How to Choose a Backpacking Tent: A Beginner’s Guide
One of the most important pieces of gear you’ll ever buy for backpacking is your shelter.
But with so many options out there, tents, hammocks, bivy sacks, and the good old tarp, it can feel surprisingly hard to choose.
Picking the right one for you is essential for a comfortable night’s rest.
Today we will be focusing on the good old tent.
Now, you might be thinking, “How hard is it to pick out a tent?”
Well my friend, picture this.
You have purchased the tent that all the hiking websites said to get.
It’s lightweight and what you assume will be the perfect size for you and your hiking partner.
You didn’t bother to set it up before you left for your first night out with it.
I mean, you’ve set up a tent before. Why take the time to set it up before you leave?
It’s been a long day of hiking and you are finally at your campsite.
You go to set up your brand new ultralight tent and realize… this thing only has three poles.
Suddenly you’re standing in the middle of the woods with a semi-freestanding tent, hard ground that won’t accept stakes, and no idea how you’re supposed to make this thing stand up.
All while the sky glows a beautiful orange as the sun sets.
With the right skills this situation is totally manageable.
But do you have that skillset yet?
If so, you’re golden as that setting sun.
If not… you probably should have picked a different tent.
So where do we start?
The good news is that backpacking tents fall into three basic categories.
Quick Answer: What Type of Backpacking Tent Should You Choose?
Freestanding Tents – Best for beginners. Easy to set up and work well on almost any terrain.
Semi-Freestanding Tents – Lighter, but require stakes to fully pitch.
Trekking Pole Tents – Ultralight but require trekking poles and good staking skills.
Once we finish going over the types of tents, we will quickly touch base on some other considerations to help you decide what the best backpacking tent is for you.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Backpacking Tent
While the type of tent you choose will have a lot to do with your skillset, many of the other considerations will have a lot to do with your personal backpacking style and comfort.
Freestanding Tents
Freestanding tents are exactly what they sound like. Once the poles are assembled, the tent can stand on its own without needing to be staked into the ground.
You can usually pick them up, move them around your campsite, shake dirt out of them, and reposition them before staking them down.
For beginners, this is often the easiest and least frustrating type of backpacking tent to use.
Imagine reaching camp late in the day after hiking for hours. Maybe the ground is rocky, or the soil is so hard that driving stakes into it feels impossible. With a freestanding tent, you can still get the tent structure up without relying entirely on the stakes.
Most freestanding tents still use stakes to fully secure the rainfly and keep everything tight in windy conditions, but the tent itself doesn’t collapse if the stakes aren’t perfect.
Our first backpacking tents were two REI Half Dome 2+ tents. They weighed quite a bit, each coming in around 5 lbs, but they were so roomy and easy to set up.
We were easily able to fit one adult, one kid, and one large dog in each tent along with all of our gear. Even with a decent sized vestibule, I like to keep all the stuff in the tent with me.
I’m not tall, but my husband is 6’3” and can comfortably lay down and sit up in this spacious tent.
It is so easy to set up, the kids were able to do it themselves after a year or two. Keep in mind this was when we were just starting out so they were only 5 and 8 at the time.
I typically don’t like to recommend specific gear, but this thing was economical, durable, spacious, and easy to set up for beginners. I wouldn’t recommend it for solo hiking, because of the weight, but it would be a palace for one person.
Pros of Freestanding Tents
Very beginner friendly
Easy to pitch on difficult terrain
Can be moved around after setup
Usually feel more spacious and structured
Cons of Freestanding Tents
Heavier than other backpacking tents
Often slightly bulkier when packing
For many hikers, especially those just getting into backpacking, a freestanding tent is the most forgiving choice. It’s the type of tent that lets you focus more on enjoying the trail and less on wrestling with your shelter at the end of the day.
Semi-Freestanding Tents
Semi-freestanding tents are kind of the middle ground between freestanding tents and trekking pole shelters.
They have a pole structure that holds most of the tent upright, but they still rely on stakes to fully create their shape.
Usually the head of the tent stands up with poles, but the foot end needs to be staked out to give the tent its full structure.
This design allows manufacturers to shave off some weight while still keeping many of the benefits of a traditional tent.
The tradeoff is that these tents can be a little more particular about where and how you pitch them.
If the ground is extremely hard, rocky, or covered in roots, you might struggle to get the stakes placed in the right spots. And without those stakes, the tent might feel loose, saggy, or oddly shaped.
Which brings us back to that moment we talked about earlier… standing in the woods at sunset wondering how this three-pole puzzle is supposed to work.
I have never had a semi-freestanding tent. We jumped right from a freestanding to a trekking pole tent, but I hear these are a great in between. Especially if you don’t hike with trekking poles.
Pros of Semi-Freestanding Tents
Lighter than most freestanding tents
Still have a familiar pole structure
Often pack down smaller
Cons of Semi-Freestanding Tents
Requires stakes to hold their shape
Can be tricky on hard or rocky ground
Usually less forgiving if pitched poorly
Semi-freestanding tents can be a great option if you want to start reducing pack weight but still want something that feels like a traditional tent.
There are alternative ways to secure a tent when the ground is hard, frozen, or sandy, but that’s a whole other topic for another post.
Non-Freestanding / Trekking Pole Tents
Non-freestanding tents take things one step further.
These tents don’t have dedicated tent poles at all. Instead, they rely on trekking poles and carefully placed stakes to create their structure.
Because they remove the tent poles entirely, trekking pole tents are often much lighter than traditional backpacking tents. That’s why they are extremely popular with ultralight backpackers and long-distance hikers.
The tradeoff is that they require a little more skill and patience to set up.
The shape of the tent is created entirely by how well it’s staked out and how the trekking poles are positioned. If your stake placement is off or the ground doesn’t cooperate, the pitch might end up crooked, saggy, or less weather-resistant than it should be.
They also depend heavily on having the right type of campsite. Rocky ground, wooden tent platforms, or places where stakes can’t be driven easily can make pitching these shelters challenging.
That doesn’t mean they’re bad tents. We opted for the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 4 for our AT thru hike because it sleeps all four of us and only weighs a little over two pounds for the rainfly and mesh insert with a bathtub floor.
With a little practice we were able to set that thing up on all sorts of crazy terrain and in not ideal weather, but there was a learning curve that I wouldn’t recommend for beginners.
Non-freestanding/ trekking pole tents are a little less forgiving if you’re still learning the ropes. These are the type of tents you definitely want to practice putting up a few times before you take them into the woods.
Pros of Trekking Pole Tents
Extremely lightweight
Often packs down very small
Great for long distance backpacking
Cons of Trekking Pole Tents
Require trekking poles
Need careful stake placement
less beginner friendly
Can take practice to pitch well
For hikers trying to keep their pack as light as possible, trekking pole tents are an incredible option. But if you’re new to backpacking, they can sometimes add a little extra complexity to an already new experience.
What About Hammocks, Tarps, and Bivy Sacks?
Backpacking tents aren’t the only shelter option on the trail.
Some hikers prefer hammocks, bivy sacks, or simple tarps instead of traditional tents.
Hammocks are popular in heavily forested areas where trees are easy to find. They can be extremely comfortable and lightweight, but they require the right setup and aren’t ideal everywhere.
Bivy sacks are essentially waterproof sleeping bag covers that create a very minimalist shelter. They’re small, light, and simple, but they don’t offer much space or comfort compared to a tent.
Tarps are one of the lightest shelter options available. With the right setup they can provide excellent protection from the elements, but they require practice and a good understanding of how to pitch them properly.
All three options have their place in the backpacking world, but for beginners looking for a simple and reliable shelter, a traditional backpacking tent is usually the easiest place to start.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Backpacking Tent
Like I said before, everything in this section will be more about personal preference than skill level.
Just because you are roughing it in the woods, doesn’t mean you want to be miserable and uncomfortable. I’ve said a million times, I won’t go out without my chair.
These are some important considerations that can affect the enjoyment of your trip. Of course everything has its trade-offs, so let's dive in.
Backpacking Tent Size and Shape: How Big Should Your Tent Be?
When you are considering how big you need/want your backpacking tent to be, you have to take a few things into consideration.
When you picture yourself using the tent, will you normally be solo, with a partner, with your kids, will your dog be with you?
What is your sleep set up like? Do you have a wide sleeping pad or a narrow sleeping pad that tapers at the feet?
Do you like to have all your gear in the tent with you or will you be leaving it outside?
Will you feel claustrophobic if you are stuck in it all day because its pouring rain and you just don’t feel like hiking today?
All these things will affect the size tent you will be the most comfortable in.
Just because a tent says 2-person, doesn’t mean two people will be comfortable in it. That just means two people can lay side by side touching each other all night long.
Not all tents are rectangular either. Some taper at the feet to save weight.
Many outdoor gear stores will allow you to setup the tent before you purchase it so you can really get a good feel of the height and width of the tent before you purchase it. I highly recommend you take advantage of this.
Backpacking Tent Weight: How Light Should You Go?
Weight is one of the biggest factors hikers consider when choosing a backpacking tent.
Ultralight tents can weigh as little as one to two pounds, while more traditional backpacking tents might weigh four to five pounds.
For beginners, it’s often better to focus on ease of use and comfort first, and worry about shaving ounces later. A tent that’s slightly heavier but easy to pitch will usually make your first trips much more enjoyable.
When we started out, we went for the roomier tent with the nice vestibule. It was ideal for the type of weekend trips we were taking.
We switched to a lighter option when we decided to do a 2,200 mile thru hike.
The type of trips you will be taking is a huge consideration when you are picking your gear.
Vestibules: What They Are and Why They Matter
A vestibule is the covered space outside your tent door created by the rainfly.
This area is often used to store muddy boots, backpacks, or wet gear while keeping the inside of your tent clean and dry.
Some tents have large vestibules that can hold quite a bit of gear, while others have very minimal ones. If you like keeping your pack protected but outside the tent, vestibule size is something worth paying attention to.
I like keeping my gear inside with me even if it’s wet because I don’t want any critters getting to my stuff, but I still love a nice big vestibule.
Vestibules allow me to get my shoes on outside the tent, even when it’s raining, helping keep the inside clean. They also allow me to take my wet gear off outside, while protecting me from the rain.
The one thing I really miss when we are carrying our Ultamid 4 is the vestibule.
3 Season or 4 Season Tent
The biggest question here is will you ever backpack in the winter?
If the answer is no, then a 3 season tent is all you need.
Most backpackers use 3-season tents, which are designed for spring, summer, and fall conditions. These tents focus on ventilation and weight savings while still providing protection from rain and moderate wind.
4-season tents are built for extreme conditions like heavy snow, strong winds, and winter mountaineering. They are typically heavier, stronger, and less ventilated to retain warmth.
For the vast majority of backpackers, a 3-season tent is the best choice.
Unless you plan to camp in deep winter or alpine conditions, a 4-season tent is usually unnecessary.
Our Ultamid 4 is a 4 season tent and is super light weight and durable. It has held up amazingly in wind and in snow, but it did come with a hefty price tag.
Tent Fabrics – Do They Matter?
Backpacking tents are made from a variety of lightweight fabrics, and the type of material used can affect both the weight and durability of the tent.
Heavier fabrics are usually more affordable, while lighter fabrics help reduce pack weight but often come with a higher price tag.
You might also see terms like silnylon, silpoly, or Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) when looking at ultralight tents. These materials can significantly reduce weight, but they can also increase the cost of the tent.
For beginners, fabric type usually isn’t something to stress over too much. Choosing a tent that is easy to set up, comfortable, and fits your needs will matter far more than shaving a few ounces with an exotic fabric.
The one thing I would highly recommend is ripstop fabric. This is a fabric that is sewn with little squares in it to stop tears from getting bigger.
You are out in the woods. Things get snagged. When you upgrade to a ripstop fabric that snag will be more of a minor inconvenience than a gaping hole in your tent.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right backpacking tent can feel overwhelming at first, but it really comes down to a few simple questions.
What type of setup feels easiest for you?
How much weight are you comfortable carrying?
And how much space do you want at the end of a long day on the trail?
For many beginners, a simple freestanding tent that is easy to pitch and roomy enough to stay comfortable will make those first trips far more enjoyable.
As you spend more time backpacking, your preferences might change. You may decide to chase lighter gear, experiment with trekking pole tents, or try something completely different like hammocks or tarps.
But no matter what shelter you choose, the most important thing is that it gives you a dry, comfortable place to rest after a day of adventure.
Because at the end of the day, the best backpacking tent is the one that lets you sleep well so you can wake up ready to enjoy the trail again tomorrow.
Quick Tip: If you have been out in the rain, make sure to fully dry your tent out when you get home. The next time you use it you don’t want it smelling all mildewy. Gross