If you are looking for an inexpensive two-person tent that can handle weekend backpacking trips, motorcycle camping, scout outings, or casual adventures, the Coleman Hooligan 2P Tent is a model that deserves a closer look.
The Hooligan 2 is not a modern ultralight shelter. It was designed around a different idea: give campers a reasonably spacious, weather-protective tent without pushing the price into premium backpacking territory. That makes it particularly interesting today, because the standards for backpacking tents have changed dramatically.
After years of camping and testing different tent designs, I would describe the Hooligan 2 this way:
It is a practical budget backpacking tent that prioritizes usable space, weather protection, and simplicity over minimum weight.
That distinction matters.
A tent can be marketed as a "backpacking tent" while still being substantially heavier than what experienced ultralight backpackers carry today. The real question is therefore not simply "Is the Coleman Hooligan 2 lightweight?" but rather:
Is its combination of weight, interior space, durability, weather protection, and price still worthwhile for the way you camp?
Let's take a detailed look.
Coleman Hooligan 2P Tent at a Glance
The Coleman Hooligan 2 is an older-style two-person backpacking tent with a relatively simple pole structure, full mesh inner tent, rainfly, and covered vestibule.
Typical specifications associated with the Hooligan 2 include:
| Feature | Coleman Hooligan 2 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 people |
| Floor dimensions | Approximately 8 × 6 ft |
| Floor area | Approximately 48 sq. ft. |
| Peak height | Approximately 56 in. |
| Design | Single-pole dome-style shelter |
| Inner tent | Full mesh construction |
| Rainfly | Full-length rainfly |
| Vestibule | Yes |
| Ventilation | Mesh + adjustable venting |
| Intended use | Backpacking, camping, weekend trips |
| Weight | Around 6–9 lb depending on version and what is included |
Important: The Hooligan 2 has existed in different production versions and listings over the years, so reported packed weight and minor specifications can vary. If you are buying a used or old-stock Hooligan 2, check the label and included components rather than relying on a generic specification.
That last point is especially important with discontinued camping equipment.
What Makes the Coleman Hooligan 2 Different?
The Hooligan 2 belongs to an older generation of affordable backpacking tents.
Modern backpacking tents often emphasize:
extremely low weight
compact packed dimensions
trekking-pole compatibility
high-end aluminum poles
specialized lightweight fabrics
carefully optimized floor plans
premium ventilation systems
The Hooligan 2 takes a more traditional approach.
It gives you a relatively large sleeping area for two people, a substantial rainfly, a vestibule for gear, and a straightforward pole system. The trade-off is obvious: you carry more weight.
This is a classic example of the camping principle that every tent feature has a cost.
More fabric, stronger floor material, conventional poles, larger usable space, and a more substantial weatherproof structure all contribute to pack weight.
For a car camper, that may be almost irrelevant.
For someone walking 15 miles with a full backpack, it becomes a major consideration.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10 for budget camping
Best for:
Beginner backpackers
Weekend trips
Motorcycle camping
Scout groups
Budget-conscious campers
Solo hikers who want lots of room
Campers who prioritize durability and livability over ultralight weight
Less suitable for:
Ultralight backpacking
Long-distance thru-hiking
Fast-and-light alpine trips
Solo hikers counting every ounce
Two hikers splitting an already heavy gear load
The Hooligan 2 is best understood as a budget-oriented shelter with backpacking capability, rather than a modern ultralight backpacking tent.
And that is not necessarily a criticism.
1. Interior Space: One of Its Strongest Advantages
One of the Hooligan 2's most attractive characteristics is its 8 × 6-foot floor plan.
That works out to approximately:
48 square feet of floor area.
For comparison, many modern lightweight two-person backpacking tents use considerably less floor area because reducing fabric is one of the easiest ways to reduce weight.
The Hooligan 2 therefore feels relatively generous.
For two average-sized adults, there is enough room for sleeping side-by-side without feeling like you are lying inside a narrow tube.
However, there is an important distinction between floor area and livable space.
A tent can have 48 square feet on paper but still feel cramped if the walls slope aggressively inward.
The Hooligan's moderate peak height and traditional geometry provide a useful amount of sitting and changing space.
For solo camping, it becomes much more spacious.
A solo camper can use one side for sleeping and the other for:
Backpack storage
Clothing
Cooking accessories
Electronics
Wet-weather organization
Water bottles
Camp shoes
That is one reason I would actually consider the Hooligan 2 more attractive for comfortable solo camping than for serious two-person backpacking.
Yes—but "two-person" requires some context.
The outdoor industry generally defines tent capacity based on how many sleeping pads can fit inside, not how comfortable two people will be after several days of rain.
Two adults can sleep inside the Hooligan 2.
But if both campers bring:
Large backpacks
Thick sleeping bags
Inflatable pillows
Boots
Clothing
Electronics
Water bottles
the interior becomes considerably less luxurious.
This is normal.
A useful rule when buying a tent is:
Tent capacity ≠ living comfort.
For two people who want more personal space, a three-person tent may be the better choice.
For one person, however, a two-person tent often represents an excellent comfort-to-weight compromise—provided the extra weight is acceptable.
One of my favorite features of the Hooligan 2 is its covered vestibule.
A vestibule is essentially an outdoor storage area created underneath the rainfly.
This may sound like a minor detail, but experienced backpackers know how valuable it is.
Instead of putting muddy boots, wet clothing, and dirty backpacks inside your sleeping area, you can store them outside while keeping them protected from rain.
That gives you three major benefits:
Cleaner sleeping space
More usable interior room
Better protection for wet gear
This becomes especially useful during multi-day trips.
Imagine arriving at camp after hiking through several hours of rain.
You don't want to put a soaked backpack and muddy shoes beside your sleeping bag.
A vestibule gives you somewhere to manage that mess.
The Hooligan 2 uses Coleman's traditional WeatherTec-style approach to weather protection, including a waterproof floor, rainfly, protected seams, and a design intended to shed rain.
But here's where experienced campers should be careful.
No inexpensive three-season tent is automatically stormproof.
Water resistance depends on much more than the fabric itself.
A tent's real-world rain performance depends on:
Rainfly tension
Seam condition
Ground selection
Pitch quality
Wind direction
Drainage
Ventilation
Age of the fabric
Condition of the waterproof coating
A brand-new tent can still leak if it is poorly pitched.
Likewise, an older tent can become significantly less waterproof as coatings deteriorate.
The bathtub-floor principle
A good camping tent uses a floor that rises above the surrounding ground level.
This creates a shallow "bathtub" effect.
If rainwater flows across the ground, the raised floor edges provide an additional barrier against water entering the sleeping area.
But the system works best when you also choose the right campsite.
If you expect rain, don't simply throw the tent onto the first flat-looking piece of ground.
Use this sequence:
1. Look uphill
Avoid obvious drainage channels.
If you can see a depression where water would naturally collect, don't camp there.
2. Check the soil
Firm soil with good drainage is preferable to saturated ground.
3. Avoid depressions
Even a shallow depression can become a temporary pond during a heavy storm.
4. Fully tension the rainfly
A loose rainfly can sag and create areas where water accumulates.
5. Keep the fly away from the inner tent
The rainfly should not unnecessarily press against the mesh body.
When wet fabric contacts the inner tent, water can transfer through capillary action.
6. Use guylines in exposed weather
A few minutes spent properly staking and tensioning your shelter can make a significant difference in wind.
This is an area where new campers often misunderstand tent performance.
They see water droplets inside the tent and immediately assume:
"The tent leaks."
Not necessarily.
It may be condensation.
A sleeping adult can release a surprisingly large amount of moisture through breathing and perspiration over the course of a night. If warm, humid air contacts a colder tent surface, water vapor can condense into droplets.
This is especially common when:
The temperature drops sharply overnight
The ground is damp
Humidity is high
The tent is fully closed
Two people sleep inside
There is little airflow
The Hooligan 2's mesh inner tent helps with airflow, while its ventilation system can help move humid air.
A useful camping skill: manage condensation before bedtime.
If weather permits:
Keep ventilation openings available.
Avoid blocking vents with clothing or sleeping bags.
Don't press your sleeping bag against wet tent walls.
Keep wet clothing in the vestibule when possible.
Pitch where natural airflow is available.
Don't camp directly beside a cold, wet depression.
Ventilation is not about making the tent cold. It is about exchanging humid interior air with drier exterior air.
That distinction is useful far beyond the Hooligan 2.
The Hooligan 2 uses a relatively straightforward pole design.
Compared with complicated multi-pole structures, this is one of its advantages.
For beginners, a simpler shelter can mean:
Fewer parts to lose
Easier troubleshooting
Faster learning
Less confusion in poor weather
Easier repairs in the field
The downside is that the Hooligan 2 does not have the convenience of some modern tents with pre-attached poles or sophisticated hub systems.
My recommended setup routine
Before your first trip:
Lay out the tent body.
Identify the head and foot ends.
Assemble the pole completely.
Attach the pole to the appropriate anchor points.
Stake the corners.
Attach and tension the rainfly.
Check the vestibule alignment.
Adjust ventilation.
Inspect the final tension from several angles.
Do this once in your backyard.
You do not want your first setup attempt to happen at 9:30 p.m. in a thunderstorm.
This is where the Hooligan 2 loses points against modern backpacking tents.
Depending on the particular version and what is included, the Hooligan 2 can approach or exceed 8 pounds packed.
For a two-person trip, you can divide that between two hikers, but the tent is still substantially heavier than many contemporary lightweight two-person shelters.
For a solo backpacker, the problem becomes even more obvious.
Carrying roughly 8 pounds of shelter equipment means your tent alone can represent a significant percentage of a typical lightweight backpacking base weight.
For example, suppose your complete base weight is:
20 lb
and the shelter system weighs:
8 lb
The tent represents 40% of your entire base weight.
That is a huge number.
By contrast, a modern two-person lightweight shelter may weigh only a fraction of that.
This is why I would not recommend the Hooligan 2 to someone building a serious ultralight kit from scratch.
However, there is another side to the equation.
Suppose you save 2–4 pounds by buying an ultralight tent.
What did you give up?
Potentially:
Interior width
Headroom
Durable materials
Traditional poles
Vestibule volume
Ease of use
Long-term ruggedness
This is the fundamental backpacking gear trade-off:
Every gram you remove has to come from somewhere.
Ultralight design is not magic.
A 2-pound tent doesn't provide the same engineering solution as an 8-pound tent.
The question is whether the weight savings are worth the changes in comfort, durability, or usability.
For a 20-mile-per-day thru-hiker, the answer may be yes.
For a weekend camper hiking three miles to a campsite, the answer may be completely different.
The Hooligan 2 was designed during a period when budget camping gear generally emphasized durable, practical construction rather than extreme weight reduction.
That can be appealing.
Thicker materials and conventional pole systems are not necessarily elegant, but they can tolerate the kind of abuse that occurs during ordinary camping:
Rough packing
Repeated setup
Contact with the ground
Occasional careless handling
Family camping
Scout use
Motorcycle trips
However, age matters enormously with older tents.
If you are buying a used Hooligan 2, inspect:
Fabric
Look for:
Sticky coating
Flaking coating
Cracks
Pinholes
UV degradation
Brittle fabric
Floor
Pay special attention to the floor because it experiences:
Body weight
Ground abrasion
Moisture
Dirt
Repeated folding
Poles
Check for:
Cracks
Splits
Bent sections
Damaged ferrules
Weak shock cord
Zippers
Open and close every zipper.
A tent with excellent fabric but a failing zipper can still become a serious problem in bad weather.
The Hooligan 2's relatively simple structure can handle ordinary three-season camping conditions when properly pitched, but I would not choose it specifically for severe wind exposure.
A tent's wind resistance depends on more than the manufacturer's design.
It depends on:
Wind speed + wind direction + campsite exposure + staking + guyline tension + soil quality + tent geometry.
A shelter pitched in a protected forest can experience dramatically lower wind loads than the same shelter on an exposed ridge.
Backcountry rule:
If you can hear the wind before you reach camp, pay attention to where you pitch.
Avoid:
Exposed ridgelines
Dead trees
Loose branches
Open saddles
Unprotected summits
Look for natural windbreaks while maintaining safe distance from hazards.
Yes—but only for certain kinds of backpacking.
I would divide backpacking into three broad categories.
Weekend Backpacking
Excellent fit.
If your hike is 3–10 miles per day and you are primarily looking for an affordable shelter, the Hooligan 2 makes sense.
The additional weight is manageable for many beginners.
Lightweight Backpacking
Acceptable, but not ideal.
If you're trying to reduce your total pack weight, the Hooligan 2 quickly becomes one of the first pieces of equipment worth replacing.
Ultralight Backpacking
Poor fit.
If your goal is a 10–15 lb base weight, an approximately 8 lb tent is simply too large a percentage of your equipment budget.
This is an interesting question.
Yes, if comfort matters more than weight.
A two-person tent used by one person gives you substantial interior space.
You can sleep diagonally, organize equipment, change clothes, and wait out bad weather more comfortably.
The problem is simple:
You're carrying the entire shelter yourself.
If you are hiking only a few miles, that may be perfectly reasonable.
If you're walking 100 miles, you will probably appreciate a lighter shelter.
Very good.
Motorcycle camping changes the weight equation.
When you are carrying gear on a motorcycle rather than on your back, adding a few pounds is far less painful.
The Hooligan 2's relatively substantial construction and generous floor area can make it a sensible choice for riders who want:
Easy camping
Reasonable durability
Gear storage
Weather protection
A relatively affordable shelter
This is one of the situations where I would choose the Hooligan 2 over an ultralight tent.
Absolutely—but it is somewhat more specialized than necessary.
If you drive directly to your campsite, the weight penalty essentially disappears.
At that point, the Hooligan 2's weaknesses become less important.
You may even prefer it over an ultralight backpacking tent because you don't have to worry as much about:
Saving 100 grams
Fragile lightweight fabric
Tiny vestibules
Extremely low headroom
If your campsite is only a short walk from your vehicle, comfort often matters more than weight.
This is where the age of the Hooligan 2 becomes obvious.
A modern backpacking tent may offer:
Lower packed weight
Smaller packed size
Better pole materials
More refined ventilation
More efficient floor plans
More sophisticated waterproof construction
Better weight distribution
But the Hooligan 2 can still compete in areas such as:
Interior volume
Simplicity
Traditional durability
Price on the used market
Ease of understanding
Beginner friendliness
The question is not whether newer tents are technically better.
They generally are.
The question is:
How much are you willing to pay for the improvement?
Here's a simple decision framework.
Choose the Hooligan 2 if:
You are new to backpacking.
You camp only a few weekends per year.
You find one at a very good price.
You value interior space.
You don't mind carrying extra weight.
You also use the tent for car or motorcycle camping.
You want a straightforward shelter without a steep learning curve.
Choose a modern lightweight tent if:
You hike long distances.
You frequently climb steep terrain.
You care about base weight.
You backpack multiple nights every month.
You routinely carry your own food and water.
You want a smaller packed size.
You are willing to pay more for weight savings.
One of the most useful skills for new backpackers is learning to evaluate gear as a system, rather than looking at individual products.
Suppose your gear weighs:
Tent: 8 lb
Sleeping bag: 2.5 lb
Sleeping pad: 1.5 lb
Backpack: 4 lb
Stove/cook system: 1 lb
Clothing: 3 lb
Water: 4 lb
Food: 4 lb
Miscellaneous: 2 lb
Your total is approximately:
30 lb
Now replace the tent with a 3 lb shelter.
Your total becomes:
25 lb
You didn't change your sleeping bag.
You didn't change your backpack.
You didn't change your food.
You simply reduced the shelter by 5 pounds—and suddenly the entire hiking experience can feel different.
This is why shelter weight matters so much.
But there is an important lesson here.
Never reduce weight blindly.
A lighter tent may require:
More careful pitching
More delicate handling
Smaller interior dimensions
Smaller vestibules
Different poles
More attention to site selection
Good backpacking isn't about owning the lightest possible equipment.
It's about creating the lightest system that still works for your actual conditions.
Pros
Large floor area for a two-person tent
Full mesh inner tent
Covered vestibule
Straightforward setup
Good ventilation potential
Traditional construction
Suitable for beginners
Useful for weekend camping
Works well for motorcycle and car camping
Can be comfortable for one person
Often attractive on the used market
Cons
Heavy by modern backpacking standards
Bulky compared with modern ultralight shelters
Older design
Not ideal for long-distance hiking
Two adults may find the interior less spacious once gear is added
Used examples require careful inspection
Fiberglass-style pole systems are less desirable than modern lightweight aluminum systems
Older waterproof coatings may deteriorate with age
I would recommend the Hooligan 2 primarily to value-oriented campers, not weight-obsessed backpackers.
It makes particular sense for someone who says:
"I want a real tent for weekend adventures, but I don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a high-end backpacking shelter."
That is exactly where this tent's philosophy works.
It provides the basic ingredients of a functional backcountry shelter without trying to compete with premium ultralight equipment.
If you are planning a long-distance hike such as:
Pacific Crest Trail
Appalachian Trail
Continental Divide Trail
John Muir Trail
Long-distance section hiking
I would probably choose a lighter shelter.
Even a difference of 4–5 pounds becomes meaningful after thousands of steps.
The equation changes further when you add:
2–4 liters of water
Several days of food
Cooking equipment
Sleeping system
Clothing
Navigation equipment
Emergency gear
At that point, an older heavy tent can become one of the largest avoidable loads in your backpack.
If you already own one, you don't necessarily need to replace it immediately.
Instead, optimize the system.
1. Divide the components
For two people, divide the shelter intelligently.
One person can carry:
Tent body
Footprint or ground protection
The other can carry:
Poles
Rainfly
Stakes
This makes the shared shelter feel less burdensome.
2. Use a lightweight footprint strategy
Don't automatically buy a heavy dedicated footprint.
A properly sized sheet of lightweight ground protection can reduce unnecessary bulk.
The key is correct sizing.
If the footprint extends beyond the tent floor, rain can collect on it and run underneath your tent.
3. Replace unnecessary storage sacks
Storage bags are convenient, but not every component needs a large heavy bag in the backcountry.
4. Learn efficient packing
Put frequently accessed items near the top of your pack.
Keep dense items close to your back.
Place the tent somewhere accessible if rain is likely.
A wet-weather packing strategy can make camping dramatically easier.
One of the most useful backpacking techniques is to separate your shelter into components.
When breaking camp in wet conditions:
Pack the dry sleeping gear first.
Keep the rainfly separate.
Shake excess water from the fly.
Pack wet fabric into an external or waterproof compartment.
Keep your sleeping bag isolated from wet gear.
Dry the tent completely when you reach your next opportunity.
Never store a wet tent for days.
Even a good tent can develop mildew, odor, coating damage, and fabric deterioration if stored wet.
If you own an older Hooligan 2, maintenance is particularly important.
After every wet trip
Dry the tent completely.
Before storage
Inspect:
Floor
Seams
Rainfly
Pole sections
Zippers
Mesh
Stake points
Avoid harsh cleaning
Aggressive detergents can damage waterproof coatings.
Use appropriate tent-cleaning methods and follow the manufacturer's care guidance whenever available.
Store it loosely
Long-term compression is unnecessary.
A dry, cool storage environment is preferable to a hot garage or damp basement.
It is designed as a three-season, weather-resistant tent, but "waterproof" should never be interpreted as "immune to every possible rainstorm."
There is a major difference between:
Water-resistant construction
and
guaranteed dry conditions under all circumstances.
Even premium expedition tents can have problems when:
Pitching is incorrect
Seams deteriorate
Wind-driven rain enters through openings
Water pools underneath
Fabric becomes damaged
Condensation is mistaken for leakage
The Hooligan 2 can provide good protection for ordinary three-season camping when properly maintained and pitched.
Yes, but don't expect luxury.
Two average-sized adults can sleep inside comfortably enough.
However, comfort decreases when you add:
Large sleeping pads
Thick sleeping bags
Bulky backpacks
Dogs
Wet clothing
For two people on a weekend trip, I would call it functional rather than luxurious.
For one person, I would call it spacious.
Yes—under the right circumstances.
The Hooligan 2 is worth considering if you can find a clean example at a reasonable price and your priority is affordable, relatively spacious camping rather than minimum weight.
It becomes particularly compelling for:
Beginners
Weekend backpackers
Scouts
Motorcycle campers
Car campers
Casual outdoor users
Solo campers who like extra space
But I would hesitate to recommend it for serious long-distance backpacking.
My final score
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Interior space | 8.5/10 |
| Weather protection | 8/10 |
| Ventilation | 8/10 |
| Setup simplicity | 8/10 |
| Durability | 8/10 |
| Packability | 6/10 |
| Weight | 5/10 |
| Value | 8.5/10 |
| Modern backpacking performance | 6/10 |
| Beginner friendliness | 9/10 |
Overall: 7.5/10
The Hooligan 2 is not a cutting-edge backpacking tent.
It doesn't need to be.
Its appeal comes from a different combination of qualities: space, simplicity, reasonable weather protection, and affordability.
If your definition of backpacking is "hike to a campsite, spend a night or two outside, and enjoy the experience", the Coleman Hooligan 2 can still make a lot of sense.
If your definition is "move 15–20 miles every day while carrying a highly optimized 15-pound base weight," I would look elsewhere.
The most important lesson from the Hooligan 2 is actually broader than this particular tent.
Good outdoor gear should be evaluated against the way you actually use it.
The lightest tent isn't automatically the best tent.
The cheapest tent isn't automatically the best value.
And the largest tent isn't automatically the most comfortable.
The best shelter is the one that gives you the right balance of weight, weather protection, durability, space, and livability for your particular trips.
For a weekend camper, the Hooligan 2's additional weight may be a reasonable trade for its generous interior and traditional construction.
For a long-distance backpacker, that same weight may become a burden after hundreds of miles.
That's ultimately where the Coleman Hooligan 2 sits in today's market:
A practical, old-school two-person tent that can still serve budget-conscious campers well—but one that makes much more sense when comfort and affordability matter more than chasing every ounce.
About HillZero
HillZero is a premium outdoor design brand focused on Livable Backpacking Tents. Rather than treating backpacking as simply moving from one destination to another, HillZero looks at the complete experience—walking, arriving, resting, organizing gear, staying dry, cooking, observing nature, and spending meaningful time at camp.
Its design philosophy is simple: Carry Less. Live Better.
HillZero believes a backpacking tent should not only be light enough to carry, but also livable enough to stay in. Its Livable Backpacking approach focuses on making better use of interior space, improving ventilation and entry, preserving useful movement and privacy, and creating a more comfortable environment for longer stays without adding unnecessary weight.
The core question behind the brand is:
“How can a backpacking tent be easier to carry, without making it harder to live in?”
Starting with the Scott 2P, HillZero is building a different perspective on lightweight shelter—one that looks beyond simply going farther and considers how well you can live once you get there.
HillZero — Livable Backpacking Tents.
Carry Less. Live Better.
Light enough to carry. Livable enough to stay.
Rethinking Backpacking. Beyond the Miles.