Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents of 2023
JUMP TO: ZPACKS TRIPLEX / GOSSAMER GEAR THE TWO / TARPTENT STRATOSPIRE LI / BIG AGNES TIGER WALL UL2 / BIG AGNES COPPER SPUR HV UL2 / NEMO DAGGER 2P / REI CO-OP QUARTER DOME SL 2 / 3F UL GEAR LANSHAN 2 / MSR HUBBA HUBBA NX / BUYING ADVICE
Author: Sam Brilleman
The Short Version:
The Long Version:
Whether you’re on a weekend backpacking trip, or sleeping outdoors for three months on a long-distance thru-hike, your shelter is a vital piece of equipment.
In good weather, an inadequate shelter will be annoying and uncomfortable. But in bad weather, an inadequate shelter will be downright dangerous. This is true if you choose to hike with a backpacking tent, a tarp, a bivy… or anything else!
Of course — if you opt for a backpacking tent — it will be one of the heaviest items you carry on a multi-day backpacking trip. But choosing an ultralight tent can shave ounces, or even pounds, off your pack weight.
This can make a huge difference to your comfort levels during the day… lightweight backpacking is both safer and more comfortable.
Yep. Choosing an ultralight tent is the best place to start lightening up your load.
Fortunately, innovative designs and modern materials mean that the best ultralight tents are now sturdy, reliable, and durable. This makes them trustworthy alternatives to heavier traditional backpacking tents.
But, of course, like with any industry or product — you get what you pay for. And this adage is excruciatingly true for ultralight tents. By no means are all backpacking tents created equal. And a poorly manufactured or low-quality ultralight tent can be dangerous since it may lack the protection, durability, or stability needed to keep you protected from the elements.
In this article we bring together the best ultralight tents we believe are currently available — all high quality and produced by respected manufacturers. These are the tents that we believe are worthy of being carried on your next backpacking trip!
Most of the tents discussed below are two person models, however many of them also have one-person variations that we link to. Nonetheless, if you’re a solo hiker, you might prefer to check out our review of the Best One-Person Backpacking Tents.
If you love reading this review of the best ultralight backpacking tents, then you'll likely love reading our other gear-fiend related articles:
Need to know what to look out for?
Keen to bag yourself an ultralight backpacking tent but feeling slightly overwhelmed? Not sure what all those technical terms mean? Be sure to check out our buying guide at the end of the article where we break down all the key aspects of ultralight tents!
WEIGHT (excluding poles and stakes): 1 lb 8 oz / 0.68 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 60 x 48 in / 230 x 153 x 122 cm
PACKED SIZE: 8 x 13 in / 20.3 x 33 cm
STYLE: Non-freestanding (trekking pole)
DOORS: 4 (storm)
WALLS: 1
PRICE: $$$$
At Ultimate Gear Lists, we believe that the Zpacks Triplex is the ultimate two-person backpacking tent.
This tent is probably the lightest two-person tent on the market, yet it doesn't sacrifice on space or durability. The tent has room for two hikers and all their gear. And better yet, each hiker has their own door access and vestibule. And all this for less than 800 grams! The downside? It’s quite expensive.
Note: if you want to save even more weight then consider the Zpacks Duplex. It’s similar in design to the Triplex but has slightly less width. Although they’re both effectively two-person shelters, we believe that the Triplex is a more comfortable fit for two adults with their gear.
DESIGN
The Zpacks Triplex is a single-wall, fully enclosed, shelter. The tent exterior is made from Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), formerly known as cuben fiber. DCF is an incredibly lightweight, yet highly durable, waterproof material that’s often considered the gold standard of lightweight tent materials (for more info on DCF, check out our buying guide at the end of the article).
The default design uses two trekking poles. But, for hikers who don’t use trekking poles, tent-specific poles can be purchased from Zpacks. They have two options: 1) more traditional straight tent poles, or 2) their newer freestanding flex upgrade. Unfortunately, both of these must be purchased separately from the tent, which adds to the cost (so the trekking poles option saves both cost and weight).
The single-wall design may deter some people (due to the potential lack of condensation control) but, with the Triplex, we haven’t found this to be an issue. In fact, the Triplex has plenty of ventilation. In addition, the walls and bathtub floor are designed so that any condensation building up on the interior will run down the wall and drip out through a mesh perimeter – rather than running onto the floor or dripping on you while you sleep.
COMFORT & FEATURES
The biggest comfort factor for the Triplex is how spacious it is. Even with two tall hikers, there’s plenty of room to move around and sit up. The other massive benefit with the Triplex is how light it is in your pack, which increases your comfort level while hiking during the day.
The Triplex also includes two mesh pockets for storing small loose items, as well as convenient door hooks for securing the vestibule.
WEIGHT
This tent is outrageously light, especially for how spacious it is. The DCF material is one of the lightest materials on the market. However, one consideration is that the tent’s base weight doesn’t include poles because the tent is designed to allow two trekking poles to be used in place of tent-specific poles. This has the benefit of reducing the overall packed weight, since your trekking poles are carried in your hands (ideally) and not in your backpack.
SIZE OPTIONS
For two hikers, our preference is the Triplex. It provides plenty of width for both hikers to spread out and even store some of their gear alongside their sleeping pad.
Zpacks does offer alternative sizes though. Their Duplex tent is slightly narrower than the Triplex, perhaps making it a better option for couples who are trying to minimize their base weight or a solo hiker who needs some extra space. However, the Duplex weighs in at just 3 oz (85 grams) less than the Triplex. This means that the weight saving is quite minimal, even though the reduction in space is pretty noticeable. For taller hikers there is a version of the Duplex called the DupleXL.
If you’re a solo hiker, then the one-person Plexamid tent might be worth a look. Note that this one-person tent only requires one trekking pole to set up (unlike the two- and three- person tents, which require two).
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
A freestanding poles upgrade is available. Thicker or patterned materials can also be chosen for the exterior walls.
WEIGHT: 1.96 lb / 0.89 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H, tapered width at foot end): 84 x 48/42 x 43 in / 213 x 122/107 x 109 cm
PACKED SIZE: 11 x 5 in / 28 x 12 cm
STYLE: Non-freestanding (trekking pole)
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 1
SLEEPS: 2
SEASONS: 3–4
PRICE: $$
The Two by Gossamer Gear is a two-person single-wall trekking pole tent with an awesome weight-to-space ratio. Offering awesome weather resistance to boot, and with a surprisingly low price tag, this tent offers exceptional value for money.
DESIGN
The Gossamer Gear The Two is a spacious two-person shelter held in place via trekking poles and stakes. It features dual doors as well as two vestibules and takes a single-wall design.
The ripstop nylon used for the body is coated with silicone and PU which, alongside the factory-taped seams and bathtub floor, will keep you dry even in the wettest of conditions. The coatings also increase the tear-resistant properties of the fabric and, if kept taut, this shelter can withstand wind as well as light snow.
The inner mesh layer is sewn in for your convenience, and it does a great job of keeping bugs at bay. Bear in mind, though, that The Two, like all single-wall tents, is prone to condensation on its walls. The dual doors can be cracked open to combat this somewhat, but you’ll most likely have to deal with a few water droplets during your trip.
COMFORT & FEATURES
One of the greatest selling points of the Gossamer Gear The Two is it’s awesome weight-to-space ratio. Despite weighing less than 2 pounds, the spacious vestibules offer 10 square feet of useable space and make perfect spots for storing your gear or even cooking in bad weather. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to be camping when the sky is clear, you can furl the vestibules for views of your surroundings.
The interior features two generously sized mesh pockets for your essentials, and we love that there’s also a clothesline at the top of the tent. This line makes the perfect place to hang our damp gear or even string up a flashlight at night via the small loop that slides along it.
WEIGHT
The Two is an incredibly light 2-person tent overall, largely due to its trekking-pole and single-wall design. While it might not be quite as light as the Zpacks Triplex (or quite as spacious), it’s considerably cheaper, so it might be a better option if you’re on a budget.
SIZE OPTIONS
Gossamer Gear’s The Two is fairly spacious when it comes to minimalistic lightweight 2-person tents, but you’ll probably still be slightly cramped with two of you in there. For one, you’ll have ample space and, while some people like it that way, others may prefer to go for something smaller and shed some extra weight. If this sounds like you, then make sure you check out the one-person version, creatively named ‘The One’.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
If you want to increase the longevity of your purchase, then Gossamer Gear sell polycryo groundsheets (104 g for a large) compatible with this tent, and there are compatible trekking poles and even a top shelf available too.
Alternatively, if you have some cash to splash, you might be interested to hear about Gossamer Gear’s The DCF Two tent. Although the fabric used for construction of The Two is light and hardy (and made even hardier by the coatings), it isn’t the most premium fabric around, which is what’s helped to keep the price tag of The Two so low.
Alternatively, the body of The DCF Two is constructed from the highly sought-after DCF. The floor of this model is also different – it’s constructed from 7D SilNylon, which is thinner and easier to pack than the 20D SilNylon used for the floor of The Two (but not much worse when it comes to strength).
Personally, we think the exceptional value for money is what makes The Two stand out from the crowd, and the DCF version loses this appeal as the price rises significantly. Having said that, The DCF Two is a spacious, reliable, lightweight shelter that will certainly be worth the extra cost for some.
Want to read our in-depth review of The Two? Check it out here.
WEIGHT (fly, interior, and stakes): 1.8 lb / 0.82 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 86 x 45 x 45 in / 218 x 114 x 115 cm
PACKED SIZE: 16 in x 5 in / 41 cm x 12 cm
STYLE: Non-freestanding (trekking pole)
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3–4
PRICE: $$$$
The Tarptent Stratospire Li is an incredibly robust shelter that offers awesome protection from the elements. Featuring dual vestibules and a double-door design, the Stratospire excels when it comes to livability, yet the weight of this two-person tent has been kept low thanks to the clever trekking-pole set up.
DESIGN
The Stratospire Li is a two-person tent that relies on two trekking (or tent) poles for its shape. There are various tie-down points that help to keep the body taut, and the guy lines are adjustable for ease of set up.
DCF has been used for the main body of the tent and is renowned for its durability and light weight. It’s also highly water-resistant (with a hydrostatic pressure rating of over 8,000 mm), and this tent can handle not only rain but moderate snowfall too. Note that if you get the less expensive Stratospire 2 (not Stratospire Li, i.e. not the DCF version) then you’ll have to seal the seams yourself or pay for seam sealing (sadly the don’t come pre-sealed, whilst the Stratospire Li does come with taped seams).
The sewn-in floor generally eliminates the need for additional flooring, but you can pair this tent up with standard flooring options if you think you’ll be camping on especially rough ground.
The double-wall design, combined with various ceiling vents, does wonders for dealing with condensation, making this tent great for frosty and humid conditions alike.
COMFORT & FEATURES
Unlike most lightweight two-person tents, the Stratospire excels when it comes to livability. The dual doors make entry and exit a breeze, especially if you’re camping with a buddy, and are paired with dual vestibules so you can keep your gear orderly. Plus, there are even two handy mesh storage compartments so you can keep your essentials close at hand.
Tarptent haven’t skimped on the height either, so you’ll have plenty of wiggle room to help you get dressed in the morning. With a choice of solid or mesh interiors, you can have your set-up just how you like it – and if you go for the mesh one, remember that you can set it up solo for some bug-free stargazing.
One of our favorite features of the Stratospire, however, is the clever positioning of the poles – they’re located outside of the main living space, so you can move around freely without your shelter taking a tumble.
WEIGHT
The weight of the Stratospire Li depends on which interior option you go for (mesh or solid) but, in all cases, it’s a super light tent considering the space and homey touches. This is partly because of the lightweight fabric used, but also because the Stratospire can be assembled using standard trekking poles. This is great news for anyone who takes trekking poles with them on their trips because you don’t have to waste any weight on extra tent poles.
But if trekking poles aren’t your thing, it’s not the end of the world. You can pick up a pair of Tarpent’s vertical support poles instead, but it’ll ramp up the weight (and cost!) of your gear.
We also like that the Tarptent comes with six ultralightweight pegs included, and they’ve been totted up in the total weight too, so no nasty surprises there.
SIZE OPTIONS
As with most lightweight two-person tents, the Stratospire Li is snug, but doable, for two. For a solo traveler, it will provide ample space for gear, a luxurious bed set-up, and even a four-legged friend.
If you like the sound of the Stratospire Li, but are traveling solo and are happy to swap some space for weight, then be sure to check out the Notch Li (the one-person version).
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
The Stratospire Li is an adaptable tent that can be used for a range of conditions. If you’ll be heading out in the warmer months, then we recommend the mesh interior but, if you’ll be camping in cooler climates, there’s a solid option too.
And if you feel like you’ll need a tad more interior storage, then you’ll be pleased to know you can pick up an additional gear loft for the ceiling.
Our favorite add-on, however, is the sidecar (8 oz / 225 g) that allows you to convert a vestibule into a fully enclosed protected area – perfect for any pets or children that might be with you!
WEIGHT (excluding stakes): 2 lb 3 oz / 0.99 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H, tapered width at foot end): 86 x 52/42 x 39 in / 218 x 132/107 x 99 cm
PACKED SIZE: 5.5 x 18 in / 14 x 46 cm
STYLE: Semi-freestanding
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $$$
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall two-person tents on the market, but this is achieved with some sacrifices in durability and space. It uses thin materials and is a bit cramped for two people, or for tall hikers. We believe its ideal niche is the solo hiker looking for a spacious double-wall ultralight setup.
DESIGN
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is a two-person, double-wall, semi-freestanding shelter. It has a single-pole hub system that is user-friendly and easy to set up solo. It has two entry doors, each with their own vestibule, which provides good access.
To minimize weight, Big Agnes have used very lightweight materials. The fly and floor are both made of 15-denier nylon materials. For comparison, the Nemo Dagger uses 30-denier for the floor and 20-denier for the fly. As we have found with all Big Agnes tents, the zippers on the door can be prone to snagging, which can cause some frustration.
Also, the Tiger Wall UL2 is not overly spacious, particularly for two hikers. We would not recommend it for tall hikers (e.g. above 6 foot) and, if you’ll be sharing the space between two hikers, it can feel a little cramped. If there will be two of you sleeping in the Tiger Wall, then we suggest up-sizing to the Tiger Wall UL3 (which is marketed as a three-person shelter but, in reality, is a more comfortable and spacious version for two people).
WEIGHT
The Tiger Wall is one of the lightest double-wall two-person tents on the market. This is its major strength (no pun intended, since it sacrifices on durability to achieve this!). As we mention above, by minimizing the weight, Big Agnes has made the living space a little cramped. This may lead some hikers to up-size to the three-person version, which will add on 7 oz (0.2 kg) to the trail weight (which we believe is worth it, for the additional space).
SIZE OPTIONS
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall comes in one-person (UL1), two-person (UL2) and three-person (UL3) variations. In reality, the UL2 is somewhat cramped for two hikers, and so we suggest only buying the UL2 if you’re a solo hiker, and buying the UL3 if you’re sharing between two hikers.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
The UL1 (4 oz), UL2 (6 oz), and UL3 (7 oz) footprints can help increase the durability of the tent floor.
WEIGHT (minimum): 2 lb 11 oz / 1.22 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H, tapered width at foot end): 88 x 52/42 x 40 in / 224 x 132/107 x 102 cm
PACKED SIZE: 19.6 x 6 in / 50 x 15 cm
STYLE: Freestanding
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $$$
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall, fully freestanding, two-person tents on the market. It is spacious and thoughtfully designed. The benefit of the fully freestanding nature of this tent is that it can be easily set up on uneven terrain or where stakes might be hard to use. If you’re set on getting a fully-freestanding shelter, then the Copper Spur HV is hard to beat.
DESIGN
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a two-person, double-wall, fully freestanding shelter. It has a single-pole hub system (or two poles for the three-person and four-person options). The pole system is easy to set up; although the tent is tapered, color coding allows you to easily figure out where each pole end goes.
The tent has two entry doors (or one door for the one-person option), each with their own vestibule, which provides good access. The HV in the name stands for "high volume" owing to the pole design, which is meant to create near-vertical walls thereby maximizing the usable internal space.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV and Big Agnes Tiger Wall share many similarities in design, but the Copper Spur HV is a bit heavier (9 oz heavier to be exact), is slightly longer (and therefore better for tall hikers), and has a slightly more durable floor (20-denier vs 15-denier). The Copper Spur HV is also fully freestanding (vs the semi-freestanding Tiger Wall), meaning that the Copper Spur HV can easily be set up on various terrains, including rocky ground where it might be difficult to use stakes.
WEIGHT
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall free-standing two-person tents on the market. The Zpacks Duplex/Triplex and the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 are both much lighter, but neither are free-standing (although the Duplex can come with a freestanding upgrade). If you want a fully freestanding double-wall tent, then the Copper Spur HV is hard to beat in the weight category. This is especially true given that it uses 20-denier materials for both the fly and the floor which – although still somewhat fragile – is slightly more durable than some other lightweight tents, which use 15-denier or sometimes even thinner.
If you’re willing to carry a little extra weight, then the Copper Spur HV does provide some additional space and durability compared with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2. But, don't forget that the Tiger Wall UL3 (i.e. the three-person option in the Tiger Wall range) is another alternative. The three-person Tiger Wall UL3 weighs about the same as the two-person Copper Spur HV, but it will give you much more space and cost the same price, and all you will really be sacrificing is the fully freestanding design.
SIZE OPTIONS
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV comes in one-person (UL1), two-person (UL2), three-person (UL3), and four-person (UL4) options. As with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall, we think that the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV two-person model is a little cramped for two hikers. So, we suggest buying the two-person Copper Spur HV UL2 if you’re a solo hiker, and buying the three-person Copper Spur HV UL3 if you’re sharing between two hikers.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
The Big Agnes Copper Spur footprint can help increase the durability of the tent floor. The footprint is available for the one-person (4 oz; 0.11 kg), two-person (6 oz; 0.17 kg), three-person (8 oz; 0.23 kg), and four-person (11 oz; 0.31 kg) tents.
WEIGHT: 3 lb 5 oz / 1.5 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 90 x 50 x 42 in / 229 x 126 x 107 cm
PACKED SIZE: 6.5 x 19.5 in / 16.5 x 49.5 cm
STYLE: Freestanding
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $$$
The Nemo Dagger 2P offers a relatively comfortable living space, with two spacious vestibules for access and gear storage and a long length makes it suitable for tall hikers. Plus, it is durable and easy to set up.
DESIGN
The Nemo Dagger 2P is a double-wall, freestanding shelter. The pole setup is extremely easy, and the tent can be set up solo in just a few minutes. The pole setup includes a horizontal crossbar, which reinforces the near-vertical walls on each side. We found that although the poles are lightweight, they are very strong, but the included stakes are a little too lightweight to be reliable.
The lower half of the sidewalls on the inner tent are made of a ripstop nylon material (as opposed to mesh). This helps to provide some additional wind protection, but at the sacrifice of some breathability and condensation management. However, mesh begins about halfway up the sidewall, ensuring relatively sufficient ventilation. An additional benefit of the high sidewalls is that you can keep the vestibule open in all but the worst weather, thereby improving ventilation and gaining views of the outdoors.
COMFORT
The Nemo Dagger 2P is highly ranked when it comes to comfort. It provides a spacious, rectangular, interior floor. Its long length (90 in; 229 cm) makes it suitable for tall hikers. And, accompanied by vertical side walls, these dimensions provide enough room to move around inside the tent without feeling cramped.
There are two large vestibules – one on each side of the tent – which provide good access and gear storage for each person. The tent features interior mesh pockets and an overhead light pocket made of special light-diffusing fabric that provides an even glow throughout the tent (rather than the light shining down into your eyes!).
WEIGHT
Although the Nemo Dagger 2P is in the lightweight category, it is not amongst the lightest tents in our review. If you’re exclusively looking for an ultralight backpacking tent, and are counting every gram, then consider looking elsewhere. For instance, the Zpacks Duplex (for a single-wall shelter) or the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (for a double-wall shelter). However, one upside of the Nemo Dagger is that it comes with a "Divvy Stuff Sack", which allows you to pack the components separately and share the weight between two hikers.
SIZE OPTIONS
The Dagger comes in two-person (2P) and three-person (3P) variations.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
The 2P footprint (7.7 oz; 0.22 kg) or 3P footprint (10.5 oz; 0.30 kg) can help increase the durability of the tent floor.
WEIGHT: 2 lb 14 oz / 1.3 kg (standard pitch); 2 lb / 0.91 kg (fly and footprint pitch)
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H, tapers at the foot end): 88 x 52/42 x 38 in / 223.5 x 132/107 x 96.5 cm
PACKED SIZE: 20 x 7 in / 51 x 18 cm
STYLE: Semi-freestanding
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $$
The REI Co-Cop Quarter Dome SL 2 is a semi-freestanding double-wall tent that strikes a great balance of quality, weight, and affordability. It makes for a snug ultralight shelter when used by two, or a spacious lightweight tent for one – either way, it’s an awesome option for backpackers on a budget.
DESIGN
The REI Co-Cop Quarter Dome SL 2 is a 2-person 2-wall tent that uses sheer walls to maximize internal space. The dome-shaped structure is maintained by both a multispoke pole and stakes, helping to cut down on weight (compared to an all-pole system), and setup is a breeze thanks to the color-coded pole system. Although you might need a couple more than expected, the result is a stable structure that can stand up to strong winds. Oh, and we like that the stakes and guylines are reflective to stop any trips in the night!
An oversized vent at the top helps to improve airflow and keep condensation to a minimum, and it features a Velcro closure in case of bad weather. The body features plenty of mesh to improve airflow further, and the bathtub-style nylon floor is highly water-resistant.
COMFORT & FEATURES
The Quarter Dome SL features a slightly disappointing center height of 38 inches, but it does a great job of maximizing interior space overall by using near-vertical walls. It’s also been cleverly designed to be narrower at the foot end (where you don’t need as much wiggle space) to shed some weight. We love the dual-door dual-vestibule design, and each vestibule boats over 10 square feet of useable space.
Although the vestibules feature extra-large doors for ease of access, water does tend to enter with you due to the lack of a spreader bar, so we recommend lining any gear you’ll be leaving in there to make sure it stays dry. But don’t worry about your techy bits – they can stay super secure in one of the four interior pockets (two on the ceiling and two on the wall). We also like that REI has thrown in a miniature repair kit to make sure that you can patch up a tear or pole while you’re on the road (as long as you’re willing to carry it).
WEIGHT
The semi-freestanding design has helped to keep the weight of the Quart Dome SL lower than the fully freestanding Nemo Dagger 2 (by cutting down on poles), and the main body is mesh-heavy to shed even more ounces. The result is a superlight (as the SL in the name suggests) backpacking tent that weighs in at less than 3 pounds, despite its double-walled design.
While it might be not be quite as light as the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, it’s a fair bit cheaper, making it a good option for budget conscious shoppers keen to add some pole reinforcements to their shelter.
SIZE OPTIONS
For the weight, this tent offers an awesome amount of interior space. However, as with all ultralight tents, things will be pretty snug for two campers. If you’ll be camping solo, and would rather trade off some weight for space, then why not check out the Quarter Dome SL1.
Alternatively, if you’re camping as a pair and want to save some cash, then the REI Quarter Dome might be more up your street – but bear in mind it’s not possible to carry this heavier version solo (like it is with the Quarter Dome SL), so you’ll have to make sure that you split the weight.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
If you’ll be camping in soggy conditions or on rough terrain (and let’s face it, you probably will be), we recommended picking up the compatible footprint (6.4 oz).
WEIGHT: 2.7 lb / 1.22 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 106 x 44 x 47 in / 270 x 110 x 120 cm
PACKED SIZE: 13.3 x 5.9 in / 34 x 15 cm
STYLE: Non-freestanding (trekking pole)
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $
The Lanshan 2 by 3F UL Gear — but also remarketed under brand names Mier and Kikilive — is a budget-friendly tent with plenty to offer backpackers despite its incredibly low price tag. Unsurprisingly, it’s become a go-to tent for campers and backpackers on a budget. In fact, it’s so popular that there are several versions available, and you can pick it up from various sellers, and even under alternative brand names sometimes, so make sure you shop around for the best deal.
DESIGN
The Lanshan 2 is a two-person double-wall tent propped up by a trekking pole in each vestibule and is reinforced by at least six ground stakes.
The two-wall structure consists of a highly waterproof, silicone- and PU-coated ripstop nylon fly and an interior featuring mesh panels and a seam-taped floor. Oh, and the seams are sealed too (although this might need reinforcing in a few places). While this tent does a great job at keeping the bad weather out overall, the curved fly, mesh panels, and vestibule vents allow for great ventilation – and you can always crack the vestibules open halfway if things really start to heat up.
COMFORT & FEATURES
As for most ultralight two-person tents, the Lanshan 2 doesn’t leave much wiggle room when used by two people. It is just about doable, though, thanks to the large vestibules where you can stash your gear. Plus, with a peak height of 48 inches, you’ll find sitting up in this tent more pleasant than in most ultralight tents.
Alternatively, the Lanshan 2 would make for a pleasantly spacious shelter for one person plus their gear (and maybe a canine friend too).
One minor gripe with the vestibules is that the pole is located in the center, which can make crawling out of your tent a but tricky, but at least the half-door of the interior should steer you out of harm’s way.
There are two pockets located at the ends of the tent, so you can keep your essentials at arm’s length while you sleep.
WEIGHT
While it might not be the lightest tent in the ultralight world, the Lanshan 2 weighs in at less than three pounds, which is pretty good for a double-wall two-person tent. This low weight is largely due to its trekking pole design, which avoids the need for lugging heavy poles around, and can easily be managed by a pair or solo.
Plus, if you’re really keen to shed some ounces, and will be camping in good conditions, you could always ditch the fly and pitch the inner tent on its own (or vice versa).
Overall, it’s rare and refreshing to see anything this affordable in the ultralight category – let’s hope there are more budget lightweight options to come!
SIZE OPTIONS
As we said earlier, the Lanshan 2 is snug for two and roomy for one. So, if you’ll be traveling solo and would rather lighten your pack than spread out at night then make sure you check out the Lanshan 1 – you guessed it, the one-person version. Alternatively, if you’d prefer a little more space for two, then check out the Lanshan 2 Pro, which offers slightly more space.
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
As well as being roomier than the Lanshan 2, the Lanshan 2 Pro is slightly lighter, and more durable, than the Lanshan 2. It does come with a higher price tag though, so you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth the trade-off.
WEIGHT (excluding poles and stakes): 3 lb 7 oz / 1.72 kg
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 79 x 50 x 39 in 200 x 127 x 100 cm
PACKED SIZE: 6 x 18 in / 15 x 46 cm
STYLE: Freestanding
DOORS: 2
WALLS: 2
SEASONS: 3
PRICE: $$
The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is amongst the veterans of the lightweight backpacking tent category. It is one of the more popular mainstream choices for a lightweight backpacking tent, in part due to some ideal features and in part due to its wide availability.
Although this tent is relatively lightweight and reasonably good value, we believe there are other ultralight tents on our list that are better overall performers. For example, the Zpacks Triplex provides more room for less weight, albeit more expensive and single-wall, and the Big Agnes Tiger Wall is also lighter and more spacious, but is semi-freestanding.
However, if you are looking specifically for a fully-freestanding lightweight tent then the MSR Hubba Hubba NX may be a worthwhile choice. Amongst our "best-in-class" tents listed here, the only other competitors in the fully freestanding category are the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV and the Nemo Dagger. Read our full review here.
SIZE OPTIONS
The MSR Hubba Hubba NX comes in one-person, two-person, and three-person variations.
BUYING ADVICE FOR ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING TENTS
So, there you have it, our selection of the best ultralightweight tents around. As we’ve seen, they come in quite a range, and there are heaps of factors to consider when deciding which one is right for you.
Below, we’ve highlighted a few key things to keep your eye on when you’re shopping around, so you can be sure to find just what you’re looking for.
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.
If you are looking for a double walled freestanding tent, then the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL series is hard to beat (UL1 model shown here).
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: If you’re sleeping solo, then one door is plenty but, if you’ll be camping in a pair, it’s a good idea to check out tents with two doors. With a dedicated door each, you can tiptoe out of your tent at night without waking up your buddy and, if there are dual vestibules as well, you can each have your own spot for grubby gear.
If you tend to hike with trekking poles and don’t need a freestanding tent, then a trekking pole tent (like Gossamer Gear’s The Two) is a great way to shave ounces from your base 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.
Tents made from treated Nylon — like Gossamer Gear’s The Two — come with a more affordable price tag than tents made from Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF).
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.
If you have the cash to splash, then a tent made from Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) — like the Zpacks Triplex — is hard to beat… the material is super strong, seriously ultralight, and doesn’t absorb water.
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 Tarptent 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.
Most ultralight tents come with sealed seams, but not all! most tarptent products require seam sealing after purchase, which can be a bit frustrating (or you can pay extra for them to do it for you). Note however that this doesn’t apply to their Lithium range, like the Tarptent Stratospire Li we recommend in this article, which fortunately comes with taped seams.
Dimensions
ONE-, TWO-, OR THREE-PERSON: If you want an ultralight tent you can carry on your back, then you’re going to have to make some sacrifices when it comes to space. Generally, an ultralight tent advertised as a two-person tent will be tight for two and spacious for one. If you’re camping in a pair, and don’t want to be packed in like sardines, you’re probably better off with a three-person tent – there are some awesome options out there that don’t weigh too much (especially when carried between two).
Alternatively, if you’ll be camping solo and like to have some room for your gear (and perhaps an animal friend), then we recommend sticking with a two-person tent. On the flipside, if you’re a solo camper without much gear and are keen to shed as much weight as possible, why not downsize to a one-person tent?
WIDTH: The main thing to think about when it comes to tent width is your sleeping pad. If you’ll be camping alone in a two-person, then you’re probably going to be fine, but if you’re downsizing to 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 (1P) or the Zpacks DupleXL (2P).
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.
If you’re going to camp in a pair, then we definitely recommend a tent with dual vestibules – having one each is a great way to make sure you don’t get too on top of each other.
The best two person backpacking tents will have dual doors and vestibules to make access and gear storage easier — like on the Zpacks Triplex tent.
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 ultralight 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 (and sometimes you can purchase these separately, like for the Tarptent Stratospire 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 two-person two-wall tents have a zippered door on each of the vestibules. 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 Triplex) have a fly with four large doors (essentially entire sides of the tent) that can be opened up entirely for views and ventilation or closed with hooks 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.
MORE INFORMATION
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