Two-person backpacking tents can be used by couples or solo backpackers who want a little bit more space to store their gear inside the tent in bad weather or on long treks. When shopping for two-person backpacking tents, we recommend that you figure out your priorities. Do you want a tent with two doors? Do you prefer a trekking pole tent or one with a freestanding tent pole structure? How much interior space do you want, and so on? Weighing these different factors, here are our recommendations for the 10 best two-person backpacking tents. While everyone’s priorities are different, we feel that these tents provide the best balance of features and cost available today.
1. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2
2. NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 Tent
3. Zpacks.com Duplex Zip Tent
4. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Tent
5. Gossamer Gear “The Two” Tent
6. MSR Freelite 2
7. Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent
8. Durston X-Mid-2
9. SlingFin Portal 2
10. NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2 Tent
Tent Evaluation Criteria
Here are the most important variables to consider when buying a backpacking or camping tent.
Total Weight/Trail Weight
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. Why the difference? Most people replace the tent stakes that come with a tent with lighter weight or stronger ones and leave all the extra stuff sacks and packaging at home rather than carry it.
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 light weight. 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 use trekking poles. Most manufacturers who sell trekking pole tents offer regular tent poles as an add-on purchase.
Trekking pole tents are quite strong and wind-resistant as long as your trekking poles are in good working order. They’re a good option if gear weight is your chief concern.
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.
Number of 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 one another. One-person tents with two doors are also quite convenient, especially in bad weather, since you can cook under one vestibule and store gear in the second.
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, but 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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