
Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Reddit Reviews
They are all very good tents. Some do things a little better than others, but weight vs price is a very common primary consideration. Unless you have a specific requirement (you are tall, have a dog, or similar) they are all very good tents. I have older versions of the copper spur and the hubba, the xdome is highly recommended and my buddy just bought the nemo and really likes it (he got it on a huge discount, I assume on an order model?). One consideration is to go with a trekking pole tent.
The LT2 is made of 20d fabric, it isn't ultralight, it's barely stepping into lightweight territory. What sort of camp sites are you pitching at to be so rough on tents? In my opinion that's important information to know before chiming in on suggestions.
You’re honestly looking at the “correct” tier of first backpacking tents, especially for the PNW. None of these are bad picks — it really comes down to what you prioritize when conditions are wet and you’re spending more time inside. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 This is probably the most common “first serious backpacking tent” for a reason. It’s light, easy to set up, and very livable for the weight. Good pockets and decent interior space. Downsides are the lighter fabric (you’ll want to be mindful of abrasion) and condensation management in wet weather, which is more about venting and site choice than the tent itself. Durston X-Dome 2 More of a design-forward pick. Typically stronger structure and weather performance than most mainstream ultralight tents, especially in wind and rain. Less flashy, more functional. The tradeoff is availability/support compared to something you can grab off the shelf at REI. If you like thoughtful design and storm worthiness, this is a strong option. Nemo Dagger 2P The comfort king in this list. Noticeably roomier inside, great vestibules, and very forgiving on long rainy nights. It is heavier and bulkier, but for PNW trips where you might be stuck inside due to weather, that comfort can be worth it. MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 A classic, durable, dependable tent. Handles bad weather well and feels solid. Interior space is good but not as roomy as the Dagger. Weight sits between the Dagger and Copper Spur depending on the version. It’s a “buy once and don’t think about it again” option.
* Best balance of weight + comfort: Copper Spur UL2 * Best livability in wet conditions: Nemo Dagger 2P * Most weather-focused, design-driven option: Durston X-Dome 2 * Most traditionally durable and dependable: MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 You’re in a good price range and any of these will work — it’s more about whether you want lighter, roomier, or tougher.
I'm a frequent tent user for both work and play. I probably have averaged between 100 and 150 nights/year in my tent over the past ten years. My old reliables are out of production and I'm struggling to find anything that suits my needs. I just got the MSR Hubba hubba LT 2 and it's design is wonderful but the fabric choice is way too lightweight for practicality and just won't last past this fall. 9 nights and it is full of holes and covered in duct tape already. So, I'm looking for another! My needs are lightweight and packable for backcountry backpacking expeditions. 1 or 2 person. Freestanding to diversify set-up options. Durable. Earth tone colors for stealth camping. Minimum 88 inches long. And I appreciate the little touches that don't have me fixing every poorly designed gimmick all the time. Fewer stakes is more better too. Does a tent like this exist anymore? The last good one I had was the 2017 REI SL 1. My last two REI SL tents were poorly made with zipper issues, bad fly design that forced puddles, and seam tape constantly falling off. And they just keep needing fussier setup and more stakes for no benefit. Also their waterproofing seems pretty bad in the newer tents. Also don't get me started on six-moon designs. Never again.
Also the 20d on the MSR is certainly not the same 20d as my quilt's. MSRs is way less durable.
They are all solid. The Copper Spur is a favorite for a lot of people on Reddit but I also worry about the durability of the super light fabric. The Hubba was a favorite of the staff when I worked at MEC (Canadian version of REI). Most outdoor stores will let you set them up in the store to try them out.
MSR Hubba Hubba 2LT Freestanding Packaged Weight: 3.375 lb (1.54 kg) $549.95 Durston X-Mid 2 Trekking Pole tent Typical Setup (Tent, Sack, 6 Stakes) 2.125 lb / 965 g $289 USD ($299 with stakes) If you use trekking poles, I think the Durston tent is the way to go. If you prefer freestanding, the MSR tent is obviously a good choice. If you like freestanding tents, the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 is similar price to the MSR tent and slightly lighter so may be worth your consideration. These are all good choices but weight is a concern for me so I go with the lightest option I feel safe and comfortable in.
I wouldn’t pay full price for the MSR Hubba Hubba LT2. I got one super cheap, set it up and ultimately sold it and got a Durston XMid 2. If you need freestanding, they also have the XDome 2.
I am transitioning from hammock camping so I can bring my daughter along and so I have a setup for sub alpine camps. I do think the MSR Hubba Hubba LT2 is a nice tent that is a true 2p tent, but is grossly overpriced for what it is. I’m not a fan of Sil Nylon as a fly material as it sags when wet. Not a big issue for most, but I’ve always used with a Sil Poly tarp or a DCF tarp, so I appreciate a tarp/fly that doesn’t sag or absorb water. It also won’t handle wind as well as the XMid2. A great feature of the MSR are the near vertical walls which makes it roomy, but then they will catch wind a lot easier. Finally, a lot of my camp gear are from small manufacturers and I appreciate the thought and detail they put into their products. Durston is a small company based in BC Canada and is an active member in camping/hiking communities and is constantly revising his products based off of feedback.
Just went through this process - most 2 person tents have tapered floors. So they’ll start around 52” but go down to 46”ish at the foot end. The new MSR Hubba Hubba LT2 is 52” wide throughout which is nice, but my Nemo Quassar Double is 52” and just fits. I ended up settling on the Sea to Summit Telos 3. It’s just under 5lbs and looks palatial for 2 people and is currently on sale from their website(probably to make room for an updated model).
I actually agree a lot with what you said about going to REI if you can. The hands-on part matters way more than most people think. Seeing the tents set up in person makes the differences a lot more obvious than specs online ever do. From what I’ve used /seen, all the tents you listed are honestly solid, so it really comes down to tradeoffs. The copper spur feels really light and roomy but also a bit delicate if you’re not gentle with your gear. The dagger feels more comfy inside, esp with storage but yeah you def notice the extra weight. Hubba hubba feels more bombproof in bad weather, which is nice for PNW trips even if it’s not the lightest. Haven’t slept in the X-Dome myself, but I’ve seen a few people use durston tents and they seem really well thought out for the weight. If weather resistance and livability matter more than shaving ounces, I’d prob lean dagger or hubba hubba. If weight is higher priority, copper spur makes sense. But yeah, going in person like that comment suggests is prob the best move — once you crawl inside them, your preference gets pretty clear fast.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Backpacking

Top pick
Durston - X-Mid 2
Best for Beginner camping

Top pick
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series
Best for Comfort-focused car camping

Top pick
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series
Best for Hot and humid weather camping

Top pick
Durston - X-Mid 2
Best for Rain and wind

Top pick
The North Face - Wawona 6
Best for Snow and wind

Top pick
SlingFin - Portal 2





