Stansport Scout 2 Person Backpacking Tent

What We Think

At $35, the Stansport Scout 2 Person Backpacking Tent is one of the cheapest backpacking-style shelters you can buy, and it performs exactly like a $35 tent.

This A-frame design scored a 6.7 overall, which reflects a tent that works fine for specific, limited situations but falls short as a serious backcountry tool.

The Scout is best understood as a starter tent for kids, a backyard sleepover shelter, or a fair-weather backup you won't cry over if it gets trashed.

Ease of Use

The classic A-frame design is genuinely simple to pitch, earning an 8.0 in Ease of Use.

Owners consistently report that the aluminum pole setup is intuitive, even for first-timers, with a 10-minute pitch time that holds up in practice.

The tent is also trekking pole compatible, which adds versatility for hikers who want to shave pack weight by leaving the included poles at home.

At 3.7 lbs, it's light enough for casual backpacking, though serious gram-counters will look elsewhere.

Space & Comfort

The 29 square feet of floor area is technically marketed for two people, but we'd call this a realistic solo tent with gear storage.

The 36-inch peak height is the most common complaint among owners, who describe it as cramped and difficult for changing clothes or sitting upright.

This tent scored a 7.0 in Space & Comfort, which is generous given the low ceiling, but the floor space itself is adequate for one person plus a pack.

Weather Resistance

Here's the required honesty: this tent leaks.

A recurring theme in negative reviews is water intrusion during rain, and the lack of factory seam sealing means you're gambling every time clouds roll in.

The rugged polyethylene floor with its bathtub-style construction handles ground moisture reasonably well, but the upper shelter simply isn't reliable in wet conditions.

The 7.0 Weather Resistance score reflects that the A-frame design does shed light rain and wind, but sustained precipitation will find its way inside.

Quality & Durability

The thin fabrics and minimal construction quality earned a 5.0 in Quality & Durability.

This is not a tent built for years of hard use.

For comparison, the River Country Products Trekker Tent costs just $60 and scores an 8.3 overall with meaningfully better build quality and weather protection, making it the smarter budget choice for anyone planning actual trail time.

Value for Money

Despite the rock-bottom price, the Scout only scored a 6.0 in Value for Money.

That might seem counterintuitive, but value isn't just about low cost; it's about what you get for your money.

A tent that can't handle rain has a narrow use case, which limits its practical value regardless of price.

User Reviews

Owner feedback is surprisingly positive, with an 8.0 User Reviews score driven by buyers who understood what they were getting.

The most common praise centers on the budget-friendly price point and the tent's adequacy for dry-weather camping and backyard use.

Parents buying a first tent for kids report satisfaction, while backpackers expecting real weather protection report disappointment.

Who It's For

The Scout makes sense for parents outfitting kids for backyard campouts or scout trips in predictable weather.

It's also a reasonable throwaway shelter for festival camping or as an emergency backup in your car trunk.

If you're planning actual backcountry trips, even casual ones, check our best 2-person backpacking tents roundup for options that won't leave you wet at 2 AM.

The Bottom Line

The Stansport Scout scored a 6.7, which is fair for a $35 tent that does exactly what $35 tents do.

In dry conditions with low expectations, it's fine.

The moment rain enters the forecast, it becomes a liability.

Buy it for kids, buy it for backyard sleepovers, but don't bet a backcountry trip on it.