Best durable and lightweight tent for backpacking

GEAR

I’m exclusively a hammock camper, so I know nothing about tents, but my mother is joining me for a few backpacking trips in CO and she wanted some recommendations for tents! Her question below:

Hello, I am trying to decide what tent to get for a couple of backpacking trips this summer (3 days, 3 nights each). I don't want to carry a lot of weight, but I don't need the lightest of the lightest tent either. I would like to get a 2-person tent so I can have my pack inside as well. What is important to me is 1) waterproofness, 2) easy setup, 3) weight. I will sacrifice some weight (around a pound) if the heavier tent is more durable. I plan to get a footprint also. Price is not the most important thing, but given that I will likely not be using this tent a ton, I don't see the point in spending $1000 on a tent! I am hoping to be able to get something very decent in the $400 to $600 range.

Here are my top 3 choices so far: -Big AgnesCopper Spur HV UL2 Tent

-Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Solution-Dyed Tent

-Nemo Hornet OSMO Ultralight 2P Tent

I am 5' 1" so the footprint of any tent will likely accomodate me just fine.

Any recommendations or experience with the tents above you could share is greatly appreciated!

Edit: another reason she’s looking for a two person tent is so I can join her in it in Sweden for example, where most stretches of the hike will not have trees to hammock! :)

in WildernessBackpackingby kanne20

53%

17d

sidneyhornblower

17d

In that price range, she could also look at Gossamer Gear's The Two. Any of the three listed, though, would be very good choices, especially the Copper Spur or the Hornet.

Snowbound42

17d

Can't speak for the others, but I'm a big fan of my Nemo. It feels pretty delicate but it has held up for me so far.

DrewSmithee

17d

The only thing that gets me is I kind of want a pocket on the side. Something about throwing my phone and a battery bank over my face makes me paranoid I’m going to wake up getting smacked. Easy enough to just not use it though.

That said, the tent is great and I kind of dig the yellow mood lighting more than I thought I would.

Snowbound42

17d

It does have a distinct lack of pockets. Agreed. I've also knocked things out of the overhead pocket when sitting up. Not a huge deal but definitely a drawback.

moon_during_daytime

17d

I vote for the tiger wall. It was what I was about to get before deciding on an Xmid. I think it's slightly lighter than copper spur.

FearMyEchidna

17d

Love my tiger wall! Fits 2 snuggly and I barely notice carrying it.

AlocasiaSilverDragon

17d

Obsessed with my Tigerwall UL2. Its so thin and light, but somehow so durable. I usually don't even use a footprint.

laurenceofarabia98

14d

You should totally look into the Dan Durston X-Mid 2. The non-Dynema version is very worth the money and the design of the tent is exceptional.

mighty_sparky

14d

Love this tent

midd-2005

17d

At that height, a one person tent will accommodate her and a pack no problem. Also being weight conscious will be that much more important.

Both a copper spur and a nemo dragonfly would be fine from an ease of setup perspective. Not the lightest tho.

I’d consider x mid or gossamer gear trekking pole tents. Bit more of a trick to set up but very doable.

MrBoondoggles

17d

I would agree. I think she’s maybe basing her assumptions on the typical of advice of tent sizing, but at 5’1”, there should be plenty of room inside a 1 person tent for both herself and her gear, especially if she uses a short length sleeping pad. I’d at least say look at the specs of a one person and really consider it all that extra room in a 2 person model is really needed.

audiophile_lurker

17d

Tarptent Double Rainbow. Light, quite durable, and extremely easy to setup alone (1 pole, 6 stakes, comes up as one unit since it is single wall). If you bring an extra stake, 2 guylines, and 2 trekking poles, you can open up one of the vestibules as a covered porch.

She can also just get a single version of the Rainbow. There is so much floor space, she can keep the pack inside even the single model.

As far as waterproofness, I use one in PNW and have gone through windy rainstorms while remaining comfortably dry and without condensation issues.

HolaBuenosDiasPapi

17d

Lanshan 2!!!!! Used it last weekend great lightweight tent. Just needs trekking poles. No need to spend all that money

Luxoss

17d

i have the nemo hornet: awesome tent. 1000% would recommend.

Expert_Clerk_1775

17d

Do you have a preference on free standing or not?

bboys1234

17d

My hornet has been awesome. Packs down ridiculously small and light. It's not the thickest, but has been surprisingly durable.

DwarvenJarl

14d

I have the Cooper Spur UL3 and it’s a great tent for 2 or 3 people. It’s not much more weight for the 3, so I’d go that route if you ever may want 3, or a spacious 2.

That being said, I also have the Durston X-Mid Pro 1.. this thing is the best tent I’ve ever owned. You could get the 2p, and even the non pro model will be fantastic.

Both tents meet your criteria!

User deleted comment

17d

FireWatchWife

17d

I often bring my pack inside if I expect a lot of condensation outside. The pack may be less wet in the morning if kept inside.

Kahlas

17d

I keep my pack inside my tent as added critter containment. I've never had a rodent chew its way into my tent, I have had it happen twice to my pack when storing it in the vestibule. I've also had a copperhead decide the underside of my pack was a good overnight shelter once. It's much easier to unzip my tent at the top and look down into the vestibule floor to check for snakes than it is to move my pack to check for them.

Dull_Painting413

17d

osprey never disappoints. they have an option for everything

dragoninkpiercings

-1

17d

I'd say the camel crown 2 person tent would be great has enough room for 2 people and their gear I have a 4 person wilhich is enough for all that plus room to still stand up and walk around in its simple to set up and has a rainfly that covers the entire tent and the poles just clip onto the tent bought it on ebay for $90 and I've had it for 2 years now and haven't even used it but that's changing this year and I'm also a hammock camper and I've tried to hammock camp but I got scared off from it thanks to 2 packs of coyotes not even 50 feet from my camp