10 best backpacking tents that are light enough to take on every adventure

All the MSR tents we’ve ever tested are really well made, and their quality components are worth the spend if you want a tent that will last you for years of adventure. The bestselling hubba hubba is our pick of the brand’s backpacking offerings, and this new iteration is fast and simple to pitch, with poles that click together quickly and hold brilliantly during strong winds. The inside is light and roomy, with plenty of space for two people plus gear, and two doors and two porches offer even more room for kit. The inner tent can be pitched alone on summer nights, too.

Mountain Warehouse is here to prove adventure gear needn’t cost the earth, with this two-person tent that costs a tenth of the price of the most expensive option we tested. The backpacker weighs less than 2kg and is waterproof enough to withstand a shower (although, we wouldn’t take it out in really rough conditions). Plus, the flysheet feels reassuringly tough. Inside, there’s room for two to squeeze in (it’s palatial for one), and two porches are great for stashing kit. This is a backpacking bargain.

This tent punches above its price point when it comes to design – its semi-geodesic structure gives great stability during harsh weather conditions, making it perfect for both weekend treks and more adventurous trips. Its three-person capacity provides ample space for two people plus gear, and its double door design ensures good ventilation. The waterproof flysheet and robust build are good for wet and windy conditions but the halo is let down by its weight – at 4.2kg, it’s a lot heftier than other models aimed at backpacking.

After a wind-stable backpacking tent that’s roomy enough to share with a friend, without feeling like you’re packed in like sardines? This could be the answer (although, three sharing would be a squeeze). Good waterproofing and a nylon ground sheet will withstand a shower, and two wide porches are ideal for storing muddy boots. While the cobra isn’t super lightweight, it’s easy to split between two people, and there’s an effective inner mesh lining.

This pastel-yellow tent is quite – dare we say it – pretty, but the mayfly was possibly the toughest tent we tested, too. From the durable ripstop floor to the highly waterproofed, storm-ready outer fly, you’re in safe hands with this design. We also liked that Nemo aims to make its design as eco-friendly as possible, using recycled polyester and nylon to construct the fly and opting for PFAS-free waterproofing. While this tent can technically take three people, it excels as a backpacking tent for two.

If you’re backpacking with a group or just fancy a bit more room, a four-person tent could suit you best. The compromise with a bigger capacity is you’re usually adding extra weight, but most tents can be split into parcels to share between hikers. Weighing 5.5kg, Regatta’s montegra is on the big and bulky side but you do get loads of space and a big porch. This is a good all-rounder weekend camps and festivals tent that you could also take backpacking at a pinch.

A Tardis-like backpacking tent, this design delivers great living space. Vango’s xenon offers more height than most of the teeny tents we tested. There’s plenty of room for two people to sleep or sit up inside, making this a versatile choice for both backpacking and longer camping stays – or even a festival weekend. The tent is pitched all in one, which is easy once you get the hang of it, and a big vestibule is perfect for cooking in during a bout of bad weather.

This good-looking two-person tent ticked all our boxes on test: it’s back-savingly lightweight at just 1.66kg; it’s reliably waterproof; and, despite its compact, packable size, it offers a good amount of space for two people. Two doors and two porches make it easy to share the meteor lite with a friend, with plenty of space for boots and packs. This tent is quick and easy to pitch, and is a great choice for changeable weather, as it’s waterproof enough to withstand storms, with its dome design helping to shrug off strong winds.

Vango reckons this is the lightest backpacking tent on the market. Packed away, the tent is tiny – about the size of a large loaf of bread – and will fit easily into small rucksacks and cramped bike panniers. The inflatable project hydrogen is quick and easy to pitch, using a bike pump (included). The tent may be small but there’s good living space for one person, with a porch to store kit and enough room to sit up inside. Vango’s lightest offering may be expensive but if you’re a hardy hiker, investing in this tent will see you through years of adventures.

Exploring solo? Sierra Designs’ small but mighty tent is perfectly proportioned for one person. Compact enough to fit into a small rucksack and lightweight enough to be comfortable to carry during all-day treks, this is the model to choose for multi-day treks along long-distance trails. Inside, there is limited room, however – it just about fits one person, although there is a porch that can be extended into an awning with a walking pole, creating a good indoor/outdoor living space.