The best bikepacking 2-man tents under 200$, affordable bike camping tents for hiking & cycling adventures
5 cheap 2-person lightweight tents for backpacking, bikepacking & cycle touring
The market for lightweight tents is expanding quickly, with new brands joining well-known names that produce tents for backpacking, cycle touring, bikepacking, and other ultralight adventures. Every year, fresh companies launch, offering products that range from innovative designs to budget-friendly, durable camping tents that don’t cost a fortune but still provide warmth and protection, perfect for your next-day hike or adventure.
In this blog post, we’ll review affordable 2-person tents under $200. While you won’t find top-tier brands like Hilleberg here, the tents we’ve chosen are still great options for bicycle touring, long hikes, and adventurous backpacking trips. Many are fully freestanding, making them adaptable to various terrains and surfaces.
Now, let’s dive into our favorite budget-friendly, lightweight 2-person tents for 2024.
1. NatureHike Cloud Up
The Naturehike Cloud Up is a top choice of mine for ultralight backpacking, bikepacking, and even laid-back car-camping trips. While they may not be built to last forever, they’re an excellent budget-friendly option for outdoor enthusiasts.
For four-season use, we chose the NatureHike Cloud Up, which we personally tested for five months in Northern Europe and 18 months in Southern Africa, covering a range of cold to warm climates.
The tent performed reliably, except during an extreme windstorm in the Arctic Circle, where a pole broke and tore the flysheet. Naturehike quickly sent a replacement flysheet and even contributed to our accommodation costs for the nights we couldn’t camp.
The inner tent, made from high-density mesh and nylon, provides good airflow, while the fly is available in two styles: one with a winter-ready skirt and one without.
The two-person version requires two stakes for setup, so it’s not fully freestanding, though the three-person model (which we have) is freestanding. Overall, this is one of the best budget-friendly backpacking tents available and possibly the best from Naturehike yet.
2. Hyke & Byke Zion 2P Two-Person Lightweight Tent and Footprint
Hyke & Bike is a U.S.-based outdoor brand known for transparency, with extensive details on their website that enhance their credibility. They’re also active in charitable work and microloan programs, showcasing a strong commitment to ethical values and social responsibility.
The Zion model is a well-rounded, freestanding two-person tent built with a single-pole structure for easy setup. It comes with a footprint, providing added durability and protection for the tent floor, while the inner walls are crafted entirely from mesh fabric, maximizing airflow and reducing condensation. The tent is rated with a waterproof level of 3000mm, offering solid protection against rain and damp conditions, even during extended trips.
One of the standout features of the Zion is its high-quality stakes, which exceed typical standards at this price point, enhancing its stability on varied terrains. Additionally, it includes a stake presser, making it even easier to secure in challenging conditions. Overall, this tent is a reliable choice for budget-conscious adventurers seeking a lightweight, durable, and well-ventilated shelter.
3. Marmot Crane Creek Backpacking and Camping Tent
Marmot is a respected name in outdoor gear, with a focus on both accessibility and quality. Roughly 95% of their products are produced in China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Honduras, while high-performance mountaineering items are made locally, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for extreme conditions.
The Marmot Crane Creek is a reliable, well-constructed two-person tent that balances durability and simplicity, making it a suitable choice for bike touring, hiking, and backpacking. This tent features a straightforward setup with a classic freestanding design, giving users the flexibility to pitch it on varied terrain. Its polyester fly has a 1,500mm waterproof rating, offering adequate protection against moderate rain and weather, while the tent floor is rugged enough to resist wear over time.
The Crane Creek comes with two large D-shaped doors and vestibules, providing easy access and extra space for gear storage. While it may not be the lightest or roomiest tent in its category, Marmot’s long-standing brand reputation adds a sense of reliability. The Crane Creek is also available in a three-person version, providing a spacious option for those who need it, all while remaining a dependable shelter choice for adventurers.
4. REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 – New Entry 2024!
The REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 tent is an affordable, durable choice for backpackers and bikepackers looking for a balance between comfort and practicality. This 3-season tent, priced around $229, has 31.7 square feet of floor space and a peak height of 40 inches, providing a spacious interior that feels less cramped than many 2-person tents. Its freestanding design, two doors, and dual vestibules (offering a combined 15 square feet of storage) make it convenient and accessible, especially for those sharing the tent. The included footprint helps protect the tent floor from wear when pitched on rough terrain.
While REI doesn’t list a specific waterproof rating, reviews suggest that the tent’s polyester fly and floor material effectively resist rain and wind, although it’s recommended more for milder weather conditions than extreme storms. Setup is relatively easy, using two main poles that form an “X” shape, with an additional cross pole to spread the walls and maximize interior space. Ventilation is enhanced with mesh panels, reducing condensation buildup, and reflective guylines improve visibility in low light.
Though not the lightest on the market at 5 pounds 15 ounces, the Trail Hut 2 is a versatile option, especially for campers seeking value without compromising too much on quality or livable space. It’s an excellent starter tent for outdoor adventures, particularly for campers who value ease of use, good ventilation, and reliable protection against most weather conditions.
5. ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 2-Person Tent
Alps Mountaineering, an American brand established in 1993, is well-regarded for making affordable, durable outdoor gear. Their Zephyr 2-person tent is a popular choice for backpackers and hikers, known for its unique design that offers more stability in windy conditions compared to many lightweight tents. This is partly due to its geometry and strong, free-standing aluminum poles that resist bending under pressure. The tent’s walls are entirely mesh, enhancing ventilation and reducing condensation, which is a common issue in humid climates.
Designed with ample room for two people, it’s also available in a 3-person version for those needing extra space. The tent comes equipped with two doors and vestibules, allowing for convenient entry, exit, and gear storage. With a 1500mm water-resistant polyester rainfly and a 3000 mm-coated floor, it provides reliable protection in moderate rain. These features make it a versatile choice for anyone seeking a well-built, weather-resistant shelter that balances durability with breathability, making it suitable for various climates and conditions
