2023 BACKPACKING TENT AWARDS

Great breakdown! I just saw Xmid Pros on a trail in Arkansas. And we used a BA Salt Creek 3 for this trip in case of car camping and for some comfort. At 4lbs it was still a light carry and I love the third front door porch. The views were incredible.

Nice video covering many options for various situations.

Years ago, I bought that lanshan 2 thru Ali Express to try out a trekking pole style tent w/o breaking the bank. Performed well in the High Sierra when anchored down w/ rocks (heavy rain, hail, and major wind gusts).

This summer, I'm looking forward to trying out the hyperlite outbound 2, a lighter single wall dynemma fabric upgrade to my lanshan. More condensation may be the only negative.

Oh, I picked up the REI Half Dome SL 2 plus a year ago...great for shorter in/out backpacking/glamping trips with my young son.

For a lighter free standing option, im considering the NEMO Dragonfly.

I still use the 3 pound big agnes jack rabbit sl 1. LOL

3 person tent fits 2 sleeping mats.

Have you tried out the Space Acacia Camping Tent? I just got one from Amazon vine. It’s really heavy no way you could carry this thing. It’s made from idk campgrounds and that kinda thing.

X Mid 1

Justin! No love for Nemo?

Can the Zpack and Durston withstand strong winds?

Nice video. I've been using the Zpacks Plex Solo for over a year now and I can confirm that it's the best tent I've ever had.

A lot of tent options out there…

Can u made few suggestions for wet damp rainforest tent

Just get the x mid. Saved yourself the headache

nice hat patch. ill admit, i watched the entire thing purely because youre a canadian and its nice to see canadian opinions on camping gear.

Wondering what is the best tent with a dog? 2p tents are often too spacious (and therefore unnecessarily heavy) and many 1P tents are too small for the dog to fit in with the human.

This is what you want when you get older. Aricxi hex single pole tent with hole for stove (I don't use). It's 165-170cm high. I can sit in the vestibule on a chair. The inner is 270cm long. With alu pole it's under 2 kilo. I'm a biker not hiker so doesn't have to be super light. You can use it with a lighter inner to save couple hundred grams. Had it in serious rain no problem, all taped. Price $150.

Also have a Lanshan 1. Like it a lot. But not to hang out in when it rains. Hurts my back. I need a chair.

The Paria Zion 2 is also a great budget option for a new backpacker.

Thank you! Very helpful.

Uhm. Why can you not share the weight with the xmid? As with most tents the inner is not fixed to the outer, so basically all tents are possible to share weight. Even though it doesn't come with 2 stuff bags.

Please review the Paria Outdoors tents and stuff for budget friendly options

The Xmid Pro still has a Nylon bathtub floor though, instead of DCF like the z-packs. The nylon floor absorb and hold in water like no ones business. So, if the ground or ground sheet is already wet, so will be the inside of your tent.

I'm partial to my Big Agnes Copper Spur. There are times that I think I want a trekking pole tent but just never jumped. Here's a tip from and old pushing 60. Turn any good gear into great gear by learning it and using it. The more something feels like it is part of you the more it shines. To know your gear is to enjoy your gear. Great work enjoy ur vids. It's hot in the Deep South y'all. 🥵

In the Ultralight category why did you compare a 2 person tent (X-Mid Pro 2) with a 1 person tent (ZPacks Plex Solo or Altraplex)? Shouldn't you have used the X-Mid Pro 1 when comparing to those 2 ZPacks tent. As you mentioned the X-Mid Pro 2 competes with the ZPack Duplex not the Plex Solo or Altraplex. In that case the X-Mid Pro 1 is the same or better than the Altraplex (which is closer in room to the X-Mid Pro 1 especially if you take into account the number of stakes it takes to do a Min or Max pitch. Now that the availability of the Durston Gear tents has largely been taken care of I think a more balanced review of the 4 DCF tents is in order.

Glad to have 3FULGear and Naturehike on the list.

I have a Tarptent DiPole 2Li that I really like. It has plenty of room for 2 people.

How would something like the Paria Arches 2p compare to the Mongar and the Lanshan?

Wow I’m very surprised that not a single tent from Nemo made it to this list 🧐

As a new backpacker, I started with a hammock set up, it really is the cheapest and lightest way to start out. However, I realized pretty quickly that tents have their place especially in areas where trees aren't as abundant. As I normally go solo, I didnt need anything too big, so I opted for a bivy tent, specifically the Eureka Solitaire AL. It's right around $110 and weighs in at 2 lbs 10 oz. I found it very easy to set up, just stake it, slide in the poles, and you're done, less than 5 minutes every time. The only downside is the headroom, because you really can't sit up in it, but that isn't a big concern for me, just something to keep in mind because thats a deal breaker for some. Overall, it's been an amazing first tent, and great value for how light and durable it is. I also want to note that I don't bring trekking poles when I go out, I may switch to a different tent if/when i use those more often. Great video, always love the content!

Justin have you tried any of the warmlite tents? I am surprised that they are rarely reviewed. I am on my 2nd Warmlite 2X tent. that I purchased around 1995. The first one I purchased in 1976. I will probably need to buy another one in a while. Its a 2 person -- 4 season tent weighing less then 2.4 lbs including poles and stakes. Sleeps 2 and is long enough for tall people. Its a bit expensive however. Full disclosure -- I have not used it in extreme weather. This is the single wall version so there is some condensation.

I've had a good selection of tents in my life. My problems started when I was a teenager out camping with friends. About 67 years ago I was in a tent and a buddy was in a WW2 Jungle Hammock. Neither of us could get comfortable so we switched shelters and from that day on it's been a hammock for me. I still have tents and do use them but if I can , it's a good jungle hammock for me on any trip.

Great video, Justin. I would like to point out that the telos is 4.25 POUNDS not ounces. Also, I believe that you can split the Xmid between inner and fly; the same way as the telos.

I absolutely love your camp gear reviews! I've seen 100s of gear review videos over the years and I truly think Justin Outdoors puts out some of the best out there. The effort that must go into showing off a dozen tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, or even camp pillows all in one setting while still managing to give unbias, accurate, and detailed information on each item. You're just as much an artist as you're an experienced adventurer.

Really excellent breakdown/comparison. Thank you! I’m looking to get something lighter than my REI Half Dome 2, which I love.

Lunar Solo for a 1P, and the Mountain Hardware Stratus for the 2P. The latter is the lightest semi-freestanding tent I could find two years ago and it's still going strong. It's also the roomiest for the weight of that class. I love that thing. At 6'3+ those tents both fit me very well. If I want a little more room in a solo tent (like for extended wet weather or backcountry hunting) I like the SMD Skyscape Trekker. It beats the Durston tent, IMO.

Justin, wondering if you've considered the tarptent brand?

Glad to see your endorsement of the Half Dome. I'm looking for that couples trip tent, backpackable or bikepackable by two people, but still roomy. The REI tent seemed like a sweet spot and it's on sale

I asked them for the folded length of the poles, since ideally they would fit in the custom frame pack on my touring bike. If so, I think I'm pulling the trigger

Ah! Do you have any suggestions for 4 person backpacking tents. When the kids were young we got a Marmot Halo 6 for car camping. We love it, but it weighs 19 lbs! Now I want to do some backpacking with my wife and two kids, and I've decided I want a 4 person tent in the 5 to 7 lb range. The Big Agnes Copper Spur 4UL is obviously the dream tent but its so pricey. Others that seem impressive looking at the numbers include the Kelty Late Start 4, Mountainsmith Morrisson EVO 4, Big Agnes Blacktail 4 or the MEC Volt 4. Do you have any thoughts or experience with those?

Durston xmid 2p, you most definitely can split the weight as the inner can be easily removed for striking camp on those wet days and I would go ahead and say the xmid 1 as probably the most popular tent of late should have made the 1p category too!

This episode has almost more tents in it than any street in San Francisco.

Thanks, these some great looking options! For Europeans the vango blade pro200 is a nice and more vudget couples option. We have been using it for some time now! It can get a little warm though haha

I’m surprised that some of the popular MSR and/or BA tents didn’t make it into your list. I’m personally a huge fan of both, whether it be for Backpacking, Car Camping, or Cross-Over.

I use the REI flash Air 2 tent. (the first version.) I honestly like it a lot, but at 6'6'' it's just a little too short, but I'll make it work until I save up for something roomier. Nice video!

If you can, give some love to Featherstone Outdoor! They have great lightweight tents including trekking pole tents, and for SUCH good prices. I love my producta from them.

Seek Outside, period. I would put them up against anyone except the budget tents. First storm you are in you will rue the day you went budget. Seek Outside is made in the usa.

Slingfin Portal series!

Good overview man 🇨🇦

The Durston X-Mid 1p the best trekking pole tent for the money...IMO

These videos are great Justin keep it up

Great informative video

And I just bought a tent…before this lol. Mine isn’t on here but not mad at my choice.
On the nature hike brand I heard they’re so similar to MSR tents bc they used to make MSR tents in some capacity. Like something about nature hike uses the old factories some MSR’s were made in. Well I hope my Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2 does well!