Zpacks Duplex
The Zpacks Duplex is the ultralight DCF A-frame choice for three-season trekking pole tent users who prioritize minimum pack weight and exceptional water resistance. It holds its position as a market leader thanks to its Dyneema Composite Fabric construction and streamlined two-trek-pole setup, offering a lower weight-to-durability ratio than silnylon rivals like Tarptent and Gossamer Gear, albeit at a premium price. For backpackers wanting the smallest carry weight for long miles, the Duplex trades cost for top-tier technical performance compared with the other tents on this list.
Ultralight Dyneema
Two-person cuddle
Ultralight Dyneema
Two-person cuddle
Review Summary
"Long‑term users praise the Duplex for its exceptional ultralight weight, waterproof Dyneema strength, and solid storm performance, though many note the high price, limited vestibule space for two, and the need to manage condensation carefully."
Bombproof seams
Dyneema Composite Fabric for outstanding waterproofing and minimal weight.
Bombproof seams
Dyneema Composite Fabric for outstanding waterproofing and minimal weight.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Zpacks Duplex is the ultralight DCF A-frame choice for three-season trekking pole tent users who prioritize minimum pack weight and exceptional water resistance. It holds its position as a market leader thanks to its Dyneema Composite Fabric construction and streamlined two-trek-pole setup, offering a lower weight-to-durability ratio than silnylon rivals like Tarptent and Gossamer Gear, albeit at a premium price. For backpackers wanting the smallest carry weight for long miles, the Duplex trades cost for top-tier technical performance compared with the other tents on this list.
Ultralight Dyneema
Two-person cuddle
Bombproof seams
Dyneema Composite Fabric for outstanding waterproofing and minimal weight.
Designed for use with two trekking poles and dual doors for ventilation.
Ultralight Dyneema
Two-person cuddle
Bombproof seams
Dyneema Composite Fabric for outstanding waterproofing and minimal weight.
Designed for use with two trekking poles and dual doors for ventilation.
$700-900 USD
Durston X-Mid 2
The Durston X-Mid 2 is a roomy, near-vertical-sided mid-style tarp tent that excels for three-season trekking with a smart balance of livability and material choices. It stands out technically for its adaptable pitch options and strong sidewall geometry that yields more usable interior volume than many A-frame designs, while usually being more affordable than ultralight DCF shelters like the Zpacks Duplex. Durston's value comes from delivering a packable, weather-capable shelter that is heavier than the lightest entrants but offers better interior comfort and lower cost than high-end DCF options.
Adjustable pitch
Convertible layout
Adjustable pitch
Convertible layout
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the X‑Mid 2 for its excellent balance of livable interior space, durability, and reasonable weight; reviewers note it’s heavier and bulkier than Dyneema shelters but offers better value and ruggedness for extended use."
Storm-tamer design
Silnylon/silpoly options balance weight, durability, and cost.
Storm-tamer design
Silnylon/silpoly options balance weight, durability, and cost.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Durston X-Mid 2 is a roomy, near-vertical-sided mid-style tarp tent that excels for three-season trekking with a smart balance of livability and material choices. It stands out technically for its adaptable pitch options and strong sidewall geometry that yields more usable interior volume than many A-frame designs, while usually being more affordable than ultralight DCF shelters like the Zpacks Duplex. Durston's value comes from delivering a packable, weather-capable shelter that is heavier than the lightest entrants but offers better interior comfort and lower cost than high-end DCF options.
Adjustable pitch
Convertible layout
Storm-tamer design
Silnylon/silpoly options balance weight, durability, and cost.
Simple ridge pole or trekking pole setup sheds wind and rain efficiently.
Adjustable pitch
Convertible layout
Storm-tamer design
Silnylon/silpoly options balance weight, durability, and cost.
Simple ridge pole or trekking pole setup sheds wind and rain efficiently.
$450-550 USD
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter is a well-balanced two-person trekking pole tent that targets three-season backpackers seeking roomy, reliable shelter without the highest ultralight price. It earns its place by combining generous interior space and multiple tie-outs for stable pitches, making it more livable than minimalist shelters while generally costing less than a DCF Duplex and offering better weather coverage than some budget tarp-style shelters. For those who want a comfortable two-person A-frame experience on a reasonable budget, the Lunar Duo Outfitter hits a middle ground between weight, cost, and comfort.
Featherweight pack
Sprawling interior
Featherweight pack
Sprawling interior
Review Summary
"Reviewers like the Lunar Duo Outfitter for roomy interiors, robust construction, and dependable weather handling on long trips; common tradeoffs cited are higher weight compared with ultralight DCF options and a bit more bulk to carry."
Moon-ready ventilation
Single-wall silnylon construction offers durable waterproof protection.
Moon-ready ventilation
Single-wall silnylon construction offers durable waterproof protection.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter is a well-balanced two-person trekking pole tent that targets three-season backpackers seeking roomy, reliable shelter without the highest ultralight price. It earns its place by combining generous interior space and multiple tie-outs for stable pitches, making it more livable than minimalist shelters while generally costing less than a DCF Duplex and offering better weather coverage than some budget tarp-style shelters. For those who want a comfortable two-person A-frame experience on a reasonable budget, the Lunar Duo Outfitter hits a middle ground between weight, cost, and comfort.
Featherweight pack
Sprawling interior
Moon-ready ventilation
Single-wall silnylon construction offers durable waterproof protection.
Designed around trekking poles with dual doors for easy access.
Featherweight pack
Sprawling interior
Moon-ready ventilation
Single-wall silnylon construction offers durable waterproof protection.
Designed around trekking poles with dual doors for easy access.
$600-750 USD
Gossamer Gear The Two
Gossamer Gear The Two is the value-focused, lightweight trekking pole A-frame designed for three-season backpackers who want low cost and excellent packability. It holds its spot by delivering a competitive weight and compact packed size at a significantly lower price point than DCF and premium double-wall tents, though it typically sacrifices some durability and interior volume compared with heavier, more weatherproof models like the Tarptent Double Rainbow DW. For budget-minded ultralighters, The Two provides many of the technical benefits of trekking-pole shelters while keeping the financial outlay modest.
Featherlight setup
Efficient footprint
Featherlight setup
Efficient footprint
Review Summary
"Users value The Two for its very light weight and efficient use of space—especially for solo hikers carrying two-person shelter capacity—but many report it can feel tight for two, and there are occasional concerns about fabric durability and condensation over long-term use."
Trail-hugging fit
Extremely light silnylon/tarp-style shelter optimized for ultralight backpacking.
Trail-hugging fit
Extremely light silnylon/tarp-style shelter optimized for ultralight backpacking.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Gossamer Gear The Two is the value-focused, lightweight trekking pole A-frame designed for three-season backpackers who want low cost and excellent packability. It holds its spot by delivering a competitive weight and compact packed size at a significantly lower price point than DCF and premium double-wall tents, though it typically sacrifices some durability and interior volume compared with heavier, more weatherproof models like the Tarptent Double Rainbow DW. For budget-minded ultralighters, The Two provides many of the technical benefits of trekking-pole shelters while keeping the financial outlay modest.
Featherlight setup
Efficient footprint
Trail-hugging fit
Extremely light silnylon/tarp-style shelter optimized for ultralight backpacking.
Uses trekking poles for structure while minimizing packed weight.
Featherlight setup
Efficient footprint
Trail-hugging fit
Extremely light silnylon/tarp-style shelter optimized for ultralight backpacking.
Uses trekking poles for structure while minimizing packed weight.
$350-450 USD
Tarptent Double Rainbow DW
The Tarptent Double Rainbow DW is a double-wall, highly livable A-frame-style tent that shines for three-season backpacking when comfort and all-weather performance matter more than absolute minimum weight. It commands attention for its roomy vestibules, integrated bathtub floor option and robust silnylon construction, offering better rain and condensation management than single-wall ultralight shelters and a lower price than Dyneema models like the Zpacks Duplex, albeit at higher weight. For backpackers who prioritize livability and durability over shaving every ounce, the Double Rainbow DW is a market-leading, practical alternative to the lightest tents on this list.
Double-wall comfort
Generous headroom
Double-wall comfort
Generous headroom
Review Summary
"Owners report the Double Rainbow DW as a roomy, well‑ventilated, and storm‑worthy double‑wall shelter with generous vestibules and good value; downsides cited are modestly higher weight and a slightly more involved pitch compared with single‑wall tarps."
Rain-dancing porch
Double-wall construction combines a rainfly with an inner mesh tent for condensation control.
Rain-dancing porch
Double-wall construction combines a rainfly with an inner mesh tent for condensation control.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Tarptent Double Rainbow DW is a double-wall, highly livable A-frame-style tent that shines for three-season backpacking when comfort and all-weather performance matter more than absolute minimum weight. It commands attention for its roomy vestibules, integrated bathtub floor option and robust silnylon construction, offering better rain and condensation management than single-wall ultralight shelters and a lower price than Dyneema models like the Zpacks Duplex, albeit at higher weight. For backpackers who prioritize livability and durability over shaving every ounce, the Double Rainbow DW is a market-leading, practical alternative to the lightest tents on this list.
Double-wall comfort
Generous headroom
Rain-dancing porch
Double-wall construction combines a rainfly with an inner mesh tent for condensation control.
Wide footprint and versatile staking options make it stable in wind and rain.
Double-wall comfort
Generous headroom
Rain-dancing porch
Double-wall construction combines a rainfly with an inner mesh tent for condensation control.
Wide footprint and versatile staking options make it stable in wind and rain.
$550-700 USD