Hiking tents are convenient to set up and pitch within minutes, making ease of use the ultimate factor to consider when selecting a hiking tent. However, in addition to ease of use, there are other vital features that greatly enhance your hiking and trekking experience.
In this article, we evaluate the best hiking tents in Australia against all these essential features. We also handpick the best available options with their unique attributes to help you easily decide which is ideal. Let's get into it.
Our Top Picks
If you're in the market and need to make a quick purchase, here are the top three hiking tents 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 below greatly improve the quality and experience of your outdoor experience. We ranked all the tents we evaluated against the following 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
Besides our three-point rating factor outlined above, we also 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 set-up make it our best hiking tent overall in Australia. Once deployed, the unit size is approximately 210 x 135 x 100 cm, which is large enough for two individuals. The tent can be set up and used within minutes, and its unique dome-like design makes it easier for a single person to assemble. The Naturehike Mongar hiking tent is very light. It weighs a mere 2.2 kg and can easily be folded to a 50 x 15 cm to carry along in its dedicated carrying sack.
For durability, the material used to make this tent combines B3 mesh and polyester anti-stretch fabric. It also 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 you to have a windproof and waterproof tent. The tent also has two air vents, two doors for optimal ventilation, and mesh pockets for added storage.
The Naturehike tent boasts a mesh covering for the vents and the doors for insect prevention. The tent also comes with a groundsheet, so you don't have to bother about creepy crawlies getting into your stuff while preventing ground moisture from soaking up your sleeping bag. We recommend it for hiking and other expeditions, such as 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
- Lightweight and can fold down to a small 50 x 15 cm size
- It comes with a carrying bag
- Flysheet is waterproof
- Rods made out of 7001 aluminium
- It has two mesh vents, two doors, and a groundsheet
Cons
- 8 pegs may need a dedicated storage box
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 Lightweight Hiking Tent is manufactured using fire-resistant, water-resistant, and breathable rip-stop polyester material. It's durable, lightweight, and can easily be carried around in its carrying bag since it only weighs 2.8 kg. The hiking tent measures 295 x 196 x 124 cm, with a total floor space of 4.5 sqm. This adds up to more than enough room for two people and a few personal effects; there is also adequate headspace for taller individuals to sit or kneel comfortably.
Still, on space, this tent also has a porch area with a detachable groundsheet. The feature considerably expands your storage and living space, permitting you to keep your bags, cooking equipment, and other stuff you don't want to bring inside the tent safely outside. It is also adequately ventilated with a front door and rear mesh window, permitting unrestricted airflow into the tent while keeping the bugs out. Crua's tent also includes a couple of 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. It also makes it easier to open and close the zips anytime you need to without taking out your flashlight.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Built-in Groundsheet
- Water-resistant, fire-retardant, breathable material
- B3 bug mesh to keep mosquitos and other insects out
- Tent zippers are big and luminous
- It comes with a convenient repair patch kit
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 the fastest tent to set up and takes only 5 minutes. 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 storage for your backpacks or cooking meals.
We had no question about this tent's durability. The fly and floor are fully waterproof and seamed. Fixed ropes at the side of the fly help stabilize the tent in case of strong winds—it is also waterproof. 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 camping 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. On purchase, you also get a free mat.
Pros
- Includes front vestibules
- Able to cope with changeable weather
- 7001 aluminium pole makes the tent more lightweight
- B3 mesh design for perfect mosquito-free protection
- Designed with a snow skirt for comfortable hiking in winter
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. This tent includes unique features that 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, the Hillman Double Layer is approximately 260 x 210 x 110 cm. When packed up, this tent 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. Plus, 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 Hiking Tent
Best Compact Hiking Tent
Ease of setup: 8.5/10
Versatility: 8/10
Oztrail Hiker is a two-person ultra-lightweight hiking tent modelled after traditional A-frame tents yet incorporating the durability and simplicity of assembly of contemporary dome tents. As a hiking tent, it is compact and lightweight and includes pole lengths calculated explicitly for the smallest pack size. The hiker tent has a packed dimension of 51 x 15 x 13.5 cm. It weighs only 2.9 kg and has dimensions of 210 x 145 x 110 cm.
Like other tents on our list, Oztrail includes large front and rear vestibules that allow you to store your gear safely outside the tent. With anti-shear fibreglass tent poles, the Oztail Hiking tent is extremely strong & designed to keep large structures in place under high winds. To improve ventilation, the hiking tent has a large mesh window incorporated in front and rear doors and a full mesh inner for excellent breathability.
The Oztrail Hiker Hiking Tent has a good balance of strength with space, yet it's still compact and lightweight to carry about in its 150D carry bag included on purchase.
Pros
- Easy to carry with small dimensions
- Strong anti-shear fiberglass poles
- Large mesh window and full mesh inner
- Front and rear vestibules
Cons
- Traditional A-frame build
- Slightly heavier than some models
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. It has pre-bend poles that offer exceptional stability, vents that allow for thorough airflow and reduce condensation, quality build-up, and a lightweight, compact pack size, making it ideal for short and longer trips. Additionally, it includes an entirely waterproof bathtub groundsheet for when you need to pitch on wet ground and has dimensions of 245 x 145 x 100 when deployed.
The Tent’s outer face has a siliconized 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 in Australia?
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, check and 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.
But generally speaking, the safest bet is a 3- or 4-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, 3-season tents are perfect for late spring, summer, and early fall, whereas 4-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 to run through the tent. This is possible by having vents at the tent's base just above the bucket flooring and on the tent roof. These vents allow the 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 the tent can't be of the same material. But while tent material will depend on your preferences, there are a few factors to consider.
First, the best hiking tent should also be water-resistant, and you should aim for high durability and low weight. Your priorities here will depend on your preferred hiking conditions.
For poles, stakes, and other equipment, avoid cheap plastic and go for reinforced varieties. An even better option would be aluminium or carbon-reinforced materials. Both are light yet highly durable.
Finally, regarding the overall strength of the tent, check the tent's seasonality rating, along with its 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 to help you make purchasing decisions based on facts and not sales pitches.
Our reviews are based on a combination of hands-on testing, research, and analysis of customer feedback. We update our reviews frequently based on new information or product availability changes to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date recommendations.
Mark
Summary
With numerous considerations made, 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 is an excellent 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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