A backpacking tent is a great investment to make, especially if you’re going to be doing some heavy-duty camping or hiking.
A backpacking tent will serve as the home base for all of your supplies and equipment. It should be durable, roomy enough for you and two other people, easy to set up and takedown, and dependable in all sorts of conditions. There are many options available when it comes to picking the best 3 person backpacking tents!
The Importance of a Backpacking Tent
A backpacking tent is an absolute must if you plan on doing any sort of backcountry camping or long-distance hiking. If you’re going to be out and about and sleeping and eating in tents for one night or several, it becomes necessary to find a quality option that will meet your needs as well as provide shelter for those around you.
You’ll want to make sure that you get a backpacking tent that is durable enough to stand up to the elements, roomy enough for at least one other person if not two, easy to set up and takedown time after time without fail, light enough for you to carry on your back with the rest of your equipment, and of course very dependable in all sorts of conditions.
The Best 3 Person Backpacking Tents
This guide will cover several of the best options when it comes to backpacking tents, including 3 person models for those who don’t want to go it alone. Before buying a backpacking tent, be sure that you do your research and figure out what you need and what you don’t. There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to backpacking tents, and it’s important that you get one that suits your needs best!
Marmot Limelight 2P/3P (B0176X87CQ)
The Marmot Limelight is an ultralight 3-person tent that’s perfect for backpacking or trekking. It has a no fur design and is made of 100% polyester mesh, which provides excellent ventilation. The inside of the tent is covered in a 280T polyester taffeta that has a waterproof and UV-fastness rating of 2000mm F/R. The fly fabric, on the other hand, is made out of similar material with an even better rating (2000mm) as well as weighing much less (900g). The Limelight has a 2 pole design, is freestanding, and has an adjustable vent at the top of the fly.
It uses 20 x 6in aluminum poles with 11mm diameter, which are not included with the tent. The Marmot Limelight’s dimensions are 48 x 68 x 90in (122cm x 172cm x 229cm).
The packed weight is 5 lb 12 oz (2.48 kg), so it can be carried on backpacking trips or strapped to a yak’s saddlebag.
Pros:
- can be set up by one person
- comes with stakes and guy lines in the package
- lightweight and extremely packable, so it’s great for backpacking
Cons:
- zippers on rainfly and interconnect mesh are not waterproof
- can feel drafty when zippers are open on the fly
The North Face Stormbreak 3 Person Camping Tent (B07G2VRZ1P)
The North Face Stormbreak is a backpacking tent that is great for people who want to go on multi-day trips. It has 2 doors, 2 twin-zip, multi-configuration vestibules, and a stowsack size of 8″ X 22″. The total weight of this product is 6 lbs 10 oz and the trail weight is 5 lbs 15 oz. This tent also has a floor area of 39.72 square ft.
The North Face Stormbreak has a 75D Polyester Taffeta canopy and a 40D Polyester Mesh floor. The fly is 75D polyester as well as the floor.
The North Face Stormbreak backpacking tent gives you 2 doors, which is great if you are not sharing the tent with anyone. It also has zips that go all around the fly and down the side of the tent. This makes it easy to get in and out of and also helps with ventilation because zipped vents allow cool airflow into the tent while also letting hot air escape.
Another great feature is that the doors for this tent can either be used as awnings, or they may be rolled up and tied back to allow airflow throughout your camping experience.
Pros:
- Great for people who want to go on multi-day backpacking trips.
- 2 doors.
- Stowsack size of 8″ X 22″.
Cons:
- Size, for some people it is too small.
- Some complaints about the zipper being hard to use.
Midori 3-Season Backpacking Tent (B08QRN3XXR)
The Midori 3-Season Backpacking tent is the perfect tent for you. It comes complete with 2 large side opening doors, a single door, and two vestibules to store your gear in. This tent also has adjustable ventilation options for all weather conditions which can be easily adjusted by turning the tent’s spine pole system. The Midori 3-Season backpacking tent is lightweight, includes 2 zippered rear vestibules, is lightweight at only 4 pounds 13 ounces (at minimum), and packs down to 6 x 20 inches!
This tent features an Air Exchange System that will keep you cool when it’s warm out or warm when it’s cold out so you’ll always have a comfortable tenting experience! The tent also includes a High/Low Vent for further temperature control and the 7000 Series aluminum frame ensures that this tent will last you many tenting seasons to come.
The Midori 3-Season tent is sure to be your favorite tent as it’s easy as 1,2,3. Set up this tent with your 2 tent poles, stake out the tent, and attach it to the tent with the tent clips.
Pros:
- tent body
- tent is lightweight
Cons:
- a tent might not be suitable for tall people
- a tent might take a little bit of time to set up.
Choosing the Right Tent for You
A backpacking tent is a great investment to make, especially if you’re going to be doing some heavy-duty camping or hiking.
Before buying a backpacking tent, though, it’s important that you do your research and figure out what you need and what you don’t. There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to backpacking tents, and it’s important that you get one that suits your needs best!
The first thing you’ll need to figure out is how many people will be sleeping in the tent. Are you going with a friend? Is this a romantic camping trip for just yourself? Will there be more than two people sharing the tent with you?
The next thing to consider is weight. How much does the tent actually weigh if it’s packed up and ready for you to take on your adventure? Will you be able to pack it along with everything else that you need for your trip without weighing yourself down too much?
Next, think about durability. Is this a backpacking tent that will be able to stand up to the elements, or is it simply made for milder weather? Does it have a rainfly? What kind of terrain will you be traveling through on your trip, and what’s the forecast like? All of these factors should go into choosing your backpacking tent!
Last but not least, it’s important that you choose a backpacking tent that’s easy to set up and takedown. If you’re fumbling around with poles, stakes, and tie-downs every time it comes time to pack up the tent again, this isn’t going to be an enjoyable experience! You’ll want something that takes no more than 10 minutes for you to get up and takedown, so it’s out of the way and ready to go for your next trip.
What is the lightest 3 man tent?
The lightest of the 3 person backpacking tent options is the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 3. At only 2 pounds, 11 ounces, it makes an excellent choice for minimalist hikers who are traveling on foot with all their supplies in tow. The design features a full mesh body that is both water-resistant and breathable, providing you with an area to rest well as you sleep. The UL 3 has a DAC Featherlite main pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs, which contributes to its overall weight limit of 2 pounds, 15 ounces. It also consists of multiple mesh storage pockets to keep your gear organized and easily accessible at a moment’s notice.
What is the best 3 person backpacking tent for bad weather?
The budget-friendly Seasonally Unavailable Big Agnes Rattlesnake SL3 mtnGLO is a death trap in an electrical storm. What makes this three-person backpacking tent so great at surviving those rainy months is its heavy-duty nylon shell fabric, taped seams, and the freestanding frame design that gives you increased stability. This 3 season tent has a single hubbed pole with a quick Stash-to-Side setup, so there is no fiddling about trying to find your poles or putting up one of those frustrating dome tents that always seem to take longer than they should.
What is the best 3 person backpacking tent for winter?
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 has a low profile design that helps to reduce your weight, while still providing you with all the comforts of home. It also incorporates an offset fly construction to help raise the floors up off the ground for increased airflow and breathability. The single vertical walls construction is tough enough to survive the harsh winter elements, while the mesh body helps to prevent any snow buildup.
How much should a backpacking tent weigh?
The lightest of the 3 person backpacking tent options is the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 3. At only 2 pounds, 11 ounces, it makes an excellent choice for minimalist hikers who are traveling on foot with all their supplies in tow. The design features a full mesh body that is both water-resistant and breathable, providing you with an area to rest well as you sleep.
The UL 3 has a DAC Featherlite main pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs, which contributes to its overall weight limit of 2 pounds, 15 ounces. It also consists of multiple mesh storage pockets to keep your gear organized and easily accessible at a moment’s notice.
