Two-man (otherwise known as two-person) tents are by far the most popular of all tents and we think it is easy to see why. Enjoying the countryside with one of your nearest or dearest, sleeping under the stars but still protected from all the elements – what more could you want?

A two-man tent is perfect for if you are out walking or exploring the countryside with another person and you are planning on extending this overnight. These tents are often lightweight and small enough to be carried around in a backpack, whilst still offering you the space and comfort of a standard sized tent. They will be able to protect you from any weather that comes your way and they are usually quick to pitch, so if the weather turns you can be safe and dry inside in no time!

Only Got 5 Minutes?

If you have a long hike planned and are raring to go, but need the best 2-man tent to accompany you on the job, then look no further. Here is where you will find all of that crucial information that you need to make your purchase.

Do I Need a Two-Man Tent?

You may be wondering whether a 2-man tent is right for you and what you are planning on using it for. If so then keep reading….

A 2-person tent is used for exactly that…2 people! They are designed so that they are more lightweight and compact than standard larger tents, but still big enough for two people to sleep comfortably side by side. This means that they are perfect for anyone that is going to be carrying their tent to their overnight location, instead of just pitching up a tent for part of a holiday!

They will offer enough space for two people to sleep without getting too cosy! So if it is just a friend that you are planning on camping with they will still be perfect for you. The best 2 man tents make this even easier, by having the ability to be split up into multiple parts so that they can be divided between two backpacks, meaning that one person is not stuck carrying the load!

However, many two-man tents will be light enough for you to carry on your own if you are just wanting a comfy and spacious night to yourself after a long day outdoors! A 2-man tent is obviously going to be bigger than a 1-man tent so they are great for if you have taken different supplies with you that all need space inside the tent, or you just want that bit of extra room to relax overnight!

What Features Should I Look For?

There are some main features that you need to look out for before purchasing your 2-man tent if you are wanting to have the best, most comfortable nights sleep whilst you are out and about.

All Weather Proof

It is crucial that your tent is able to withstand all weather conditions that might come its way! But to do this there are many different factors that need to work together…

Wind – If you know that you are going to be walking at altitude, or even think there is a possibility that your tent might end up pitched in these conditions, then you need to choose one that is going to withstand a fair amount of wind coming it’s way! Look out for dome, semi-geodesic and geodesic technical tents as these are designed in ways to minimise the movement that will occur in windy conditions. Also, make sure that the pegs and fastenings that come with the tent are good quality and able to go into any ground surface.

TOP TIP: Always look for the most sheltered area to pitch your tent, even if this means walking a little further after a long day!

Rain – Lets be honest, if you are planning on camping in Great Britain then chances are you going to come up against rain at some point or other! Therefore it is important to find a tent that is going to be able to stand up against these conditions! Make sure that the outer layer of your tent is going to be waterproof enough to protect you and your belongings from the weather. A hydrostatic head rating of 2000mm or more should be sufficient for most, but if you really are an all-weather camper then we would recommend opting for 3000mm or more! Look out for well known fabrics such as Gore-Tex, as you can rely on these to be up to the task!

NOTE: Hydrostatic head is the way of measuring how waterproof a material is! It is how much water a fabric can withstand before it starts to absorb the water.

Sun – It is also important to opt for a tent that is going to be able to cope in warm weather, as otherwise you could find it getting pretty hot and sweaty in the tent! Look for a tent that is going to be breathable (more information on this below) but also a tent that is going to repel the sunlight to stop it from getting too warm inside.

Breathability

There are different ways in which tents can work to support them being more breathable. A tent that is well designed will help to stop condensation from building in your tent overnight whilst you are sleeping. Not only will this lead to a more comfortable nights sleep but it will also mean that your tent does not need as much airing before it is ready to be slept in again the next night!

Some tents will be double skinned, which means that they have two layers – a waterproof, outer flysheet and a breathable inner layer, usually made up of mesh. This helps pass as much moisture through to the outer layer of the tent.

Other tents help to alleviate the condensation issue by having standard groundsheets instead of sewn-in groundsheets. Sewn-in groundsheets are fantastic for many reasons, but they do massively reduce the air flow throughout the tent. A standard groundsheet will leave a gap between that and the rest of the tent, meaning increased circulation throughout the base (and therefore the rest) of the tent.

There are many tents that also include ventilation flaps and vents at the tops of the tents to allow warm air to escape.

TOP TIP: Make sure that ventilation flaps can be adjusted and closed, or are sheltered, for in particularly severe weather.

Weight and Size

The weight and size of your 2-man tent can vary massively, and it is really down to personal preference as to what is going to be more important for you. A smaller, lighter tent will be much easier to carry around with you when you are on your travels and can weigh as little as 1200g. However these tents will be on the smaller side, so if you are looking for a more comfortable and spacious experience overnight then these may not be for you.

However, larger 2 man tents will have the benefit of having much more space but they will also be considerably heavier (sometimes in the region of 3400g!). This is a much heavier weight to be carrying around with you, particularly if you are going to be taking part in long hikes during the days between your camping! Although could make them better able to cope in bad weather conditions!

Pitching

How easy your tent is to pitch will have a massive impact on how often you want to go camping! Let’s be honest, if it takes you hours of frustration to even get the tent up then you are not likely to want to use it often!

Choose one that is cleverly designed, so that it is easy to erect and also dismantle at the end of your overnight stay! Some will have poles that are inbuilt into the design of the tent so that the tent almost “pops up” and then simply needs to be secured, whereas others will have more simple designs and shapes so that they merely need to be secured at 4 corners.

TOP TIP: Look out for a tent that has a “flysheet first” pitching design, this means that the outer layer of the tent will be put up first, so that the rest of the tent can be put together whilst you are dry and inside.

Additional Features

Most of the best 2-man tents will be able to offer you the above features, so it is really about finding the right tent for you. This can be done by looking out for some of these additional features so that the best 2-man tent is only a click away!

Sewn in groundsheet – Although this means that this layer cannot be separated from the rest of the tent for when you are carrying it around, a sewn in groundsheet will help to stop insects from getting into your tent and will also make sure that you stay nice and dry if the weather conditions aren’t great.
Porch – Even though two-man tents are designed to be smaller and more compact, there are still many that come with a porch. This is a great idea if you have been exploring outdoors all day and have wet and dirty shoes and clothes that you want to keep seperate from the sleeping area of your tent. A porch will also add that extra boundary between you are the outdoor elements in bad weather!
Mesh inner doors – Providing the weather isn’t too bad, the best way to keep your tent well ventilated is to have mesh inner doors. These will protect the inside of your tent from insects and other wildlife whilst allowing a great amount of air flow through the tent. Remember though, that if your tent does not have a porch or a lip on the front then in rain this could mean your belongings becoming rather damp!
Good quality, firm seals – A tent with good seals will be able to keep the pieces of waterproof material well knitted together, so that no drips of water can find their way in. This will also ensure that your tent is more durable so will be better value for money.
Colour – It is important to think about the colour of your 2 man tent! You may think that this doesn’t matter but in actual fact it does! A natural coloured tent will blend in more with the environment, meaning that you are less likely to disrupt any wildlife that is in the area of which you are camping. However, a brighter coloured tent will have the safety benefit of being more noticeable from a distance if you are camping in difficult conditions and become in need of help!
Zips and fastenings – Look out for a tent that has good quality zips and other fastenings. Many cheaper 2 man tents will have zips that catch on the zip shields which is not just annoying but can also damage the zip irreparably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I re-waterproof my tent?
Yes! If you find that your tent is starting to take in more water than it is keeping out, then it is easy to reproof your tent so that it is back to keeping you dry and safe! There are two ways that this can be done – buying a reproofer liquid for your washing machine and simply washing your tent in this solution, or buying a reproofing spray and hanging your tent on the washing line, then spraying it all over.

Should I seam seal the inside or the outside of my tent?
There are some who would apply seam seal to the inside seams of a tent, whereas others say the best way to ensure the tent is fully waterproof is to apply this to the outside. The instructions on individual seam seals will advise the best places to apply these but it is usually wherever the urethane-coated side of the fabric is (which is mostly found on the outside).

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Tom Harrison

Blogger at Peak and Dale

My name is Tom and together with my wife Anna, we blog! We love the Great British outdoors and hope you do too! Through this blog, we hope to share with you some of our favourite walks, camping sites, and excursions. Along with some reviews and guides.