How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

New to backpacking or in the market for a high-quality, technical tent without breaking the bank? The Big Agnes C Bar 2 tent is a lightweight and roomy shelter option.
Imported.
View all Big Agnes Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 3 lbs. 9 oz. |
Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 2 lbs. 12 oz. |
Packaged Weight | 4 pounds |
Packed Size | 6 x 19 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 86 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 28 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 7 square feet |
Peak Height | 41 inches |
Number of Doors | 1 door |
Number of Poles | 1 |
Pole Material | DAC Pressfit |
Pole Diameter | 8.7 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | Breathable polyester; polyester mesh |
Floor Fabric | Polyester taffeta with 1,500 mm waterproof polyurethane coating |
Rainfly Fabric | Polyester taffeta with 1,500 mm waterproof polyurethane coating |
Footprint Included | No |
Design Type | Freestanding |
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This is a great budget backpacking tent. I used it for 2 years. It's easy and quick to set up thanks to the color-coordinated buckles! The main issue I had with it was the size vs the weight. This is one of the smaller 2-person tents out there and the door is front entry, not side. The footprint is sold separately.
Super stoked om the deal i got with this. Had a gift card and reward points to where it was $12 out of pocket shipped. I bought this intentionally for my 2 young kids to use when we camp. It DEFINITELY is more of a single person tent for adults, but it fits 2 REI kids sleeping pads well. They are literally side by side though, so its very tight. It gives room in at the front for some stuff but again, its small. Setup is super easy, its pretty light and the quality is as good as my Yellow Jacket 4.
The tent interior just doesn’t have enough volume. 2 small adults could possibly make this work, but I’m 5’-9” and a little broad shouldered and just no way 2 of me would be happy. Vestibule is non-existent. Only space for a couple pair of shoes but volume vanishes towards top. Also, some kind of ventilation improvement needs to be made. On a positive note the materials and construction are good quality. Material and stitching very good. Just be aware it’s tight quarters. My purpose is solo car camping and while a twin size inflatable mattress fits, it turns the thing into a bivy. I couldn’t sit upright when that was inflated (7” standard these inflatable) Not a total fail, but needs much improvement.
10 weeks Spring camping in PNW, tons of rain but I felt safe, dry