Bikepacking tents are designed with specific features that set them apart from traditional camping tents, making them ideal for the unique demands of bike travel. They are notably lightweight and compact, allowing them to fit easily into a bike’s frame bag or panniers without adding unnecessary bulk. Their construction emphasises durability and weather resistance, ensuring they can withstand rugged terrain and variable weather conditions. Quick setup and takedown are integral, so you can quickly establish camp after a long ride.
Thoughtful details, such as awning-style vestibules, 3D shelves for bike gear, helmet storage areas, and daisy-chain webbing loops on the fly’s exterior for drying wet clothes and gear, add to the practicality and convenience of bikepacking tents.
In this blog, we explore 13 of the best bikepacking tents available from Valley and Peak to enhance your next bikepacking trip.
1. PreTents Lightrock 1 Person Backpacking Tent
PreTents meticulously considers every detail to ensure top-quality materials and design. The Lightrock features DAC poles with an impressive strength-to-weight ratio and a 2-pole, 2-crossing-point structure, making it ideal for mountain use while weighing just 1250g.
- Trail Weight: 1250g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 large inverted U-shaped door
- Capacity: 1
This solo tent offers ample interior space and is reinforced with high-quality 8.5mm DAC poles and a wind-resistant 2-pole, 2-crossing-point design. The external pole system allows for quick setup and durability against strong winds. Both the inner and outer tents can be set up together for a fast and dry assembly. The vestibule provides extra storage space for your gear.
The solid inner tent is made with breathable fabric, including a part mesh door and vents. Large, closable vents at both the foot and head ends ensure excellent ventilation. The inner tent offers exceptional living space with a width of 120 cm. The large door allows easy entry and exit, while the four-zipper door design facilitates ventilation and viewing. Eight peg points reinforced with Dyneema X and two guyline points provide added stability. Note that the footprint is sold separately.
2. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Bikepacking Tent
This award-winning 3-season ultralight bikepacking tent by Colarado-based Big Agnes is perfect for both on- and off-road adventures. The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 features enhanced interior volume and is built with stronger, lighter, and more sustainably sourced fabrics. It includes bike-specific enhancements like an awning-style vestibule and the proprietary TipLok Tent Buckle™ for easier setup.
- Trail Weight: 1330g
- Seasons: 3-season
- Doors: 2 doors, 1 awning-style porch
- Capacity: 2
This tent features a 12" Shortstik Poleset, ideal for easy packing on handlebars, panniers, or in any pack, and includes the proprietary TipLok Tent Buckle™ that integrates pole-tip capture, rainfly attachment, tensioning, and stake-out loops. It is designed with multiple bike-frame attachment options and a burley compression stuff-sack with a daisy-chain webbing system for versatile carrying.
The tent's ultralight nylon double rip-stop fabric provides extra tear-strength and puncture resistance without adding weight. It includes dual-zipper doors with easy-grip pulls, quick-access via a single zipper with a Quick Stash door-keeper, and two awning-style vestibules with storm flaps for added protection.
Storage is optimised with a 3D shelf for gear, a helmet storage area, daisy-chain webbing loops for drying clothes, an oversized ceiling pocket, and multiple interior loops for gear lofts and accessories. Media pockets offer clean earbud-cord routing, while the fly vent and low vent feature on the vestibule doors enhance airflow and reduce condensation.
The Copper Spur is easy to pitch with reflective guy-lines, colour-coded webbing, velcro tabs for stability, and pre-cut guy-lines with tensioners. It also includes new, lighter yet stronger Dirt Dagger UL Tent Stakes with a patent-pending IBeam aluminium construction, ensuring a reliable and efficient setup for your bikepacking adventures.
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is designed to maximise your bikepacking experience with enhanced functionality and storage options.
3. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepacking Tent
Similar to the 2-person version, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack tent is an award-winning, ultralight bikepacking tent designed for both on and off-road adventures. With a trail weight of 1050g and a packed weight of 1280g, this 3-season, 1-person tent features a double-wall design, one door, and a porch.
Recently redesigned for more interior volume, the Copper Spur HV UL1 utilises stronger, lighter, and more sustainably sourced fabrics.
- Trail Weight: 1050g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 awning-style porch
- Capacity: 1
The Copper Spur offers the same bike-specific features like the awning-style vestibule and the TipLok Tent Buckle™ for easy setup. It is solution-dyed to reduce water usage and energy requirements, and uses fewer chemicals.
The 12" Shortstik Poleset is compact and easy to pack, while the simplified setup includes the TipLok Tent Buckle™ for secure attachment. Multiple bike-frame attachment options are available with the compression stuff sack and daisy-chain webbing system.
Constructed from ultralight nylon double rip-stop fabric, the tent provides tear strength without added weight. It includes dual-zipper doors, a Quick Stash door-keeper, a 3D shelf for oversized gear, and storage solutions like elastic webbing for helmets and daisy-chain loops for drying gear. The tent’s design promotes airflow with a fly vent and vestibule low vent, and it features reflective guy-lines, colour-coded webbing, and Dirt Dagger UL Tent Stakes for easy pitching and stability.
4. Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2 Bikepacking Tent
The Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel 2 Bikepacking Tent, introduced in 2021, offers an exceptional blend of space, durability, and functionality for bikepackers. Weighing just 2750g (trail weight) and 3030g (packed weight), this 3-season, 2-person tent features a double-wall design, two side-entry doors, and two vestibules.
- Trail Weight: 2750g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 2 doors, 2 vestibules
- Capacity: 2
Drawing inspiration from the reliable Blacktail Series, the Hotel 2 provides ample room and easy access. Its innovative 12-inch Shortstik Poleset ensures optimal storage for handlebars, panniers, and saddlebags, while the sturdy compression sack, equipped with daisy chain webbing, allows for easy attachment to your bike. Exterior webbing and daisy chain loops on the fly offer additional features such as helmet storage and drying wet gear, perfect for both on-road and off-road adventures.
The tent includes smooth-closing, dual-zipper doors with easy-grip zipper pulls on both doors and vestibules, each fitted with storm flaps for added protection. The symmetrical pole structure and pre-bent poles enhance headspace, and the fly features an extended, pole-supported, side-entry vestibule and a quick-access vestibule for convenience. Easy to pitch any time of day, the tent is designed with reflective guy-lines and webbing on tent corners and comes with pre-cut guy-lines and tensioners attached to the fly. Inside, the tent maximises storage options with an oversized ceiling pocket and multiple interior loops, perfect for gear lofts, accessories, and mtnGLO® Tent & Camp Lights. It also includes the new lighter yet stronger Dirt Dagger UL Tent Stakes with patent-pending I-Beam aluminium construction.
5. Big Agnes Blacktail 3 Hotel Bikepacking Tent
With a trail weight of 3150g and a packed weight of 3460g, this 3-season, 3-person tent features a double-walled design with two doors and two porches. Launched in 2021 as part of the Big Agnes Bikepacking family of tents and inspired by the tried and true Blacktail Series, these tents are known for their spacious sleeping areas and easy access through two side-entry doors and vestibules—all at an excellent value.
- Trail Weight: 3150g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 2 doors, 2 vestibules
- Capacity: 3
The Blacktail 3 Hotel includes a shortened 12-inch Shortstik Poleset for optimal handlebar, pannier, and saddlebag storage and comes with a burly bikepacking-ready compression sack that attaches easily to your bike via integrated daisy chain webbing. You can stash your helmet in the added webbing located on the tent body exterior and use the daisy chain webbing loops on the fly exterior to dry out wet clothes and gear. Designed for on- and off-road two-wheeled travel, the Blacktail Hotel Bikepack tent is light enough for off-trails and strong enough for country roads. It features smooth-closing, dual-zipper doors with easy-grip zipper pulls on both doors and vestibules, each equipped with storm flaps on the vestibule zippers.
The tent's symmetrical pole structure and pre-bent poles increase headspace, while the fly includes one extended, pole-supported, side-entry vestibule and one quick-access vestibule. Easy to pitch any time of day, the tent comes with reflective guy-lines and webbing on the tent corners and is ready to pitch with pre-cut guy-lines and tensioners attached to the fly. Inside, it offers maximised storage options with an oversized ceiling pocket and multiple interior loops for gear lofts, accessories, and mtnGLO® Tent & Camp Lights. It also includes the new lighter yet stronger Dirt Dagger UL Tent Stakes with patent-pending I-Beam aluminium construction.
6. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepacking Solution Dye Tent
With a trail weight of 850g and a packed weight of 1,080 g, this 3-season, 1-person Fly Creek tent is a double-walled, semi-freestanding, ultralight bikepacking tent with one door and one porch. Built for both on- and off-road, two-wheeled travel, it’s constructed with ultralight materials designed for fast and light overnight adventures.
- Trail Weight: 850g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 porch
- Capacity: 1
The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 has been redesigned with stronger, lighter, and more sustainably sourced fabrics using a process that reduces water, chemical, and energy use by 50% compared to traditional fabric dyeing methods. This award-winning, ultralight tent is known for its steep wall architecture and single vertical door, maximising livable space for comfortable backcountry camping.
The solution-dyed fabric is highly resistant to UV fading and significantly reduces energy consumption and water use during manufacturing, a process that is better for the environment and improves the quality of the tent fabric. The tent features a 12-inch Shortstik Poleset, ideal for packing onto handlebars, panniers, and saddlebags, or saving space in any pack. It offers multiple bike-frame attachment configurations for the burly compression stuff sack with a daisy-chain webbing system. The high-volume architecture using a DAC angle hub creates steep walls, maximising interior space without adding extra weight. The dry-entry door design keeps the tent interior dry, and the single door and vestibule feature storm flaps on the vestibule zipper and easy-grip zipper pulls. Structured foot-end corners create additional interior space, while multiple pockets, a 3D shelf, and a ceiling pocket with media cord routing maximise storage. You can securely store gear outside with daisy-chain webbing loops on the fly.
The Fly Creek is ready to pitch with pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to the fly. Velcro® tabs connect the fly to the pole structure, providing a perfect pitch and extra stability. Enhanced visibility at night is ensured with reflective guylines and webbing.
7. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepacking Tent
Designed for on- and off-road, two-wheeled travel, this award-winning ultralight bikepacking tent from Big Agnes offers the same compact and lightweight design as our best-selling line of Fly Creek HV UL tents.
- Trail weight: 964g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 vestibule
- Capacity: 2
The Fly Creek HV UL2 tent features a shortened 12-inch Shortstik Poleset for optimal storage on handlebars, panniers, and saddlebags. Packing is made easy with a durable, bikepacking-ready compression sack and an integrated daisy-chain design for attaching to your bike. Perfectly equipped for all types of two-wheeled, overnight adventures, this tent is ideal for singletrack, two-track, and road riders.
The DAC Angle SF Hub allows for a high-volume pole architecture, resulting in steeper walls that increase usable interior space without adding weight. The dry-entry door design ensures the interior of your tent remains dry as you enter and exit, and the vertical door construction adds more usable volume to the vestibule. The Fly Creek HV UL2 features a single door and vestibule with storm flaps on the vestibule zipper for added protection. Structured foot-end corners create more usable space between your feet and the tent wall, while daisy-chain webbing loops on the fly's exterior are perfect for drying wet clothes and gear.
Inside the tent, a 3D shelf is ideal for stashing oversized gear, utilising dead space above your feet. Elastic webbing securely stores your helmet on top of the tent body, and an oversized ceiling pocket provides ample storage space. Media pockets located above the sleeping area enable clean earbud-cord routing from phones or other devices. The extended footprint creates a vestibule floor for dry, dirt-free changing and gear storage. Velcro tabs connect the fly to the pole structure, providing a perfect pitch and extra stability.
The tent is easy to set up with colour-coded webbing and buckles, pre-cut guylines, and tensioners attached to the fly. Reflective guylines and webbing, along with easy-grip zipper pulls, enhance visibility and usability. The tent also features multiple interior loops for gear lofts or attaching other accessories.
8. MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2 Person Bikepacking Tent
This lightweight and comfortable tent is ideal for cycling partners or solo adventurers who need extra space. Designed for on- and off-road bike travel, the MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent enhances the award-winning Hubba Hubba with bike-specific features.
- Trail weight: 1400g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 2 vestibules
- Capacity: 2
The Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2 offers a true rectangular floor and 42 inches (1.07 m) of headroom, allowing you to sit up comfortably. The tent body combines mesh and solid fabric for airflow, privacy, and weather protection. Its no-curve doors with one-hand zippers and single-point closures make nighttime access easy. Tech-friendly pockets include cable ports for charging cords, and both interior and optional exterior clotheslines provide ample space for drying gear.
The symmetrical design ensures quick setup, especially in unexpected rain. The DAC poles are short and lightweight, fitting neatly on handlebars or kayak storage. The waterproof rainfly has large vestibules for gear storage and features StayDry™ rain gutters and kickstand vents for enhanced ventilation. The handlebar bag is waterproof, fits most bikes, and includes spacers to keep it clear of handlebars, along with a reflective logo for visibility. Its compact size makes it easy to pack into panniers or backpacks.
9. MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1 Person Bikepacking Tent
The MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1-person tent offers ultimate performance and comfort for three-season bike adventures, whether on dirt or pavement. Designed with the cyclist in mind, this tent combines thoughtful features with spacious design for a best-in-class experience.
- Trail weight: 900g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 vestibule
- Capacity: 1
The true rectangular floor (no foot taper) provides ample space for gear, and 38 inches (0.97 m) of headroom allows for comfortable sitting. The Hubba Hubba 1 tent body blends mesh and solid fabric for optimal airflow, privacy, and weather protection. Its no-curve door has a single-point zipper closure for easy access, even in the dark. Tech-friendly pockets with cable ports and large overhead gear loft pockets are perfect for quick-access items. Both interior and optional exterior clotheslines offer ample space for drying gear.
The rectangular design allows for quick setup, especially in unexpected rain. Strong, lightweight DAC poles are sized for easy packing on handlebars or in kayak storage. The waterproof coating and taped seams ensure the tent stays dry and stable. The stealth-green rainfly features a large vestibule for extra gear storage, with an easy-access vestibule door equipped with a StayDry™ rain gutter and kickstand vent for enhanced airflow.
The waterproof handlebar bag fits any bike, with optional spacers to keep it away from handlebars, preserving space for other items. It includes a reflective logo for visibility and loops for additional gear. Its compact size makes it easy to fit in panniers, frame bags, or backpacks.
With excellent on-bike stability and feature-rich comfort, the Hubba Hubba Bikepack tent is a top choice for cyclists seeking a reliable and comfortable home-away-from-home.
10. NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 1 Person Bikepacking Tent
The Nemo Dragonfly™ Bikepack OSMO™ tent is designed for bike journeys, canoe trips, and other adventures where a compact pack size is crucial. Constructed with OSMO™ fabric, this ultralight tent offers exceptional water repellency that lasts four times longer and resists stretch when wet. Shortened pole segments and a bike-optimised stuff sack with tie-down straps make it easy to secure to handlebars, racks, or frames.
- Trail weight: 1040g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 2 vestibules
- Capacity: 1
The Dragonfly features a tapered floor plan to save weight while maintaining livable space and a tub floor design for added privacy and weather protection. Asymmetrical vestibules keep gear organised, and the Landing Zone™ waterproof storage tub provides a mud-free area for gear.
Additional features include an overhead Nightlight Pocket™, Gatekeeper™ door tiebacks, an internal daisy chain, and gear pockets for ample storage and organisation.
11. Wechsel Bella 1 Person Backpacking Tent
Co-created by WECHSEL and the German club “Club der AbenteurerINNEN,” the Bella tent focuses on weight, packing dimensions, flexible space, and quick setup. The Bella includes a vestibule and features external tent poles for rapid assembly.
- Weight: 1400g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 vestibule
-
Capacity: 1.5 (1 person with dog or kit)
Developed by women for women, the Bella tent was designed with attention to lightweight materials, compact packing size, and ease of setup. The team chose a colour that blends with nature and minimises insect attraction, while also ensuring enough space for gear and a backpack inside the tent.
Two aluminium DAC hubs enhance wind stability, and an additional ridge pole provides ample headroom. Optimised for bikepacking, the Bella’s compact pack size fits easily in backpacks and features ultra-short pole segments under 40 cm. The carry bag is adjustable, reducing from 40 cm to 25 cm by removing the poles, and fits conveniently on handlebars.
The tent’s quick setup involves connecting the pole frame and flysheet, with the inner tent pre-attached to keep it dry in the rain. The free-standing design requires only the vestibule to be tensioned, making it suitable for hard ground. The Bella features mosquito mesh at the door and ends for ventilation
12. Wechsel Exogen 1 Person Ultralight Tent
The Exogen 1 by Wechsel is a freestanding geodesic tent designed for one person, complete with a vestibule. It features two aluminium hubs at the poles for enhanced wind stability. The setup process begins with the inner tent, and the additional pole creates the vestibule once the fly sheet is stretched over it. For light weather protection, the fly sheet can be used alone with the groundsheet.
- Trail weight: 1200g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 1 door, 1 vestibule
- Capacity: 1 person
The inner tent includes mosquito mesh on the doors, foot, and head ends, along with additional pockets for organisation and storage of small items.
Optimised for bikepacking, the Exogen 1 packs down to a compact size of 45 cm, making it easy to fit in a handlebar roll. The rainproof carry bag attaches directly to the handlebars with straps and can be shortened to 25 cm by removing the poles. This allows the bag to contain only the inner and outer tent, while the poles can be stored separately, such as in a frame bag.
13. Wechsel Exogen 2 Person Ultralight Tent
The Wechsel Exogen 2 is a freestanding geodesic tent designed for two people, featuring two vestibules for added convenience. It is built with two aluminium hubs at the poles for excellent wind stability. The setup starts with the inner tent, and the additional pole creates the vestibules once the fly sheet is stretched over them. For light weather protection, the fly sheet can be used alone with the groundsheet.
- Trail weight: 1960g
- Seasons: 3
- Doors: 2 doors, 2 vestibules
- Capacity: 2 people
The inner tent includes mosquito mesh on the doors, foot, and head ends, along with additional pockets for organisation and storage of small items.
Optimised for bikepacking, the Exogen 2 packs down to a compact size of 45 cm, fitting easily into a handlebar roll. The rainproof carry bag can be attached directly to the handlebars with straps and can be shortened to 25 cm by removing the poles. This configuration allows the bag to hold only the inner and outer tent, while the poles can be stowed separately, such as in a frame bag.
BIKEPACKING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
- Essential Gear:
- Quality Sleep System: Invest in a good sleeping bag or quilt, mat, and pillow for a comfortable night's sleep. Choose a down sleeping bag for dry trips and a synthetic one for wet conditions.
- Multitool and Safety Gear: Always carry a reliable multitool for bike repairs and safety essentials like a helmet.
- Minimalist Approach:
- Balance Preparedness with Light Travel: Learn to distinguish between essential and non-essential gear. Emergency tools and repair kits are crucial.
- Endurance Training:
- Mental and Physical Preparation: Start small, gradually pushing your limits. Improve fitness by training for higher Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and endurance.
- Fuel Up: Maintain high energy levels by consuming ample food and calories.
- Safety Precautions:
- Always Wear a Helmet: Protect yourself from potential accidents.
- Stay Connected: Inform others of your whereabouts and carry a power bank for your phone.
- Overcoming Common Challenges:
- Camping Concerns: Choose secluded spots for wild camping and respect the environment by leaving no trace.
- Gear Storage: Select appropriate mounting equipment for your bike, and consider starting with preloved gear if unsure whether bikepacking is right for you.
- Efficient Food and Water Planning:
- Adapt to Trip Needs: For overnight trips, bring fresh food to cook. For longer trips, use freeze-dried meals or purchase food along the route.
- Water Storage: Always carry enough water, and top up whenever possible.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BIKEPACKING
Q. What is bikepacking?
Bikepacking is a combination of backpacking and biking, where you travel long distances on a bike while carrying all your gear, including a tent, sleeping bag, food, and clothing. It allows you to explore remote areas and camp under the stars, combining the thrill of biking with the freedom of camping.
Q. Where to put a tent when bikepacking?
- Accessibility: Choose a spot that’s easy to reach and close to your bike.
- Level Ground: Find a flat, dry area for a comfortable night's sleep.
- Shelter: Look for natural protection, like trees or rocks.
- Leave No Trace: Camp in areas that have been previously used to minimise your environmental impact.
Q. Where to store a tent on my bike when bikepacking?
- Handlebar Bag: Many bikepackers store their tents in a handlebar bag, which keeps the tent accessible and doesn't affect the bike’s balance.
- Saddlebag: Another popular option is a saddlebag, which is attached under the bike seat.
- Frame Bag: If your tent is compact, it can fit inside a frame bag, providing easy access without affecting the bike's handling.
Q. What routes can I go bikepacking on?
- UK Routes: King Alfred Way, South West Coast Path, Highland Trail 550, Trans Cambrian Way, and the Scottish Coast to Coast.
- International Routes: Camino de Santiago and the Rhine Trail.
- Check out resources like Bikepacking.com and Cycling UK for route planning and inspiration!
Q. What to bring bikepacking?
- Essentials: Tent, sleeping bag, mat, pillow, multitool, repair kit, helmet, and safety gear.
- Food and Water: Enough food for the trip and water bottles or a hydration bladder.
- Clothing: Weather-appropriate clothing, including waterproof layers and extra socks.
- Check out a full bikepacking kit list in this post here.
Q. Which bikepacking bags to bring?
- Handlebar Bag: For lighter items like a sleeping bag or tent.
- Saddlebag: For heavier items or clothing.
- Frame Bag: For tools, snacks, and other small essentials.
- Top Tube Bag: For easy access to frequently used items like a phone or map.
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