Choosing among dozens of hiking tents is not easy. They come in every shape and price range, with varied features and widely differing quality.
To make things easier, RayonRando offers a selection of 10 good hiking tents.
Our method:
- For easier comparison, we focus on 2-person tents (some models also come in 1- and 3-person versions).
- We exclude single-wall tents, whose use is more limited because of condensation.
- We include some affordable, dependable tents, as well as higher-end models.
- Finally, to cover a broad range of needs, we select 2 or 3 tents from different categories: tunnel tents, dome tents, lightweight but robust tents and ultralight tents.
Tunnel tents: compact packing and a small footprint.
Tunnel tents generally pack down very compactly, making them easy to carry in a backpack or on a bike. Their small footprint makes finding a flat camping spot fairly easy. However, internal volume and height are more limited than in dome tents, so they are less comfortable. Their porch is generally quite small too, with limited luggage space.
Piuma 2 lightweight hiking tent
Not only compact but also particularly light, with quality materials. Easy to carry, it is also quick to pitch and take down. Minimalists can use it without the inner tent.
Esaycamp Sarek 2 tent
This tent lets you get equipped affordably while offering perfectly decent quality: aluminium poles and fairly tough fabrics with waterproof ratings of 5,000 mm for the groundsheet and 3,000 mm for the flysheet. We have found nothing better in this price range.
Dome tents: for greater comfort
With their rounded shape, dome tents offer more internal volume. We have selected tents using an extra pole across the inner tent to tension the fabric and create vertical walls. This gives an even more pleasant space than classic dome tents, which narrow higher up. They suit those wanting to hike light while retaining some comfort: 2 side entrances and 2 porches for luggage, plus an inner tent where you can sit to read, change or eat.
Hubba Hubba NX lightweight hiking tent
Still the benchmark that inspired many other dome tents with optimised volume. It offers lightness, compactness and pleasant living space for 2. A reliable choice. Also available in 1 and 3-person versions, Hubba and Muttha Hubba.
Wilsa Challenger 2 tent
Affordable, this tent performs well in rain; we tested it in a heavy thunderstorm. Spacious, with vertical walls and 2 entrances and porches, it is comfortable to sit in. It uses a single pole, so must be secured properly when pitching. It suits people up to 1m85 tall.
Jamet Jaya 2 DAC tent
It stands out for truly generous volume: taller, wider and longer, while remaining very light. It even suits people over 1m90. The inner tent is mesh, providing good ventilation, and there are only 2 guy lines to reinforce anchoring. Our favourite for comfort. Also available as Jaya 1 and 3.
Lightweight yet tough tents:
Want a tent that is both lightweight and tough? It is possible! Material choice and tent architecture both help withstand bad weather without resorting to a very heavy 4-season tent.
Vaude Hogan Ultra-light tent
This tent remains one of our favourites year after year. It is fairly spacious for 2, lightweight and genuinely tough. We have used it in Iceland and Norway, weathering strong winds and thunderstorms without problems. This is thanks to tough fabrics, with a 10,000 mm groundsheet, an interconnected pole system and a profile that withstands wind well. We also like the extended porch, supported by a short front pole: it stores all the equipment and, with the inner tent open, can also be used to prepare and eat meals under shelter.
Robbens Lodge 2 tent
Heavier than the others, but particularly tough, with a 75 D 210 T polyester groundsheet, using thick yarn and a dense weave, waterproof to 10,000 mm like a 4-season tent; a 75 D, 185 T flysheet waterproof to 5,000 mm, also worthy of a 4-season model; and stronger-than-average poles with diameters of 9 and 10 mm. It is highly resistant to rain and wind, tested at 100 km/h.
Ultralight tents:
Is lightness definitely your priority? Double-wall 2-person tents weighing 1 kg or less do exist! Bear in mind that these very light tents are also more delicate, particularly because of thin fabrics. They must be used carefully and are not suitable for severe weather.
Némo Hornet Osmo 2 tent
At around 1 kg, it accommodates 2 with 2 entrances and 2 porches. Very compact and easy to pitch, it is a good choice for hiking light while retaining some comfort.
Nordisk Lofoten 2 ULW tent
Around 700 g for a double-wall tent! Record-breaking lightness, but at a high price. It appeals to ultralight hikers. For solo travellers, it is also a very good way to lighten your pack while retaining double-wall construction.
DD Hammock Superlight Pyramid tent
The 680 g Pyramid tent pitches using your trekking pole. Used alone, it offers little protection from wind and cold, and its anchoring and shape suit weather without strong winds. However, you can add the Superlight Pyramid Mesh inner tent for a little more comfort, at an increase in weight, +620 g, and cost.
Conclusion:
Of course, other hiking tents could qualify as ‘the best’. Our selection helps guide your choice according to your priorities.
There is inevitably a balance to find between price, weight and the comfort you want. You cannot prioritise one criterion without giving up other aspects to some extent.
We particularly draw your attention to comfort. On short treks, some discomfort is manageable. The longer the trek, the more comfort matters and can affect your trip positively or negatively.
Finally, remember that the lighter a tent, the more carefully it must be used. Inspect the ground before pitching and secure and guy it out properly if severe weather threatens.