Are you planning a bikepacking adventure and in need of a reliable and comfortable tent? Look no further! In this article, we will be showcasing the top 10 bikepacking tents on the market. From ultralight options to spacious designs, there is a tent on this list for every type of bikepacker.
We’ve done the research and rounded up the best of the best, so you can focus on hitting the trails with confidence and comfort. Whether you are a seasoned bikepacker or new to the game, these tents are sure to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. So grab your helmet and saddle up, because it’s time to hit the trails with one of these top-rated bikepacking tents.
When considering a tent for your next bike adventure. There are some things worth considering before you jump right in a buy just any tent. Ideally serving your personal preferences and needs, depending on your type of adventure.
How long are you travelling for? Are you going on a multi-year trip? You might need a spacious tent to store all your gear and high quality to last the test of time. The great thing about bikepacking tents is that they offer some subtle differences from standard tents. With vestibule storage space for all your gear, mounting straps on the tent to hang up your helmet for the night, while also offering a lightweight solution and smaller packed size for storing on the bike.
Below is the criteria I go through with each tent to compare them and see which one stacks up on top!
What to look for in a bikepacking tent
- Weight
- Pitch instantly
- Size (1 person, 2 person or 3 person)
- Stay up in heavy winds
- Suited for all climates
- Privacy
- Space to live
- Room for all of your luggage
- Even vestibules or gear shed
- Possibility for taking in amazing views
- Keep you dry from wet weather
- Dry out quickly
- Can pack wet
- Last for along time
- Pitch anywhere
- Number of entrances
- Ventilation
- Dry pitch
- Stealthiness and Colour
- Ground sheet
- Packed Size
What types of tents are suited for bikepacking?
When looking at a tent for bikepacking the weight is one of the more important factors. You need something that is going to be light enough, it is becoming easier and easier nowadays with companies making tents suited for this ultralight style of travel.
The packed volume of the tent is another thing that makes a tent suitable for bikepacking. Depending on the bikepacking bags you have. Generally, a tent is stored in the front handlebar bag on a normal bikepacking setup. Getting a tent that fits in these dry bags with extra room to store other gear is ideal. Most bikepacking-specific tents offer a stuff sack which easily fastens to your bike.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL Bikepack
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL is ultralight, with the 1-person weighing 2 lbs. 13 oz (1.28 kg) or the 2-person option weighing 3 lbs. 8 oz (1.59 kg). For that little weight increase, you are worth getting the larger tent, perfect for solo trips and gear storage. It has a high-volume design that provides plenty of headroom and space for gear storage. The tent is also easy to set up, with a single hubbed pole structure and color-coded setup. Quality build with more than enough storage (inside pockets and vestibules)
It’s surprisingly durable for how delicate the material appears. Holding up well in rain, as the rainfly will soak, but the inside will stay dry (unless there’s high wind, then droplets will flick). But super packable for bikepacking thanks to the shorter poles. And comes with a compression stuff-sack with daisy-chain webbing that allows for multiple bike attachment configurations. Check Price
REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL1
This tent is another ultralight option that is great for bikepacking weighing in at 2 lbs. 6 oz which is slightly lighter than the Big Agnes above. It is however discontinued so it won’t be sticking around for long. Featuring a single-pole design that is easy to set up and a unique shape that provides plenty of headroom and interior space. The tent also has a waterproof rainfly and is made with durable materials.
Designed for solo backpackers, would want to pack light but not sacrifice on a comfortable night’s sleep. It is a semi-free standing tent. But for the price, it’s amazing value.
Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Ultralight
This tent is another ultralight option that is perfect for bikepacking. Featuring the all-new OSMO™ fabric. Delivering 4x better water repellency and 3x less stretch when wet, our new OSMO tent fabric is also made from 100% recycled yarns. The tent has a single-pole structure and a waterproof rainfly, as well as a unique shape that provides plenty of interior space and headroom. The tent is also made of durable materials and has high-quality construction.
Nightlight Pockets turn your headlamp into a tent lantern while removing blue light and casting an even glow. The 1-person model weighs 1 lb 13 oz / 812 grams and the 2-person 2 lb 1 oz / 935 g.
Sea To Summit Telos Bikepacking TR2
Sea to Summit has taken their award-winning Telos TR2 tent and made some improvements to better suit those looking to explore by bike while having somewhere comfortable to sleep. Equipping the tent with a pole set, with shorter pole segments. The tent comes ready to mount on your bike with a bike-specific storage system. Packing into two 420D waterproof and durable eVent Dry Sacks with Stretch-Loc Straps for reliable mounting.
A free-standing tent weighing 1.9 kg or 4.18 pounds which is a little on the heavier side. Ideal for bicycle touring as it takes up two fork bags when stored on the bike. You might have to compromise on your bikepacking setup to make it work. Check Price
Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 3 Bikepack Tent
Looking for a hotel on wheels? This has to be the most comfort you can experience on a bikepacking trip. Even garage space for the bikes? The Blacktail Hotel 3 Bikepack by Big Agnes is a 3-season, free-standing tent with extended vestibules, offering two vestibules with 28ft²/ 9ft² or 2.6m²/ 0.8m² in space.
A bit of a heavier tent than most others in this list at almost twice the weight comparatively, at 7 lbs. 6 oz (3.35 kg). But that’s expected for a larger tent. As they say, it’s light enough for the backcountry and strong enough for the front country.
Featuring those short 12″ Shortstik Pole set for easy storage on handlebars, in bike bags or panniers. Including most other bikepacking features available in the Big Agnes bikepack tent range. You also get maximized storage options with an oversized ceiling pocket and multiple interior loops for use with gear lofts, and accessories.
Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack Tent
A ten made specifically for bikepacking. Comes with a durable diamond ripstop roll-top stuff sack featuring reinforcements and tie-down straps perfect for fastening to your bike. It can attach to your handlebars, under the seat, to any rack, or inside the frame. The poles are also made of shortened segments that keep the packed size small. The poles are also color coded with matching webbing for an intuitive set up.
The tent itself uses premium materials and a tapered floor plan to save weight without sacrificing livable space. A large vestibule with our new Landing Zone™ storage tub offers plenty of gear organization and space to put riding gear out of the mud. Weighing 3 lb 8 oz / 1.6 kg for the 2-person model.
Naturehike Cloud-Up 2
Looking for a tent that doesn’t break the bank? Super affordable while still backed up with quality and positive user experiences in the field. Including, mesh interior pockets, fairly durable rip-stop fabric materials, and a full-coverage rainfly, in a firm lightweight structure (1.7 kg or 3.75 pounds) that holds up well in windy conditions. But the price is really where this tent shines, check the price.
MSR Carbon Reflex
This tent is designed specifically for bikepackers, with a lightweight and packable design that is easy to carry on your bike. It has a single-pole structure and a waterproof rainfly, as well as plenty of ventilation to keep you comfortable in any weather.
The lightest full-protection, solo tent in the MSR lineup at 1 lb. 13 oz (822 grams) with double wall protection and maximum interior space. a simple, nonfreestanding design featuring a weight-saving, zipper-free vestibule. If you want to go even lighter weight in mild weather, leave the tent body behind and use the rainfly and footprint (sold separately) with the poles and stakes.
This tent does have some drawbacks as some users have complained about the pole failing multiple times and the hood ripping. Not the highest recommended tent in the list but worth mentioning.
Overall, these are some of the best bikepacking tents on the market. Whether you are looking for an ultralight option or a tent with plenty of interior space and headroom, there is a tent on this list that will meet your needs.
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