Hiking Tents

What a hiking tent is

A hiking tent is a small, light tent for a night out on a walk: up a hill for the sunset, along a coast path to a campsite, or out from the car for one night with a friend. It has to be quick to pitch at the end of the day and quick to pack in the morning, and light enough that you hardly notice it on your back. Most of the tents here are for one or two people. For trips of several days in a row, where pack weight and toughness over time matter most, see backpacking and trekking tents.

Dome, tunnel or trekking pole tent

• Small dome tents are the easiest to pitch: the poles cross over the top and most stand before you peg them. See dome tents.
• Tunnel tents are light and roomy, and need pegging out. See tunnel tents.
• Trekking pole tents use your walking poles in place of tent poles. See pyramid tents.
• Single-layer tents are the simplest and quickest of all. See single layer tents.

Trekking pole tents

If you walk with poles, a trekking pole tent saves carrying a second set. Several tents here come with no poles at all: you pitch them on your walking poles, and the maker says how long they need to be. The single-layer pyramid tent, for example, stands on one 135cm walking pole or two at 160cm. Check your poles reach that length before you buy. These tents need pegging out to stand, so they suit grass and soft ground better than rock.

Quick to pitch, quick to pack

On a short trip you pitch late and leave early. The Tagar, for one, weighs about 1.06kg without its mat and pegs. Practise pitching once at home, so the first time is not on a hillside in the dark.

Single or double layer

A double-layer tent has a breathable inner tent under a waterproof flysheet. The gap lets the moisture you breathe out escape, so less condensation drips on your sleeping bag, and the flysheet makes the porch. A single-layer tent is one waterproof skin: lighter and quicker to pitch, but damp inside on a cold, still night. Most of the hiking tents here are double layer. See double layer and single layer tents.

Questions people ask about hiking tents

Where can I wild camp in Britain?

In Scotland, on most open land under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, with permits in parts of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in season. In England, on the parts of Dartmoor's commons shown on the National Park Authority's camping map. Elsewhere in England, Wales and Northern Ireland you need the landowner's permission. The wild camping guide has the detail.

Do I need a footprint?

It protects a thin groundsheet from stones and adds a little weight. See groundsheets and footprints.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when that tent usually arrives, so check it before ordering for a set date.

More to look at

• Backpacking and trekking tents
• 1-man tents
• 2-man tents
• Pyramid tents
• Mountain tents
• Guy lines
• Guide: Backpacking and trekking tents
• Guide: Wild camping in the UK: where it is allowed