The wrong tent can quickly ruin a backpacking trip. And with so many options out there, it can be tough to choose the right tent.
The good news here is that the right tent doesn’t have to be expensive. As an avid backpacker with over 20 years of experience, I’ve had my share of great (and not-so-great) tents. In this article, I’ll take you through my choices for the backpacking tent under $200. Let’s jump right in!
Best Backpacking Tents under $200:
1. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Backpacking Tent
Looking for a budget backpacking tent can be a real challenge, but if you need an easily-assembled tent for one, we think the Lynx is a great option.
Its freestanding design can be easily moved, and a waterproof fly keeps you protected even in inclement weather. There’s a surprising amount of clearance inside, and the sleek design is more visually appealing than most.
Most buyers seem to be very pleased with this tent. Taller people note that there isn’t a lot of extra space, but that the tent itself is warm and comfortable.
Some buyers have said that you can reduce the total weight by switching out the included steel stakes for aluminum ones.
Features:
- Comfort: The roomy interior features a gear loft to free up space while keeping you and your gear dry.
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Dimensions: 36″ maximum interior clearance; base size 2’8″ x 7’6″
- Weather Resistance: This is a very weather-resistant tent with a coated floor and factory-sealed seams for extra waterproofing.
- Ease Of Setup: Two aluminum poles and a freestanding design make this one easy to set up and move.
- Durability: Extra-large zippers and durable ventilation mesh (plus coated floors and sealed seams) make this a very durable option.
- Season Rating: Three-season
Pros:
- The lightweight tent is easy to carry, even on long trips
- Durable weatherproofing keeps you dry
- Gear loft and storage pocket make the most of the small space
- Freestanding design can be moved when already assembled
Cons:
- Some buyers have said the tent arrived with no instructions
- Taller people may find it a bit cramped
2. GEERTOP 2 Person Tent for Camping
Even if you just need a tent for one person, the 2 person backpacking tent might give you a little extra room. And if you’re looking for a four-season option that still manages to be affordable, we think this one from GEERTOP is worth considering. It’s UV-resistant and water/snow resistant, and anti-tear polyester is sure to last for seasons to come.
Buyers seem to like this tent, and most have said that it’s an excellent deal for a four-season tent. Many of them have also used it one extreme cold and still stayed very warm. However, some have noticed interior condensation, which generally indicates poor ventilation.
Features:
- Comfort: This two-layer tent is designed to keep you warm and dry, and the roomy interior with two gear vestibules has plenty of space for two adults and gear.
- Weight: 6.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 41″ interior clearance; floor is 78″ x 55″
- Weather Resistance: This tent is highly weather resistant — it is UV resistant and repels both water and snow. With a built-in snow skirt and dual-layer design, it will also help keep you warm.
- Ease Of Setup: It can be easily set up by one person, and it comes with a storage bag that holds the tent and poles.
- Durability: This tent is rip-resistant and has waterproof seams, so it’s built to last for years.
- Season Rating: Four-season
Pros:
- Excellent weatherproofing keeps you dry in any weather
- This tent can keep you warm even in very cold temperatures
- It’s very easy for one person to set up
- The roomy interior with two gear vestibules is comfortable for two adults
Cons:
- Some users have noticed condensation, which indicates poor ventilation
- It’s heavier than many options on the list
3. Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent
This is a great candidate for the 1 person backpacking tent under 200$. It has a spacious gear loft and features noseeum mesh to ensure no bugs get into your tent. This tent won the Editor’s Choice Award from Backpacker, and we think its excellent features make it worth your consideration.
Most buyers are very happy with this tent it’s easy to assemble and extremely lightweight. However, some have noted that it can become very warm inside in hot and humid weather.
Features:
- Comfort: This tent is roomy and comfortable, and it has a separate gear vestibule to keep your sleeping space clear.
- Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces
- Dimensions: The manufacturer doesn’t list exact dimensions, but the interior has 1.9 square meters of floor space. This tent is round, so it’s shaped differently from many backpacking tents.
- Weather Resistance: Full seam taping and rainproof fly are great for any weather conditions.
- Ease Of Setup: This tent is easy to set up, and the freestanding design can be moved once it’s assembled.
- Durability: This tent is designed to be durable, and it comes from a very reputable manufacturer.
- Season Rating: Three-season
Pros:
- This tent comes from a great manufacturer
- It’s an excellent value
- It’s freestanding and easy to set up
- The round shape is roomy
Cons:
- It can start to feel too hot in warmer weather
- The manufacturer says the tent sleeps up to two people, but most buyers say it’s a one-person tent
4. Naturehike Cloud-Up 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
We think this one is a great option if you need a light backpacking tent. With ripstop fabric, a full-coverage rainfly, and a lightweight and easy-to-assemble design, this tent can make your next trip easier than ever. Plus, even though it’s one of the most affordable ones on the list, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Most buyers love this tent’s excellent value, and plenty of them also mention the ease of setup. While most have said that it helps keep you warm in winter, some have noticed condensation.
Features:
- Comfort: This tent is a lot roomier than most one-person options, and it can keep you warm and dry.
- Weight: 3.8 pounds
- Dimensions: 39.4″ interior clearance; interior dimensions 43.3″ x 90.5″
- Weather Resistance: Ripstop fabric, sealed seams, a full-coverage rainfly, and a waterproof floor make this a great choice for inclement weather.
- Ease Of Setup: This is a small tent that many buyers have said can be assembled in a few minutes.
- Durability: Extra-tough ripstop fabric and reliable waterproofing mean this tent will last a while.
- Season Rating: Four-season
Pros:
- Ripstop fabric and great waterproofing mean it’s built to last
- It can keep you comfortable in all four seasons
- Roomy gear vestibule is included
Cons:
- Some buyers have noticed condensation on the inside
- In some cases, buyers have said the rain fly gets noisy in the wind
5. Hyke & Byke Yosemite Hiking & Backpacking Tent
This ultralight backpacking tent is an excellent value, and we think it’s especially noteworthy that it comes with a lifetime warranty. It also comes with a footprint and a bathtub floor, making it extremely comfortable on just about any surface.
Most buyers seem very happy with this one they like how reflective it is and how easy it is to set up. They also like that it comes with a gear loft and a footprint.
Features:
- Comfort: This is a roomy tent that is weatherproof and comfortable. It comes with a footprint, which makes the sleeping surface extra comfortable.
- Weight: 3.26 pounds
- Dimensions: 45″ interior clearance; floor dimensions are 88″ x 54″
- Weather Resistance: Sealed seams, noseeum mesh, and weatherproof rainflies make this tent highly weather resistant.
- Ease Of Setup: This is a freestanding tent that can be set up easily in minutes.
- Durability: While this tent seems to be built to last, some buyers have had their tents rip very soon after purchase.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- This tent comes with a footprint and gear loft
- Taped seams, bathtub floor, and waterproof rainfly make it extra weatherproof
- It’s very affordable
- The interior is very roomy
Cons:
- Some buyers have had durability issues
- If you need something for very cold weather, this may not be the right option for you
6. Naturehike Cloud-Up 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
We covered Naturehike’s lightweight hiking tent for one person above, but if you want some extra room, this is an option worth checking out. It has two zippers and a full-coverage rainfly, and it still weighs under four pounds.
Just about every review of this tent is a positive one. Buyers praise how lightweight it is, and it’s also very quick and easy to set up. Plus, buyers have also said the manufacturer provides excellent customer service and will resolve any issues.
Features:
- Comfort: Dual-layer design keeps you comfortable in any weather.
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
- Dimensions: 39.4″ of interior clearance; floor dimensions are 49.2″ x 82.6″
- Weather Resistance: This tent is both UV-resistant and rain-resistant, and the full-coverage rain fly helps make sure you stay dry.
- Ease Of Setup: This tent is very easy to set up — according to the manufacturer, it can be assembled in five minutes. As a bonus, it has a freestanding design.
- Durability: This tent is made with ripstop fabric that also stands up to the weather.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- This is one of the most lightweight options on the list
- The durable, weatherproof design is built to last
- Roomy interior with separate gear vestibule
- This tent is much more windproof than many options
Cons:
- Some buyers have found this tent to be a bit cramped
- In some cases, buyers say this tent is drafty
7. Kelty Late Start Backpacking Tent
If you’re looking for a reliable camping backpacking tent, Kelty is an excellent manufacturer to choose from. The LateStart is the updated version of the Salida we mentioned earlier.
It gets its name from the fact that it’s exceedingly quick and easy to get set up even if you get a late start on your trip.
Most buyers seem to like this tent, and they describe it as being easy to assemble and incredibly weatherproof. However, some have pointed out that, compared to true ultralight backpacking tents, this one is a little heavy.
Features:
- Comfort: This is a very roomy tent, and the included pre-bent poles give you more interior space.
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Dimensions: clearance of 40″; floor dimensions of 85″ x 54″
- Weather Resistance: Sealed seams and a waterproof rainfly help keep you out of the elements.
- Ease Of Setup: This tent is designed to be easy to assemble — it even has a rain fly with color-coded ends for quick assembly. This design is also freestanding.
- Durability: This tent comes from a reputable manufacturer and is designed with ripstop, weatherproof fabric.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- This tent comes from a reliable manufacturer
- The roomy interior has plenty of space for one hiker and gear
- Setup is extremely fast and easy
- It’s an excellent value
Cons:
- Some users have said they wish the rain flap was ventilated
- Some buyers have said this is too heavy to be a true backpacking tent
8. Outbound Dome Tent for Camping with Carry Bag and Rainfly
When you need a good backpacking tent for several people, it can be tough to find the one you need. We think this Outbound dome tent is an excellent choice if you need a tent that accommodates eight people.
Most buyers have said that this is a comfortable tent that is very easy to set up. However, a few customers have mentioned that the tent leaks in heavy rain, and one said that the poles broke under heavy rainfall.
Features:
- Comfort: This is a roomy tent with an extra-comfortable bathtub floor. However, unlike some larger tents, it does not come with a room divider. It does come with zip windows.
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Dimensions: floor dimensions 14′ x 8′; peak indoor clearance of 5′ 10″
- Weather Resistance: This tent is waterproof with a convenient built-in bathtub floor. However, the waterproofing isn’t as high as the waterproofing on some tents.
- Ease Of Setup: Because this tent is larger, it has a more involved setup than many on the list.
- Durability: This tent is waterproof and durable, but it has less waterproofing than many on the list and may not last as long.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- Built-in bathtub floor reduces the risk of rain seeping in
- For a large tent, this one is easy to set up
- Sheer netting makes it possible to get excellent ventilation
- It’s very affordable considering the size
Cons:
- Waterproofing is thinner than that on many tents
- This tent may not be quite as durable as many on the list
9. KAZOO Camping Tents
This two-person tent is a great option if you want the extra clearance and space afforded by a dome tent. It’s durable, affordable, and surprisingly lightweight. It also has two doors and two vestibules, both of which help it feel less cramped.
Most buyers have been very happy with this tent. In particular, many people have complimented its waterproofing and ease of setup.
Features:
- Comfort: This roomy, extra-waterproof tent can keep you comfortable in just about any weather. Plus, having two doors makes it’s you don’t have to climb over someone to enter and exit.
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Dimensions: floor space is 51″ x 82″; peak clearance is 39″
- Weather Resistance: This tent is waterproof and has a waterproof, ripstop rain fly.
- Ease Of Setup: This one is very easy to set up; according to the manufacturer, one person can set it up in three minutes.
- Durability: This tent is very durable, and it also has a two-year warranty to keep you protected if any issues arise.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- Waterproofing is reliable even in heavy rain
- Setup is easy and intuitive
- There’s more living space than many tents on the list
- It comes with a two-year warranty
Cons:
- Some users have said they had issues with zippers breaking
- In some cases, buyers have said the tent is heavier than advertised
10. MSR Elixir 2-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent
This is one of the more expensive tents on the list, but it also comes from a very well-respected manufacturer. It has a rainfly that maximizes your views, and specially designed pole geometry maximizes clearance.
Most buyers have been very happy with this tent, and they say it stands up to wind and rain especially well. However, some have said they wished it had more floor space.
Features:
- Comfort: The freestanding design with ample clearance makes this tent comfortable for two people.
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Dimensions: 84″ x 110″ floor space; maximum clearance 40″
- Weather Resistance: This tent is waterproof with an especially durable rain fly. The rain fly is designed to still allow excellent views.
- Ease Of Setup: This tent can be set up in a couple of minutes, and it has a freestanding design.
- Durability: This tent is designed to withstand the rigors of backpacking, and the ripstop fabric makes it less likely to tear.
- Season Rating: three season
Pros:
- It comes from a very reputable company
- Rainfly is designed to maximize views
- It’s freestanding and easy to set up
- It’s especially rainproof and windproof
Cons:
- It’s more expensive than most
- Some buyers have said it’s too heavy and large to be a true backpacking tent
Factors to Consider
If you’re an experienced backpacker already, you might know what you want in a tent already. However, if you’re new to backpacking, even deciding between the types of tents out there can start to feel overwhelming.
Reading backpacking tent reviews is a good idea, but before you do that, it can be helpful to have a list of what you want in a tent. Here are some of the things to consider before you choose a tent for your next (or first!) trip:
Tent Weight
A difference of a pound or two in tent weight might not seem like a lot. However, if you’ll be carrying a tent for miles, it’s good to consider something very lightweight.
While many backpackers carry one-person tents, tents that accommodate multiple people are also good to consider. If you go with a multiple-person tent, make sure you take the extra weight into account you might want to take turns carrying the tent with other people in your group.
Waterproofing
It’s pretty obvious why you need a tent to be waterproof. Most backpacking tents have sealed seams and waterproofed fabric, but less expensive tents tend to have thinner waterproof coats.
If you’re on a budget, you might want to consider adding additional waterproofing yourself. Waterproofing spray tends to not be too expensive, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to waterproof your tent (or add extra waterproofing).
Consider the Floor
Most backpacking tents have minimal floor space to cut down on weight. It’s a good idea to consider how comfortable the floor is. It’s a good idea to use a tent with a footprint, which is just an extra surface you put under the floor. Some tents have a footprint included, but you usually need to buy one separately.
You also might want to consider a tent with a bathtub floor. This ends up reducing your risk of moisture creeping in, which is a great feature to have on rainy nights. And lastly, getting a tent with a freestanding design is also something to consider these tents can be moved even after they’ve been assembled.
Making the Decision
Now that we’ve been through my list of top hiking tents, I’ll tell you my top choice. I like the Hyke and Byke Yosemite it’s lightweight and reflective, and the best part is that it comes with a footprint for added comfort.
You typically have to purchase one of these separately, and depending on the manufacturer, a good footprint can be expensive. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can buy it with confidence.
That said, you can’t go wrong with any tent on the list. Whichever one you choose, make sure you do your research and consider what you want before buying. Happy hiking!
