Venturing into the wilderness alone is a uniquely rewarding experience, but your shelter is your most critical piece of gear. The right one-person backpacking tent provides a secure, lightweight home away from home, protecting you from the elements without weighing you down. With so many options on the market, finding the perfect balance of weight, weather protection, and livable space can be a challenge.
This guide simplifies your search by showcasing a curated selection of the best solo shelters available. Whether you are an ultralight enthusiast counting every ounce or a car camper seeking comfort and durability, there is a tent here designed to meet your specific adventure needs and ensure a successful trip.
The Best One-Person Backpacking Tents
- Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One
- Clostnature Crux 1 Person Tent
- camppal 1 Person Tent for Camping
- Underwood Aggregator 1-Person Tent
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Tent
- THE NORTH FACE Stormbreak 1 Tent
- Kelty Late Start 1P Backpacking Tent
- NEMO Hornet Elite 1P Backpacking Tent
Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One
This tent from Night Cat is an excellent entry-level option for casual campers and scouts. It focuses on user-friendly features, most notably the protective case covering the fiberglass poles. This thoughtful design prevents tiny splinters and makes the setup process safer and more comfortable for your hands.
With an inner size of 7.0 by 3.8 feet, it fits one person comfortably with extra room for gear. The compact package, weighing 4.4 pounds, is easy to transport, making it suitable for camping, hiking, and even backyard adventures for kids and teens.
Clostnature Crux 1 Person Tent
The Clostnature Crux is designed for the solo backpacker who prioritizes weight and weather protection. Its polyester rainfly and bathtub floor feature a PU 5000mm coating, offering impressive waterproofing that keeps you dry in various conditions. The factory-sealed seams add an extra layer of defense against moisture.
Weighing just under 3 pounds on the trail, this ultralight tent significantly reduces your pack load. Its freestanding, two-aluminum pole design allows for a quick and easy setup, even for those with limited experience. The compact packed size ensures it fits neatly into your backpack.
camppal 1 Person Tent for Camping
For those who need a tent for more demanding conditions, the camppal model is built as a four-season shelter. It features strong aluminium pole construction and anti-tearing rip-stop fabric to provide stability and resistance against high winds. With a 3500-4000mm water resistance rating, it is prepared for heavy rain.
A key benefit of this tent is its extended length of 8.2 feet, offering ample space for taller individuals to sleep comfortably. This extra length also creates valuable room for personal belongings like a backpack and boots, keeping them protected from the elements inside the tent with you.
Underwood Aggregator 1-Person Tent
This tent is a solid choice for solo adventurers looking for a reliable and efficient shelter. It is crafted from premium materials with a PU5000mm coated rainfly, ensuring strong resistance against rain and moisture. Reinforced seams and sturdy poles contribute to its overall stability and durability in challenging weather.
Setup is designed to be quick and straightforward with its freestanding, two-aluminum pole design. The D-shaped door allows for easy access, and the compact packed size makes it highly portable. It effectively minimizes pack weight without sacrificing the comfort and security needed for a solo trip.
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is a well-regarded tent that strikes a great balance between weight, durability, and value. Weighing just over 4 pounds, it is lightweight enough for backpacking while being built with robust materials. The freestanding, two-pole aluminum construction makes assembly incredibly simple and fast.
Its weatherproof design includes a factory-sealed rainfly with a 1500mm coating and a poly taffeta floor with a 2000mm rating. This combination provides reliable protection from rain and wind, keeping you dry and comfortable in a variety of outdoor conditions.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Tent
For the serious ultralight backpacker or bikepacker, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 is a top-tier shelter. It features a high-volume hub design that increases strength and interior space without adding weight. The use of proprietary double rip-stop nylon fabric offers enhanced tear-strength and puncture resistance.
This tent is packed with bike-friendly features, including a burly compression sack and daisy-chain webbing for multiple frame attachment options. The simplified setup with the unique TipLok Tent Buckle and short, packable poles makes it ideal for adventures on two wheels.
THE NORTH FACE Stormbreak 1 Tent
The North Face Stormbreak 1 is a classic one-person tent known for its reliable shelter and user-friendly design. It pitches quickly, making it perfect for solo campers who want to set up camp with minimal effort. The large door allows for simple entry and provides wide-open views of your surroundings.
Ventilation is a strong point, with high-low ventilation openings that promote optimal airflow to keep the interior cool and reduce condensation. A mesh stuff pocket conveniently holds the door open, and the spacious vestibule offers ample room for storing gear.
Kelty Late Start 1P Backpacking Tent
Updated for 2024, the Kelty Late Start 1P is built for simplicity and speed. It boasts an impressive setup time of just three minutes, thanks to features like Quickcorner pole sleeves and color-coded buckle attachment points. This makes it an ideal choice for those who value efficiency after a long day on the trail.
Durable 68D polyester fabrics are used in the bathtub floor and full-coverage rainfly, which has a 1200mm waterproof rating. The interior offers a roomy peak height, providing a comfortable living space whether you are at a campground or in the backcountry.
NEMO Hornet Elite 1P Backpacking Tent
The NEMO Hornet Elite represents the pinnacle of ultralight technology for the weight-conscious backpacker. It utilizes high-end materials and innovative design to shed every possible ounce while maintaining structural integrity and weather protection. This tent is for those who prioritize a minimal pack weight above all else.
Despite its lightweight construction, it does not sacrifice livability. Strategic design elements create a surprising amount of interior space and include features that manage condensation and enhance ventilation. It is a specialist shelter for long-distance thru-hikers and alpine climbers.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best One-Person Backpacking Tent
When I’m picking out a one-person backpacking tent, my first thought is always weight. Every single ounce counts when it’s on my back for miles. I look for what’s called the “packed weight,” which includes everything, and the “trail weight,” which is usually just the tent body, rainfly, and poles. For a solo shelter, I aim for something under three pounds; it’s the sweet spot between comfort and not breaking my back.
Next up is the design. I mostly see freestanding tents, which are awesome because I can set them up and then move them around on a rocky or uneven site to find the perfect spot. They’re super convenient. Then there are non-freestanding or trekking pole tents. These use my hiking poles for support instead of dedicated tent poles, which saves a ton of weight. The trade-off is a slightly more complex pitch and needing my trekking poles to be with me at camp. I consider how much I value simplicity versus ultralight savings.
I also pay close attention to the space. A one-person tent is, by definition, cozy. I make sure the interior length is at least a few inches longer than I am tall, so my sleeping bag doesn’t brush against the walls, especially if condensation forms. I also check the peak height—can I sit up comfortably to change clothes? And finally, I look at the vestibule space. This is the covered area outside the main door. A good-sized vestibule is a lifesaver for storing my muddy boots and bulky backpack, keeping the sleeping area clean and dry.
Durability and weather resistance are non-negotiable. I check the denier (D) of the tent fabric—a higher number generally means a tougher, but heavier, material. For the floor, I look for at least 20D to 30D to handle rough ground. A full-coverage rainfly is essential for wind and rain, and I always, always use a groundsheet or footprint to protect the tent floor from abrasion. Good ventilation is key to reducing internal condensation, so I look for tents with multiple mesh panels and adjustable vents on the rainfly. Balancing all these factors is the real trick to finding the perfect shelter for my solo adventures. This guide to the 9 best backpacking tent for one person will help you see how different models stack up in these critical areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a one-person tent big enough for me and my gear?
This is a great question, and it really depends on the specific tent. A true one-person tent is designed for you and your sleeping pad. Your backpack, boots, and other gear will need to go in the vestibule(s). When I’m looking at options, I always check the vestibule area specifications. A larger vestibule can easily fit my pack and boots, keeping them dry and out of the way. If I know I’ll have a lot of gear or just want more room to spread out, I sometimes even look at “roomy” one-person tents or consider a two-person tent for the extra space, accepting the weight penalty.
What is the main difference between a 3-season and 4-season tent?
The biggest difference is in their ability to handle weather. A 3-season tent is what I use for spring, summer, and fall. It’s designed with lots of mesh for great ventilation and to handle rain and moderate winds. A 4-season (or mountaineering) tent is built stronger, with more poles, less mesh, and a sturdier structure to handle heavy snow loads and high winds. For most of my backpacking trips, a 3-season tent is perfect. I only consider a 4-season model if I’m planning a winter expedition above the tree line.
How important is a tent’s packed size?
It’s pretty important, especially if you have a smaller backpack. A tent that packs down small gives me more flexibility in how I organize my pack. It can often fit horizontally, which helps with weight distribution, or vertically in a side pocket. Bulky tents can be a real pain to pack around other gear. Many modern lightweight tents use thinner materials and shorter pole sections, which naturally lead to a smaller packed size, and I find that to be a huge advantage on the trail.
Can I use a one-person tent for two people in a pinch?
You can try, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s going to be an extremely tight squeeze. You’d have to leave all your gear outside, and there would be zero personal space. It’s a recipe for a uncomfortable, condensation-filled night. It’s always better to match the tent to the number of people who will regularly be using it. For two people, a two-person tent is the way to go. When researching the 9 best backpacking tent for one person, I focus on models that prioritize space efficiency for a single occupant.
Do I really need a footprint for my tent?
While not always strictly necessary, I always use one. A footprint is a custom-sized groundsheet that protects the tent floor from abrasion, moisture, and punctures. It extends the life of my tent, which is a significant investment. It also adds a tiny bit of extra waterproofing from the ground. Some tents have optional footprints you can buy, or I sometimes make my own from a lightweight sheet of Tyvek. For me, the protection and peace of mind are well worth the minor extra weight and cost.