Camping is a great way to spend time in the outdoors and have an adventure. The experience can be made even more memorable by staying in a tent instead of sleeping on the ground. In this article, I will discuss how tents under 100$ are perfect for those who want to sleep out under the stars, but still have a cozy place to call their own. There are many different types of backpacking tents available on the market, but be sure to purchase one that is made from sturdy construction and will withstand windy conditions.
Types of Backpacking Tents
The first type of tent you may consider purchasing is called a dome-style tent which has two poles attached at opposite ends with clips along with them near where they attach to create a shape for your shelter. This type of tent is an affordable option, but you must be careful with the poles. If one breaks it will bring down your entire home in the wilderness!
Another type of backpacking tent under 100$ is called a cabin-style tent. Some people confuse this style with dome tents because they are similar shapes, but there are differences. Cabin-style tents have three poles (two on the sides and one up in the middle), which creates more headroom. This is great if you are taller or want to sit up inside your tent. Cabin tents typically cost more than dome styles but provide more benefits.
And finally, a hybrid type of backpacking tent under 100$ that combines a cabin style with a dome style is a tunnel tent. This type of shelter is common for people who camp often in colder weather when they need more headroom to move around or when extra storage space is needed. You can choose from many different designs and colors when you buy this style of tent for under 100$.
The 10 Best Backpacking Tents Under 100$
Now that you are familiar with the different types of tents available, I will share with you my top picks for the best ones on the market.
Coleman Sundome Backpacking Tent
B014LSDUA8
This Coleman Sundome tent is great for one or two campers and provides a space just big enough to stretch out without feeling cramped inside. It is a tunnel-style tent so it has more room for taller campers. It includes a rainfly and is simple to set up when you have received instructions from the manufacturer about how much time it typically takes to get this shelter built.
Coleman Xtreme Weather Backpacking Tent
B004E4ERHA
This budget-friendly model of the tent has a dome shape and is great for up to three campers. It includes stakes, poles, and ropes to provide stability in windy conditions. Two doors allow you easy entry into the tent when you are tired after your day’s adventure. The rainfly can be adjusted to keep out light showers or windblown dust.
Coleman Sundome 2-Person Backpacking Tent
B014LSDUA8
This budget-friendly backpacking tent is great for two campers and provides extra room for storage space due to the extended rainfly that covers the front of the shelter. There are windows on both sides that can be propped open with mesh nets to allow cooling breezes to enter your camping area.
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Backpacking Tent
B081R35BXY
This tent for one or two campers is a sturdy shelter that protects from heavy wind and rain as well as light showers and snows. The mesh material allows you to see the stars at night and feel the breeze when you sleep. It is easy to set up when you receive instructions from the manufacturer who includes detailed drawings in case you get confused about how to begin building your own home away from home in the wilderness.
Eureka Apex 2XT Backpacking Tent
B07KTC22S8
This budget backpacking tent for one or two campers is cabin style with an extended rainfly that fully covers the front and sides of this tent. There are mesh panels along the walls to allow for ventilation and stargazing at night. You can also open 2 doors into this shelter for more room when you need it or keep them closed to stay warmer on chilly nights!
Ozark Trail 1-Person Backpacking Tent
B09KCHVH3N
This tunnel-style lightweight tent is great for one or 2 campers and provides excellent protection from the elements. It has a rainfly that extends over the front of this shelter to provide extra protection if needed and can be adjusted for proper ventilation during warm weather. There are also mesh panels along the sides and at the top of this tent to allow good airflow.
Wenzel Alpine Tent 1-Person Backpacking Tent
B078216S9D
This backpacking shelter is cabin style which means it has more headroom for taller campers as well as two doors so you can easily enter and exit this tent when you need to use the bathroom during the night or find your shoes before you go hiking. There are mesh panels along the walls to keep out cold breezes and allow warm air to circulate, but you can also zip up all of these panels when it is very windy outside so no rain blows inside this tent.
Wenzel Starlight Tent 1-Person Backpacking Tent
B083HRJH6X
This 1-person backpacking tent for one or two campers is cabin style with an extended rainfly that fully covers the front and sides of this tent. There are mesh panels along the walls to allow for ventilation and stargazing at night. You can also open two doors into this shelter for more room when you need it or keep them closed to stay warmer on chilly nights!
Wenzel Klondike Tent 8-Person Backpacking Tent
B017NFRQV0
This budget-friendly backpacking tent is cabin style with two mesh panels along the walls to allow for ventilation and stargazing at night. You can also open two doors into this shelter for more room when you need it or keep them closed to stay warmer on chilly nights!
Coleman Hooligan Tent 2-Person
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This Coleman Hooligan backpacking tent for two campers is cabin style with mesh panels along the walls which allow for great ventilation and stargazing at night. You can also open two doors into this shelter for more room when you need it or keep them closed to stay warmer on chilly nights!
How to Choose the Right Backpacking Tent For You?
When you are looking for the best backpacking tent for under 100$, there is a little bit of research that should be done before you go shopping. You need to know your price range and what features you want your shelter to have. For instance, do you want extra storage space inside? Will bad weather be an issue where you live? Do you need a one-person tent or will more room be needed? Once you have your price range and feature list, you can begin searching.
You should also think about how much space you need inside of your backpacking tent. If you plan on camping with another person, check the dimensions so that two people don’t feel too crowded sleeping in close quarters. Once you have the dimensions of each tent, sleep in them at home or somewhere with similar conditions to ensure comfortability.
You should also consider your climate when choosing the best backpacking tent for under 100$. Do not buy a three-season tent if you live in an area where there are typically bitterly cold winters because that type of shelter would be too cold. Do not buy a four-season tent if you do not expect to experience much in the way of inclement weather, because they are much thicker and heavier than other types of tents for backpacking.
One more thing to consider when looking at the best backpacking tent under 100$ is how it will be used. If you camp often, it may be worth the extra money to purchase a cabin-style tent because over time they are cheaper. If you only plan on using your backpacking tent once or twice, get a dome style if you are not worried about headroom.
Tips on Setting up Your New Tent and Sleeping Comfortably in It
Once you have your backpacking tent, it is time to set it up. Of course, this may be easier said than done because different models of tents come with slightly different instructions on how to get them ready for sleeping in. If you are new to the world of camping equipment, though, do not worry; here are some tips that will help you get your tent set up in no time!
First, make sure that you are putting the correct side of the shelter into the ground. This is an issue that many people overlook when setting up their new backpacking tents for the first time. Double-check to make sure that if there are two doors, one is on each end, and whichever side the door unzips to should be facing away from the wind.
Second, make sure that your tent is secure in the ground so it does not blow away when you are preparing for bed or in case of a storm. Check each corner where stakes are attached to ensure that they are securely tightened around the tent. The stakes should also be angled down to ensure that the wind cannot pick up your shelter and send it flying.
Third, pay attention to how the tent is staked out as you set it up. Since many tents come with a rain fly, make sure that side of the shelter is facing away from you when you are inside the tent because water can drip in through the mesh. You should also make sure that the vestibule of your tent is facing away from you so rainfall does not get in when you open it.
Finally, pay attention to how much space there is inside of your shelter. While a two-person tent may be more comfortable for some people if there is not enough room to move around comfortably.
Backpacking is a great way to explore new places and enjoy the great outdoors. If you are anything like me, you probably love going on hikes with friends but hate carrying a lot of gear when you do it. I typically
