Best Bikepacking Tent for Two-Wheel Adventures

If you’re in a rush and want to find out what the best bikepacking tent is, we recommend the NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1P bikepack tent.

Bikepacking might not be the most popular form of camping, but it’s still a great way to get out and experience the world. Still, since not as many people participate in this pastime, tents made specifically for bikepacking can be hard to come by. In fact, it might be hard to find more than you can count on one hand.

That being said, we know that some of you are avid or aspiring bikepackers looking for your next tent to call home. To give you a place to start, we’ve laid out some of the best bikepacking tents below, along with some reasons why we chose them.

In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following best bikepacking tents:

• Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Bikepack Tent – Best 3 Person Bikepacking Tent
• NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1P Bikepack Tent – Best Overall
• REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent with Footprint
• Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent with Footprint – Most Durable Bikepacking Tent
• Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 2 Tent with Footprint
• Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Tent – Best 2 Person Bikepacking Tent
• ALPS Mountaineering Chaos 3 Tent
• The North Face Stormbreak 3 Tent – Most Versatile Bikepacking Tent

Unique Bikepacking Challenges

If you know anything about bikepacking, you’re probably aware of one unfortunate piece of information: there’s no category for bikepacking tents.

For the most part, they just don’t exist. You have backpacking tents, car camping tents, mountaineering tents, and a few other obscure varieties, but it’s hard to find anything designed specifically for bikepacking. Not impossible, mind you (since we have a few bikepacking specific tents listed below), but there really isn’t any set list of features that can be used to categorize a tent for bikepacking.

Then there’s the matter of what you’re using it for. Is this a tent that you’ll use on a quick, overnight bikepacking trip? Or are you planning something bigger, like a transcontinental expedition? What kind of storage devices do you have on your bike? Do you have racks and panniers to carry heavier, bulkier items? Or do you just have handlebar harnesses and fork cages? The answers to these questions will determine just how much you can get away with when it comes to picking a tent.

Weight

Unless you’re car camping, weight is always going to be an important consideration for all of your camping gear. Bikepackers can get away with a few more pounds than a backpacker, since they have two wheels and a frame to help carry their load. That being said, there’s no point in going too overboard with weight either. You will still have to exert the energy to get everything uphill, after all.

Still, bikepackers should take advantage of their load bearing vehicle. Because of that, we haven’t listed any “ultralight” tents in this review, simply because we find them to be more harmful than helpful. Some are semi-freestanding, others are lacking in durability, and the benefits of staying ultralight don’t outweigh these cons. You can expect most of tents listed below to fall somewhere between 3-5 pounds, which is what we consider to be the sweet spot for the best bikepacking tent.

Capacity

Capacity ties into what we were just saying about weight. Since larger tents tend to weigh more, backpackers will usually avoid getting something too spacious. However, since bikepackers can afford to carry more weight, they can also indulge in a little more camping luxury.

Since tents run small, I’d suggest going with a two person tent for solo expeditions. If you really value your space, and don’t mind a little extra weight, a three person tent could be suitable as well. At the very least, a three person tent would be ideal if you’re bikepacking with a partner.

Anything larger than a three person tent will be too heavy and bulky, so I’d suggest you limit yourself to shelters in the one 1-3 person capacity range. These are the types that we’ve listed below, to help streamline your decision making process.

Durability

No one wants to buy a flimsy tent unless they have to for weight and space saving purposes. Your tent is your first line of defense against the wind, rain, terrain, and wildlife, so it needs to be strong enough to withstand a barrage of environmental factors. Ideally, it will also stay kicking longer than a handful of years.

One of the best ways to measure the durability of a tent is by taking a look at the denier of the materials used. Denier is just a fancy way of measuring the thickness of a thread, with a higher denier equating to a thicker thread. Naturally, the thicker the thread, the more durable (and heavy) it will be. For tents, I don’t usually go for anything with a floor denier less than 50, though I will make an exception depending on the other features found in the tent.

Pole material also contributes to the durability of a shelter. You’ve really got three options to pick from here: steel, aluminum, and fiberglass.

Steel is going to be the most durable of them all, but it’s also going to be the heaviest. That being said, you won’t find many bikepacking tents that make use of it in their construction. Fiberglass is cheap and relatively lightweight, making it a common material used in tents of all price ranges, but it’s a bit lacking in durability. In my opinion, aluminum is the best of both worlds, combining strength and weight reduction into a fairly affordable package.

Setup

Regardless of your circumstances, it’s never fun to wrestle with your tent for half an hour. Add in a setting sun or rainy skies, and a tent that’s difficult to setup may just leave you in tears.

Since all of the shelters listed in this review are for three people or less, they’re small enough where a single person should have no trouble putting them together. Still, I recommend practicing your tent pitching ability while you’re at home, to fully prepare yourself for the real deal. The last thing you want to have happen is to roll into your campsite after dark with no experience setting up a tent. If you thought it was hard in the daylight, you’ll have even more trouble when you can’t see anything!

Ventilation

A well-ventilated tent is a comfortable tent to live in. Not only does it keep the inside of the shelter from becoming too stuffy, but it also helps prevent the buildup of condensation of the ceiling. When given the opportunity to grow large enough, this condensation will eventually form droplets that will fall on you and your gear.

Ventilation can come from a variety of sources, but the tent doors are the most common place to get it. In some shelters, that might be the only place you get any decent airflow, but most have other openings that offer air exchange. Roof and ground vents are fairly common, and depending on the size of your tent, there might be windows that you can open as well.

Best Bikepacking Tents – Reviewed

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Bikepack Tent

• Weight: 4.25 Pounds
• Tent Material: Nylon
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 43 Inches
• Doors: 2

If you’re in the market for a versatile tent, the Big Agnes Copper Spur might be the shelter for you. As one of the few tents designed specifically for bikepacking, the Copper Spur already has a leg up over the competition. The poleset is the perfect size to pack onto your handlebars or panniers, and since they’re made from aluminum, you get that lightweight strength that’s nice to have in a tent frame.

Even the compression sack is designed for bikepacking, given the daisy chain webbing system. All of these loops give you plenty of ways to attach the tent to the frame of your bike. And when it’s fully packed away, it comes out to a very reasonable 7 x 13.5 inches – a size that should be small enough to put almost anywhere.

The material is scary thin, and will likely experience some tears if you like to play rough with your gear. That being said, if you invest in a footprint and baby this tent as much as possible, I see no reason why it wouldn’t last you a good decade or so. Despite being so thin, the nylon does do a great job of keeping the wind and the rain at bay.

Two doors give you the space to come and go as you please, and the vestibule on each side provides some much needed shelter for your gear. Since the interior of the tent is most suited for two people (without their gear) it’s necessary to keep most items outside in the vestibules. If you have trekking poles, you can even use them to prop up the doors to create a luxurious awning on both sides. A massive ceiling pocket offers space for smaller items, and interior loops give you options for a lantern, a tent fan, or anything else that you want to hang.

Pros:

– Lightweight
– Spacious design
– Lots of storage options
– Sturdy and weatherproof
– Multifunctional

Cons:

– Ventilation could be better

NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 1P Bikepack Tent

• Weight: 2.4 Pounds
• Tent Material: Nylon
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 40 Inches
• Doors: 1

Another one of those rare tents designed specifically for bikepacking, the Nemo Dragonfly has some unique features that optimize it for two-wheel travel. Like the Copper Spur mentioned above, the Dragonfly has shortened pole segments that are easier to pack down into a smaller stuff sack. In total, the packed size comes out to roughly 6 x 14.5 inches, which is more than small enough to fit almost anywhere you can find room on your bike.

Naturally, as a one person tent, it’s going to be fairly small and lightweight. Specifically, it’s about 2.4 pounds with roughly 20 square feet of usable space on the inside. You can tack on another 10 square feet if you include the vestibule, providing more than enough room for you and your gear. The fact that the tent tapers near the feet helps keep it small and aerodynamic, but it doesn’t feel cramped and stuffy like some one person tents.

Made almost entirely out of mesh, the Dragonfly has white, no-see-um mesh on the bottom to give you a sense of privacy when the rainfly is off. On top is black mesh that’s much easier to see through, allowing you to gaze up at the stars on clear nights. And in terms of gear storage, this tent isn’t lacking in pockets and loops. There’s even an internal daisy chain to give you plenty of space to hang some of your gear out of the way.

Weatherproofing works great, and I have no complaints with either the rainfly or the bathtub floor. You shouldn’t have any trouble with rain getting in, and you certainly won’t have to worry about strong winds blowing the tent over, considering how small it is. If I had to list a complaint, it would be that the color of the fly blends in with any dark surroundings. After the sun sets, it might be hard for other travelers to notice you, if you’re camping by the side of a road. It shouldn’t be a problem for most of you, but it’s just something to keep in mind.

Pros:

– Packs down small
– Lightweight
– Lots of storage
– Feels pretty spacious for a one person tent
– Good weatherproofing

Cons:

– Color is a bit hard to see after dark

REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent with Footprint

• Weight: 4.75 Pounds
• Tent Material: Nylon
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 42 Inches
• Doors: 2

It’s not hard to see why the Half Dome series is one of REI’s best-selling tent lines. It’s the series that I use the most for a variety of terrains, ranging from mountains to deserts, and everything in-between. I like the extra space that comes with the design, in addition to the hubbed pole design. Setup is always a breeze, though I would recommend practicing with it a few times before you take it outside for its maiden voyage.

But really, I find that this is the perfect tent for people who value a little extra space, but they don’t want to go overboard on weight and size. If you’ve ever owned a tent before, you know that a two person tent can comfortable house one person, and a three person tent can comfortably house two people. Since the Half Dome is a 2+ person tent, it’s a little larger than your average two person tent. At the same time, it’s smaller than a three person tent, striking a nice middle ground between the two of them.

When I first used my Half Dome, I got caught in a heavy rainstorm deep in the mountains of Colorado. Not only did it keep all the water out, but it also stayed strong in wind gusts that got up to 40 miles per hour. Regardless of where your bikepacking takes you, I couldn’t recommend the Half Dome enough from a durability and capacity standpoint.

Pockets are adequate for most people’s needs. There are some mesh pockets in the corner and a ceiling pocket to keep a headlamp or other gear. Ventilation could be better, but the roof vents provided enough airflow where I didn’t experience much condensation in the morning. Even so, I’d bring a fan to hang from the center loop to help circulate the air when it starts to get hot inside.

Pros:

– Spacious
– Very sturdy and durable
– Waterproofing works well
– Comfortable with lots of storage options
– Easy enough for one person to set up

Cons:

– A little bulky and heavy to be used as a backpacking tent for long distances

Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent with Footprint

• Weight: 5.8 Pounds
• Tent Material: Polyester
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 42.1 Inches
• Doors: 2

I’ve always been a big fan of Marmot, as they’ve consistently created high quality items over the years. The Tungsten product line is no different, providing superior durability and roominess compared to many of its competitors. And the feature that helps the most with this is the near vertical walls that open up the inside of the tent.

Whereas most backpacking/bikepacking tents maintain a traditional dome shape, the Tungsten took a page out of a cabin tent’s design. Sloped walls work great for aerodynamics, but they make it difficult to fully utilize the space inside the tent. On the other hand, the vertical walls on the Tungsten let you slide closer to the edge of the shelter, giving you more space between you and your partner. If you don’t have a partner, you can use that extra space for your gear, unless you’d rather store it outside in the two vestibules.

Thanks to the small frame and color-coded clips and poles, setup is incredibly simple. And even though vertical walls tend to catch the wind more, I find that the Tungsten doesn’t seem to be too affected by this. Instead, it’s quite the tank in bad weather, staying completely waterproof and stable in the wind. It’s also one of those rare tents that comes with a footprint, giving you some added protection underneath your shelter as well.

While I do find that ventilation could be better, it’s still one of the best bikepacking tents, in my opinion. Though it’s a tad bulky to carry, as a bikepacker, you won’t notice that as much, compared to a regular backpacker.

Pros:

– Vertical walls for extra space
– Durable and strong against weather
– 2 large vestibules
– Weighs about 5 pounds
– Easy to put together

Cons:

– Ventilation needs improvement
– Stakes are flimsy

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 2 Tent with Footprint

• Weight: 7.1 Pounds
• Tent Material: Polyester
• Pole Material: DAC Pressfit
• Peak Height: 48 Inches
• Doors: 2

So far, all of the 3 person tents that we’ve listed have been fairly unusual in how light they are. The Mountain Hardwear Mineral King brings us back to what most three person tents are like, weighing in at 7 pounds and some change. Is that a problem? Not necessarily, since your bike will be taking most of the weight. Since it’s a larger tent, I imagine you’ll be sharing it with a partner as well. That being the case, I would recommend splitting up the poles and tent material between the two (or three) of you.

The body is symmetrical, and the walls are nearly vertical, just like the Tungsten mentioned above. If you have more substantial sleeping arrangements, like a cot or a thick sleeping pad, this wall structure lets you shove everything right up against the material without cutting back on your headroom. And with a floor space of 43 square feet, it’s one of those rare three person tents that can actually accommodate three people.

Admittedly, the floor could use some work when it comes to waterproofing, but it’s not terrible. The included footprint is enough to keep water from coming in, unless you happen to find yourself in a flash flood. In which case, you’re probably going to get wet regardless of what tent you’re using. In terms of condensation, I’d expect the usual amount of buildup. Ventilation keeps the moisture accumulation minimal, but you may feel a drop or two fall on you from time to time.

Symmetrical hubbed poles make setup a breeze, even if you’re the only one putting it together. There are quite a few internal pockets as well, to give you and your companions amble space to store your belongings.

Pros:

– Spacious interior
– Waterproof rainfly
– Dual vestibules
– Somewhat affordable price
– Light weight

Cons:

– Floor may leak in excessive rain

Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Tent

• Weight: 5.5 Pounds
• Tent Material: Polyester
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 43 Inches
• Doors: 2

I don’t get to say this very often, but the Mountainsmith Morrison has garnered my favor because of one very noteworthy feature. As a two person tent, it’s actually big enough to accommodate two people! Most of the time, when you see that a tent has a two person capacity, you can expect it to comfortably house you and a dog or small child. Try to put two adults in there together? They’re going to be rubbing shoulders and hips all night, and it’s not going to be a pleasant experience.

Of course, with the extra size, you’ll have to shoulder a little more weight. Still, 5.5 pounds for a two person tent is hardly a burden, especially when compared with other models. On top of being easy to set up by yourself, it has all of the features that you could ask for, despite being a relatively cheap tent. The bathtub floor keeps the water out, and I find that the rainfly is good enough quality to protect you all types of weather. While I wouldn’t recommend bringing it out during the winter, due to a lack of insulation, it’s durable enough to shelter you from freak snowstorms, sleet, and freezing rain.

And in terms of gear storage, you’ve got options. The interior sports a wide variety of pockets, along with a gear loft and plenty of loops to hang certain items. On the outside, two vestibules provide more than enough space to keep you pack and boots, along with anything else you might want to keep outside the tent. It’ll be hard to use up all of the storage space, which is quite impressive, considering how affordable the Morrison is!

Pros:

– Very simple to set up
– Durable
– Waterproof
– Extremely large interior
– Lots of storage space, inside and outside

Cons:

– A little heavy

ALPS Mountaineering Chaos 3 Tent

• Weight: 7.3 Pounds
• Tent Material: Polyester
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 41 Inches
• Doors: 2

A relatively basic tent, the ALPS Mountaineering Chaos doesn’t have too many unique features, but it sure got the essentials down really well. As the name implies, this is the sort of tent you’d want to have in a time of chaos. Hammering winds and pounding rain will roll right off the exterior of the shelter, standing no chance against the durable rainfly. That’s especially true when you consider the extra guyout points on the fly, giving you more places to stake out the tent to provide extra stability.

Speaking of the rainfly, it sports one of those lesser seen designs, where the fly clips to the bottom of the tent using buckles. In my opinion, it’s easier to secure (and unsecure) the fly by using this method, as opposed to the typical grommets found on most tents. By using the tethers on the buckles, you can also adjust how taut you want the fly to sit, providing some relief for the poles and flexibility depending on the weather.

Two vestibules provide a total of 22 square feet of outdoor storage space. It’s a very reasonable amount of space for a three person tent, but even more so if you only plan on housing yourself and one other person inside. A number of pockets and loops inside the tent also provide convenient places to store your phone, a headlamp, or other smaller items.

Easy to pitch and only weighing about 7 pounds, it’s a good size for a three person bikepacking tent. From a versatility standpoint, you could practically take it anywhere.

Pros:

– Durable
– Holds up well in bad weather
– Buckles on the rainfly
– Good vestibule space
– Easy setup

Cons:

– Ventilation could be better

The North Face Stormbreak 3 Tent

• Weight: 6.6 Pounds
• Tent Material: Polyester
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Peak Height: 46 Inches
• Doors: 2 

Sporting a more typical design for a three person tent, The North Face Stormbreak is roomy for two people and cozy for three. It’s the sort of shelter that I would choose if I was bikepacking with a friend, or perhaps with a dog. If you keep the capacity to two, you’ll still have plenty of interior space for various pieces of gear that you want to keep close by.

At the same time, the vestibules offer plenty of storage outside the tent as well. There are also two zippers on each side of the vestibule – unzip one to create an entry/exit point like you would normally find. Open two to lift the material up to form an awning, when paired with a couple of trekking poles.

Weatherproofing works well, and I find it to be a fairly intuitive tent to set up. It’s certainly beginner friendly, even going so far as to color code one corner of the rainfly with one of the corners of the tent. They’re both a very bright red, so you shouldn’t mess up the direction that the fly needs to be put on the shelter.

My one complaint is with the door system, though, as it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. The entrance/exit is on the side of the tent, instead of the front (or back), which would be more logical for a three person tent. As it is, anyone sleeping in the middle will need to crawl over a partner, which is never ideal when you’re groggy and sleep deprived. Still, it’s not an issue if you’re only using it with one other person, and the doors are large and spacious.

Pros:

– Good sized vestibules
– Durable
– Holds up well in rough weather
– D shaped doors
– Cozy

Cons:

– On the heavy side
– Rainfly likes to absorb water, instead of repel it

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FAQ

Final Thoughts

Most of us would be willing to give up a lot of our other camping gear before we consider ditching our tent. Shelter is an important component of outdoor living, as it’s your first line of defense against the weather and the wildlife. But when you’re picking a temporary home for your next two-wheeled adventure, it can be hard to make a decision.

Overall, we felt that the Nemo Dragonfly put the most amount of thought into what a bikepacker would appreciate having. It’s a one person tent, so you’ll be limited to using it by yourself, but it’s strong and aerodynamic. Powerful storms won’t be quite as concerning, especially if you know how to pick a campsite. The ease of setup and lightweight frame are also desirable, making this one of the best bikepacking tents that you’ll find.

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