The Most Sustainable Backpacking Tents
Lower-impact materials and better brand practices, all under one roof.
The Most Sustainable Backpacking Tents
Table of contents
Recycled materials are featured in fewer than half of the backpacking tents we reviewed. That said, tents incorporating recycled content typically contain it in large amounts, usually by swapping virgin fabrics for recycled polyester or nylon. Big Agnes leads the way in this category, with five out of the maker’s seven tents we reviewed meeting our recycled materials criterion. For example, the Tiger Wall UL2 and C Bar 2 both feature a recycled rainfly, floor, and tent body. Nemo also excels here: Its Hornet Osmo and Dagger Osmo use 100% recycled poly-nylon Osmo fabric in the rainfly and floor, earning top-tier marks. If you're looking for a tent with recycled materials, filter by “recycled materials” in our sustainability hub.
Bluesign-approved materials are used in an even smaller percentage of tents than recycled ones, with fewer than one-fifth of reviewed models incorporating them. Nemo is the standout brand—it’s the only one in our guide with tents made using Bluesign-approved materials. The Nemo Dagger Osmo leads the way as the first backpacking tent certified as a Bluesign Product (meaning it contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved materials and 30% approved accessories). The Hornet Osmo and Mayfly Osmo also feature Bluesign materials but are not certified products.
Over 80% of the tents we reviewed meet our PFAS-free DWR criterion. This means their water-repellent treatments are free of PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals commonly used for waterproofing. We also give credit to tents that deliver waterproof performance without any DWR, such as the Zpacks Duplex Zip, which is made from bio-based Dyneema (read the Zpacks Duplex Zip sustainability report). Since nearly all nylon and polyester tents use a DWR coating, we assume a DWR is not PFAS free unless the brand says otherwise. As the U.S. rolls out bans on PFAS, brands are shifting toward alternatives like silicon-based DWRs or waterproof fabrics that don’t need a DWR at all. Filter by “PFAS-free DWR” if you want to avoid these chemicals.
Just over half of the tents we reviewed use solution-dyed materials. Most commonly, these materials are nylon and polyester. Solution dyeing significantly reduces water and energy use compared to traditional dyeing methods, with the added bonus of decreased chemical outputs. Tents qualify for this criterion if any part of their mesh, body, or rainfly is solution-dyed. Some tents are nearly 100% solution-dyed; others use these materials only in select components. Standouts include the MSR Hubba Hubba LT and Big Agnes’s Copper Spur HV UL2 and Tiger Wall UL2, all of which use solution-dyed materials throughout. Nemo’s Dagger Osmo also features solution-dyed fabric.
Backpacking tent durability boils down to a few common features: high-denier fabrics, simple designs with few failure points, and sturdy pole sets. Thick materials—especially in the tent floor—help resist abrasion and punctures, and included footprints can add additional protection, extending a tent’s lifespan. Since ultralight tents often prioritize weight savings over durability, heavier models tend to hold up better to repeated use and rougher terrain.
The Big Agnes Blacktail and C Bar 2 earned our highest longevity rating. Both use 75-denier polyester throughout, which provides better long-term durability than the thinner fabrics in ultralight options. The tents’ straightforward construction and reliable materials make them solid choices for backpackers who prioritize gear that will last. The REI Co-op Trail Hut 2, MSR Elixir, and Marmot Tungsten 2P are tied for second place, each earning a 4.5 longevity rating. All of these models incorporate a high-denier polyester floor and fly, come with included footprints, and incorporate robust pole designs. Though heavier than ultralight alternatives, these tents are better equipped to withstand years of regular use.
We considered adding a criterion for VOC-free and flame-retardant-free products, but lacked sufficient information about these chemicals in outdoor products. Tents that specifically mention the exclusion of these chemicals receive a rating bump, as VOCs and flame retardants are associated with adverse human health impacts. Flame retardants, in particular, have been linked to cancer, thyroid disruption, and developmental harm. Additionally, flame-retardant-free tents prevent harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from entering the environment during production. We include information about these chemicals in the tent’s sustainability report when available.
Roughly four-fifths of backpacking tent manufacturers offer repair services for their products. These repairs range from mesh re-paneling to shock cord replacement, and many brands also ship out replacement parts for DIY fixes. Some offer repairs for free, others for a fee. Durston stands out here, offering free repairs on everything it makes regardless of warranty status. Tarptent is another leader, providing at-cost services, free repair materials, and trail repair kits to help extend a tent’s life.
About half of the brands we evaluated meet this criterion. We exclude small manufacturers here since they usually don’t have the inventory to support resale or recycling programs. Larger brands stand out through resale programs and take-back initiatives that reuse parts from unrepairable tents. REI, for example, runs extensive resale services via its Re/Supply program, while Nemo partners with Out&Back to sell secondhand gear. Big Agnes and Sea to Summit also take back worn-out tents to repurpose them for parts.
Over half of the backpacking tent brands we evaluated meet our criteria for sustainable packaging. A tent qualifies if its manufacturer has made specific, measurable efforts to reduce packaging (e.g., eliminating plastic) or uses recycled materials. Most commonly, those efforts include eliminating individual plastic bags or switching to Forest Stewardship Council-certified cardboard and paper products. Durston and Nemo are notable for their recycled packaging, while Zpacks is the frontrunner for reduced packaging, shipping products loose without individual tags or labels.
More than half of the brands in this category track their carbon emissions. Most use tools like the Higg Index or Climate Neutral’s Business Emissions Evaluator (BEE). The level of detail varies widely—some brands offer preliminary data, while others publish comprehensive reports with multiple years of tracking. Brands earn top scores if they report on progress, share detailed emissions data, and have Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-verified reduction goals. REI is a standout in this metric, offering detailed tracking data and verified reduction targets.
Annual impact reports provide transparency around emissions, materials, PFAS phase-outs, and company goals. We count a report if a brand—or its parent company—produces a publicly available document with relevant sustainability data. Only about one-quarter of tent manufacturers produce these reports, likely due to the number of small, independent brands like Zpacks, Tarptent, Durston, and Hyperlite. In general, small brands lack the resources to produce annual impact reports. REI and Nemo publish the most comprehensive reports in this space (see REI's 2024 annual impact report).
Fewer than a third of the brands we assessed meet this criterion, which evaluates participation in third-party programs like Fair Trade Certified (FTC) or Fair Wear. REI is the leader in this category through its partnership with Fair Trade USA. REI’s FTC factories support fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible resource use. In 2024 alone, REI contributed $718,000 in Fair Trade Premiums—funds managed directly by workers, who decide how to invest them in their communities. This approach empowers workers while helping ensure ethical production practices across REI’s supply chain.
Nemo is the clear leader in backpacking tent sustainability thanks to its comprehensive approach. The brand prioritizes sustainable material innovation, product longevity, and excellent repair services. All of its tents now use proprietary 100% recycled Osmo fabric, and, as of 2025, every Nemo tent’s DWR treatment is PFAS free. Nemo is also a Bluesign System Partner, offers extensive in-house repair services, and provides replacement parts for its tents to support long-term gear use. It tracks its carbon emissions and reports annually on its progress—since 2020, it has cut its emissions by 36%.
The brand offers resale services for its tents through its partnership with OutandBack. It has also made an excellent effort to reduce its plastic packaging across all products. While it does not meet our criteria for responsible manufacturing, its supplier transparency, strong repair infrastructure, and investment in recyclable materials make it one of the most sustainability-focused brands in the tent space. Two of its three reviewed tents earned a Better Trail Certified rating of 4.0 or higher, and all of its tents feature recycled materials, a PFAS-free DWR, and Bluesign-approved materials. Overall, we’re impressed with Nemo’s extensive sustainability programs and innovation toward more sustainable backpacking tents.
Nemo’s Hornet Osmo, Dagger Osmo, and Mayfly Osmo models swept the sustainability podium, taking first, second, and third place. All three tents receive Better Trail Certified ratings in the category. Additionally, all three tents use recycled poly-nylon materials, Bluesign materials, and PFAS-free DWR. The Nemo Dagger Osmo incorporates solution-dyed fabric, while the Hornet and Mayfly use partially dyed materials to conserve water and energy.
We expect more backpacking tents to use PFAS-free DWRs as legislation and consumer demand push the industry to eliminate forever chemicals from outdoor products. Recycled materials are still far from standard in tents, but brands like Big Agnes and Nemo are shifting the norm. Solution dyeing is also gaining significant ground in the backpacking tents category due to its environmental benefits like reduced carbon emissions and water use—with no compromise to performance. While sustainability in backpacking tents is still a mixed bag, the direction is promising, and brands like Nemo are helping lead the way.
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