Many people buy tents; some people buy them for family camping trips to enjoy nature whilst others buy them in order to make savings on their vacations.
A growing number of people are also buying them to go backpacking, allowing them the freedom to go where they choose and seeing how far they can get in the time they have available.
When a family buys a tent, they often decide to buy a large family tent which they share, perhaps getting a tent larger than they actually need in order to give them extra space the family can enjoy.
Hikers and backpackers though have to think about size and weight and so they will often buy a tent no bigger than what they actually need.
However, if 2 people are traveling together, instead of each buying a tent for 1, if they buy a tent for 2 it can work out better as although a tent for 2 may be larger and weigh more, 1 person can carry it allowing the other to carry other accessories, sharing the overall weight and leaving them both with lighter packs.
Obviously the cost of the different tents vary but there are many2 man tents which cost less than $100 and larger tents also vary in price greatly.
Best 2 Person Tent Under $100
With so many different tents available to choose from, it is hard to decide which one to buy, so in order to help you decide, here are reviews for 10 of the most popular for under $100.
Slumberjack Trail Tent 2
This tent is made from 1200mm polyester construction with taped seams. There are several popular features which this tent comes with, including noiseless zips.
It also has ample hooks and pockets in the roof of the tent to allow for the hanging of a lamp or the stowing of items you may need to have handy.
The tent has 41” headroom with mesh panels to allow for star gazing and a separated zip-up vestibule for stowing wet boots.
Features at a Glance:
- Vestibule
- Mesh panels
- Good Headroom
- Rain Fly
- Easy setup
- Freestanding with additional guy lines for good stability
Kelty Yellowstone 2 Tent
This is a freestanding tent with color-coding to allow for easy setup. Although lightweight the tent has 30sqft of floor space, enough for both of you to have their own space.
The design, with rainfly, still allows for good ventilation to avoid condensation. The inside wall of the tent has pockets, even one specially designed for your iPad or another handheld device.
Features at a Glance:
- Lightweight
- Spacious
- Colour coded for easy setup
- Pockets for handheld devices
- Rainfly
- Large D- shaped doorway
Luxe Tempo Enhanced 2 Person Tents
This tent’s seam sealed rain fly avoids sagging even during heavy rain. The over 31sqft of floor space allows ample room even for the tents 2 doors and vestibules. With an indoor height up to 3’6” even card playing during rainy days is possible.
Although having an affordable price, the tent’s doors use high-density webbing and secure stitching to keep you safe, plus mesh panels for looking up at the sky at night.
Features at a Glance:
- Two Doors
- Two Vestibules
- Reasonable Height
- Mesh Panels
- Easy to use Zips
- Durable, rainproof materials
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent
ALPS make several good tents but the Lynx has more mesh panels than most, comprising half the wall space which ensures good ventilation as well as good visibility. Using a total of 8 zips the tent has 2 doors and 2 vestibules.
The tent design uses color-coding to make for easy setup including the rain fly and groundsheet. The tent’s poles have clips to make it easy to complete its dome and to dismantle again.
Features at a Glance:
- Rain Fly
- Mesh Panels for Good Ventilation
- 2 doors and Vestibules
- Easy setup and Dismantling
- Extra Large Zippers
Chillbo Cabbins 2 Person Tent
This tent uses Oxford flooring, 2000mm waterproofing with sealed seams, plus uses cross-wound poles to ensure you keep safe and dry even during the strongest storms.
The tent’s mesh windows allow for good ventilation whilst its 2 doors allow for easy access. Although some stitching may look shabby, you know it isn’t due to the tent’s lifetime warranty.
This tent reasonably priced, lightweight and very portable, making it perhaps ideal for backpackers.
Features at a Glance:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Stormproof
- Easy Setup and disassembly
- Lifetime Warranty
ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2-Person Tent
For good protection from the rain and UV rays, this tent has a full length, 1500mm rain fly with its own poles which also act as an awning over the tent’s 2 entrances which allows for extra dry storage for boots and other gear.
A mesh window in the wall of the tent and 1 in each door provides for a well-ventilated environment.
The tent has extra-large zips on the doors to ensure easy access and although one of ALPS less expensive tents, comes complete with guy ropes and 8” stakes for stability.
Features at a Glance:
- Affordable
- Full-Length Rain Fly
- 2 Doors
- Well Ventilated
- Heavy Duty Zips
Weanas Professional Backpacking Tent
This tent is so spacious a couple could even take a child with them and still just use the 1 tent. The tent affords good protection from the weather and is proclaimed to be good for 3 seasons.
Its easy assembly and dismantling, portability and lightweight, make this tent ideal for hikers and backpackers.
A window in the tent affords it good ventilation and its good weather protection capability makes it one of the best tents available today for its price.
Features at a Glance:
- Good Ventilation
- Good Weather Protection (3 seasons)
- Spacious
- Easy Assembly
- Good for Family Backpacking and Hiking
Coleman Hooligan Tent
This fully waterproofed tent is good for all seasons and includes an additional, dry storage area.
The tent has its own unique design but is easy to set up and take down. One of the benefits of its unique design is its welded floor which assures you and your gear stay dry.
A window in the tent allows for viewing your surroundings as well as providing good ventilation, all whilst remaining dry. The additional dry storage space also ensures you have everything you need, close at hand instead of venturing into the rain to find something.
Features at a Glance:
- Welded Floor
- Unique Design
- Dry Storage Space
- Waterproof
- Easy Setup
GEERTOP 2-person 4-season Backpacking Tent
The fact that this tent is advertised as being appropriate for all 4 seasons makes it a good tent for backpackers. Although the tent is compact and lightweight when dismantled for stowing, it is very spacious, allowing ample room for 2 backpackers.
The beauty of this tent its ability to be used almost anywhere any time of the year and yet affording its users generous comfort and space.
Features at a Glance:
- Compact and lightweight
- All Seasonal
- Spacious
- Easy to assemble
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 2-Person Tent
Designed for use in 2 seasons, by 2 people, this tent affords them ample protection from rain and storms. Ease of access and exit is assured due to 2 large doors, plus 2 vestibules all with large zips.
A mesh window in the tent ensures good ventilation for a comfortable night’s sleep.
This free-standing tent is one of ALPS most popular, perhaps due to its ample storage space and storm-resistant capabilities.
Features at a Glance:
- 2 Vestibules for Storage
- Storm Resistant
- Easy Entry and Exit
- Good ventilation
- Free Standing
Best 2 Person Tent Under $100 Buying Guide
When it comes to buying a tent, you will first want to know how many people will be sleeping in it but once you have determined that there are several other factors you will have to take into consideration, apart from of course price.
Some of the main factors you should consider after you have decided the size of tent you want and the amount you are willing to pay are:
When You Will Be Using the Tent
Tents are designed to be used outside but some are designed only for summer months whilst others are designed to withstand any season’s weather.
If you are only planning to use your tent in the summer months, almost any tent will suffice, however, if you plan to use it in the other seasons you will want to buy one which is designed for that.
Most tents will indicate what they are designed for by indicating 1 season, 2 seasons 3 or 4.
Weight
If you plan to drive to a campsite the weight of a tent may not be as important as it is if you are going to hike to it or go backpacking.
For hikers the weight of everything they carry is important and often the tent may be the heaviest item and so any saving in weight which can be made when buying one may be crucial.
Stability
Although you may want a light, inexpensive tent, you will not want one which blows away as soon as a strong wind picks up and so you will want to ensure that it can secure solidly to the ground.
This is as important as ensuring it is waterproof as if not, you could find yourselves getting wet anyway.
Ease of Setup
Different types of tent set up in different ways and so, especially if you are a novice to camping, or are buying one for the kids; you will want to ensure that the tent’s setup is quick and easy.
This also, of course, applies to backpackers who find they may have to set it up in a hurry.
Space
When deciding what size tent you will need you will have to take into consideration what space you may need if you are not planning to just sleep in it.
You may need extra covered space for all your kit or plan to be able to sit in the tent to eat, plan your next stop or just converse with a travel partner.
obviously hikers and backpackers may be limited by weight and size but should still try and allow themselves as much room as possible.
Ventilation
Adequate ventilation in a tent is important otherwise condensation could form on all your clothes and gear making them wet and uncomfortable.
As well as condensation, your gear can also get wet if it touches the side of the tent if the tent walls have only one layer and not an additional rain flysheet.
Entrance Way
Some tents, mainly the larger ones, may have an entrance which allows you to take off wet gear before actually entering the main tent itself.
This is, of course, a great addition but it will, of course, add weight and size to the tent and so many hikers and backpackers have to go without this added touch of luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put a groundsheet under my tent?
Whenever possible, yes, even if your tent has its own built-in groundsheet. An extra groundsheet will give another layer of insulation from the cold ground and at the same time will afford your tent’s groundsheet extra protection from being ripped.
Are you safe from lightning in a tent?
Lightening should not directly hit your tent but your tent’s floor and your sleeping bag should afford extra protection.
Although your tent should not directly attract lightening, tall objects around it may, so choose your campsite carefully, especially if you are expecting a storm.
How many mm of fabric will ensure rain proofing?
Ratings for waterproofing are given in mm and generally range from 800mm to 10,000mm which indicates what pressure of water the material can withstand.
Should I get a 1 or 2 person tent?
Although a 1 person tent may be more compact and lighter than a 2 person tent, 2 x 1 person tents will be heavier and less compact than 1 x 2 person tent.
Some people go for larger tents, such as a 4-person tent even if they are only 2, so they can have more space, but it’s going to be more difficult to carry.
Therefore if you get 1 x 2 person tent you can share the load, 1 carrying the tent and the other carrying other gear.
What is the minimum trail weight for a tent?
Trail weight will usually refer to the basic tent, poles and rain fly and so can vary from the packaged weight by perhaps 5 to 8 ounces.
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