Under Construction

Features (See links below and camping magiznes and books for others)

  • Weight vs floor space and price tradeoff.
    A general backcountry guideline is that the tent's weight should not exceed three pounds per person.
  • Ventelation - Lots of mesh makes a tent cooler in the warm NE and south, but will be colder in the higher elevations of the west. Some tents have panels that zip in over mesh for warmth in cold weather.
    Mountaineering tents employ hooded vents to release moisture in the winter.
  • How low to the ground the rainfly reaches affects ventilation and rain-protection.
  • Dual Doors
  • Plastic windows in the rainfly to see out in a rain storm.
  • Pocket inside for storing small items.
  • Adjustable stake loops on the rainfly let you adjust if for ventilation and make it more sturdy in a heavy wind.
  • Fly-only pitching using a fitted groundcloth (or footprint) with the poles and fly only.
See Types of Tents at the AMC.

2 Person, 3-Season, Backpacking Tents
ModelPriceBrandPacked SizeWeight Area HgtDrsMain Poles
MaxMinFloorVestTotal
Median$210  5 lb.4-832 sf10 sf433-6
5 pounds or less
Meridian 2$200Mtn Hdwr18 x 54-134-327 sf22 sf493-521
Evolution 2P$260Big Sky19 x 63-12-1330 sf9.5 sf403-622
Clip Flashlight$170Sierra Dsgns19 x 54-63-1132 sf6 sf383-712
Lightning$250Sierra Dsgns25 x 74-22-731 sf9 sf403-412
Hyperlight$270Sierra Dsgns5-13-437 sf8.4 sf453-412
Missing Link *$229MSR11 x 73-73 lb.3714513-612
Tadpole 23 Tent, '06$229North Face22 x 64-144-435 sf7 sf423-413
Vector 22$239North Face24 x 84-144-634 sf10 sf443-612
Quarter Dome$209REI7 x 204-43-11287 + 7423-42
Clip Flashlight Tent$170Sierra Dsgns19 x 54-63-1132 sf6 sf383-712
Hubba Hubba Tent$289MSR20 x 5.55 lb.4-228 sf9.5 sf383-423
Star 2$200EMS17 x 74-114-633 sf7+7473-622
More than 5 pounds
Meteor Light$230Sierra Dsgns24 x 67-56-1040 sf16 sf463-723
Tristar Tent$179EMS26 x 97-126-1239 sf5.2+5.2504 ft.23
North Star$159EMS23 x 86-125-1235 sf11+11573-622
Half Dome$169REI23 x 75-115-134 sf9.4x9.4533-522
Aeolos$325Marmot20 x 75-125-535 sf19543-424
Reverse Combi$250Sierra Dsgns6-1331.511 + 11523-422
Hammerhead 2 Tent$245Mtn Hdwr17 x 67-126-936 sf7.5+7.5513-923
Moonshine279EMS19.5 x 86-85-631.75 sf11.25433-613
Tetragon 5$60Eureka25 x 46-25-335none12
Yellowstone$90Kelty27 x 86-15-737none1
Heron 23 Tent$289North Face22 x 75-54-1328 sf7.4 sf353-1013
Packed Size is height x diameter in inches.
Max Weight sometimes means package weight (shipping wt. )
Some manufacturers also list a "Fastbpack" weight for fly, poles and groundcloth only. Weight is pounds - ounces
sf - square feet
Hgt - Headroom (peak height) in feet - inches
* MSR Missing Link is a lean-to single wall structure with open door and awning in front. Uses trekking poles.

1-person 3-season backpacking  
ModelPriceBrandPacked SizeWeight Area HgtMain Poles
MaxMinFloorVestTotal
Median$220  3-72-1418 sf7 sf243-2
< 2 lbs 13 oz
Beta Light$160Black Diamond4 x 61-81-635  3-80
Uses trekking poles or other poles not included w/ tent.
Skypoint 1$220Mtn Hdwr20 x 5.53-52-12255303-21
Waypoint 1$195Mtn Hdwr2-220n/a 3-42
Single wall tent. Condensation is a problem in humid condiitions.
Light Year$140Sierra Dsgns19x53-42-11203233-22
Solo 12$190North Face23 x 52-82-218183-4
Sarvis 1 SL$280Big Agnes15 x 62-152-4154.5203-22
> 2-13
Moon Shadow$259EMS20 x 5.83-72-152610362-102
Sololite$130REI19 x 6.54-43-8217.72932
Baku$230Sierra Dsgns21x53-73177243-22
Hubba Solo/
Fast & Light
$230MSR20 x 63-73179.5273-4
Meridian 1$170Mtn Hdwr3-143-416.57243-62
Zoid 1$190MSR3-62-1416723.52-10

2-person 4-season
Tne North Face Mountain-25 $400
MSR Fury $400
MSR All Season $350
Bibler Tempest Tent $500
Kelty Orb 2 Tent $375
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 $450
REI Mountain 2 $250
The North Face Mountain 25 $400
3-person expedition
The North Face VE-25 $500


See Also: Outdoor Product on-line mail order stores
Google Search for tent reviews
Find Tents at Backpacker magazine
ConsumerSearch
2005 Tent Reviews at Outside Online
Buying Tents at AMC
Single Wall Tents at Backpacking Lignt
Return toProducts

last updated 8 Sep 2006