tent or in the 18.4 square foot vestibules.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Two door freestanding
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
5.51
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
88 x 53 x 44 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
30.33
Packed Size (length x diameter)
20 x (8 x 8) in
Despite holding its own during our three-day rain test, the Aurora had some water creep in and bead up on the floor by the head of the tent. We should note the fly features loops to attach guylines to stake it out at the tent's head and foot, but the lines don't come attached. Once we added them, the tent stayed dry. At 5.5 pounds, this tent is heavy and bulky to pack. Two people can certainly split the weight and haul it into the backcountry, but they might not want to. Still, it serves as a sturdy base camp if you aren't venturing too far and could be a great crossover tent for car campers who occasionally hit the trail. The North Face Stormbreak 2 is a similarly roomy, excellently priced, and weather-resistant tent that weighs 6.27 pounds, though we do have some durability concerns due to fraying fabric and bunching seams.
Weight breakdown: 27 oz tent body, 26.8 oz fly, 19.5 oz poles, 4.4 oz per stake (8), 7.3 oz footprint
Lightweight backpacking tents are pricey. If you're willing to carry more weight or have a solid partner to split it with, the REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 will get you out in the backcountry for less. It's also likely to last. Heavier tents - like the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT - are often more durable since they can employ thicker fabrics and sturdier components. The hearty polyester fabric, footprint, and sturdy aluminum poles of the Trail Hut should stand up to steady use. In our tests, we also found the setup easy, with simple cross-pole construction. “I loved that it took me less than five minutes to set up,” said one of our testers. Once inside, there's an impressive amount of floor space, and the generous length gives most campers enough room to store their packs by their feet. Two strutted vents in the rainfly keep air circulating, and in our testing, the Trail Hut stayed many degrees cooler on very hot days than its ultralight companions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Two door freestanding
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
5.15
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
88 x 52 40 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
31.70
Packed Size (length x diameter)
8x18
Although zipping up this tent was easy with one hand, unzipping the fly and tent doors single-handedly was a bit hit or miss. The curvature of the door means that it often requires two hands to get the zipper to slide smoothly around the bend. In addition, we found the stakes to be a bit slimmer and easier to bend out of shape than some other tents, such as the NEMO Aurora 2, which had thicker, more solid stakes. Considering everything, we feel this is your best bet if you prefer mellow conditions and affordable, roomy tents. The Kelty Late Start 2 is another inexpensive option with an included footprint. It offers more interior space and comfort per pound than the Trail Hut, but it let water creep in during our storm tests.
Weight breakdown: 26.3 oz tent body, 22.8 oz fly, 15.7 oz poles, 12.3 oz per stake (10), 6.9 oz footprint
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is a 2-person tent with a tapered design; 52 inches at the head narrows to 42 inches at the feet. This tent has many features we love, including 18 square feet of vestibule space. Four smartly placed pockets, including a large hammock slung from the ceiling, and nine easy-to-use loops give you plenty of storage options. Color-coded straps and integrated attachment points for the tent and rainfly make for a smooth setup process. The rainfly is lightweight, has one strut vent in the ceiling, and breathes well. “I love that you can configure the doors in different ways — you can even set one up as an awning to protect from harsh sunlight or drizzle,” our tester noted.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Two door freestanding
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
3
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
88 x 52 x 42 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
31.39
Packed Size (length x diameter)
19.5 x 4 in
The rain fly is long, which blocks rain, but also restricts ventilation. It also means keeping it stretched tightly is more difficult. Let the fly sag, which it tends to do in the rain, and a pool of water can form on the roof where the poles cross. While the tent stayed dry during our test, it can potentially soak through if you don't shake it off or maintain the tightness of the fly as it stretches in bad weather. In addition, we found that the design of the stakes made it easy for the tent to pop off and blow away in high gusts. If you are planning for extreme weather, we recommend bringing a more traditional stake. Lastly, compared to dark mesh, the inner tent's white mesh ceiling is not as ideal for stargazing, and all of the fabric is extremely lightweight. We would follow the company's recommendation to purchase the optional footprint to increase its durability. Though this tent is lighter than the UL3, it doesn't pack down much smaller. The UL2 has a little less floorspace and headroom than the SlingFin Portal 2 but offers better space-to-weight ratios.
Weight breakdown: 14.4 oz tent body, 16 oz fly, 12.8 oz poles, 2.6 oz per stake (8)
You can use the Sea to Summit Telos TR 2 in three ways: as a traditional double-wall tent, as a single-wall tarp shelter, or as a sun shade, with the help of trekking poles and a guyline. In short, it's the most versatile backcountry tent we've tested. A distinctive, arched crossbar creates a luxurious amount of headroom where you want it most, and it offers clever features like stuff sacks that double as storage pockets and a pole bag that snaps into the ceiling to become an overhead light. This tent is a compelling option for hikers who have a range of shelter requirements throughout the year.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Two door freestanding
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
3.67
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
84.5 x 53/43 x 43.5 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
28.00
Packed Size (length x diameter)
18.9 x 5.1 in
The drawback is that the Telos TR2 doesn't offer as much headroom or floor space per pound as the top-ranked models. The overall weight is also a bit heavier. Fast-packers seeking the protection of a double-wall tent might not find this the most appealing option. For those who prefer a double-wall construction and a lighter weight, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Solution Dye is a great choice. The Telos TR2 is also pricey, but then again, it is three shelters in one. If you find that kind of versatility attractive, this tent is second to none.
When harsh weather is in the forecast, the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is the tent we reach for. It scored a perfect 10 in our weather resistance test, taking the lead right above the SlingFin Portal 2. It performs at its best in the shoulder seasons - the early thaw of spring and the year's first snowstorm. It has a massive vestibule to keep gear protected from the elements, and its thoughtful design improves its performance in tough weather. The floor is also super durable and waterproof.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type
One door tunnel construction
Measured Total Packaged Weight (lbs)
4.75
Dimensions (length x width x peak height)
86 x 51/43 x 39 in
Measured Floor Area (sq ft)
30.10
Packed Size (length x diameter)
19 x 6 in
The Anjan is expensive. If you don't require top-tier weather resistance, the Nemo Aurora 2 has much to offer without paying top dollar. Our tests revealed that the Anjan also takes significantly longer to pitch than a traditional 3-season tent. Due to the heft, it's best for biking trips or backpacking adventures where weight is not the main consideration. Despite the very high price, the durable construction makes this tent a terrific long-term value, especially if you use it regularly.
15D nylon no-see-um mesh, 30D double ripstop 100% silicone coated nylon 66 rated to over 3,000mm hydrostatic head
No-See-Um Mesh, 68D Polyester / 1200 mm
There is an ideal tent out there for your next backpacking or camping adventure.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
How We Tested
Since we started testing backpacking tents back in 2011, we've researched several hundred models and tested over a hundred in real-world scenarios. We've put them through inclement weather, carried them in our packs, set them up and tore them down, weighed each one, and closely examined every seam, zipper, guyline, tent, pole, and stake. We take note of various factors that impact the user experience, including comfort, ease of use, and construction quality. From livability to weight to weather readiness, we've put each tent through a fierce gauntlet of tests across the following five key rating metrics:
Observing the way that water runs off of the Portal 2.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Why Trust GearLab
Our testers have spent hundreds of nights under the stars in backcountry shelters of all sorts. Ben Applebaum-Bauch got his start in the outdoor industry maintaining gear for guided trips, including plenty of backpacking tents. A couple of years later, he became a guide himself, leading multiday and multi-week backpacking, cycling, and paddling adventures through Nova Scotia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. With a decade of professional experience in the outdoor industry and several thru-hikes of some of America's great trails under his hip belt, he brings extensive knowledge to this review.
Ben is joined by Clark Tate, another guide who spent summers living in a tent while raft guiding in Colorado and West Virginia. She's backpacked in the High Sierra, throughout the Rockies, and along sections of the Appalachian Trail, and spends a lot of time balancing the burden of weight with the restfulness of comfort.
Rounding out the team is Katie Brown. Katie lives in the mountains outside Salida, Colorado. She became a professional rock climber at 14, and likes to joke that she literally grew up under a rock. She has camped in every scenario imaginable, from the Bugaboos to under a rock in Yosemite. These days, she sneaks away whenever possible for a quick adventure in the wilderness.
Our testers took these tents into various terrain and weather conditions to find their best uses.
Analysis and Test Results
We research the top options on the market before buying and testing the best in the field. Our findings are summarized below, highlighting models that excel in each metric to help you find the right one.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
We don't factor price into a product's performance score, but we recognize that it's at the heart of many purchasing decisions. To assess a product's value, we essentially ask, “How many performance points do you get per dollar spent?” The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ is a great value choice. It's among the most comfortable tents in this review, with a generous amount of headroom and floor space. This is also true of the Nemo Aurora 2 and REI Trail Hut 2, which score a bit higher and cost a bit more. They both weigh about half a pound more, though, making the Half Dome enticing. The Aurora and Trail Hut do seem more durable, though, offering better value over time if you don't mind the weight. If you really need to keep costs down, the North Face Stormbreak is a worthy consideration. It is heavy, but if funds are tight and you're able to split the weight with a pal, one of these tents could be the key to being able to lay under the stars sooner rather than later.
The REI Trail Hut 2's simple design and sturdier, heavy fabric keep costs down.
Credit: Katie Brown
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, dimensions and storage options are key. Is there enough space to get a good night's sleep, or do you wind up pressed against a wet wall? Can you sit up enough to change easily, play cards, or spread out and read a book? Are there enough pockets to store your things, or are you sleeping in a pile of stuff? These are all considerations included in testing each backpacking tent's comfort level. We also look at features that increase airflow, like storm vents and fly door openings, to see if the tent can cut down on condensation and keep you cool as weather conditions require.
The most comfortable two-person models we tested are the REI Half Dome SL 2+ and the Nemo Aurora 2. The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 earns top marks as a three-person option. Among the backpacking tents we've tried, these feel palatial, with relatively tall ceilings, plenty of headroom, and ample floor space. Each of them has one or two kickstand vents in the rainfly to keep air flowing even in a storm.
Double doors, large dual vestibules, and generous storage options will keep your stuff off the floor and out of your way. The Copper Spur UL3 will keep you more organized than the rest with several pockets, including the option of purchasing a hammock to hang from the ceiling. The North Face Stormbreak 2 is another tall and roomy option with plenty of headroom, though its lack of a true storm vent and just four simple pockets are less impressive.
The massive side doors on the Half Dome are great to peel back when the weather is nice and make it super easy to enter and exit.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, SlingFin Portal 2, Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2, and Nemo Dagger Osmo do a nice job of balancing comfort and weight. The Dragonfly offers a pre-bent pole structure that maximizes interior volume, and the Portal boasts a tall peak height. The Dagger comes with a unique Landing Zone - a triangular basket of ripstop nylon that hooks onto the vestibule floor. It's a great place to keep items you want outside the tent but not on the ground. All of these options give you plenty of storage space with myriad pockets and roomy vestibules.
The Copper Spur UL2 is reasonably comfortable and lightweight.
Credit: Katie Brown
The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 has generous lateral space, and it's easy for two people to sit up at the same time without bumping shoulders. It is highly adaptable and can be used as a double-wall tent, single-wall tarp, or open-air shade cover, increasing your comfort in a range of conditions.
Large side doors on the Telos TR2 open up wide for easy entry and exit. They also tie back if it's not too buggy.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 takes the comfort cake as far as three-pound backpacking tents go. It has a long cross pole that widens the ceiling between the two doors, which significantly increases headroom.
The Trail Hut is not as spacious as other models.
Credit: Katie Brown
Weather Resistance
For testing weather resistance, we assess each backpacking tent's performance in wet and windy weather, meticulously examining design elements that tighten sagging rainflies and keep water from dripping through zippers and vents. We also examine structural rigidity, aerodynamics, and guyline connection points, which help keep a tent upright in gusty weather.
The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT takes first place for weather resistance, thanks to its reinforced vestibule zippers, bathtub floor that protects against seepage from soggy soil, and a massive vestibule that allows you to organize and protect gear without storing it inside. It also effectively sheds condensation that drips from the roof, offering an advantage over tents with mesh walls.
If you need to hunker down in the cold, the Anjan is a good option.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Anjan 2 GT three-season isn't built for snow, though, and has only four guyline points to hold it steady in the wind. In contrast, the SlingFin Portal 2 can serve as a four-season backpacking tent in a pinch, with 12 attachment points for external guylines, interior guylines that you can tension in heavy winds, and outrigger attachments that help you quickly brace the ceiling with trekking poles. The poles then help support the weight of an unexpected snowstorm.
The SlingFin Portal provides internal guylines and two external tiedown points per pole to hold the tent steady in a windstorm.
Credit: Clark Tate
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and UL3 also score well in this metric, offering above-average protection and an adaptable fly setup that can double as an awning over either door when propped up with a couple of trekking poles. Though their material is incredibly thin, both tents repelled water, even when pitched on wet grass. The fly material does stretch over time, and when wet, it is so long that it can be a challenge to keep tight. When it does loosen, pools of water can form on top of these tents. When we adjusted the poles and guylines regularly, it wasn't an issue, so keep this in mind.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur tents shed water well and kept the tents dry during a three-day rain storm, but they do tend to stretch and sag.
Credit: Clark Tate
Other notable performers here are the Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2 and Nemo Dagger Osmo 2, thanks to their trapezoidal fly geometry and easy tensioning. These tents not only do an admirable job of shedding water, but the shape and stability of the vestibules keep the fabric comparatively quiet even in a stiff wind. These Osmo tents also sag noticeably less than other ripstop nylon models, representing a valuable step forward in material technology. The Dragonfly features a cutaway in the rainfly to save weight. We did notice moisture in that corner during testing, and it affected the score.
Watching how water runs off of the trapezoidal fly of the Dragonfly Osmo 2. This is a great tent.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Space to Weight Ratio
When carrying your shelter on your back, you must balance its spaciousness and comfort with how much it weighs. We divided each tent's floor space by its weight to calculate its space-to-weight ratio. For the backpacking tents we tested most recently, we also measured the amount of floor space you can use to sit up. Fast and light or long-distance hikers may want to put more emphasis on weight alone, trading less interior space for easier days on the trail. More casual backpackers, or those who will have a friend or two to help carry their shelter, can afford to trade a few extra ounces to maximize space. Our space-to-weight ratio scoring is charted below.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 comes out ahead in the space-to-weight category. It weighs 3.13 pounds, which gives you 41 square feet of space. That translates to a whopping 13 square feet per pound of floor space. The UL2 isn't as impressive, but it still is spacious enough to be one of our favorite backpacking tents, coming in at 9.3 square feet of space per pound.
The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 offers 12.3 square feet per pound, and the MSR Freelite 2 offers 12. But, since they only weigh 2.3 and 2.4 pounds, respectively, that translates to just 28.1 and 28.2 square feet of living space. The Freelite does not provide as much headroom as our favorite options, though - just 8.7 square feet or 3.7 square feet per pound.
The light MSR Freelite 2 gives you a lot of floor space per pound.
Credit: Clark Tate
The Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo and Tarptent Double Rainbow DW also score well, thanks to their lightweight construction. Tents like the SlingFin Portal 2 and the Copper Spur UL2 give you more horizontal and vertical space, but also weigh more.
The Double Rainbow has a respectable space to weight ratio.
Credit: Clark Tate
Weight
We also factor absolute weight into our recommendations. A handful of backpacking tents we tested are at or around two pounds, including the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo and Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2. One person could easily carry either of these on a solo adventure or split them between two hikers. The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 follows closely behind, adding more weight for a little more interior space.
Backpacking Weight Tent Terms Packed weight includes poles, tent body, fly, stakes, and guylines - basically, everything that comes with a tent when you pull it off the shelf. Trail weight refers to the weight of the minimum pieces required for setup - usually just the tent, fly, and poles. Fastpitch weight just the footprint (usually sold separately), the fly, and the poles. Not available for every tent.
In general, lightweight models go all-in on reducing weight, usually at the expense of comfort and, to an extent, durability. For a bit more comfort and a longer-lasting tent, we're usually happy to split a three to four-pound tent with our hiking buddy for overnight adventures and limited backpacking trips. Ultralight tents usually earn their stripes on long-distance adventures.
One of our favorites for light weight, the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo is just over two pounds.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
On the other end of the spectrum, the REI Half Dome SL 2+, The North Face Stormbreak 2, and the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT are some of the heaviest tents we tested. The first two are excellent options for car camping or short overnights. The latter is a specialty, harsh-weather backpacking tent.
Heavier tents like The North Face Stormbreaker 2 often have thicker fabric, which you might appreciate in a prolonged storm.
Credit: Clark Tate
If you want to maximize space and reduce weight, we strongly suggest looking at a three-person version of a lightweight model. The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 is under four pounds and offers tons of space for two people and just enough for three.
Ease of Use
This metric is about how intuitive it is to pitch each tent, tear it down, and use it day-to-day. In this review, we include two types of shelters- free-standing and semi-freestanding tents. The first is more familiar, using poles that tuck into each corner to provide a skeleton that the tent clips into and the rainfly drapes over. The second set of tents is semi-freestanding. They also use poles for structure, but they require stakes to maximize volume. Both types are relatively simple to set up on soft ground.
Many models we tested - like the REI Half Dome SL 2+, Nemo Aurora 2, and the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and UL3 - are variations on this basic structure. But sometimes, two poles are fused into one using central hubs, and a cross pole is always added to widen the ceiling, increasing interior volume, headroom, and structural rigidity. The SlingFin Portal 2 uses two separate X-poles and a wide cross pole, relying on a generous supply of guylines to add support. The North Face Stormbreak 2 includes a second cross pole to create a wonderfully high, square ceiling. These modified X-pole structures are all relatively easy to set up.
Of them, the two Big Agnes Copper Spur tents are the most effortless to use day-to-day. Attachment points are color-coded to smooth the setup process, you can open the tarp and tent doors with one hand, and there are multiple ways to open either of two doors. We also appreciate that the added features are intuitive, or labeled, like the loop of fabric that you can stuff the mesh doors into. The REI Trail Hut, Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2, Sea to Summit Telos TR2, and SlingFin Portal 2 are all similarly seamless to use.
The Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2 has ball and socket connectors at the corners for an easy and secure setup.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus, MSR Freelite 2, Nemo Hornet Elite, and Dragonfly Osmo are semi-freestanding and can be a bit trickier, mostly if you're in an environment where stakes are hard to use. These tents often have a single pole that arches to the center of the tent's foot. You then stake out either side. If you're camping on rocky soil, you'll have to find some other way to anchor the corners.
Two metal taps attach the tent and footprint to the poles. The footprint is a bit oversized, making it hard to keep it in place.
Credit: Katie Brown
A distinct structural subcategory is the tunnel tent. This style uses semi-circle poles, resulting in a tent that looks like a caterpillar. These are more difficult to pitch because they rely on tension from guylines to hold their form. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is an example of this style of tent.
Construction Quality
Though we put these backpacking tents through the wringer in our rigorous testing, our goal isn't to push them to the point of catastrophic failure. Still, tent poles do break and rip through rainflies on occasion. We note every failure, check the sturdiness of each seam and zipper, and search for any easily frayed or scratched fabrics. We also note if any of the poles, stakes, or guylines seem stronger or weaker than the rest.
The models that earned the highest scores demonstrated both impressively innovative features and robust construction. The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT has many features common to four-season tents, and we found it to be highly durable. It includes sturdy zippers, tensioners with hefty webbing, and thick floor fabric.
Straps and hardware are an important component of durability. The Anjan comes with metal tensioners that are extra sturdy.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
We are also impressed with the SlingFin Portal 2, which comes with a second set of zipper pulls on each door in case the main ones break. You can also purchase thicker, tougher poles separately if you know you'll need the added stability. It's not a bad idea.
Pole Splints
Most tent models we tested come with a hollow metal splint meant to bridge a broken pole and keep your tent in working order until you get back to the trailhead. But when we broke two sets of DAC Featherlight NFL poles during our tests, the splint did not work as intended. In both cases, the poles folded as they broke, making them too wide for the splint to slide over the break. The edges were also very sharp, and the cord underneath was damaged in both cases. You can either try to trim the corners with a multitool if you have one, or try to attach the split externally with tape or rubber bands. The splints can help, but they aren't a magic bullet to solve the problem of lightweight but less durable poles.
The SlingFin Portal comes standard with 8.7mm DAC Featherlite NFL poles. So do both Big Agnes Copper Spur models, the Dragonfly, Hornet Elite, Dagger Osmo, Half Dome SL 2+, MSR Freelite, and the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus. Two sets of these poles broke during a single month of testing. One was because a dog ran into it, and one was because the wind tossed the tent into our tester. Then, the broken pole ripped through the fly.
The Copper Spur UL tents are lightweight, but this also means a sacrifice in durability.
Credit: Katie Brown
We appreciate that these poles are light, but it would be nice to repair them less often. While the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 and UL3 are smartly constructed, their materials are very thin and light. The company recommends buying a separate footprint to help them last longer. We'd have to agree.
We also like the Nemo Dagger Osmo and Nemo Dragonfly Osmo 2. The Osmo tents are a good compromise between strength and weight. The simple and thick polyester fabric of the Nemo Aurora 2, REI Trail Hut 2, and Kelty Late Start 2 makes them all seem like good investments. The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is more worrisome - the fly ripped at two of the guyline points during testing. The North Face Stormbreak arrived with fraying fabric.
Many of the lighter tents tested here are not designed to endure much abuse. The Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo and Big Agnes Copper Spur tents have thin materials that need to be treated with care. To increase durability, make sure you store your tent properly by cleaning and drying it thoroughly before packing it away in the off-season.
Semi-freestanding tents like the Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo reduce packed size by reducing the number of pole segments and replacing them with stakes to provide structure to the tent.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
A classic X-pole design, with two identical poles crossing at the top and attaching to the tent body across diagonal corners, is rarely used in high-end backpacking tents. It just doesn't offer premium stability or headroom. When it is used on tents like the REI Trail Hut 2 and the Kelty Late Start 2, it's usually in a heavy budget tent meant for the new or casual backpacker who is less likely to use it in severely windy weather. (We hope!)
Conclusion
Though having so many options can feel daunting, we hope our review gives you the confidence to choose the right backpacking tent for your needs. If you love spending nights under starry skies and basking in nature's embrace, the right tent awaits you. Happy trails!
