Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking tents as a result of they are often arrange shortly nearly anyplace, on wood tent platforms, rock, sand, snow, and even climber’s portaledges, with out having to be staked to the bottom first. That is notably helpful in poor climate when it’s essential get out of the climate and may’t seek for a protected tent website or dig one out within the snow.
Listed here are the ten greatest freestanding tents for backpacking that we advocate throughout a variety of value factors and weights:
Most freestanding tents are wedge or dome-shaped, making them extremely climate and wind-resistant. Nevertheless, freestanding tents are usually barely heavier than non-freestanding ones as a result of they need to be self-supporting, with lengthy tent poles that add extra weight. Some two-person fashions could be cramped, notably ones designed for mountaineering the place consolation is commonly sacrificed within the identify of diminished gear weight. Nonetheless, the expertise of establishing a freestanding tent is liberating as a result of you may pitch one anyplace there’s flat floor. That sort of flexibility is extremely useful when it’s essential get out of the climate and right into a safe and steady shelter.
1. Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2
The Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is a well-liked two-person backpack tent and with good purpose. This freestanding tent is straightforward to arrange and has two doorways so you will get out and in with out having to crawl over your companion at evening. It has a spacious inside with plenty of headroom and vertical sidewalls so you may change garments and sit up inside with out touching the perimeters. Off-the-floor storage within the type of an outsized ceiling pocket within the head, facet pockets, and media pockets present loads of area for private objects you need shut at hand. Weighing simply 2 lbs 11 oz, the Copper Spur is an exceptionally light-weight however totally featured backpacking palace. Learn the SectionHiker Copper Spur HV UL2 Evaluation. The freestanding one-person Copper Spur HV UL 1 can also be a hiker favourite.
The NEMO Dagger OSMO 2P Tent is a spacious freestanding double-wall tent for 2 individuals with two doorways and two vestibules. Weighing 3 lbs 6 oz, the tent is made with NEMO’s new OSMO polyester/nylon ripstop material which reduces rain fly sag when moist and improves waterproofing. The spacious inside and quite a few livability accents make the Dagger OSMO 2P an ideal tent for tall individuals or {couples} that need extra room to unfold out. Learn the SectionHiker Dagger OSMO 2 Evaluation.
The REI Trailmade 2 is a budget-friendly two-person freestanding tent that’s light-weight sufficient for backpacking and tenting. With a minimal path weight of 4 lbs 4 oz, its X-pole configuration makes it a straightforward tent to arrange and will increase the vertical area on the ends. Its two stake-out vestibules present separate entrances for every occupant advert massive coated areas for gear storage with rainfly doorways roll up over the roof for a transparent view of the sky whereas additionally bettering venting and decreasing condensation. Inside, the symmetrical, rectangular flooring offers an environment friendly, snug format with inside pockets and kit loops to assist arrange your necessities. An optionally available footprint is included together with stakes and stuff sacks, offering large worth.
The Zpacks Duplex is without doubt one of the hottest Dyneema trekking pole tents in the present day. Weighing simply 18.5 oz, it will probably accommodate two adults and has two doorways and two vestibules. It will also be become a totally freestanding tent with the addition of the ten.2 oz Duplex Freestanding Flex Equipment (trekking poles not required.) The equipment contains two Easton carbon fiber tent poles and easy-to-install adapters that permit you to arrange the Duplex as a freestanding tent so you may set it up on rock ledge, snow, or wood platforms, the place it may be tough to safe tent stakes. Word: The Duplex + Duplex Freestanding Flex Equipment shouldn’t be the identical as Zpacks FreeDuo Tent.
The NEMO DragonFly 2 is a light-weight freestanding two-person tent with two doorways and two outsized vestibules that present ample storage for backpacks and moist mountain climbing boots. Weighing 2 lbs 10 oz, the tent is made with NEMO’s new OSMO polyester/nylon ripstop material which reduces rain fly sag when moist and improves waterproofing. The tent’s exoskeleton structure comes with prebent tent poles that maximize head and shoulder area, offering loads of room inside to alter garments or sit out wet climate, whereas massive D-shaped doorways make it straightforward to enter and exit the tent and will also be rolled again in sizzling climate for further air flow. Overhead mild pockets at each ends use particular light-diffusing material to solid a fair glow all through the tent whereas inside gear pockets within the corners provide occupants ample storage for private objects. Learn the SectionHiker DragonFly 2 Evaluation.
The Slingfin Portal is a light-weight two-person tent that can be utilized year-round in additional excessive climate (Slingfin was based by Martin Zematis, the man who began Mountain {Hardware}). Weighing simply 2 lbs 13 oz, it has a novel inside guyline system that provides excellent wind resistance with out extra weight. Two massive vestibules and quite a few inside pockets present best-in-class livability, whereas its freestanding, dome-shaped exoskeleton makes it straightforward to arrange. Kickstand door vents present unrestricted cross-tent airflow for wonderful condensation administration with out sacrificing climate safety. Learn the SectionHiker SlingFin Portal Evaluation.
The NEMO Aurora 2 is a freestanding two-person tent with two doorways, two vestibules, and a variety of inside area. Weighing 4 lbs 9 oz, it has steep partitions and a flooring plan that’s large sufficient to accommodate 25″ large sleeping pads. Constructed-in gear pockets provide ample storage for private objects, whereas overhead mild pockets use particular light-diffusing material to solid a fair glow all through the tent. This tent comes with a footprint and contains snaps, so you may snap in an add-on pawprint inside liner to guard the ground out of your canine’s paws.
The Mountain Hardwear Side 2 is a spacious two-person tent with two doorways and two vestibules that weighs simply 2 lbs 14.7 oz. Regardless of its extraordinary light-weight (for a tent of this measurement), it’s made with sturdy materials together with a 40 denier flooring making certain a few years of use. The rain fly is coated with silicone on either side for longevity, waterproof safety, and enhanced resistance to the solar’s dangerous rays.
The Tarptent Rainbow is on the market in a number of fashions: as a one or two-person tent, as a single or double-wall tent, and made with silnylon or Dyneema Composite materials. More often than not, the individuals stake out the corners and vestibules of the Rainbow once they pitch it on floor that’s comfortable sufficient to carry tent stakes. However it will also be arrange as a totally freestanding tent by connecting the corners to the tops and bottoms of a pair of trekking poles. There’s no add-on equipment required. You would set it up that manner on a regular basis should you needed.
The MSR Hubba Hubba 2 is a good tent for 2 individuals. It’s straightforward to arrange and has two doorways so you may come and go at evening with out disturbing your associate. Freestanding, the pole configuration creates an inside area that has near-vertical partitions and a very rectangular flooring plan, enabling using large 25″ sleeping pads. With a path weight of two kilos and 10 ounces, the Hubba Hubba 2 is light-weight sufficient for backpacking use when shared by two individuals. Learn the SectionHiker overview.
When evaluating freestanding tents, it helps to analysis the local weather circumstances you count on to make use of the tent in, as it will inform the diploma of tent pole energy and breathability required.
Tent Air flow
Tents home windows, doorways, and vents are Vital to attenuate and cut back inside condensation. That is achieved by maintaining the door(s) open when possible, via peak and facet vents, and in some instances via using breathable wall materials. You’ll be able to by no means have an excessive amount of air flow in a tent, though the addition of doorways and zippers can lead to elevated weight.
Tent Pole Structure
Most freestanding tents have two or three crossed poles, anchored inside or outdoors the tent partitions. Exterior poles which can be anchored in sleeves are a lot stronger than poles that hook up with an interior tent utilizing clips or velcro tabs. They’re rather more wind resistant and able to withstanding heavier snow masses.
Inside Tent House
Freestanding tents designed for top alpine mountaineering use are sometimes smaller and extra cramped than these designed for four-season use as a result of weight financial savings are so essential when it’s important to climb many hundreds of ft to achieve your vacation spot. When choosing a tent be life like about your size and width necessities, notably when selecting a two-person wedge model tent.
Variety of Doorways
Tents designed to carry two occupants are extra snug and handy to make use of if they’ve two doorways and vestibules as a result of you may come and go with out waking your tent associate. Dome-style tents typically present larger coated vestibule storage, which may make a major distinction in livability.
See Additionally:
Verify Out All of SectionHiker’s Gear Guides!
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We independently analysis, check, and fee the perfect merchandise. We solely make cash if you buy a product via our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.
