Best lightweight hiking tents in Australia

Lightweight hiking tents are a necessity for overnight hiking adventures. You can go to sleep with a view of the stars, or throw the fly on to protect against the elements. Best of all, it’ll pack down small to fit in your backpack.

The best hiking tents are lightweight and durable – keeping you warm, dry and sleeping soundly, while adventuring out on the trail. But with so many hiking tents on the market, how do you choose the best one?

We’ve reviewed tents from MSR, Companion, Zempire, OZtrail, Mountain Designs and BlackWolf to find the best lightweight hiking tents in 2022. To give you the best recommendations, we compared the size, weight, features and durability of each of the tents.

Whether you are after an entry-level tent or looking to upgrade to a newer model, we’ve got you and your camping buddies covered – with a mix of 1, 2 and 3-person tents. We’ve also compiled a buyers’ guide to break down the features you should be looking for when buying a lightweight hiking tent.

One-person hiking tents

OZtrail Nomad 1

OZtrail’s Nomad 1 is an entry-level hiking tent that is spacious and simple to set up, with a very affordable price tag. It’s simple, as a hiking tent should be, and provides enough weatherproofing and durability to see you comfortably through three seasons.

One of the best features of the Nomad 1, is the space. For a single-person hiking tent, it has great internal floor space plus 100cm of headroom. The 230cm length will allow you to fit your gear inside the tent with you or, depending on your height, able stretch out comfortably after a long day of hiking. There is also a small vestibule to store gear outside under the fly.

In terms of durability, the Nomad 1 has a polyester tub floor and 190T polyester fly, which will keep you dry. All of the walls have No-See-Um mesh for breathability and to keep the bugs out. While it’s not as durable as some of the other tents we reviewed, it is great as an entry-level tent and will stand up to the elements.

The Nomad 1 packs down small and weighs just 1.75kg – a not-too-heavy addition to your backpack. The simple design means it is easy to set up and pack down, giving you more time to enjoy your hiking adventures.

OZtrail Nomad 1

Specifications

• Weight: 1.75kg
• Capacity: 1
• Floor space: 230 x 105cm
• Packed size: 44 x 14 x 14cm
• Seasons: 3

Buy now at Tentworld

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Zempire Mono

Zempire’s Mono one-person hiking tent is strong, sturdy and made from high-quality materials that will ensure you are protected from the elements. If you are ready to invest in a quality hiking tent that will perform for many years to come, we think the Mono is a great option.

The Mono is built with durable materials, from the tent, flooring and fly – to the zippers and pegs. The tent is made from super-fine mesh with a PolyOxford floor. The fly is made from 75 denier 210T polyester ripstop, with a 5000mm waterhead rating. It also has two-way YKK door zippers and tough, unbendable tri pegs.

The one-pole configuration with clip-on fly makes the Mono easy to set up and pack down. While it is built to last, and to withstand rougher conditions, it also has full-mesh walls which will make summertime camping a breeze if you remove the fly.

Space-wise, the 105cm head height will give you room to sit up in the tent. While the tent is long and narrow with tapered ends, there is plenty of vestibule space to store gear outside. The Mono is also covered by a three-year manufacturer’s warranty – to give you peace of mind on your purchase.

Zempire Mono

Specifications

• Weight: 1.95kg
• Capacity: 1
• Floor space: 227 x 90cm
• Packed size: 45 x 13 x 13cm
• Seasons: 3

Buy now at Tentworld

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Two-person hiking tents

Companion Pro Hiker 2

Companion’s Pro Hiker 2 is a great entry-level hiking tent that provides functionality, durability and space – without the lofty price tag. If you want to hit the trails with a two-person tent, but not spend your whole camping gear budget to do it, the Pro Hiker 2 could be just what you need.

This tent provides a comfortably sized sleeping space and 110cm of head height. Compared to other two-person tents which sit around 100cm high, the extra 10cm might make all the difference to taller hikers.

The Pro Hiker 2 has good waterproofing – with 3000mm waterhead rating on the fly and 4000mm on the floor. The fly is made from 210T ripstop polyester and the tent has a 150T polyester floor. The No-See-Um mesh sections will keep the bugs away, while still allowing for good ventilation.

Features include a gear loft, compression bag for storage and dual entry and vestibules. For the affordable price, you are getting a durable and feature-filled tent.

Companion Pro Hiker 2

Specifications

• Weight: 2.7kg
• Capacity: 2
• Floor space: 215 x 140cm
• Packed size: 43 x 16 x 16cm
• Seasons: 3

Buy now at Tentworld

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Zempire Zeus

Zempire provides great durability again in its Zeus lightweight hiking tent. The two-person tent also has great design features and usability. It is a mid-range hiking tent that will stand the test of time and keep you protected from the elements on many camping adventures to come.

A great feature of this tent is the ability to pitch the fly only. With the footprint (sold separately) you can camp out in the open with just the fly overhead if the weather allows. This is a great space (and weight) saver if the weather is clear and mozzies are not an issue.

The Zeus is made from quality materials – the 75 denier 210T polyester ripstop fly and 150D PolyOxford floor give the tent a 5000m waterhead rating. The ultralight-mesh walls provide ventilation for using the tent in warmer weather.

Dual entry and vestibules improve the usability of the tent for two people. Plus, it also has the largest floor space of the two-person hiking tents we’ve reviewed. If that doesn’t sell you, the three-year warranty should make you consider this tent as worth the investment.

Zempire Zeus

Specifications

• Weight: 2.88kg
• Capacity: 2
• Floor space: 220 x 140cm
• Packed size: 55 x 14 x 14cm
• Seasons: 3

Buy now at Tentworld

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MSR Elixir 2

The MSR Elixir 2 is a two-person, four-season tent with the features and durability to see you through many years of hiking adventures. If you love hiking and camping, and you’re ready to invest in a quality tent to take on your adventures, the Elixir 2 is a sure winner.

The Elixir 2 is a premium hiking tent that comfortably sleeps two people. The design encompasses dual doors and vestibules, making access and storage a breeze. The latest version has 35 per cent more vestibule space, giving you greater storage options.

It is built from the right materials to protect you from the elements across four seasons. The fly is made from 68D ripstop polyester and 1500mm polyurethane, while the floor is 70 taffeta nylon and 3000mm polyurethane. Both have a DWR coating to provide extra waterproofing.

This tent comes with the footprint included and has some handy features like glow-in-the-dark zips and colour-coded frame for easy set up.

MSR Elixir 2

Specifications

• Capacity: 2
• Weight: 2.77kg
• Floor space: 200 x 127cm
• Packed size: 51 x 17 x 17 cm
• Seasons: 4

Buy now at Tentworld

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Three-person hiking tents

BlackWolf Grasshopper 3 UL

BlackWolf has released a new UL (UltraLight) series of its popular Grasshopper hiking tents. The Grasshopper 3 UL is a three-person tent that will suit a family of campers, or a couple that appreciate a little extra shoulder space while sleeping.

The Ultralight series has a lightweight fly made from 40D ripstop Sil-Nylon and a floor made from 70D polyester – quality materials that will stand up to the elements across three seasons. The full-mesh inner tent will give you plenty of ventilation when hiking and camping in warmer conditions.

The Grasshopper’s space-saving design ensures the tent is light but still durable enough for the elements. The dome structure gives it good stability, even in windy conditions. At 3kg it is just a few hundred grams heavier than a lot of two-person tents, so it could be a good upgrade space-wise.

It has dual entry and vestibules for ease of access and storing your gear. Plus, it also comes with a three-year warranty, making it a good investment for campers looking for a long-term hiking tent.

BlackWolf Grasshopper 3 UL

Specifications

• Weight: 3kg
• Capacity: 3
• Floor space: 220 x 180cm
• Packed size: 50 x 18 x 18cm
• Seasons: 3

Buy now at Tentworld

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Mountain Designs Alpine Bunker

The Alpine Bunker three-person tent by Mountain Designs is a true expedition tent. Whether you are adventuring in Australia’s Alps in wintertime or the cold of Tassie’s south coast – this tent will keep the whole crew protected from the elements.

The Alpine Bunker has generous headroom at 124cm and comes with handy features like 12 internal pockets, a gear loft and a compression storage bag. The dual entry and vestibules give the tent better usability and more storage space.

The fly is made from 40D ripstop nylon and the floor is 75D polyester – giving the tent a 5000mm waterhead rating. For use in cold or windy conditions, it comes with additional pegs and a storm flap and snow skirt.

With such heavy-duty durability, you can’t expect this tent to be light – and it’s not. Weighing in at 4.56kg, it is the heaviest of the tents we have reviewed. But if you consider that it can sleep three people, you can share the total gear load with your fellow hikers.

Mountain Designs Alpine Bunker

Specifications

• Weight: 4.56kg
• Capacity: 3
• Floor space: 230 x 275cm
• Packed size: 52 x 21 x 21cm
• Seasons: 4

Buy now at Anaconda

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How we review products

4X4 Australia has been reviewing four-wheel drive vehicles, aftermarket products and camping gear for more than 40 years. When looking for the best lightweight hiking tents in Australia, there are some things that are essential to ensure you get a good night’s sleep out on the trails.

When we compared each of the tents in the list with hundreds out there, we looked at the size, weight, durability and price. We also searched for additional features that make these hiking tents stand out from the rest.

We looked at hundreds of user reviews and drew on our own experience using hiking tents to make sure our recommendations are for the best on the market.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. We also include products that we do not earn a commission from.

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Buyer's guide to lightweight hiking tents

How to choose the best lightweight hiking tent

There are many factors to consider when buying a lightweight hiking tent. Size, weight and durability are perhaps the most important things to look for. However, the features and usability will play a large part in how much you enjoy your camping. To help you out, we’ve broken down the key things to look for when purchasing a lightweight hiking tent.

Size

We have reviewed 1, 2 and 3-person hiking tents. However, the actual size of lightweight hiking tents can vary a lot. It’s important to consider not only how many people will be sleeping in the tent, but also how comfortable or spacious you want the tent to be. Keep in mind, hiking tents are designed to be lightweight and pack down small – therefore they are not spacious tents! There’s generally only room to sleep inside, and perhaps store some of your gear. If you are tall, or if you want to keep all your gear inside the tent with you, make sure you check the floor dimensions carefully.

Weight

Weight is important in a hiking tent. If you are just walking a short distance, you might not be too worried about weight. But the more often you plan to hike with your tent and the longer the distances, you will appreciate being able to shave a few hundred grams off your pack weight. The majority of the tents we’ve reviewed range between 1 to 3kg, which is a great weight range for carrying in your backpack. The exception is the Mountain Designs Alpine Bunker tent, which is a four-season expedition tent and weighs 4.56kg.

Packed dimensions

The packed dimensions of these lightweight hiking tents are important as you will need to carry them, along with your other overnight gear, on any backpacking trips. Generally, the smaller the tent, the tighter it will pack down. However, look for tents that come with a compression sack or straps to allow you to pack them down as small as possible.

Seasons

Hiking tents are rated for the number of seasons you can use them in. A three-season tent will be suitable for most Australian conditions. However, if you are planning to camp in extreme cold or snow, a four-season tent will be designed for those conditions. Four-season tents use better quality materials and have more features such as draft proofing and snow skirts to keep you warm and dry.

Durability

The durability of your tent is important to not only protect you from the elements, but also ensure that the tent will last you for many camping adventures to come. Look for hiking tents with durable flooring, as this will protect against rocks, sticks and other rough surfaces when you’re camping out on the trails. Many tents come with, or have an option to buy, a footprint for extra ground protection.

Access

If you are buying a tent that sleeps more than one person, it’s a good idea to choose one that has multiple access points. In a tent that is already limited in space, the last thing you want is to be climbing over each other to get in and out. Dual access doors are a great way to avoid this. Plus, they make it easier to access the tent for setting up mattresses and sleeping bags.

Ventilation

Good ventilation in a hiking tent will allow you to use it in all conditions. The interiors of hiking tents can heat up during the day making it uncomfortable to sleep. However, with mesh walls and doors and a removable fly the problem is easily countered. The use of good quality mesh is important to allow for ventilation but still keep the bugs out. If the mesh extends up over the roof, you can also remove the fly and gaze up at the stars on warmer nights.

Vestibules

Most hiking tents will come with a vestibule, which is essentially outdoor storage space under the fly. This is a great way to keep your gear safe from the elements, without having to bring it into the tent with you. For 2 or 3-person tents, dual vestibules will allow even more storage space – and prevent your gear from blocking the entrance to your tent.

Ease of set up

The last thing you want after a long day of hiking is to struggle with setting up a tent for the night. Most tents will have poles that come apart or fold down small and this means a bit of coordination to get the tent upright. The ease of set up really depends on the tent’s design – and a smaller tent doesn’t necessarily equal a simpler set up. Check the set-up instructions before buying a hiking tent and you’ll have less of a surprise when you go to erect it for the first time.

Internal storage and hooks

Because of the small interior of hiking tents, you don’t want them to be too full of features. But there are a few features that make using a hiking tent much easier. Internal storage pockets or storage loft, will allow you to keep your gear off the ground and in a safe, easily-reachable location. If you plan to keep a lantern inside your tent, a simple hook on the roof can make a big difference to having good lighting, and not having to search around in the dark to find it.

Price

While it is possible to pay very little for a lightweight hiking tent, by doing so you’ll sacrifice quality. Plus, there’s a great chance you’ll have to replace it a lot sooner, so you haven’t really saved money at all. If you plan on getting a lot of use out of your hiking tent, we recommend making the investment in one that is durable and has all the features you need for current and future camping trips.

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