Choosing the right tent can prove difficult with all the options out there. Your big three (shelter, sleep system, and pack) will be the bulk of your backpacking budget. Spend your money wisely by doing the right research.

If you know you want a tent as opposed to a hammock, bivy sack, or tarp, below are a number to take a look at.

All tents listed weigh under three pounds as a complete system. The more minimal options (such as ZPacks and Six Moon Designs) do not include stakes in the weight or price as there are many UL options to choose from. All tents include the weight of the tent body, floor, and rain fly at a minimum.

You may want to purchase an UL tent if you:

Are transitioning from carrying heavier gear but still want 360 degree protection from bugs and the elements

Plan to camp in areas lacking in trees

Would prefer more interior room compared to a bivy

Wish to have a shelter that can be pitched in a variety of places and with little effort

The two different styles of tents include:

Freestanding Tents:  Tents which use included poles to stand up.  They are not attached to anything and can be picked up and moved around without losing their form.

Non-Freestanding Tents:  Tents that require rope or cord attached to metal stakes which you must push or pound into the ground.  Without them, they do not keep their shape.  They may also make use of your trekking poles to stand up.

All tents are listed from greatest to lowest weight and are available at a wide price range. Have a question? Feel free to ask below!

Brand	Model	Weight	Style	Features	Image
MSR	Hubba NX	2 lbs 14 oz	Freestanding	-Pole configuration allows for good headspace and elbow room -Large vestible for storing gear -15-30 ripstop nylon material used for durability	Buy at REI- $349.95
Marmot	Eos 1	2 lbs 13 oz	Freestanding	-Mesh tent provides excellent ventilation -Quick clips make setup quick -Floor and fly made from ripstop nylon -Reflective patches on fly make finding it at night easy	Buy at REI- $249.00
The North Face	Triarch 1	2 lbs 13 oz	Freestanding	-Side entry -Vaulted head and footbox -Multiple fly configurations for versatility -Vertical side walls	Buy at REI- $299.95
REI	Quarter Dome	2 lbs 10 oz	Semi-freestanding	-Spacious tent due to pole angles and asymmetrical shape. -Vertical sidewalls for lots of headroom -Covered vestibule -15-denier ripstop nylon for walls and fly, 30-denier for floor	Buy at REI- $219.00
Big Agnes	SlaterUL1+	2 lbs 10 oz	Freestanding	-Extra floor space for a solo camper -Designed for ease of setup -Silnylon keeps tent strong with a woven nylon mesh door for ventilation -	Buy at REI- $339.95
Big Agnes	Seedhouse SL1	2 lbs 9 oz	Freestanding	-Waterproof silnylon floor and fly -Simple and classic single vestibule design -All mesh tent body for ventilation	Buy at REI- $279.95
Big Agnes	Copper Spur UL1	2 lbs 8 oz	Freestanding	-Quick setup design -Mesh body and roof vent to prevent condensation buildup -Rainfly and floor made of silnylon -Crossover poles allow for generous headroom	Buy at REI- $369.95
NEMO	Veda 1	2 lbs 7 oz	Non-freestanding	-Uses two trekking poles for setup to save weight -Large rollback vestibule -Wicking fabric manages condensation -Built in light pocket	Buy at REI- $329.95
Sea to Summit	Specialist Solo	2 lbs 4 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Double wall tent -Minimalist design is highly packable -Save even more weight with trekking pole setup	Buy at Backcountry- $428.95
Sierra Designs	Flashlight 1 FL	2 lbs 4 oz	Non-freestanding	-6 stakeout points for easy and secure setup -Hybrid double/single wall for lightweight protection during a storm -Can be setup with trekking poles to save more weight -Gear closet is away from door	Buy at REI- $299.95
Mountain Hardwear	SuperMega UL1	2 lbs 3 oz	Freestanding	-Large end door for easy access -Designed for easy setup -Bathtub style floor -15-30 denier ripstop nylon used for lightweight durability	Buy at REI- $350.00
Tarptent	Notch	2 lbs 3 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Uses 2 trekking poles for setup -Double wall, dual entry, and dual vestibule	Buy at Tarptent- $285.00
Six Moon Designs	Skyscape Scout	2 lbs 2 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Hybrid double wall keeps you dry -Bathtub floor maximizes internal floor space -Side entry -Uses trekking pole for support for weight savings	Buy at Six Moon Designs- $125.00
Big Agnes	Fly Creek UL1	2 lbs 1 oz	Freestanding	-Single hub pole assembly for quick setup -Ripstop silnylon for lightweight but durable material -Woven nylon mesh walls allow good ventilation and views without rainfly	Buy at REI- $319.95
Marmot	Nitro 1	2 lbs 1 oz	Non-Freestanding	-No-see-um mesh makes for a highly breathable tent -Wide door for easy entry -Single Trekking Pole setup to save weight -Fly creates large vestibule for your gear	Buy at Backcountry- $278.95
Tarptent	Rainbow	2 lbs 2 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Hybrid bathtub floor -Mesh tent walls for excellent ventilation -Front beak provides gear storage and rain protection -Can be staked or use trekking poles for setup	Buy at Tarptent- $259.00
YAMA Mountain Gear	Cirriform SW 1	1 lb 11 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Bathtub floor creates specious interior -Setup with two trekking poles -Customizable when ordering -Zippered vestibule for gear can be rolled out of the way -Cuben fly offers the ultimate rain protection	Buy at YAMA Mountain Gear- $445.70
Hyperlite Mountain Gear	Echo 1	1 lb 11 oz	Non-freestanding	-Modular system for versatility -Made of lightweight and 100% waterproof cuben fiber -No-see-um mesh keeps bugs out -Uses trekking poles for support	Buy at Hyperlite Mountain Gear- $575.00
LightHeart Gear	Solo	1 lb 11 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Uses two trekking poles for lightweight setup -Double walled silnylon tent -Side entry door -Design allows for plenty of room lengthwise and enough height for a tall person to sit up	Buy at LightHeart Gear- $280.00 (w/seamsealing)
Six Moon Designs	Skyscape Trekker	1 lb 8 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Hybrid double wall keeps you dry -Bathtub floor maximizes internal floor space -Side entry -Uses two trekking poles for stability in windy conditions -Rollback vestibule	Buy at Six Moon Designs- $265.00 (w/seam seal)
Six Moon Designs	Lunar Solo	1 lb 8 oz	Non-Freestanding	-Full vestibule for added protection, but can be rolled back -High vent prevents moisture buildup -Re-tension straps allow you to adjust your setup from your sleeping bag -Center single trekking pol support for stability in windy conditions or snow -Bathtub floor	Buy at Six Moon Designs- $245.00 (w/seam seal)
Mountain Laurel Designs	Cricket	1 lb 7 oz	Non-freestanding	-Simple design with no hardware to fail -30 denier silnylon for strength and durability -Modular design for versatility -Uses trekking poles for support	Buy at Mountain Laurel Designs- $315.00
ZPacks	Hexamid	15.4 oz	Non-freestanding	-Detachable bathtub floor for versatility -Storm doors for complete rain protection -Fully enclosed screen floor keeps all bugs out -Uses 1 trekking pole for support	Buy at ZPacks- $450.00
ZPacks	Solplex	14.6 oz	Non-freestanding	-Sewn in bathtub floor -storm doors for great rain protection -Uses two trekking poles for support -Made of extremely light but durable Cuben Fiber	Buy at ZPacks- $535.00

Last modified: September 1, 2017