The 6 best bikepacking tents

Choosing the best bikepacking tent can make or break your cycling adventure. You might want to consider one that’s compact and pliable enough to stash underneath your saddle but still sturdy and rugged enough to cope with the demands of more remote landscapes and bumpier trails.

Whether you’re tackling UK routes or travelling further afield to Europe, having the right bikepacking tent with you can make your experience a much more comfortable one.

In this blog, we’ll explore what makes a good bikepacking tent and why they’re an essential piece of kit, as well as pick out some of the best bikepacking tents currently available on the market.

We’ll also look at what bikepacking actually is and how to pack a tent for bikepacking, so that you can fully prepare for your next adventure.

What is bikepacking?

Bikepacking is a form of adventure cycling that combines the basic essence of backpacking with the thrill of off-road biking.

Unlike more traditional bike touring, where cyclists typically stick to roads and carry in racks, bikepacking involves lightweight, rack-free set-ups designed for more remote, off-road routes.

With bikepacking, riders carry their gear, such as tents and cooking equipment, in compact bags strapped directly to the bike’s frame, handlebars, and seat post. This minimalist approach can improve the bike’s agility and handling on rougher terrain.

Whether you’re on a quick weekend trip or longer bike expedition, bikepacking can offer a self-sufficient way to explore, with everything you need at your fingertips.

What is a bikepacking tent?

A bikepacking tent is a purpose-designed, lightweight shelter especially tailored for cyclists and bikepackers. They can be easily stowed on a bike, usually in a frame or handlebar bag.

The best bikepacking tents are:

• Ultra-lightweight: usually no more than 1-2kg max.
• Compact: for easy storage in bike bags
• Durable: to withstand the elements and rough pitches
• Easy to put up: with minimal poles and equipment for efficiency

Unlike more traditional camping tents, bikepacking tents are designed for both minimalism and comfort, making them an ideal choice for cyclists covering long distances but wanting to travel light.

Why are bikepacking tents a good idea?

Bike packing tents have various benefits, such as:

• Space efficiency: when you're bikepacking, every bit of space counts. Bikepack tents are designed to pack down small, leaving you plenty of room for other essentials like tools, food, and spare clothes
• Speed and flexibility: they are super lightweight and quick to pitch up, meaning more riding and less fiddling
• Weatherproof: they are built to be able to cope with all kinds of terrain and weather conditions

Our choice of the best bikepacking tents on the market

1. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

RRP: £549.99

Key features

• Packed weight of just 1.08kg
• Generous headroom
• Large vestibule for gear storage
• Fast-pack setting for lightweight rides

The Copper Spur HV UL2 from Big Agnes is a great all-rounder, balancing weight, space, and performance. It offers plenty of internal space while still remaining highly packable.

It’s a solid choice for long-distance routes and compact enough for rough terrain, yet roomy and weather-resistant. What more could you want?

2. Zpacks Duplex

RRP: £850

Key features

• Ultra-light Dyneema® Composite Fabric
• Two doors with vestibules for easy access
• Packs down very small
• Designed to be used with trekking poles (not included)

The Zpacks Duplex is one of the lightest and most compact bikepacking tents on the market. Although built from super-lightweight fabric, it’s still very sturdy and waterproof.

Its two-door design with spacious vestibules allows for plenty of ventilation and storage, while the single-wall construction helps keep the weight to a minimum.

However, please note that this tent requires trekking poles to pitch. These do not come with the tent as standard but can be purchased separately through Zpacks.

3. MSR Hubba Hubba NX

RRP: £559.99

Key features

• Spacious twin-wall design
• Excellent ventilation to reduce condensation
• Two-person capacity

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX is another solid and reliable choice. While slightly heavier than some of the other bikepacking tents in this guide, its comfort and durability are worth the compromise if you can handle a few extra hundred grams!

Its real standout feature is its ventilation technology, which can help to reduce the build-up of condensation, an issue we UK bikepackers are all too familiar with.

4. NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO

RRP: £549.99

Key features

• Featherweight - just 687g (excluding bags and pegs)
• OSMO™ poly-nylon ripstop for water repellence
• Adjustable headroom
• Easy set-up

The Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO is one of the lightest freestanding bikepacking tents available, yet still robust enough to handle rough conditions.

Its OSMO™ fabric is made from recycled PFAS-free material, making this not only a practical choice but an environmentally-friendly one, too.

Other standout features include the Nightlight Pocket™ and Flybar™, which both help make it feel spacious but cosy inside.

5. Alpkit Aeronaut 1 Tent

RRP: £159.99

Key features

• Inflatable air-pole design
• Total weight of 1.2kg
• Circular shape for maximum internal space
• Robust three-season protection

The Aeronaut 1 model from Alpkit firmly stands out amongst other bikepacking tents, purely for its removal of traditional poles. Its innovative inflatable air-pole design makes this tent uniquely compact and ideally suited to packing into small bags or tight frames.

There’s more liveable space here, too, thanks to its neat circular structure and useful porch area for muddy cycling shoes.

6. Vango F10 Hydrogen Air

RRP: £580

Key features

• AirBeam® technology
• Tunnel tent with porch storage
• Carbon upright pole and titanium pegs
• Protex® 7D double-silicone nylon flysheet

The Vango F10 Hydrogen Air boasts the lofty title of the world’s lightest twin-skin tent thanks to its AirBeam® technology. It perfectly marries ultralight performance with practical design.

Set-up is swift, airflow is well managed, and the tent’s stability in windy conditions is impressive given its size and construction. The additional storage porch and small pack-down size make it ideal if you prefer a minimalist build.

How to pack a tent for bikepacking

So, you’ve finally bought your bikepacking tent and you’re ready to get out there on your first true bikepacking adventure.

But before you go, you’ll need to master the art of packing your tent properly to ensure it stays in good condition and doesn’t impact your performance in any way.

Here are a few handy tips to consider as a starting point:

• Roll tightly and evenly: start from one end and roll carefully, tucking in as you go
• Use a compression sack: these are great for packing efficiently
• Distribute the weight smartly: place the densest part of the tent (often the fly) in the rear seat pack or frame bag
• Protect it from the elements: use dry bags, waterproof liners, or cycling backpacks, especially in wet weather

Specialist cycling insurance through Cycleplan

Whether you’re investing in a lightweight bikepacking tent, high-spec gear, or your bike itself, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll protect it all when you’re out and about.

Specialist cycling insurance through Cycleplan can help provide financial protection against theft, loss, and accidental damage to your bike and your equipment. Get a quote online today.