It seems like backpacking tents are getting more and more expensive, especially ultralight tents made with specialty fabrics. But take heart. There are still plenty of good values and budget tents available if you know what to look for. Here are our recommended picks for the top 10 best budget backpacking tents for $250 or less. All of these two-person tents are lightweight enough to be used for backpacking or camping and provide a great bang for the buck.
1. REI Trail Hut 2 Tent
2. Featherstone Backbone 2P
3. Sierra Designs Full Moon 2
4. Big Agnes C-Bar 2 Tent
5. Kelty Late Start 2 Tent
6. Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent
7. Lanshan 2
8. REI Trailmade 2 Tent w/Footprint
9. Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout
10. Dan Durston X-Mid 1
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Kasivo Outdoors
Tent Selection Criteria
Here are the most important variables to consider when buying a budget backpacking or camping tent.
WEIGHT/TRAIL WEIGHT
Budget tents are almost always heavier than ultralight tents because they’re made with heavier, more durable fabrics. The total weight of a tent usually measures the tent and all of its packaging, while the trail weight is the weight of its poles, inner tent, outer rain fly, minus any tent stakes. Lightweight budget tents are usually in the neighborhood of 4 to 5 pounds, which isn’t too bad when split between two people.
TENT POLES
Tent poles are made using fiberglass, aluminum, or carbon fiber. Aluminum is the most durable of the three, while carbon fiber is normally only used in very high-end tents where the focus is on lightweight. Fiberglass poles are the least durable tent poles and break frequently. So much so, that we recommend avoiding any tent with fiberglass poles. All the ones above have aluminum poles or require trekking poles, which can be aluminum or carbon fiber, it doesn’t really matter.
DURABILITY
The floor of a tent is the part of a tent most likely to be punctured or torn as a result of ground abrasion. While using a footprint on floors that are 20 denier thick or less is always recommended, it’s far less necessary on 30 denier or higher floors, except on highly abrasive or rough terrain.
DOORS
Tents with two side doors are often preferable when purchasing a tent for two because it means each occupant can get in and out without disturbing the other.
INTERIOR STORAGE
Interior pockets and storage organization are a plus in a multi-person tent. Look for internal pockets and gear loops to hang gear from the ceiling. A gear loft is an added bonus. Vestibule space is always a plus as well, especially if there are multiple doors so that gear storage does not block entry and exit.
VENTILATION
All tents experience tent condensation, but good tent site selection and ventilation are the best ways to avoid it. Look for tents that have lots of mesh netting to facilitate airflow, top vents to release moist air, and door tie-backs to roll up tent doors and keep them open at night.
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