As we enter 2024, the search for top ultralight backpacking shelters gets more exciting. For backpackers like me, cutting down weight is key for a better hike. This year’s 2024 lightweight tents bring new levels of lightness, comfort, and toughness.
We picked ultralight tents that balance weight and must-have features. Looking for quick setup, space, weatherproofing, or durability? You’ll find your ideal tent here. In our backpacking tent reviews, we’ll look at the best options for your next outdoor trip.
Top Picks for Ultralight Tents in 2024
Looking for a great 3-person or 2-person tent for your next trek? You’re in luck. We’ve got a list of top-notch, featherlight shelters ready for this year. Let’s dive into some of the best picks out there.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 is a standout for three people. It combines light weight with lots of space. It has plenty of headroom and is easy to set up. If you value space and ease of use, this tent is a winner.
SlingFin Portal 2
Then there’s the SlingFin Portal 2. It’s known for battling the elements like a champ and offering plenty of places to stash your gear. Even though it’s slim, it’s tough and keeps the weather out. It’s truly a top pick among lightweight shelters.
Nemo Aurora 2
The Nemo Aurora 2 strikes a perfect balance. It’s affordable without skimping on room or comfort. Plus, it comes with Nemo’s lifetime warranty, signaling its dependability. It’s a fantastic 2-person hiking tent choice.
REI Co-op Trailmade 2
Last is the REI Co-op Trailmade 2. It’s easy on the wallet but still tough against the elements. This tent proves you don’t have to spend a lot to get great quality and performance. It’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious backpackers.
Why Ultralight Tents Are Essential for Backpacking
Lightweight tents are vital for backpackers looking to improve their outdoor trips. Ultralight tents help reduce the overall weight you carry. This makes hiking less tiring and covers more distance easier, improving your agility and stamina.
Ultralight backpacking means carrying lighter loads, allowing you to tackle challenging terrains more easily. “The Big Three” gear items are your backpack, sleep system, and shelter. Among these, an ultralight tent cuts down base weight significantly without sacrificing comfort or safety.
- Ultralight tents often weigh just a few ounces over three pounds for two-person, three-season models.
- Non-traditional shelters like floorless tents and tarps using trekking poles provide ample space at minimal weight.
- The weight of a tent depends on factors such as materials used, interior space, and the number of doors.
Choosing the right ultralight tent involves weighing your needs against expected weather conditions. For example, Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) tents are light but wear out faster, while Silnylon is more durable but can sag when wet. Silpoly is a more affordable option than Silnylon and doesn’t stretch much.
When selecting an ultralight tent, consider comfort, durability, and your needs. Depending on whether you are backpacking alone or with a partner, your tent should match your adventure ambitions and requirements.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2: Best Overall Backpacking Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a top choice for thru-hikers. It’s known for being lightweight and easy to set up. It offers plenty of space too. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this tent stand out for backpackers.
Quick Setup and Convenience
Setting up the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is fast and easy. It’s perfect for when you’re tired from a day of hiking. It has a special system for securing pole tips and attaching the rainfly quickly. This system, along with lightweight poles and attached guylines, keeps the tent stable in wind without slowing you down during setup.
Ample Headroom and Space
In any review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur, you’ll hear about its roominess. It’s longer and taller than many tents, giving you lots of living space. You get 26 square feet inside and two 9-square-foot areas for your gear. Features like big doors and lots of pockets make it easy to stay organized and comfortable, even with its low weight.
Ultralight Construction
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is light but still strong. It’s made of a special nylon that resists tears and punctures. It weighs around 3 pounds and can be packed very small. This makes it perfect for hikers who want to carry less. Plus, it has reflective lines and can work with special tent lights, making it even better to use.
SlingFin Portal 2: High Weather Resistance
The SlingFin Portal 2 is known for being super durable against harsh weather. It is highly praised by Outdoor Gear Lab, Adventure Alan, and Backpacker Magazine. These reviews confirm its strength for difficult outdoor journeys. The Portal 2 gives a secure place while backpacking in bad weather.
Built to Withstand Harsh Conditions
- 12 external attachment points and internal guylines provide extra stability against strong winds.
- Attachment points for trekking poles enhance overall resilience.
- High-volume pole structure means you have well-distributed headroom of 44 inches (111 cm).
- The tent features a ripstop nylon floor with 20D fabric and a 10D fly for superior durability.
- Ten external guy points and perimeter pull-outs ensure it withstands harsh weather.
Durability and Design Innovations
The SlingFin Portal 2 is famous for its innovative designs and toughness. Made from nylon, it’s light enough to carry but still very strong. Featuring two DAC Featherlite NFL poles and enhanced pole attachment systems, it adds extra sturdiness. The kickstand vents are also a highlight, allowing for good airflow and keeping you comfortable.
This tent is also improved with 12 spots for guylines to secure it in rough weather. With a floor area of 27.45 sq ft and a smart vestibule design, it gives you plenty of room and protection from the weather. This durable tent is perfect for many backpacking trips, offering reliable shelter wherever you go.
Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P: Best for Ultralight Enthusiasts
The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P shines as a top pick for those who love to travel light. It weighs only 2 lbs 1 oz, perfectly mixing lightness with function. This makes it a fantastic choice for backpackers who want an ultralight tent for two people.
Weight and Packability
The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P is super light. It has a packed weight of just 935 grams and a trail weight of 779 grams. It’s among the lightest semi-freestanding tents out there. This means it won’t add much weight to your pack, making your hikes easier.
This tent is also easy to pack. It fits well into its stuff sack, great for those who value efficient packing. Setting it up is fast, taking less than five minutes with the rain-fly. Its quick setup time adds to its convenience.
Design Features and Comfort
The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P has many smart design features. It has a height of 37 inches and a floor space of 27.3 square feet. This gives plenty of room and good head space. It’s light but fully featured with two doors and vestibules. This means more convenience and space for each person’s gear.
The tent uses a tough 7D nylon ripstop fabric, which keeps it light but sturdy. It also has a Light Pocket for storing small items like headlamps. This feature is great for staying organized outdoors.
In my view, the Nemo Hornet Elite combines weight savings, easy packing, and comfort brilliantly. It stands out as a top choice in ultralight two-person tents. If you’re looking for these qualities in a tent, this model is hard to pass up.
REI Co-op Trailmade 2: Best Budget Option
For backpackers on a tight budget, the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 is a great pick among affordable ultralight tents. It weighs 5 pounds 7 ounces, but the trail weight is lighter at 4 pounds 4 ounces. It’s made of 68-denier polyester fabric, which is tough and resists wear.
This tent fits two adults easily with its 88- by 52-inch floor area. It has two D-shaped doors and vestibules. Each vestibule provides 9.5 square feet of storage space. This is handy for backpackers needing extra storage. Though the X-shaped pole structure may not be best in strong winds, setting up is quick.
The packed size is about 8.5 by 22 inches, which is typical for budget tents. The ventilation could be better but the weather resistance works well. The tent’s interior height is nearly 40 inches, making it a bit tight for tall people but fine for many.
The Trailmade 2 is easy to use, durable, and priced at $199, making it a smart choice. It’s affordable without missing out on key features. This makes it ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy the outdoors without spending a lot.
Comparison of Ultralight Tents for Backpacking
This comparison looks at what sets top ultralight tents apart for backpacking. When hiking, the features of your tent greatly affect your trip. Here, I’ll talk about the best lightweight tents, focusing on what makes each special.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 scores an 80.3/100. It costs $530 and weighs 3 lb. 2 oz. Its size is 88 x 52/42 x 40 inches, offering ample space. Quick to set up and with lots of headroom, it’s great for long treks.
The Zpacks Duplex Zip is lighter, weighing only 1 lb. 1.9 oz. It measures 90 x 45 x 48 inches and scores 80/100. Priced at $699, this tent is perfect for long hikes thanks to its lightweight, compact design.
- Nemo Hornet Elite Osmo 2P: This tent weighs 2 lb. 1.0 oz and is 85 x 50/42 inches across. It costs $650.
- Durston X-Mid 2 Shelter: It weighs 2 lb. 7.4 oz and extends to 92 x 52 inches. A good deal at $280.
- Zpacks Duplex Zip: It’s light, at 1 lb. 4.4 oz, and its dimensions are 90 x 45 inches. It costs $729, a worthy investment for dedicated hikers.
- Samaya 2.0 4-Season Tent: It weighs 3 lb. 5.0 oz and is 87 x 43 inches in size. Despite its $1,100 price, it excels in all four seasons.
- Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid: This is the best choice if you prefer a floorless pyramid shelter.
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 UL2 Solution Dye costs $450, weighing 2 lb. 8 oz., and scores 79/100. Its size, 86 x 52/42 x 39 inches, makes it a great choice in our ultralight tent comparison.
The REI Co-op Trailmade 2 focuses on value. It ensures hikers get key tent features without spending a lot. Each tent has unique benefits, meeting the needs of different hikers. Some are light for long trips, while others are built for different weather.
This detailed look at top lightweight tents helps you choose the right one for your adventure. Whether you need something weatherproof, easy to set up, or just lightweight, you’ll find the perfect tent for your backpacking dreams.
Conclusion
As I conclude my thoughts on ultralight tents, it’s clear that choosing the perfect tent is important. The 2024 lineup offers a variety of tents. Each has its own benefits for different adventures. For example, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 and the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 are great choices. They are light yet strong, making them great for solo or group trips.
An ultralight tent makes hiking even better. It usually weighs less than 2lbs per person. Dome tents offer lots of headroom and are stable in the wind. Tunnel tents also have good headroom but might be noisy in strong winds. This could bother people who sleep lightly.
Tents are made from strong and waterproof materials like Taffeta Polyester and Sil-Nylon. Whether you’re looking at the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 2P or the REI Co-op Trailmade 2, we’re here to help. The best tent keeps you safe from weather and lets you enjoy nature even more.
In summary, choosing a tent depends on weight, space, weather proofing, and your budget. No matter your choice, a good ultralight tent is a smart buy. It will make your backpacking trips in 2024 and later much better.
