Best two-person tents for backpacking 2023

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall is an ultralight tent that, thanks to its thin fabrics, is roomier than most heavier tents. The fabrics are solution-dyed and more environmentally friendly, reducing energy and water use during manufacture.

Pitching is inner-first, which is easy and fast, though it does mean that there’s the risk that the inner could get damp in rain.The inner is mostly mesh and features built-in LED lights that require three AAA batteries to run.

Two porches mean each person has their own door, and the porches are big enough for gear storage, cooking, and easy access. Big Agnes recommends using a footprint to extend the life of the tent floor, which adds 170 grams to the weight.

Overall, the Tiger Wall is a great choice for those who want plenty of room without much weight, but more care is needed than with heavier tents due to its thin fabrics.

Read our full Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 MTN GLO review
More info: bigagnes.com

Nemo Dagger OSMO 2P

Rating: 4.5/5

Likes: Excellent space-to-weight, innovative fabric

Dislikes: Expensive, inner-first pitching

Price: $480 | £510 | Weight: 3 lb , 6 oz | 1.52 kg | Packed weight: 4 lb , 2 oz | 1.86 kg | Packed size: 19.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 in | 50 x 16 x 9 cm | Height: 42 in | 106 cm | Floor dimensions: 90 x 50 in | 229 x 127 cm | Flysheet: OSMO | Inner: 0D OSMO Ripstop (2000 mm) and Nylon Ripstop/ No-See-Um Mesh.

The Dagger OSMO from U.S. outdoor equipment experts, Nemo, offers ample space for two people to stretch out, with two large porches for gear and cooking equipment. The tent is easy to set up and features Nemo’s new OSMO fabric, which is PFC-free, 100% recycled and offers 4x more water repellency than standard tent fabrics.

Useful features include numerous internal pockets, a removable “Landing Zone” to keep gear stored in the porch off wet ground and colour-coded pole ends and docks.

While slightly expensive, the Nemo Dagger OSMO is a good option for backpackers looking for a lightweight, versatile, roomy and comfortable shelter.

Read our full Nemo Dagger OSMO review
More info: nemoequipment.eu

 

Nordisk Telemark 2 LW

Rating: 4/5

Likes: Packed size, lightweight

Dislikes: Delicate materials, price

Price: £662 | Maker’s weight: 880g | TGO weight: 994g | Flysheet: 10D ripstop nylon | Poles: Carbon Pegs: 4 x 16.5cm titanium V-peg | Inner Size: 220cms long, 135cms wide at door, 76cms & 102cms wide at ends, 100cms at high point.

This lightweight tent, which has been around for a number of years has now, is popular amongst the backpacking community. 

It’s light, has a very small packed volume and it’s capable of withstanding strong winds when pitched correctly.

The flysheet is made from ultralight silicon coated nylon and this is pitched first with the mesh inner then hung inside it (you can also pitch them together). The porch is quite small but it’s still big enough for a backpack and your boots – and for cooking alongside them too. There’s one single hooped pole and then two short poles at the foot of the tent that can be assembled together to create a rod for propping the tent door up, forming a canopy over the porch. 

While this might be made for two-person camping, those camping in this will need to be prepared to get cosy with their overnight companion as the space inside is quite small. It’s actually lighter than many one-person tent designs out there, so it’s ideal as a very roomy solo tent. For two people, this is probably best-suited to things like adventure races where you’ll only be spending one or two nights camped out – a short enough time to be able to tolerate the lack of space.

Read our full Nordisk Telemark 2 review
More info: nordisk.co.uk

How to choose the best two-person tent

Here are some of the crucial aspects to consider when you’re in the market for a new two-person shelter. These should all be weighed up against your own requirements, including the conditions you’ll be using the tent in and the type of trip too.

Comfortable fit

The length of a tent, the angle of the walls and the headroom all matter. If your sleeping bag pushes against the walls it may get damp from condensation. Walls that angle in sharply restrict living space, and being unable to sit up is uncomfortable. Note that inflatable mats can be thick and reduce headroom. For the most comfort the highest parts of the inner should extend enough that both occupants can sit up.

Pitch perfect

Pitching should be easy and quick. Tents may pitch as units or inner-first – few now pitch flysheet-first. The advantage of pitching as a unit is that it’s fast and the inner can’t get wet in rain. With inner- first-pitching tents you need to be able to erect it really fast in rain to minimise how wet the walls and floor get. An advantage of inner-first-pitching tents is that you can just use the inner on dry nights, which means no condensation, and it keeps bugs out. If the inner has a mesh roof you can see the stars too! Most tents come with pitching instructions but it does help to know the basics of how to pitch a tent before you set out to use your tent for the first time.

Weighty topic

To keep the weight down, some tents come with a thin groundsheet with a low ‘hydrostatic head’ (the height of a column of water it can support before it starts to come through). Often, makers advise the use of a footprint but only supply one as an extra, which means more cost and weight. The weights of the tents reviewed range from 1.18kg to 2.86kg. The weight is not necessarily an indicator of size, though – the two lightest tents are also two of the roomiest – but it’s often a sign of ultralight materials.

Tents suitable for use in the British hills should prioritise weather resistance, so it’s worth looking for down-to-the-ground flysheets and groundsheets with a high hydrostatic head. Tents that pitch as a unit are useful when the weather is bad too.

Materials

Silicone-coated fabrics are very light and durable and therefore they make for good flysheet materials. PU-coated ones are heavier for the same strength and don’t last as long but cost less. Polyester stretches less when wet than nylon but isn’t as strong. Silicone on both sides of a fabric reduces how much moisture it absorbs and how long it takes to dry as well as increasing its life. Some fabrics have silicone outside so rain runs off and PU inside so the seams can be taped.

For inner materials, breathable nylon or polyester tend to be good for resisting drips from condensation and keeping out breezes. These materials can be a bit hot in warm weather so optional mesh doors are useful. Mesh inners are cooler, but breezes can blow through; and if condensation drips they don’t keep it out as well as solid fabric.

Groundsheets need to be made from heavier fabrics than flysheets and have a higher hydrostatic head. Some makers advise using a footprint under a thin groundsheet.

This article we compiled on how to clean a tent will explain more about some of the different fabrics and how to maintain them.

Inner dimensions

The inner should be long enough that your sleeping bag doesn’t push against the end. Ideally there should be room for two full-size sleeping mats side by side. Headroom should allow both occupants to sit up comfortably.

Best two-person tents: Poles, pegs and guylines

Poles should be easy and quick to attach, and colour-coded so it’s clear where each one goes.

A good set of pegs mixes thin ones for hard ground and wider ones for soft ground. The ones for key pegging points and guylines should be at least 15cm long. Packing extra pegs is advisable.

Guylines are the key to stability in strong winds. Extra guylines are useful in a big storm. Many tents have attachment points for these.

Porches and doors

The porch should be big enough for safe cooking and for storing wet gear and packs. Two porches mean each person has their own storage space and their own entrance.

Flysheet doors that can be opened in a number of ways are the most versatile. In good weather you can open them fully for easy access and views. In storms there should be a side away from the weather that can be opened if cooking. Two doors allow each person their own exit.

Ventilation

Protected vents or upper door zips that can be left open in all but the worst weather can reduce condensation. Only close vents if you really must.