9 Best Lightweight Hiking Tents in Australia (2023 Buying Guide)

Last updated: February 2, 2023

Reviews of nine of the best hiking tents for overnight hikes and camping trips, ranging in size and capacity from 1 to 4 persons.

Choosing the right hiking tent that suits your needs is not always easy, as there are many different products to choose from and various selection criteria to consider.

We’ve done much of the research for you and have shortlisted nine of the best camping and hiking tents you can buy today, based on weight, materials, features, price, and more.

These tents range from small and lightweight 1-person tents to larger 4-person tents, suitable for overnight hiking adventures and camping trips.

Best 1-Person Tent: Naturehike Cloud Up	Best 2-Person Tent: Companion Pro Hiker
1.6 kg	2.7 kg
230 x 110 cm	260 x 225 cm
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Top 9 Hiking Tents:

Top rated hiking tent on Amazon:

Naturehike Cloud Up 1-Person Tent

• 【ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT】: Naturehike's Cloud-up 3-season,...
• 【QUALITY THROUGHOUT】: The high-quality details include...
• 【WATERPROOF】: The Cloud up 20D tent polyester rain fly &...

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Let’s have a closer look at those nine products, starting with the best 1-person hiking tents.

1. Naturehike Cloud Up 1P

The affordable Naturehike Cloud Up 1-person hiking tent weighs just over 1.5 kg and is easy to set up with double flysheets.

The tent fly and floor are made from 20D silicone coating nylon with a 4000 mm rated waterproof index, which is above average for tents in this price range. Naturehike tent poles are made from strong 7001 aluminium alloy. Note that you can choose between different colours and materials; polyester or nylon.

The tent is also easy to pack up and comes with a compact compression bag perfect for hiking trips. Overall, the Naturehike Cloud Up represents excellent value for money, suitable for those looking for a comfortable tent without blowing the budget.

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2. ALPS Mountaineering Lynx

This 1-person hiking tent by ALPS Mountaineering stands out as a tent that is lightweight, compact, and incredibly easy to set up.

The Lynx has a freestanding design with two aluminium poles which makes assembling as easy as it gets. The vestibule with zipping is a welcome addition as an extra storage space and a small sheltered area. The polyester tent fly protects against UV damage and keeps water out, while the various zippers, pockets, gear loft, and doorway make this a versatile and practical tent.

The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx tent has been around for quite a few years (also available with higher sleeping capacity) and has proven to be a robust and reliable product. It’s not the cheapest, but it will last for many years.

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3. OZtrail Nomad

The OZtrail Nomad hiking tent is light on the load and easy on the pocket. Weighing less than 2 kilos, it’s a no-frills kind of tent that’s easy to pitch so that you can go on enjoying the outdoors.

Although it’s a single-person tent, it’s actually quite roomy. You can put your baggage and gear inside the tent, and you’d be able to stretch comfortably. This tent’s design doesn’t come with a vestibule, but it does have interior pockets that you can use to store some of your gear.

Its polyester is coated with UVTex, so it deflects UV rays and helps make the tent rainproof. The OZtrail nomad also has two vents that take care of any condensation problems. The tent door is relatively large and has an angled opening that makes it easy for you to crouch down and zip it up.

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4. Companion Pro Hiker 2

Perhaps the best entry-level 2-person hiking tent on the market is the Companion Pro Hiker. Set at a very competitive price, this tent is very well constructed and offers a great set of useful features.

It’s a tent with two conveniently sized entrances and two vestibules that provide easy access through mesh doors. The interior is quite spacious and can be adequately ventilated through the two vents in the rainfly. The roof contains an additional four vents.

With superior weather protection, various handy interior pockets, a compression bag and a gear loft, the Companion Pro Hiker 2 is a great little home for people who occasionally like to go hiking or camping but don’t want to spend a fortune on a tent.

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5. Naturehike Mongar

The second Naturehike model on this list of best hiking tents is this 2-person Mongar, available in four different colours.

It has two doors and two windows to assist with ventilation and prevent unwanted condensation from building up inside. The inside mesh pockets are also handy for storing your valuable items.

The silicone-coated fabric is waterproof, and the 7001 aluminium poles are sturdy and durable. The double-Y structure of this free-standing tent is easy to set up and pack down. Overall, a decent quality and comfortable tent at an affordable price.

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6. Naturehike Cloud Up 3P

This robust 3-person tent is the third Naturehike product on this list and is essentially a bigger version of the Cloud Up 1-person tent further above.

Like other Naturehike tents, this Cloud Up 3 is very easy and quick to set up with its freestanding design. Packing down is a breeze too, and the compact bag is easy to carry around. The double layers of the tent make it suitable for both the warmer and colder months while keeping the inside wind- and water-resistant. The breathable mesh allows for proper ventilation while also keeping the mozzies out.

The Naturehike Cloud Up 3 is a good quality tent suitable for camping and overnight hiking trips, although it is a bit small considering it’s a 3-person tent. The sleeping area is 175 cm wide, which for some may be more than enough, and for others, perhaps a bit too tight.

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7. OZtrail Hiker 3 Dome Tent

An entry-level dome tent, the Oztrail Hiker 3 is a decent-quality, lightweight and compact model for overnight hiking and camping trips on a budget.

At 3.5 kgs, it is very easy to carry around. It has 40% more indoor space, which fits three adults or two single mattresses with some room to spare. It comes with Duraglass Fibreglass poles, which are easy to set up and help keep the tent sturdy but flexible in cold or tropical weather. It also has reflective guy ropes, so you don’t trip into them when stumbling around in the dark at night.

Like the rest of the Oztrail line-up, the tent’s polyester fly has heat-taped seams to keep moisture out and is also UV-resistant to protect you from the sun’s rays. It’s also insect-proof because its windows are made from No-See-Um mesh that keeps the bugs out but allows the fresh outdoor air to circulate. This same fabric reduces condensation inside the tent.

It has two large vestibules at the front and back, which you can utilise as a storage area for your gear. It comes with interior storage pouches where you can put your essentials for easy retrieval later.

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8. Blackwolf Classic Dome 4 Plus

The frame of the Blackwolf Classic Dome 4 Plus is made from Fibreflex, which makes it more sturdy than some other tents. The tent will remain stable even with strong winds. The poles are colour coded so that it’s easy to set up.

At 9 kgs, it’s certainly not the lightest, but it has added features that make up for its extra load. It has an HD Polyethylene floor fabric and a polyester fabric that’s been treated with their Twilight technology. This means that the inner tent has dark interiors so that you can sleep early or stay in bed late the next day without being woken up by the bright morning light. And if that’s not enough, it also comes with internal window covers for added privacy.

It has a front vestibule, a rear door and rollaway side vents for better indoor ventilation. It also has the No-See-Um inner mesh to keep the bugs out. There’s also a zippered power cord access point for your mobile phone charging needs. And if you need a place to store your small items, there is an interior side pocket.

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9. Coleman Instant Up 4P

Consider this a luxurious upgrade to your standard multi-person tent, with great features and quality standards. Its front door can be raised as a 2-pole awning to provide shade, while its outer vestibule is big enough to even pull in a couple of chairs for lounging or convert to a cooking area if you need one. There’s even a doormat included.

Its hub frame design can be set up in two minutes. The indoor space is large and can comfortably fit in a queen airbed. It features a Coleman circle ventilation for added flow, as well as interior organisers and a hammock for storage.

The best part of this is the darkroom aspect of the tent design. The tent fly has a special coating that blocks out 95% of light while reducing indoor heat by 5%, which will positively impact sleep quality.

It also comes with its own LED lights in four different settings. So whether you’re in the mood for romance or some relaxing bedtime reading, it’s all there at just a flick of a switch. A battery pack is also included.

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Choosing the right hiking tent is important as it’s not an item you’d want to replace after using it just once or twice.

Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best tent for your hiking and camping adventures:

1. Weight
2. Capacity and interior space
3. Season rating
4. Freestanding vs non-freestanding
5. Design and features
6. Price

Let’s discuss these factors in a bit more detail.

1. Weight

A key difference between a hiking tent and a holiday tent is that a hiking tent is much lighter. You need to be able to carry a hiking tent around comfortably, so weight is a crucial decision factor.

Some prefer the lightest tent possible, sacrificing a bit of internal space. Others prefer a bit more comfort and are happy to carry more weight around if necessary.

2. Capacity and Interior Space

Hiking tents come in various sizes and dimensions, and it depends on your personal needs what type of tent is best for you.

For example, if you usually go hiking or camping in a group of three friends, you could either for a 3-man hiking tent or a three 1-man tent. A 3-man tent would typically be cheaper than three individual tents, but you would have less space and privacy.

The other benefit of a 3-man tent in this scenario is that you would only have to carry one packed tent around, and you can take turns between the three of you.

Alternatively, you can choose a 3-man tent for two people to sleep in or a 4-man tent to accommodate three people. It all depends on how much comfort and space you think you will need.

Interior space is also an important decision factor. If you’re a bigger person, don’t go for a super compact 1-man tent. There are, in fact, quite some variations between brands when it comes to internal space, so make sure that you choose a hiking tent that is large enough for you to sleep in.

3. Season Rating

Perhaps not the most crucial deciding factor when hiking in Australia, season rating can still be something to consider. Most hiking tents are marked as 3-season tents, meaning they’re suitable for spring, summer and autumn.

If you’re planning to use your tent in cold winter conditions and/or mountaineering, make sure it’s a 4-season tent that can handle those lower temperatures and even snowfall.

4. Freestanding vs Non-Freestanding

Freestanding tents are easier and faster to set up. They are often preferred for overnight hiking or camping trips to save time.

They typically come with a fixed pole rather than pegs allowing you to set up pretty much anywhere you like.

Non-freestanding tents are usually lighter (no poles) but are more difficult and time-consuming to set up. They also require more real estate. The process of setting up your tent is something you can practice and get used to, though.

5. Design and Features

Even with lightweight hiking tents, there can still be crucial differences in how they are designed. One or multiple doors, single wall or double-walled, air vents, interior pockets, and so forth. We recommend hiking tents that are simple yet durable.

The more bells, whistles and other features, the more complicated it is to set up the tent and the more things that can break. Having said that, basic features such as interior pockets and vestibule can come in very handy.

6. Price

Price is always important, no matter what you’re buying. You’ll find that most tents are priced similarly, with a few exceptions.

If you’re planning to use your tent often and possibly in harsh conditions, don’t be afraid to spend a bit more. It’s an old saying, but it’s usually true, you get what you pay for.

If you’re keen to upgrade from a conventional tent to a rooftop tent, check out our Australian roof top tent buying guide with reviews of some of the best products on the market.

For more ideas for camping accessories to buy, have a look at our guide to the best camping chairs in Australia and our guide to the best camping tables on the Australian market for some inspiration for your next camping trip.