10 Best Light Backpacking Tents 2025 in the United States

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL mtnGLO Backpacking Tent is a feature-rich option for light backpacking, designed to accommodate up to three people. Weighing just 1.62 kilograms, it’s extremely lightweight, making it easy to carry on long hikes. The tent is rated for all four seasons, providing versatility for various weather conditions. Setup is simplified with the unique TipLok Tent Buckle, which combines pole-tip capture, rainfly attachment, and stake-out loop, enhancing its stability and ease of assembly, even for beginners.

Durability is a strong point thanks to the ultralight nylon double rip-stop fabric, which offers excellent tear strength and puncture resistance without adding extra weight. Ventilation is enhanced by the awning-style vestibules and multiple access options, helping to reduce condensation inside the tent. The tent also features the mtnGLO Tent Light Technology, which illuminates the interior with durable LED lights, a nice touch for nighttime visibility. Packed down, it measures 20.87 x 5.91 x 5.91 inches, making it compact and easy to fit in a backpack.

However, some users might find the price point higher compared to other tents in the same category. Additionally, the need for three AAA batteries for the mtnGLO lights might be seen as a minor inconvenience for some. The tent offers ample storage options with its 3-D bin ‘mezzanine’ and oversized ceiling pocket, which are great for organizing gear. This tent is well-suited for those seeking a lightweight, durable, and easy-to-set-up tent with extra features for comfort and convenience during light backpacking trips.

The Marmot Crane Creek 2P tent is a solid choice for two people looking for a lightweight and durable option for fall and mild winter backpacking trips. Weighing about 2.4 kilograms (around 5.3 pounds), it strikes a good balance between being light enough to carry comfortably and sturdy enough to handle wind and rain, thanks to its waterproof polyester fly and floor with seam taping. Its aluminum poles add durability without much extra weight.

The tent offers 32 square feet of space, giving two people a comfortable shelter with two doors for easy access and two vestibules to keep gear dry and out of the way. The round shape and decent height (43 inches) help with headroom and ventilation, though it’s best suited for cooler seasons rather than hot summer use. Setup requires assembling poles and staking, which is typical but not the absolute fastest among ultralight tents.

Packed size is compact enough for most backpacks, though not the smallest available if you need to save every cubic inch. One potential downside is that it’s designed primarily for fall and mild winter conditions, so it may not be ideal for heavy snow or very hot weather. Also, while durable, the tent's weight isn’t among the lightest for backpacking, so ultralight hikers might find it a bit heavy. This tent meets the needs of campers who want a reliable, comfortable two-person shelter that can handle wet weather and cooler conditions without being overly cumbersome.