Choosing a Tent – How to Find the Right Tent for Hiking and Mountain Treks

Choosing a tent isn’t about finding the lightest, most expensive, or most advanced tent. It’s about finding a tent that suits your trips, your hiking style, and the environments where you’ll most often be.

For Swedish mountains, long hikes, and variable weather, the balance between weight, comfort, weather protection, and ease of setup is most important. Today, there are more truly excellent lightweight tents than ever before—from freestanding tents to trekking pole tents and ultralight tarp solutions.

Freestanding tent or trekking pole tent?

The most important choice for many hikers is whether the tent should be freestanding or pitched with trekking poles.

Freestanding tents

Freestanding tents use their own tent poles and are easy to set up. They’re especially good if you often camp on hard ground, rocky outcrops, or campgrounds, or if you want maximum simplicity.

• Easy to set up
• Good on hard or uneven ground
• Often comfortable and spacious
• Slightly heavier than trekking pole tents

Trekking pole tents – most space per gram

Trekking pole tents use your hiking poles instead of separate tent poles. This keeps the weight very low while often providing a surprising amount of space.

If you already use hiking poles, this is often the smartest choice for long-distance hiking and mountain trekking.

• Lightweight
• Plenty of space per gram
• Perfect for long-distance hiking
• Requires good anchoring and a bit more practice setting up

Tarp – still the lightest option

Even though modern tents have become much lighter, there are still situations where a tarp is hard to beat.

A tarp offers maximum freedom, low weight, and a small pack size. It’s particularly well-suited for summer hikes, in forested areas, and for hikers who want to get closer to nature.

The downside is that a tarp requires more experience. You need to be able to choose a campsite, consider wind direction, and set up the shelter properly.

What do experienced long-distance hikers use?

One of the best ways to choose a tent is to look at what experienced hikers actually use on long trips.

In our guide “The Best Tent According to 88 Green Ribbon Hikers,” we’ve compiled a list of the tents used and appreciated by hikers who have completed the Green Ribbon.

There, we clearly see that modern lightweight tents dominate. Models such as the Durston X-Mid, Hilleberg Enan, Hilleberg Anjan, and Tarptent Stratospire are frequently mentioned by hikers who have spent a long time on the trail.

Which tent is right for you?

For mountain hiking

For mountain hiking, you want a tent that can withstand wind, rain, and rapidly changing weather. The Durston X-Mid, Hilleberg Enan, and Hilleberg Anjan are strong options depending on whether you prioritize low weight, safety, or space.

For long-distance hiking

For longer hikes where every gram counts, the Durston X-Mid and Durston X-Mid Pro are two of the most interesting choices. They offer plenty of space and weather protection at a low weight.

For maximum comfort

If comfort, ease of setup, and spaciousness are your top priorities, the Big Agnes Copper Spur, Big Agnes Sarvis VST, and Durston X-Dome are excellent options. The Hilleberg Anjan is also a safe choice for those who value a tent of the highest quality. 

For solo hiking

For solo hikers, the Hilleberg Enan, Durston X-Mid 1, and Durston X-Dome 1+ are particularly interesting choices.

For two people

For two people, the Durston X-Mid 2, Hilleberg Anjan 2, and Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 are popular options offering a good balance between weight and comfort.

How heavy should a tent be?

There is no exact weight limit that fits everyone, but as a guideline, you can think of it this way:

• Solo tent: approximately 700–1500 grams
• Two-person tent: approximately 1,000–2,000 grams
• Ultralight backpacking: as light as possible without compromising safety and sleep—a one-person tent weighing about 500–600 grams.

Remember that a few hundred extra grams can be a worthwhile investment if it means better sleep, more space, and greater comfort during your trip.

Frequently asked questions about tents

Which tent is best for mountain hiking?

For many Swedish mountain hikers, the Durston X-Mid, Hilleberg Enan, and Hilleberg Anjan are some of the best options thanks to their combination of low weight, weather protection, and proven performance.

Which tent is best for long-distance hiking?

The Durston X-Mid Pro is one of the best options for those planning to hike long distances and wanting the lightest possible weight. The Durston X-Mid is a better all-around choice if you want a lightweight tent but also prefer more traditional ease of use.

Are trekking pole tents stable in the wind?

Yes, modern trekking pole tents like the Durston X-Mid and Tarptent Stratospire are very stable when properly set up and securely anchored.

Should I choose a freestanding tent?

Choose a freestanding tent if you prioritize easy setup, comfort, and flexibility on various surfaces. The Durston X-Dome, Big Agnes Copper Spur, and Big Agnes Sarvis VST are good examples.

Is a tarp a good option?

Yes, a tarp still works very well for experienced hikers, especially on summer trips and in forested areas. However, for mountain hiking, heavy mosquito activity, or prolonged rain, most people choose a tent that offers full protection.

Summary – which tent should you choose?

The best tent isn’t always the lightest. The best tent is the one that suits your trips.

• Best all-around choice: Durston X-Mid
• Best ultralight choice for long-distance hiking: Durston X-Mid Pro
• Best freestanding lightweight tent: Durston X-Dome
• Best comfort: Big Agnes Copper Spur
• Good Nordic solo tent: Hilleberg Enan
• Good two-person tent: Hilleberg Anjan or Durston X-Mid 2
• For minimal weight: Tarp

Think about where you’re hiking, how far you’ll be going, and how much comfort you want at camp. That will make it much easier to choose the right tent—and more fun to head out on your next trip.