Heavy for backpacking but this tent offers plenty of space.

Are you looking for a two-person tent that will work for both car camping and backpacking fun? Could that be Teton’s Mountain Ultra 2-person backpacking tent? Read Fi’s review to find out.

This is a generous two-person tent with good head height and plenty of room for rucksacks. It’s not an ultralight option but could work for shorter distance backpacking and would be great for weekend car camps. A great starter tent with two well-proportioned porches.

The Teton Mountain Ultra wasn’t as light or compact as I might have been expecting from a backpacking tent but I was impressed by its generous proportions and livability. It was easy to pitch.

4/5 *****

PROS ✓

Good waterproofing

Comfortable and spacious

Easy to put up

Plenty of ventilation

CONS ✗

On the heavy side for backpacking

Low quality pegs

Footprint not included in price

Easy to pitch because:

• The inner-first pitch means there is no fussy pole threading
• This tent’s two main poles are the same length so no guesswork is needed
• The one additional roof pole is easy to attach to the inner
• The inner clips fit smoothly onto the poles
• The alignment of the flysheet is assisted by red markers on one corner

Could perhaps be better:

• It would be helpful if the guy ropes came already attached

Packs away well because:

• It has compression straps to reduce bulk
• When rolled, the whole tent fits easily into the bag

Perhaps better if:

• Some campers suggest an outer-first pitching tent keeps the inside of the tent drier when packing away

Good waterproofing because:

• The outer and floor have a hydrostatic head of 3,000 mm
• The floor has a high bathtub side for additional protection
• The slope on the outer sides guides rain away as you open the door

Perhaps better waterproofing if:

• Higher quality YKK standard zips had been used

Good in hot weather because:

• This tent can be pitched without the outer
• It has large mesh panels on the doors and sides
• There are two roof vents and two porch door vents

Perhaps better if:

• Venting is good but the additional mesh on the inner might make this tent cool down too quickly in cold weather

Comfortable living space because:

• Generous proportions big enough for two adults and two rucksacks
• Two porches so no climbing over each other
• Door storage pockets and small gear pockets on each side
• The gear hammock to attach to the roof is included

Perhaps more comfortable if:

• Could do with slightly larger gear storage pockets but this is governed by the location of the mesh ventilation panels in the inner

Sustainability isn’t just about the materials used to make a product. If you want to buy eco-friendly outdoor gear, you need to consider its carbon footprint from various markers, including transport costs, how well the brand looks after the people who make their gear and how long that kit is going to last. Perhaps even more importantly, you need to consider what is going to happen to your gear once you’ve finished using it.

Sustainability message

I couldn’t find a sustainability report or message on the Teton Gear website.

Manufacture and transport

This Mountain Ultra tent was made in Myanmar and imported from the USA. It is currently only available in the UK from Amazon.

Materials

Polyester is made from plastics and not biodegradable. Aluminium poles are considered to be less environmentally friendly than fibreglass ones but better for the planet than steel poles.

Full product lifecycle

Teton don’t give any information about repair or recycling arrangements.

Durability

The outer for this tent is 66 Denier Ripstop fabric, which will be resistant to tears and of higher durability than some lightweight tents. The Oxford Polyester used for the inner and floor is known for its durability and for this fabric, a Dernier of 150 is a relatively high rating. Aluminium tent poles are amongst the strongest available and should last longer than carbon fibre ones. The tent floor would be more durable if it was protected by a footprint, which is available but not included.

The Teton Mountain Ultra 2-Person tent is currently (March 2025) available in the UK from Amazon for £152. This is a good price for a tent that is above entry level but not as light as some popular backpacking tents.

Price and weight comparisons (March 2025)

• Eurohike Cairns 2 DLX – 3.7 kg – £170
• Teton Mountain Ultra – 3.3 kg – £152
• Alpkit Jaran 2 kg – £209
• MSR Elixir 2 – 2.5 kg – £337

When packed in a smaller rucksack, this tent wouldn’t allow much space for other gear. For me, it would be on the heavy side for multi-day backpacking trips but carrying can be split between two people, and its generous living space and double porch mean it would make for comfortable evenings, especially in poor weather.

If you’re looking for a versatile two-person tent that will allow you to switch between summer car camping and backpacking, at a budget that won’t break the bank, you might have found it in the Teton Mountain Ultra 2-Person.