GoKawiilDeals on Tents
Courtesy of REI
The REI Half Dome 2 is the best budget two-person backpacking tent. I’ve toted it on many backpacking trips and found it plenty sturdy, quick to set up, and capable of fitting two people along with their gear. It even comes with a footprint (which I never bother with, but it's nice to have it if you have to deal with pointy rocks).
The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is our top pick among freestanding ultralight tents. This is the bike-packing model, which features shorter pole segments that are easier to haul on a bike, but I really prefer it for the more subdued colors. The Copper Spur is a high-quality, well-designed tent that's lightweight, easy to set up, and roomy enough to be livable in the backcountry. The “awning” design (with trekking poles or sticks) is a nice extra.
Nemo's Dragonfly tents are roomy for the weight. There's a generous amount of mesh at the top, which provides some nice ventilation on warm summer nights and is perfect for falling asleep under the stars when the weather permits. The Osmo fabric is a blend of nylon and polyester that absorbs less water than pure nylon rainflies.
MSR's Groundhog stakes aren't cheap, but they're the best backpacking tent upgrade you can make. They're superstrong—I've never had one bend or pull out on me—and considering their strength, they're pretty lightweight. I suggest carrying a mix of stakes when backpacking—some of these, some carbon fiber pegs, and some shepherd hooks. That way, no matter the terrain, you've got something that'll work.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
REI's Base Camp tent is my favorite car camping tent. It's a traditional dome tent design, with two crossed poles and two side poles, that hold up very well in wind. The floor is high-quality 150-denier polyester, which so far has not shown any signs of abrasion, despite quite a few nights on rough ground out West. Inside, there are loads of storage pockets, and the double doors make great vents in warmer weather, with huge windows that ensure you catch any whiffs of breeze on hot nights.
The Marmot Halo is my favorite all-weather four-person family tent. The low-profile design stands up better to wind, while the steep sidewalls maximize interior space. It also has a nearly full-length rain fly, which helps make this a real haven in a storm. The name comes from the unusual pole design. There are two cross poles, like every square, domed tent, but the side poles connect halfway up the tent body instead of at the ground. The only downside is that you can't stand up in it. If you want more room, the six-person version, which, with a 76-inch peak height, may be tall enough for you to stand up in, is also on sale.
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