Tent capacity ratings lie. Everyone knows this and the industry still prints them. Let me tell you how to actually pick.
The math
A 2P tent fits two adults who are fine touching. A 2P tent with a dog, a pack at your feet, and any comfort at all fits one adult. So the rule is: add one person to any stated capacity if you want to live in it.
A 4P tent fits a family of three plus stuff. A 6P tent fits four adults with gear inside.
Solo backpacking
Get a 2P. The weight penalty is tiny and you will love the extra space on trip three. Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is the one I recommend most often. Three pounds, livable inside, bombproof in weather.
Two-person backpacking
Depends on the trip. For weekend and regular trail use, the Copper Spur HV UL2 is still the pick. For a couple doing a month on the PCT, I'd go Durston X-Mid 2 for the weight savings. For car camping with two adults, a 4P tent gives you a palace for the weight you don't care about.
Family of four
REI Wonderland 6 or Big Agnes Big House 4. The Wonderland is better for taller folks. The Big House packs down smaller. Either one works for a weekend at Meeman-Shelby or a week at a developed campground.
Groups of five or six
Stop thinking one tent. Two smaller tents give you flexibility: the kids can stay up, the adults can sleep. And you split the weight better. I take a 3P and a 4P on group trips instead of a single 6P.
What to ignore
Vestibule size on the spec sheet. Every tent has "enough" vestibule for a pack and boots. The real question is whether the fly reaches the ground and whether the vent is placed somewhere useful. Those you can only tell by pitching it.
Come pitch one in the store
We keep a demo Copper Spur up most weekends at the Nashville store. If you want to see a 4P or 6P pitched, email me and I'll set it up.
