If you’ve made resolutions to delve into overnight or extended hiking trips in 2020, you’ll need to purchase a hiking tent.
Whilst you’re on this journey, keep in mind that if any tent performs well it receives good reviews, the more good reviews there are the more people are inclined to buy it. These people then review the tent and the cycle starts again.
What I’m trying to say is that it is our customers who have done the talking here, not us.
So, this isn’t a list of the most technical tents, there’s no bias or incentives involved, no limitations on price or brand and they all weigh and measure up within the limits of what could be considered a tent for hiking… it is purely based on sales volumes both online and instore at Snowys.
So, without further ado let’s have a look at our best-selling hiking tents…
10. OZtrail Hiker 2P & 3P Tents
A new tent to the top 10 this year is the budget-friendly OZtrail Hiker Dome tents. These come in a 2 person and a 3 person version, with an old school A-frame fibreglass pole design.
The fly is a UVTex fabric for protection against sun degradation, has heat taped seams to help prevent leaks and a No-See-Um mesh and a polyester inner for ventilation.
The OZtrail Hiker Dome tents are an entry-level tent for beginners.
This tent is ventilated, easy to pitch and affordable. Image: OZtrail
9. Black Wolf Grasshopper 2 & 3 Person Ultralight Tents
Available in two and three-person variants, the Grasshopper UL tents have been part of the Black Wolf range for many years but made the delve into lightweight fabrics a few years ago.
They feature a unique pole structure that forms a dome shape with upright sidewalls for increased internal space and two teardrop-shaped doors with vestibules. The inner is full mesh and the colour-coded poles make setup a breeze.
The Grasshopper tents from Black Wolf are a mid-range lightweight option for warm to cool climates.
The Grasshopper offers great headroom and stability. Image: Black Wolf
8. Zempire Zeus 2 Person Hiking Tent
Despite having slipped down the ranks a little, the Zempire Zeus has maintained a position in the top 10 yet again this year. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend the earth in order to get a well spec’d hiking tent.
It features a roomy interior and loads of headroom thanks to near-vertical sidewalls. The inner is full mesh for ventilation and access is through two large entrances with vestibules. The fabrics are durable and the poles and pegs are all alloy.
The Zempire Zeus is a mid-priced tent boasting high-end features.
The Zeus has maintained a position in the top 10 this year. Image: Zempire
7. Marmot Tungsten Regular & UL Tents
We’ve been ranging the Tungsten tents for the last couple of years, but it’s taken a while for them to gain popularity amongst our customers. The Tungsten maximises interior space as it has pre-bent poles and clips that pull out the sides of the tent to make it more comfortable and livable.
These tents offer higher quality materials, design & construction, and a lighter and more compact packed size at a lesser price than many other high-end hiking tents. With a regular Tungsten 1P tent, Tungsten 2P and Tungsten UL 1P and Tungsten UL 2P – these tents are ideal for weight conscious adventurers.
The Tungsten tents are ideal for hikers looking for a long-term investment.
The Tungsten offers headroom, with a quality construction and lightweight packed size.
6. Black Wolf Mantis 1 & 2 Person Low Profile Hike Tents
Another staple player in our best hiking tents is the Black Wolf Mantis. Available in 1 and 2 person sizes, the Mantis is now made with lighter weight fabrics and features a low-profile tunnel design that performs well in the wind.
A combination mesh and polyester inner makes it an ideal 3-season tent. A single door and vestibule features in the Mantis 1 whilst the Mantis 2 has an entrance on each side. Vents at the foot and head ends ensure adequate ventilation and the ultralight fabrics keep the weight down.
The Black Wolf Mantis tents are excellent low-profile shelters that perform well in high winds.
The Mantis is small and light with a great design for windy conditions. Image: Black Wolf
5. Zempire Mono and Atom 1 Person Single Pole Tents
The single-pole design of the Zempire Mono is about as simple as a hiking tent gets. This design keeps weight to a minimum whilst maintaining strength and performance in the field.
Its minimal weight and pack size make the Mono perfect for solo adventures with sleeping space for one and a single vestibule for your gear. It has a full mesh inner, high-end features including alloy poles and pegs and an impressive waterhead rating. We have lumped the Atom from Zempire into the same position, as they’re very similar tents. Both the same materials and packed size, but the Atom has a brow pole which makes it a bit more comfortable to sit up in if you need to bunker down in inclement conditions.
The Zempire Mono is the perfect mid-range tent for lightweight adventurers.
For simplicity in the field, the Mono is a lightweight choice. Image: Zempire
4. Explore Planet Earth Spartan 2 & 3 Person Dome Tents
The EPE Spartan 2 and 3 tents are not the lightest hiking tent on this list but they would have to be the best value as they are the perfect example of quality at an affordable price.
Durable fabrics and alloy poles come together to create a roomy and functional shelter with impressive weatherproof properties. The inner is solid and has mesh doors making these a true 3-season tent and they even come with internal storage pockets, lantern hanging points and a compression storage sack.
The EPE Spartan hiking tents are ideal for any hiking adventure.
The Spartan looks and feels more expensive than it’s dollar value. Image: Explore Planet Earth
3. Coleman Ridgeline 2 & 3 Person Tunnel Tents
The Ridgeline tents are from Coleman who specialise in larger family-style tents but these shelters are super affordable and offer features and a build quality that defies the price tag making them a firm favourite in our hiking tent range.
Available in 2P and 3P sizes, the Coleman Ridgeline tents have a 2-pole tunnel design tent that will perform well in the wind. A full mesh inner, alloy poles, V-stakes and a single entrance with vestibule all come together to create an impressively lightweight tent for this price range.
The Coleman Ridgeline tents offer affordability combined with performance above its class.
The Ridgeline is perfect for beginners or hikers on a budget. Image: Coleman Australia
2. OZtrail Nomad 1 & 2 Person Hike Tents
These guys come in at under a hundred bucks, which is likely why they sell so well. I suspect they may not have the same usable life as the higher end tents but hey, you get what you pay for, and they get a good rap when it comes to performance.
The OZtrail Nomad tents feature a mesh inner and basic fibreglass poles. The Nomad 1 is a single-pole tent whilst the Nomad 2 is a 2-pole tunnel style tent with two entrances and vestibules. They are also particularly long hiking tents making them suitable for taller users.
The OZtrail Nomad tents are a budget hiker’s dream.
If you’re a taller hiker looking for an affordable tent, the Nomad is ideal. Image: OZtrail
1. Companion Pro Hiker 2 Person Hiking Tents
Despite the fact that the one-person and three-person versions of the Companion Pro Hiker were discontinued, the Companion Pro Hiker 2 Tent was still the most popular tent over the last year, a stand-out with a near-perfect 5-star review rating.
The Pro Hiker 2 is a traditional dome style tent with dual doors and vestibules. It’s not the lightest tent by any means and offers less internal space than some of their competitors, but it is a reliable and affordable performer.
It’s no surprise that the classic Pro Hiker has taken out the top position again. Image: Companion
The Pro Hiker 2 features a tough floor, 3-season mesh/polyester inner, alloy poles and is finished with roof vents, organiser pockets and a gear loft for storage.
It also provides a perfect balance of lightweight functionality with durability and weather protection at a very affordable price.
What’s the most reliable hiking tent you’ve ever owned?
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I would like to comment on the Marmot tent mentioned above. My brother and I both bought this tent and have used them a number of times on our semi regular sea kayaking expeditions. I like the design and the quality of the fabrik very much and have found it a very good ten sandy (with sand pegs) and poor camping environments which are common when sea kayaking. The poles are not of the same high quality, I have split the join in the spar that keeps the fly off the tent body, when I repaired the split it then split further down the spar on the next expedition. My brother has had the mainframe split at the join in a few places. When I reported this to the outlet they said that they had not had any complaints about this model and suggested I might be lying. My brother found a website where purchasers of this tent shared advice on how best to repair the frame joins that are prone to splitting, so much for this being a rare issue. He also posted on the Marmot site saying how much he liked the design of the tent but the frame joint weakness was an issue and his comment was deleted, no wonder you don’t hear about these issues. Would still like the tent if I could get a reliable (non-split joins) frame but am less impressed with the outlet and the company.
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It sounds like your Tungsten tent hasn’t performed up to standard and that you haven’t been able to get a good response from the brand, so I’m sorry to hear about that Geoff.
As far as I can find, we haven’t had any other uses report the same issue with splitting, but that’s not to say that it doesn’t happen, it’s just something we weren’t aware of until now.
If you do have a problem with a tent you buy from us in future – just touch base with our customer support team and they will get it sorted on your behalf. Thanks for your two cents, Geoff! Cheers.
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My Macpac Eclipse has been a gem, and more recently the Mannagum Howqua 2 has proved to be ideal for my motorcycle and kayak excursions …
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I bought a tent a couple of years back that seems to have gone under the Radar. The Mannagum Delatite 1 is a little beauty. You can still pick them up but they seem to be rare. Around AU $150 – 200. I don’t know if you can get a footprint for them but if you could it would be fantastic. Light and easy to put up it is my favorite hiking tent.
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Thanks Snowys. I’ve been trying to decide between a few of these tents for a while now. It’s nice to see them all in one place.
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Thanks Snowys. I’ve been trying to decide between a few of these tents for a while now. It’s nice to see them all in one place.
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I’ve got the atom and love it. I’d like something similar but freestanding for a cycling tour. Anything you’d recommend?
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We’ve got a few options for you that are 1P freestanding tents depending on how much you want to spend starting with the Marmot Tungsten 1P tent which also comes in an ultralight, the Freelite 1 and the Hubba NX – I hope that gives you a few models to start your research Brad!
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Vango 2 person tent… bought from the UK as I thought a 3 season UK tent would be equivalent to a 4 season in in Australia. Only issue is is def not lightweight. But stands up to the harsh conditions.
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Absolutely Peter, our purchasing team brought the Vango tents into our range for that very reason! They’re ideal for winter use in Australia, but aren’t the lightest tents by any means.
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Great ideas…what would you recommend in term 4p hiking tents…trying to keep as light as possible as carrying gear for x2 kids
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We don’t have any 4P hiking tents in our range at the moment as they’re not a big seller for us, unfortunately. In the past, we have had the Papa Hubba from MSR which is a high quality 4P lightweight tent – so that might be a starting point for you Josie.
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Even though I’m not in the market, I am a gear junkie so this tickled my interest, not showing weight though is a big miss for me.
If your milti-day/week hiking, weight is an important consideration.
My 1st 1P tent was 1.7kg (heavy). My latest a Big Agnes 2P (needs trekking poles) is 880g, this is still heavy for me and is used only when ground camping is a must.
Otherwise I use a ultra light Hammock/Tarp system.
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I’m sure other gear junkies would definitely agree with your position, Matthew. However, we’ve put together this list from our sales data, and I suppose there are just a lot of beginner hikers out there who weren’t ready to splurge on ultralight tents this year!
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Don’t agree with many of these at all.
Some could be hiking tents if you split them up between two people but even then, there are tents that are way lighter (albeit more expensive).
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That’s definitely an option Tim, but our top 10 is based on sales volume which probably why all the more affordable (but clearly heavier) models are so high on the list.
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the main thing I was looking for in this article was ‘weight’. To be honest, no-one mildy serious about pack hiking would look at a tent over 1.7kg these days. Many wont go over 1.5kg.
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Totally agree with Pro Hiker tent being number 1..we have Pro hiker 3 and used for car camping under a tarp ..so roomy inside and plenty of head space plus the extra short pole that keeps the two vestibule fly sheet from sagging.
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No other hiking tents than Hilleberg for me. Quality, best weight to space ratio and last decades.
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Soulo. That thing is a four season free standing bomb shelter, and worth the weight for cold weather camping or pagoda exploring where actual soil is minimal or non existent.
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Critical to me are weight, packing size and price. I would like to see a summary table of these items.
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That’s a fantastic idea Melvyn, the only thing is that it’s tricky to keep the info up to date but we will definitely keep this feedback in mind for next year, so watch this space. By the way, you can always just jump on our website and use the compare function in the meantime to see all the specs side by side if that helps – cheers!
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Hi there,
Thanks for this post. I’m looking for a 3p hiking tent but it needs to be as light weight as possible, as I’ll be carrying it with other gear for taking kids overnight hiking, and I have knee issues. Can you advise what would be the lightest weight 3p tent you have at a reasonable price for someone who won’t be using it more than a few times a year? Thank you
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No worries, we’re glad you liked the post Pden! In terms of our lightest 3P tents that are still high quality with enough interior space for kids, the EPE Spartan 3 is a good choice at 3.3 Kg. If you’re willing to spend a bit more money, then a step up in quality that’s lighter at 2.985 Kg is the Limelight 3P tent from Marmot. I hope that gives you a couple of options to work with, Pden – happy hiking!
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What parts of the spartan 3 are mesh, and are any of them closable?
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I’ve just double checked this for your with our display model Geoff, and the Spartan 3 tent has a solid inner, with mesh doors that can’t be closed off.
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It seems the MSR isn’t available on the site! Will you be getting anymore in?
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We have run out of the older model MSR Hubba tent as they’re not making them anymore, but I’ve just double checked this with our purchasing team, and we’re hoping to get the 2019 Hubba tents in mid-march, Christina.
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I thought I asked this question previously but cant find a reply.
Why did you rate the Companion Pro Hiker above the EPE Spartan 2?
When I look at the price and the specifications the Spartan 2 seems to have advantages.
Lower in price by $10.00
Better water rating on both floor and fly.
The only advantage I see for the Companion Pro Hiker 2 is it is slightly wider.
I intend doing the Great Ocean Walk 100k after Christmas and need a tent so would appreciate a prompt reply.
Regards
Doug
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Hi Doug, these are ordered purely based on sales i.e. we sell more Pro Hiker 2 tents, both of these tents are excellent value for money though. The Spartan 2 is a lesser-known tent which is likely why it has had fewer sales, or possibly because it offers less floor space, but I think that as time goes on we will see the Spartan 2 become a close competitor to the Pro Hiker 2. Personally, I prefer the Spartan 2 as the pole configuration facilitates upright walls and increased internal volume, the vents are also larger for better ventilation and it’s a touch lighter. That’s just my two cents worth though. Enjoy your walk.
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How about a review of which tents are actually better? I don’t care that you sell more of a cheap tent because it’s cheap.
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Which tents are better is very subjective, Chris. Better for what/who/where and for what price?
We don’t want to be biased towards any particular model and the best feedback we can get on any tent is from those who are using them regularly i.e. our customers. This has meant that some cheap tents have surfaced as particularly reliable and affordable models for their price. Any tent, whether they be cheap or expensive, that become a regular appearance on our warranty shelf quickly disappear from our range.
Give us a call if you’d like some help choosing a tent that is best for you.
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