Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Having a solid 2-person tent can make or break any camping or backpacking adventure. Picking the wrong one can lead to sleepless nights, tired legs, and a vacation that feels more like work. Here at Campman, we think you should spend less time searching for the right tent and more time using one. That’s why we took the leg work out of it for you by reviewing and testing some of our favorite tents from 2019 based on the most important criteria we could come up with to give you a head start on the camping season. Here’s what we looked at:

Criteria

• Weight: The packed weight of the tent with everything that it comes with. We chose packed weight as not every tent has a shelter option and trail weights aren’t for everyone. Plus, advertising the trail weight is kind of like posting a photo from five years ago as your Tinder profile pic, it’s a bit of a gray area.
• Durability: How does the tent hold up to being put through the wringer. We reviewed the materials used to build each tent, pulled from our own experiences, listened to customer feedback, and gathered information from trusted online gear reviews to determine which tents will hold up to the harshest treatment.
• Price: There’s only one money tree and we’re pretty sure Jeff Bezos is the only person with access to it. Since you aren’t Jeff Bezos, we evaluated each tent based on how hard it is going to hit your pocketbook at the end of the day, plain and simple. We’ll let you decide what you think is the best value, we simply focused on the dollar amount.
• Unique Features: We asked what features of each tent are unique to that specific model and how much value do they add to the camping/backpacking experience. Yes, this included if there were enough pockets for you to organize your tent snacks. Which we have to say, is really a bad idea in bear country (looking at you George).
• Livability: We wanted to see which of these tents might make you feel like you’re in a claustrophobic nightmare and which ones would make you skip the campfire to hang out in the tent all night. We’re concerned about your comfort and these are the tough questions we asked when looking at each tent:
  1. Vestibule Area (Area and what fits in it): A smaller floor area inside of the tent might be acceptable if there’s plenty of room under the vestibule(s) to store muddy boots and extra gear. As the saying goes, the only thing worse than a soggy camper is a soggy camper with soggy gear. We compared actual space and layout to see if you could store two partially full 60+ liter packs under the vestibules.
  2. Head Height: Giving an idea of overall comfort, head height is important to think about in case the rain or wind drives you inside for the evening. It’s hard to enjoy playing cards when you’re so hunched over that straightening your back out later takes a few hours. We asked if a 6-foot tall person could easily sit up without hitting their head all night long.
  3. Floor Area: Some 2-person tents are more like roomy 1-person tents. The floor area is a good indication of what we like to call the sardine factor or lack thereof. We asked if two people could actually fit in the tent, how tight it is with two people, and what the leftover space is after bodies are inside.

In the end, we chose to highlight a few of our favorites, but every one of these tents brought a lot to the table that might be the right thing for your needs. If what you see doesn’t cover what you’re looking for, keep scrolling, we’ve got something here for everyone. From car camping to bikepacking to ultralight backpacking, consider this your guide through the feature-filled world of 2-person shelters.

Entry-Level Backpacking Tents

Want to get into backpacking or car camping but don’t know where to start? These are the tents for you. While these aren’t the lightest or most feature filled tents on the market they tend to have more durable materials, greater overall versatility, and maximize comfort.

Big Agnes Bird Beak SL2

Another specialist from Big Agnes, the Bird Beak SL2 is marketed as a backpacking option but for us, it fell more into the car camping/shelter category. What we loved about this tent was how easy it was to set up the fly and poles as a structure on their own that the tent body can then be clipped into. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants a sun shelter for days at the park that can double down as a tent when they want to hit the trail. Big Agnes also built this tent to be roomy enough to stick a couple of cots (or a Megamat Duo) in as well, giving you that little bit of extra elbow room that most 2-person tents lack.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz
• Packed Size: 19” x 7”
• Floor Area: 32 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $429.95
• Durability: With a proprietary nylon ripstop material used in the tent body, fly, and floor, this tent is similar to several other Big Agnes options in that the materials find a nice balance between weight savings and durability. The structure of the tent also lends itself being able to take a beating in wind and rain alike. There are some tougher tents out there, but this one will get the job done.
• Features:
  • External pole structure lets fly be set up first and the tent body can be clipped in later
  • Shelter-mode
  • Media pockets offer headphone cord routing
  • Quick stash doorkeepers
  • 2 doors
• Vestibule Area: 16 sq ft (2 vestibules with 8 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 44”
• Recommended Use: Car camping, picnics, entry-level backpacking, and days at the park
• Footprint: Bird Beak SL2 Footprint (Sold Separately)

Big Agnes Blacktail 2

Perfect for the entry-level backpacker or camper who wants to buy a tent that has everything included, the Blacktail 2-Person is a great tent at a great price. This roomy design offers plenty of space for you and your partner while the two vestibules give you extra storage space for your pack(s). With plenty of interior storage pockets, a low price point, and an included footprint, the Blacktail makes it easy to have your tent and enjoy it too. This is an ideal option for someone who goes backpacking a few times a year, but for anyone who hits the trail more regularly, it might be worth their time to find a more lightweight option that packs down to a smaller size.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 5 lbs 0 oz
• Packed Size: 20” x 6”
• Floor Area: 29 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $239.95
• Durability: Built using a proprietary polyester material with a 1500mm waterproof coating in the fly and floor, this tent is likely to hold up to the trials of camp life for years to come. Although polyester is a heavier material than nylon, it does tend to be a bit more durable, has a higher resistance to UV damage, and often stretches less, making this tent great for folks learning how to pick and clear out a good camp spot. Plus, the included footprint is a huge bonus in terms of keeping the bottom of the tent in great shape.
• Features:
  • Two-tone mesh
  • Footprint included
  • Media pockets offer headphone cord routing
  • Quick stash doorkeepers
  • Symmetrical pole structure
  • 2 doors
• Vestibule Area: 18 sq ft (2 vestibules with 9 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 42”
• Recommended Use: Entry-level backpacking and car camping
• Footprint: Included

Nemo Galaxi 2P

The Nemo Galaxi is the perfect choice for anyone just getting into camping and backpacking. With a design that maximizes usable space on the inside and an included footprint, the Galaxi makes it easy to relax under the stars without having to worry about a thing. Built using burly materials and designed to withstand storms both big and small, it’s easy to see why this is a crowd favorite. Of course, it is on the heavier side of the tents reviewed and doesn’t pack down to the smallest size, but for the money, this tent has great value. Overall, we’d say this is the perfect option for weekend warriors and folks looking to get out camping a few times a season that don’t want to have to worry about replacing their tent often.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 6 lbs 2 oz
• Packed Size: 19” x 8”
• Floor Area: 32.4 sq ft
• Price: $199.95
• Durability: Built using 68D polyester ripstop in the fly, 75D polyester in the floor, and a with a polyester/mesh canopy, the Galaxi is built to last. The polyester fabrics aren’t the burliest we’ve seen, but they aren’t far from it. Topped off a 1500mm waterproof rating in the fly, 3000mm waterproof rating in the floor, and included footprint, the Galaxi is a tent you can count on holding up for years.
• Features:
  • Pre-bent poles increase vestibule space
  • Roll back fly reduces condensation and optimizes star-gazing
  • Vents at the top of each vestibule
  • Footprint included
  • Light pockets turn headlamps into tent lanterns
  • Divvy stuff sack makes it easy to split gear between partners
  • 2 doors
• Vestibule Area: 22 sq ft (2 vestibules with 11 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 39”
• Recommended Use: Entry-level backpacking and car camping
• Footprint: Included

Eureka Midori 2

Unpacking the Midori was a pleasure as it far exceeded all of our expectations. Easy to set up, we probably had it pitched in about a minute thanks to the color-coded tabs throughout and intuitive construction. The offset pole design and floor layout offer ample space for two people and all of the gear you might take backpacking with you. Coming in a bit on the heavy side for backpackers, this will certainly be a go-to option for budget backpackers and folks wanting a durable, sturdy tent for car camping.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz
• Packed Size: 20” x 6”
• Floor Area: 30.6 ft
• Price (MSRP): $159.95
• Durability: The 68D 185T polyester taffeta in the fly and floor is a lighter weight polyester, which is still quite durable when compared to some lightweight nylon style tents. Add to that the 1500mm waterproof rating in the fly and 1800mm in the floor and you have a tent that can weather any storm.
• Features:
  • Offset ridgepole design increases headroom
  • High-low vent air exchange system increases air circulation throughout the night
  • 2 doors
  • Door stash pockets
• Vestibule Area: 20 sq ft (2 vestibules with 10 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 42”
• Recommended Use: Weekend backpacking and car camping
• Footprint: Eureka Fitted Tent Footprint (Sold Separately)

Staff Pick

There are a lot of entry-level tents out there and we’ve spent plenty of time with our fair share of them, but in terms of value, the Eureka Suma 2 is certainly a stand out design. It isn’t flashy and it may not have all the bells and whistles, but that's what we love about it. It is everything you need and nothing you don’t in order to enjoy your time at the campground. With the best price point of any of the tents that we reviewed, it is a great choice for anyone on a budget while still offering plenty of amenities to keep you feeling comfortable.

Eureka Suma 2

The Eureka Suma 2 blew us away. Clearly, if you are looking for a tent that won’t cost you an arm and a leg but can still be used in both weekend backpacking and car camping settings, this is a tent you should be considering. It isn’t the lightest tent by any means, but the durable materials, sturdy frame, affordable price, and well-thought design make up for the heavier weight. With a roomy interior, the only downsides we found were that the single door makes it tough for two people and the minimal vestibule space makes it tough to keep all of your gear dry if you like to bring along all of your creature comforts when camping.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 4 lbs 6 oz
• Packed Size: 17” x 5”
• Floor Area: 30.6 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $139.95
• Durability: The 68D 185T polyester taffeta in the fly, floor, and tent body is on the lighter weight side of polyester materials but still plenty durable in the grand scheme of things. Overall, we were impressed by the construction and materials used in this tent and a 1500mm waterproof rating in the fly and floor should be plenty to keep the wet out.
• Features:
  • Single door
  • Two-pole dome structure
  • Asymmetric pole design gives more room at the head of the tent
  • A stash pocket for the door
  • Two-tone mesh
• Vestibule Area: 10 sq ft
• Maximum Head Height: 42”
• Recommend Use: Weekend backpacking and car camping
• Footprint: Eureka Fitted Tent Footprint (Sold Separately)

Ultralight Backpacking Tents

Something about the prefix ultra- makes everything sounds more intense. Ultralight. Ultramarathons. UltraCampman. Maybe we’ll stick to ultralight for now, but we’ll ask the boss. Either way, these tents are light, right, and trail ready at a weight you can carry without feeling like you just ran an ultramarathon at the end of the day. Being lightweight, we definitely recommend using a footprint with each tent below, which we’ve conveniently added in a hyperlink for your convenience. You’re welcome.

NEMO DragonFly 2P

The first thing we thought when pulling out the Dragonfly was that it clearly was built to be a lightweight tent that doesn’t sacrifice on comfort or features. Everything from the headlamp light pockets, cinch down doorkeepers, vents at the top of the vestibule and Divvy stuff sack show that the crew at NEMO are thinking of every nuance that will make your life easier when you get to camp. While this tent is incredibly well designed, it is best suited to folks who know how to pick and clear a good campsite as ultralight materials like this don’t hold up well to abuse. It’s also worth noting that the interior space of the tent does make it feel a bit more like a 1+ person tent than a 2-person option, so while two people can fit in this tent, it doesn’t leave a lot of leftover wiggle room.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 3 lbs 2 oz
• Packed Size: 19.5” x 4.5”
• Floor Area: 29 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $389.95
• Durability: Lightweight nylon ripstop means that you sacrifice a bit of durability for weight. Although the floor is 20D, the tent body is 10D and the Fly is 15D making it prudent to be selective with your campsites when pitching this tent. A 1200mm waterproof rating offers protection from all but the most intense of rainstorms.
• Features:
  • Two-tone mesh
  • The asymmetrical design offers extra head space where you need it
  • Pre-bent poles with a crossbar to increase interior volume
  • Vents at the top of each vestibule
  • Multiple rollback points on each vestibule
  • Light pockets turn headlamps into tent lanterns
  • Divvy stuff sack makes it easy to split gear between partners
  • 2 doors
• Vestibule Area: 20 sq ft (2 vestibules with 10 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommended Use: Ultralight Backpacking
• Footprint: NEMO Dragonfly 2P Footprint (Sold Separately)

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2

If you’ve been involved in the camping and backpacking world for any amount of time, chances are you have heard of this tent, and for good reason. The Copper Spur offers a relatively lightweight design that is roomy, durable and has plenty of great storage space. It almost took the staff pick in this category, but the Hornet was a bit lighter and less expensive overall. Make no mistake though, this is a tent to be reckoned with and one that we love for its versatility and simple to pitch design.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
• Packed Size: 19.5” x 4”
• Price (MSRP): $449.95
• Durability: Made with a proprietary nylon ripstop using a high tenacity yarn, this tent is a nice in-between where weight savings meets durability, which is why it is one of the most popular backpacking tents on the market. The construction of the tent lets it stand up to high winds without an issue and the materials will hold up in just about any environment. The only downside is that the 1200mm waterproof rating isn’t the best we’ve seen, although it will handle most any rainstorm without any leakage issues.
• Features:
  • The high volume hub gives more headroom without increasing the overall weight of the tent
  • Two-tone mesh offers extra privacy
  • Two doors
  • Media pockets offer headphone cord routing
  • Quick stash doorkeepers
• Floor Area: 29 sq ft
• Vestibule Area: 18 sq feet (2 vestibules with 9 sq feet each)
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommended Use: Backpacking and car camping
• Footprint: Copper Spur HV UL2 Footprint (Sold Separately)

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 mtnGLO

The folks at Big Agnes know how frustrating it can be to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to find your headlamp, the sole source of light you have that will get you safely to and from the bathroom. That’s where their mtnGLO series of tents come in. The Tiger Wall UL2 mtnGLO strikes an amazing balance of offering both serious comfort and serious weight savings. One of the lightest in this category at 2 lbs 11 oz, it also offers an impressive amount of interior space, two large doors, and of course the integrated mtnGLO light strand. This semi-freestanding design is great for anyone who wants to cut a few ounces out of their pack weight, hit the trail regularly, and doesn’t want to skimp on comfort.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 2 lbs 11 oz
• Packed Size: 18” x 5.5”
• Price (MSRP): $449.95
• Durability: Made with a proprietary nylon ripstop, the overall materials are lightweight and delicate, which is to be expected based on the weight. Easy to set up, the semi-freestanding design is one you can count on when the winds howl as long as you stake it down properly. The only potential downside is that the 1200mm waterproof coating is on the lower side for many tents on the market, so for folks heading to particularly rainy places like the Pacific Northwest, it is definitely worth investing in the footprint (sold separately).
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes to maximize interior space
  • Integrated mtnGLO LED light strand gives quick and easy access to tent lighting at all times with the push of a button
  • Low vent feature on vestibule doors increases air circulation and reduces condensation
  • Two doors
  • Media pockets offer headphone cord routing
  • Quick stash doorkeepers
• Floor Area: 28 sq ft
• Vestibule Area: 16 sq feet (2 vestibules with 8 sq feet each)
• Maximum Head Height: 39”
• Recommended Use: Ultralight backpacking
• Footprint: Tiger Wall UL2 Footprint (Sold Separately)

Staff Pick

The NEMO Hornet 2P came in as the darkhorse and walked away with our hearts. For the price, the weight, and the packed size, it’s hard to beat this tent. Although it is technically semi-freestanding and does have a less roomy interior than the other options in the category, it still has enough room for two people and all of their gear. Plus, going ultralight means you have to sacrifice something to drop weight and the concessions you have to make for the Hornet are relatively small compared to the others.

NEMO Hornet 2P

The NEMO Hornet packs a punch in the ultralight backpacking world. While there are some features added to make this tent a bit more comfortable, for the most part, NEMO stripped out any unnecessary frills and used thin, lightweight materials to give those counting ounces a tent they can love. The semi-freestanding construction is unique and poses only a minor inconvenience if you were to forget your stakes at home (which are required to maximize the interior space in the tent). The pole design is sturdy and the fact that they kept two doors on the tent with such a low weight is also a plus. Comfort-wise, it is a tight fit for two people, making the added vestibule space something you’ll be thankful for on rainy nights. Overall, this is best suited to ultralight backpackers but weekend warriors will get plenty of utility out of it as well.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
• Packed Size: 19.5” x 5.5”
• Floor Area: 27.5 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $369.95
• Durability: The floor is a bathtub style made of 15D nylon ripstop and the tent body and fly are made using 10D nylon ripstop. In other words, these are ultralight materials that are very delicate. That said, the design of the hornet is surprisingly stable and when staked out properly it seems to perform well thanks to the pole design, giving it a bit more of an edge in terms of durability. While this should give you a bit more confidence when you take it out into the Backcountry, the biggest note is that care should be taken to move any rocks, sticks, or anything else out of the site where you want to pitch this tent or it is very possible that the thin material may tear.
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes to maximize interior space
  • Two-tone mesh
  • Fly bar pole clips increase interior volume
  • Two doors
  • Triangulated flyouts at foot ends protect sleeping bags from condensation
  • Light pockets turn headlamps into a tent lantern
  • Divvy stuff sack makes it easy to split gear between partners
  • Volumizing clips attach to fly and extend canopy outward
• Vestibule Area: 14.2 sq ft (2 vestibules 7.1 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 39”
• Recommended Use: Ultralight backpacking
• Footprint: NEMO Hornet 2P Footprint (Sold Separately)

Crazylight Backpacking Tents

Crazylight. That’s right, we said it and we aren’t taking it back either. These tents are lightweight enough to drive you loco… or maybe that’s the price tag. In either case these are the lightest weight tents we tested and as such are made of thin, delicate materials. Using one of these tents without a footprint is like trying to go to light speed without a hyperdrive, it never ends well.

NEMO Hornet Elite 2P

If you took the NEMO Hornet, made it lighter, more packable, and changed the color, you’d have the NEMO Hornet Elite 2P Tent. With an ultralight design, the only downsides to the Elite when compared to the regular hornet are that it is more likely to be damaged and that it is more expensive. That said, the overall design of the tent remains the same with a slightly more compact design offering marginally less interior space. For someone wanting to get close to the 2 lbs weight mark without liquidating all of their assets, this is a fantastic option.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 2 lb 1 oz
• Packed Size: 19” x 4.5”
• Floor Area: 27.3 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $499.95
• Durability: With 10D nylon ripstop as the floor fabric and a 7D nylon ripstop fly, it’s no wonder this tent weighs next to nothing. NEMO also dropped weight out of the design by trading in the two-tone mesh canopy for one made entirely of no-see-um mesh. With a 1200mm waterproof rating in the floor and fly, you won’t have to worry about waking up to a puddle in you tent in the middle of the night either. As with the other ultralight and crazylight tents in this review, this is one you’ll want to treat with care and make sure to clear your campsite of any and all debris before pitching your tent.
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes to maximize interior space
  • Fly bar pole clips increase interior volume
  • Two doors
  • Triangulated flyouts at foot ends protect sleeping bags from condensation
  • Light pockets turn headlamps into tent lanterns
  • Divvy stuff sack makes it easy to split gear between partners
  • Volumizing clips attach to fly and extend canopy outward
• Vestibule Area: 12.4 sq ft (2 vestibules with 6.2 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 37”
• Recommended Use: Thru-hiking/fast and light backpacking
• Footprint: NEMO Hornet 2P Footprint (Sold Separately)

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum Tent

Another classic Big Agnes design that has been revamped to drop weight, the Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum. Coming in at 2 lbs packed weight, the Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum has everything you know and love about the regular Fly Creek design including exceptional interior space, a 40” maximum head height, single door and single vestibule. A single door design can be a dealbreaker for some, but the front door style makes it so that don’t have to crawl over your partner in the middle of the night when nature calls. It is also worth noting the semi-freestanding design as well which poses only a minor reduction in interior space if you forget the stakes but means that to get the most out of the tent, you’ll want to pitch it somewhere with soft ground underfoot.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 2 lbs 0 oz
• Packed Size: 15.5” x 4.5”
• Floor Area: 28 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $549.95
• Durability: The polyester mesh tent body is plenty breathable, lightweight, and allows for easy stargazing while the silicone treated nylon ripstop fly and floor offer enough weather protection to keep you dry when the storms roll in. Being an ultralight tent with an entirely mesh body, it’s important to keep in mind that this tent will require top notch care or it will rip or tear. Noticing a theme yet in this category?
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes at the foot end for maximum interior space
  • Single door
  • Shape-holding corners offer more interior space
  • High volume pole architecture to add volume without adding weight
  • All mesh body
• Vestibule Area: 7 sq ft
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommend Use: Thru-hiking/fast and light backpacking
• Footprint: Fly Creek HV2 Footprint (Sold Separately)

Staff Pick

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon is a tent to write home about. When you’re counting grams for your next thru-hike, you’ll appreciate the 142g in weight savings you get when compared to the next lightest tent in this category. With similar characteristics to the others in terms of durability and interior space, the Tiger Wall 2 Carbon edged out the competition with its unique construction, greater vestibule area, and of course the ridiculously low weight. It might be hard to stomach the price tag, but when every ounce counts, you might be willing to fork out the extra cash to save your legs.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon

This is one incredibly light tent. When we first grabbed it, we thought it was too light and that we might only have the fly and poles, but low and behold it was all there. The Dyneema composite materials and carbon poles are a one-of-a-kind design that allowed Big Agnes to smash through the 2 lbs weight barrier for 2-person backpacking tents, but these materials are clearly delicate. For most folks, this tent is going to be a bit too specialized as it will require special care to keep this tent in good shape over time which Big Agnes mentions several times in their listing. That said, the Tiger Wall 2 Carbon will be the saving grace of thru-hikers from this day forward. If you’re willing to pony up the extra money and be careful where you pitch it, this featherweight tent will take counting ounces to the next level. Also, did we mention how light it is?

Specs

• Packed Weight: 1 lb 11 oz
• Packed Size: 17.5” x 6”
• Floor Area: 27 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $999.95
• Durability: This tent truly showcases ultralight materials that sacrifice durability for weight savings. The Dyneema composite materials used in this tent are strong for their weight but even the manufacturer has several warnings on their listing about how the material is susceptible to rips and how it is extremely important to pick your campsites wisely with this tent. While it has many strong suits, this is not the tent to buy if you want something burly and tough.
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes to maximize interior space
  • Low vent feature keeps condensation to a minimum
  • Double zippers on vestibules and doors
  • Two-tone mesh
  • Carbon Poles
  • Dyneema fabric with welded construction
  • 2 doors
• Vestibule Area: 16 sq ft (2 vestibules with 8 sq ft each)
• Maximum Head Height: 39”
• Recommended Use: Thru-hiking/fast and light backpacking
• Footprint: Tiger Wall 2 Carbon Footprint (Sold Separately)

Bikepacking Tents

Our spell checker keeps telling us that bikepacking isn’t a word, but waht deos it konw anyway? You’ll only see Big Agnes tents in here as they’re the only ones making a bikepack specific model, but we’d be willing to bet that that won’t last for long. Made for bikers hitting the trail or hitting the road, these tents are easily strapped to a 2-wheeled vehicle or tossed into a pannier bag for convenient carry.

We didn’t do a staff pick for this one as both are models you’ve already seen above but built with specific features to make life on the bike a bit easier. It’s like a choose your adventure story, do you like:

1. The weight savings and packability of the Fly Creek.
2. The sturdy design and fantastic interior space of the Copper Spur.

Either way you go, you can’t lose with these awesome bike-specific designs.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack

Another specialist in its own right, the Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack Tent takes everything that you love about the Fly Creek HV UL2 and turns it into a bikepacking machine. With plenty of bike-specific features like the daisy chain loops on the exterior for drying wet clothes, oversized pocket large enough to store a helmet, and shorter pole set making it easy to attach the tent to your bike, it is clear that Big Agnes had bikers in mind for this one. While this design creates a more compact packed size and adds a number of useful features, it is five ounces heavier than the standard Fly Creek and it still falls into the semi-freestanding category as you need to stake out the foot area to get the most out of the interior space. With all of that in mind, while we wouldn’t recommend this as your go-to backpacking option, it is an amazing design for bikepackers and folks wanting a tent with a smaller packed size.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz
• Packed Size: 12.5” x 5.5”
• Floor Area: 28 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $379.95
• Durability: The tent body is made of nylon breathable material which is on the delicate side and the overall design, while easy to set up, is prone to collapsing in wind storms. This tent requires careful considerations before pitching to avoid wind, rocks, and sticks in the area in order to keep this tent in tip-top shape.
• Features:
  • Semi-freestanding - Requires stakes at the foot end for maximum interior space
  • Single door
  • High volume pole architecture to add volume without adding weight
  • Daisy chain exterior for drying clothes
  • Large enough pocket for a helmet
  • Shorter pole set packs into a smaller space and stores on a bike more easily
  • Compression sack with daisy chain to attach to bike handlebars, frame, etc
• Vestibule Area: 8 sq ft
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommend Use: Bikepacking and ultralight backpacking
• Footprint: Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack Footprint (Sold Separately)

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack

You can go ahead and let out that breath you’ve been holding in since you started reading, we didn’t leave this one out either. The durability of the Copper Spur meets the bikepacking world with features that bikers will love like daisy chain loops on the tent exterior for drying wet clothes, oversized pocket 3D bin pocket large enough to store a helmet, and shorter pole set making it easy to attach the tent to your bike, this bikepack specific option is likely to be a crowd-pleaser. It does weight about 6 ounces more than the standard Copper Spur HV UL2, but after all, when it’s strapped to your bike, are you really going to feel the difference? We didn’t think so.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 3 lbs 7 oz
• Packed Size: 12” x 6”
• Price (MSRP): $469.95
• Durability: Made with a proprietary random pattern nylon ripstop, this tent is great for bikepackers looking for something that they won’t feel on the bike but also won’t tear on the first use. With an almost identical design to the traditional Copper Spur HV UL2, this tent should have no problems weather any storms you’ll run into and doesn’t require incredibly delicate care like some of the other tents in this review.
• Features:
  • Two doors
  • High volume pole architecture to add volume without adding weight
  • Daisy chain exterior for drying clothes
  • Large enough pocket for a helmet
  • Shorter pole set packs into a smaller space and stores on a bike more easily
  • Compression sack with daisy chain to attach to bike handlebars, frame, etc
• Floor Area: 29 sq ft
• Vestibule Area: 18 sq feet (2 vestibules with 9 sq feet each)
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommended Use: Bikepacking and ultralight backpacking
• Footprint: Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepack Footprint (Sold Separately)

Best Quiver Killer

Here it is, the answer to the question you’ve been asking while reading this entire article, what’s the best option for a tent that is durable, performs well at the campground, and is easy to carry?

If you’ve read other tent reviews or have talked with anyone about 2-person backpacking tents, it should come as no surprise that the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 makes it to the top of our list. With a relatively low packed weight, a great amount of interior space, and stellar construction that performs well, rain or shine, the Copper Spur stands in a category of its own. Long-distance backpackers, weekend warriors, and car campers will all be able to get plenty of use out of this tent, also making it one of the most versatile we’ve seen. It isn’t the best if you’re looking for a specialized tent option, but if you’re looking for one tent to rule them all, this should be at the top of your list.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2

Bonus Material: 3+ Season Tents

Congratulations, if you've made it this far, you must really love gear, particularly tents and since you're a gear nerd like us, we thought we'd add in a little bonus material. These tents didn't fit into any major category above, but camping season doesn’t stop when the snow flies and neither should you. It isn’t always fun, it isn’t always easy, but one thing is for sure, camping in the snow will make you appreciate a good ol’ fashioned desert backpacking trip in the fall. These tents are burly and built to take on the harsh conditions of mountain life in the winter.

Eureka Mountain Pass 2

The Mountain Pass is not something we’d recommend for regular backpacking purposes, but as a 3+ season option, this tent is a great do-it-all design for those of us that like the occasional spring skiing overnight adventure. The larger diameter poles, shock-cords rated for colder temperatures and zip-in weather-proof windows make this tent versatile enough to take on any shoulder season, winter camping trips as well as desert car camping weekends in the summer. With plenty of room on the inside for two and enough storage space for all of your gear, this shelter is plenty roomy, but the heavy weight, large pack size and overall tent features do limit where you’ll want to take this shelter. A great shoulder season tent for the price, this is one we’d recommend packing on the haul sled and not on your back.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz
• Packed Size: 20” x 6”
• Floor Area: 32 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $299.95
• Durability: The 68D 185T polyester taffeta in the fly, floor, and tent body is a durable material that will age well over time no matter where you take it. The sturdy design is also accompanied by a 1800mm waterproof rating in the fly and an impressive 3000mm waterproof coating in the floor which should be plenty to keep the wet out.
• Features:
  • Removable side panel vents
  • High-low vent air exchange system increases air circulation throughout the night
  • 2 doors
  • 3 piece vestibule can roll back in various ways, providing multiple venting options
  • Large diameter aluminum poles are sturdy in heavy wind, snow, and rain
  • Shock-cords are rated for cold weather
• Vestibule Area: 18.4 sq ft (2 vestibules: 10.8 sq ft in the front and 7.6 sq ft in the back)
• Maximum Head Height: 41”
• Recommended Use: 3+ season backpacking or car camping
• Footprint: Included

NEMO Kunai 2P

The Kunai 2P is a great option for the aspiring mountaineer who wants something that will perform well in the mountains but won’t weigh them down. At just under 5 lbs, this tent is light enough to hit the trail without your legs feeling like cinder blocks, but offers a durable design that you can count on when the storm rolls in. With a small packed size, amazing interior space, and thoughtful construction, the only major downside is the single door. While the door is set at the front of the tent, making entering and exiting easy for a single door design, having two doors while camping in the winter can make it much easier for two people to shed wet layers and keep the interior of the tent free of snow. The minimal vestibule space also doesn’t offer much in terms of covered storage for excess gear either, which can also make it difficult to keep the inside of the tent dry.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 4 lb 14 oz
• Packed Size: 11” x 7”
• Floor Area: 27.6 sq ft
• Price (MSRP): $499.95
• Durability: A 20D nylon ripstop canopy fabric is bolstered by the 15D and 30D nylon ripstop fabrics in the fly and floor respectively. With a 3000mm waterproof rating in the tub floor design, this tent offers plenty of waterproof protection and the tapered design is built to outlast the toughest of wind storms. The tent fabric seams are also reinforced to provide an overall burly construction that is sure to handle anything you’ll find on your average winter camping adventure.
• Features:
  • Reinforced seams to handle harsh weather
  • Zippered mesh windows increase air circulation
  • Single door
  • Brow pole design increases tent stability, headroom, and properly tensions the fly vent
  • Light pockets turn headlamps into tent lanterns
  • Tub floor design keeps snow and rain out
• Vestibule Area: 6.8 sq ft
• Maximum Head Height: 42”
• Recommended Use: 3+ season backpacking or car camping

Footprint: NEMO Kunai 2P Footprint (Sold Separately)

Staff Pick

Although all three of the tents in this category brought a lot to the table, the Copper Spur HV 2 Expedition Tent had the best combination of overall design, durability, packed size, and weight, all of which become increasingly important when you consider that you might be dragging this tent miles into the mountains to be your sole shelter at base camp while you wait for the storms to clear. When looking at these tents, we decided that the best way to choose a winner would be to ask ourselves which tent we would want to be in during a storm in the mountains and the Copper Spur Expedition came out as the winner.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV 2 Expedition

Let’s be honest, when you head out for an overnight or weekend trip where you’re counting on snow, you want a tent that can handle it all. Chances are you’ll be spending plenty of time in the tent so you want something with tons of room, something tough that can manage bad weather, and you want a tent that doesn’t feel like a steel anvil in your backpack. The closest we’ve seen was in the Copper Spur HV 2 Expedition Tent. Offering a beefed-up version of a tent you already know and love, we’ll think you’ll agree with us that this is one option we feel comfortable taking out in the winter.

Specs

• Packed Weight: 5 lbs 5 oz
• Packed Size: 18” x 8”
• Price (MSRP): $499.95
• Durability: The tent body is made from nylon ripstop, which is plenty durable for anywhere you want to take it. The real highlights are the fly material made from Dominico undyed polyester ripstop with a 1200mm waterproof coating and the floor material made from nylon taffeta with an incredible 10,000mm waterproof coating. The Dominico material is a pigment dye that resists UV damage and increases the overall life of the tent, making every aspect of this tent a durability juggernaut.
• Features:
  • Two doors with windows offer extra ventilation and/or added weatherproofing
  • Quick stash doorkeepers
  • 4-way high volume hub increases strength and interior volume
  • Low vent option increases air circulation
  • Large diameter aluminum poles are sturdy in heavy wind, snow, and rain
• Floor Area: 29 sq ft
• Vestibule Area: 18 sq feet (2 vestibules with 9 sq feet each)
• Maximum Head Height: 40”
• Recommended Use: 3+ season backpacking or car camping
• Footprint: Copper Spur HV 2 Expedition Footprint (Sold Separately)

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, every tent we looked at had something that impressed us and if push came to shove, we’d take any of them out for a weekend adventure. That said, everyone needs a little something different when it comes to camping shelters, so whether you need something specialized or are searching for a quiver killer, this guide should have given you a good place to start. Remember, buying a tent is overwhelming, but a good tent is like a mini-house, and it’s way less work than owning a real house. So, go on, pick a tent, pat yourself on the back, and make sure your friends bring over some housewarming gifts, you mini-homeowner you.

About Campman

Campman is an outdoor retail store located in Salt Lake City, Utah that specializes in gear and equipment for camping, skiing, backpacking, climbing, and everything in between. We understand that the difference between a bad memory and the experience of a lifetime can come down to the gear you take with you when you head into the outdoors, and we want our customers to have the best experiences possible. That’s why we put our gear to the test, write reviews, and work directly with our customers to make sure that every piece we sell is simply the best.

Questions? Feel free to contact us by phone at (801) 999-8117 or by email at sales@campman.com so we can get you the gear you need to get outside.