If you are looking for a low-cost two-person backpacking tent, the Eurohike Backpacker 2 is the kind of shelter that naturally attracts attention. It promises the basic ingredients most hikers want: a compact pack size, relatively low weight, weather protection, and a price that is considerably easier on the wallet than premium ultralight tents.
But there is an important question behind every budget tent review:
Is saving money worth accepting compromises in weight, space, durability, ventilation, and livability?
After years of camping and backpacking experience, I would not judge a tent simply by its price or the number printed on its weight label. A backpacking shelter is a system. Its real value depends on how it performs when the weather turns, how easily two people can organize themselves inside, how quickly it dries, and how much frustration it creates after a long day on the trail.
This detailed Eurohike Backpacker 2 review looks at the tent from that broader perspective.
Eurohike Backpacker 2 at a Glance
The Eurohike Backpacker 2 is designed around a straightforward idea: provide a functional two-person backpacking shelter without the premium price associated with specialist lightweight tents.
Here is how I would position it:
| Category | Overall Impression |
|---|---|
| Intended use | Budget backpacking and camping |
| Capacity | 2 people |
| Weight class | Lightweight compared with traditional camping tents, but not ultralight |
| Packability | Good for the price |
| Weather protection | Suitable for normal three-season conditions when properly pitched |
| Interior space | Functional rather than luxurious |
| Ventilation | Adequate, but condensation management matters |
| Durability | Reasonable for recreational use with proper care |
| Best feature | Value for money |
| Main limitation | Space-to-weight ratio |
| Best for | Beginners, occasional backpackers, budget-conscious hikers |
| Less suitable for | Serious ultralight hikers or people wanting generous living space |
Bottom line: the Eurohike Backpacker 2 makes sense if your priority is getting a usable backpacking tent at a modest price. It becomes less compelling when you start demanding premium livability, extremely low weight, or extensive long-term use.
The Eurohike Backpacker 2 is a compact two-person backpacking tent aimed at hikers and campers who want something substantially more portable than a conventional family or festival tent.
Its basic design philosophy is easy to understand:
Keep the shelter relatively simple, reasonably light, and affordable.
That is a sensible approach for beginners.
Not everyone needs a £500–£800 technical shelter. If you are going backpacking a handful of weekends each year, the cost difference between an entry-level tent and a premium shelter can be difficult to justify.
However, inexpensive backpacking tents often achieve their price through compromises rather than magic.
Those compromises can appear in:
Fabric thickness
Pole construction
Zipper quality
Seam finishing
Ventilation
Interior volume
Vestibule size
Packed dimensions
Hardware
Long-term weather resistance
Ease of pitching
Weight optimization
Understanding these trade-offs is much more useful than simply asking whether the tent is "good."
1. The Price Is Its Biggest Advantage
The strongest argument for the Backpacker 2 is simple:
It makes backpacking more accessible.
A quality tent is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in a backpacking kit. For someone just starting out, spending several hundred dollars or pounds on a shelter before knowing whether they even enjoy multi-day hiking can be unnecessary.
A budget tent allows you to test the lifestyle first.
You can spend your money on other essentials such as:
A comfortable backpack
A good sleeping bag
An appropriate sleeping pad
Reliable rain gear
Proper hiking footwear
Navigation equipment
A lightweight stove
Emergency equipment
For beginners, that can produce a better overall kit than spending most of the budget on a single ultralight tent.
2. It Is Much More Backpack-Friendly Than a Traditional Camping Tent
One of the most important differences between car camping and backpacking is weight distribution.
A conventional camping tent can easily become awkward once you have to carry it for 10–20 miles.
The Backpacker 2 is designed around portability, making it much more appropriate for:
Weekend backpacking
Long-distance walking
Campsite-to-campsite hiking
Lightweight camping
Youth outdoor trips
First-time backpacking adventures
That said, "backpacking tent" does not automatically mean "ultralight tent."
This distinction is important.
Lightweight vs. Ultralight
There is no single universally accepted weight threshold separating lightweight from ultralight gear, but experienced backpackers often consider the overall shelter system rather than the tent alone.
For example:
Traditional camping tent: often 3–6+ kg
Conventional backpacking tent: roughly 1.5–2.5 kg
Lightweight backpacking tent: roughly 1–1.5 kg
Ultralight shelter: potentially below 1 kg
These are broad practical ranges rather than strict industry definitions.
A tent around 1.5–2 kg can be perfectly reasonable for backpacking, particularly when shared between two people.
This is one of the most overlooked backpacking calculations.
If two people use the same shelter, you do not necessarily need one person to carry the entire tent.
For example, the load can be divided into:
Hiker A
Tent body
Rainfly
Hiker B
Poles
Stakes
Groundsheet
Repair kit
Suddenly, a tent that might feel heavy when considered as a single object becomes much more manageable.
This is why I recommend evaluating a two-person tent by its per-person shelter weight.
If a shelter system weighs approximately 2 kg, that is about:
1 kg per person
That is a very different proposition from carrying the entire 2 kg yourself.
For someone purchasing their first backpacking tent, simplicity can actually be an advantage.
You don't necessarily need:
Complicated pole geometry
Proprietary hardware
Specialized trekking-pole setups
Highly technical tensioning systems
Extremely thin fabrics requiring careful handling
A relatively conventional tent design is often easier to understand and maintain.
For new backpackers, ease of use is a performance characteristic.
A shelter that takes five minutes to pitch correctly is often more useful than a theoretically lighter shelter that takes longer to understand.
Now we get to the more important part.
The Backpacker 2 is inexpensive partly because it is not designed to compete directly with premium ultralight shelters.
1. Two People Will Find the Interior Fairly Compact
The word "two-person" can be misleading.
In the tent industry, a two-person rating generally means that two people can sleep inside. It does not necessarily mean two people can comfortably live inside for an entire rainy day.
This distinction becomes extremely important during bad weather.
Imagine two hikers inside the tent with:
Two sleeping bags
Two sleeping pads
Two backpacks
Wet rain jackets
Hiking shoes
Water bottles
Cooking equipment
Small personal items
The available floor area disappears quickly.
A useful rule
When evaluating a two-person backpacking tent, ask:
Can two people sleep here, or can two people actually live here?
Those are very different standards.
For an overnight stop in good weather, compact dimensions may be completely acceptable.
For three days of continuous rain, they become much more noticeable.
Floor area is only one part of comfort.
Vertical space matters too.
A tent with limited peak height forces occupants to spend more time lying down or sitting hunched over.
This becomes frustrating when you need to:
Change clothes
Sort equipment
Prepare for rain
Organize a backpack
Dry small items
Eat inside
Wait out a storm
This is why I think livability deserves more attention in backpacking-tent reviews.
A shelter is not simply a waterproof bag for sleeping.
It is your temporary home.
Many new campers focus heavily on waterproof ratings.
That's understandable—but it can lead to a common misunderstanding.
A tent can be highly water-resistant and still become wet inside.
The problem may not be rain.
It may be condensation.
Every person exhales moisture while sleeping. That warm, humid air can condense against cooler tent surfaces.
Two people produce considerably more moisture than one.
Condensation becomes especially noticeable during:
Cold nights
Still weather
High humidity
Wet ground
Rainy conditions
Poorly ventilated tents
Fully closed doors
A simple overnight camping trip can produce surprisingly large amounts of moisture inside a shelter.
How to reduce condensation
Use these techniques:
Keep ventilation openings available whenever weather allows.
Avoid allowing the inner tent to touch the flysheet.
Pitch the tent where air can move naturally.
Avoid camping directly beside streams or in obvious depressions.
Do not dry soaking-wet clothing inside the sleeping compartment unless necessary.
Wipe condensation away in the morning before packing.
Separate wet gear from sleeping insulation whenever possible.
This knowledge is more valuable than obsessing over a waterproof rating.
Backpackers often see a figure such as 3,000 mm hydrostatic head and assume it tells them everything about waterproof performance.
It doesn't.
Hydrostatic head is a laboratory measurement of the pressure a fabric can withstand before water penetrates.
A higher number generally indicates greater resistance to water pressure.
For perspective, a rainstorm does not normally produce anywhere near the same static pressure as a laboratory water column.
However, real-world waterproofing also depends on:
Seam construction
Fabric coating
Aging
Abrasion
Ground pressure
Wind-driven rain
Pitching technique
Zipper design
Fabric tension
Punctures and wear
A tent that is technically waterproof can still leak because it was badly pitched or damaged.
Waterproofness is a system, not a single number.
For normal three-season backpacking, a properly pitched double-wall tent can provide useful protection against rain.
But expectations matter.
I would divide weather performance into three categories.
Light to Moderate Rain
Generally suitable.
This is where a budget backpacking shelter makes the most sense.
Prolonged Heavy Rain
More demanding.
Good pitching becomes critical, and ventilation becomes increasingly important.
Severe Mountain Weather
Not where I would choose a budget shelter.
If your trips regularly involve exposed alpine terrain, strong winds, heavy snowfall, or severe storms, I would prioritize a more technically capable shelter with stronger weather performance and a more robust structure.
The cheapest tent is rarely the best place to save weight or money when conditions become serious.
Even an excellent tent can perform badly if it is pitched incorrectly.
Wind creates several different forces:
Direct pressure against the flysheet
Uplift
Pole bending
Repeated fabric movement
Stress around attachment points
To improve performance:
1. Point the narrowest end toward prevailing wind
This reduces the amount of fabric directly exposed to the airflow.
2. Fully tension the flysheet
Loose fabric can flap violently.
That increases noise and places unnecessary stress on the tent.
3. Use every appropriate guyline
Guy points exist for a reason.
4. Choose protected campsites
A tent in a sheltered forest clearing experiences a completely different wind environment from one pitched on an exposed ridge.
5. Avoid pitching under dead branches
Weather protection isn't useful if a damaged tree becomes the bigger hazard.
The biggest mistake would be comparing the Backpacker 2 with a premium tent solely by appearance.
Instead, compare the underlying design priorities.
| Feature | Budget Backpacking Tent | Premium Backpacking Tent |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Lower | Higher |
| Weight optimization | Moderate | High |
| Fabric technology | Basic to moderate | Advanced |
| Interior efficiency | Functional | Often highly optimized |
| Hardware | Standard | Often premium |
| Durability-to-weight | Moderate | Usually better optimized |
| Weather engineering | Good for intended conditions | Often more specialized |
| Livability | Functional | Frequently superior |
| Repairability | Generally straightforward | Depends on design |
| Beginner friendliness | High | Varies |
The premium tent isn't automatically "better" for every person.
If you camp twice a year, a budget tent may provide excellent value.
If you hike 1,000 miles every year, the calculation changes dramatically.
I think the Backpacker 2 makes the most sense for budget-conscious recreational backpackers.
It can be a particularly sensible choice if you are:
New to backpacking
Camping only occasionally
Building your first backpacking kit
Hiking mostly in mild three-season conditions
Sharing the shelter with another person
More concerned about price than achieving the lowest possible base weight
Looking for a backup or loaner tent
For those users, spending substantially more on an ultralight tent may not produce a proportional improvement in enjoyment.
I would look elsewhere if you are:
An ultralight backpacker
A frequent long-distance hiker
Regularly camping in exposed mountain environments
Very tall and sensitive to restricted headroom
Planning to spend long periods inside the tent
Looking for a highly refined two-person living space
Extremely sensitive to pack weight
Expecting premium construction and hardware
In these situations, the additional cost of a more sophisticated shelter can be justified.
You don't always need to buy a new tent to improve your camping experience.
Master Your Pitch
A good pitch improves:
Weather resistance
Ventilation
Interior space
Fabric tension
Stability
Dryness
Spend time practicing at home before your first trip.
Never make your first tent setup a nighttime arrival in heavy rain.
Use a Lightweight Groundsheet Carefully
A groundsheet can protect the tent floor from abrasion, but there is a common mistake:
The groundsheet should not extend beyond the edges of the tent floor.
If rain lands on the exposed groundsheet, water can collect underneath the tent.
This is sometimes called a bathtub effect in practical camping discussions.
Fold or trim the groundsheet so that it remains underneath the tent footprint.
Your campsite can have a bigger effect on comfort than a small equipment upgrade.
Look for:
Naturally flat ground
Good drainage
Moderate wind protection
No obvious flood channels
No unstable trees or branches
Reasonable ventilation
Minimal rock and root intrusion
Avoid:
Riverbanks
Dry creek beds
Deep hollows
Exposed ridgelines in bad weather
Places underneath dead branches
Areas with obvious water flow marks
The 30-second campsite test
Before pitching, stop for 30 seconds.
Look around.
Ask:
Where would the water go if it rained heavily for three hours?
That simple question can prevent a miserable night.
Not necessarily.
This is where backpacking gets interesting.
A two-person tent is usually lighter than a three-person tent, but the extra space of a three-person shelter can dramatically improve comfort.
For two people who spend substantial time inside the tent, a lightweight three-person shelter can sometimes offer a better livability-to-weight ratio than a cramped two-person model.
Consider the actual trip.
If you mostly:
Hike until evening
Eat outside
Sleep
Pack up early
A compact two-person shelter makes sense.
If you:
Spend afternoons inside
Cook under shelter
Camp in rainy climates
Have lots of gear
Stay multiple nights in one location
Additional interior volume becomes much more valuable.
This is one reason I encourage backpackers to stop thinking only about grams per person and start considering livable space per gram.
Price is only one part of value.
Imagine two tents:
Tent A
Lower purchase price
Slightly heavier
Basic materials
Adequate comfort
Occasional use
Tent B
Much higher purchase price
Lower weight
Better space efficiency
Better materials
Frequent use
If Tent A lasts you five years and you use it ten times per year, it could represent excellent value.
If Tent B saves hundreds of hours of carrying effort over thousands of miles, it could also represent excellent value.
The "best" tent depends on how you use it.
Is the Eurohike Backpacker 2 worth it?
Yes—if you understand what you are buying.
The Backpacker 2 is best viewed as a practical entry-level backpacking tent, not a direct competitor to premium ultralight shelters.
Its strongest advantages are:
Accessible price
Backpacking-oriented design
Reasonable portability
Simple setup
Suitable functionality for normal recreational trips
Good entry point for new hikers
Its main limitations are:
Limited interior living space
Not designed around extreme weight reduction
Less refined than premium shelters
Potentially more noticeable condensation when occupied by two people
Less compelling for frequent, demanding backpackers
My overall rating
Value for money: 8/10
Backpacking practicality: 7/10
Livability for two: 6/10
Weight efficiency: 6/10
Weather suitability: 7/10 for normal three-season use
Beginner friendliness: 8/10
These ratings are best understood as use-case ratings, not laboratory scores.
If you're buying your first backpacking tent and your budget matters, the Eurohike Backpacker 2 is a reasonable place to start.
You don't need an expensive ultralight tent to enjoy the outdoors.
What you do need is a shelter that:
Keeps you reasonably dry.
Can handle the conditions you actually encounter.
Fits your backpacking style.
Is light enough that carrying it doesn't become unpleasant.
Gives you enough space to sleep comfortably.
Can be pitched correctly and maintained properly.
The Backpacker 2 can meet those requirements for the right user.
But there is an important lesson here:
The best backpacking tent isn't necessarily the lightest or cheapest. It's the one that gives you the right balance of carrying efficiency, weather protection, durability, and livable space for your trips.
That balance becomes increasingly important as your backpacking experience grows.
If you eventually move beyond the Backpacker 2, don't simply search for a tent that weighs less.
Instead, look for better performance per gram.
Pay particular attention to:
Interior dimensions
Peak height
Door geometry
Vestibule volume
Ventilation
Packed size
Pole strength
Fabric durability
Seam design
Number and position of guy points
Ease of setup
Total shelter-system weight
And most importantly:
Think about how you spend time in your tent.
A backpacking tent is your bedroom, changing room, gear-storage area, storm shelter, and sometimes your dining room.
That is why a tent that is 200 grams lighter isn't automatically better if those 200 grams come at the expense of everything you value after reaching camp.
Is the Eurohike Backpacker 2 good for beginners?
Yes. Its straightforward design and relatively accessible price make it a sensible option for people entering backpacking, particularly when trips are conducted in ordinary three-season conditions.
Can two adults sleep in the Eurohike Backpacker 2?
Yes, but expect a compact sleeping environment. Two-person ratings generally prioritize sleeping capacity rather than spacious living.
Is the Eurohike Backpacker 2 suitable for hiking?
Yes. It is designed with backpacking portability in mind and is substantially more appropriate for carrying on trails than a large traditional camping tent.
Can you use it in heavy rain?
A properly pitched tent can handle normal wet-weather camping, but campsite selection, ventilation, fly tension, and fabric condition all matter. No budget backpacking tent should be treated as a guarantee against severe weather.
Is it an ultralight tent?
I would not classify it as a true ultralight shelter simply because it is marketed for backpacking. Backpacking-friendly and ultralight are not the same thing.
Is a more expensive tent automatically better?
No. A premium tent can provide lower weight, better materials, greater space efficiency, and more sophisticated weather performance, but those advantages may not justify the additional cost for an occasional camper.
What is the most important thing to learn before using it?
Learn how to pitch it correctly and manage condensation. These two skills can have a surprisingly large effect on real-world comfort and weather performance.
About HillZero
HillZero is a premium outdoor design brand focused on Livable Backpacking Tents. Its philosophy is simple: Carry Less. Live Better. Rather than treating backpacking as nothing more than moving from one point to another, HillZero looks at the complete experience—walking, arriving, resting, organizing gear, waiting out rain, cooking, observing nature, and spending meaningful time outdoors. The brand's central design question is: How can a backpacking tent be easier to carry, without making it harder to live in? Starting with the Scott 2P, HillZero develops shelters around a deliberate balance between lightweight efficiency and genuine livability. The goal is not to make the lightest tent at any cost, nor to add unnecessary weight for extra space, but to preserve the functions that matter most once you arrive. HillZero — Livable Backpacking Tents. Light enough to carry. Livable enough to stay. Rethinking Backpacking. Beyond the Miles.