This 24-Ounce Tent Is Perfect for Long Backpacking Trips

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Finding the best ultralight backpackingtent usually means choosing between two things: low weight or livable space. Most lightweight shelters sacrifice comfort to keep pack weight down, forcing hikers into cramped one-person tents that barely fit a sleeping pad. But the Gossamer Gear The Two Ultralight Trekking Pole Tent aims to solve that trade-off.

Weighing just 24 ounces, this two-person trekking pole tent is designed for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers who want maximum space without adding unnecessary weight to their pack. Built to pitch with trekking poles instead of traditional tent poles, it saves ounces while still offering enough room to stretch out—even for taller hikers.

After testing it on the Colorado Trail during a long-distance backpacking trip, the Gossamer Gear The Two proved it can deliver both ultralight performance and surprising interior space. Here’s how this trekking pole tent holds up in real backcountry conditions—and whether it’s worth the investment for serious hikers.

What It Is

The Two is a two-person lightweight trekking pole tent intended for ultralight backpackers and long-distance thru-hikers. Gossamer Gear’s ultralight ethos is that tents are built to pitch using trekking poles. This eliminates some weight and bulk compared to a tent that requires poles to pitch it. I paired this with the Gossamer LT5 three-piece carbon trekking poles, which are designed for this purpose, or you can use any adjustable trekking poles.

This tent is ultralight, at 24 ounces, yet spacious enough for two people. Sometimes it is nice to use a two-person when it’s just you to have some extra space. It is waterproof and includes factory-taped seams and lines attached. It is a single-wall tent, meaning there is no separate rainfly, but condensation from breathing or humidity in the air is not too much of an issue. Some single-walled tents can gather condensation and drip on you at night. It’s more expensive, but this is a great trekking pole tent option for thru-hikers this season.

Gossamer: The Two Overall Impressions

I have been very impressed by The Two Tent. I used it while backpacking the Colorado Trail this summer. It is lightweight yet spacious when set up. I stand above 6 feet and have broad shoulders; tents are usually cramped for me. The length of the tent was still close to my head and feet. I had to use the guy-lines to pull the head and foot of the tent out and provide more headspace in the tent. My head and feet are still near the wall of the tent, but I have space to breathe when it is pulled out. Having the room to spread out and even sleep diagonally alone in the tent was nice. I had plenty of space to change or dump all of my gear in the tent when it was raining or cold out.

The double doors on each side with wide, spacious vestibules are also nice for storing boots and packs while sleeping. And in the evenings, I would open up each side of the tent and let a breeze blow through the main body of the tent. The ventilation and space prevented too much condensation while sleeping, and I endured several heavy rainstorms in the tent and stayed nice and dry. It was secure in the wind and stands up to the elements.

While I slept in the tent alone and had plenty of space, it would fit two people. Depending on how big or small they are depends on the comfort level. Two large people, and it may be a tight fit. The tent is easy to set up and break down, taking less than 10 minutes. It packs away into a side pocket on my backpack either by rolling it up or just stuffing it in. 

Key Features and Tech

The Two is lightweight, with full protection from rain and bugs, factory-taped seams that protect from rain, and a large bathtub floor, which provides privacy and protection from the elements. The main body and floor both have 1,800mm waterproof UTS coating. The tent compacts down into the size of a Nalgene water bottle and can easily be stuffed into a water bottle pocket. The dual exits on both sides of the tent are great for ventilation and views. The interior of the tent features two large mesh pockets for storing headlamps and personal items.

The length of the interior of the tent is 84 inches with a head width of 48 inches and a foot end of 42 inches. The total floor area space of 26.25 square feet at less than two pounds is impressive. The tent body and floor are made of custom 10D Nylon Ripstop SIL/PU waterproof fabric. The tent includes nylon reflective guylines, which are needed to stake out the tent with the aluminum tent stakes provided. To set it up, simply stake out the corners, insert the trekking poles set to 125 cm on either side, and stake out the guy-lines until the poles are angled slightly outward, providing more space.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Spacious
• Waterproof 

Cons

• Big footprint 
• Expensive

Final Verdict

My overall verdict of the Gossamer The Two tent is that it’s a lightweight, easy-to-carry, and set-up trekking pole tent. The only drawbacks are the cost at $320 (not including trekking poles) and the space required to set up the tent in camp. The large footprint and space needed to stake out the tent mean you can’t set this up in tight or narrow campsites. I would say this tent takes twice as much space as some smaller one-person tents when erected. However, that is also part of what I love about the tent. As a large guy, having a two-person tent for just me is nice and spacious. I like being able to spread out and not having to stress about keeping all my gear dry. 

Why You Should Trust Me

I've been testing and reviewing gear as an outdoor writer for more than 20 years. I've tested and reviewed everything from coolers and tents to fishing rods and hiking boots. As an outdoor adventure freelance writer, I’ve been published in Men’s Journal, Forbes, SKI Magazine, GearJunkie, 5280 Magazine, American Whiskey Magazine, and Colorado Avid Golfer. I am based in Colorado and cover everything from fly fishing and backcountry skiing to mountain biking, backpacking, and golfing.