When it comes to packing your backpacking pack, balance is key! You generally keep heavy items flush to your back and use lighter, bulky items to fill out the remainder of your pack. This helps with your overall balance and directs weight to your hip support. So, where do you pack your tent? 

All backpacking tents are different, so where you pack your tent within your backpack may be different from someone else’s. Some tents are extremely bulky with free-standing poles, while other ultralight options require minimal space and no tent poles. 

In this blog post, I will share the different ways to pack your backpacking tent, the pros and cons of each, and provide some tent recommendations. 

Sound good? Let’s get into it! 

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7 Ways to Pack Your Backpacking Tent 

When I first started backpacking, I carried an older version of the REI Half Dome 3. I strapped this massive tent to the bottom of my pack and hit the trail. The tent weighed down my pack, and I found it challenging to maneuver in tight, crowded spaces. In hindsight, I wish I had packed the tent inside my pack with the poles strapped to the side. 

Now, I predominantly hike with two tents: the Copper Spur UL3, which I split with my partner. I carry the tent, and he carries the poles. Or, if I am backpacking solo, I bring my Big Agnes Tigerwall 1. The Tigerwall breaks down into the tent portion and poles section by stuffing the tent into my pack and tucking the poles into the side of my pack.

Here are some of the different ways you can pack your backpacking tent!

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Disassembled Inside Your Pack 

This is the best option when it comes to packing your tent IMO. The tent portion can be stuffed in the bottom of your pack with other bulky items like your sleeping bag and clothes. Then, tent poles can be placed down the back panel of your pack. 

Pros: 

You take advantage of available space

Better control over weight distribution 

Minimize the risk of damaging or losing your tent components

Cons: 

A dirty or wet tent could get your gear dirty

Takes up significant internal space 

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Assembled Inside Your Pack 

If your tent is small enough, sometimes you can leave the entire tent rolled up and just place it inside your backpack. This will keep your tent in a single bag, which decreases the chance of your other items getting dirty. It is important that when packing your tent like this, you keep the tent close to the center of your back for optimum weight balance. 

Pros:

Good control over weight distribution 

Decreased chance of other gear getting dirty 

Minimized risk of damaging or losing your tent 

Using available space inside your pack 

Cons: 

Takes up significant space inside your pack 

Limited flexibility in distributing items within the inside of your pack 

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Disassembled Outside of Your Pack 

If your pack has exterior pockets, sometimes the best option is to keep your tent on the outside! Most packs have mesh exterior pockets, and depending on the size of your pack, you can actually break up the tent into different components: main tent, collapsed poles, and tent pegs. Depending on the tent’s size, you can stuff the tent fabric in an exterior mesh pocket. Then, you can put your tent poles and tent peg bag in one of the side pockets. 

Pros

Save on internal pack space 

Could potentially purchase a smaller pack size 

Good control over weight distribution 

Keeps internal items clean 

Cons

Exposed to the elements 

Potential for damage 

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Assembled Outside of Your Pack(Bottom Straps) 

If you have limited space inside of your pack, carrying your tent assembled on the exterior of your backpack is always a decent option. If your tent is extremely long, it could cause some issues brushing up to things as you hike past them, but otherwise, it keeps you well-balanced. 

I have noticed that the stuff sack my tent comes in has some tears in it just from bushing up against things when I carried my tent like this. So there is potential for your tent to get damaged carrying it like this. 

Pros

Well balanced

Saves space inside of the pack 

Cons

Increased damage potential for the tent 

Exposed to the elements 

Limited flexibility in distributing weight 

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Assembled Outside of Your Pack(Side Pocket) 

This option works great for smaller tents. Utilizing the side pocket for your tent frees up external organizers for other items. As long as there is something moderately heavy in both side pockets, you will stay relatively balanced. Consider using some of the pack tie downs to make sure the top of the tent is strapped to the side of the bag.

Pros

Frees up pack pockets and organizers 

Tent is secured to the pack

Cons 

Exposed to the elements 

Balance can be off 

Doesn’t work for larger tents 

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Split it with a Buddy 

When backpacking with someone, you’re bound to share items to keep both of your packs lighter. Why not add a tent to the mix? One person can take the tent, while the other person can take the poles. The tent can either be stuffed inside of the bag or in an exterior pocket. The tent poles can be nested inside of the bag or in an exterior side pocket. 

Pros

Significantly decreases pack weight

Some protection for the tent 

Cons 

You have to share a tent with a stinky person 🙂 

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Assembled on Top of Your Pack 

This option should be a last resort as it can cause unnecessary pressure on your neck. If you use this method, strap it down directly on top of the pack; otherwise, it will pull back on your shoulders. If you have a brain on your pack, you can put the tent between the brain and pack and use the pack straps to tighten the tent onto the pack. 

Pros

None 

Cons

Can cause discomfort 

Placing a heavy weight on the top of your pack 

Not always stable

Related Read: How to Decrease Your Pack Weight

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Choosing a Backpacking Tent 

There are SO many options when it comes to backpacking tents, so creating a priority list for what you want could be helpful in making your decision. 

Here are some things to consider when purchasing a backpacking tent: 

• Size of your Tent (Single, Double, Triple?) 
• Cost (Heavier tents are typically cheaper) 
• Weight (How heavy of a tent are you willing to carry?) 
• Seasonality (Not all tents are built for snow)

TIP: When it comes to packing your hiking backpack, keep the overall weight of your pack under 20% of your body weight. 

Single Person Tent 

If you will be backpacking predominantly by yourself, a single-person tent is likely right for you! While I use the Big Agnes Tigerwall UL 1, I did get it on super sale at an REI Garage Sale. Here are my top picks for single-person tents. 

NEMO Hornet OSMO Ultralight 1P – This is a double-wall tent that is semi-free-standing. One of the best parts about this tent is how short the tent poles are when collapsed. At only 12.5’’ long, this tent rolls up small so it is perfect for carrying inside your pack. 

Gossamer Gear The One – This is a single-wall tent that uses trekking poles to set up. This keeps the tent extremely light, 17.7oz. It is extremely affordable for an ultralight tent, but you do need to backpack with trekking poles. 

REI Co-op Trailmade 1 – If you’re looking to save money on gear, this is a good budget tent. It is rather heavy, 3lbs. 13oz., but comes at over half the cost of other backpacking tents. 

Bivy Sack – If you’re looking to significantly decrease your pack weight, consider a Bivy Sack. These are especially great in high alpine areas. The Black Diamond Bipod Bivy has fantastic reviews from ultralight backpackers. 

Multi-Person Tents 

If you plan on backpacking with other people or a large dog, a multi-person tent might be right for you! When it comes to picking the right size for your needs, consider the fact that backpacking tents are designed to be small. So a two-person tent sleeps two people, but you will be shoulder to shoulder and leave little room. I use the Copper Spur 3UL with my partner and dog and that leaves some extra space for spreading out. The three of us would not fit in a two-person tent. 

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 – A phenomenal lightweight free-standing tent for two or three people. There are plenty of organizational pockets on the inside, and is extremely sturdy. 

REI Co-op Half Dome 2 or 3 – This tent was my first tent and worked well for me for two years before I decided to upgrade my tent. It is heavier, but great for beginners. 

Read Next: Choosing the Best Tent by Outdoor Guide, Maddy Marqu

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Rolling Up Your Tent 

If you choose to keep your tent inside the protective bag it comes in, you’ll need to roll it up to get it back in the bag. 

1. Lay the tent flat on the ground with the rain fly evenly spread over the top of the flat tent. 
2. Collapse the tent polls and put them in the bag they come in, along with the tent stakes. 
3. Place the tent pole bag in the center of the end of your laid-out tent 
4. Fold the sides of the tent over the tent poles.
5. Begin rolling the tent around the tent poles. 
6. Dust off the bottom of your tent as you go. 
7. Place the rolled-up tent into the tent bag. 

By rolling up your tent in this way, you can ensure your tent always fits inside the bag it comes in. 

You could also store the tent portion in a compression sack and separate the tent poles. This method requires less time to pack up compared to neatly rolling up your tent. 

Related Read: Budget Guide to Purchasing Backpacking Gear

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Packing Your Backpack 

I cannot tell you how frequently I had to readjust, repack, and suffer on the trail when I first started backpacking. I remember getting fitted for my pack at REI, and they stuffed my pack with sandbags and pillows so I could get a feel for the pack. It made sense, fluffy items on the bottom, heavy items close to your back, and make sure everything is evenly dispersed. 

Well, putting that into practice, well, takes some practice. 

Here are some tips for taking a systematic approach to distributing the gear in your pack! 

Bottom of the Backpack: You should reserve the bottom of the pack for larger items like your sleeping bag and clothes. To take advantage of all of the space in the pack, leave the items out of a stuff sack or compression bag. 

Middle of Your Pack: The middle of your pack is where you can start distributing some of the heavier items that you’re bringing, including your sleeping pad, electronics bag, bear canister, kitchen kit, and toiletry bag. Begin by placing your tent in the middle of the pack along the back panel and packing around it. If you are going to keep your tent out of the tent bag, place the tent body on top of your sleeping bag and place the tent poles down the internal frame of the pack.

Top of Your Pack: For the top of your pack, you can put items that you might need during the trek. This could be rain gear, including a rain jacket and rain cover. If you’re bringing a towel, you can also use the towel to fill in the gaps of the items in your pack. 

Pack Brain: Many backpacking packs have a removable top brain, which consists of a large pocket. It is important not to overfill this pocket or place heavy items in it. I like to put my first aid kit and snacks in the brain.

Side Pockets: Typically, side pockets are reserved for water bottles, but they are also great for carrying small tents, tripods, and tent poles. Try to distribute the weight between he two evenly. 

Outside Pockets:  Small items that might not fit in a small bag can be organized in the exterior pockets. I put my headlamp and bathroom kit in the outside pocket so I have easy access to them throughout the camping trip.  

The last thing you should do is use the compression straps on the outside of your backpack to secure all the items in your pack. 

TIP: Put on your backpack and move side to side. If you feel items moving around, readjust the compression straps.

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Pack It Up 

Now that you have plenty of options for packing tents for your next backpacking trip, I hope you find one that works best for you. It is always a good idea to adjust the organization of your pack as needed. 

Remember, keep heavier items close to the middle of the backpack!