10 Best Freestanding Tents of 2019

Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking and mountaineering tents because they can be set up quickly just about anywhere, on wooden tent platforms, rock, sand, snow, and even climber’s portaledges, without having to be staked to the ground first.

Because they’re so desirable, many tent manufacturers claim that their tents are freestanding when in fact they’re not. This practice is common among double-wall tent manufacturers that make inner tents which are freestanding, but require that the outer rain fly be staked to the ground. These tents do not have the advantages of a truly freestanding tent and are not included below.

Most freestanding tents are wedge or dome-shaped, making them highly weather and wind resistant. However, truly freestanding tents tend to be slightly heavier than non-freestanding ones because they have to be self-supporting, with long tent poles that add additional weight. Some two-person models can be cramped, particularly ones designed for mountaineering where comfort is often sacrificed in the name of reduced gear weight. Still, the experience of setting up a freestanding tent is liberating because you can pitch one anywhere there’s flat ground. That kind of flexibility is highly valuable when you need to get out of the weather and into a secure and stable shelter.

Make / Model	Type	Size	Doors	Min Weight	Price
Black Diamond Firstlight 2	Wedge	2 Person	1	2 lbs 9 oz	$369
The North Face Assault 2	Wedge	2 Person	1	3 lb. 4 oz.	$589
Hilleberg Unna	Dome	1 Person	1	4 lb. 7 oz.	$680
Black Diamond El Dorado	Wedge	2 Person	1	4 lb. 8 oz.	$699
MSR Advance Pro	Wedge	2 Person	1	2 lb. 14 oz.	$549
Hilleberg Soulo	Dome	1 Person	1	4 lb. 7 oz.	$694
Exped Orion II	Dome	2 Person	2	6 lb. 2 oz.	$680
Rab Latok Mountain 2	Wedge	2 Person	1	4 lb. 1 oz.	$650
Hilleberg Allak	Dome	2 Person	2	6 lb. 2 oz.	$990
Big Sky Chinook 2	Dome	2 Person	2	4 lbs 3 oz	$549

1. Black Diamond Firstlight 2P

The Black Diamond Firstlight is an ultralight 2 person single wall tent. Weighing just 2 lbs 9 oz, it’s made with NanoShield single-wall fabric and has a 70-denier polyester floor. It has a front door and small rear window, with zippered mesh panels at rear and door to provide ventilation and insect protection. Crossed internal poles make setup fast and easy and provide a strong structure capable of withstanding high winds and snow loads.

Check for the latest price at:
REI | Moosejaw

2. The North Face Assault 2

The North Face Assault 2 is a rugged, single-wall expedition tent with a pole-supported ventilation system for increased stability. Sized for two, the 3 lb 4 oz Assault 2 is made with a breathable laminate to vent moisture, with a font door and rear escape hatch. Crossed poles make setup fast and easy. Dual top vents increase breathability, while ample ceiling tabs allow for hanging a stove, gear loft, or drying lines.

Check for the latest price at:
REI | Backcountry

3. Hilleberg Unna

The Hilleberg Unna is a 1-person dome-style freestanding tent that weighs 4 lbs 7 oz. It is ideal for trips in any season where low weight is a high priority, but where the terrain makes for tricky pitching conditions. Rather than a vestibule, the Unna has a spacious interior that easily accommodates the occupant and gear. The corner of the inner tent can be detached to create a large protected area to cook, pack, or store gear.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

4. Black Diamond El Dorado

Black Diamond makes several other freestanding tents that look like the El Dorado, including the Firstlight listed above, but it is the roomiest, longest and strongest, designed for taller individuals and more gear. Weighing 4 lbs 8 oz, the El Dorado has two crossed aluminum poles which are secured in the tent’s interior. The walls are made with a breathable waterproof fabric to help vent condensation while front and rear top vents promote greater airflow. A separate front vestibule is also available, but it is not freestanding.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Black Diamond

5. MSR Advance Pro 2

The MSR Advance Pro is lightweight, freestanding tent that weighs just 2 lbs 14 oz. Designed for high altitude mountaineering, its steep sides maximize interior room while shedding winds. Dual carbon fiber tent poles are anchored in sleeves and crossed overhead, providing the ability to handle heavy snow loads. In addition to the door, front and rear vents help remove moisture and reduce internal condensation, even in the harshest conditions.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

6. Hilleberg Soulo

The Hilleberg Soulo is a one person double-wall freestanding tent designed for 4 season use. It has a large front vestibule that provides access and ventilation and can be used for cooking or gear storage in poor weather. Weighing 4 lbs 7 oz, it is tremendously strong and can be pitched just about anywhere. The inner tent can hung inside the outer rain fly after it has been set up, a desirable feature to keep the inner tent dry if it is raining during setup. Most Hilleberg tents have this capability.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

7. Exped Orion II

The Orion II is a sturdy three-pole dome tent with two doors. The full length ridge pole reaches the ground for enhanced wind stability and creates a high canopy with comfortable living space. Two large vestibules hold loads of gear and the wide doors make entry and exit quick and simple. Weighing 6 lbs 2 oz, the Orion is designed to withstand high wind speeds, with crossed poles, pole sleeves, and durable fabrics for maximum strength.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

8. Rab Latok Mountain 2

The Rab Latok Mountain 2 is a single wall tent made with breathable 3 layer eVent fabric. It has two internal crossed poles for strength and is easy to set up in poor weather. A rear vent provides additional airflow and internal humidity reduction. Weighing 4 lb. 1 oz, the tent can be guyed out for use with skis and mountaineering tools, while a 70 denier nylon floor is provided for enhanced durability and waterproofing. A separate front vestibule is sold separately.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

9. Big Sky Chinook 2P

The Big Sky Chinook 2P is a freestanding dome-style two person tent with two doors. The three pole construction is very strong and storm-worthy, but the tent can be set up with two poles to save weight. The inner tent is available in all mesh or with solid breathable sides to make the tent less drafty in cold and windy weather. Interior vents help prevent internal condensation. Weighing 4 lbs, the Chinook 2P can be set up fly first in rainy weather to keep the inner tent dry. Read our Chinook Review.

Check for the latest price at:
Big Sky

10. Hilleberg Allak

The Allak is a comfortable and rugged two-person freestanding dome tent with two large vestibule doors and large ceiling vents that provide excellent ventilation and livability. Deep pole sleeves ensure excellent wind resistance and are large enough to accept double poles for maximum strength. Weighing 6 lbs 2 oz, the Allak’s comfortable ceiling height and long length will also appeal to taller users. If you’ve never owned a Hilleberg Tent, you’ll be blown away by the quality of the materials and construction.

Check for the latest price at:
Campsaver | Moosejaw

Freestanding Tent Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating freestanding tents, it helps to research the climate conditions you expect to use the tent in, as this will inform the degree of tent pole strength and breathability required.

Ventilation: Important to minimize and reduce internal condensation. This is achieved by keeping the door(s) open when feasible, through peak and side vents, and in some cases through the use of breathable wall fabrics. You can never have too much ventilation in a tent, although the addition of doors and zippers can result in increased weight.

Pole Architecture: Most freestanding tents have a two or three crossed poles, anchored inside or outside the tent walls. Exterior poles that are anchored in sleeves are much stronger that poles that connect to an inner tent using clips or velcro tabs. They’re much more wind resistant and capable of withstanding heavier snow loads.

Interior Space: Freestanding tents designed for high alpine mountaineering use are often smaller and more cramped than those designed for four season use because weight savings are so critical when you have to climb many thousands of feet to reach your destination. When selecting a tent be realistic about your length and width requirements, particularly when choosing a two-person wedge style tent.

Number of Doors: Tents designed to hold two occupants are more comfortable and convenient to use if they have two doors and vestibules because you can come and go without waking your tent partner. Dome style tents often provide greater covered vestibule storage, which can make a significant different in livability.

Methodology

How do we know what the 10 best freestanding tents are? We survey our large readership to ask. If you’d like to participate in our surveys, be on the look up for the gear raffles we run every few weeks on SectionHiker, where we give survey participants a chance to win. Or sign up to the weekly, award-winning SectionHiker newsletter, so you never miss out on an opportunity to participate. We hate spam, so we’ll never share your email with anyone else and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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4 comments

PackmanPete
September 10, 2018 at 4:02 pm
The inside, felt like, ToddTex material on the Black Diamond tent is awesome. I used the original I-tent for many climbs up Colorado 14ers. On cold, windy, dry nights, it was the coziest bomber tent I have ever used. A bit heavy though.
- Dean Cates
  September 16, 2018 at 7:29 pm
  I too have an I-tent which I believe to be the best. I have never had condensation in it although here in Colorado we have a dry climate. The top vents work perfectly to carry moisture away.
Searlaid
September 16, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Would you place the El Dorado as big brother to the Firstlight. I have the Firstlight and have success in NEngland. Cannot claim experience with it in extremely exposed areas. I think you one mentioned having the Firstlight. Your comparison?
Ian McDonald
September 17, 2018 at 11:19 am
Great list of freestanding tents Philip and I completely agree with you about the weakness of tents with external pole structures instead of sleeves. I think your American readers place too much emphasis on gear weight because they’ve had so little experience with true wild camping out in the open or at elsvation where there are no trees. Wind worthiness trumps gear weight in such settings if you want to sleep at night!