Sometimes you may have to carry a bit of extra weight or keep up on repairs, but you can still find some great values while spending less.
There are a few quality tents available for backpackers looking to find a tent for under $50.

Best Quality Affordable Tent

The Coleman Sundome is a great quality tent, and although it doesn’t come close to being ultralight, it makes up for it with the value it provides. It’s a well-made and sturdy tent, with an excellent design. It’s one of the easiest tents to get set up quickly as it only has two poles. The instructions are even sewn right in to the carry bag so you won’t lose them.

Coleman Sundome 2-Person Tent

The Sundome is quick and easy to set up and comes with an effective rain shield.

Coleman Sundome 2-Person Tent Info Weight: 8 lbs Doors: 1 Sleeping Room: 47 x 82 inches

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Lightest Most Affordable Tent

If you’re not willing to sacrifice the space and extra weight but still want to get an affordable tent, the Current is a great choice. It’s designed for sleeping, so you won’t be able to stand or even move around sitting up very comfortably, but it gets the job done.

Wenzel Current 2-Person Tent

A lightweight, compact, and weatherproof tent with a Dutch “D” style front door.

Wenzel Current 2-Person Tent Info Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz Doors: 1 Sleeping Room: 37 x 82 inches

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Most Affordable Tent

Cedar Brook makes a decent tent that is certainly one of the most affordable tents you can find. It is easy to get in and out of, and also has a few extra features like a rain fly and mud mat. Like most backpacking tents, it won’t take up too much room in your pack.

Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent

A very affordable lightweight backpacking tent with easy entrance and lots of ventilation. Read Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent Review

Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent Info Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz Doors: 1 Dimensions: 39 x 50 x 84 inches

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Likewise, 2 people can sleep in a 2-person tent, but some 2-person tents will feel very cramped for 2 people. If you want to store your gear inside the tent it can become even more crowded.

To find the right tent for your adventure, consider the importance to you of all the most common tent features when choosing the right tent for your backpacking adventures:

• Length and Height

Even if you don’t mind having to duck down to get into the door, the length of the sleeping area is more important for your comfort. You’ll want to take your height in to consideration so that your feet and head aren’t squished up against the sides of the tent.

How important it is to you to be able to stand up inside of your tent? Even if getting in the door requires you to duck, the peak height of the tent may or may not allow you to do much more than lie down or sit up. The more lightweight you want to keep the tent, the less standing up you’ll be doing inside the tent.

• Doors and Windows

Depending on the layout of the tent, and the number of people that you’re sleeping in it, having more than one door may be your preference. It can be nice not having to crawl over another person while they’re sleeping.

Tent windows can be unzipped to reveal a mesh covering, which is helpful for airing out the tent, while still keeping the bugs out. Some tents even offer a skylight which may or may not be uncoverable. A skylight is a great feature for not only ventilating the tent but also for viewing the stars above while you’re lieing in the tent.

• Vestibule Area

A vestibule area is a sheltered area outside the main sleeping area of the tent. It’s a great place to leave your bags, or your shoes. Depending on how many people and how much gear you are bringing, this may or may not be a requirement for you.

• Durability and Protection

The environment you’ll be camping in will determine how important a heavier duty design is. Warm summer nights in dry areas are different from cool, wet, stormy, and windy conditions.

There are 3-season and 4-season tents. A 3-season tent won’t be suitable for winter camping so if you’re looking for colder climates make sure you’re looking at tents that are rated for winter camping.

Weatherproofing features are also very important if you’re camping anywhere that the possibility of rain could happen. Some tents include a rain cover, but it’s also a good idea to spray your tent with a waterproof treatment.

• Setup and Use

In addition to how quickly and easily you can get the tent unpacked and set up for sleeping, other things to consider are the layout, zippered door and windows, bug netting, rain cover, footprint, and vestibule access.

• Weight and Portability

A lightweight tent is often preferred since a tent is usually the biggest and heaviest piece of gear that backpackers need to pack and carry.

Keep in mind that going ultralight means you’ll be be sacrificing some level of shelter protection from heavier wind, sand, or rain.

• Budget

With so many tents for all budgets, it’s possible to find the right balance between features and keeping the cost down.

For the solo traveller, a 2-person tent offers a nice bit of extra living room.
The extra space to keep your gear or have access to items you don’t want to keep unzipped in the vestibule, will make things more comfortable.

Lightest 2-Person Tent For Backpacking

When backpacking, finding the lightest tent to pack up and carry around is important.

Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent

A very affordable lightweight backpacking tent with easy entrance and lots of ventilation. Read Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent Review

Mountain Trails Cedar Brook 2-Person Tent Info Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz Doors: 1 Dimensions: 39 x 50 x 84 inches

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Best 2-Person Tent For Tall People

Whether you’re getting a 2-person tent for 1 or 2 people to share, if one of them is tall, you have a lot more space concerns.
To comfortably fit a taller person or couple, make sure the sleeping height is long enough.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer

The Lunar Duo Explorer has more than enough room for 2 taller people, with a lot of height for sleeping and sitting comfortably. Read Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer Review

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Explorer Info Weight: 41 oz Doors: 2 Sleeping Room: 45 x 54 inches

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Best 2-Person Backpacking Tent under $100

Sticking to your budget when your budget is small doesn’t mean you have to go without a decent tent.

Topnaca Naturehike 2-Person 4-Season Tent

A durable and lightweight tent that is very well designed and quite affordable. Read Topnaca Naturehike 2-Person 4-Season Tent Review

Topnaca Naturehike 2-Person 4-Season Tent Info Weight: 3 lbs 11 oz Doors: 1 Dimensions: 51 x 44 x 81 inches

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Easiest 2-Person Tent to Set Up

Nothing is easier to set up than a pop-up tent that sets itself up for you in 2 seconds.

Quechua Pop-up 3-Person Tent

A spacious instant-pop-up tent that is well designed for keeping you dry in harsher weather. Read Quechua Pop-up 3-Person Tent Review

Quechua Pop-up 3-Person Tent Info Weight: 10 lbs 15 oz Doors: 2 Dimensions: 82.6 x 82.6 x 42.9 inches

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Best Value For 2-Person Backpacking Tent

Strong, durable liners, and a great roomy design make this our choice for the best all-around value in a 2-person tent.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent

The MSR Hubba Hubba is spacious, easy to assemble, and offers exceptional rain protection. Read MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent Review

MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2-Person Tent Info Weight: 3 lbs 7 oz Doors: 2 Dimensions: 39 x 50 x 84 inches

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