When you’re planning to go on a solo hike, you’ll want to make sure that you’re carrying the minimum load possible. This is where a one person tent for backpacking comes into play. In terms of durability, this type of gear is designed to be more convenient than a sleeping bag or bivy sack. Apart from that, it also offers better protection against bad weather. So, on this occasion, we’re going to give you some of the great alternatives to the best one person tent for backpacking on the market.
But before we dive into the reviews, let’s start with a quick buying guide. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect from a one person tent for backpacking. OK, without much further ado, let’s get started!
How to Choose Best One Person Tent for Backpacking
Just like any camping gear, one person tent for backpacking comes in a variety of models and types. Therefore, choosing the right one can be a challenge. But hey, that’s the exact reason why we wrote this guide right?
So, we’ve compiled some of the most crucial variables to consider when choosing the best one person tent for backpacking. Hopefully, this will make it easier for you to find the right portable shelter for your next adventure.
Durability
When you see a one person tent for backpacking, you’ll want to check the floor first. That’s because it’s the part that is most likely to tear or break faster. So, make sure you get the best one person tent for backpacking. Pick one that uses a thick 20 denier material, or 30, if you’re dealing with rougher terrain. In this way, you’ll get a tent that’s both durable and long-lasting.
Storage
A one person tent for backpacking will be much better when it comes with interior pockets and dedicated storage space. For those with lots of gear, look for tents with loops, so you can hang them from the ceiling. It’s a plus if there was more than one door. Thus, the storage won’t block access to entry or exit.
Ventilation
Condensation is one of the problems that often occur when you sleep in a tent. Fortunately, this problem is relatively easy to fix with good ventilation. Therefore, it’s very important to get the best one person tent for backpacking. A high-quality tent generally features plenty of mesh netting to provide better airflow. Apart from that, generally, you’ll get a top vent to release the humid air.
What’s the Difference Between a Camping Tent and a Backpacking Tent?
A regular tent is generally bulkier and therefore, tends to be heavier. It also has much larger poles, which makes the tent even sturdier. On the other hand, a backpacking tent is designed to be compact and doesn’t require a lot of storage space. It would be ideal if you are planning to go on a day hike or a short trip.
How Do You Sleep Comfortably in a Tent?
There are a number of ways to do this. The first and most effective way is to use a sleeping bag. It’ll provide you with the soft bedding you need and keep you warm throughout the night. As an alternative, you can try using a sleeping pad or the traditional way, which is to bring your own pillow from home!
What Should I Look for When Buying a Tent?
There are several important factors that you should consider, including size, post type, and material. If you plan on spending the night in rough weather, make sure you get a tent with quality mesh, zippers, and rainfly. For a more detailed explanation, you can check the tips we provide above.
Nemo Dragonfly 1
13
The Nemo Dragonfly 1 is one of the most popular tents among backpackers and we can immediately see why. This 32 oz double-wall tent features a large vestibule, which provides more than enough storage for all your outdoor gear. Apart from that, the combination of the freestanding inner tent and the hubbed pole allows for a fairly straightforward setup. As for ventilation, you get great circulation between the inner tent and rainfly. In other words, condensation is the last thing you should worry about while sleeping in here!
Another thing that makes this one person tent for backpacking special is its black ceiling mesh. It’s almost transparent, so you can enjoy the serene night sky without having to share your tent with bugs. Overall, a good product. You should check out this one while you can.
What We Love
A tent with a large vestibule, providing ample space for storage
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Integrated 20D Nylon tub
- Generous interior
- Black ceiling mesh
Cons:
- The opening is too small
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1
12
If you need broad space, more than anything else, Big Agnes Copper Spur GV UL1 will do the trick. This big tent uses a double-wall freestanding design, which is known to be relatively easy to set up. Apart from that, its trail weight is measured at around 2 oz, perfect for those who like to travel light or solo. Other things to like about the Big Agnes include side doors, high vents, and two-way door zips. All three will give you some really nice air circulation, which in turn reduces condensation significantly.
As you would expect from the best one person tent for backpacking, Big Agnes offers excellent gear organization. You get nothing less than a ceiling pocket, media pockets, and internal hanging points. If you’re still unsure about choosing your one person tent for backpacking, this one is really worth considering.
Speaking of outdoor adventures, sometimes the hike can be tougher due to the harsh weather. Especially if you’re walking on heavy snow. For this, you’re gonna need some special gear to make sure your trip continues. In that case, check out our list of the 13 best snowshoes for hiking.
What We Love
Provides broad space, with tons of pockets for easy gear organization
Pros:
- Porchable side door
- Freestanding double-wall design
- Two-way door zips
- Large front vestibule
Cons:
- Nothing, as far as we know
MSR Hubba NX1
11
We’ve always liked tents with side entrances. It allows you to load and unload with relative ease. And that’s exactly what you get from the MSR Hubba NX 1! Apart from that, this compact tent is also really easy to set up. All thanks to its dual hub pole structure, which also provides a nice extra internal space.
As for durability, the MSR Hubba NX1 is a reliable one person tent backpacking. The mast structure is made of carbon fiber, which provides great resistance against the wind. Apart from that, there are rain fly vents that’ll prevent the tent atmosphere from getting too humid. In short, a fantastic piece of gear and definitely not to be missed.
What We Love
It has a large side entrance, allowing for easy loading
Pros:
- Dual hub-pole structure
- Great side entrance
- Rain fly vents
- Carbon fiber pole structure
Cons:
- The tub is made of thin fabric
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1
10
Here comes another great option for those looking for a single tent with a spacious interior. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 1 comes with a volume of up to 30 oz, plus a double-wall design that’s easy to set up. All thanks to its well-designed hubbed pole architecture. Apart from that, there’s a tent pole included.
Anyone planning to carry lots of bulky gear will love this one person tent for backpacking. That’s because there’s a dual-zipper door, which makes carrying your cargo in and out easier. Additionally, there’s a large ceiling pocket and side pockets for storing a few extra items. If you’re in the market looking for the best one person tent for backpacking, Big Agnes’ premium quality construction definitely won’t let you down.
What We Love
A great single tent with a spacious interior
Pros:
- Structured foot-end corners
- Low vent vestibule
- Two-way zippers door
- Single-pole structure
Cons:
- Not recommended for cold weather
Dan Durston X-Mid 1
9
Just like all of the one person tent for backpacking on this list, the Dan Durston X-Mid is relatively easy to assemble. That’s why this single tent is one of the most popular on Amazon. It features two different entrances, so you have a lot of options for storage. As for build quality, the X-Mid deserves more appreciation. Upon a closer inspection, we could see that all the seams were taped to provide a completely secure temporary shelter.
Apart from that, the X-Mid is also ideal for camping in the rainy season. That’s because you can set it up fly first, so the inner tent will stay dry. Furthermore, this tent is also strong enough to deal with unfavorable weather. There are a few extra guy-out points that provide extra stability when the wind is strong out there.
What We Love
It’s easy to assemble and quite recommended for camping in bad weather
Pros:
- Fully waterproof
- Ultralight
- Spacious trekking pole shelter
- Storm worthy materials
Cons:
- Nothing significant
Marmot Tent Tungsten UL
8
Priced at 349 bucks, the Marmot Tent Tungsten UL is perhaps not the most affordable single tent around. However, considering all the fantastic features you get, it would be a great investment. The floor plan is similar to the more expensive products. Furthermore, the interior feels much more spacious. Apart from that, the polyester rainfly doesn’t loosen easily when exposed to rain or bad weather.
If there’s anything stopping you from getting this one person tent for backpacking, then it’s probably the vestibules. While they offer a large amount of space, they aren’t symmetrical. For some reason we don’t know, one is bigger than the other. However, this isn’t a massive deal-breaker. With all the features and interiors offered, the Tungsten UL can easily become your best one person tent for backpacking.
What We Love
It features some great technical features, making it a well-worth long-term investment
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Spacious interior
- Highly water-repellent outdoor tent
- UV-resistant
Cons:
- The vestibules are asymmetrical
Nemo Hornet 2
7
The Nemo Hornet 2 will be a remarkable choice for those looking to reduce excessive loads while hiking or on an outdoor adventure. Seriously, this double-wall tent is really light! What makes it even better is, there are two large doors and vestibules. For your information, such a feature is rare for an ultralight tent, especially in the Hornet 2 class.
While it’s being marketed as a two-person tent, in reality, it’ll be difficult to squeeze two people into the Nemo Hornet 2. That’s why we thought it would be a great alternative to a one person tent for backpacking. Plus, it has plenty of interior pockets and large vestibules. So, make sure you check out this one if you can.
When it comes to setting up the tent, you may want to bring in an additional light source. It’ll come in handy when you have to pitch the tent at sunset. Therefore, we highly recommend checking out our list of the 13 best flashlights for hiking.
What We Love
Ultra light, great for reducing excessive loads when on a hike or outdoor adventure
Pros:
- Ultralight
- Spacious interior
- Plenty of interior pockets
- Small packed size
Cons:
- It’s a little short for someone over 6 feet tall
Nemo Dagger Ultralight
6
The Nemo Dagger Ultralight is basically a livable tent at an impressively lightweight. The secret lies in the rectangular floor and symmetrical ceiling. Both present you with a larger interior space, so you can squeeze more gear in here. Plus, this single tent has two large vestibules, so there’s more than a decent room for storage.
Being the best one person tent for backpacking, Nemo Dagger Ultralight is easy to set up. It only takes about 5-10 minutes, before you can start taking a nap in it. If there’s anything we have to criticize, it’s the ventilation. We really wish this tent came with more mesh, so it could handle condensation a lot better. Other than that, this is an excellent one person tent for backpacking.
What We Love
Offers plenty of interior space, with a really light weight
Pros:
- Pre-bent DAC Featherlite polishes
- Two large doors and vestibules
- Integrated 30D Nylon material
- Gear pockets at each corner
Cons:
- It should have more mesh
Hilleberg Anjan
5
Spending the night outside in bad weather can be dangerous. You’ll need a shelter that’s both tough and protective. And that’s precisely why we recommend Hilleberg Anjan. This rugged tent is widely known for its weather resistance. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a solo backpacking trip or just a casual backyard camper, Hilleberg Anjan will give you a piece of home while you’re away!
But as you may already know, expect to pay a premium price for a premium-quality product. A unit of this fantastic outdoor gear will cost you around 800 bucks. Not cheap, we know. But with its amazingly impressive weather resistance, this will be a one person tent for backpacking that’s worth both your time and money. Think of it as a long-term investment and you’ll begin to understand that it really makes sense to buy this thing.
What We Love
Offering great weather resistance, it is ideal for camping in harsh conditions
Pros:
- Kerion 100 outer tent fabric
- 9mm polishing
- Spacious
- Durable
Cons:
- It’s definitely pricey
The North Face Stormbreak 2
4
If you’re a tall person, you’ll know how difficult it is to sit in a one person tent for backpacking. This is where The North Face Stormbreak 2 shines. It offers plenty of headroom, something which is quite rare among similar products. Apart from that, you can keep your small items close at hand using the large storage pockets. And since this tent comes with a flexible vestibule, there are plenty of configurations for weather protection and ventilation to try.
As for sturdiness, the North Face Stormbreak 2 is one of the toughest tents around. However, there’s a catch here. First of all, the polyurethane material flies off when exposed to strong winds. Second, the floor is a little heavy. But if these two factors aren’t a big problem for you, then this is the best one person tent for backpacking that you’ve been looking for.
What We Love
Provides plenty of headroom and is comfortable enough for two adults
Pros:
- Easy access
- Quality construction
- Two doors and two twin-zip
- Multi-configuration vestibules
Cons:
- The floor makes the whole product heavy
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
3
Six Moon Designs is probably the last name you think of when looking for a one person tent for backpacking. But make no mistake, this brand is actually quite popular, you know. Especially among the backpacker and solo traveler community. One of their latest innovations, Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, is a single tent ideal for day hikes or short-distance trips.
Thanks to its genius design, you’ll get a fairly large sleeping area – measured at about 2.4 square meters. Apart from that, there’s a 0.8 square meter porch, which should be ideal for cooking or organizing your gear. As for assembly, there’s a slight learning curve required here. But once you get that, you should be able to pitch this portable shelter in no time.
Planning to go on a hike in the near future? Apart from equipment, you also have to pay attention to your energy and stamina management. And in case you need some recommendations, feel free to check out our list of the 13 best energy bars for hiking.
What We Love
Ultra light tent with proven quality, which makes it popular among the backpacking community
Pros:
- Full vestibule
- High vent
- Easy tensioning adjustment
- Floating canopy
Cons:
- The assembly process requires a bit of a learning curve
Terra Nova Laser Competition 1
2
Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 is something you would describe as an excellent compact tent. It has received tons of positive comments and has won numerous prestigious design awards. Weighing around 970 grams, this is one of the lightest one person tents for backpacking you can get on the market these days. In other words, it won’t weigh down your hike. Plus there isn’t much storage space required.
Thanks to its remarkable transverse hoop design, Terra Nova Laser Competition 1 is able to provide plenty of room for one person. Sitting without your head touching the ceiling? Check. Extra space for gears? Check. Furthermore, this tent uses 20 denier flysheet fabric, which ensures optimal performance for up to three seasons!
What We Love
One of the most popular one-person tents. Has received many accolades and won dozens of prestigious awards.
Pros:
- 20 denier flysheet fabric
- Low profile design
- Dyneema reflective guylines
- Ideal for any outdoor activity
Cons:
- It might hurt your wallet a little
Hilleberg Enan
1
If you’ve run through the specs of Terra Nova and think it’s an excellent tent, wait till you see Hilleberg Enan. It’s a one person tent for backpacking that’s no less impressive. You’ll get a size and shape that is more or less similar. In terms of design, both use a central pole system with vertical roads at each end. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual backpacker, this is the best one person tent for backpacking that you must have.
As for portability, the Enan is about 230 grams heavier than the Terra Nova. This is probably a big letdown for fans of ultralight gear. But for us personally, it’s not a problem at all. After all, it actually made Enan much more durable for a three-season tent. In addition, Hilleberg uses Kerlon 1000 fabric, one of the most effective materials to keep you safe and dry during bad weather.
What We Love
An impressive tent that matches the premium quality of Terra Nova Laser Competition 1
Pros:
- Kerlon 1000 fabric
- Three seasons ventilation
- Single pole design
- Single entrance
Cons:
- It’s a little heavy compared to other similar products
