Your home on the trail, your gear storage zone, your shelter from alpine storms, and sometimes your only escape from the elementsβ the right tent can make or break an outdoor adventure. But with so many designs, materials, and specs to consider, how do you know which tent is right for your adventures?
After more than a decade of backpacking and mountaineering around the world, I’ve personally tested a massive range of tentsβ from versatile 3-season tents and burly high-elevation shelters to ultra-light trekking poles tents and semi-freestanding backpacking tents, as a solo hiker, couple, or 3-person group, in warm summer weather and brutal alpine storms… In this post, Iβll break down the key features to look for in a backpacking and an alpine tent based on hundreds of nights spent in the backcountry to help you find the perfect setup for your next trip.
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Check out my outdoor gear guides for the best:
TL;DR: best backpacking & mountaineering tents β―
BACKPACKING tents (lightweight, packable tents designed for 3-season use + light mountaineering objectives)
βΊοΈ best for solo hikers: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
βΊοΈ best for two-person backpacking: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P
βΊοΈ best for 2 AND 3-person comfort: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3
βΊοΈ best for harsh backpacking conditions: MSR Hubba Hubba 2P
βΊοΈ best budget-friendly: REI Co-op Flash 2
ALPINE & MOUNTAINEERING tents (durable, single-wall tents designed for 4-season use in extreme alpine conditions)
βΊοΈ best all-rounder mountaineering tent: Black Diamond Eldorado
βΊοΈ best ultra-light hybrid tent: Black Diamond Beta Light 2
βΊοΈ best for high-elevation expeditions: Doite Himalaya 2
Types of backpacking tents: 3-season vs 4-season
Before you start comparing brands or models, itβs important to understand what kind of conditions your tent needs to handle. The biggest distinction is between 3-season and 4-season tents, which differ significantly in weight, ventilation, durability, and weather protection. Hereβs what you need to know to choose the right type for your adventure:
3-season backpacking tents
Perfect for most springβsummerβautumn trips, 3-season tents are designed to balance weight, ventilation, and storm protection. They usually feature mesh panels, lightweight fabrics, and 2-layer construction (separate rain fly) to protect you from wind and rain without overheating in warmer conditions.
Best for: for backpacking trails, thru-hikes, and even some alpine routes in good weather; not built for snow loading or extreme wind, but most will still hold up well to light storms if pitched properly
BB Pick: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P or Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
4-season mountaineering/alpine tents
Designed for winter mountaineering, snow camping, or truly foul alpine weather, 4-season tents use stronger poles, more rigid shapes, and full-fabric walls (no separate rain fly) to block wind and retain warmth. Theyβre heavier, less breathable, and often more expensiveβ but guarantee solid storm protection.
Best for: high-altitude expeditions like Aconcagua or mountaineering in the North Cascades, especially in extreme alpine environments where a 3-season would be flattened or buried
BB Pick: Doite Himalaya 2 or Black Diamond Eldorado
Tent structure: freestanding vs semi-freestanding vs ultralight
Once youβve decided whether you need a 3-season or 4-season tent, the next big decision is tent structure. This affects not only how the tent performs in wind or weather, but also how easy it is to pitch, how much interior space youβll have, and how well it handles less-than-ideal campsites.
Thereβs no perfect answer, just the best choice for your trip style and prioritiesβ semi-freestanding tents offer the perfect balance between weight and structure for most backpacking trips; if you anticipate frequently poor weather or plan to do some light mountaineering with the same tent, definitely upgrade to a freestanding tent.
Freestanding tents
Freestanding tents have poles running to all 4 corners (no stakes required in good weather). This makes them incredibly easy to set up on tricky terrain, and they usually offer more interior space and better storm performance than UL options.
- Pros: pitch-anywhere versatility, great wind resistance, roomy & easy to set up
- Cons: heavier
BB Pick: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P or MSR Hubba Hubba 2
Semi-freestanding tents
Semi-freestanding tents only have poles running to 3 points (top 2 corners + midpoint of the tent base), meaning you’ll need to stake out the bottom 2 corners for the tent to hold its shape. These offer a nice compromise between weight and liveability.
- Pros: lighter than fully freestanding; more liveable than UL tents
- Cons: fiddly to pitch in rocky terrain or high wind
BB Pick: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Ultralight (UL) tents
UL tents use your trekking poles as the frame and need to be staked out completely in order to stand upright. Usually single-wall (without a separate rain fly) to save weight, but with more condensation and setup quirks.
- Pros: insanely lightweight; perfect for fast-packing or thru-hiking
- Cons: less storm protection, harder to pitch well
BB Pick: Black Diamond Beta Light 2P
Tent size: 2-person vs 3-person tents
Tent sizes are labeled by the number of people they fit, but that assumes zero extra gear or personal space. In reality, most 2-person tents are snugβ especially if youβre carrying larger packs or sharing with a partner, so much of this decision is going to come down to your personal balance between weight and space/comfort.
Often, the difference in weight between and 1-person and 2-person tent is negligible, so I almost always use a 2-person tent when Iβm hiking solo (like my Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2). Similarly, James and I prefer a 3-person tent when weβre sharing, just to have a little extra space for camera gear and wet layersβ we’re loving the Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P at the moment!
- Solo hikers: 2P tent (or spacious 1P if you pack really light & weight is the most important variable)
- Two hikers: 3P tent for comfort
- Tall hikers or gear-heavy trips: size up!
Tent entry style: front vs side access
Another underrated feature that affects comfort is door placementβ for backpacking, side access is almost always preferable (especially for two people!), but for alpine trips, front entry can help with warmth retention and overall sturdiness in harsh conditions.
Side entry tents
Pros: more comfortable and easier to get in and out of, especially with 2 doors & vestibulesβ we always try to choose backpacking tents with 2 side doors so weβre not crawling over each other in the middle of the night
Cons: adds some weight and bulk, requires a larger footprint to pitch
BB Pick: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P or Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Front entry tents
Pros: lighter and simplerβ usually preferable on alpine trips where heat retention is a priority, but otherwise I would not recommend front entry!
Cons: more cramped for 2 people sharing, only one vestibule for gear storage, awkward to get in & out of
BB Pick: Black Diamond Eldorado
Other tent design features to consider
Weight & packed size
Lighter tents are more packable, but less durable/liveable, so you’ll need to balance weight and comfort based on your own specific priorities and the trip you’ve got in mind. As a starting point, aim to keep weight around:
- <1.5kg / 3.3lbs per person for standard backpacking
e.g. Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P (1.5kg) or MSR Hubba Hubba 2P (1.6kg) - <1kg / 2.2lbs per person for fast-packing or thru-hikes
e.g. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 (1kg) or Black Diamond Beta Light (680g) - Up to 2kg / 4.4lbs per person is reasonable for mountaineering trips, especially when conditions demand bomber construction (“bomber tents” are designed to handle high winds, snow loads, and situations that may require you to wait out a storm, sometimes for days)
e.g. Black Diamond Eldorado (2kg) or Doite Himalaya 2 (3.5kg split between two people)
Durability & robustness
Look for a decent hydrostatic head rating (>1200mm), full-coverage fly, and strong guy-out points (the loops on the tent that allow you to attach guylines for additional support). Ultralight tents often use 15D or 20D fabrics, which is amazing for weight savings, but youβll need to baby them a bit to avoid rips & tearsβ 30D+ sil-nylon or polyester offer more durability at a slightly greater weight.
If you’re heading somewhere with notoriously intense weather (like Patagonia or the Arctic Circle), you’re going to have the best experience with a free-standing, heavy 3-season (MSR Hubba Hubba) or lightweight 4-season tent (Black Diamond Eldorado) that has excellent waterproofing, strong poles, and durable materials. This means extra weight, but I promise it is worth it not to have your tent collapse in the night or poles snap from wind gusts!
βΊοΈ TENT FOOTPRINTS ARE ESSENTIAL
Essential with any tent investment is a ground cover, called a “footprint”β basically a waterproof sheet that goes under your tent to make sure you donβt get any moisture coming up through the floor of the tent, and also to protect lightweight (expensive!) tent materials from damage.
These are sold separately by the tent manufacturer (usually around $60-80, which can feel steep), but in my mind, these are an essential investment for any tent owner! A footprint adds a negligible amount of weight to your set-up, but helps extend the life and happiness of your new tent massively.
*Our favourite backpacking tents
After many, many camping, backpacking, and alpine/shoulder-season trips, these are my most recommended backpacking tents, offering the best balance between weight, durability, and structure for mild to moderate weather at lower elevations.
ππΌ Heading out on a multi-day backpacking trip? Check out my ultimate OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING packing list
Best for solo hikers: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
My go-to 3-season tent for solo trips! Semi-freestanding with 2 vestibules, the Tiger Wall Ul2 is roomy for one and tight (but possible) for two sharing. Incredibly packable and lightweight (1kg), but not quite durable enough to handle intense wind or storms.
Where I’ve used it: Teton Crest Trail; North Cascades in good weather; IztaccΓhuatl; camping around El Potrero Chico in northern Mexico; Patagonia (not recommended!)
Best for 2-person backpacking: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P
Spacious 3-person freestanding tent with dual doors and vestibules, perfect for couples who want extra space or need to stash gear inside (James and I can both fit our full packs inside the tent comfortably). Excellent balance of weight (1.5kg for 3p), comfort, and durabilityβ our new favourite!
Where I’ve used it: Wind River Traverse; Canadian Rockies; Patagonia (stood up well to the wind!)
Best for 2 AND 3-person comfort: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3
This freestanding tent is spacious, feature-packed, and super liveable. Comparable in weight to the Nemo Dragonfly (1.5kg for 3p), but with a larger footprintβ I’ve shared this tent with my parents on multiple mountaineering trips, and even with 3 people it’s comfy! Plus, the bright colour makes this WAY easier to spot your tent from a distance (sometimes super important).
Where I’ve used it: Cordillera Huayhuash; North Cascades
Best for harsh backpacking conditions: MSR Hubba Hubba 2P
Fan-favourite freestanding tent with excellent durability, intuitive setup, and bomber performance in rain or wind. Heavier than the Tiger Wall and Dragonfly, but hard to beat in harsh, variable conditions! This is the most robust 3-season tent on this list.
Where I’ve used it: British Columbia; far south Patagonia (highly recommended)
Best budget-friendly: REI Co-op Flash 2
REIβs updated ultralight tent (1.3kg for 2p) balances affordability and performance, with a freestanding design, generous interior space, and solid weather protection. A great option for new backpackers or anyone looking to shave weight without blowing the budget.
Where I’ve used it: Tasmania; South Island of New Zealand
*Our favourite mountaineering tents
Here are my top picks for durable, single-wall mountaineering tents designed for 4-season use in extreme alpine conditionsβ all personally tried and tested on real mountaineering, shoulder-season, and high-elevation trips.
ππΌ Heading out on an overnight mountaineering trip? Check out my ultimate multi-day MOUNTAINEERING packing list
Best all-rounder mountaineering tent: Black Diamond Eldorado (4-season)
A single-wall alpine tent built for winter conditions, yet surprisingly light (2kg for 2p). Small footprint, bombproof in wind, and surprisingly warmβ perfect for snow camping or mountaineering.
Where I’ve used it: snow + glacier camping in the North Cascades
Best ultra-light hybrid tent: Black Diamond Beta Light 2 (3-season)
A minimalist, ultralight trekking pole shelter thatβs perfect for alpine missions (in good weather!) where every gram counts. Technically a 3-season tent, but it holds up well in wind/moderate weather and is CRAZY compact (680g). For summer mountaineering or UL backpacking pursuits, this is an excellent choice.
Where I’ve used it: climbing Mt Rainier
Best for high-elevation expeditions: Doite Himalaya 2 (4-season)
2-man weight: 1.3kg / 2.9lb
A high-altitude workhorse popular in South America, superbly priced for the quality! Heavy (3.5kg for 2p) but incredibly rugged and warmβ perfect for major expeditions in snowy, windy environments.
Where I’ve used it: solo climbing Aconcagua!
Your tent is your home in the wild and choosing the right one can make the difference between a miserable night and a restful reset. Whether youβre hiking light through summer storms or hunkering down at 6,000m, a well-designed shelter gives you the confidence to go further and sleep better, no matter the weather. I hope this guide has helped you find your perfect tent!
TL;DR: best backpacking & mountaineering tents β―
BACKPACKING tents (lightweight, packable tents designed for 3-season use + light mountaineering objectives)
βΊοΈ best for solo hikers: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
βΊοΈ best for two-person backpacking: Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P
βΊοΈ best for 2 AND 3-person comfort: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3
βΊοΈ best for harsh backpacking conditions: MSR Hubba Hubba 2P
βΊοΈ best budget-friendly: REI Co-op Flash 2
ALPINE & MOUNTAINEERING tents (durable, single-wall tents designed for 4-season use in extreme alpine conditions)
βΊοΈ best all-rounder mountaineering tent: Black Diamond Eldorado
βΊοΈ best ultra-light hybrid tent: Black Diamond Beta Light 2
βΊοΈ best for high-elevation expeditions: Doite Himalaya 2
Explore more outdoor gear guides on brookebeyond
- How to choose the best trail shoes, hiking boots & mountaineering boots for every adventure
- How to choose the best hiking backpack for every outdoor adventure
- How to build an outdoor layering system for backcountry hiking & extreme alpine conditions
- How to choose the best tent for backpacking & mountaineering
- How to choose the best outdoor sleep system: best sleeping bags, sleeping pads & camp pillows
- How to pack food for multi-day backcountry adventures: our tips for maximising calories & minimising weight
