Tents
All good road trips include a few nights spent in a tent. Whether you’re tenting at a campground next to your car or 20 km in the backcountry, having the best shelter is key. Here are some top tents from small to big for this summer.
$400 Easily one of the best bivy/backcountry tents we have used in the past few seasons. The Firstlight packs up smaller than any other tent on this list. It is great for climbers on a road trip hitting up cold alpine climbs in the spring and spending nights above the freezing level. It’s not completely waterproof, so avoid using in heavy rains. A great alpine tent for those on the move. A vestibule is available for purchase separately.
$280 One of the best tents you can own for two-person road trips where you’re sleeping in campgrounds close to the road. The Wanderer 2 assembles fast, has a full fabric canopy to keep out bad weather and is rugged. It’s a little heavy to carry on a climb, but a perfect base camp. The pegs are easy to sink into any ground type and secure the guidelines nice and tight. Still one of our go-to threeseason shelters.
$400 Mountain Hardwear has always produced great tents and continue to do so with the single-wall Hylo 2. It has a high ceiling, big door and vestibule which is great for keeping wet boots and climbing gear out of the tent and rain. We found it works at its best on hot days because the big vents keep the air cycling. Light enough to pack with your climbing gear for a big objective and enough space to work as a good car camper.
$735 The new Copper Spur is a big tent that packs light. Great for three people heading into the backcountry with its feather-light poles and nylon fabric. It has smartly-designed interior pockets for stringing up media screens and cords. It’s more than wide enough for three people in the shoulder zone and taper towards the feet. Top choice for those camping next to the car with a few approachstyle campgrounds in mind.
$615 A new lightweight two-person tent from The North Face that will keep things cool in hot weather. The crafty design uses mesh that will keep out small bugs and increase ventilation. This shelter is a little more fragile than burlier tents, but is perfect for approachstyle campgrounds. Another highly recommended tent by The North Face.