One of the the biggest investments an outdoor enthusiast makes when purchasing gear for use on their adventures is buying a tent. Today’s tents come in all shapes and sizes and are often made of lightweight, high-tech fabrics and come with carbon fiber poles. This makes them lighter, more comfortable, and roomier than ever before, but it also tends to make them more expensive too. If you’re in need of a new camping shelter, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank however, as Backpacker magazine has put together a list of its favorite budget tents, proving you can get a good model without shredding your bank account.
The list consists of six different tents in total, with each entry broken down into several categories. The tents are rated for their livability, weatherproofing, features, and durability, all of which are important factors to consider when shopping for a new model. And to put things in perspective, these tents range in price from as little as $120 to as much as $250, which even at the high end is still fairly reasonably priced.
I won’t give away all of the tents that made the cut, but I will say there are some nice options available from brands that you know and trust. When making a “budget” list of outdoor gear, it is easy to choose products from companies that no one has ever heard of. The problem is that those pieces of gear don’t tend to have a proven track record from companies that have been making outdoor equipment for years. That isn’t the case here, as all of these tents come from companies that you probably already know and trust.
For example, the best all around tent was awarded to the Sierra Designs Meteor 2, which got good marks for livability and weatherproofing, while the Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 earned a spot on the list thanks to its features and livable space. The other four tents offer similar options and strengths and weaknesses depending on what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend.
You can check out the full list here.
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