Best One-Person Backpacking Tents of 2024

JUMP TO: NEMO DRAGONFLY OSMO 1P | TARPTENT RAINBOW LI | ZPACKS PLEX SOLO | GOSSAMER GEAR THE ONE | DURSTON X-MID 1 (V2) | SAMAYA 2.0 | MSR HUBBA HUBBA 1 | SEA TO SUMMIT ALTO TR1 | SIX MOONS DESIGNS SKYSCAPE SCOUT | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Jan 27, 2024
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The Short Version

• Best Overall: NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1P

• Best Allrounder: Tarptent Rainbow Li

• Best Ultralight: Zpacks Plex Solo

• Runner Up Ultralight: Gossamer Gear The One

• Best for Thru-Hiking: Durston X-Mid 1 (V2)

• Best for Winter: Samaya 2.0

• Best for Wet Climates: MSR Hubba Hubba 1

• Best for Comfort: Sea to Summit Alto TR1  

• Best on a Budget: Six Moons Designs Skyscape Scout

The Long Version

Tents are typically the most expensive and the most important part of any backcountry setup. They are a critical part of any successful trip, and with so many features and specifications to consider, committing to a new tent can be an anxiety inducing affair.

Whether you are investing in your first ever one-person tent or looking to upgrade, it is easy to get lost in the details. Examining weight, internal dimensions, trekking pole compatibility, fabric quality; the rabbit hole is endless and making the right choice may feel impossible.

Fortunately, we are here to make it easier. We have done the dirty work for you, diving into the details on every one-person backpacking tent worthy of consideration. This article summarizes the nine best solo tents currently available.

We have top picks for every budget and every adventure — from weekend ultralight trips, to PCT thru-hikes, to wet and snowy expeditions. Read on and find the best one-person backpacking tent to accompany you on your next trip.

If you love reading this review of the best one-person backpacking tents, then you'll likely love reading some of our other hiking and backpacking content:

• Best Backpacking Tents (focused on 2P models)

• Best Backpacking Quilts

• Best Sleeping Pads

• Best Lightweight Rain Jackets

• Gear Reviews Overview Page

Best Overall: NEMO DRAGONFLY OSMO 1P

WEIGHT: 33 oz / 948 g

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 88 x 35 x 40 in / 223 x 89 x 102 cm

PACKED SIZE: 19.5 x 4.0 in / 50 x 10 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 2

STYLE: Freestanding

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Durable, lots of storage space, lightweight

CONS: Rainfly can be finicky, heavier than true ultralight tents

The NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1P tent strikes a balance between weight, livability, and durability that is hard to match. At just over 2 lbs., it is not as light as some ultralight setups, but it offers the best overall performance. 

The Dragonfly’s freestanding design and color-coded tent poles make for an easy and quick setup on any ground surface. Its trapezoidal vestibule provides ample storage space. Keeping your gear dry and entering and exiting the Dragonfly is a breeze.

The Dragonfly is solidly built and designed. Its DAC Featherlite poles are super light and super durable. The OSMO polyester nylon ripstop fabric is new to the Dragonfly line. This proprietary fabric is PFAS-free, with significantly less stretch and better water repellency than the 100% nylon fly and floor used in previous iterations.

The tent’s biggest downside is that the rainfly only offers partial coverage at the ends of the tent, with a gap between the fly and the bathtub floor. This is usually not a problem, especially if pitched well, but in strong rains and winds some water may seep in through this gap.

The Dragonfly is a winner because it is a fully freestanding, double-wall tent while being in the 2 lb. weight range—an elusive combination. For hikers who do not want to rely on trekking pole setups or fiddle with stakes and guy lines on variable surfaces, the Dragonfly is an easy-to-use, durable, and comfortable shelter, all at a relatively light weight.

Best Allrounder: TARPTENT RAINBOW LI

WEIGHT: 24 oz / 680 g

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 88 x 36 x 42 in / 224 x 91 x 107 cm

PACKED SIZE: 17 x 4 in / 44 x 10 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 2 wall hybrid

STYLE: Freestanding (with trekking poles) or staked

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Easy and versatile setup options, ultralight, durable

CONS: Expensive, prone to condensation

Tarptent’s Rainbow Li is ultralight, ultra-durable, and ultra-versatile, making it our choice for the best all around performer. 

The Rainbow Li comes in at a dainty 1.5 lbs. courtesy of its single-wall Dyneema and semi-freestanding design. The tent is pitched with either stakes or trekking poles at its ends, one supporting arch pole, and a small, folded strut. 

Its 88 x 36 x 42-inch interior dimensions are nearly identical to the Dragonfly. Its outer vestibule runs smaller but will still adequately protect your backpack and boots. A Dyneema bathtub floor and canopy provide excellent weather resistance on par with many double-wall tents. But, as a hybrid double-wall tent, condensation can be an issue with the Rainbow Li, especially in humid or rainy climates. Lengthwise from its peak, the tent is only a single wall. An optional liner can be purchased from Tarptent and is recommended if most of your hiking is in humid conditions.

The Rainbow Li is easy to set up, extremely durable, and very light, offering top notch 3-season performance in most conditions. So, what’s the catch? Well, you can probably guess. This tent is an expensive example of getting what you pay for—its eye-watering price tag is the only thing keeping the Rainbow Li from being our choice for best overall. But if you have the means, the Rainbow Li is an investment you won’t regret, and is backed by Tarptent’s excellent customer support and repair services.

Best Ultralight: ZPACKS PLEX SOLO

WEIGHT: 13.9-15.4 oz / 395-437 g (color dependent)

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 38/28 x 52 in / 230 x 97 x 52 cm

PACKED SIZE: 5 x 11 in / 12.7 x 28 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 1

STYLE: Non-freestanding

PRICE: $$$

PROS: As light as it gets, spacious, easy set up

CONS: Expensive, requires long trekking poles to pitch

Weighing as little as 13.9 oz., the Zpacks Plex Solo is one of the lightest one-person tents on the market. Its spacious, pyramidal design sheds rain effectively and provides plentiful interior space.

The Plex Solo packs down so small you will be forgiven if you think its missing something. Getting it in your pack is practically an afterthought, making it a favorite for bikepacking, fastpacking, and ultralight enthusiasts.

A Dyneema Composite Fabric construction and the thoughtful geometrical design of the Plex Solo results in a shelter that sheds rain effectively, is well-ventilated, and is not particularly prone to condensation issues, a rare combination for a single-walled tent.

As a non-freestanding tent, nailing the setup of the Plex Solo can be a bit of a process, and will require a few tries to stake out the guy lines effectively. It also requires trekking poles that extend to at least 132 cm. For shorter hikers and those that don’t use trekking poles, you will have to grab a dedicated tent pole from Zpacks along with 6-10 stakes, as they are not included with the tent.

Despite these drawbacks and a high price point, there is no arguing with the Plex Solo’s ultralight, high performing, and comfortable design—it is our pick as the best ultralight tent money can buy. You can read our in-depth review of it here.

Runner Up Ultralight: GOSSAMER GEAR THE ONE

WEIGHT: 17.7 oz / 503 g

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 84 x 33/21 x 45 in / 213 x 84/53 x 114 cm

PACKED SIZE: 10 x 5 in / 25.4 x 12.7 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 1

STYLE: Non-freestanding

PRICE: $$

PROS: Lightweight, easy setup, packable

CONS: Narrower interior, nylon rainfly can sage when wet

Weighing just over a pound, the Gossamer Gear The One is an ultralight, low volume tent with an easy set up.

The tent’s innovative single-wall design combines a factory seam-sealed nylon ripstop rainfly with a silicon-coated nylon waterproof bathtub floor. Though slightly heavier and less naturally water-resistant than the since-discontinued DCF version, the One’s nylon construction still performs very well, at a more approachable price point.

The tent is pitched using six stakes and two trekking poles. It is remarkably easy to set up despite its non-freestanding design. A roomy vestibule provides generous storage space and can be rolled up on either side, allowing for excellent airflow and ventilation when combined with the all-mesh door and a mesh window on the back wall. The tent can run cold, but it effectively prevents condensation buildup in all but the most humid of conditions.

One potential drawback is its interior width. The One tapers from 33 inches down to 21 inches at the feet, a tight fit for most rectangular sleeping pads. But for hikers who don’t mind sacrificing a few inches of legroom in the name of a packable, ultralight, and headache-free shelter, then the One is a top choice.

Best for Thru-Hiking: DURSTON X-MID 1 (V2)

WEIGHT: 30.8 oz / 874 g 

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 32 x 43 in / 230 x 81 x 117 cm

PACKED SIZE: 12 x 5 in / 30 x 13 cm

DOORS: 2

WALLS: 2

PRICE: $$

STYLE: Non-freestanding

PROS: Affordable, spacious, durable

CONS: Heavier, often on back order

On a months-long thru-hike, features of your tent that were once a non-issue will be magnified. Cramped interiors, finicky setups, condensation, and easy-to-puncture ultralight materials start to ruin your life. If you are planning to start a long-term residence in your tent, the second iteration of the Durston X-Mid 1P is for you. Weighing in at close to 2 lbs., it is considerably heavier than our top ultralight choices, but those extra ounces are well justified. 

The X-Mid 1P is double-walled, durable, and comfortable. Two doors and two vestibules offer storage and accessibility capabilities unmatched by other one-person tents. Its interior is slightly narrow, but long and high. The amount of sheltered, usable space is a true joy during inclement weather.

The tent can be set up fly-first. Clipping the bug netting insert in is quick and easy, but you can also camp with the fly only for a floorless, tarp-style setup. Two trekking poles and four stakes are all that is needed to set up the X-Mid 1P. Its rectangular footprint makes for easy pitching.

The X-Mid 1P’s fly is made from polyester. It is heavier than its ultralight DCF competitors, but it offers similar weather resistance. Like DCF, polyester does not sag when wet. The fully double-walled design also limits condensation and protects from wind and rain splatter. Fully sealed seams and burly zippers add to the tent’s ability to perform over long periods of time.

Best of all, the X-Mid 1P provides all of this for well less than half the price of many ultralight DCF tents. Any hiker will appreciate this insane value, and it takes the spot as our best thru-hiking tent for its combination of livability, durability, and adaptability, which easily compensates for its relatively heavy weight.

Best for Winter: SAMAYA 2.0

WEIGHT: 53 oz / 1502 g

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 87 x 43 x 39.4 in / 221 x 109 x 100 cm

PACKED SIZE: 8 x 6 in / 20 x 15 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 1

STYLE: Freestanding

PRICE: $$$$$

PROS: Well ventilate and weather-resistant, excellent build quality, insanely light for a winter tent

CONS: Very expensive, no vestibule storage space

Ultralight tents are usually synonymous with 3-season use. But with a sub-3 lb. trail weight, the Samaya 2.0 defies logic: a true winter tent that is not all that heavier than some of the 3-season tents featured here.

The Samaya 2.0 is marketed as a two-person tent, and while it technically fits two, it is a tight squeeze, and is only really comfortable as a one-person tent. You may want a partner to split the eye-watering price tag, however: this ultralight, thoughtfully designed, and winter-ready tent doesn't come cheap. 

It’s expensive, but the Samaya 2.0 really does deliver. Samaya, an upstart French brand, leaves no detail unexamined. The 2.0 features an ultralight and weather-resistant Dyneema floor and roof. Its three-layer walls are made from Nanovent — an innovative membrane material that is both exceptionally waterproof and breathable. The tent is seam sealed and ready to take on winter mountaineering, backpacking and ski touring, at a weight and packed size that is truly unprecedented. 

Although a heavier fully double wall tent with thicker fabric may be a better choice if you're after an expedition-style tent to set up at a base camp, there is no beating Samaya tent for fast and light winter adventures. We wish the Samaya 2.0 came with a vestibule, which can be purchased separately. But if used as a one-person shelter, the tent has enough interior space to store your gear comfortably.

Best for Wet Climates: MSR HUBBA HUBBA 1

WEIGHT: 34 oz / 950 g 

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 85 x 30 x 37 in / 216 x 76 x 94 cm

PACKED SIZE: 19 x 4 in / 48 x 10 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 2

STYLE: Freestanding

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Weather resistant, light for double wall tent

CONS: Smaller interior, nylon rainfly can sag in downpours

Rain and humidity will test the limits of many lightweight backpacking tents, but not the MSR Hubba Hubba 1. This double-wall tent has a Durashield coating, seam sealed rainfly and a built-in rain gutter. The large vestibule door provides easy in-and-out access and is vented to limit condensation.

At 34 oz, it is not quite ultralight, despite having a smaller interior than most tents on this list. It does have added storage features that ultralight tents often skip though—there are large side pockets with cable ports and an overhead gear loft.

Its nylon build, though very waterproof, is prone to sagging in downpours. But with half-decent pitching skills, this can mostly be avoided given the tent’s robust overall design.

With a more traditional backpacking tent design—fully freestanding and double-walled—the Hubba Hubba’s 2 lb. 2 oz. is particularly impressive. It is a straightforward, weather resistant shelter with protection from wind, rain, and humidity that ultralight, single-walled tents simply cannot match.

Best for Comfort: SEA TO SUMMIT ALTO TR1

WEIGHT: 39 oz / 1.1 kg

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 84.5 x 25.5/42/24 x 41.3 in / 215 x 65/107/61 x 105 cm

PACKED SIZE: 18 x 4 in / 46 x 10 cm

DOORS: 1

WALLS: 2

STYLE: Semi-freestanding

PRICE: $$$ 

PROS: Easy setup, spacious, and comfortable

CONS: Expensive, heavy for a one-person, three-season tent

The Sea to Summit Alto TR1 is a super spacious and versatile one-person backpacking tent. The “Tension Ridge” design of the tent creates nearly vertical walls to maximize headspace and vestibule size. Although not exceptionally wide at either end, the Alto flares out to a considerable 42 inch width at the shoulders and features a generous 84.5 inch interior length. 

Depending upon conditions, the Alto can be set up in a standard double wall setup, in partial fly mode, or in fly only mode. The versatility and abundance of interior space is perfect for those who feel a little claustrophobic in other one-person backpacking tents.

The tent does need to be well guyed out to stay secure, and its semi-freestanding build lacks in wind protection and stability compared to comparable tents like the NEMO Dragonfly 1 and the MSR Hubba Hubba 1. But the Alto’s seam-taped Polyurethane-coated rainfly provides reliable and durable waterproof performance. Vents at the tent’s apex and around the base effectively minimize condensation.

At nearly 2.5 lbs., the Alto is one of the heavier one-person tents on our list. It also isn’t cheap. But it is certainly the most comfortable, and its double-wall design lends itself well to a variety of set up configurations. You’ll be happy waiting out a big storm or relaxing after a long day on the trail in the roomy confines of the Alto.

Best on a Budget: SIX MOONS DESIGNS SKYSCAPE SCOUT

WEIGHT: 40 oz / 1134 g

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 103 x 48 x 45 in / 262 x 122 x 114 cm

PACKED SIZE: 15 x 5 in / 38 x 12.7 cm

DOORS: 2

WALLS: 2 wall hybrid

STYLE: Freestanding with trekking poles

PRICE: $

PROS: Affordable, durable, spacious

CONS: Heavy, prone to condensation

The Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout offers an affordable entry into the world of one-person backpacking tents. It is the heaviest tent on this list, but it serves as a high quality and affordable step towards a lightweight solo setup.

The Scout features a hybrid double-wall. The doors are mesh, covered by a polyester vestibule, making two separated walls, but the area from the peak to the foot box is a single wall. This hybrid design provides ventilation while cutting out some weight. 

The tent is pitched using two trekking poles, a small strut, and six guy out points. The polyester rainfly does well in wet conditions and its hybrid design allows for an all-in-one, easy setup tent. Two doors, two vestibules, and a large interior make for a comfortable and versatile shelter.

Condensation and a significant packed size are potential drawbacks, but the Scout is one of the few well-made one-person tents to be found at a budget price. This is the low risk, high reward way to get your solo kit started.

BUYING ADVICE FOR ONE-PERSON BACKPACKING TENTS

Structure

FREESTANDING: Freestanding tents have bodies that retain their shape without being staked out thanks to their pole systems. One advantage of freestanding tents is that they can be placed on any terrain because it doesn’t matter whether the ground is soft enough for stakes – you can even pitch one on a rock if you fancy it. 

Another advantage is that you can easily move a freestanding tent once it’s assembled. This can come in handy if you set up your tent only to realize moments later that there’s a bees nest around the corner, or you’re far more exposed to the elements than you’d like – simply drag the tent to its new location and voila! 

Finally, the rigidity provided by the poles means that freestanding tents tend to provide better weather protection than non-freestanding tents (although this isn’t always the case!).  

NON-FREESTANDING: Non-freestanding tents are propped up with a simple pole and require stakes and guylines to hold their shape. The pole used is often a short, simple tent pole that weighs far less than a complex pole system, but trekking poles can normally be used instead. 

This has made non-freestanding tents very popular among ultralight campers who carry trekking poles with them anyway because it saves them carrying extra poles (which are usually the heaviest part of a tent!).

SEMI-FREESTANDING: As the name suggests, semi-freestanding tents can almost hold their shape using their pole structure alone. But, unlike true freestanding tents, they require some parts of the tent to be staked out to achieve their optimal shape (often the vestibules or porch area). Although they’re the least common of the three, semi-freestanding tents strike a great balance of space and weight.

DOUBLE WALL: Double-wall tents consist of two separate layers – a tough exterior (known as the rainfly, or just fly) and an inner body, typically featuring lots of mesh. The outer layer acts as a barrier against bad weather, but isn’t very breathable. But, fear not, the inner layer, with its mesh panels, allows air to flow freely and protects the camper against condensation that builds up on the inside of the outer layer. 

Another huge advantage of double-wall tents is that the rainfly can be oversized compared to the inner body, and when the excess materials is staked out, it provides a semi-protected storage area for gear (aka a vestibule). 

SINGLE-WALL: Single-wall tents have just one layer, and it needs to be tough to protect the interior from the elements. The main advantage of this is a significant weight reduction – one layer weighs less than two. 

But, on the flipside, there’s nothing to protect campers from condensation that builds up on the inside of the tent. Despite this, in dry, cool conditions, where condensation is minimal, single-wall tents are a great weight-saving option.

DOORS: Most one person tents include one door. If you’re sleeping solo, then one door is likely to be plenty. Some one-person tents do provide two doors and vestibules, and this can be a nice addition – for e.g. allowing access in one side and gear storage on the other – but just check that it doesn’t come at the cost of too much additional weight.

Materials

Tents can be built from heaps of materials, but the most common ones you’ll see used for ultralight tents are nylon and DCF. 

NYLON: Nylon is a synthetic fabric comprised of tiny plastic strands woven together. It’s naturally abrasion-resistant and it has an awesome strength-to-weight ratio, which is why it’s so commonly used for lightweight tents. 

Part of this strength comes from nylon’s ability to stretch, which makes it less likely to rip, but this same stretchiness means that it can sag under heavy rain or snow – so you might have to re-tension your guylines from time to time. If you really want to avoid any rips in your fabric then keep your eyes open for ripstop nylon, which is woven in a special way to become extra tear-resistant. 

Another downfall of nylon is that it will slowly absorb water over time, which can lead to sagging or, even worse, leaks. To overcome this, nylon is often treated with a waterproof coating, the most common of which are polyester urethane (PU), polyether urethane (PE), and silicone (nylon treated with silicone is often termed ‘SilNylon’) – and sometimes fabrics are treated with more than one coating.

DYNEEMA COMPOSITE FABRICS (DCF): Previously referred to as cuben fiber (or CTF3), DCF is a non-woven, laminate material that’s taken the ultralight world by storm thanks to its incredible weight-to-strength ratio. 

Dyneema itself is an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene that forms long and highly robust molecular chains… which basically means that it’s very, very strong. DCF is formed when incredibly strong (yet featherlight) Dyneema fibers are flanked by polyester fibers. The result one incredibly sturdy material, so it’s no surprise it was originally used for the construction of high-performance yacht sails.

Because Dyneema is so strong – fifteen times stronger than steel, to be precise – you can get away with using very thin layers of DCF in your tent walls, which helps to massively cut down on weight. On top of that, DCF is highly waterproof and has very little stretch in it, so you won’t find your walls sagging after a downpour.

So, what’s the catch? The price, of course. Products made with DCF will set you back far more than those made with other materials (like nylon) but, if super lightweight packing is your thing, it’s the way to go.

POLYESTER: Traditionally, polyester has been less commonly used as a rainfly material on reputable backpacking tents. Polyester has a lower tear strength relative to nylon, and therefore manufacturers would have needed to use thicker (heavier) polyester fabrics to achieve the same strength as competing nylon. But recent advances have meant that more modern polyester fabrics are becoming increasingly strong, making them a more attractive proposition.

You might still see a slight weight penalty, but on the other hand there are two key advantages of polyester relative to nylon. First, it is a less expensive material. Second, it doesn’t absorb moisture like nylon does – meaning your tent won’t sag when wet. So, as the manufacturing technology continues to improve – and so too does the strength-to-weight ratio – we may see more polyester tents hitting the market.

Weather Resistance

The weather resistance of your tent will largely come down to the fabric used and how strong and waterproof it is, but there are a few other things to keep your eye on:

SEALED SEAMS: Even tents constructed from highly waterproof materials have seams that can cause leaks if they aren’t sealed properly. Most serious backpacking tents come with their seams already sealed, but this isn’t always the case – take some Tarptent and Six Moon Designs products, for example.

Sometimes you can pay extra to upgrade to a seam-sealed tent, and if not, you can always pick up a sealant and do it yourself at home. This can be a bit faffy though, and we’d always recommend picking up a pre-sealed tent if possible. 

WIND: Although domes are typically the best structure for tents exposed to strong winds, many ultralight tents will be non-freestanding, awkward structures propped up on poles. This means that, when you’re bunkering down for a breezy night, it’s extra important to make full use of all your ground stakes so you don’t get blown away – and keep those guylines nice and tight! 

VENTILATION: Ventilation is important not only to keep you cool in hot climates, but also to minimize condensation in damp or humid conditions. 

Double-wall tents are better equipped to deal with condensation build up thanks to the protective inner layer and, if the conditions are nice, you can always whip off the fly to get some extra airflow (and maybe gaze at the stars while you’re at it). 

Single-wall tents tend to accumulate condensation on the interior, but decent ceiling vents can help to reduce build-up in the first place. If you’ll be camping in dry conditions, then a one-wall tent might be just fine but, if you’ll be camping in cold or humid conditions, you’ll need to think seriously about ventilation.

Dimensions

WIDTH: The main thing to think about when it comes to tent width is your sleeping pad. In a one-person, you need to make sure that your pad fits comfortably inside. This holds especially true for single-wall tents – you really don’t want your sleeping gear pushing up on the walls and letting all that moisture in.

LENGTH: Unfortunately, it can be pretty tough to be a tall camper who’s into ultralight gear. Make sure you check out the length fully (as well as any reviews you can find) to make sure your head won’t be skimming the wall if you’re especially tall. Bear in mind that there are some models out there catered specifically for taller folks, like the Zpacks Altaplex.

HEIGHT: Again, the taller you are, the more height becomes an issue. Although you can’t stand in most ultralight tents anyway, it’s good to have enough height to get changed comfortably. Plus, if the weather is bad, it can be nice to sit up for a while and read a book, or even play cards if there are two of you.

Although a tent’s peak height is a useful bit of information, you need to consider the shape of the tent too. For instance, the peak could be generous, but if it’s a pyramid-shaped tent and the walls slope steeply, you’ll soon find that height disappearing. Semi-freestanding tents tend to be popular among tall hikers looking to shed some ounces, as you get a structure that provides a decent height without having to carry too many poles around.

VESTIBULES: A good vestibule can make all the difference to your camping experience. If it’s a decent size, you’ll be able to leave your gear in there to maximize interior space, and you might even be able to cook in it if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Portability

WEIGHT: Of course, in the world of ultralight camping gear, weight is key. But how key is up to you. Some people prefer to carry a bit of extra weight so they can have a touch more room, while others are keen to give up space and save every last ounce. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for before you buy anything.

Be aware that some tent manufacturers list ‘trail weight’ in their specifications and, this typically only includes, the tent body, fly, and poles – the actual weight (including stakes, ropes, etc.) could be considerably more, so make sure you do your research thoroughly if weight is crucial to you.

PACKED SIZE: All good ultralight tents should also be highly compact when packed, and all of the tents listed here pack away into bundles you can easily stash in your bag, or perhaps even slip into an outside pocket.

Other Features

Although ultralightweight tents tend to skimp on homey features, that’s not to say they don’t come with any at all. If you like some home comforts while you camp, then keep your eyes open for the following:

POCKETS: Most backpacking tents have at least one pocket, and some have several. They tend to be on the walls, but you’ll sometimes find gear lofts in the ceiling (like for the MSR Hubba Hubba) and sometimes you can purchase these separately (like for the Tarptent Rainbow Li).

HOOKS: While not essential, it can be super handy to have somewhere to hang your flashlight while you’re sorting your gear out before bed. Door hooks are also a nice touch for times when the sun is shining and you want to pin your door back for some fresh air and views.

CLOSURE: Most backpacking tents have a zippered door on the vestibule(s). These can either open entirely for ease of entry, or open halfway to keep one side of the vestibule safe from drips – the choice is up to you. Some tents (like the Zpacks Plex Solo or Tarptent Rainbow Li) have doors (essentially entire sides of the tent) that can be opened up entirely for views and ventilation or closed when the weather is bad.

POLE SYSTEM: If you do opt for a freestanding (or semi-freestanding tent), and like to keep things simple, then keep your eye open for color-coded pole systems – they’re usually so intuitive that you won’t need the instructions at all.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is a good weight for a one-person backpacking tent? For a three-season backpacking tent, try to find one weighing 2.5 pounds or less. Ultralight one-person backpacking tents can be as light as one pound, but these tents can be quite expensive and more challenging to set up.

What is the difference between freestanding and non-freestanding tents? Freestanding tents get their structure from tent poles: no stakes or guylines are needed for them to be functional, as is the case with non freestanding tents. Freestanding tents are heavier, but tend to be easier to set up.

Should I get a one-person or two-person tent? If you primarily hike solo, save money and weight by getting a one-person tent. Look for roomier models or tents with lots of vestibule storage space if you’re worried about feeling cramped. If you sometimes hike solo and sometimes with a partner, you could consider a two-person version of our favorite ultralight tents, like the Gossamer Gear Two and Zpacks Duplex, which can fit two people but are still light enough for solo use.

MORE INFORMATION

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