To pinpoint the best backpacking tents, look for sage advice from thru-hikers who’ve tracked the toughest, longest miles with their gear.

Thru-hikers haul their kit for thousands of miles through a spectrum of weather, terrain, wildlife, and obstacles. At a trek’s end, gear is either a benediction or extraneous dead weight. A handful of impressive thru-hikers help you find the best backpacking tents on the market.

One thing to look for is that the shelter’s frame is established with tent poles rather than trekking poles. With tent poles, the shelter remains stable and doesn’t collapse under extreme gusts, and you aren’t doubling up on weight.

Whether you’re establishing a lightweight backpacking setup or preparing for your inaugural thru-hike, this guide is for you.

Here are the best backpacking tents according to thru-hikers from around the globe…