This is the best week of the year to buy a backpacking tent
Huge sales don’t come around often, and if you’re a camper or backpacker, you know how expensive high-quality tents can be. At $400, $500, or even $600 a tent, it’s a sizeable investment and a big decision for most folks.
That’s why outdoors people should jump at the deals for the pricier items when sales come around. In this case, grabbing some backpacking tents. If you can save $200 on a tent just by buying it now versus in 10 days, it’s a brilliant financial move!
The REI 4th of July Sale is running until July 4th. Find the best deals here and my article on the steals.
The Top Tents On Sale
Full transparency: I own the Copper Spur 3P and have nothing but good things to say about it. My first backpacking tent was a Big Anges, and it’s still in phenomenal shape. (We just needed more room.) And my brother and I backpacked around in 2020 with his MSR Hubba Hubba, so I view those two with great esteem.
Related: Comparing MSR vs Big Anges Tents
One thing to note: Tents have a minimum and a packaged weight. This can be a bit confusing. The minimum is pretty much what you want to look at, though it doesn’t include the stakes or the footprint. I’ve tried to find a middle-ground estimate with the weights here.
Best of the Best
Big Agnes Copper Spur (40% off)
As I mentioned above, this is my current backpacking tent, and the three-person version is perfect for my fiance and me. We have plenty of room, and it’s lightweight, so our backs don’t feel sore.
What you need to know about these ultralight ones is that the fabric is thin. While they aren’t delicate, you do need to be careful not to rip them on twigs, rocks, or roots.
- Weight: 3-3.5 pounds
- Price: $317/$347
- Season: 3
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 Solution-Dyed Tent (30% off)
This one’s incredibly light and perfect for those looking to keep their pack weight down. Just know this is only a semi-freestanding tent. For most of you, this won’t matter. It just means you’ll need to stake one side with a string to maximize the space inside.
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Price: $269
- Season: 3
MSR Hubba Huba (40% off)
This is probably the best deal of all the tents. Getting 40% off is huge, and if you take care of it, you’ll have this investment for 4-10 years down the road. My brother owns it, and it can fit two grown men into a two-person tent. Yes, it’s tight, but if you want to save weight and space, you can make it work!
- Weight: 2.75-3.5 pounds
- Price: $330/$378
- Season: 3
NEMO Dragonfly (25% off) < UPDATE: NO LONGER ON SALE>
NEMO’s lightest freestanding tent is rock solid, providing comfort and stability without breaking your back. I’ve never owned NEMO, but I know plenty who love its quality.
- Weight: 2.75-3.5 pounds
- Price: $375/ $435
- Season: 3
Nemo Hornet Ultralight (25% off) < UPDATE: NO LONGER ON SALE>
NEMO’s ultralight semi-freestanding tent. This is for those who want to cut as much weight as possible. It might not be the most ideal for inclement weather situations, but if you’re looking at summer adventures, you should be golden!
- Weight: 2-2.75 pounds
- Price: $322-$412
- Season: 3
Black Diamond First Light (25%) < UPDATE: NO LONGER ON SALE>
This four-season tent is perfect for more alpine-level backpacking, where you may need a sturdier tent for wind, rain, and snow. But the fact that you can get a four-season tent for under four pounds is pretty good!
- Weight: 3.25-3.75 pounds
- Price: $337/$375
- Season: 4
Half Dome SL 2+ Tent (30% off)
This is REI’s version of a lightweight tent. It’s not as lightweight as the MSR or the Big Anges, but for the price point, it’s pretty good!
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Price: $245
- Season: 3
Budget Friendly Buys
The North Face Storm Break 2 (40% off)
If you want to score a huge discount, North Face makes heavier tents that will put less of a dent in your wallet. This one’s just a bit over a hundred bucks, making it a steal for those needing a tent but looking to keep to a budget.
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Price: $110
- Season: 3
REI Trailmade 2 Tent (30% off)
Another budget-friendly tent is this one from REI. Again, it’s not ultralight, but it won’t be too bad if you split it between two people. This is good for casual backpacking and those not looking to invest too much money.
- Weight: 4.5-5 pounds
- Price: $139
- Season: 3
Best For New Backpackers
Trailmade Backpacking Bundle (30% off)
Are you new to backpacking? This bundle includes a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. It’s a really nice introduction to backpacking that won’t break the bank. Now, it comes with the downside of not being lightweight.
But if you’re not planning to do arduous hiking or only a few times a year, this is a good place to start.
- Weight: 11 pounds for all
- Price: $265
- Season: 3
Until next time, adventurers, take care and be safe.
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