Disclaimer: This review is not a paid endorsement. This is an honest review for a tent I own. Video review coming soon!
Recently, our Boy Scout Philmont crew took a two night, 22 mile trek on the Appalachian Trail. We took the Ampex 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent out for a spin. In this review, most of the information comes directly from the boys that used the tent and my observations.
Specs at a Glance
- Minimum Trail Weight: 3 lb 12.9 oz (1.73 kg)
- Packed Weight: 4 lb 12.8 oz (2.18 kg)
- Fast Fly Setup: 2 lb 3.2 oz (1.00 kg)
That’s solidly in the lightweight category, making this tent a smart option for backpackers looking to shave weight without sacrificing durability or space.
Setup & First Impressions
Straight out of the bag, the tent feels well-made and thoughtfully designed. There are minimal instructions, but they’re not complicated and the setup is fast and frustration-free. Thanks to its color-coded poles and intuitive clip system, the boys had it pitched in under five minutes the first time out. Let me also mention, this was their first time ever seeing or using this tent.
My first impression after it was setup was, “dang that was fast!” For a 3-person tent, it doesn’t have a huge footprint like most. The quality and durability seemed great. Both nights we slept in areas covered in small branches and twigs that could easily poke holes in the tent. However, this tent withstood some challenging terrain like champ.
Space & Layout
Let’s talk real-world space: the Ampex claims to be a 3-person tent, and it technically is—but it’s best suited for two adults and gear, or two adults and a dog (haha). We had three average size 14 year old boys in the tent. While they all fit, the biggest issue was floor space for each of their ground pads. Two of them had inflated pads that took up the full width of the tent floor. They managed to squish the third at the bottom of the tent laying at an angle. It wasn’t a terrible setup, but for anything longer than a few nights, this might get challenging.
On the plus side, the two doors and two vestibules, means there is plenty of entry/exit options and covered storage, so you’re not crawling over your tentmate or cramming gear inside (which they did not have gear inside the tent).
There is also more than enough headroom to sit up comfortably, and the boys greatly appreciated the built-in mesh pockets and gear loft for keeping essentials within easy reach. All those head lamps, pocket knives, and random pieces of gear were aptly stowed each night.
Ventilation was excellent. The tent body has plenty of mesh, which allowed airflow while keeping bugs at bay—and we didn’t have any issues with condensation buildup, which is a big win in humid conditions. Both nights the temps dropped to the mid-to-high 20s which can make for less than fun sleeping weather. According to the boys that slept in the Ampex, they were warm and toasty all night. Zero issues with comfort. This was a HUGE plus, because none of them had trail sleep gear rated for the temps we got overnight.
Portability & Durability
Let’s talk weight. At just over 4.7 lbs packed weight (tent, rainfly, footprint, poles, stakes), this tent is impressively light for a full-featured 3-person shelter. It packs down small enough to fit in or on a backpacking pack and includes a compact stuff sack that isn’t a struggle to use (thank you, Ampex!). All of the pieces were easy to split up so that no one person carried all the weight.
The materials feel sturdy without being bulky. The zippers glide smoothly, the seams are sealed tight, and after our—including some before-mentioned rough ground—we haven’t noticed any wear or damage. One thing to note about the zippers, they’re surprisingly quiet. I know this seems like a small thing, but when you’re exhausted from backpacking all day, the last thing you want to hear is your tentmates zipping a door up in the middle of the night because of the liter of water they drank during at dinner.
The Bottom Line
The Ampex 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent hits a sweet spot: lightweight enough for serious trail use, roomy enough for comfort, and rugged enough to handle unpredictable weather. At its price point, it’s an outstanding value for both new and seasoned backpackers.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Best For: Backpacking couples, solo hikers who like space, minimalist campers
Not Ideal For: Bulkier trios or tall trios needing extra length
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a dependable tent that won’t weigh you down—on your back or your budget—the Ampex 3-Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent is an easy one to recommend. Seriously, you can’t beat the price for what you get.
