A 2 person tent is just the right size when you aren’t camping with a large group. You can get a smaller 2person tent for summer camping at your favorite national park for an affordable price without sacrificing any comfort or function. If you want to make the most of your camping experience and enjoy the great outdoors, investing in one of the best lightweight tents is the best place to get started.
Like with a sleeping bag, carry bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles, a climbing harness and climbing ropes, camp furniture, hiking gear, or almost anything else you will need on your future backpacking trips, finding the right 2 person tent requires a bit of research as there are so many tents on the market, but the time you invest into your search will be worth it.
You’ll want to consider a few important factors when searching for your tent type, including your budget, what type of tent makes you most comfortable (the square feet the tent floor offers, the material of the tent body, the overall packed size, the internal frame, etc.),which is most practical, and the conditions in which you’ll be camping. Summer camping means you won’t need to worry about cold temperatures or snow, but you still need to protect against summer storms and ensure there is some protection from the sun and heat.
The best place to begin your search is by setting a budget. This narrows down your selection and ensures you won’t be wasting time considering tents that you can’t afford.
The goal is to find affordable budget tents that are of decent quality or better and have all of the features you need. The lowest price is rarely the best option because,in the long run, you won’t really be saving money. A cheap tent can expose your equipment and body to the elements and will likely need to be replaced in a short time. You’re better off spending a bit more upfront and avoiding costs down the line when you learn your original purchase doesn’t provide what you need.
Tents for Camping and Backpacking
There are basically two different types of 2 person tents: those for camping and those for backpacking. Some tents can do double duty, but the distinction comes down to weight and comfort mostly.
Backpacking tents are built for just that: backpacking. They need to be light enough to carry to and from your site over several miles or more, and they need to be simple to set up. Simple set up also means you won’t be lugging a lot of poles and other equipment with you to get your tent up for the night.
The trade-off is that backpacking 2 person tents offer less space. They are utilitarian and while two people can fit into the tent, they are mainly used for sleeping and nothing else.
Camping tents, on the other hand, are more spacious and will likely take more time to set up. They tend to cost a little more, though this isn’t always the case, and they also have more bells and whistles, as well as additional weather protection. In most cases, they’ll be set up directly from a vehicle, meaning you’ll pull the tent and everything you need for setup out of your car or truck after you’ve driven right to your campsite.
Tents designed specifically for camping aren’t intended to be lugged through the forest or other terrain because they’re more involved.
Finding the Best 2 Person Tent for Summer Camping
Now that you have some idea what tent will work best for you and you’ve set a budget, you can check out the 2 person tents for camping that are available. We’ve listed our favorites below:
Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent
This is an affordable, well-constructed tent that offers value and quality. It’s on the smaller side, though it still offers plenty of room for two people to sleep, and there’s also some additional space for storing gear in the nine square foot vestibule.
The tent features two large mesh roof panels that keep the tent well-ventilated. It’s also a great way to see the stars without exposing yourself to mosquitoes or flies when you’re lying in the tent at night.
The tent comes with aluminum poles that connect to the tent with clips so set up is easy and quick because there’s no threading involved. This tent offers full coverage for two people and can stand up to the elements. It resists UV damage and is ideal for three-season camping.
This tent is lightweight, though not the lightest 2 person tent you can find, the trade-off is you get a little more elbow room inside.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 Man Tent
This tent is one of the roomiest 2 person tents you’re going to find, even though it maintains its light weight. There are two doors and the interior is configured to provide the best amount of space without needing an overall large footprint.
The tent features reliable construction and has reinforced stress points, reflective guy cords, door toggles, taped seams, and ultralight stake loops. It’s sturdy and can stand up to the elements throughout at least three seasons.
It weighs just over four pounds and is easy to set up and take down.
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV Platinum
This tent is one of the lightest you can find for two people at just under three pounds. It’s not the most spacious 2 person tent out there, but two people will fit into it comfortably with sleeping bags and other gear.
The tent is assembled using DAC Featherlite NSL poles, which are one of the lightest weight systems you can find today. The features a polyurethane coating to protect from the elements and the floor is ultralight silicone with the same coating. It’s designed to be fast and easy to set up, and it’s possible to do so with just a single person.
The Big Agnes has a single door and vestibule space. Inside is three mesh pockets to keep gear organized. It’s lined with a reflective coating so you’ll be able to see at night without any problems. The seams of the tent are lined with solvent-free polyurethane tape to ensure it is waterproof.
This tent is practical, functional, comfortable, and eco-friendly. The materials used to construct the tent were chosen with the environment and the health of the campers in mind.