Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 6 Best Small Two-Person Tents of 2022

By

A man and a woman camping on a Gossamer Gear The Two tent.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This roundup of small, two-person tents is all about packability. Whether you’re looking to reduce your overall pack size or just free up space for some additional creature comforts, these tents will do the trick. Some of these tents are freestanding and some are not. Freestanding tents are pitched using included tent poles. If you’re really looking to save space (and weight), consider buying a tent that pairs with your trekking poles for setup.

Recommended Videos

Another consideration when choosing a tent is the durability of the material. Ripstop nylon comes in different deniers (10, 20, 30, etc.) and the higher the number the stronger the fabric — but also the heavier it is. You might want two doors, or maybe one is fine. Again, the choice comes down to weight vs. convenience. But whether you’re looking to spend a night sleeping under the stars or you have a longer backpacking trip coming up, one of these tents is sure to be a great addition to your pack. And once you’ve got your tent sorted out you might want to check out the best sleeping bags for camping.

Related

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 on a white backdrop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Copper Spur was first introduced in 2008 and has been a favorite ever since. Big Agnes makes great gear and is well-regarded in the industry. What’s so great about this ultralight freestanding tent? It’s ultralight and packable while still having a spacious interior. It has two doors, both with vestibules, and is made from durable double-nylon ripstop fabric.

Specs

  • Packed Weight: 3 lbs 2 oz / 1.42kg
  • Packed Size: 19.5 x 6-in / 50 x 15cm
  • Floor Area: 29 sq ft / 2.7 sq m
  • Head Height: 40 in / 102cm

MSR Hubba Hubba NX2

MSR Hubba Hubba NX2 tent on a white backdrop.
MSR is another great name in the outdoor industry, and makes quality gear across the spectrum. Their Hubba Hubba tent is well known for being lightweight, having a quick set-up time, and spacious interior. MSR uses 30D ripstop nylon for the floor of this tent, and includes DWR (durable water repellent) finish on the fabric. Because of its slightly more durable floor, the Hubba Hubba comes in a little heavier than the first two tents on our list but retains a very respectable 18 x 6-inch pack size, and 29 sq ft of interior space.

Specs

  • Packed Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
  • Packed Size: 18 x 6 in
  • Floor Area: 29 sq ft
  • Head Height: 39 in

REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent with Footprint

REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent with Footprint on a white backdrop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Half Dome is an REI classic in the two-person freestanding tent arena. Recent updates have further improved an already great tent, including the “SL” in the name, for superlight. Coming in at 4 lbs 11.5 oz, the Half Dome is a little heavier than the previous ultralight tents, but is still plenty light for backpacking. Where does that extra weight come from? Well, REI uses 40D ripstop nylon meaning greater durability than the other tents on this list. The new Half Dome also offers 33.75 sq ft of floor space, a few feet more than previous tents. That said, a packed size of 7 x 20.5 inches isn’t that large and this tent comes with a footprint. Maybe best of all, the Half Dome is only $279, quite a bit more affordable than the previous tents on our list.

Specs

  • Packed Weight: 4 lbs 11.5 oz
  • Packed Size: 7 x 20.5 in
  • Floor Area: 33.75 sq ft
  • Head Height: 42 in

Mountain Hardwear Strato UL 2 Tent

Mountain Hardwear Strato UL 2 Tent on a white backdrop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Strato 2 strikes a really nice balance in the small, ultralight tent space. Mountain Hardwear packages the tent in two bags so it can be easily split between two people. Weighing in at 2 lbs. 6.7 oz, the Strato UL 2 is the best choice for someone wanting a really light freestanding tent. And with 31.1 sq ft of floor area and a head height of 39 inches, you’re not really sacrificing that much interior space.

Specs

  • Packaged Weight: 2 lbs. 6.7 oz.
  • Packed Size: 6 x 12 and 2.5 x 16 in
  • Floor Area: 31.1 sq ft
  • Head Height: 39 in

REI Flash Air 2

REI Flash Air 2 tent on a white backdrop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Though the Half Dome is a classic, I wanted to include a really packable and lightweight tent from REI on this list as well. The Flash Air 2 is great in that you can bring the included poles or pitch it with your trekking poles. With the included poles this tent packs to 16 x 7 in. and weighs only 2 lbs 8 oz. Without the poles, the weight drops to 1 lbs 15 oz, which is competitive with the lightest tents on this list. Though the square footage is a little smaller than some of the other tents on this list, the Flash Air 2 is still a great option for those wanting a small two-person tent.

Specs

  • Packaged Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
  • Packed Size: 16 x 7 in
  • Floor Area: 28.7 sq ft
  • Head Height: 42 in

Sea to Summit Alto TR2 Tent

Sea to Summit Alto TR2 Tent on a white backdrop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Last on the list, but certainly not least, is the Alto TR2. Sea to Summit has included a lot of really thoughtful design elements with this tent. Adjustable vents allow for better air control, preventing condensation build up. The rainfly can be rolled up on clear nights but easily rolled back down in case of rain. With a packed size of 4.7 x 20.5 inches the long, skinny Alto TR2 will leave plenty of space in your bag. Weighing in at 2 lbs 15.3 oz, this tent is plenty light for those looking to put some serious miles on the trail.

Specs

  • Packed Weight: 2 lbs 15.3 oz
  • Packed Size: 4.7 x 20.5 in
  • Floor Area: 27 sq ft
  • Head Height: 42.5 in

Benjamin Buckingham
Benjamin Buckingham
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ben lives in Portland, Oregon where he works as a freelance writer and outdoor guide.

Editors’ Recommendations

The 6 best Blackstone griddle alternatives in 2024
Razor 37 inch 4 burner gas griddle

Blackstones are the de facto griddle and Habachi-style grills. There are always a ton of Blackstone deals available, too, which makes them very accessible. But what if you want something a little different or just want to save some money? There are a lot of alternatives out there if you know where to look. Don't fret if you don't, that's precisely what we're going to explore in this guide as we cover the best Blackstone alternatives for griddles in 2024. There should be something on this list for everyone, including if you already have a grill and would like to expand your options.
Pit Boss 5 Burner Gas Griddle

Also available in a slightly , the Pit Boss is the spitting image of a Blackstone, with one exception -- it has an extra burner. By comparison, even Blackstone's largest 36-inch griddles feature only four burners. Why does that matter, you ask? Because across its 753 square inches of cooking space this steel top griddle from Pit Boss offers 62,000 BTUs of heat, meaning faster, more efficient cooks when you have most of the burners lit. They are individually controlled, meaning each burner can be set to a different temperature. Locking caster swivel wheels makes moving the Pit boss a breeze, plus a shelf underneath offers plenty of space to store accessories, a cover, and anything else you might need.

Read more
Kia EV6, Rivian R1T, and more: The 8 best EVs for camping, thanks to bidirectional charging
Going green and off the grid never looked so good
Three people cooking using a camp kitchen next to Rivian R1T

If you enjoy camping in your car, there are a few essentials that would make your camping trip more comfortable. Of course, you will need the best car camping tent, a mobile camp kitchen, a portable shower, and a portable power bank if you want to have a cozy outdoor adventure.

But what if you owned, leased, or rented a big electric pickup truck, van, or SUV that’s perfectly suited for camping? The best EVs for camping aren’t just big enough to make it easier to pitch a tent, but they also include bidirectional charging technology to power your electrical gadgets using AC and DC sockets -- it's like having an EV charging station with you at all times, but charging capabilities for your devices instead.

Read more
The 6 best mountain biking destinations in Georgia
Whether you live here or are just visiting, if you want to mountain bike, these are the places to ride
Best mountain biking destinations in Georgia feature.

In the world of mountain biking, the West Coast gets all the love. We're not here to argue that, considering the history of the mountain bike has its roots firmly planted in either Marin County, California, or Crested Butte, Colorado (depending on who you ask). We're also not here to argue that some of the best trails in the country (if not the world) call places like Moab, Park City, and Sun Valley home. Still, you shouldn't sleep on the East Coast, and you especially shouldn't sleep on the best mountain bike destinations in Georgia.

When the folks at Cannondale Bikes gave us a chance to test out their latest premium trail bike, the Scalpel SE LTD Lefty, we could think of no better way to put the new all-carbon down county machine through its paces than a proper tour of all our favorite spots in the Peach State.

Read more