If you are shopping for a lightweight two-person backpacking tent, the Blackwolf Mantis 2 is an interesting case. It does not chase the absolute lowest possible weight, nor does it try to compete with large freestanding camping tents for interior comfort. Instead, it sits somewhere in the middle: a compact, relatively light shelter designed for hikers who want a practical tent that can handle real trips without becoming an ultralight specialist's fragile piece of gear.
But is it actually worth buying?
For the right kind of backpacker, yes. For everyone, definitely not.
The Mantis 2 has several characteristics that make it particularly appealing for hiking and Australian-style trekking: a compact packed size, aluminum poles, dual entry on some Mantis II UL versions, useful vestibule space, a fully enclosed inner, good ventilation, and a reasonably durable fabric package. At the same time, its relatively low profile and limited living space become important considerations when two adults are sharing it.
After years of testing tents in everything from hot summer camps to prolonged rain, windy ridgelines, and shoulder-season conditions, I would describe the Mantis 2 as a practical lightweight shelter rather than a luxury backpacking tent.
This review breaks down its specifications, construction, weather performance, ventilation, livability, setup, durability, weight, and the situations where it makes—and doesn't make—sense.
Blackwolf Mantis 2: Quick Verdict
Overall verdict: 8/10 for practical backpacking, 6.5/10 for two-person comfort
The Mantis 2 makes the most sense for hikers who prioritize packability, simplicity, weather protection, and reasonable weight over maximum interior volume.
What I like
Compact 45 × 15 × 15 cm packed size
Around 2.0–2.1 kg depending on version and configuration
40D ripstop fly fabric on the UL version
70D waterproof floor
Aluminum alloy poles
Good ventilation potential
Useful vestibule/gear-storage arrangement
Fully enclosed inner tent
Straightforward two-pole architecture
Good balance between durability and weight
Proven design with a long history among hikers
What I don't like
Low interior height
Two adults can feel cramped during extended trips
Sleeping length deserves attention for taller hikers
Vestibule space is useful but not enormous
Not the lightest option available today
Condensation management still depends heavily on campsite selection and ventilation
The design prioritizes sleeping and shelter rather than sitting around inside
Bottom line: If your goal is a reliable shelter for hiking where you spend most of your time outside, the Mantis 2 remains a compelling design. If you want a tent where two people can comfortably sit, change clothes, organize large backpacks, and wait out a storm for hours, there are better choices.
Blackwolf Mantis 2 Specifications
Specifications vary slightly between the original Mantis II and later Mantis II UL versions, so it is important to check the exact model before purchasing.
For the Mantis II UL, commonly published specifications include approximately:
| Specification | Mantis II UL |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 people |
| Packed weight | About 2.0–2.1 kg |
| Packed size | 45 × 15 × 15 cm |
| Sleeping area | Approximately 210 × 140 cm |
| Fly | 40D ripstop Sil-Nylon/PU |
| Fly waterproof rating | 2,000 mm |
| Floor | 70D nylon/polyester with PU coating |
| Floor waterproof rating | 5,000 mm |
| Pole material | T6 aluminum alloy |
| Doors | 2 on the UL II configuration |
| Vestibules | 2 on the UL II configuration |
| Season classification | Approximately 3-season use |
| Inner | Mesh-based enclosed inner |
One important lesson from buying backpacking gear is this:
Never compare tent weights without checking what is included.
A manufacturer's minimum weight may exclude some combination of stakes, guylines, stuff sacks, or other accessories. For a backpacker, the number that matters is the real trail weight—the weight of everything you actually carry.
A 100–200 gram discrepancy may seem insignificant in a spreadsheet, but backpacking is ultimately about the complete system. Tent + poles + stakes + footprint + repair kit + storage bag can become substantially heavier than the headline number.
What Is the Blackwolf Mantis 2 Designed For?
The Mantis 2 is fundamentally a backpacking and hiking tent, not a traditional family camping tent.
That distinction matters.
A large car-camping tent might give you:
standing-height headroom
multiple rooms
large doors
enormous vestibules
room for chairs
space for changing clothes
A backpacking tent has a different job.
Its primary purpose is to provide:
Weather protection
A dry sleeping environment
Ventilation
Gear protection
A reasonable amount of usable space
All of the above at a manageable carrying weight
The Mantis 2 follows this philosophy closely.
You carry it on your back all day, set it up at camp, sleep inside, organize a limited amount of gear, and pack it away again the following morning.
That sounds simple, but good backpacking-tent design is largely about trade-offs.
Every extra centimeter of interior space requires material. Every larger pole requires weight. Every additional zipper, door, mesh panel, or support structure adds complexity.
The Mantis 2 is therefore best understood as a balanced rather than extreme design.
This depends on what you compare it with.
For a modern two-person backpacking tent, approximately 2 kg is no longer considered ultralight. There are substantially lighter shelters available, particularly premium trekking-pole tents and minimalist semi-freestanding designs.
But weight alone doesn't tell the whole story.
A useful way to think about tent weight is:
Tent weight per person = total shelter weight ÷ number of users
For a 2.02 kg tent shared equally by two hikers:
2.02 ÷ 2 = approximately 1.01 kg per person
That is actually a reasonable shelter load for many backpackers.
If one person carries the complete tent, however, the equation changes dramatically.
Two-person use
Hiker A: tent body/fly/poles
Hiker B: stakes/footprint/accessories or other shared gear
This makes the Mantis 2 much easier to justify.
Solo use
Carrying approximately 2 kg of shelter for one person is considerably less attractive if your objective is ultralight backpacking.
That is why the Mantis 2 is most compelling when two people share the load.
Weight Isn't the Only Backpacking Metric
One of the most common beginner mistakes is assuming:
lighter = better
It doesn't.
A 900-gram tent that is difficult to pitch, extremely cramped, prone to condensation, and uncomfortable in bad weather may produce a worse trip than a 1.8 kg tent that is easy to use and provides dependable protection.
Backpacking equipment should instead be evaluated using a broader equation:
Weight + durability + weather protection + livability + usability
This is particularly important for people who spend multiple nights in one location.
If you hike 15 miles a day and only sleep inside the tent, weight may dominate the decision.
If you hike five miles into a beautiful backcountry campsite and spend the afternoon reading, cooking, watching weather roll across the mountains, and waiting out rain, livability becomes much more important.
That distinction is one of the Mantis 2's most interesting characteristics.
The Mantis 2 sleeps two people, but "sleeps two" does not mean "lives comfortably two."
This is one of the most important things to understand before buying it.
The sleeping area is roughly 210 × 140 cm, depending on the model.
That gives each person approximately:
70 cm of theoretical width
before accounting for sleeping bags, pads, clothing, water bottles, and personal gear.
A typical backpacking sleeping pad is around 51–64 cm wide. Put two wider pads next to each other and the available floor area disappears quickly.
For sleeping, that's manageable.
For sitting, changing clothes, sorting equipment, or spending an afternoon inside, it is much less generous.
For two average-sized hikers
The tent is workable.
For two tall or broad hikers
The experience becomes noticeably tighter.
For one hiker
The Mantis 2 becomes considerably more comfortable because you can use the second side of the tent for personal equipment.
This is a recurring principle in tent design:
A two-person tent can be excellent for one person and merely adequate for two.
Height is one of the most important considerations.
The Mantis 2 uses a tapered, low-profile design. That makes it efficient in wind and reduces fabric and structural weight, but it also limits usable space.
A 6-foot hiker may fit comfortably enough for sleeping, but sleeping length should be tested carefully if you are taller.
Remember that your body does not occupy only the mattress length.
Your sleeping bag has loft.
Your head and feet move.
The floor slopes toward the ends.
If the sleeping bag presses against the inner tent, condensation from the fly or inner wall can eventually transfer moisture into your sleeping system.
My practical recommendation
If you are:
under 5'10" — generally easier to manage
5'10"–6'1" — check the sleeping geometry carefully
over 6'1" — I would strongly recommend trying the tent before buying
over 6'3" — consider a longer backpacking tent
Height alone isn't the deciding factor. Sleeping position, mattress thickness, sleeping bag loft, and how much you move during the night all matter.
The Mantis 2 is not designed around sitting comfort.
Its low profile is actually an advantage in certain environments.
A low tent:
presents less surface area to wind
can use less fabric
can reduce structural weight
packs smaller
can be easier to anchor securely
But the downside is obvious.
You won't have much sitting room.
This matters more than many first-time buyers realize.
Imagine a rainy afternoon at camp.
You have already eaten.
Your clothes are damp.
The temperature is dropping.
The weather forecast says another three hours of rain.
Would you rather have a compact sleeping shelter or a tent where you can sit upright and organize your entire backpack?
That is the difference between sleeping space and livable space.
The Mantis 2 is primarily optimized for the former.
The Mantis 2 has several characteristics that make it well suited to wet-weather backpacking.
The UL version uses a 40D ripstop fly with approximately a 2,000 mm waterhead rating, while the floor uses a heavier 70D material with approximately a 5,000 mm rating.
Understanding those numbers is useful.
What Does a 2,000 mm Waterproof Rating Mean?
A hydrostatic-head rating measures how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before water begins penetrating through it under standardized testing.
A higher number generally indicates greater resistance to hydrostatic pressure.
But here's the important part:
Waterproof ratings do not directly predict how a tent will perform in a storm.
Real-world performance also depends on:
seam construction
seam taping
zipper design
fabric tension
abrasion
hydrostatic pressure
wind-driven rain
campsite drainage
how well the fly is pitched
A 5,000 mm floor is therefore not "2.5 times better" than a 2,000 mm fly in real-world camping.
The components have different jobs.
The floor experiences pressure from:
your knees
elbows
sleeping pad
gear
wet ground
The fly mainly needs to shed rainfall.
Yes, within its intended conditions—but setup matters enormously.
A well-pitched Mantis 2 with properly tensioned fly fabric and correctly closed doors can provide solid protection from rain.
However, no backpacking tent should be treated as waterproof regardless of setup.
The biggest enemy is often not the fabric.
It is water management.
Choose your campsite carefully
Avoid:
depressions
dry creek beds
exposed ridgelines during storms
areas directly beneath dead branches
saturated ground
obvious drainage channels
Instead, look for:
naturally elevated ground
firm soil
good drainage
some wind protection
a relatively flat sleeping surface
A premium tent pitched in a bad location can perform worse than an average tent pitched intelligently.
The Mantis 2's low profile is helpful in wind.
Wind force increases significantly with exposure, and tent geometry has a major influence on how much force reaches the structure.
The Mantis design uses a relatively low, tapered profile rather than creating a tall vertical wall.
That reduces wind exposure.
But remember:
A low-profile tent is not automatically stormproof.
The quality of your pitch matters.
In strong wind:
Point the narrowest end toward the prevailing wind.
Stake the main corners securely.
Tension the fly evenly.
Use guylines when conditions warrant them.
Keep the fly from touching the inner.
Check tension periodically as the fabric changes with moisture.
Silicone-coated fabrics can change tension when wet, so a tent that looked perfectly tight at 5 p.m. may require adjustment later in the evening.
Condensation is one of the most misunderstood aspects of tent camping.
Many people experience a wet tent and immediately assume:
"The tent leaks."
Often, it doesn't.
Condensation can produce surprisingly large amounts of water.
Every time you breathe, you release moisture. Two people sleeping inside a small enclosed shelter can produce a significant amount of water vapor overnight.
That vapor eventually encounters a cold surface.
The result is condensation.
How to Reduce Condensation in the Mantis 2
Use these techniques:
Keep ventilation openings available whenever weather allows.
Avoid pitching directly beside standing water.
Don't touch the fly from inside.
Avoid drying wet clothing inside the sleeping compartment.
Keep the inner and fly separated.
Position the tent where natural airflow can pass through.
Wipe down heavy condensation in the morning before packing.
The Mantis 2's mesh components and ventilation points are useful here, but no tent can eliminate condensation under the wrong environmental conditions.
Cold, humid nights with little wind are particularly challenging.
For the Mantis II UL configuration, the dual-door and dual-vestibule arrangement is one of its strongest features.
If you've ever shared a small two-person tent with another backpacker, you understand why.
With only one door, one person often has to climb over the other.
With two doors:
everyone gets their own entrance.
That sounds like a minor convenience until you use it for several consecutive nights.
Two vestibules also allow each hiker to organize gear independently.
For example:
Hiker A
Backpack
Hiking shoes
Trekking poles
Hiker B
Cooking equipment
Wet outer layers
Water bottles
This creates a surprisingly effective organization system.
The vestibules are best viewed as gear-protection zones, not additional living rooms.
They are suitable for:
hiking boots
shoes
backpacks
trekking poles
wet rain gear
small cooking equipment
But don't assume that two large 60-liter backpacks plus shoes and miscellaneous equipment will fit comfortably.
This is where many tent reviews become misleading.
A vestibule can have a reasonable published area and still feel cramped because three-dimensional storage is different from two-dimensional floor area.
The shape of the fly, door opening, pole geometry, and backpack dimensions all matter.
One of the Mantis 2's strengths is its relatively straightforward architecture.
A simple two-pole design generally means fewer components and fewer opportunities to make a mistake.
For backpacking, this is valuable.
After hiking for six or eight hours, you don't want a shelter that requires a twenty-step assembly process.
A good backpacking tent should ideally become almost automatic.
My recommended setup routine
1. Select the campsite
Check drainage, wind exposure, rocks, roots, and overhead hazards.
2. Lay out the inner
Orient the doors according to the direction you want to enter.
3. Assemble the poles
Keep pole sections together and avoid dragging them across abrasive ground.
4. Attach the structure
Use the color coding and attachment points to establish the correct geometry.
5. Stake the primary corners
Start with the four main structural points.
6. Add the fly
Make sure the fly is centered and evenly tensioned.
7. Stake and tension the vestibules
Don't leave loose fabric flapping unnecessarily.
8. Adjust ventilation
Open appropriate vents according to weather and temperature.
The first setup should ideally happen in your backyard, not at 9:30 p.m. in a thunderstorm.
The Mantis 2 isn't built like a heavyweight expedition tent, but that doesn't mean it is fragile.
The UL version's combination of 40D fly fabric, heavier floor material, and aluminum poles reflects a sensible compromise.
This is important because backpacking tents face two different types of stress:
Static stress
Wind
Rain
Snow accumulation
Fabric tension
Dynamic stress
Packing
Unpacking
Pole assembly
Zipper operation
Staking
Accidental abrasion
Rough campsite surfaces
Many tent failures happen not because the fabric is inherently weak, but because users repeatedly fold, compress, drag, or pitch the shelter carelessly.
A little maintenance can add years to the useful life of a tent.
1. Don't stuff it wet
If possible, dry the tent completely after a rainy trip.
If you have to pack it wet, unpack it and dry it as soon as you reach home.
2. Clean the floor
Shake out:
sand
pine needles
dirt
leaves
small stones
Abrasion is a long-term enemy of tent floors.
3. Treat the poles gently
Don't snap poles together by throwing them into place.
Let the shock cord guide the sections together.
4. Avoid excessive compression
A stuff sack is useful, but aggressively crushing lightweight fabrics every day isn't ideal for long-term storage.
5. Store it dry
Long-term storage should be in a dry, ventilated environment rather than compressed inside a backpacking stuff sack.
The biggest question isn't whether the Mantis 2 is good.
It's:
Good compared with what?
Modern ultralight tents can weigh dramatically less.
A premium two-person shelter may come in around 1 kg or even below that depending on design and accessories.
So why would anyone carry a 2 kg tent?
Because ultralight design introduces its own compromises.
A very lightweight shelter may have:
thinner fabrics
fewer poles
smaller living areas
trekking-pole support
less structural redundancy
more demanding pitching requirements
The Mantis 2 occupies a different position.
It is closer to:
"reasonable weight + straightforward design + practical durability."
That can be a very attractive combination for beginners and experienced hikers who aren't obsessed with shaving every gram.
Another important distinction is structural design.
A tent that relies heavily on stakes and tension can be extremely efficient.
But freestanding or semi-freestanding designs can be easier to move around after pitching and may be more intuitive for inexperienced campers.
The Mantis 2 sits somewhere between the worlds of traditional backpacking shelter and lightweight hiking tent.
Its pole structure is relatively simple, but its low-profile geometry still rewards careful pitching.
If you regularly camp on hard, rocky ground where stakes are difficult to place, pay attention to this issue.
A tent's performance is partly determined by the quality of the ground you pitch it on.
Yes—with one important qualification.
It is a good beginner backpacking tent if you understand that it is not a miniature hotel room.
The relatively simple structure makes it approachable.
The enclosed inner tent provides a familiar camping experience.
The waterproof fly and floor provide a useful margin of protection.
And the compact packed size encourages people to actually take it hiking rather than leaving it in the garage.
For a first backpacking shelter, those are meaningful advantages.
However, beginners should learn three skills immediately:
Skill #1: Campsite selection
A tent is not a substitute for good judgment.
Skill #2: Proper ventilation
Don't close every vent because the temperature drops.
Skill #3: Fly tension
A loose fly can create problems that look like fabric or waterproofing failures.
This depends on your definition of long-distance.
For multi-day and multi-week hiking, the Mantis 2 can make sense when:
two people share the load
you value durability over extreme weight savings
you camp in variable weather
you don't need to spend much time sitting inside
you prefer conventional poles
For an ultralight thru-hiker trying to reduce a base weight below 10–12 lb, however, approximately 2 kg of tent weight is harder to justify.
The tent becomes more attractive as your overall gear philosophy shifts from:
"How light can I possibly go?"
toward:
"How light can I go without sacrificing reliability and comfort?"
That distinction is huge.
This is where the Mantis design has a particularly interesting history.
The tent has been used extensively in Australian hiking environments, including demanding multi-day trails.
Australia presents some unusual shelter challenges:
intense UV exposure
sudden rainfall
strong wind
hot and humid conditions
dry, abrasive soil
rough campsites
insects
large temperature swings
A tent that performs well in those environments needs more than a low scale weight.
The Mantis 2's enclosed mesh inner, ventilation features, durable floor, and relatively conservative construction make it a practical choice for hikers who spend substantial time outdoors.
That doesn't mean it is a four-season mountaineering tent.
It isn't.
But for mild to moderate three-season backpacking, its design philosophy makes sense.
This is where I would draw a clear line.
The Mantis 2 is not a dedicated winter mountaineering shelter.
For serious winter environments involving:
heavy snow loading
alpine winds
prolonged freezing conditions
exposed high-elevation camps
you should look for a shelter specifically engineered for those conditions.
A three-season tent may survive an unexpected light snowfall.
That doesn't make it a four-season tent.
This is an important outdoor skill:
Match the shelter to the environment, not to the marketing category.
Pros
Good weight-to-durability balance
Compact when packed
Useful for backpacking and trekking
Relatively straightforward setup
Aluminum pole construction
Waterproof fly and floor materials
Strong ventilation potential
Dual-entry design on the UL II
Separate vestibules improve gear organization
Longstanding design with a proven user base
More forgiving than many extreme ultralight shelters
Cons
Not genuinely ultralight by modern premium standards
Low headroom
Tight for two adults over long periods
Taller hikers should pay close attention to length
Vestibules aren't enormous
Not designed for serious winter mountaineering
Requires good pitching technique for best weather performance
Condensation can still occur in humid conditions
I'd consider it a strong option if you are:
A weekend backpacker
You want one dependable tent for hiking trips without spending a fortune on cutting-edge ultralight equipment.
A two-person hiking team
Sharing approximately 2 kg of shelter weight between two people makes much more sense.
A durability-conscious backpacker
You don't want the lightest possible fabric if it means treating your tent like laboratory equipment.
A hiker who camps in variable weather
The enclosed inner, waterproof fly, ventilation, and low profile provide a sensible combination.
Someone transitioning from car camping to backpacking
The Mantis 2 represents a reasonable bridge between traditional camping tents and highly specialized ultralight shelters.
I'd look elsewhere if you are:
An ultralight gram counter
If every 100 grams matters, there are lighter alternatives.
A tall backpacker
If you are significantly above six feet, the interior geometry deserves careful consideration.
A comfort-oriented couple
If you want to sit upright together, change clothes comfortably, and spend hours inside during storms, choose something roomier.
A winter mountaineer
Buy a dedicated four-season shelter.
A solo hiker
Unless you deliberately want extra room, carrying approximately 2 kg alone may not be the best use of your shelter budget.
A good tent becomes much better when you know how to use it.
Here are several field techniques I recommend.
Pitch the tent before the rain arrives
Don't wait until the clouds are directly overhead.
Set up early.
A dry inner tent is significantly easier to work with than a wet one.
Use the vestibule as a transition zone
Don't immediately throw wet shoes, rain pants, and backpacks into the sleeping area.
Keep dirty and wet equipment in the vestibule whenever possible.
Keep your sleeping system away from the walls
This improves ventilation and reduces the chance of condensation transferring into your sleeping bag.
Use natural wind direction
If conditions are breezy, orient the tent so its stronger, lower-profile end faces the prevailing wind.
Dry the tent every morning
Even ten minutes of morning sun can make a major difference.
Shake out moisture before packing whenever conditions permit.
Before every trip:
Inspect the fly
Check seams and seam tape
Inspect pole sections
Check shock cord tension
Test every zipper
Count stakes
Inspect guy lines
Check the stuff sack
Pack a small repair kit
After every trip:
Dry everything completely
Remove dirt and sand
Clean the floor
Inspect for small tears
Store poles loosely assembled or in the manufacturer's recommended configuration
Store the tent dry and uncompressed
This takes only a few minutes but can prevent expensive failures in the field.
Yes, if you value balance.
The Mantis 2 isn't the lightest two-person backpacking tent.
It isn't the roomiest.
It isn't the tent I'd choose for a winter expedition.
And it doesn't try to be.
Its strength is the middle ground.
You get a reasonably light shelter, compact packing dimensions, practical weather protection, useful ventilation, aluminum poles, and a design that has been refined through years of real-world use.
The most important consideration is whether its 2 kg-ish weight and compact interior match your style of backpacking.
If you hike all day, reach camp, cook outside, sleep, and move again the next morning, the Mantis 2 can be a very sensible shelter.
If you consider your tent a second living room, you'll probably want something larger.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8/10 |
| Packability | 9/10 |
| Weather Protection | 8/10 |
| Ventilation | 8/10 |
| Durability | 8.5/10 |
| Setup | 8.5/10 |
| Two-Person Comfort | 6.5/10 |
| Solo Comfort | 9/10 |
| Livability | 7/10 |
| Value | 8/10 |
| Overall | 8/10 |
Final Verdict: Worth Buying?
The Blackwolf Mantis 2 is worth considering if you want a practical, proven backpacking shelter rather than an ultralight trophy.
Its biggest advantage is balance.
It carries reasonably well, packs down small, offers useful weather protection, and doesn't require the level of care that some extreme ultralight shelters demand.
Its biggest weakness is equally clear:
two people will sleep in it comfortably enough, but they won't have a lot of room to live in it.
For solo hikers, that same limitation becomes an advantage because the extra floor area creates a much more comfortable shelter.
For two hikers, the smartest approach is to think of the Mantis 2 as a sleeping and weather-protection system, not a cabin.
And that may be exactly what many backpackers need.
After all, the best tent isn't necessarily the one with the biggest floor plan or the lowest number on a scale.
It is the one that provides the right amount of protection and comfort for the miles you want to walk—and the way you want to spend the hours after you arrive.
About HillZero
HillZero is a premium outdoor design brand focused on Livable Backpacking Tents. Its philosophy is simple: Carry Less. Live Better.
HillZero believes backpacking should be about more than moving from one waypoint to another. A backpacking tent should not only be light enough to carry—it should also be a place where you can comfortably rest, organize gear, stay dry, cook, observe nature, and spend meaningful time after the day's miles are finished.
That thinking led HillZero to a central design question:
How can a backpacking tent be easier to carry, without making it harder to live in?
Through its Livable Backpacking approach, HillZero focuses on the balance between weight and real-world usability, paying attention to space efficiency, ventilation, entry and exit, movement, privacy, and long-duration comfort rather than simply pursuing the lowest possible weight.
Beginning with the Scott 2P, HillZero is building a new perspective on backpacking shelter—one that respects lightweight travel while recognizing that the experience does not end when you reach camp.
HillZero — Livable Backpacking Tents.
Carry Less. Live Better.
Light enough to carry. Livable enough to stay.
Rethinking Backpacking. Beyond the Miles.