Best Lightweight 3 Person Backpacking Tents

If you are searching for a trail tent with enough room for two, you will want to read our review of the best lightweight 3-person backpacking tents from leading outdoor brands!

Backpacking tents are almost always too small for their declared capacity, but exceptions exist. On the other hand, they can be so light that they can be an excellent option for two users on the trail because you can share the weight between you.

So this 3-person capacity group can interest three people and two people campers. We use the word ‘lightweight’ in the title, but these are among the lightest tents on the market.

Our List Of Best Backpacking 3-Person Tents

This is all about optimal weight and protected space. The protected space includes the inner floored area and the area under vestibules. This is why we have decided to order the tents by the ratio of the total protected space and the weight, from the lowest to highest values. So here’s our list:

Some brands are specialized in building ultralight backpacking tents, and Big Agnes is the best example. So it would be easy to populate this list with the tents from this brand alone.

Naturally, we have added a couple of them, but we also wanted to show some other brands as well. All of them are the best-known in the outdoor industry.

1. Marmot Tungsten UL 3P Backpacking Tent

• Packaged weight: 4.6 lbs
• Floored area: 41.5 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 84.25″ x 29.13″ x 38.19″
• Packed size: 22″ x 8″

This tent is from one of the best-known series on the market that includes 4 tents, Tungsten 1, 2, 3, and 4 tents. They have been on the market for several years, and this is one of the lightest versions so far, hence the letters UL in the name.

So you have a tent with two vestibules and a full-coverage fly. The DAC Pressfit 9 mm diameter poles are pre-bent in the lower sections, creating more volume. Note that you have a frame with two main X-crossed poles plus two ridge poles that make vertical sides.

Top Brand

Pros:

• The frame is extremely strong
• It’s very well ventilated
• Suitable for four seasons

Cons:

• Expensive for what you get (Brand name only)
• The fly touches tent walls

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The floor fabric is a 30D 100% nylon with a 2000 mm waterproof rating, and the canopy is a 15D 100% nylon No-See-Um mesh. The fly is a 20D 100% polyester with Sil/PU coating that gives it a 1200 mm rating. Note that the tent is nicely vented with its two excellent vents.

Here are a few numbers you might want to know. The weight is 4 lb 5.5 oz (1.97 kg), the floor area is 41.5 ft² (3.8 m²), and the two vestibules protect 10.6 ft² + 7.8 ft² (1.71 m²). So you have the total protected space/weight ratio of 2.79 m²/kg. This value may not be as high as in the other tents, but the frame on this tent is more robust than expected. So if you know you will have strong winds, this tent could be an option for you. The packed size is (L x D) 22 x 8 inches (56 x 20.3 cm).

2. Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 3 Tent

• Packaged weight: 4.4 lbs
• Floored area: 40.4 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 85″ x 70″ x 67″
• Packed size: 17″ x 6.75″

The tent is supported by a Y-shaped pole and a cross pole that lifts the side walls. The poles are pre-bent, and this gives a bit more volume inside. The floor is slightly tapered to shed weight, which matches some sleeping pads’ designs.

The fly is designed with stargazing features. You can roll it up from any of the two sides and sleep under the stars. And you can quickly put it back when/if it starts to rain.

Best Three-Season

Pros:

• Stargazing fly design
• Excellent packed size
• Provides plenty of space

Cons:

• Flimsy stakes
• Poor Storage

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

You have the best materials here. The fly is 20D nylon ripstop, and the floor is 30D ripstop nylon. The mesh on the canopy is a 15D nylon No-See-Um mesh. And the poles are DAC Featherlite aluminum made by the Dongah Aluminum Corporation brand, one of the best-known in the tent pole industry.

Here are some numbers. The weight is 4 lb 4 oz (1.93 kg). The inner floor area is 40.4 ft² (3.75 m²), but you also have two vestibules that add 8.9 ft² + 8.9 ft² (0.83 m² + 0.83 m²). So the total protected space/weight ratio is around 2.8 m²/kg of the tent’s weight.

The packed size is excellent; the carry bag with the tent inside measures (L x D) 17 x 6.75 inches (43 cm x 17 cm). The peak height is 43 inches (109 cm).

3. Big Agnes Copper Hotel HV UL3 Tent

• Packaged weight: 4.9 lbs
• Floored area: 41 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 88″ x 52″ x 41″
• Packed size: 21″ x 5.5″

This tent is genuinely remarkable. You have a huge porch that is fully covered, plus a smaller vestibule on the other side. This tent is perfect for a group on the trail in wet areas where protecting the gear is essential.

The total vestibule plus porch areas are 9 + 27 ft² (0.9 + 2.5 m²), while the inner tent floored area is 41 ft² (3.8 m²). With such covered spaces, you have storage rooms plus space for cooking. As you know, when it is raining, it is challenging to organize your life once you’ve set the camp. But this is made easier with all the covered space the tent provides.

Best Storage

Pros:

• Incredible porch area for storage
• Great ventilation
• Excellent design

Cons:

• Expensive price range

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The weight is 4 lb 9 oz (2.07 kg), which may look heavy, but the total protected space/weight ratio is 3 m²/kg. To continue with numbers, the peak height is pretty average; you have 43 inches (110 cm) of headroom. The packed size is excellent (Lx D), 21 x 5.5 inches (53 x 14 cm).

The waterproof rating is 1200 mm, but this is a silicone-treated material. The poles are top-notch DAC Featherlite NFL, and one of them is added to support the porch. This tent is also on our list of best 3-person camping tents.

4. Nemo Dagger 3-Person Tent

• Packaged weight: 4.4 lbs
• Floored area: 43 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 90″ x 50″ x 42″
• Packed size: 19.5″ x 6.5″

The picture below gives you an aerial view of the tent; it shows the structure with two large vestibules and a full-coverage fly with two doors.

The poles are designed with a double-Y profile, plus a cross pole that lifts the sides. Again this is another high-quality DAC 9.0 and 9.6 mm Featherlite NSL structure.

The thin fabric uses a 30D PU nylon ripstop floor with a 3000 mm waterproof rating, bathtub-style with fully taped seams. The fly is a 15D Sil-PU nylon ripstop with a 1200 mm rating.

Easiest Set-Up

Pros:

• Great stuff sack design
• Plenty of ventilation
• Awesome design

Cons:

• Heavier than similar brands
• A bit expensive

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

One of the best features is its stuff sack with an innovative “dual-stage” design. This means you have split tent components, which users can share and carry separately.

The inner floor area is 43 ft² (4 m²), and vestibules add 23 ft² (2.1 m²). The weight is 4 lb 4 oz (1.93 kg). So this means that here you have the total protected space/weight ratio of 3.16 m²/kg.

The peak height is 42 inches (107 cm), and the packed size is (L x D) 19.5 x 6.5 inches (50 x 17 cm). Note that this is a very long tent, and we have included it in our list of best backpacking tents for tall people.

5. MSR FreeLite 3 Ultralight Backpacking Tent

• Packaged weight: 3.7 lbs
• Floored area: 39.5 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 84″ x 68″ x 39″
• Packed size: 18″ x 6″

The tent weighs 3 lb 7 oz (1.56 kg), and its inner area is 39.5 ft² (3.67 m²). But it offers two vestibules, so they add an extra 17.5 ft² (1.62 m²). This means you have 19 ft² (1.76 m²) per person, and the total protected space/weight ratio is 3.39 m²/kg.

Due to its vestibules, the tent cannot be described as freestanding. But the pole is a Y-shaped tripod, making the structure self-supporting when you attach it to the tent. 

Best Design

Pros:

• Incredible weight-to-space ratio
• Excellent packed size
• Perfect waterproofing

Cons:

• Should come with a footprint
• Could be considered low

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The packed size is impressive; it measures (L x D) 18 x 6 inches (46 x 15 cm). Note that the tent is relatively low; the peak height is only 39 inches (100 cm).

The rain fly and the floor are a 15D nylon ripstop with 1200 mm Durashield polyurethane & silicone coating. So these are incredibly thin materials, which is partly behind this tent’s low weight.

6. Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 Backpacking Tent

• Packaged weight: 2.69 lbs 
• Floored area: 38 ft²
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 86″ x 42″ x 39″
• Packed size: 19″ x 5.5″

This tent is so light even a baby could carry it. It weighs 2.69 lb (1190 g). It’s one of the largest in the series of three tents, including the Tiger Wall UL1 and Tiger Wall UL2.

You have two doors and two vestibules, and top-quality DAC Featherlite NFL aluminum poles support the structure. This is a hubbed design with a single Y-shaped pole plus one short pole that pulls the side walls up and makes the doors vertical.

The tent has structured foot-end corners for extra volume and space for your feet, so the tent must be adequately staked to have this functionality. Note also that there are two vestibules, so the same holds here; they must be staked. So the tent is not freestanding.

Top Pick

Pros:

• Lightest weight on the market
• Incredibly small pack size
• Plenty of storage & attachment options.

Cons:

• It’s very expensive
• A bit small for 3 people

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The packed size is (L x D) 19 x 5.5 inches (48 x 14 cm), and the peak height is 42 inches (107 cm). The inner area is 38 ft² (3.5 m²), but you also have vestibules that add 16 ft² (1.4 m²). This means the total protected space per person is 18 ft² (1.6 m²). In other words, the total protected space/weight ratio is 4.12 m²/kg.

The fabric is a silicon-treated nylon ripstop on the floor, and the fly is coated with polyurethane coating. All seams are taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape (No PVC or VOCs). The official waterproof rating is 1200 mm.

There are many storage options and pockets here. Huge pockets are under the ceiling where you can store many small items. Storage pockets can also be found in the corners at the head side. They also have small openings for earbuds to listen to music while the gadget is up in the pocket.

Other features include:

• Low Vent feature on the vestibules with double sliders on the zippers so you can vent from the top or bottom.
• Ready to pitch design with pre-cut guy lines and tensioners.
• Reflective guylines and webbing on the corners.
• Many inner loops attach gear lofts.
• A footprint is available to order separately.
• The Fast Fly variant is possible if you order the footprint.

Final Thoughts

So this was our selection of the best lightweight 3-person backpacking tents, and we hope you realize how incredibly light these tents are. There are differences in the weight, but there are also significant differences in the storage options.

These are tents built from the highest quality materials making them very expensive. You also need to remember that the fabric is thin but made with a durable ripstop that can withstand a lot of pressure.

As mentioned above, this is about weight and protected space combination. So the less weight and the more protected space, the better. This is why the tent shown below is our choice.

Related Articles

Thank you for reading. You might want to see more stuff about trail equipment on our website. Or you could check our selection of the best 2-person backpacking tents or the best 4-person backpacking tents. Let me know if you have questions or comments; there is a comment box below. Have a nice day.