Skip to main content

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

7 Best Backpacking Tents Under $100 in 2022

The best backpacking tents under $100 offer many of the same features of their brand-name alternatives.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Backpacking can be a surprisingly expensive hobby. For an activity that often prides itself on minimalism, it can be difficult and pricey to build up your gear closet from scratch. But, that doesn’t have to be the case. Focus on an affordable set of base camping gear and expand your collection from there. First and foremost: Buying the best tent.

To get you started, we’ve done the legwork when it comes to buying the right tent and sourced the best backpacking tents under $100 in 2022. These budget backpacking tents range from two-person to four-person tents.

Related Reading

Coleman Hooligan Backpacking Tent

Coleman's Hooligan Backpacking Tent offers enough room for four campers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If name-brand matters, Coleman’s Hooligan Backpacking Tent is a great option at just under $100. The 9 by 7-foot interior is spacious enough for four campers with sleeping pads, making it one of the largest on this list. Thanks to an Insta-Clip suspension, snag-free pole sleeves, and a patented pin-and-ring system, it sets up in 10 minutes or less.

Related Reading: Best 4-Person Tents

Moon Lence Backpacking Tent

Moon Lence Backpacking Tent is a roomy and versatile entry-level backpacking tent.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For straightforward value, it’s hard to beat Moon Lence’s catalog of entry-level camping gear. The brand’s backpacking tent is no exception. It sets up in minutes with more versatility than most tents in this price range. That means you can pitch it as an open-air shelter or add the included fly if the weather takes a turn for the worse. With an 86 by 55-inch footprint, there’s more than enough room for two. Plus, for a sub-$100 tent, it’s reasonably lightweight at just over five pounds.

Related Reading: Best Camping Tents

Clostnature 3-Season Backpacking Tent

The Clostnature 3-Season Backpacking Tent is one of the best-reviewed lightweight backpacking tents on Amazon.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Clostnature’s 3-Season Backpacking Tent is among the best-reviewed lightweight tents in the category on Amazon. It boasts many of the same features of far more expensive brand-name tents, including waterproof construction, a lifetime warranty, a panoramic mesh design with a rain fly, and a roomy footprint to accommodate two campers and maybe a small dog, too. It’s a steal at under $75.

Related Reading: Best Waterproof Tents

River Country Products Trekker Tent 2

River Country Products Trekker Tent 2 relies on traditional trekking poles to pitch.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

River Country Products Trekker Tent 2 is the lightest and most compact on this list, thanks to one of our favorite field-tested backpacking tent designs. By relying on ordinary trekking poles, it eliminates the need for traditional tent poles. This minimizes weight, pack space, and complexity, making it a snap to pitch, even by just a sole camper. Inside, it’s roomy enough for one camper with gear or two campers who don’t mind stashing their gear outside.

Bessport Camping Tent

Bessport's Camping Tents offer enough room for two or even three campers.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Bessport’s family of camping and backpacking tents is affordable, durable, and versatile. Every model in the lineup features dual D-shaped doors and two vestibules for easy access and gear storage. By relying on a single aluminum pole, the tents pitch fast (especially welcome if you’re camping in the rain). Twin ceiling vents and a large mesh window combine to provide ample airflow. Plus, whether you opt for the 2-person or 3-person backpacking tent, it’s available for under $100.

Related Reading: Best 2-Person Tents

Coleman Sundome Tent

Coleman's Sundome Tent is an ideal two-person backpacking tent under $100.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another solid option from Coleman, the Sundome Tent is an ideal two-person camping and backpacking shelter priced under $100. The unique dome design provides enhanced airflow courtesy of oversized windows and a ground vent. Plus, the weatherproof construction features welded corners, inverted seams, and an included rainfly to fend off rain and withstand winds up to 35 miles per hour. We also love the built-in E-port, which delivers easy electrical power access at your next campsite.

Night Cat Backpacking Tent

The Night Cat Backpacking Tent is one of the cheapest backpacking tents on the market.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you value affordability above all else, Night Cat’s Backpacking Tent is a basic offering with only the essentials. The single-layer design is best suited for solo campers with just enough extra room for a child or a pet. The foldable fiberglass poles guarantee easy setup and breakdown, and the entire design collapses into the included carry bag at a compact 16.5 by 4.7 inches across. The best part? The sub-$40 price tag makes this one of the cheapest on this list.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
How well does your home state rank for adventure? Study reveals the best and worst states
Here are the best (and worst) states for adventure
Family camping

Are you planning your next family vacation and are looking for an adventure-filled experience? It's essential to choose a state that offers a wide range of activities to keep everyone entertained.

Luckily, Family Vacation Guide has conducted a comprehensive analysis and ranked all 50 states in America based on their adventure offerings. By considering factors such as accessibility to ski resorts, mountain bike trails, horseback riding trails, national parks, camping areas, and water sports, they have determined the best states for outdoor lovers and which ones you may want to avoid.

Read more
Pack your multiday backpack for comfort with our guide
How to pack your overnight backpack for pain-free camping
One green backpack on a brown wooden log in the woods.

One of the most frustrating things I see all the time on the trail is badly packed backpacks. You pass a group of otherwise capable-looking hikers, only to see that their packs are bent out of shape, their gear is hanging out everywhere, and they're being pulled all over the place by their poor weight distribution. You want to stop and help them, but is your unsolicited advice welcome, or will you sound like a hiking snob? Perhaps it's in the delivery, but surely they can't be comfortable.

Packing a backpack is an art form. Once you have your packing down, it becomes therapeutic to piece your puzzle together in a way that fits perfectly and comfortably and means that the hiking backpack you bought with the expensive back system actually works like the label promised. This might sound like too much excitement just for packing, but trust me, once you learn how to pack a backpack properly, it becomes second nature and allows you to hit the trail so much more comfortably. So, how do you do it?

Read more
7 wild edible plants every outdoor enthusiast should know about
Hangry while hiking? Try one of these wild edible plants
A bee on a purple chive flower.

If you're anything like us, you love the hustle and bustle of daily life while out camping. One of the most exciting aspects of being out in nature is the the opportunity to forage for edible plants that grow abundantly in your area. Not only does this add a touch of freshness to your camp food, but it gives you a new appreciation for nature.

In this article, we'll highlight some edible plants that grow wild around much of the United States. But make sure that you exercise caution and identify these plants properly! It's always a good idea to consult an expert just to make sure.

Read more