10 Best Backpacking Tents Under $100 in 2023

Going hiking can be more enjoyable and comfortable when you have a quality hiking tent. Without a backpacking tent worthy of the name, you can say goodbye to your comfort and night’s sleep. Therefore, choosing the right backpacking tent is essential.

But the question is: How to choose the best backpacking tent under 100 dollars?

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get an excellent quality backpacking tent. You can find cheap backpacking tents that will serve for a long period of time. However, most ultralight hiking tents are expensive. So choosing the best backpacking tent under $100 isn’t always easy.

In this guide, we have scoured the market to handpick a selection of tents that offer exceptional value for money while not compromising on performance. We considered the different characteristics such as capacity, weight, material, impermeability, or type of seasonality.

Best Backpacking Tents Under $100 in 2023

Before diving into our top picks, it’s crucial to emphasize that while these tents are budget-friendly, they are not inferior in quality. Our selection is based on real user experiences, expert reviews, and rigorous testing.

1. KAZOO Ultralight Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 1 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 3000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 1
• Item Weight: 3.3lb

KAZOO backpacking tent is lightweight and ultra-functional that is designed for three-season. It could be a great choice for single people or couples. The total weight is only 3.3 pounds. Thanks to its incredible lightness and extreme robustness which characterizes it, you can enjoy adventures all around the world.

The liner is made of B3 mesh+190T breathable & cozy polyester, and the full-coverage rainfly is made of 210T Ripstop recycled fabrics. KAZOO hiking tent is also perfectly resistant to heavy rains and strong winds. And with the freestanding design, this model is quick to set up.

It can also be installed with or without its flysheet, or in tarp mode for even lighter travel. It is also the best ultralight tent under $100 for long hikers who looking for a minimalist and practical tent for their next adventure.

In its classic form, KAZOO backpacking tent has multiple storage pockets and a large entrance to optimize all of your bivouacs. It must go hand in hand with its footprint to ensure the perfect impermeability of the ground. This model is also very easy to tilt and move.

2. Clostnature ZP-001 Large Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3-4 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 5000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 5lb

The ZP-001 tent from Clostnature is a novelty that emphasizes respect for nature and the environment. It is an eco-designed tent par excellence. It is made from recycled plastic materials and this modular and pair-able model offers a wide range of uses: tent, awning, tarp, shelter, hammock, or hammock and tarp.

Clostnature ZP-001 backpacking tent is completely waterproof and self-supported which allows ease of movement, and makes it ideal for adapting to weather conditions. It will be perfect to accompany you on all your outdoor outings by bike, on foot or on trekking.

The total weight is 5 pounds with hammock attachments. This leaves you the possibility of lightening your package and modulating your sleeping arrangements according to your convenience. The internal dimensions are 87 x 32 x 36 inches.

This ultralight backpacking tent offers a lot of possibilities for all hikers who like to travel light. It also has two side doors that promote air circulation and two apses to store other hiking gear.

3. MOON LENCE Double Layer Camping Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 2000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 5.2lb

This year, the benchmark for the ultralight tent is undoubtedly the MOON LENCE brand, which offers a new design double-layer backpacking tent at this price range. It is a super light hiking tent weighing 5.2 pounds. It offers extra comfort and good sleeping space for two.

MOON LENCE backpacking tent features 2 D-shaped doors with dual zippers, which provide much better ventilation. With compactness, it perfectly limits condensation and protects you from the vagaries of the weather.

For a minimalist tent, it is spacious with a beautiful apse for your belongings and has three pockets to accommodate your belongings. It can also be easily stored in a carry bag. This model is designed for frequent use on long trips.

However, this is a 3-season tent that features fully waterproof polyurethane tape-covered seams and flap zippers to give you a deep and restful sleep. This model doesn’t come with a footprint.

Overall, the MOON LENCE could be a great ultra-light backpacking tent under $100 for adventurers who love regular outdoor outings in all weather.

4. Fltom 2 Person Ultralight Camping Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3-4 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: Waterproof
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 3.48lb

This is the benchmark tent from the Fltom, it is a high-end and ultra-light backpacking tent under $100. It is spacious for two-person and a real favorite for many hiking enthusiasts. It is understandable when you take the time to dwell on the multiple characteristics of this competition tent.

Fltom hiking tent is equipped with the Fast & Light system. For a weight of 3.48 pounds, it will be perfect for carrying long-distance hiking. In addition, it has an interior space, as maximized as possible, which includes two large apses with an entry on the side to store all your equipment.

It is made of 210D 100% PU-coated polyester, and the poles are made of 7001 aluminum, to support most heavy wind, rain and snow. It is very small and perfect for limited space.

Fltom backpacking tent is distinguished by its two large StayDry doors with integrated gutter and its adaptable flysheet for perfect ventilation. Thanks to a unified central interlocking pole system, you have the perfect tent for all of your wilderness getaways.

5. Night Cat Single Layer Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 4 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 1-2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 3000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 4.4lb

The Night Cat is a standing four-season tent with a capacity of two people. It is resilient to wind and rain and could be your ideal partner for all your treks. Users who have purchased and used this tent indicated that they were overall satisfied.

This single-layer tent has been designed with two entrances and two apses of 60 cm each to facilitate cohabitation under the canvas. Therefore, the Night Cat offers a resistance of 3000 mm for the flysheet as well as its ground.

It includes a large interior space with a height of 86.6 inches, which allows you to sit easily while taking advantage of all the available space. With its pleasant interior, it demonstrates many qualities that make it a must-have tent for hiking.

The light design also makes it very handy and compact. The packaging dimensions are only 16.5 x 4.7 x 4.7 inches and its weight of 4.4 pounds, so you can easily put it in your hiking bag. Thanks to the foldable fiberglass poles, it could be an ideal dome tent for camping, backpacking, hiking, camping on the beach, and more.

Night Cat backpacking tent also has guy wires which improve the anchoring of this tent in order to withstand strong winds.

6. BISINNA Waterproof Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2-3 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 2000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 4.72lb

BISINNA 2-Person Backpacking Tent is must-have for all your winter and summer activities. It is a lightweight and durable two-person tent, which is perfect for camping in the snow or for snowshoeing enthusiasts.

The package size is only 17.8 x 6.4 x 5.8 inches, so you can easily carry it in your backpack without any difficulty. It was designed to be used in all weather and in 3 seasons. Therefore, this is a free-standing tent with two Aluminum poles, so you can set up with double flysheets in less than 10 minutes.

BISINNA backpacking tent made with high quality 190T Polyester Taffeta + B3 No-see-um Mesh, which guarantees PU2000mm water-resistant. The tent poles are made with lightweight and durable 7001 space aluminum, that can support most heavy wind rain.

It features a large section of mesh and 2 D-shaped doors with dual zippers, which provide much better ventilation. It is also very robust that will accompany you throughout the year. BISINNA tent was designed with an inner canvas with reduced mesh panels to help keep warmth in cold.

7. MC Free-Standing Outdoor Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2-3 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 3000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 4.96lb

The MC stands out from other models that you observed by its large and high apse of 88.6in, making it ideal for storing your gear and relaxing. This hiking tent is attached to a double-layer mosquito-proof fabric with a mesh inner net, which helps you to keep warm in cold weather and provides shade in hot weather.

It is very well accessorized and light. It has two large mesh pockets in the large apse, a mesh pocket to store the apse door when it is open, four mesh pockets inside the chamber, and two locations on the ceiling to store a headlamp to optimize lighting.

There are also two windows in the back for ventilation and to prevent water vapor condensation, so you can enjoy nature more comfortably sitting inside the tent. It is compact which makes it very convenient to move the tent. All this comfort and space would almost make us think of a small family tent.

However, this model is designed for two people and is ideal for camping on lake or beach. It is easily transportable thanks to its weight of 4.96 pounds and included a carrying bag. MC ultra-light backpacking only takes a few simple steps to set up. Even if you are a novice hiker, you can assemble it in about 10 to 15 minutes.

8. Ayamaya Double Wall Backpacking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 4 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 3000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 5.7lb

This is another best hiking tent under $100 from the Ayamaya brand. It is sturdy, light and compact, making it great for solo hiking. It has a large living space to accommodate two large 63.5 cm wide mattresses to rest comfortably before setting out on the steep paths the next day.

Ayamaya hiking tent is the ideal compromise between the comfort it provides and its weight of 5.7 pounds. With an ultra-breathable design, it is perfect for hikers who want to sleep in excellent conditions.

It is made of high-quality polyester fiber and windproof and windproof aluminum rods. At the same time, the welded floor design enhances the bottom of the backpack. Thanks to Ayamaya’s Xtreme Shield technology, this tent is three times longer resistant to mold and UV rays which gradually degrade the coatings of your shelter.

It’s a versatile tent with quick and easy set-up design, that’s just as useful when camping as it is on the sides of an isolated mountain. It could be an ideal choice for beginners who want to maintain their sleeping comfort over the long term. This model also comes with a beautiful carrying bag.

9. KAZOO VENUS 2P Ultralight Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 2 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 3000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 2
• Item Weight: 5.29lb

It is a difficult choice which is offered to you. On one side the KAZOO VENUS 2P is in green, on the other, the VENUS 2P is in yellow. Both from the KAZOO brand, these two tents are each benchmark in their field. This backpacking tent is designed for two people.

We find everything you need that makes the KAZOO tent strength comfort, robust and light. You can set it up perfectly within 3 minutes. It also has a new rainfly for camping. The total weight is only 5.29 pounds. It has two entries with zippers to ease traffic in the tent and has two large apses on each side to store and protect your hiking equipment.

This model consists of 2 functional layers. The liner is made of B3 mesh and 190T breathable Polyester, and the Rainfly is made of 210T Ripstop Polyester to offer you high performance. Therefore, wind and rain will no longer be an excuse not to venture beyond your garden.

It was designed to give maximum comfort and functionality. However, the VENUS 2P model has a significant plus thanks to its self-supporting structure with a durable frame, which guaranteed compactness, robustness, and excellent ventilation.

10. Clostnature ZP-001 1-Man Hiking Tent

Specs:

• Seasons: 3-4 Season
• Sleeping Capacity: 1 Person
• Waterproof Rate: 5000mm
• Numbers of Doors: 1
• Item Weight: 3.7lb

Finally, this is an ergonomic and robust 1 person backpacking tent from Clostnature. It is very light, making it perfect for lovers of minimalists who like to face difficult climatic conditions. It has an excellent weight/volume ratio that could place it in the ultralight tent category.

Also, this innovative 3.7 pounds hiking tent is easily transportable because it comes with a nice carrying bag. You can perfectly optimize for your needs, thanks to its large side apse and multiple storage pockets.

The weatherproof material with factory-sealed seams keeps you dry and comfortable in all seasons. Interior entire mesh walls are designed to offer great ventilation, and the D-shaped door and large vestibule on the side provide convenient entry & out.

The Clostnature ZP-001 has a free-standing design with two Aluminum poles to ensure fast pitching. You can easily set up this tent even if you have no previous experience. To ensure quality, Clostnature also offers a lifetime warranty. Overall, you can embark on an adventure without risk with this high-quality hiking tent.

Which criteria are important when buying backpacking tents under $100?

Nowadays, there is a huge selection of good backpacking tents, and of course, it is not that easy, at first glance, to find a suitable model under $100 for your personal needs. In this buying guide, we explain how to choose the best backpacking tent at this price range. You should also consider where you want to use the tent for hiking and camping.

Weight

If you are looking for a good tent that you carry on your back in a backpack, mainly on backpacking and trekking tours, then the weight is a very important factor. A few grams here and there don’t seem like a big deal, but it’s important to keep the pack weight down to enjoy the tour.

Ultralight tents are more fun when hiking, and that’s what it’s all about. Light backpacking tents should weigh less than 5 pounds. If you are ready to have a little more weight for more comfort and convenience, you are better off with a normal “lightweight tent”.

Protection

A backpacker tent that does not protect against wind and weather is practically worthless, even dangerous. So it is always better to spend a few bucks more and you’ll have many years of fun and, above all, quality.

You should also pay attention to properties such as UV-resistant.

Capacity

• 1 man tents are ideal for dedicated solo adventurers who want to hike quickly and easily.
• 2 person tents tend to be the most popular because they strike a good balance between weight and interior space, just don’t expect the interior space to be palatial.
• 3 & 4-person tents tend to get crowded and impractical, although they are fine for 2 or 3 hikers who need more space to store their gear and take longer trips.

So before making a purchase decision, think about whether you need a small 1-person or a 2-person tent.

Construction

Freestanding backpacking tents are generally preferred for hiking because they are easier to use and quicker to set up. They also have a fixed pole system that can be set up almost anywhere, even on solid rock. On the other hand, non-freestanding models use eyelets, cords, and hiking/trekking poles so that you can set them as easily as possible. They save weight because they don’t need tent poles.

However, non-freestanding tents require more time and space to set up and require more practice.

Tent fabrics

Double-walled backpacking tents come with two separate parts for camping – a mesh tent body and a waterproof outer skin. The mesh inner tent acts as a barrier against condensation that forms on the inside of the skin.

Single-walled tents reduce weight by doing without the mesh inner tent, but that also means more condensation inside when it is wet and cold. That’s why we usually recommend double-walled tents unless you pack your rucksack in dry areas.

Entrances and vestibules

If you plan to sleep two inside the backpacking tent, it is more convenient to have two doors and vestibules. Separate entrances ensure that you don’t have to climb your tent companion and equipment every time you enter or leave.

Durability

The main problem with ultralight tents is that they are made from thinner materials, which are typically less durable than heavier tents. But that also means that the ultralight tents will last thousands of kilometers if handled with a little care. Of course, UV radiation always plays a role outdoors, so pay attention to UV resistance.

Most tents these days no longer have a groundsheet and many backpackers consider them unnecessary.

Comfortable

The comfort of a tent should not be underestimated, especially on long-distance hikes or long backpacking tours through lonely areas. It brings many advantages if the backpacking tent has a comfortable seat height and entry can be mastered without great contortions.

If you are hiking for a long time, it can hardly be avoided that you catch days with bad weather or continuous rain. Especially then it is a blessing when you have enough space in the tent to cook, read or just lie comfortably in order to rest from hiking.

The available space in the tent is of course even more important in a 2-person backpacking tent. Because in a confined space, you can get on your nerves quickly with two people and find nowhere to stow your utensils. So a 2-person tent should be next to the space and offer a little extra storage space on the tent floor for the sleeping mats.

Unfortunately, the big catch with tent comfort is that it usually comes at the expense of weight – i.e. a larger and higher backpacking tent, because of the longer poles and the additional material, usually weighs a lot more than a smaller and flatter tent. But thanks to ever lighter materials, very good compromises can now be found when it comes to tent comfort so that high-quality and mid-range trekking tents can now be surprisingly light.

Weather resistance

Normally, all branded tents offer sufficiently good weather resistance with a correspondingly high water column that holds tight without any problems even in heavy rain.

Nevertheless, it is always helpful to waterproof your tent on a regular basis. On long backpacking tours in bad weather areas, it can not hurt to “tap” the seams from the inside again by hand.

• We will certainly write a separate article here on our Outdoor blog because you have to pay attention to a few things regarding the tent materials.

If you want to use your tent even under the most extreme weather conditions, such as continuous rain, etc., it is worthwhile to deal extensively with the topic of “water column”. This value determines how much water the material can ultimately withstand before it penetrates into the tent.

For anyone who wants to buy a backpacking tent for 1 person or 2 people for their packing list, it is still important to choose a tent as high as possible on the floor of the inner tent so that the water doesn’t move if the person moves awkwardly and doesn’t run over the edge into the interior.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a solo excursion or a group camping trip, these tents will cater to various needs and preferences. Remember that when choosing a backpacking tent, it’s essential to prioritize your specific requirements, the expected weather conditions, and the number of occupants to ensure a delightful and hassle-free camping experience.

We will not let you go without giving a final piece of advice on how to go bivouacking in peace.

For camping or hiking comfortably, you need an essential accessory to protect the floor of your tent from dirt, abrasive floors, pointed or sharp stones and moisture. With a waterproof coating, this groundsheet is an essential additional reinforcement to increase the life of your tent. Unless you have a hanging tent.

If you are still not sure which one is the perfect backpacking tent for your needs, do not hesitate to visit our in-depth reviews of the best backpacking tents under $200.