6. Marmot Tungsten: Best Budget Backpacking Tent
The REI Half Dome isn’t the only ruggedly-built backpacking tent out there. The Marmot Tungsten hits the sweet spot as one of the best tents for backpacking. It has a durable and lasting design that comes with a very budget-friendly price tag, making it the best budget backpacking tent on this list.
Even better? It has a 68-denier polyester fly and floor fabric, and equally as strong mesh and canopy. This means that the tent will hold up against whatever the trail throws at you. The ample amount of mesh on the tent body also allows for decent ventilation.
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There are a few drawbacks to this tent, however. The noticeable increase in weight counterbalances the durable construction. The two-person version weighs in at just an ounce lighter than the REI Half Dome. But, it offers significantly less space inside. This is at least in part due to the tapered construction of the tent body. If you like a lot of space, this tent may not be for you. You cannot sleep head to toe in it.
The lower price of the tent makes up for many of its shortcomings. If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable tent, or just getting started with backpacking, this is a great choice. And for those who want a durable tent that will stick with them over the long haul, consider the Tungsten UL version.