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Today I would like to talk about how to select the best freestanding backpacking tent and what characteristics you should pay attention to while choosing one. Sometimes manufacturers put wrong information to make their product more valuable. It makes it complicated for you to look for a useful and reliable tent. My acquaintances and I have tried a large variety of different equipment, so I would like to help you out and recommend the best one. All the information on my list of self standing tents is 100% reliable, so you should not worry about the veracity of characteristics at all.
7 Best Freestanding Tents to Serve You for Long
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL: Top Pick
- Kelty Dirt Motel 4P Tent: Runner Up
- MSR Hubba Hubba NX: Premium Pick
- Kelty Late Start 1 Person: Best Value
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2P Tent: Best Budget Option
- Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent: Durable Option for a Reasonable Price
- Bessport Backpacking Tent: Light Tent for Camping and Hiking
Now, I would like to tell you more about the brands and products I have chosen for this compilation. They are in different price ranges, but all of them have useful characteristics recommended for the products often used during hiking sessions. There are various factors to consider, and the first one the size of the item. It is recommended to have a 2 person freestanding tent because it weighs less than two tents that can hold maximum 1 person. You should also pay attention to the waterproof rating of the product. The more mm specified, the better the waterproof ability is. Let’s see the products that might attract your attention.
1. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL: Top Pick
Key characteristics
- Brand: Big Agnes
- Material: Nylon, Aluminium, Fabric
- Occupancy: 1 Person
- Weight: 2.39 Pounds
- Special Feature: Ultralight, Sun Protection, Rainfly
The first ultralight freestanding tent on my list is manufactured by the popular Big Agnes company. The brand creates various quality products for camping, such as tents, sleeping bags, camp furniture, etc. Let us see what positive features this tent has.
With this item, you can select the size you need, choosing one for 1, 2, 3, or even 4 people. Even if you opt for the 4 people option, the tent will still be light and easy to carry. There are also many pockets on the walls and a large ceiling pocket that makes your inventory easily accessible.
Besides, you can choose between two different colors. The tent can be either orange or olive green. The fly has 1200 waterproof rating, which is a good number for most trips. Thanks to the ultralight light and durable nylon, Copper Spur HV UL does not weigh much (approximately 3 lbs). Most customers find the price of the product not very high. Many of my friends regularly go camping with this exact model. They say they had no issues assembling the tent and carrying it for many miles.
- Reasonable price;
- Two color options;
- Many useful pockets;
- Ultralight;
- Durable material;
- Made by a well-known brand.
- A 4-person tent is the most expensive one.
2. Kelty Dirt Motel 4P Tent: Runner Up
Key characteristics
- Brand: Kelty
- Material: Nylon
- Occupancy: 3 Person
- Seasons: 3 Season
- Weight: 5.45 Pounds
- Special Feature: Rain-cover, Water-Resistant, Portable, Lightweight, Accessory pockets
Dirt Motel is a product that can easily compete with the previous Copper Spur tent in terms of characteristics and quality. Kelty is a famous US company that has been manufacturing camping inventory since 1952. This spacious tent can include up to 4 people.
Though there are no color options to choose from, you can benefit from the rainfly waterproof rating of 1500mm. The floor of the tent offers 3000mm of water resistance. It is made of 70D nylon. The maximum package weight will not exceed 6lbs 20 oz. Like other tents on the list, the Dirt Model has 2 doors that can be opened from the inside and outside. There are also many pockets to store your inventory. They are located on the walls, while there is also one ceiling pocket.
Another good thing is that you can easily roll up the rainfly and fix it with special clips. Thus, you can improve the vent system and clearly see the sky through the tent. If you want to protect the tent from the wet ground more, you can purchase the Dirt Motel 4P footprint. However, this footprint does not come in a kit, so you need to look for it separately. Kelty also offers a decent warranty for their product.
- Does not weigh much;
- Many entrances;
- Water-resistant floor;
- Affordable price.
- No color options.
3. MSR Hubba Hubba NX: Premium Pick
Key characteristics
- Brand: MSR
- Material: Aluminium
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Seasons: 3 Season
- Weight: 3.8 Pounds
- Special Feature: Waterproof, Lightweight, Rainfly
Hubba Hubba NX is a 2-person lightweight freestanding tent that is designed for 3 seasons by the MSR company. MSR (Mountain Safety Research, to be more precise) produces quality camp equipment for a reasonable price (shoes, tents, sleeping bags, etc.) and was founded in 1969.
The model Hubba Hubba NX weighs approximately 3-3.5 pounds, which makes it very light. The floor fabric has a 3000mm water resistance rating. The material is 30D ripstop nylon, which is a quality material that makes your tent durable. The peak height of the product reaches 39 inches.
Hubba Hubba NX offers a thoroughly designed vent that will help the air to circulate freely inside. In addition, it should not take much time to set up the tent because there are color-coded clips that will help you understand where to place the poles. The main con I have managed to find in the product is its price as the tent costs slightly more than the previous ones. Nevertheless, the quality of the item is definitely worth your attention.
- 3000mm water resistance;
- Very light;
- Quality components.
- High price.
4. Kelty Late Start 1 Person: Best Value
Key characteristics
- Brand: Kelty
- Material: Nylon
- Occupancy: 1 Person
- Seasons 3 Season
- Weight: 3 Pounds
- Special Feature: Rain-cover, Water-Resistant, Portable, Lightweight, Accessory pockets
I like this tent because it is not very expensive, featuring almost the same characteristics as the previous tents I have described. The only difference is that there is only 1 door. You can also choose between various sizes — a tent for 1, 2, or 4 people.
While installing the product, you will be able to place the poles into the special pocket that will protect them from damage. This will be useful in case you want to move your tent to another place. The fly attachments are color-coded, which will save you some time during installation. The waterproof rating of the floor is 1800mm. This is not the best number in my review, but still nice, considering the price.
The 1-person option weighs approximately 3 pounds. The manufacturer provides this model only in blue color; there are no other options available. The dimensions for 1 person are 85 x 40 x 30 inches, for 2 people these numbers equal 85 x 54 x 40 inches, and for 4 individuals the dimensions are 99 x 81 x 81 inches. The material of the model is quality 68D polyester.
- Lightweight;
- Reasonable price;
- You can choose between 3 sizes of the product.
- Available only in blue color; no other options.
5. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2P Tent: Best Budget Option
Key characteristics
- Brand: ALPS Mountaineering
- Material: Polyester, Aluminum
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Seasons 3 Season
- Weight: 5.8 Pounds
- Special Feature: Two Doors and Two Vestibules
ALPS Mountaineering is one of the best freestanding backpacking tents in this price range. It is not very expensive but can compete with other popular products due to its durable materials and lightweight. The Lynx model is made by ALPS Mountaineering brand, designing and manufacturing outdoor equipment since 1993.
As for the color, you can choose between 3 different patterns. The first one is blue-green, the second option is clay with “rust” elements, and the last is gray with blue. The weight of the tent reaches approximately 6 pounds, so I wouldn’t call it the lightest freestanding tent. The floor has a 2000mm water protection rating, which is really noteworthy, considering the price. The tent offers two doors with high-quality zippers that will serve you for a long time.
The rainfly and the tent itself are made of polyester. The center height reaches approximately 46”. The installation is pretty straightforward because you simply have to put the poles in the required area and use some clamps to fix them.
- Pocket-friendly price;
- Various color options available;
- A lot of positive reviews on the Web.
- The tent is not very light.
6. Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent: Durable Option for a Reasonable Price
Key characteristics
- Brand: Featherstone
- Material: Sil-Nylon
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Seasons 3 Season
- Weight: 4.2 Pounds
- Special Feature: Ultralight, Waterproof, Lightweight, Rainfly
I have enjoyed using this tent because of the durable and quality materials offered at a reasonable price. This model is often on sale, which complements the price even more. You can choose between two color options: orange and green.
You can use this 2-person tent for three seasons. The product is not really comfortable for the winter season. The stakes that come in a kit are made of aluminum. They are lightweight, so it won’t be a problem to carry them around. And it is really easy to connect them to each other, so the installation will not take much time.
A rainfly and floor are both made of polyester and have 3000mm water protection. Considering the price, the dimensions are great. The vent system here has a lot in common with the vent of top-tents. So if you wish to save some money and choose a backpacking tent, I recommend you to pay attention to this one. In addition, Featherstone provides owners of their tent with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Not expensive;
- A few colors to choose from;
- Efficient water protection;
- A lot of space inside.
- Weighs nearly 6 pounds.
7. Bessport Backpacking Tent: Light Tent for Camping and Hiking
Key characteristics
- Brand: Bessport
- Material: Blend
- Occupancy: 2 Person
- Seasons 4 Season
- Weight: 5.2lb(2.35kg)
- Special Feature: Windproof, Waterproof, Lightweight, Rainfly
This Bessport tent is the last product I`d like to describe. I decided to include this item in my review because of the price and weight. Though the model is not ultralight, it is a pretty light tent. It is very easy to set it up and move anywhere you need without the necessity to dismantle it.
What is more, Bessport will refund you a product with any issues (in case you do not like the quality it offers). There are various color options for the tent, like orange, blue, gray, brown, etc. In addition, you can choose the tent`s capacity (from 2 to 4 persons). The waterproof rating reaches approximately 3000mm. I was pleased with the numbers, considering the price. I want to say that the Bessport tent is one of the cheapest standalone tents in my review. However, it still provides you with decent quality.
- Great price;
- You can choose between diverse sizes and colors;
- Water-resistant.
- Not ultralight.
Freestanding Backpacking Tent Buyer’s Guide
I hope you have found this list of recommended products helpful. In my opinion, the first Copper Spur model is the best freestanding backpacking tent because of its reliability and durability. I definitely recommend you to pay attention to this option. Now, I would like to enlighten several aspects of tourist tents, so it would be easier for you to understand why you might need one for your next hiking tour.
What is a freestanding tourist tent?
A freestanding tent is a kind of tent that holds itself with the help of aluminum (in most cases) stakes connected with each other. You do not need any additional connections. Moreover, freestanding tourist tents are usually light or ultralight, and you can move one without any difficulties.
Advantages of a freestanding tent
As I have already mentioned, freestanding tents usually do not weigh much. Their weight varies between 1-6 pounds, which makes it easy to transport them during outdoor activities.
It is also really easy to install a tent of this kind. Just use light aluminum stakes by connecting them with the body of the tent. The tent is also movable.
The good thing is that you can find many decent options for a reasonable price on the current market. Of course, there are many top products with a long-term warranty and quality materials, but you can easily find the product with the same quality for a more affordable price.
I should also admit that it is really easy to clean freestanding tents. Just take one, turn it around, and start shaking it. The vent system is also great. Usually, many products provide efficient ventilation on the top of the tent that will help the air to circulate better.
You can also put the rainfly that will help you protect your permanent shelter from the rain. Usually, almost every brand offers a rainfly. Pay special attention to water-resistant characteristics. This type of product has a higher ceiling compared to other non-freestanding devices. Also, you need to pay attention to the sizes of the product. You can choose 1, 2, 3, or even 4-person tents. Some of them may cost more than others as there is more space inside.
The Best Tent for a Remarkable Trip
I hope by now, you understand what freestanding tents are and how they work. They have many advantages compared to regular tents. I strongly recommend you to pay attention to the products I have reviewed because all the models on the list are durable and made of high-quality materials.
I would also like to know your opinion about this kind of hiking product. What are your favorite tents? Or maybe there are freestanding tents that you have been using for a long time? Tell us about them in the comments box. What do you like the most about the item you have?
FAQ
What does it mean for a tent to be freestanding?
A freestanding tent is a tent that requires no additional support, such as guy lines or stakes, to remain upright.
What is the easiest tent to put up alone?
The easiest tent to put up alone is a dome tent. Dome tents typically have one or two poles that support the structure and make for an easy setup.
What do you call a tent without a floor?
A shelter.
What is the lightest free standing tent?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, such as the material used, the design of the tent, and the manufacturing process. However, some of the lightest free standing tents on the market include the the Big Agnes Tent, and the Kelty Dirt Motel 4P Tent.