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HomeCampingThe Best 2 Person Backpacking Tent for 2023: Our Top 5 Picks

The Best 2 Person Backpacking Tent for 2023: Our Top 5 Picks


If you’re planning a backpacking trip, you’re probably looking for the lightest weight tent on the market with the most space that will keep you dry. This list has you covered!

Whether it’s just you or you and your dog, child, or significant other, this post will walk you through the best 2 person backpacking tents for 2023. These tents also make great tents for scouts or backyard camping with the kids.

Keep reading until the end, because this article will also cover the essentials you need to know before making your purchase, including frequently asked questions by other buyers.

best 2 person backpacking tent

Our Top Picks

Best Overall
Big Agnes Copper Backpacking Tent

Budget Option
CAMEL 2-Person Tent

Runner-Up
NEMO Dagger Ultralight Backpacking Tent


Best Overall

Big Agnes Copper Backpacking Tent

Best 2 person backpacking tent

The upgraded Big Agnes Backpacking Tent is the best 2-person backpacking tent for backpackers looking for something lightweight, easy to set up, and stays dry during inclement weather. This tent also has the best design for livability and space usability.

This 2-person backpacking tent is available in two colors: Olive Green and Orange. It has a packed weight of 3 lbs, 2 oz. Its floor length is 88 inches, with a peak height of 40 inches.

Pros

  • Big Agnes is a US-based brand that is trusted and loved by campers
  • The lightest weight and longest backpacking tent on this list
  • Color-coded system for making setting up the tent a breeze
  • Comes with mtnGLO technology, which provides enough light to read a book or find an object without a blinding headlight
  • 3-D mezzanine storage at the food provides massive off-ground storage
  • The awning provides extra livable space

Cons

  • Big Agnes recommends using a matching footprint to protect the floor from water, and it is not included

Budget Option

CAMEL 2-Person Tent

CAMEL 2 Person Tent, Waterproof,Spacious, Lightweight Portable Backpacking Tent for Outdoor Camping/Hiking (Navy Blue)

The 4-season CAMEL 2-Person Tent is the best 2-person backpacking tent for budgets. Its packed weight, length, and peak high are in line with some of the more expensive 2-person backpacking tents.

The CAMEL has a packed weight of 4 lbs, 6.5 oz. Its floor length is 86 inches, with a peak height of 43 inches.

Pros

  • Comes in five colors, including a dark navy blue, so you can buy the tent that fits your color and sun preferences
  • Inexpensive 2-person backpacking tent for casual use in mild conditions
  • 4 pounds 6.5 ounces is decently lightweight for a 2-person backpacking tent

Cons

  • The set-up directions may be complicated for first-time tent owners
  • Most of the tent’s materials, like the raincoat, are cheaply made and not expected to last long
  • Although it’s marketed as a 4-season tent, many reviews state it does not hold up in rain and wind

Runner-Up

NEMO Dagger OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent

Nemo Dagger OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent, Birch Bud/Goodnight Gray, 2 Person

The NEMO Dagger OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent is a fantastic lightweight choice for backpackers. Its durable polyester/nylon ripstop fabric is designed to keep you four times dryer than previous versions of this tent.

Although this tent is marketed as a 3-season tent, it’s sturdy enough to possibly withstand four seasons!

The packed weight of this tent is 4 lbs, 2 oz. It has a floor length of 87 inches and a peak height of 42 inches.

Pros

  • OSMO fabric does not stretch nearly as much as other fabrics when wet, so this reduces sag, wind, and rain
  • The Landing Zone storage tub in the vestibule protects gear from the outside elements
  • Divvy Cube rectangular stuff makes it easy to split the weight with your companion
  • Color-coded poles for easy set-up
  • Protected by NEMO lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Protective footprint is not included.
  • Only available in one color

Clostnature 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Clostnature Lightweight 2-Person Backpacking Tent - 4 Season Ultralight Waterproof Camping Tent, Large Size Easy Setup Tent for Winter, Cold Weather, Family, Outdoor, Hiking and Mountaineering

The Clostnature 2-Person Backpacking Tent may be on the heavier side of backpacking tents, but its peak height is also on the higher end. It comes in two colors to suit your preferences.

The Clostnature has a packed weight of 6 lbs, 9.6 oz. Its floor length is 87 inches, with a peak height of 46 inches.

Pros

  • One-year warranty and 100% satisfaction guaranteed
  • Relatively low cost for a four-season tent
  • Quick set up and easy to set up for a person who’s never set up a tent before
  • Keeps you dry and warm in all weather

Cons

  • Clostnature is a Chinese brand

Coleman 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Coleman 2-Person Sundome Tent, Navy

Coleman is a brand you’re probably familiar with because it’s been around a long time. The brand is known for making excellent camping products, and although their Coleman 2-Person Backpacking Tent may be on the heavier side, it has the highest peak height on this list.

The Coleman has a packed weight of 7.5 lbs, a floor length of 84 inches, and a peak height of 48 inches.

Pros

  • Comes in three colors: Navy Blue, Spruce Green, and Palm Green
  • Dome tent with a sturdy finish that can withstand windows up to 35 miles per hour
  • Low cost
  • Large windows for excellent ventilation

Cons

  • Bring a towel, because rain may seep in the corners
  • The large windows also cause it to become chillier at night than some of the other tents on this list

Best 2-Person Backpacking Tent Buyer’s Guide

Dimensions

When selecting the best 2-person backpacking tent for your camping needs, you need to look at the length, width, and height dimensions.

Length and Width

Each person requires 25 inches of width and 80 inches of length. Taller backpackers will want to look at tents closer to 90 inches long.

Peak Height

The “peak height” of the tent measures the tallest point in the tent to the ground. You need to consider both the number as well as its location.

A large peak number in the middle of the tent means you will feel roomier sitting in the middle of the tent, whereas a larger number in the corner of the tent means you will feel comfier while lying down.

Wall Geometry

Consider the shape of the 2-person backpacking tent. A pyramid will feel more cramped than a cube, even if the floor dimensions are the same.

Capacity

The 2-person capacity rating will tell you how many people will tightly fit in a tent, though most tent campers feel this capacity rating is exaggerated. Most often, a 2-person backpacking tent is considered lavish for one person; however, these tents will fit two regular-sized sleeping pads.

Seasonal Durability

The best 2-person backpacking tents are going to be marketed as three-season or four-season tents.

There’s only one big difference between a three-season tent and a four-season tent, and it is that four-season tents are designed to handle snow and heavy winds whereas most three-season tents are not.

Four-season tents are designed with stronger poles and fabric, giving them a sturdier design, to handle camping in all weather types. They’re also heavier than three-season tents, but this also means they can handle the weight of snow and strong winter winds.

Weight

You will often see two weight descriptions on tent listings.

The first is packed weight, which is how much the entire tent weighs when you purchase it, including the body of the tent, poles, stakes, stuff sacks, and other accessories that come with the tent. This is the weight you will carry with you on a backpacking trip.

The second weight you will see is trail weight, which is the weight of the tent itself. A difference of five to eight ounces usually separates the two numbers.

Livability

When you’re backpacking, your tent is your home! You want to choose a tent that will be livable and enjoyable to relax inside. When considering the livability of your 2-person backpacking tent, think about the following:

  • Ease of Setup: The best 2-person backpacking tents need to be easy to set up, so you don’t have to waste time figuring out how to get your tent together.
  • Ventilation: The best 2-person backpacking tents come with mesh windows or panels to increase the airflow throughout the tent.
  • Storage: Vestibules are rainfly extensions that offer storage for boots and other camping gear. Consider how much storage room you will have in your tent. Typically, the more storage a tent has, the heavier the tent.
best 2 person backpacking tent

Color

Light and bright colors allow more light to come into the tent during the day, allowing for the interior to appear more spacious. On the other hand, darker-colored tents provide better sun protection. Dark-colored tents are ideal for hot summer days!

Zippers

The number one complaint you will start to notice about 2-person backpacking tents (or any tent) is their zippers. If you have done any amount of tent camping in the past, you know that zippers will break easily if not taken care of properly.

When you buy any tent, take extra special care to open and close your tent slowly to ensure your zippers last the life of the tent. Zippers are not intended to be rough-housed.

Materials

Most commercial tents are made from material to ensure durability in rain and wind. The most popular materials include the following:

  • Polyethylene (PE): The most popular material you will see in tents generally, but probably not lightweight backpacking tents. PE is heavy fabric and durable. It’s hard to damage, so it can be used several times.
  • PVC: PVC is a controversial fabric that many environmentalists insist is toxic to human health. However, it is durable and quite heavy. It’s not commonly used in backpacking tents because of its weight.
  • Ripstop: Both our best pick and our runner-up are made from ripstop blends. Ripstop is a higher-quality material that is more expensive. It’s woven often with nylon to provide a sturdy, weather-resistant material.
  • Nylon and Polyester: These are the two most common materials used in backpacking tents because they are lightweight, durable, and weather resistant.

Best 2-Person Backpacking Tent Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good weight for a 2-person backpacking tent?

Generally speaking, the heavier the tent, the more rain and wind protection the tent provides. It’s hard for a tent under three pounds to protect you from the elements, though lighter tents may be okay to bring along as a spare tent or during a short trip where the forecast is sunny and mild.

Tents in the three to the four-and-a-half-pound range are lightweight and tend to provide you the comfort you need on backcountry roads. Hardcore backpackers will appreciate the lighter weight of tents in this range, especially on long hikes.

Tents that weigh more than four and a half pounds may be more durable in the wind and tend to be lower cost. These tents are often the best value for casual backpackers.

Should I get a 1- or 2-person backpacking tent?

Most people, even solo campers, prefer 2-person backpacking tents. Unless you’re a short person, you’re probably not going to feel comfortable in a 1-person backpacking tent.

A 2-person backpacking tent doesn’t just provide more stretch room, it also provides more storage room for gear. You won’t have to worry about leaving your personal items outside the tent with a 2-person backpacking tent.

Also, a 2-person backpacking tent is going to be much better at withstanding heavy winds and rainstorms than a 1-person tent. You can also bring more of your objects inside the tent with you to keep them safe!

How wide should a 2-person backpacking tent be?

The best 2-person backpacking tents are four to four and a half feet wide.

What is better: Fiberglass or Aluminum Poles?

Aluminum poles are lighter, more durable, and a better choice for backpacking tents. You typically see fiberglass poles in budget-friendly tents because they are cheaper to produce.

best 2 person backpacking tent

Wrapping up the Best 2-Person Backpacking Tents for 2023

So now you know all the details about the best 2-person backpacking tents for 2023. If you’re planning on backpacking all summer long, splurging on the Big Agnes or Nemo Dagger is a wise idea.

Before you leave, read these tips on how to pack a tent in a backpack to make your backpacking journey a little easier!





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