Tent - 2-person Tent for Backpacking

These 2-person tents are the ones I often personally use – even on solo trips. They are definitely heavier than a one-person backpacking tent - by nearly 2 pounds – but on shorter trips to me the weight is worth it to have plenty of room. But there’s room for two adults sleeping on standard-size mattress pads, albeit cozy. While great couples tents, these are perfectly fine and big enough for two macho types to share on the trail without danger of losing their masculinity, but you’ll be inches away from a snoring partner.

We have a few different models of 2-person backpacking tents - a MSR Zoid 2 and a MSR Hubba Hubba, as well as a Sierra Designs Flashlight model. All are easy to pitch, are very stable and offer excellent resistance to all kinds of inclement weather. I love their double-sided doors – if there are two occupants, you don’t have to climb over each other to get out – and there’s an unlimited combination of openings to get the airflow thru the tent just right. These are great tents for the tall camper that wants to be able to stretch out, and their peak interior height is enough to sit up and move around, change clothes, etc. These tents pack down small enough for even smaller backpacks and have a practical trail weight of about 5 pounds. You can specify your model preference in the “comments box” of the shopping cart; otherwise we will send what is most available at the time. None will disappoint.

Two of the three models require staking, so if you’re going to be on sheer rock or frozen-solid terrain, prepare to work hard with the stakes, or ask for the Hubba Hubba or use our free standing car camping 2-person tent instead, which is a bit heavier but less expensive if you’re really watching your budget. On any of these two-person tents, sharing campers can split up the load – separate the poles from the body, for example – and share the carrying load between camp sites.


These tents are rated as “Three-Season”, but with aerodynamic design and low profile should protect you just fine even in high, cold winds if the fly cover is used and it is well staked. Heavy snowfalls should be periodically cleared off the fly, although a few inches usually won’t hurt it.

Manufacturer Specs: (note: weight is as packaged; may be less in field. L/W dimensions are maximums at either side and may not be that long or wide the entire side of the tent. The interior height listed is usually at just one peak point and will slope lower from there.

MSR Zoid 2
Weight: 3.4 lbs
Peak interior height: 34”
Floor area:33 sq ft
Dimensions: 99” x 57”
Packed Size: 5" x 16"
Watch a setup video

MSR Hubba Hubba
Weight: 4.7 lbs
Peak interior height: 40”
Floor area: 29 sq ft
Dimensions: 84” x 50”
Packed Size: 7" x 20"
Watch a setup video


Sierra Design Clip Flashlight 2
Weight: 3.9 lbs
Peak interior height: 43”
Floor area: 32 sq ft
Dimensions: 89” x 52”
Packed Size: 5" x 19"
Watch a setup video


These are “two-wall” tents: the tent body, which includes some mesh material on the walls for maximum ventilation, plus a waterproof fly cover that goes over the body for protection against rain and provides more insulation. All feature additional vestibule space (area outside the sleeping compartment where you can protect your gear). The tents use elastic-bound poles to give it support and height at each end. Secret insider’s tip – we also have one – and only one - 2-person MSR Missing Link - a single-wall model that weighs only about 3.5 pounds. It’s the biggest 2-person tent we have, and I often use for my backpacking trips. But, it does require use of trekking poles for setup, so it’s not for everyone, and it is not recommended for rainy regions as inside condensation can be a problem with single-wall tents. Watch a setup video. We'll do our best to ship the item that you requested, however, sometimes we may ship you an equivalent item if we are currently out of stock on the item you specified.


We have lots of advice about the great outdoors including more information on tents and shelters for camping and backpacking such as how to choose the best tent and how to find and make a good camp site. Feel free to call us anytime at 866-994-4537 with any question about your camping and backpacking gear rental needs!