Best Backpacking Tent for Two
When my boyfriend and I first took up backpacking as a hobby, we were inundated with an overwhelming amount of options for buying gear. We weren’t sure if we were going to take to backpacking as our friends had, and didn’t want to spend thousands of dollars on gear that we would only use once.
Here is a list of the Best Backpacking Tent for Two
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Particularly frustrating was the search for a two-person tent that was light enough to take with us on our planned multi-day hikes through the Rockies. It turns out that we loved backpacking and hiking, and we learned quite a bit over the last couple of years about which tents work, and which ones definitely don’t. To help any intrepid adventurers who are struggling to find the right one, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best tents we’ve tried and broken each item down into a few sections that cover the obvious concerns.
5. Yodo Lightweight 2 Person Backpacking Tent
Dimensions when stored: 5.5” x 2.1” x 23.5”
Weight: 3.1lbs
How easy is it to set up/take down?
The setup and take down only took about 5 minutes for each, which was perfect for us after spending the last 10 hours hiking through the Rockies.
Is it waterproof?
Unfortunately, it seemed that we traded the light weight for material that wasn’t fully waterproof. It rained the night before we headed back to our truck, and a few of our things got pretty wet after a couple of hours of hard weather. If you’re going to buy this tent, I suggest waterproofing it at home before heading out.
Is there enough space?
The tent is about 6 feet long, and we had no trouble sleeping in it. We were even able to keep our packs inside the tent at night, which can be a little tricky with some of the two-person tents out there.
Any other pros/cons?
Beyond the waterproofing issue, there wasn’t a whole lot that I didn’t like about the tent. The zippers were a bit flimsy and got caught up a few times while we were out, but in the grand scheme of things we weren’t that worried about it.
Final assessment?
With the tent only being 3 lbs, we were happy to buy it - it’s only 28$ on Amazon, which might explain some of the quality issues we had with it. You get what you pay for, after all. But the tent overall was a great value for the price, and we were pretty happy with it.
4. LifeVC Ultralight Camping Tent
Dimensions when stored: 3.9” x 3.9” x 23.6”
Weight: 2.46lbs
How easy is it to set up/take down?
The simple design meant for the easiest setup I’ve ever done. There are two tent poles that slide in and crisscross at the top, and that was it. There’s a small rain fly for the top that’s easy to install as well.
Is it waterproof?
When we bought this tent, we were a little skeptical that it would stay dry in inclement weather. We took this puppy out into the back country and weather a pretty gnarly storm just fine. My one complaint is that the rain fly could be a bit bigger - if possible, get a full-size fly just in case the weather gets too hairy. The floor is made of some pretty thin material (all in the interest of saving weight), so bringing a tarp with you will save you from an uncomfortably wet night.
Do we fit?
The size of this tent was a little too cramped for us, but it would work perfectly well for a couple or any family members who aren’t bringing as much gear as we are. We wanted the lighter tent because we planned to be out backpacking for close to two weeks, and didn’t want to be bogged down by the extra pounds some of our other tents added to our packs. With the addition of our gear, it was definitely a little cozy.
Any other pros/cons?
If the waterproofing issue can be amended, then you really can’t beat the weight of this little tent. It’s truly a godsend when you’re spending 8 or more hours a day trekking across rugged terrain.
Final assessment?
You may be able to find similar tents that offer a better waterproof seal on the tent and perhaps an even lighter load for you and your hiking partner, but for this price (29$), you really can’t beat it. So if you’re looking for something that won’t add pounds to your pack and sits within your budget, this is definitely the tent for you.
3. ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2 Tent
Dimensions when stored: 6” x 6” x 24”
Weight: 6lbs, 14oz
How easy is it to set up/take down?
Arguably the best part about this tent is how easy it is to set it up and take it down. The poles aren’t inserted into a sleeve, but rather hold the tent up through a series of clips on the outside. Total set up and take down times were less than three minutes. The tent was easy to pack back up into the bag it came with.
Is it waterproof?
We had no trouble keeping ourselves dry in the tent, even though we came across some hellish weather halfway through our trip. The tent held up well, and the rain-fly did it’s job perfectly.
Is there enough space?
My boyfriend and I had no problem sleeping together in the tent - we’re both relatively averaged size people and we didn’t feel cramped at all. We did have a bit of an issue fitting all of our gear in the tent with us, but managed to find a solution to that without screwing ourselves on the return trip.
Any other pros/cons?
While the easy set-up was a nice plus after a long day of hiking, we discovered quickly that a tarp or tent footprint needed to be included in our packs due the floor material. It just wasn’t durable enough. It was already on the heavier side, and bringing the extra tarp added unnecessary pounds that we didn’t need.
Final assessment?
It was great at the time, and a good value for the price (69$ on Amazon), but the lack of durable material on the floor of the tent was something we couldn’t ignore. If you can bring a tarp with you on your travels, this tent is certainly a good choice.
2. Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent
Dimensions when stored: 7.5” x x x 18”
Weight: 4lbs, 11oz
How easy is it to set up/take down?
Everything is color-coded on the tent, making the set-up incredibly easy. I was delighted by the fact that the instructions for set-up were printed right on the tent bag, eliminating the worry that I would lose the usual paper instructions somewhere along the hike. Take down was also easy, and everything rolled up and fit perfectly in the bag.
Is it waterproof?
As we seemed to have little luck in the way of not catching at least one day of bad weather on many of our excursions, we were satisfied with the waterproofing on the rainfly and the durable bathtub-style floor design. That design alone kept groundwater from getting into the tent, leaving us comfortable and dry.
Is there enough space?
We had enough space for the both of us, including our packs. Compared to our last tent, it was a huge improvement. There was a door on either side of the tent, which made it easier for either of us to get out without waking the other. My boyfriend is a super light sleeper, so it helped keep the levels of crankiness down considerably with that extra feature.
Any other pros/cons?
The tent doesn’t come with a footprint, but Mountainsmith offers a product that you can purchase separately that will fit this one. It folds up nicely and fits in the tent bag, which is perfect if you’re looking for that little bit of added protection against the elements.
Final assessment?
The price is a little steep for those who just starting out and don’t want to spend too much money on gear ($132), but it’s well worth the price if you’re wanting something durable and long-lasting. It’s seriously one of the best deals out there.
1. Mountaintop Outdoor 2 Person Camping Tent
Dimensions when stored: 6” x 6” x 24”
Weight: 6lbs, 14oz
How easy is it to set up/take down?
We purchased this tent about a month ago to take with us on our Independence Day backpacking trip in Colorado. When we received the tent in the mail, we immediately tried to set it up to see how easy it would be. Turns out it’s about as easy as you can get with it. All in all, setup/takedown was only a couple of minutes each.
Is it waterproof?
The waterproof coating on the tent made for a very comfortable ride through some pretty gnarly storms while we were camping. The rainfly held up incredibly well against the elements, and we had no complaints at all.
Is there enough space?
We had no problems sleeping comfortably and storing our gear in the tent. It really depends on your height, but my boyfriend and I are average height and we still had plenty of room. It wasn’t cramped, and the mesh in the tent allowed for easy airflow, making it much more comfortable to sleep on some of the hotter nights we were gone.
Any other pros/cons?
We’ve spent some time looking at this tent with a critical eye, and have yet to find anything we really have to complain about. At 5 pounds, it could be a little bit lighter, but we’re trading durability for a few extra pounds and we’re perfectly okay with that.
Final assessment?
At 89$, this tent is simply a steal for the quality and durability you’re getting. As the newest tent in our collection, we’re very happy with the purchase and can’t wait to take it on more trips.
Conclusion
So, now that you’re armed with a bit more information about some of the best tents that I’ve found to be the most useful and cost-effective, hopefully you’ll be able to refocus your research. A good tip when looking for backpacking gear is to pinpoint what matters most to you. Is it weight? Gear your research toward that. Don’t wanna be cramped when sleeping next to your best friend? Check out tents that have larger dimensions. Once you’ve narrowed down a few choices, you’ll know that whichever one you buy will be the best fit for you and your hiking buddies. At least with this list, you’ll know where to start.
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