Discount Backpacking Tents
That Won't Let You Down

You can buy great discount backpacking tents for $100 or less.

"$100 or less?" you say. "That's a bargain?"

Well...yes, it is!

Sure, you can get a 2 person "hiking tent" at Sam's Club for around $40.

But it may not fulfill the primary purpose of a tent: keeping you dry and bug-free. (At least, it may not do it for very long.)

Expect to find good, reliable 2 person backpacking tents on sale for at least $80-$100. It's worth spending a little more for a quality tent that will work well and is built to last.

And with most new backpacking tents priced at $200-$300, $100 or less really is a deal!

What To Look For

Let's look at 2 person backpacking tents, since that is the most common and practical size. These are the most important features to consider when looking for a discount backpacking tent:

1. Minimum weight of 6 lbs or less (4-5 lb. is best)

2. At least one full-coverage vestibule

You can save some money by going heavier or foregoing a vestibule, but you'll probably end up regretting it. Saving a few bucks won't matter if the result is a miserable backpacking experience.

Best Bargain Sites

These are the best websites to find a backpacking tent clearance sale: Sierra Trading Post, Campmor, and REI-Outlet.com.

REI Outlet is my current favorite. I recently searched for discount backpacking tents there and found some outstanding deals. There were no less than four 2 person backpacking tents for less than $100.

Of course, the deals at the bargain sites change all the time. If you can't find a good backpacking tent sale, you can still get one for a reasonable retail price. Here are the best cheap backpacking tents:

Best All-Around: Kelty Grand Mesa 2

Kelty backpacking tents offer great value for the money. The Kelty Grand Mesa 2 is a freestanding, lightweight backpacking tent.

It's rather small, and only has one door and one vestibule.

Cheapest: Eureka Apex 2XT

There are only a few Eureka backpacking tents worth considering, but the Eureka Apex 2XT is an absolute steal.

A freestanding dome tent, the Apex 2XT is quite roomy and gives you 2 doors and 2 vestibules. It's also the heaviest tent here.

Minimum weight: 5 lb 6 oz.
Floor space: 37 square feet
Doors: 2
Vestibules: 2, 7 square feet each

Enjoy It!

You'll feel great knowing you got a sweet deal on a discount backpacking tent that will last a long time. I hope this information helps you save some money and get out more. Have fun!