In the market for a tent upgrade this year?
We’ve done the hard yards for you and selected the best tents of 2023 (according to our gear experts).
Best Tent for Any Adventure: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 Person Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL is an all-around favourite tent. It’s lightweight but still super durable with a simple set-up and pack-down. The design features handy 3D bin pockets that help to keep gear organised without cramping the space. The awning-style vestibules are great for both drizzle and sun protection.
Specifications:
- Total Weight: 1.42kg
- Head Height: 102cm
- Vestibule Area: 0.8 m² + 0.8 m²
- Floor Area: 2.7 m²
- Packed Size: 50 x 15cm
- Trail Weight: 1.22kg
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Doors: 2
Best Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking Tent: Big Agnes Tiger Wall
The Big Agnes Tiger Wall Tent is a favourite backpacking tent with our thru-hiking staff and ambassadors, the Tiger Wall UL2 and UL3are the lightest two-door, two vestibules, technical backcountry tents made by Big Agnes. The tent has a super simple set-up and is easy to pitch any time of day with reflective guylines and colour-coded webbing on the tent corners.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 1.13kg
- Packed Size: 14 x 46cm
- Floor Area: 2.6m²
- Head Height: 99cm
- Vestibule Area: 0.7m² / 0.7m²
- Footprint Weight: 170g
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Doors: 2
Best Hammock Tent:Hennessy Hammock Expedition Zip
The Hennessy Hammocks Expedition Zip is a fantastic all-purpose hammock for outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for a lightweight, low price and surprisingly comfortable camping option, a hammock is a great choice. It features a simple set-up and a side entrance zipper. Just make sure you keep in mind the need to have something to tie it to. A hot tip from one of our ambassadors, bring a sleeping mat to use with it, especially on chillier nights.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 1.23 kg
- Packed Size: 10 cm x 18 cm x 23 cm
- Weight Limit: 114 kg and 183 cm tall
Best Value for Money Tent: Nemo Aurora 2-Person Backpacking Tent
The Nemo Aurora 2-Person Backpacking Tent is a great value option featuring steep side walls that make it feel nice and roomy inside. It’s perfect for car camping but light enough to take backpacking on the trails. The tent comes with an included footprint, light pockets, a duffel storage bag, and gear pockets.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 2.47 kg
- Packed Size: 58 x 18 cm
- Floor Area: 3m²
- Head Height: 111.75 cm
- Vestibule Area: 0.9m²
- Seasons: 3 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 2
Best Mountaineering Tent: Nemo Chogori 2 Person Mountaineering Tent
Attention mountaineers and winter frothers! Our snow-loving staff are big fans of this four-season Nemo Chogori tent. It features a lightning-fast setup, 25% weight reduction, and unbeatable ventilation, vestibule space, and guy-out options. Its rock-solid, silicone-treated fabrics mean you can leave your seam tape at home. Need more space? Simply connect two tents of the same size and weather out the storm in ultimate comfort!
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 3.47 kg
- Packed Size: 46 cm x 22 cm
- Floor Area: 3.4m²
- Head Height: 99cm
- Seasons: 4 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 1
Best Four Season Tent: Hilleberg Nammatj 3 - 3 Person 4 Season Mountaineering Tent
The Hilleberg Nammatj 3 is a wonderful three-person tent that is well suited to both high-altitude camping and mountaineering as well as camping on the trails over the weekend. It’s a robust 4-season tent with an easy set-up and pack-down with a fantastic weight-to-strength ratio. Whether you’re a polar explorer or a seasoned backpacker, this tent is worth the price tag.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 3.3 kg
- Floor Area: 3.4m²
- Head Height: 105 cm
- Vestibule Area: 2.8m²
- Seasons: 4 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 1
Best Family Tent: Darche Air Volution AT4 Inflatable 4 Person Family Tent
The Darche Air Volution is perfect for families who love the outdoors. This practical and durable design is easy to set up and features a spacious internal 4-person sleeping area complete with a large front door and 3 gusset windows. Unzip the sky roof panel with added mesh to stargaze!
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 23 kg
- Floor Area: 2.8m²
- Head Height: 200 cm
- Seasons: 4 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 1 + 3 windows
Best Rooftop Tent: Yakima Skyrise HD Rooftop Tent
The Yakima Skyrise HD Rooftop Tent is the ultimate all-season mobile basecamp that offers next-level protection from the elements. Made with durability in mind with 600 D Ripstop polyester fabric and a 3000 mm waterproof PU coating. The design features extra large windows and doors that provide epic views and great ventilation, while a thick wall-to-wall foam sleeping pad provides cushion comfort for a great night's rest.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 52 kg
- Weight limit: 272 kg
- Seasons: 4 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 2 + 4 windows
Best Bikepacking Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepacking Tent
The award-winning ultralight backpacking tent from Big Agnes is the best tent for bikepacking, designed for both on-the-bike and off-the-bike adventures. Designed especially with backpackers in mind features include a TipLok tent buckle to simplify set-up.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 1.59 kg
- Packed Size: 18 x 34cm
- Floor Area:2.7m²
- Head Height: 102 cm
- Seasons: 3 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 2
This classic canvas swag design is part of the Sahara Platinum range and is one of the best-built swags on the market. It features a superfine mesh from top to bottom with zippered covers to allow stargazing without the worry of midges and other bugs getting in along with a 70mm foam mattress. The canvas is made from a tough waterproof material that can withstand the elements.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 11 kg
- Packed Size: 100cm x 35cm
- Head Height: 80 cm (foot height 50cm)
- Seasons: 3 Season Tent
- Number of Doors: 2 (top and front)
Best Bivy Shelter: The North Face Assult Futurelight Bivy
This The North Face Bivy is made of durable, water-repellent 40D ripstop nylon and makes for an excellent ultralight and packable shelter.
Specifications:
- Packed Weight: 0.78kg
- Floor Area: 1.98m²
- Seasons: 3 Season Bivy
Best Value For Money Backpacking Tent: Black Wolf Stealth Mesh Hiking Tent - 2 Season
The Black Wolf Stealth Mesh Hiking Tent is great value for money. Specially designed for Aussie adventures, it can keep critters out and protect you from the elements. It features a full mesh inner tent that provides ventilation to minimise condensation. Best used in warm weather as this is a 2-season tent.
Specifications:
- Total Weight: 3.1 kg
- Packed Size: 46 cm x 12 cm
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Doors: 1
A quick note on how to look after your tent! Always ensure your tent is dry before packing it away and storing it. If you experienced heavy rainfall on your trip, make sure you air it out once you get home. We stock lots of products to help keep your tent looking and performing at its best, check them out here.
If you’re still undecided, chat with our experts or shoot us a message online and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. Don’t forget to share your adventures with us on social media at @wildearthaustralia and use the hashtag #MyWildEarth to be featured.
About the contributor:
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Lauren Clark is the social media manager for Wild Earth. An obsessive gram counter who's always on the hunt for the lightest and most compact gear for hiking and travel. You'll find her overseas in one country or another attempting digital nomad life. When she's not working she's taking in as much culture as she can, eating all of the foods, hiking all of the trails and trying to find people to belay for her. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
