Are you a backpacker looking for a light, dome tent?
Do you also like to go hunting when you’re backpacking?
As you well know, keeping everything with you while you backpack takes careful planning as it is. Adding a hunting element on top of this makes it even more important you choose the right kind of tent.
Well, we’re here to help. We did the research and found the best dome tents for backpacking hunting.
Here’s the list (be sure to check current prices on Amazon):
- Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent
- Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent
- Mountainsmith Bear Creek 2 Season
Read on for more information and help picking out which tent is right for you.
Table of Contents
Qualities Of A Good Backpacking And Hunting Tent
The combination of backpacking and hunting makes for some unique requirements. In this section, we talk about the most important features you should look for.
Weight – Naturally, for all backpackers every ounce counts. Getting a tent that’s lightweight is essential for serious backpacking.
For those who go hunting as well, this becomes even more important. On top of your normal gear, you’ll also want your firearm/bow, camo, and lures (where applicable).
Plus, if you get something, you’ll have to add that weight in as well.
Ease of carry – Along the same lines as weight, the tent needs to be easy to carry. While you’re moving, the focus should be on your feet and every thing just bears on your back.
Setup difficulty – After a while of hiking, chances are you’re tired! The last thing you want to do is spend a half-hour setting up a tent, so pay attention to how easy tents are to set up.
Space – This feature is less important than the others, but you’ll still want a tent which gives you some good sleeping space. If it starts to rain, you’ll be spending a good amount of time in there, so don’t trap yourself.
Storage room – For backpackers, they should look for a tent which offers some storage space to keep their gear.
For hunters, this is a double necessity. Some of your hunting gear can’t get wet, so storage is a must.
Direct Comparison Of The Best Dome Tents For Backpacking And Hunting
Here is a quick reference table for you comparing the most important features of these tents. If you want more details, be sure to read the reviews section for an in-depth look at their features.
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Reviews For The Best Dome Tent For Backpacking Hunting
In this section, we’ll go over the important features for each of these dome tents and how they may affect your backpacking and hunting experience.
Each of these are a fine choice, but use your own knowledge about what you need to pick the right one for you.
Kelty Salida Camping and Backpacking Tent
This tent by Kelty Salida was designed with backpacking in mind. It’s lower price may attract you to it, but don’t worry; it still is a quality tent.
The compact folding poles, gear loft loops, color-coded clips, and fly attachments all make it quite easy to carry and setup.
You can unpack it and fit it into your backpack as you’d like or use the roll top cube carry bag. At a light 3.89 lbs you may not even notice it.
This is important for backpacking hunters who will also be carrying their hunting gear along for the hike.
The tent is made from quality 68D polyester, and the floor is made from 68D Nylon. These materials are tough yet light, and the tent bottom choice of nylon helps protect is from ground wear and tear.
The 1 person tent sleeps one person easily, and the vestibule addition helps keep dirt and water out of the tent’s interior.
On top of these features, the Kelty tent also comes with the following accessories:
- 3 season design
- 1 door
- 1 vestibule
- 2 poles
- Tent stakes
Pros For This Product
- Spacious for a backpacking tent
- Easy to set up
- Light and easy carry
- Great quality material
Cons For This Product
- Not many extras
- Tent stakes are lesser quality
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx tent is a lower priced one designed for sleeping 2 people and hiking.
This tent is fairly light at 5.75 lbs which is due in part to the lighter aluminum poles it uses.
ALPS made their tent with easy setup in mind. This is great after you’ve been backpacking all day.
The polyester tent material is water-resistant and also protected against UV damage. It also has two vestibules for storage and keeping water out.
The 75D rain fly and tent bottoms make this a great backpacking tent to take in the rain. This is important for hunters who need to keep their firearms and ammo dry.
It sleeps 2 people a little tightly, but it does offer more room vertically than other 2 person backpacking tents.
This tent is also easy to carry when unpacked and repacked into your backpack or with its carry case.
With this tent, you also get the following accessories:
- Storage pockets
- Gear loft
- Aluminum stakes
- Guy ropes
- 2 doors
Pros For This Product
- Fairly light weight
- Great value for space
- Easy to carry
- Quick setup
- Plenty of accessories
Cons For This Product
- Zippers may break
Mountainsmith Morrison 2 Person 3 Season Tent
The Mountainsmith Morrison 3 season tent may be just for you if you’re willing to pay a little more for a 3 season tent to backpack and camp during most of the year.
For hunters where the hunting seasons are usually in fall and early winter, this may be exactly what you’re looking for.
The tent is made of imported polyester and has a reputation for quality and durability.
The tent fits 2 people easily and has 2 doors for each person easier entering and exiting. This also means there are 2 vestibules for storing all of your camping, backpacking, and hunting gear out of the elements.
As a 3 season tent, Mountainsmith designed this tent to stay warmer doing the cooler months of early spring and later fall. You can even camp with light snow in this tent.
The bathtub style of construction in the tent bottom keeps pooling water out and protects the bottom with its thicker material.
A tent fly goes over the tent body to protect from rain or cold weather. But it still has some ventilated windows in the fly which helps cool the tent down in rainy but warm weather.
This tent is a little bit lighter at 4.75 lbs making it easier to carry in your backpacking setup. But the case is a little bulkier.
You may want to consider repacking the parts in your backpack, but this can take up precious room.
Setup takes a little more than the other tents on our list, but it’s still pretty easy once you’ve done it a few times.
Pros For This Product
- Great value (more space and durable material for slightly higher price)
- Tough materials
- Spacious for 2 people
- Lightweight
- 3 seasons for hardcore backpackers and hunters
Cons For This Product
- Some may find this a little tricky to set up
Mountainsmith Bear Creek 2 Season Tent
The Mountainsmith Bear Creek 2 season tent costs a little more, but it has more space for those of you who like to hunt and backpack in groups (myself included).
The 68D 185T polyester does the job well and offers some good water resistance. To offer more protection, this tent includes a solid fly AND a tent footprint.
Do you need a tent footprint? Our article breaks it down for you.
This tent comes with 1 door and 1 vestibule which may be inconvenient for getting 3 people around inside the tent. But it’s not a deal-breaker.
This tent comes in 3, 4, or 5+ person varieties, but for backpacking, you’ll want the smallest one.
Mountainsmith included some mesh storage pockets to make up for the only one vestibule. But if you’re camping in a group, they may bring some other pop-up shelter for storage.
At 6.9 lbs, this tent is the heaviest on our list, but it has by far the most space. Despite it being heavy, the way it folds down and carries in its bag is convenient.
This is especially true if there are 2 or 3 of you traveling and hunting together. You can tie the tent bag between you and share the weight.
Pros For This Product
- Very spacious, great size for small group
- Roomy vestibule and storage pockets make it good for storing
- Tough material, rainfly, and tent footprint
- Easy to pack, setup, and carry
Cons For This Product
- Zippers are only one sided
- A little heavy
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found these picks for the best dome tents for backpacking and hunting helpful!
The main things to look for are the weight, setup, and ease of carry when it comes to these tents. Beyond that, look for the one matching your situation best.
Now go outside, and enjoy the fresh air!
If you’re looking for backpacking tents in general, check out these top 7 tents for backpacking.