Selecting the Right two-person tent for you
You and your adventure buddy are gearing up for your camping trip. You're staring at all the options for 2-person tents. Your mind runs through the checklist of what your tent needs to be, and then you remember an article about 2-person tents. You sigh with relief and pull up the article, and all is well. Okay, maybe we're going a little overboard. We love 2-person tents and wanted to share some options we think are great. Ranging from lightest, to most durable, to most cost-effective. I am no stranger to 2-person tents.
Pull out your camping gear and get ready to add to it.
Quick overview.
2-Person Tents; Backpacking: Agnes Scout 2 Platinum 2-person tent
2-Person Tents; Bikepacking: Big Anges Spur HV UL2 Bikepack
2-Person Tents; Budget/Value: Marmot Catalyst 2P Tent
2-Person Tents; Ecofriendly: Vaude Power Lizard Tunnel 2-person tent
Honorable Mentions: Small list of tents we enjoyed but did not rank.
Important Phrases To Know:
Trail weight: The total weight of only the tent body, rain fly, and poles. Unless mentioned, stakes are not factored in.
Packed weight: Total weight of tent when purchased
The number of seasons: The number of seasons a tent is designed for.
Footprint: Ground cloth that lays between a tent and the ground.
2-PERSON Tents; Backpacking: Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum
weight and size matter when you're taking on a backpacking trip. I recommend going with Big Agnes Scout 2 Platinum 2 person tent when you're gearing up. Offering an overall lightweight setup with all needed components, Scout 2 Platinum checks off all our boxes. You have no reason not to pack this tent at an impressive 1lb 1oz trail weight. Though the tent is lightweight, it still is durable enough to get you through many camping seasons.
2 Person Tents; Bikepacking: Big Anges Spur HV UL2 Bikepack
Freestanding, ultralight, 3 seasons, and ready to ride. Big Anges Suur HV UL2 2 person tents are made to throw into a pannier or other bike bag quickly. Weighing in at 2lb 15oz trail weight. I am a fan of the low weight, easy packability, and durability. Ihighly recommend using this tent for your next bikepacking trip.
2-PERSON Tents; Budget/Value: Marmot Catalyst
The Marmot Catalyst 2P Tent is pretty bare-bones compared to other options on this blog, but it still is a good option on a budget. This tent will run you about $120, which is a fraction of the cost of other tents. This tent includes a footprint, so it's genuinely a one-and-done start. If you are on a tight budget or just testing the water, the Marmot Catalyst 2P tent is a strong stepping stone. The main downside we feel is worth mentioning is that the ventilation is not the best. There is a possibility that the tent will have condensation in the morning. Overall it is a good option for 2 person tents.
2-PERSON
22-PERSON Person Tents; Eco-friendly: Vaude Power Lizard Tunnel
All campers should be trying to find ways to leave a small impact on the beautiful places we visit. An eco-friendly is a great way to commit to this ideology. For this section, we're going to go wide with a company that I am impressed with Vaude's commitment to sustainable practices. My favorite in their offerings is the Vaude Power Lizard Tunnel 2 person tents. Weighing roughly 3lbs, it's the heaviest on our list, which is worth considering depending on how you pack.
Honorable Mentions:
Mountain Hardware Mineral Kind 2 Tent
Nemo Aura 2 Backpacking Tent & Footprint
The North Face Eo Trail Tent 2 person
Sea to Summit Alto TR2
Time To Pack It In
I have enjoyed taking you on this discovery of 2-person tents. There are many options to choose from, and we hope this has helped you narrow your search.
