These Are the Best Backpacking Tents for Taking Shelter on Any Trail
Our all-time favorite three-season tents can handle anything you throw at ‘em.
Tents
Tents are one of the most critical pieces of gear for backcountry travel. Backpacker’s experts evaluate the best tents on the market every year—whether your style is ultralight, car camping, or mountaineering, these shelters will give you safety from the storm.
Deal of the Week: A Lightweight Winter Tent Designed for Backpackers
The MSR Access 3 can stand up to winter storms without requiring you to carry the weight of a mountaineering tent.
Latest in Tents
3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Backpack With a Tarp Anymore—and One Big Reason You Should
Tarps are no longer the go-to shelters of most ultralighters. Should they still have a place in your kit? That depends.
Deal of the Week: A Feature-Packed Tent That Weighs Less Than 2 Pounds
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Platinum has all the features of a much heavier backpacking tent tucked into a sub-two-pound package.
Deal of the Week: Grab This 10-Ounce Ultralight Shelter for Less Than $100
The MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1 is one of the lightest solutions for keeping out bugs, no-see-ums, and water seepage from the ground.
Deal of the Week: Get a Backpacking Tent That Turns Into a Hammock for Less Than $200
The Kammok Sunda 2.0 can pitch as a 2-person tent or a backpacking hammock, and REI members can grab it now for nearly 60% off.
Deal of the Week: Get One of the Comfiest Backpacking Tents We’ve Tried at a Discount
If you'd rather tote a little extra weight for a more livable sleeping experience, then the Marmot Limelight 3 may be for you.
The Best Ultralight Tents for Long Distance Hikers and Gram-Counters
Our all-time favorite UL tents can handle a border-to-border thru-hike and weigh less than most sleeping bags.
Deal of the Week: A Floorless Shelter for Tarp-Camping Beginners
If you're thinking about experimenting with a floorless shelter, the Sierra Designs High Route packs down to the size of a Nalgene but punches above its weight in livability.
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The Goldilocks Tent That Changed It All, REI’s Iconic Half Dome Turns 45
The tent that launched a whole new generation of backpackers is now more comfortable, convenient, and protective than ever
Deal of the Week: MSR’s Hubba Hubba Tent Is Lightweight, Versatile—and Half Off Right Now
The MSR Hubba Hubba is a lightweight 3-season backpacking tent that's suitable for beginners and seasoned hikers alike—and right now, it's downright cheap.
Deal of the Week: Grab a Top-Shelf Winter Tent at a Discount
The MSR Access 2 is a light(ish) weight option for backpackers looking to make miles in full winter weather.
Deal of the Week: The Tarptent Moment DW Is 20% Off Right Now
At just over 2 pounds all in, the Moment is a sturdy, feature-rich solo tent that won't break the bank or your back.
Deal of the Week: Get a “Hall of Fame” Lightweight Tent for 30% Off
The Big Agnes's Copper Spur line's mix of livability and low weight set a high water mark for our tent testers.
Durston’s X-Dome 1+ is a Smart Rethinking of the Freestanding Tent
Atypical design, material-choice, and geometry make this tent appealing to ultralighters and weekend warriors alike.
Deal of the Week: Our Favorite Budget Tent is Cheaper Than Ever
The Mountain Hardwear Meridian 2 is the cheapest and most spacious tent in our test this year—and right now, it’s on sale for 30% off.
Do I Really Need a Freestanding Tent?
Freestanding tents are typically considered the gold standard in backpacking shelters. But in some cases, non-freestanding models can be worth the weight savings.
The Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Is Our Favorite One-Person Ultralight Tent
This one-pound Dyneema trekking pole shelter can hack it just about anywhere
Grab These 4 Backpacker-Approved Tents at a Discount Right Now
Need a new shelter? These four deals make upgrading a little less painful.
Gossamer Gear Just Released a Limited-Edition, 9.8-Ounce Shelter
The Whisper splits the difference between tarp and tent.
What We’re Testing Now: Argali’s Absaroka Is the First Backpacking-Friendly Hot Tent We’ve Ever Tested
This wood-heated mid could change the game for cold-weather overnights.
Should You Buy a Trekking Pole Tent?
Swapping out your tent for a shelter that sets up with trekking poles is a quick way to cut weight. But is it the right choice for you?
This $27 Backpacking Tent Costs Less Than a Tank of Gas (and Yes, We Tried It and It Works)
The Sierra Designs Crescent 2 is beginner-friendly two-person shelter, and right now it's more than 50% off.
Deep-Dive Review: Marmot Limelight 3 Tent
For comfort and storage space, this shelter is hard to beat
Deep-Dive Review: MSR Freelite 3 Tent
A portable three-person tent for deep backcountry adventures
The Best Backpacking Tents of 2022
With the right tent you can protect yourself from the weather, spread out in luxury, and settle into a home away from home
What We’re Testing Now: Winter Tents to Keep You Out of the Cold
The lowdown on four-season shelters that might be your home on future winter trips.
My Favorite Tent Cost $30, and Yours Might Too
It’s light enough, durable enough, comfortable enough, and more than cheap enough.
Deal of the Week: MSR Hubba Tour 2
A quick, easy setup and generous interior and vestibule space make this a great tent.
What We’re Testing Now: Snooze Better in the Frontcountry With This Light-Blocking Tent
The Sierra Designs Alpenglow is made to help you get a good night’s sleep.
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Distance Tent
Save money, and weight, with this ultralight shelter.
This $120 Backpacking Tent Is the Best-Value Shelter on the Market
If you’re looking for the most affordable tent that can still perform, the Kelty Wireless 2 is a steal.
These 6 Budget Tents Are Low-Cost, Not Low-Performance
The cost of your backpacking tent shouldn’t keep you awake at night. These double-wall, two-person shelters are all $300 or less, and will put your mind—and body—at ease with their dialed combinations of performance and price.
What We’re Testing Now: This Rooftop Tent Makes Car Camping Easier Than Ever
The Roofnest Falcon XL is simple to set up and offers plenty of livable space.
Deal of the Week: MSR Hubba NX One-Person Tent
Save money, and weight, with this solo shelter.
Deal of the Week: MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent
Save on an ultralight, spacious shelter.
Sierra Designs Tabernash 2
The best bargain tent of 2021.
Hilleberg Helags 3
The tent with best protection of 2021.
Marmot Torreya 4P
The tent with best features of 2021.
Eureka! Kohana
The best value tent of 2021.
Black Diamond Mega Light
The most versatile tent of 2021.
NEMO Dragonfly 3P
The best space-to-weight tent of 2021.
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+
The best all-around tent of 2021.
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2
The most packable tent of 2021.
Six Moon Designs Owyhee
The lightest tent of 2021.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Sea to Summit Telos TR2
This detail-heavy, spacious, and light tent has earned its place as our home on the trail.
Through Deserts and Mountains, the Tarptent Cloudburst 3 Was My Reliable Friend
It's light and roomy, but is this tent durable enough to survive the Pacific Crest Trail? Let's find out.
Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3
Best protection in a winter tent
SlingFin CrossBow 2 Four-Season
Best strength-to-weight ratio of winter tents
Deal of the Week: Marmot Tungsten UL Hatchback 3
This weather-beating fortress will keep you dry and safe.
The 5 Best Car Camping Tents of 2020
For trips that don’t take you far from the car, these tents will let you rest your head in spacious comfort and style.
Eureka! Copper Canyon LX 4
Most spacious
MSR Habitude 4
Most durable
Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 3
Best gear storage
Klymit Cross Canyon 2
Most versatile
Deal of the Week: Marmot Tungsten UL Hatchback 3 Tent
Stand up to any storm with this durable, portable shelter.
Deal of the Week: MSR Hubba Tour 2
This single-wall shelter has a ton of storage space.
The Best Bargain Backpacking Gear
Get maximum value for minimum cash with these 14 standout products.
Deal of the Week: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Katabatic 3
Get a bomber winter expedition tent at a great price.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3
Most eco-friendly tent
Gossamer Gear The Two – DCF
Tent with best space-to-weight ratio
Jack Wolfskin Exolight III FR
Easiest tent to setup
Marmot Superalloy 2P
Best all-around tent
Big Agnes Salt Creek SL2
Tent with the best features
Klymit Maxfield 4
Best tent for families
Exped Lyra II
Tent with the best protection
NEMO Aurora 2
Best value for a tent
Big Agnes Scout 1 Platinum
Lightest tent
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2
Home sweet home
Gear of the Week: The North Face Homestead Super Dome 4
This superlivable tent is great for families.
Black Diamond FirstLight 2P
Best tent for mountaineering
Tarptent Moment DW 1P
Strongest tent
REI Co-op Kingdom 6
Palatial Tent
The Best Car-Camping Gear for Families
These auto- and boat-friendly luxuries are your ticket to outdoor family fun.
The Best Gear for Camping in a Storm
There’s no such thing as bad weather if you have good gear—and tequila.
The Best Family Camping Gear Kit
Just pack up your kids and go camping. It’ll get easier—and more fun—with practice.
NEMO Hornet Elite 2P
Featherweight tent
The Best Comfort Backpacking Gear, According to BACKPACKER's Gear Editor
Backpacking should be about pleasure, not pain.