What's the Lightest Backpacking Tent Under $300 in 2026?
Ranked by the weight each maker publishes, with list prices, re-read daily. 6 models on this page, of 104 tents we rank.
Of the 6 models ranked here, the lightest by maker-published weight is the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo at 1.63 lb (740 g). It lists at $260.
- Models
- 6
- Lightest
- 1.63 lbSix Moon Designs Lunar Solo
- Median weight
- 2.12 lb
- Median list price
- $264.50
On this page6 sections
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The picks, with their figures#
Lightest
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
- Weight
- 1.63 lb740 g
- By weight
- #1 of 6lightest
- List price
- $260.00$9.96/oz
0.2 oz (5 g) lighter than the next lightest, the Durston X-Mid 1, which lists at $269.
+ Add to my packLightest 2-person
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter
- Weight
- 3.53 lb1,600 g
- By weight
- #5 of 6lighter than 20% of the others
- List price
- $210.00$3.72/oz
30.3 oz (860 g) more than the lightest, for $50 less.
+ Add to my packLightest at or under $250
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout
- Weight
- 2.50 lb1,134 g
- By weight
- #4 of 6lighter than 40% of the others
- List price
- $160.00$4.00/oz
13.9 oz (394 g) more than the lightest, for $100 less.
+ Add to my pack
How the weights spread#
The heaviest is the Big Agnes Blacktail 2 at 5.50 lb (2,495 g), 3.87 lb (1,755 g) more than the lightest.
In the table, "lighter than" is the share of the other models on this page that weigh more; models of equal weight share a figure.
Weight against price#
Against the median model, 2.12 lb (962 g) at $264.50, an ounce saved costs $0.59 with the Durston X-Mid 1, 7.7 oz (217 g) lighter for $4.50 more; and $1.73 with the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker, 6.1 oz (172 g) lighter for $11 more.
Every model on this shelf, lightest first#
Backpacking tents with a list price under $300: 6 models. Median weight 2.12 lb, median price $264.50, median $6.93 per ounce.
| # | Model | Weight | Lighter than | Price | Per oz | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Six Moon Designs Lunar SoloPick | 1.63 lb (740 g) | lightest | $260.00 | $9.96 | Amazon |
| 2 | Durston X-Mid 1 | 1.64 lb (745 g) | 80% of the others | $269.00 | $10.24 | Durston |
| 3 | Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker | 1.74 lb (790 g) | 60% of the others | $275.00 | $9.87 | Six Moon Designs |
| 4 | Six Moon Designs Skyscape ScoutPick | 2.50 lb (1,134 g) | 40% of the others | $160.00 | $4.00 | Six Moon Designs |
| 5 | Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo OutfitterPick | 3.53 lb (1,600 g) | 20% of the others | $210.00 | $3.72 | Amazon |
| 6 | Big Agnes Blacktail 2 | 5.50 lb (2,495 g) | heaviest | $299.95 | $3.41 | Big Agnes |
The whole category, every model placed: the full tents & shelters ranking.
What this ranking does not cover#
This ranking compares the weight each maker publishes and the list price. It does not cover interior space, how a tent pitches, how it handles wind and rain, condensation, or how long the fabric lasts.
Makers also count weight differently: some publish the minimum trail weight without stakes or stuff sack, others the packed weight. Each tent here is ranked on its maker's complete figure wherever the maker prints one, and on its only figure where it does not; where the maker says what its figure includes, the Weight basis line on the product page repeats it. Check it before comparing two tents a few ounces apart.
Questions people ask#
- How much do backpacking tents with a list price under $300 cost?
- List prices run from $160 (the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout) to $299.95 (the Big Agnes Blacktail 2) across the 6 models with a price on record.
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