Backpacking requires walking long distances daily and having a great natural adventure. You must carry a pack while setting up camp each night. Your tent will be one of your heaviest items.
For this reason, it’s essential to choose one lightweight and portable. You will also want to find one that is comfortable for sleeping and easy to set up.
Backpacking is the best way to immerse yourself in a wild landscape and spend days exploring the deep, primal secrets of the forest by foot.
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are 10 of the best backpacking trips in U.S. Parks.
In this article, we are going to review the following backpacking tents under 100:
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent – 1 Person
- LETHMIK Backpacking Tent – 2-3 Person
- Bessport Camping Tent – 1 & 2 Person
- Coleman Sundome Tent – 2, 3, 4, or 6 Person
- River Country Products Trekker Tent 2 – 1 Person
What are the benefits of having a backpacking tent?
Ultralight design for carrying
The backpacking tent design allows you to pack and carry these tents on your hiking adventure. This means that most tents are around 2.5 pounds per person. This includes the tent plus any accessories they come with.
Easy transport
Backpacking tents are also made so that you can split the weight among people in your group. So, for example, one person can carry the rainfly and another the poles. This makes transport convenient.
Ease of use and quick setup
They are usually constructed so that you can set them up quickly. Many take the form of instant tents you can build in less than a minute. After ending a long day of hiking, this makes having a backpacking tent convenient. You will set up your camp in no time and can begin warming up next to a campfire.
How to choose the best backpacking tent under 100?
We recommend considering the following features:
– Capacity: the number of people it can sleep
– Seasonality: the level of insulation and waterproofing required
– Livability: comfort level of your tent
– Weight of the tent.
– Ease of setup.
What features to look for when buying a backpacking tent?
Weight
A lightweight tent will make your adventure more fun. Unfortunately, your tent will be one of the heaviest items on your back. The heaviest items usually include shelter, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, and a backpack. It’s a good idea to keep the weight of your tent to a minimum.
A few extra ounces might not seem like a big deal. But keeping the weight down is critical to enjoying your backpacking trip.
Capacity and space
Most backpacking tents have 1 to 4-person models. To keep weight down, these interiors are often very cozy. Tent size depends on the brand, and ultralight models are more likely to be extra compact.
If you’re on the larger side or want more space, look for a tent for one person more significant than your group.
If you are setting out into the wild alone, then a one-person tent might be the right choice. These tents are light and fast to set up.
A two-person tent is a popular option because it is light while offering more interior space. Two-person backpacking tents often have enough room for two people and a few areas to put on the gear. However, if you are looking for more space, it might be a good idea to go up to a three-person tent to accommodate a lot of gear.
Seasonality of your backpacking tent under 100
Check the season rating of the tent you are considering. Most backpacking tents have a 3-season or 4-season rating.
What is the difference between a 3-season and a 4-season tent? A 3-season tent is for spring, summer as well as fall trips. These tents help keep bad weather out while also allowing ample ventilation. Remember, a 3-season tent cannot handle snow well or harsh weather conditions.
If you are backpacking in more extreme conditions, consider a 4-season tent. These tents will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. These tents are best for exposed, high-elevation destinations. Backpackers expecting snowfall should invest in a 4-season tent.
Setup
Look for a tent that is easy to pitch and set up. You will set up and take down each day when you’re backpacking. You don’t want a lot of hassles with a tent setup. Freestanding tents are an excellent option since they offer convenience. These tents come with fixed poles that allow for setting up anywhere.
A non-freestanding tent uses stakes, guylines, and trekking poles for pitching. They save weight by cutting out the tent poles but will need more time and space for setup.
Livability
Comfort and a good night’s sleep are essential on a long hiking trip. Ensure your tent is liveable with a design that offers comfort, entry, and exit. Look at a tent with more doors and vestibules. Two doors and two vestibules are a good number.
Separate entrances will help you avoid climbing over someone else. You never know when you will need to get out in the middle of the night or early in the morning. I remember waking up late needing things at night and climbing over my sister – only to wake her up!
What’s the best way to use a backpacking tent?
We recommend choosing a freestanding tent. You can set up this tent fast when you reach your camp destination. Pack these tents in your backpack and on your back. They are easy to assemble when you set up camp. Unravel and secure the poles, and your shelter is ready to go.
How do you pack a tent for backpacking?
You will walk with a heavy backpack if you are hiking long distances. To make your long treks easier, there are a few tips for packing the heaviest items, like your tent. Packing the wrong way could lead to injury or strain.
Choosing the right backpack is critical. We recommend finding one with an internal frame. This will give you more room than backpacks with an external frame. You will also be able to pack your tent much more accessible. Rolling your tent up will help to keep it compact. Also, putting heavier items at the bottom of your backpack and a lighter at the top will help you. You can find more tips for packing your tent inside a bag here.
How heavy should a tent for backpacking be? What’s a good weight?
More than one factor goes into determining the right weight for your backpack. Valerie Loughney, a pack-fit pro from REI, says your loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than 20 percent of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, your package should not exceed 30 pounds for hiking.
How do you carry a tent while backpacking?
Pack your tent inside a backpack in the middle and close to your back. This will give correct weight distribution and help with balance. You will also keep the tent drier with it inside your backpack. Another option is to attach poles to the outside of your bag with straps if required.
Backpacking Tents Under $100 Reviews
1. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent – 1 Person
The Lynx 1 Tent offers features for a great solo getaway at only 4.2 pounds. The freestanding design provides an instant setup. There are pole clips that attach to the aluminum poles. Most walls are mesh, helping to increase ventilation. The tent is waterproof. The factory has sealed the fly and floor seams and coated the floor with 2000mm to keep you dry.
Pros
- No assembly is required with the freestanding design
- The polyester tent fly is water and UV resistant
- Vestibule for extra storage space
- Includes storage pockets, gear loft, stakes, guy ropes, and doorway
- Durable zippers that are extra-large for doors and vestibules
Cons
- Limited interior space
- Not for extreme weather conditions
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
2. LETHMIK Backpacking Tent – 2-3 person
The LETHMIK Backpacking tent is an instant tent with an automatic pop-up function. The tent is a 2-3 Person tent and lightweight tent ideal for small families (8.38 pounds). This tent is convenient to carry over long distances. It also has high-strength glass fiber poles to help with high winds.
Pros
- Weatherproof. 3-season tent.
- Large size and lightweight. It’s big enough for 2 to 3 people.
- Easy to set up and store. Freestanding allows it to be moved and relocated easily.
- Practical design. Double-layer tent with mesh wall panels.
- Small and ultra-light package for easy carry and transport.
Cons
- Not a 4-season tent.
- The lightweight design takes away from durability.
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
3. Bessport Camping Tent – 1 & 2 Person
The Bessport Camping Tent is a 1-2 person tent for warm-weather adventures. The tent has a quick and easy setup. This tent is lightweight at 5.2 pounds. This tent offers a spacious interior for gear or sleeping bags. It has two vestibules to accommodate your equipment or even a pet you have taken along. The design has water and wind-blocking technology to keep you dry at night.
Pros
- Spacious tent. Two D-shaped doors with vestibules.
- 3-season tent.
- Weather-resistant. Welded floor elevates the bottom of the tent to protect you from the wet ground. The rainfly gives added protection.
- Lightweight and breathable.
- Easy to set up and freestanding.
- Risk-free purchase. They will send a free replacement if there are issues.
Cons
- This material is due to its lightweight nature.
- Air ventilation obstructs privacy on the sides.
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
4. Coleman Sundome Tent – 2, 3, 4, or 6 Person
The Coleman Sundome Tent is another great option for backpacking in warmer weather. It has enhanced ventilation offered with ground vents and large windows. The 2-person tent is 7.2 pounds, making it easy to transport. The design provides a quick setup of ten minutes. The WeatherTec System helps make sure you and your gear stay dry.
Pros
- WeatherTec System. Stay dry no matter what happens.
- Enhanced ventilation with large windows and ground vents.
- E-Port for extension cords.
- Storage pockets to store your items.
Cons
- Mesh windows detract from insulation.
- Not a 4-season tent.
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
To wrap it up, my recommendation
The backpacking tent you under $100 you buy depends on your situation—weather conditions and the number of people on your backpacking trip. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say the best backpacking tent is the Bessport Camping Tent for 1 and 2 People.
The number of excellent ratings on this shelter makes it one I can recommend. The fact that this is waterproof and great for 3-seasons makes it a tent you can rely on to stay dry. It also offers a high level of ventilation in warmer months.
Regardless of the tent you select, check out my recommendations for the best gear to bring with you. It is easy to forget critical items like emergency items and flashlights. Do your research, pack light, and enjoy the wonders of being outdoors.
