Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One 1 to 2 Persons Lightweight Waterproof Camping Hiking Tent for Adults Kids Scouts Easy Setup Single Layer 2.2x1.2m

TLDR; The Night Cat Backpacking Tent offers exceptional value for money with its quick setup, impressive waterproof rating, and very compact packed size. It is a spacious and reliable option for solo campers and a functional, though snug, shelter for two, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice for hiking and short backpacking trips. My initial thought when looking for a compact shelter was to find a balance between low weight and true weather protection, without the high cost of premium brands. The Night Cat Backpacking Tent (likely the dome model with fiberglass poles) stands out as a strong budget option. I chose this tent primarily for solo backpacking trips, where its low weight (around 4.4 lbs / 2kg for the 1-2 person dome) and tiny packed size—smaller than a loaf of bread—are a huge asset for fitting into a packed rucksack. The setup is remarkably quick and simple, easily done in about a minute, which is perfect after a long day of hiking. The material's high waterproof rating (often quoted as PU 3000mm) with taped seams gives me great confidence that it will stand up to the unexpected heavy rain that can crop up on a trip. For one person, the space is comfortable, leaving plenty of room for my pack and gear. As a two-person tent, it is definitely a snug fit, better suited for a couple or one adult and a child. For the price, the weather protection and ease of use are truly impressive. Upgrade Tip: While the base waterproofing is adequate, using a sealant like Sawyer's aerosol waterproofing spray is a very good upgrade to enhance the longevity and reliability of the rain protection, as the factory waterproofing can be lackluster. Pros Super Fast Setup: Simple dome design (or pop-up models) allows for assembly in about one minute, making camp easy and fast. Excellent Water Resistance: Features a high PU waterproof rating on the polyester fabric (often 2000mm-3000mm depending on the model) with taped seams, offering reliable protection in heavy rain. Lightweight and Compact: Weighs around 4.4 lbs (2kg) and packs down to a very small size (approx. 16.5"×4.7"×4.7"), ideal for minimal-bulk backpacking. Great Ventilation: Includes mesh doors and/or roof vents to ensure airflow, minimizing condensation buildup. High Value: Delivers a feature set and weather resistance typically found in more expensive tents. Cons Snug for Two: While advertised as 1-2 person, it is very snug for two adults—it is an ideal spacious solo tent. Fiberglass Poles: Some models use fiberglass poles, which are heavier and less durable than aluminum poles found in higher-end backpacking tents. Thin Floor: The floor material may be the same as the walls; a separate ground cloth or footprint is highly recommended to protect against rough terrain. Verdict The Night Cat Backpacking Tent earns a 5-star rating as an outstanding budget and entry-level backpacking tent. It is worth the price for anyone seeking a highly portable, quick-pitching, and reliably waterproof shelter without breaking the bank. It is best for solo campers, beginners, casual hikers, and anyone prioritizing a compact size and ease of use over an ultralight gram-counting design.

Bought this because it was lightweight and I needed something of that nature for a hiking trip. It turned out to be perfect! Not one was it actually lightweight but it was simple to put together, fit in my pack great, and I had more than enough rom for myself, my dog, and my gear!

Update: the company reached out to me within 48 hours, offering me a refund or replacement. They offered an upgrade to the next level, and since I still needed a tent for my kayak trips, I decided to take their offer of a replacement. They shipped it the same day and I received it 2 days later. Top notch customer service from them, I am very happy with their correspondence times and their willingness to replace a defective product. Hopefully the new tent lasts longer. I know others who have the same brand and have used them over and over with no issues. That's why I went with them in the first place. I will update after I have had a chance to use the new tent. I waited almost a year to do this review because I wanted to do a good solid review after using it a couple times. I wanted really badly to love this tent. I have used it twice for overnight kayaking trips where we camped along the river and traveled 40+ miles in a weekend. The first night I used it, the grommet fell off on one of the bottom straps for the poles. I sewed a makeshift grommet out embroidery floss and that allowed the tent to stay up all night long so I could sleep that night. Fast forward a year, I used it again thinking everything would be okay, but the metal tip that fits into the grommet fell off when I took it out of the bag. Needless to say, I was unable to set it up and use it so I had to makeshift a tent out of my ground tarp. I am not happy with this tent at all. I wish I could say it was great but I just can't. It's not all bad, because it did fit me pretty well and my roll out air mattress along with all my camping supplies so it does have that going for it, but the quality is terrible. Especially considering that I only got to use it once before I had to buy a new one. This tent was a waste of money.

There are many reviews covering this tent on YouTube. Its a good tent! However, the mosquito net door came off track when I attempted to zip it up. Its easy to put up and take down. Its VERY roomy inside, so much so that I was able to put a cooler, backpack, pillow, sleeping bag, and a blanket inside with still room left over. It stands up to the wind well, airflow is good. Doest weigh much either. I do recommend getting heavy duty tent stakes to secure it to the ground because the ones it came with couldn't even hold the vestibule taut. It kept me warm and cozy all night in the cold desert. The interior height is good, im 5'6 and was able to be on my knees in it and stand hunched over inside when getting dressed.

Great for the price, been abusing it for 3 years on several backpacking trips with at least a hundred setup and take downs. Plenty room for me and my 95 pound dog, I can sit upright in it, very light for its price, been through rain and snow storms. Only problem is I ripped the stuff sack but probably my fault. I don't like having to slide the poles through the sleeves which is the only reason I'm thing about replacing it with the upgraded version. Highly recommend.

Night Cat is a reputable brand. I know a few others that have there items including this tent. However I finally got to the point to where I was able to finally set it up and was inspecting it for damage. I found a miniscule tear/hole in the back of the tent. It was not on the seam but the back tarp. This tear will effectively prevent protection from the elements and also will not stop critters in getting inside the tent while sleeping. However, the ease of setup is simple. 2 spiderweb poles being draped over the tent makes for a quick setup and a quick disassembly. The only reason for the 1 star is the fact that it has a hole/tear in the back tarp completely ruining the idea of a tent.

Great product . I used it for a feild training exercise , it help up well to the rain and kept the cold wind out , also good durability against all of the brush that was around it . Good size not to small , definitely good for one person .The tent poles could be better , mine broke in transit after the exercise ended.

Easy to set up, compact, and more spacious than I expected when set up. The tent is kind of water proof. The corners of the tent were allowing water to flow in during the rainstorms, but it wasn’t too bad. The bottom of the tent is fairly thin and easily punctured. I used it for a week and ended up with two small holes in the bottom, along with 60 ants. I killed the ants and put teetree oil over the holes, and the ants stopped coming in. Overall it is a good product, but could definitely be improved