Hiking tents are convenient to set up and pitch, making ease of use the ultimate factor to consider when selecting one. However, in addition to ease of use, other vital features enhance the hiking and trekking experience.
In this article, we evaluate the best hiking tents in Australia against all these essential features. We handpick the best options and highlight their unique attributes to help you easily decide.
Let's get into it.
Our Top Picks
If you're in the market for a hiking tent and need to make a quick purchase, here are the top three available in Australia:
Naturehike Mongar Hiking Tent
Best overall hiking tent with a lightweight (2.2 kg), durable, and easy set-up build. It's made of B3 mesh and polyester anti-stretch fabric.
Crua Duo Hiking Tent
Best 2-person hiking tent with considerable storage and living space, fire and water-resistant build, and breathable rip-stop polyester material.
Naturehike Cloud-Up Tent
Best lightweight hiking tent (weighs 1.2 kg) with enough space for two, waterproof fly and floor, and a high-density mesh build.
How We Rated
These factors significantly improve the quality and experience of outdoor activities. We ranked all the tents we evaluated against these factors.
- Weight: For hiking and trekking, a lightweight tent is extremely crucial. They make hiking a lot more comfortable and enjoyable. This is heavily reliant on the build material and tent size. While some options are a little heavier than this, the best lightweight hiking tents weigh less than 2 kg.
- Ease of setup: Hiking, while fun, is a tiring activity. Thus, it's important to have a tent that is easy to set up. The last thing any hiker wants to do is spend several hours putting up a tent in the dark. The best hiking tents are very cleverly designed and easy to use.
- Versatility: What other use case exists for your hiking tent besides hiking? Can it be used as a tent for short hiking trips, multi-day hiking trips, or just camping? A good allrounder can be used for all three.
Now, to the top 6 hiking tents available in Australia.
Top 6 Hiking Tents for Australians
In addition to our three-point rating factor outlined above, we evaluated each hiking tent's durability and overall weather resistance to assess its performance and suitability for various outdoor conditions.
1. Naturehike Mongar Hiking Tent
Best Overall Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 9/10
Versatility: 9/10
Naturehike Mongar tent's lightweight, durable, and easy setup make it our best hiking tent overall in Australia. Once deployed, the unit size is 210 x 135 x 100 cm, which is large enough for two individuals. You can set the tent within minutes; its dome-like design makes it easier to assemble alone. The hiking tent weighs 2.2 kg and can easily be folded to 50 x 15 cm.
The tent construction combines B3 mesh and polyester anti-stretch fabric. It features a rip-stop nylon rainfly to shield you from rain and outdoor moisture, and supporting pegs and rods made from 7001 aviation aluminium support the tent. This enables a windproof and waterproof tent. Naturehike's tent also has two air vents, two doors, and mesh pockets.
Mongar has mesh coverings for the vents and doors to prevent insects. It comes with a groundsheet, so you won't have to worry about creepy crawlies getting into your stuff or ground moisture soaking up your sleeping bag. We recommend it for biking, fishing, camping, and backpacking trips. You can even use it in your backyard when your kids want to sleep under the stars.
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- Includes a carrying bag
- Flysheet is waterproof
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pegs require dedicated storage
2. Crua Duo Hiking Tent
Best 2-Person Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 8.5/10
Versatility: 9/10
The Crua Outdoors Duo 2-Person Hiker Tent is made of fire-resistant, water-resistant, and breathable rip-stop polyester. It's durable and lightweight, weighing only 2.8 kg. The hiking tent has a total floor space of 4.5 sqm, enough room for two people and a few personal effects. There is also adequate headspace for taller individuals to sit or kneel comfortably.
The tent has a porch area with a detachable groundsheet, considerably expanding your storage and living space. You can keep your bags, cooking equipment, and other stuff you don't want to bring inside the tent safely outside. It is adequately ventilated with a front door and rear mesh window, permitting unrestricted airflow into the tent while keeping the bugs out. Crua's tent includes roof mesh panels that help improve ventilation.
One of the two-person tent's most significant selling points is its ability to withstand different kinds of weather. Despite its weight, it can withstand various weather conditions, from rainy to sunny to snowy and windy. Another is its one-of-a-kind jumbo zippers that glow at night. This makes it easy to spot the tent entrance when you need to get in or out.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Built-in groundsheet
- Includes repair patch kit
- B3 bug mesh
Cons
- Liable to leaks if not set up correctly
3. Naturehike Cloud-Up Backpacking Tent
Best Lightweight Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 10/10
Versatility: 8/10
The Naturehike Cloud-Up backpacking tent is slightly lighter than our previous tent, at 1.2 kg (0.93 kg without accessories) for a two-person tent. It's also the fastest tent to set up. When deployed, the Naturehike Cloud-Up tent has enough space for two people without being cramped, as there is enough room (270 x 130 x 105 cm) for you and your companion.
It also includes a vestibule space for storing your backpacks or cooking meals. We had no questions about this tent's durability. The fly and floor are fully waterproof and seamed. Fixed ropes at the side of the fly help stabilise the tent in strong winds. The tent pack has interlocking tent poles with a single crossing and two-way structure hooks that secure the tent when mounted.
While the Naturehike Cloud-Up 2-person backpacking tent has only one door at the front of the tent, the 4-season tent's walls are made of high-density mesh with vents to prevent the inside from becoming too warm or gathering moisture. Upon purchase, you will also get a free mat.
Pros
- Includes front vestibules
- 7001 aluminium pole
- B3 mesh design
Cons
- No storage pockets
- Includes only one door
4. Hillman Double Layer Hiking Tent
Best Budget Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 7.5/10
Versatility: 8/10
The Hillman Double Layer backpacking tent is a must-have for hikers who love to explore the outdoors any time of the year. Its unique features make hiking a pleasant experience, even with drastic weather changes. The most notable is its double-stitched seams and taps, lightweight, breathability, and waterproof material. Once fully deployed, it measures 260 x 210 x 110 cm. Packed up, it measures 18 x 18 x 49 cm and weighs only 2.3 kg.
Hillman's tent has excellent ventilation due to the sizable mesh sections that can be found all over—from the front door to the back door and the roof. This gives you enough air circulation to make the tent comfortable, especially when there's a breeze. The tent also includes several side pockets to hold essentials like flashlights, mobile phones, and more. It has a vestibule that keeps your bags and boots safely dry and secure outside.
The Hillman Double Layer hiking tent is easy to set up and can be deployed alone by one person in just a few minutes. It is also easy to unpack and portable to carry from one campsite to another, making it the ideal tent for hiking, trekking, backpacking, fishing, and more.
Pros
- Large mesh sections for better ventilation
- Can be set up along with its flysheet in 10 minutes
- Can accommodate up to 3 people inside
- Lightweight yet durable, waterproof, and breathable material
- Double stitching ensures sufficient waterproofing
- The vestibule adds more space for bags and shoe
Cons
- May require an additional ground sheet to cover the flimsier flooring
5. Oztrail Hiker Dome Tent
Best Compact Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 8.5/10
Versatility: 8/10
Oztrail Hiker is a three-person ultra-lightweight hiking tent modelled after traditional A-frame tents yet has the durability and simplicity of contemporary dome tents. It is compact and includes pole lengths calculated explicitly for the smallest pack size. The hiker tent measures 215 x 195 x 125 cm, weighs 3.5 kg, and has a packed dimension of 54 x 17 x 16 cm.
Like other tents on our list, Oztrail includes large front and rear vestibules to store your gear safely outside the tent. With anti-shear fibreglass tent poles, the Oztail Hiking tent is robust and designed to keep large structures in place under high winds. To improve ventilation, the tent has a large mesh window in front, rear doors, and a full mesh inner.
The Hiker Tent balances strength and space well. Its 150D carry bag, included with the purchase, makes it easy to transport.
Pros
- Easy to carry
- Strong anti-shear fiberglass poles
- Front and rear vestibules
- Large mesh window
- Full mesh inner
Cons
- Traditional A-frame build
6. Force Ten Helium 200 Hiking Tent
Best 1-Person Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 8/10
Versatility: 8/10
The Helium 200's hybrid tunnel design, simplicity of setup, and fully taped seams make this lightweight tent a welcome shelter at the end of a long outdoor day. Its pre-bend poles offer exceptional stability, and vents allow for thorough airflow and reduce condensation and quality build-up. Its lightweight, compact pack size makes it ideal for short and longer trips.
Additionally, it includes an entirely waterproof bathtub groundsheet for pitching on wet ground. When deployed, the tent measures 245 x 145 x 100. The Tent’s outer face has a siliconised coating to enhance water repellency, increase tear strength, and protect against UV degradation.
Its underside also has a polyurethane coating for waterproofing, allowing the seam tape to bond effectively with the tent. Force ten's inner fabric's breathability reduces condensation in the tent. There is also a primary and secondary door for kit storage and easy entry from both sides.
Pros
- Hybrid tunnel design
- Vents promote airflow
- Compact and lightweight
- Waterproof features
Cons
- Limited space for extra gear
How to Choose the Best Hiking Tent?
Besides weight, ease of setup, and versatility, we evaluated the best hiking tents in Australia against the factors below. You can use it as a buying guide if you have more than one option from above and need to shortlist.
1. Check the size and capacity
This is an obvious starting point; however, the choice is more complex than it might seem. Always choose a tent a few centimetres bigger than you need to ensure comfort. Having some spare room is always better than not having enough of it. If you're hiking with friends or family, account for their size and ensure enough breathing room. Getting this right can make your adventures more comfortable.
Also, remember to take height into account. While you don't need a tent that's taller than you, you should be able to move around it without crouching uncomfortably. As a rule of thumb, everyone should be able to sit upright with room to spare from the top of the tent. If you're hiking with more people, see that the tent doesn't narrow too much as it reaches the top.
Mark Thompson
2. Check the season rating
When are you going hiking? Keep the answer in mind as you look for the best hiking tents. You would want to avoid being caught by any drastic weather that may ruin your adventure. The most important features to look for here are breathability, upright walls, and low weight, which means as few components as possible.
However, generally speaking, the safest bet is a three- or four-season tent. We recommend one of those as they provide versatility and do not limit when you can go hiking. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all hikers and conditions. For example, three-season tents are perfect for late spring, summer, and early fall, whereas four-season tents are all-rounders.
3. Check the weight and packed size
Regarding the weight, there are three specs to consider:
- Minimum trail weight – This shows only the weight of the tent's body, poles, and rainfly. You'll likely need more equipment like stakes or footprint which may take the weight up a little.
- Packaged weight – The retail packaging that the tent comes in includes everything from the tent's body to details like spare items and instructions. You'll carry the actual weight between the minimum trail and packaged weight.
- Packed size – This shows how much space your tent will take up when packed. It's imperative to get this right unless you want to burden yourself.
But while weight is essential, it shouldn't be your only primary concern. You'll have to consider your hiking conditions.
4. Ensure good ventilation and airflow
The ventilation system aims to create as much airflow as possible through the tent. Vents at the tent's base, just above the bucket flooring, and on the tent roof allow air to flow freely in and out of the tent.
Choose tents with windows and doors built with "No-see-um-mesh" or any other lightweight and durable micro-mesh netting for protection against the smallest insects or pests. Tent inners made of mesh rather than polyester also allow even more ventilation, as will a gap between the fly and inner tent.
5. Check durability and weather protection
A hiking tent is made of different build materials; the stakes and tent can't be made of the same material. However, while tent material will depend on your preferences, you must consider a few factors.
First, the best hiking tent should be water-resistant. It should also be highly durable and light. Your priorities here will depend on your preferred hiking conditions.
For poles, stakes, and other equipment, avoid cheap plastic and choose reinforced varieties. An even better option is aluminium or carbon-reinforced materials, both light and highly durable.
Finally, to determine the tent's overall strength, check its seasonality rating and technical specifications. The rating considers all the build materials and features of the tent to help you quickly decide. Still, it doesn't hurt to be sure from the spec sheet.
Why Trust expertEasy?
At expertEasy, we're passionate about helping you have the best camping experience possible. Our team of experts researches, tests, and evaluates products to provide reliable, unbiased, and informative reviews that help you make purchasing decisions based on facts, not sales pitches.
Our reviews are based on hands-on testing, research, and customer feedback analysis. We update our reviews frequently based on new information or product availability changes to ensure you get the most up-to-date recommendations.
Mark
Summary
After numerous considerations, the Naturehike Mongar Hiking Tent is the best in Australia. It's an impeccable all-rounder tent, offering adequate sleeping space, excellent waterproofing, and outstanding durability. It is also very compact and offers superb value for money.
Choose a tent with a user-friendly design and intuitive setup process for hassle-free assembly even in challenging weather conditions. It should also be a well-ventilated design for a comfortable interior atmosphere, even as you explore the diverse landscapes of Australia.
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