Fifty 2-person tents analyzed – Here are the smallest

Small, 2 person tents are the most common tents you will see when backpacking. They are convenient for couples and solo hikers who want extra space. Being small can help save space in your backpack and keep your base weight low so you can more thoroughly enjoy your hike.

So, how big is a 2 person tent?

After researching 50 2 person tents, I found that:

• The floor area ranges from 25.3 sq ft up to 40 sq ft.
• They weigh from 19 ounces up to 10lbs-7oz.
• The average floor area is 31.09 sq ft and
• the average weight is 4lbs-6.5oz.

Of the 50 tents researched, here is the list of small 2 person tents based on having less than average floor space:

Small 2 person tents by floor area

Note that the square footage does not include the area of any vestibules, if applicable.

Next, because weight is a factor when defining what is small, I took the lightest of the tents with below average floor area, and concluded these to be truly small 2 person tents:

Small 2 person tents based on weight and floor area

Turns out, most of these tents are the most popular among long-distance hikers, in part because of their weight, but also because while they are small for 2 people, they are large enough for a solo hiker. Many solo hikers prefer the extra space that a small 2 person tent affords them over a 1 person tent.

Is a small, 2 person tent the best option for you?

A small 2 person tent is not ideal for everyone, but if you fall into one of two categories they are a perfect choice. Those categories are:

1. You are a solo hiker who wants more space.
2. You are sharing a tent and want to save weight and pack space.

For a solo hiker, 1 person tents can be claustrophobic. Mostly, these tents are big enough to fit your sleeping pad in wall-to-wall with little to no space for your gear. Having a small 2 person tent is perfect if you want extra space to maneuver around. It also allows you to keep your gear explosion limited to inside your tent, where it is protected from the elements and critters.

And if you are looking to bunk with someone in one tent and are willing to sacrifice some space for less weight, small 2 person tents are your best option. Of the 50 tents studied, the average weight of tents that exceed the floor area average of 31.09 square feet is 80 ounces, or 5 pounds! In contrast, the average weight of the smallest 2 person tents presented in the previous table is barely over 2 pounds!

Best recommendations for small 2 person tents

If you need help deciding on what small 2 person tent is right for you, below are what I believe to be the best options for various needs.

Best for a solo hiker – Zpacks Duplex

The Zpacks Duplex is a staple in the thru hiker community, and while it is designed for two, it makes a great option for a solo hiker. Only weighing 19 ounces (not including stakes), this small 2 person tent offers enough space for you and your gear. It is on the pricey side, and it can have condensation issues (single wall tents do), but its durability combined with being ultralight makes it the best small 2 person tent for someone hiking solo.

Best for 2 people – REI Quarter Dome SL2

The Quarter Dome SL2 from REI is a great small 2 person tent, especially when actually sharing it with a partner. The larger vestibules will provide enough area for larger gear that you will not have space for inside the tent. It is also double walled, meaning condensation will not be as big of an issue. While it is on the heavier side (46 oz.) compared to the other small 2 person tents, the price, plus the features, makes the Quarter Dome SL2 perfect for 2 people.

Best bang for your buck – Gossamer Gear The Two

Gossamer Gear’s The Two isn’t as light as the Duplex from Zpacks, but it’s only 4.5 more ounces and costs less than $400! It also has 2 entry doors which I highly recommend whether camping alone or with a partner. The biggest downside is how thin the material is. You will need to use a footprint if you want to help protect the tent floor from damage. All-in-all though, this small 2 person tent is well worth its price tag.

Best freestanding – Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum

A freestanding tent can hold their shapes without being staked down. This means you don’t have to disassemble it to move it. The Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 is a small 2 person freestanding tent that only uses one hubbed tent pole. The Platinum model has an ultralight weight of 31 ounces! The negatives are the thin material and the price of around $550. But with the weight, 2 entry doors, and the convenience of having one hubbed tent pole, the Copper Spur 2 Platinum is hard to beat when it comes to freestanding tents.

Best for 4 seasons – Tarptent Scarp 2

The Scarp 2 is a versatile small 2 person tent from Tarptent that can be set up in only 2 minutes! Its weight makes it one of the lightest options available for 4-season camping. Unfortunately, to use this as a 4-season tent, it requires the purchase of the crossing pole that adds 18 ounces. This makes it a total of 4 lbs-14 oz. It also requires the crossing pole to be freestanding. However, the versatility of having a lightweight 3-season tent that can double as a lightweight 4-season tent puts the Scarp 2 at the top of its competitors.

Best double wall tent – Nemo Hornet Elite 2

The Nemo Hornet 2 Elite is not only my choice for best small 2 person double walled tent, it and the normal Hornet 2 are among the best backpacking tents – period. On top of having only one tent pole and having dual entry doors, the Elite version is ultralight at 33 ounces. The Elite does have a steep price at around $500, but if you don’t mind a few more ounces, you can always opt for the normal Hornet 2. Either way, the Hornet 2 is a solid tent, and being double walled is just icing on the cake.

What to look for in a small 2 person tent

There are several features you should consider when looking for a small 2 person tent. They are:

Let us review these briefly in order to help you make the best choice.

Floor Area

Since we are discussing small 2 person tents, look for one with a floor area of less than 32 sq ft. This helps filter out heavier tents as well since anything over 32 sq ft tends to be so. If you are hiking solo, any tent with a 2 person capacity will have enough floor space for your gear and yourself.

Weight

If you are looking for a small 2 person tent, assuming that weight is a major factor as well is reasonable. And if you have a target base weight you are trying to achieve, having a light or ultralight tent can be one of the biggest leaps toward that goal. Keep in mind some tent weights do not include stakes, guylines, or stuff sacks, so that can be extra, unaccounted for ounces.

Headroom

Taller people need taller tents, or they are at least desired. Pay attention to the peak height of a tent and make sure it is tall enough for you. If you are an average height, headroom is not likely to be important as long as you have enough to sit up straight.

Vestibules

When camping solo, having a small 2 person tent likely eliminates the need for a vestibule. However, if you are sharing a 2 person tent, it is unlikely all your gear will fit inside comfortably. For this reason, having vestibules that offer enough coverage outside of the tent body is important.

Number of Doors

This is also not as big of a deal if you are alone in your tent, but when sharing, having a door on each side is beneficial. When nature calls during the night, it isn’t fun having to crawl over your partner.

Ventilation

Two people in a small tent? Better have some good ventilation because it might get stuffy otherwise. This also helps to minimize the risk of condensation, and if using a double-walled tent, you drastically can reduce this threat.

Number of poles

Consider how many poles are required to set up a tent. Some only require the use of trekking poles, while freestanding and semi-freestanding tents use 1 to 4 poles. Using a trekking pole tent may be more convenient for some, but they do not offer as much strength as a freestanding one.

Set-up time

How quickly can a tent be set up? I recommend aiming for a tent that requires no more than 5 minutes to pitch. Most of the tents listed above meet that requirement, however, it may take some practice.

Material

Thicker material means more weight, but you generally will get a more durable tent. It is common for small 2 person tents to use thinner materials to minimize weight, but they require extra caution when handling to prevent damage.

Cost

The cost of a tent can be the ultimate deciding factor. The small 2 person tents listed above range from around $250 to $1,000, so there is a huge price difference. Find the best that you can afford or hold off until you have the budget for what you really want.

Conclusion

A small 2 person tent is a great option whether backpacking solo or camping with a partner. Hopefully, this post has offered some insight to help you find the perfect one, but I still encourage you to do your own research to be sure you get exactly what you need.