If you backpack more than a few times a year, just buy the Copper Spur UL2. It's been the top pick for years across Outdoor Gear Lab, Switchback Travel, and the backpacking community, that kind of consensus doesn't happen by accident.
What holds up
Only 3 lbs packed weight, can be stripped to ~2.5 lbs by leaving stakes and stuff sack
Two doors and two vestibules for a true two-person setup
Pre-bent poles and steep walls maximize headroom for its weight class
Color-coded grommets and substantial zippers make setup intuitive
Tested in Patagonia, Mongolia, East Africa, proven in real conditions
What to know
$600 price tag is steep, one of the pricier options in its class
15-20D fabrics are thin and require careful use on rough ground
Interior is snug for two people on longer trips
Expert verdict
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is among the lightest-weight backpacking tents we've yet tested in this category and still delivers comfort and weather protection.
For a backpacking tent that deftly balances weight, interior space, and features, look no further than the Big Agnes Copper Spur. This tent helped define the ultralight category and is still going strong many renditions later.
The Wawona 6 is the tent Reddit recommends every single time someone asks about family camping, and the experts agree. That vestibule alone is worth the price of admission.
What holds up
86 sq ft interior, one of the largest in its class
44.7 sq ft vestibule doubles as a covered outdoor living space
6'4" peak height lets adults stand fully upright
Proven durability, held up in 30 mph gusts in real-world testing
Duffel-style stuff sack makes packing and unpacking easy
What to know
Nearly 20 lbs, requires splitting weight or car camping only
Detached rainfly makes initial setup less intuitive
Only one door on some configurations
Footprint sold separately
Expert verdict
This tent is just amazingly large, comfortable, and convenient. The vestibule is like having a two-car garage attached to the tent.
We like the Wawona for its massive front vestibule (44.7 sq. ft.) that doubles as a seating area. We also had great luck with the Wawona's durability in testing, all fabrics are hard-wearing, and The North Face didn't skimp on quality components.
If the Copper Spur UL2 is out of your budget, the Stormbreak 2 is the move. It's heavier, but it's built tougher and costs half as much, a genuinely great tent that won't embarrass you in the field.
What holds up
Only $220, roughly half the price of premium competitors
75-denier polyester taffeta canopy, rainfly, and floor for serious durability
30.56 sq ft floor area, more spacious than many pricier tents
Two doors for easy entry and exit
Intuitive setup that testers praised for ease
What to know
5.88 lbs, substantially heavier than ultralight alternatives
Bulky packed size makes solo carrying difficult
Not ideal for weight-conscious backpackers
Expert verdict
I couldn't believe this tent was half the price of the top-shelf competition. This model kept me dry and comfortable even on windier nights.
I dragged the Storm Break 2 across all sorts of rough ground during field examination, and it didn't even flinch. Its rain fly and canopy also kept up equally well to the rigors of backpacking, with a DWR finish that performed consistently.
Every backpacking group of three eventually argues about tent space. The Half Dome 3 ends that argument, it's the only 3-person tent we've seen that genuinely fits three people without someone sleeping diagonally.
What holds up
43.7 sq ft interior, genuinely fits three adults without head-to-toe sleeping
Includes footprint, saves money and speeds up setup
75D polyester taffeta floor and body for above-average durability
Wide-mouth stuff sack is one of the easiest to pack of any tent tested
Two doors and two vestibules for gear storage
What to know
7.1 lbs, must split weight across the group
Below-average space-to-weight ratio compared to ultralight alternatives
Average weather resistance in severe storms
Bulky packed size
Expert verdict
Whether I was on the side or in the middle, I was able to sleep comfortably with two other backpackers, and I didn't wake up my tent mates when I rolled over.
If you hate fussing with poles and just want to be camping already, the Gazelle T4 is what the camping community keeps coming back to. It's pricier than Coleman instant tents but built to actually last.
What holds up
Hub design requires no pole assembly, deploys in under 5 minutes solo
I've had a Gazelle T4 plus for over 5 years now and love it. Last spring when we camped, a very severe thunderstorm came upon us - winds gusting to 70 mph. The tent stayed completely dry.
r/camping (SimplicityWon)View sourceFrom the community
I love my gazelle t4 overland tent. I'd recommend the overland edition as it comes with better stakes, weather proof bag and a footprint. It's large- I can stand up in it and it's easy to deploy (no pole assembly).
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