One of the efficient methods to scale back the load of your backpack is by selecting an ultralight tent. We compiled analysis on 64 completely different choices and chosen one of the best fashions to check, starting from budget-friendly picks that stunned us to premium fortresses providing storm safety.
We evaluated every mannequin based mostly on numerous metrics akin to consolation, ease of use, and climate resistance, whereas additionally holding in thoughts the astronomical costs that these shelters usually command.
We included each one-person and two-person choices to check within the forests of the Midwest. We spent an evening in every with the identical gear we tackle our adventures to see how they match into a typical backpacking expertise and invited mates to judge the two-person fashions.
The lead tester has been an avid backpacker and equipment fanatic for eight years, testing all sorts of backpacking tools from deep winter forests to blistering deserts.
And for more information, try a few of our different hottest gear guides:
Fast Picks for Ultralight Tents
Try this fast listing of our favorites, or proceed scrolling to see our full listing of one of the best ultralight tents with in-depth critiques.
Finest two-person ultralight tent: Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 2+ ($669)
Finest one-person ultralight tent: Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 1 ($549)
Finest steadiness of consolation and weight for 2: Zpacks Offset Duo ($799)
Finest steadiness of consolation and weight for one: Zpacks Pivot Solo ($649)
Most spacious & weather-worthy ultralight tent: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 ($1098)
Finest low-weight design: Zpacks Duplex Traditional ($699)
Best to suggest one-person tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($260)
Finest tent with freestanding possibility: Tarptent Double Rainbow ($299)
Finest price range ultralight tent: 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional ($190)
Good steadiness of weight & livability for solo hikers: MSR Freelite 2 ($449)
Finest semi-freestanding ultralight tent: Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 ($450)
Finest versatile tarp internet combo: Six Moon Designs Haven ($375)
Finest tremendous light-weight one-person silnylon tent: Gossamer Gear The One ($255)
Finest tremendous light-weight two-person silnylon tent: Gossamer Gear The Two ($320)
What’s new
Our ultralight tent information has been fully rewritten! With new analysis and testing on quite a few fashions, we’re assured we’ve recognized one of the best shelters for holding your pack weight low.
- There are a number of fashions that carried over from our earlier information and deserve persevering with spots on our lineup. The legendary Zpacks Duplex stays a implausible possibility, the Lunar Solo continues to be our entry degree champion, and the Gossamer Gear The Two, Six Moon Designs Haven, Tarptent Double Rainbow, and Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 stay as properly. The Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 and MSR FreeLite 2 stay as our ultralight conventional semi-freestanding picks.
- We added many new fashions to our listing. The favored Durston X-Mid Professional 1 and Professional 2+ shocked us with a superb mix of consolation, weight, and ease of use to earn our editors alternative awards for solo and duo adventures. The Zpacks Offset Duo and newly launched Pivot Solo have been unbelievable choices and the Pivot Solo additionally earned an Editors Alternative award for its distinctive design and nice function set. The Gossamer Gear The One was additionally added as a uniquely light-weight silnylon possibility.
Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 1
Finest one-person ultralight tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.8/5.0
Value:
$549
Weight:
1 lb. 1.4 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 32 x 45 in.
Flooring Space:
20 sq ft
Professionals
- Simple to make use of
- Nice for taller individuals
- Stormworthy design
- Great inside consolation
- Spacious vestibules
Cons
- Can solely match pack at head/foot finish
- Alternate pitches require some work
Out of all of the one-person tents we researched and examined, the X-Mid Professional 1 got here closest to balancing all of the options we care about whereas nonetheless sustaining an unbelievable weight. Whereas many tents that intention to be jack-of-all-trades find yourself neither interesting sufficient in any class nor excelling in any particular space, the Professional 1 in some way manages to drag it off and appeals to just about each function class. We examined the Professional 1 over 1,000 miles of the PCT and beloved it extra with every passing mile.
Beginning with weight, we measured the Professional 1 at 17.4 ounces, which isn’t absolutely the lightest one-person shelter in the marketplace, however is about common for a DCF one-person shelter. What units the Professional 1 aside is how full the remainder of its function bundle feels whereas weighing solely barely greater than different tents that make compromises in some areas. The inside is lengthy, simply accommodating our 5’11” tester, and even leaving room on the head or foot for a backpack. This can be a nice shelter for taller of us. Nevertheless, the width isn’t ample to suit a pack subsequent to you whereas sleeping, however this distinction wasn’t a major concern for us on the path. Headroom can be glorious; the offset pole geometry supplies a whole lot of house from entrance to again, and there’s satisfactory room side-to-side. We may change shirts whereas sitting up with out brushing the condensation off the partitions. The vestibules have been good for storing our pack and sneakers at evening, and day after day on the path, we appreciated their dimension subsequent to the massive and comfy L-shaped doorways. Nevertheless, this consolation does include a draw back, as the largest design tradeoff of the Professional 1 is its bigger rectangular footprint. We by no means encountered points with it, however for extra cramped trails, Durston Gear gives an alternate pitching information that helps considerably cut back footprint dimension.
However it’s in climate resistance that the Professional 1 shines a bit brighter than its friends. With a fly that extends all the way in which all the way down to the bottom to restrict splashback, and an offset dual-peak pyramid fashion geometry that cuts by way of the wind, we all the time felt assured throughout storms. One facet that additionally helps in a storm is straightforward setup. With solely 4 stakes wanted for a safe pitch, this was significantly useful once we have been mountaineering till darkish by way of the rain and wanted to arrange shortly. 4 stakes later, we dashed inside whereas a mountaineering companion struggled with extra stakes for his or her tent.
Lastly, the worth can be on the decrease finish for a DCF shelter, particularly when outfitted with the silnylon ground like we’ve. It’s nonetheless not a price range shelter by any means, however the truth that it gives this a lot efficiency and luxury at a cheaper price than different tents is actually spectacular. That’s what made the Professional 1 such a delight to make use of. Night time after evening, we by no means grew bored with setting it up and crawling inside; we beloved the comfortable house and genuinely seemed ahead to stress-free inside on the finish of an extended day. If you’re worn out after an extended thru-hiking day and a easy tent brings a smile to your face, that’s a high quality piece of substances.
That being stated, this isn’t a magic “greatest tent ever,” and like all tents, it makes some cautious design tradeoffs which may not enchantment to you. For our mountaineering fashion and preferences, we imagine these design tradeoffs are sensible, however try our different one-person tent critiques to see if one thing else fits your fashion. It’s no marvel this tent has been progressively climbing in recognition, and we are able to affirm from our testing that it’s completely implausible and properly definitely worth the funding.
Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 2+
Finest two-person ultralight tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.9/5.0
Value:
$669
Weight:
1 lb. 5.8 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
92 x 52 x 49 in.
Flooring Space:
32.5 sq ft
Professionals
- Unimaginable livability for 2 individuals
- Simple set-up
- Nice air flow
- Massive vestibules
- Massive pockets
Cons
- Alternate pitching types require some work
- Costly
No different tent does such job making a livable and comfy expertise for backpacking adventures whereas remaining so light-weight than the Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 2+. With a simple setup, glorious climate resistance, and spacious vestibules, we’re left with a tent that impressed us at each flip. If there have been one tent we’d need to share with somebody on a backpacking journey, this might be it.
A major a part of the success right here is as a result of intelligent design of the offset poles. The 2 trekking pole areas optimize inside quantity extra successfully than different configurations. Throughout our first testing of the Professional 2+ in Minnesota on a heat winter afternoon, we laughed with delight upon getting into and seeing the spacious inside. In comparison with all our different tent choices, this one felt probably the most livable and comfy. The extra dimension additionally ensures that sleeping in any orientation is nice. Though the offset pole design creates sloping aspect partitions that will have an effect on headroom for one individual sleeping in the identical path, we discovered it to nonetheless be comfy and never claustrophobic throughout our exams.
Every part else concerning the Professional 2+ feels nice. The vestibule and door zippers function easily and are properly positioned. The doorways are massive, L-shaped, and are straightforward to entry no matter your mendacity orientation. We admire that the vents may be simply closed with out leaving the tent, and that the vestibules are barely overhung, stopping rain from falling into the sleeping space when getting into or exiting. All these options and comforts do include some trade-offs. Any luxuriously massive two-person tent could have a major footprint, and the Professional 2+ actually has one. Durston Gear gives an alternate pitching information that may drastically cut back the footprint by collapsing the vestibules, which is a considerate contact we admire from firms. And naturally, this isn’t a price range tent; it’s costly regardless of the way you justify it. Nevertheless, inside its class, it stands out as extra inexpensive than its rivals whereas delivering a greater expertise, making a compelling mixture that’s exhausting to withstand.
The X-Mid Professional 2+ might not be one of the best tent for everybody, however amongst all those we examined, it’s the one we really feel most assured recommending for 2 individuals searching for consolation on the path at an unbelievable weight. We left our expertise with it totally delighted and might’t await our subsequent journey collectively.
Zpacks Offset Duo
Finest steadiness of consolation and weight for 2
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.7/5.0
Value:
$799
Weight:
1 lb. 5.1 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
94 x 50/44 x 48 in.
Flooring Space:
31.4 sq ft
Professionals
- Nice inside house
- Tremendous light-weight
- Good vent designs
- Intelligent panel pull design
Cons
- Larger rainfly perimeter peak than competing tents
- Costly
Historically, ultralight tents have been small and minimal to realize the lightest weights, however the Offset Duo defies conference and asks, “How a lot consolation are you able to get for an additional ounce?” It seems, quite a bit—an unbelievable quantity, which made us fall in love with the Offset Duo. To be extra direct, it’s exhausting to debate this tent with out mentioning its legendary cousin, the Duplex, which is presumably the preferred thru-hiking tent. For only one additional ounce, the Offset Duo makes key design modifications that we imagine make it a greater possibility for customers in comparison with the basic Duplex.
Constructing on the A-frame design, the Offset Duo shifts the poles to at least one aspect as its title implies, offsetting the inside peak barely. This enables for a transition from rainbow doorways to extra comfy L-shaped ones, considerably growing inside headroom. To compensate for the lowered foot finish, Zpacks embraces the thought of panel pulls and incorporates one basically into the design, breaking the massive entrance panel into 4 smaller ones that converge on a sturdy panel pull. You should utilize a 3rd trekking pole or the included carbon fiber pole right here, enhancing livability inside immensely. The inside dimensions are additionally upgraded from these of the Duplex, and as a result of extra vertical aspect partitions, that additional house is genuinely usable.
When testing this tent alongside different shelters in numerous native parks in Minnesota, we persistently returned to it after making an attempt extra conventional A-frame shelters as a result of its design felt way more revolutionary. Most customers of the shelter are prone to be in pairs, making the everlasting panel pole a sensible alternative. Moreover, switching to waterproof zippers is a good enhancement and the truth that the vestibules sit nearer to the bottom helps defend towards splashback and drafts. To make sure sturdiness, Zpacks makes use of the identical trail-validated supplies present in a lot of their different shelters, utilizing 0.55 and 1.0 ouncessqyd DCF for the rain fly and ground.
Total, we imagine that is an exceptionally stable shelter, simply among the finest for thru-hiking. Should you think about the choice of buying and selling an oz. for a major increase in livability to be worthwhile—as we do—then the Offset Duo ought to be on the high of your listing for consideration.
Zpacks Pivot Solo
Finest steadiness of consolation and weight for one
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.7/5.0
Value:
$649
Weight:
1 lb. .1 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
84 x 29/42/28 x 52 in.
Flooring Space:
21 sq ft
Professionals
- Good floorspace
- Massive peak vent
- No moist footbox considerations
Cons
- Difficult preliminary setup
- Small inside pocket
As the latest tent in our lineup, we imagine Zpacks has one other hit with the Pivot Solo. With an revolutionary design that addresses many weaknesses of different one-person shelters, the Pivot Solo has only a few downsides and may enchantment to a large viewers.
Like all Zpacks tents, the Pivot Solo is made out of Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) cloth. As a water-resistant and low-stretch materials, it’s glorious for shelters, and we expect this new design will carry out properly in storms. When positioned with the foot finish going through into the wind, the Pivot Solo presents profile that ought to deflect wind successfully. We haven’t examined it in any storms but, however comparable pyramid-style designs have carried out properly up to now, so we’re hopeful about this design too. The height vent is massive and held open by a peak guyline, which we discover to be an excellent function because it avoids the stiff brim generally discovered on different tents. The door incorporates a easy, waterproof zipper resulting in a spacious vestibule. It’s right here that the Pivot Solo makes a design alternative that will divide opinions. The rainfly stops a number of inches above the bottom, which is useful for air flow, however it compromises splashback efficiency and might really feel drafty. Whereas the massive peak vent helps handle condensation, we might have most well-liked if the fly prolonged nearer to the bottom; nonetheless, it is a matter of non-public desire, and a few individuals will admire this alternative.
Inside, there’s extra excellent news with loads of consolation. What excited us most throughout testing was the small mesh panel on the foot finish, made potential by the brief vertical pole. It fully eliminates considerations a few moist footbox, offering nice peace of thoughts. The size was additionally supreme for our 5’11” body. Whereas there’s not house above or under for a backpack, there’s room to the aspect, which is nice to see. The headroom is generally good, and the only tall peak enhances total livability, higher than single-pole pyramid tents. One draw back is the only mesh pocket; it’s small, angled, and never spacious sufficient for something bigger than a telephone or headlamp, however which may suffice for some customers.
The worth can also be too excessive for some, because it’s one of the crucial costly one-person tents we thought of. Nevertheless, you’re getting a fairly full bundle with only a few downsides for that worth, so we imagine it might be a worthwhile funding for a thru-hike. That’s the general sentiment we’ve concerning the Pivot Solo. Should you admire how Zpacks addressed sure points with one-person tents, we expect this can make many thru-hikers very glad.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 with Full DCF Interior
Most spacious & weather-worthy ultralight tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.7/5.0
Value:
$1,098
Weight:
2 lb. 8.7 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
96 x 76 x 64 in.
Flooring Space:
50 sq ft
Professionals
- Unimaginable climate resistance
- Large peak peak
- Nice ground house
Cons
- Costly
- No vestibule
- Inside pole is in the course of the ground
For one of the best climate resistance of any tent we’ve examined, the Ultamid 2 stands far forward of the competitors, virtually in one other class of tents. Nevertheless, all that efficiency comes with vital trade-offs in different areas that will not make it worthwhile for many backpackers.
Beginning with the positives, the Ultamid 2 incorporates a pyramidal form that excels at deflecting wind from almost any path. Mixed with ample staking factors and guylines, and with some acceptable setup time, this could change into a storm fortress able to withstanding extra excessive circumstances than different backpacking shelters. The supplies are correspondingly sturdy to endure excessive winds. The rainfly is made out of 0.8 ouncessq yd DCF, an extremely robust materials, and the stitching high quality is superb as properly. To realize a pyramid form with a spacious inside of fifty sq. ft, the Ultamid 2 boasts a peak peak of 64 inches, the tallest in our lineup, successfully eliminating the claustrophobic emotions typical of smaller shelters.
Nevertheless, focusing so closely on one space entails trade-offs, and as we talked about, the Ultamid 2 is sort of in a distinct class of tents. For starters, it’s heavy. Weighing in at 40.7 ounces, that is the heaviest tent in our lineup as a result of extra sturdy materials and elements. Though its massive dimensions appear interesting on paper, in observe they end in a shelter that isn’t as comfy because the numbers suggest. The sloping partitions, that are efficient at shedding wind, shortly restrict headroom. Though our sleeping quilts didn’t contact the partitions, they simply brushed towards the inside mesh. With out a vestibule, getting into and exiting exposes the inside to rain, and the tall central pole, fabricated from two lashed trekking poles, makes getting near your sleeping companion way more difficult.
That’s earlier than contemplating the worth. That is the costliest tent we examined by a substantial margin. So, for extra weight, the next price, and fewer consolation than many different tents we evaluated, does this even make sense? Nicely, sure; it’s merely in a distinct class of tents. This isn’t meant for informal and even reasonably intense backpacking; it’s designed for adventures that push the boundaries of climate resistance. For these people, 40.7 ounces is a powerful weight, and the worth is justifiable for the efficiency at this weight. Whereas we weren’t capable of check this tent to its full potential throughout a light Midwestern winter, we’re assured it should dwell as much as its stellar status.
Extra: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Tent Full Evaluation
Zpacks Duplex Traditional
Finest low-weight design
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$699
Weight:
1 lb. 1.9 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 45 x 48 in.
Flooring Space:
28.1 sq ft
Professionals
- Superb weight for a 2p shelter
- Easy setup for a trekking pole shelter
- DCF materials doesn’t take up water
Cons
- Cramped for two individuals
- Rainbow doorways are love/hate
- Common climate resistance
One of the common backpacking tents continues to impress as one of many lightest two-person tents accessible. We measured it at simply 18.5 ounces, which is lighter than most conventional one-person tents. Zpacks has a winner right here, however they could have surpassed themselves in product innovation, as we imagine different fashions of their lineup improve the qualities that make the Duplex Traditional so interesting.
Earlier than we dive into that, let’s focus on the positives. First, the Duplex is remarkably gentle for a two-person tent. That includes two massive doorways and vestibules on both aspect, the load per individual when shared is an unbelievable 9.25 ounces every. The brilliance of this design lies in its simplicity. There are not any rainfly zippers, no tent poles, no double-wall development, and simply sufficient house for 2.
Nevertheless, most backpackers have a tendency to make use of this tent as a solo retreat. For that objective, it’s nonetheless a superb alternative, although it comes with a major footprint for one individual. Furthermore, the climate resistance leaves one thing to be desired. With massive cloth panels that catch the wind and a excessive perimeter rainfly that doesn’t guard towards splashback, the Duplex isn’t our high choose for stormy circumstances. That stated, it performs adequately for many backpacking situations, and as a bonus, the DCF materials doesn’t sag when moist and dries shortly. Nonetheless, Zpacks has continued to innovate and has addressed some shortcomings of the Duplex with the way more spacious Offset Duo.
For weight purists, nonetheless, the Duplex’s numbers are simple. It stays a premium tent, however its recognition signifies that many individuals view it as a worthwhile funding for a thru-hike.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
Best to suggest one-person tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$260
Weight:
1 lb. 10 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
90 x 48 x 49 in.
Flooring Space:
26.3 sq ft
Professionals
- Wonderful efficiency for worth
- Spacious inside ground house
- Silpoly cloth received’t sag when moist
- Good climate resistance
Cons
- Pyramid design limits headroom
- Difficult setup to get an excellent pitch
The Lunar Solo is a kind of tents that’s actually straightforward to suggest. With out understanding a lot about somebody’s backpacking fashion, we often recommend this high-performing shelter when individuals ask which tent they need to purchase. And for good cause. It excels within the necessities of backpacking tents in a method that appeals to a variety of each skilled and novice backpackers.
Firstly, it gives a implausible worth and weight. Weighing in at 26.1 ounces on our scale, that’s a weight that ought to please conventional backpackers and garner a nod of approval from ultralight fans. It additionally supplies a surprisingly great amount of house for one individual, simply accommodating our gear to the aspect. It’s even spacious sufficient to function a two-person tent in a pinch! Plus, the silpoly cloth received’t sag when moist within the rain, guaranteeing that your pitch stays tight all through the evening.
Nevertheless, that pitch is among the downsides. With its hexagonal form, we discovered the Lunar Solo extra difficult than most for attaining an excellent pitch. It’s positively straightforward to set it up and make it look good, however once we’re weathering a storm, we want it tight and safe throughout—one thing we struggled with on the Lunar Solo. This facet tends to enhance with expertise throughout all tents, however it’s price mentioning right here. The only-wall design mixed with a sloping pyramid form additionally signifies that it’s straightforward to brush towards the partitions in moist circumstances.
Regardless of these drawbacks, the Lunar Solo nonetheless delivers a powerful performance-to-price ratio, which has made it extremely common for good cause. It’s one of many best shelters to suggest because of this, and we imagine it should proceed to impress outside fans for years to return.
Tarptent Double Rainbow
Finest tent with freestanding possibility
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$299
Weight:
2 lb. 4.5 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
88 x 50 x 42 in.
Flooring Space:
30.6 sq ft
Professionals
- Wonderful weight for non trekking pole design
- Good size for taller individuals
- Strong magnetic door closure
- Freestanding with trekking poles
- Enjoyable porch mode
Cons
- Restricted lateral head room
- Pole removing from sleeve is hard
Amongst ultralight shelters, the Tarptent Double Rainbow is famend for its consolation, versatility, and affordability for hikers, and we are able to attest to its stellar status; this tent actually excels. Its distinctive design makes use of a single curved pole operating down the backbone, creating near-vertical partitions at each the top and foot ends, permitting you to take full benefit of the 88 inches of size. This design additionally supplies first rate wind resistance, and the 2 guyline attachment factors halfway up the pole construction ought to guarantee stable efficiency in storms.
Inside, we appreciated the considerate design decisions. Massive pockets on both aspect are perfect for storing your telephone and charger at evening, whereas the ceiling options mitten hooks for an optionally available liner accent or for stringing a clothesline to dry gear. One draw back is the restricted lateral headroom when sitting up; though we discover it acceptable, different shelters on this worth vary provide a greater expertise.
Nevertheless, the standout function is the power to transform to freestanding mode. By utilizing two trekking poles horizontally to attach the corners, your complete tent can change into freestanding. This can be a implausible profit for hikers on trails the place tent platforms are widespread (just like the Appalachian Path) or for many who choose to not seek for heavy rocks to safe the corners on poor soil. Moreover, there’s a material piece tucked between the doorways that may be stretched throughout when open to create an awning; that is good for ready out gentle rain and helps the tent really feel much less claustrophobic.
The worth and weight of the Double Rainbow are each aggressive, particularly given its potential to change into a freestanding tent. It’s priced considerably decrease than premium semi-freestanding fashions but weighs solely barely extra whereas providing enhanced livability. Relying in your priorities, the Double Rainbow may strike the best steadiness of options and worth.
3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional
Finest price range ultralight tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$190
Weight:
2 lb. .3 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
106 x 47 x 49 in.
Flooring Space:
29.7 sq ft
Professionals
- Good livability
- Simple to pitch
- Wonderful included stakes
Cons
- Low-cost feeling cloth
- Cumbersome vent design
- Just one pocket
No different tent supplies this degree of efficiency at such an inexpensive worth. Beforehand, these searching for an affordable ultralight possibility wanted to grasp tarp setups and regulate to utilizing bug head nets for sleeping. Nevertheless, the Lanshan 2 Professional demonstrates how a lot price range ultralight shelters have advanced and the nice worth you possibly can obtain on your funding.
At first, we’re happy to report that the Lanshan gives first rate consolation. It’s not a palace, however we encountered no points, even with people standing at 5’11” when sitting up or mendacity down. We managed to suit two lofty three-season quilts and sleeping pads inside with out feeling susceptible to contacting the aspect partitions with our footbox or head. Though it retains the basic A-frame design, which causes the aspect partitions to slope inward, limiting ground house, the beneficiant dimensions meant this wasn’t a major downside for us. On a constructive word, we appreciated the versatile door design that enables both aspect to open, or each without delay.
That stated, that is nonetheless a budget-friendly tent, which implies there are some compromises. The sturdiness of the material stays unsure, a skepticism that merely comes with the price range class. It feels considerably completely different from the silnylon we’re accustomed to, however completely different doesn’t essentially equate to inferior, and solely long-term testing will yield solutions. For now, we stay cautiously optimistic; moreover an uncommon hand really feel, it doesn’t seem considerably inferior. The vents pose one other concern. The inflexible cloth that retains them open is cumbersome when rolling up the tent. Whereas we worth the scale of the vents, the brim design feels unnecessarily difficult.
But, total, we genuinely preferred this tent greater than we anticipated, to the extent that we wouldn’t hesitate to take it on our subsequent large journey. Its weight is even lighter than a few of its counterparts, and its unbeatable worth makes it a genuinely interesting possibility. Should you’re new to ultralight tenting and really feel hesitant concerning the greater costs, we imagine the Lanshan 2 Professional is a superb place to begin.
MSR Freelite 2
Good steadiness of weight & livability for solo hikers
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.3/5.0
Value:
$449
Weight:
2 lb. .1 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
84 x 50 x 39 in.
Flooring Space:
29 sq ft
Professionals
- Roomy for one
- Two doorways/vestibules (a perk for solo hikers)
- Handy pockets
- Rainfly gutter prevents drippy entry
The MSR FreeLite 2 is a good possibility for these trying to go lighter with out sacrificing the comfort of a double-wall tent. It has two massive doorways/vestibules, a sensible rainfly design that forestalls drippy entry within the rain, and a decrease weight than many equally designed tents.
We view the FreeLite as extra comfy for solo hikers for the reason that inside headroom can really feel a bit cramped when spending any prolonged period of time inside. However for pairs that worth saving weight over having extra inside house, the FreeLite has the size to accommodate two individuals.
The rainbow form of the FreeLite is efficient at shedding precipitation, and the distinctive rainfly gutters direct water away from the zippered entry to stop it from pooling up and pouring onto the ground whereas shifting in or out of the tent in moist climate.
Solo backpackers wanting one of the best mixture of weight, livability, and climate safety will love the FreeLite, and pairs who would decide to save lots of weight and don’t thoughts tight quarters will discover that this tent delivers glorious efficiency.
Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Finest semi-freestanding ultralight tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.2/5.0
Value:
$$450
Weight:
2 lb. 3 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
86 x 52/42 x 39 in.
Flooring Space:
28 sq ft
Professionals
- Very gentle for a pole tent
- Superb gear storage pocket
- High quality development
Cons
- Tight for 2 individuals
- Poor door design
For a standard pole tent, it’s exhausting to discover a lighter possibility with two doorways and two vestibules than the Tiger Wall UL2. Weighing in at a stunning 35 ounces, it has confirmed to be a persistently common alternative on many long-distance trails.
Like many Huge Agnes tents, the Tiger Wall seems like a high quality piece of substances; each part is top of the range and properly made, even when the supplies are skinny. Setting it up is straightforward and easy, although, like all semi-freestanding designs, staking is important to make sure a totally safe shelter. The inside additionally sports activities a beautiful gear storage pocket on the entrance finish, a frankly monumental quantity of mesh that’s good for stuffing a puffy jacket, damp socks, and even a whole sleeping quilt in a pinch.
Nevertheless, there’s not a ton of room on the within. Like a whole lot of two individual tents on this class, it’s often used as a one-person tent since two individuals can really feel cramped. It’s not terribly uncomfortable for 2, although. Throughout an journey within the Boundary Waters, when one other tent proved to be much less mouse-proof than anticipated, we squeezed two individuals into the inside with out concern, and each discovered the expertise extra comfy than anticipated. Nevertheless, for longer thru-hikes, the dearth of house is likely to be problematic for some, and the bigger Tiger Wall UL3 is fortunately an excellent possibility for that situation.
Moreover, the silnylon cloth will sag when moist, and the light-weight nature of this tent doesn’t make it our first alternative for stormy climate. Even amongst different ultralight tents, we’d need to guarantee it was correctly staked out with man strains in any excessive winds. The door design additionally dissatisfied us, limiting headroom when getting into and exiting, a state of affairs made even worse within the rain. All these particulars, coupled with the comparatively excessive worth, make it a more durable promote right now than it was years in the past, particularly with stiff competitors from trekking pole tents.
Nevertheless, for backpackers searching for a light-weight pole tent, the Tiger Wall UL2 stays an excellent shelter that ought to preserve hikers glad for a few years to return.
Six Moon Designs Haven
Finest versatile tarp internet combo
CleverHiker Ranking:
3.9/5.0
Value:
$375
Weight:
2 lb. .12 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
88 x 44 x 45 in.
Flooring Space:
27 sq ft
Professionals
- Modular design
- Sturdy supplies
- Light-weight
Cons
- Small inside
- Tough pitching with internet
- Small pockets
The Haven gives a novel proposition for backpackers seeking a double wall shelter. Though it doesn’t fairly hit the mark, it nonetheless stands as a tent that ought to fulfill many adventurers. For starters, it makes use of an offset double wall A-frame design. This design supplies extra headroom than a symmetrical design would, but additionally cuts down on room for the footbox of the quilt. With the supporting trekking poles positioned farther again, massive L-shaped doorways are potential, which we discovered to be comfy and spacious.
Inside, we had blended emotions about livability. Whereas we managed to suit two lofty quilts and sleeping pads with none points, we seen there wasn’t a whole lot of additional room for people round six ft tall. It’s acceptable, however the way in which the inside internet tent connects to a single level within the cloth panel causes the mesh to hold uncomfortably near our faces. Concurrently, the footbox of our quilts didn’t contact the sidewalls, however it wasn’t positioned at a snug distance both. Your expertise might range, as everybody has completely different consolation ranges; for us, it’s acceptable however not past that. The big cloth panels additionally don’t instill nice confidence of their climate resistance. Even with the panel pulls, this wouldn’t be our best choice of shelter throughout storms.
One of many greatest benefits of the Haven is its double wall design. The flexibility to go away the web tent at house permits for vital weight financial savings or glorious stargazing alternatives by eradicating the tarp. The web tent attaches to the tarp at 4 corners and two panel pulls, however we imagine the attachment on the peaks isn’t one of the best design. The web tent has two small pockets of sturdy cloth for the trekking pole ideas that relaxation towards the height of the rainfly. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a attachment to the rainfly, which ends up in the web tent shifting round greater than we’d choose throughout setup. It additionally requires extra precision within the setup course of than shortly inserting trekking poles handle-up, as is widespread with different tents of this fashion.
Lastly, there’s a worth to contemplate. It’s pricier than different trekking pole shelters, however for many who genuinely need a double wall design, the worth is cheap for the standard supplied. For somebody a tarp and inside internet combo for 2 individuals and who doesn’t thoughts the pitching necessities, we imagine the Haven may function a stable tent for a lot of miles on the path.
Gossamer Gear The One
Finest tremendous light-weight one-person silnylon tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
3.8/5.0
Value:
$255
Weight:
1 lb. 3.5 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
84 x 33/21 x 45 in.
Flooring Space:
15.8 sq ft
Professionals
- Extraordinarily gentle for a silnylon shelter
- Simple to pitch
- Nice headroom
- Large peak vent
Cons
- Tiny door
- Small inside
- Not nice for storms
- Skinny supplies
There’s one quantity that stands out above all others about The One, and it’s the frankly ridiculous weight. We measured it at 19.5 ounces. For a totally enclosed silnylon shelter, that’s unparalleled, and for a lot of, it’s a compelling cause to decide on this as their subsequent tent. We are able to cautiously endorse that alternative, however it’s essential to know that Gossamer Gear designed this tent with some particular tradeoffs to realize that weight.
Probably the most vital tradeoff is the fabric alternative. Using 10d silnylon for each the fly and the ground explains a lot about why this tent is so gentle. Different ultralight shelters usually use at the least 15d and sometimes 20d to 40d, which means additional care is required right here. For a lot of ultralight backpackers accustomed to excessive upkeep routines, this won’t be a significant concern. The second vital tradeoff is consolation, although it’s not totally destructive. We’ll start with the largest benefit: the expansive headroom supplied by the 2 trekking poles. Facet to aspect, it’s beneficiant, and the 45-inch peak means it’s first rate entrance to again as properly. Nevertheless, the inside house shortly feels cramped when contemplating the ground space. With solely 15.8 sq. ft of house, it’s evident that Gossamer Gear didn’t intend for this to supply a whole lot of additional room. Our 5’11” tester encountered points with headroom and footbox house. Though the massive peak vent helps with condensation, humid mornings can generally make it unavoidable. With out a lot room to spare, a moist footbox is extra regarding right here than with different tents.
Lastly, this isn’t a tent designed to resist extreme storms. The light-weight supplies give us cause to pause, however it’s the design of the half vestibule on one aspect that basically considerations us. Exposing the vertical aspect partitions signifies that if the wind shifts path and hits this tent broadside, it received’t maintain up properly. Nonetheless, that is yet one more design tradeoff that we imagine Gossamer Gear totally acknowledges. This tent isn’t meant for harsh storms, however it should preserve you fully dry throughout typical rainstorms.
Ultimately, The One is a tent that includes extra tradeoffs than most, but we discovered ourselves agreeing with lots of the decisions as we thought of the goal area of interest. It’s suited to somebody who primarily enjoys fair-weather backpacking however needs average safety from occasional rain. This individual received’t thoughts a small inside, will settle for the additional care required for 10d cloth, and appreciates the advantage of headroom. All this comes at a remarkably gentle weight and worth. Most comparably gentle shelters are twice the fee, though it’s essential to notice that they arrive with considerably fewer compromises in different areas. So, should you’re a kind of people who nods in settlement with all these tradeoffs, we imagine The One will delight you. It’s actually distinctive in its choices and may carry satisfaction to that area of interest of customers.
Gossamer Gear The Two
Finest tremendous light-weight two-person silnylon tent
CleverHiker Ranking:
3.6/5.0
Value:
$320
Weight:
1 lb. 9.3 oz.
Dimensions (LxWxH):
84 x 48/42 x 43 in.
Flooring Space:
26 sq ft
Professionals
- Extraordinarily light-weight for a silnylon shelter
- Simple set-up
- ood pockets
Cons
- Small inside
- No vents
- Skinny supplies
Gossamer Gear has made one thing each particular and fairly specialised with The Two, providing an unbelievable weight for a silnylon backpacking shelter. At simply 25.3 ounces once we weighed it, such weights are usually achievable solely with way more costly DCF. For a two-person shelter, that’s spectacular, however it brings some vital design trade-offs that point out Gossamer Gear is targeted on crafting a tent for a particular sort of one who will like it, quite than a tent for everybody. And we are able to’t fault them for it; The Two excels in its area of interest.
There are two elements that contribute to the unbelievable weight right here: a smaller A-frame design utilizing trekking poles and tremendous skinny 10d silnylon for each the rainfly and ground. Immediately, that indicators it is a shelter for somebody who takes additional care with their gear and understands how to make sure the material lasts many nights of use. When first organising The Two in an area park within the Midwest on a heat winter’s day, the skinny cloth was instantly noticeable. However fortunately, it feels simply as prime quality as different nylons we’ve used, albeit thinner. That cloth alternative additionally allows one other neat function—packing smaller than different tents, particularly these fabricated from DCF.
The smaller A-frame design leads to a compact inside. In comparison with its friends, The Two gives solely 26 sq. ft of ground house, which is sort of the identical as among the bigger one-person tents we reviewed! In observe, it feels tight. Not unbearably so, however should you’re close to six ft tall, be ready to gamble both with restricted headroom or a moist footbox. This leads us to a different design alternative made to save lots of weight: there’s no air flow. The big doorways and vestibules assist mitigate this on clear nights, however this design will accumulate extra condensation than different tents.
When the climate turns stormy sufficient to shut these doorways, The Two may also wrestle. Because it’s wider than different A-frame fashion tents, it exposes a considerable quantity of flat space to the wind, making it a sail in storms. We’ve had private expertise with this, witnessing one get flattened in a shock thunderstorm that rolled by way of the Swiss Alps. That storm additionally collapsed a number of different tents, so The Two wasn’t alone in its destiny, however a sturdier trekking pole tent and one freestanding tent managed to outlive.
Nevertheless, for the correct individual, these design trade-offs are worthwhile for the necessities: an unbelievable weight at an inexpensive worth. The Two occupies a novel place amongst ultralight tents, carving out a distinct segment as a specialised shelter. If the downsides don’t trouble you, we imagine it’s an excellent possibility that may allow a really light-weight pack on the path.
How We Take a look at
COMFORT
Staying comfy on the path is essential to get probably the most out of your hike, whether or not it’s an in a single day journey or a multi-month journey. To judge consolation for tents, we used a consultant gear loadout for a typical backpacking setup. This included a 20-degree quilt and a three-season, 2.5-inch thick sleeping pad. For 2-person tents, we added a 30-degree quilt and one other 2.5-inch sleeping pad. Our tester is 5’11″, which represents barely above-average peak and covers 80% of males and 90% of girls based mostly on American knowledge.
We positioned the footbox as shut as we comfortably may to the tip wall with out worrying about condensation and laid again to judge the remaining headroom. We sat up and moved round to verify the accessible headroom each laterally and back and forth, seeing how simply it might be to vary garments or stretch after an extended day.
WEIGHT
This ultralight tent information focuses totally on weight, as it’s a main consideration for a lot of of those tents. We weighed every tent quite than counting on producers’ claims. The load consists of any vital poles for the tent’s performance, however we excluded stakes, as they’re usually a private alternative for a lot of hikers.
EASE OF USE
Some tents can reduce corners with ease of use to realize a lighter weight, though all of the tents we examined carried out properly on this class. We evaluated door dimension and performance, noting which tents have been straightforward to enter and exit. For 2-person tents that permit sleeping orientation in both path, we noticed whether or not the door was tough to make use of from one aspect and if vestibule entry was obstructed.
We assessed the accessibility and dimension of inside pockets, awarding factors for totally useful pockets and deducting factors for angled designs susceptible to gadgets falling out. We arrange every tent consecutively to match how every mannequin carried out towards its friends.
For trekking pole tents, we examined how a lot adjustment was vital to realize a decent pitch and whether or not the setup course of was intuitive and forgiving of errors. We reviewed producer directions for pitching and utilized included stakes to supply as near a “producer meant” expertise as potential.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
For this version of the information, we didn’t cowl firsthand climate resistance since we examined through the colder months, and most of those tents usually are not rated for winter storms. We’ll replace this information and the corresponding critiques with acceptable storm testing because it evolves.
For a number of tents, some testing was carried out on lengthy trails throughout heavy use, and we’ve included climate resistance findings from these adventures of their respective critiques. Non-experimental findings from the design analysis of every tent have been included. This consists of checking for giant panels of uncovered cloth that might catch the wind, evaluating rainfly to floor distances for splashback resistance, and analyzing man line attachment factors for extra superior storm safety.
We famous which orientations every tent could be strongest within the wind and whether or not they featured any apparent weak orientations that will wrestle in a storm.
DURABILITY
An ultralight tent usually comes with the understanding that it could not final so long as different shelters, and we’ve aimed to notice which tents are most certainly to endure season after season. We carefully examined materials decisions, figuring out which of them have been time-tested on trails and which require additional care or a advice to make use of a groundsheet.
Stitching high quality and total manufacturing situation can point out longevity. We seemed for poorly strengthened seams, significantly at high-stress factors, and examined them by pulling to see how a lot the threads stretched.
For all zippers, we famous their dimension and water resistance, checking the tip stops to make sure they have been correctly strengthened. We additionally noticed the numerous variations in cloth hand really feel, though with no tensile testing machine, we are able to’t instantly assess tensile energy.
Why Belief CleverHiker
CleverHiker gear analysts have spent over 2,000 nights below the celebrities, a lot of which have been in ultralight tents. Lead tester Taylor Passofaro has pursued ultralight backpacking adventures for seven years, overlaying over 3,000 miles seeking lovely mountains to discover.
He has hiked the Pacific Crest Path, Superior Mountain climbing Path, Collegiate Loop, Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trek, the Tour du Mont Blanc, amongst others, together with numerous nights spent within the parks and forests of his native Minnesota. Many of those adventures have been particularly to judge new tents, gear, or experiences, with every journey contributing to his objective of mentally cataloging every bit of backpacking gear accessible.
His background in medical system design and check engineering ensures that each gear alternative is totally researched (and graphed extra instances than vital) earlier than testing, leading to stable gear suggestions for all sorts of adventures.
Evaluation & Outcomes
VALUE
Ultralight tents are among the many most costly items of substances in your backpack. Figuring out which one is price your funding generally is a robust alternative, influenced by your journey fashion, consolation priorities, and, in fact, your price range. Subsequently, probably the most essential facet of choosing gear isn’t studying gear guides or optimizing spreadsheets, however quite growing a deep understanding of what issues to you and why.
Our suggestions are broad, and a tent we didn’t significantly favor is likely to be the right shelter for you. To help with this, we’ve aimed to be as clear as potential concerning the options we imagine are typically one of the best whereas additionally highlighting particular options that will entice extra area of interest pursuits. There isn’t a greatest tent that fits everybody. Every mannequin we evaluated comes with a set of trade-offs in comparison with each other and to extra conventional tents. Key amongst these is the quantity of efficiency per greenback or total worth you obtain.
The highest possibility on this metric is our price range choose, the 3FUL Lanshan 2 Professional. It strikes steadiness between livability and ease of use whereas nonetheless being light-weight, and we have been impressed by the efficiency it gives. Stepping up in worth barely, the Tarptent Double Rainbow and Gossamer Gear The Two each price about the identical however have vastly completely different priorities. The Double Rainbow incorporates a distinctive single pole design with a intelligent freestanding mode, delivering glorious consolation even for taller people with sturdy supplies. In distinction, The Two sacrifices sturdiness, climate resistance, and luxury in pursuit of an unbelievable weight for a silnylon shelter.
For our one-person shelters, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo stays a implausible possibility for a fairly priced tent that gives spectacular efficiency and shocking quantities of inside ground house. On the excessive finish, we’d wish to acknowledge our editor’s alternative, the DurstonX-Mid Professional 2+. Whereas it’s removed from inexpensive, worth isn’t about discovering the most cost effective product; it’s about getting probably the most on your cash. The truth is, producing a tent from Dyneema Composite Fiber is solely not cheap. Nevertheless, out of all of the tents we researched or examined, the X-Mid Professional 2+ persistently performs one of the best whereas being extra moderately priced than its rivals, making it a superb funding.
COMFORT
The best solution to cut back weight on a shelter is by merely making it smaller and fewer comfy. Subsequently, discovering a livable inside is a tough steadiness for Ultralight Tents as a result of each enhance in consolation is often accompanied by a rise in weight. Producers know that crucial metric for potential consumers is weight, in order that they try to keep up simply sufficient consolation to fulfill most customers.
In some ways, this aligns completely with what backpackers need: ample consolation to really feel glad with out unnecessarily losing ounces. That is, in essence, the crux of ultralight backpacking- pondering the query, “What do you want to be comfy on the path?” with an emphasis on the phrase want. Should you’re not sure of your wants, you’ll seemingly find yourself carrying extreme weight and shortly end up searching for a brand new shelter that higher suits your necessities, or it’s possible you’ll end up cramped in an uncomfortable inside, realizing it wasn’t price it.
The excellent news is that there are an unlimited variety of choices accessible for ultralight backpackers to be comfy at numerous worth factors and luxury ranges. To ease the anxiousness of anybody getting into the pastime: you don’t should get it proper on the primary attempt.
Many backpackers evolve by way of a number of shelters and refine their wants as they acquire extra expertise with the outside and their very own preferences. It’s not unusual to seek out somebody completely content material below a easy tarp and bivy setup who began off with a standard tent years in the past.
The draw back to this method is price. Tents are costly, so making an attempt a number of choices can add up shortly should you aren’t savvy about shopping for and promoting within the used market. That’s why we’ve tried to spotlight which tents provide stable worth and which price range choices will present expertise with out compromising high quality.
The obvious metrics to contemplate are ground house and peak peak. Nevertheless, these don’ t inform the entire story. A tent with monumental ground house and a excessive peak peak would possibly nonetheless endure in livability as a result of the aspect partitions slope a lot in the direction of the inside you could’ t really use that house for something.
That is the case with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2. It boasts one of the best numbers in our lineup, however these numbers don’ t translate to one of the best consolation as a result of the sloping pyramid form limits usable house. In its protection, the UltaMid 2 has made that tradeoff for next-level storm worthiness, however it highlights the purpose you could’ t merely depend on uncooked numbers to supply a full image.
In our testing, we’ ve aimed to spotlight which tents provide probably the most usable inside house, each sitting up and mendacity down. This implies having a 5′ 11” tester lay on a 2. 5-inch sleeping pad in a 20-degree quilt and observing how a lot head and foot room we had. Not feeling claustrophobic on the head finish is essential, however avoiding condensation wetting the footbox may be much more essential.
A tent that excels on this metric is the Tarptent Double Rainbow. With a singular arched pole that gives near-vertical partitions on the head and foot finish, we have been capable of make the most of almost your complete 88 inches of size. Different tents that carried out properly right here embody the Durston X-Mid Professional 2 + and Zpacks Offset Duo. The X-Mid employs intelligent offset pole geometry to maximise usable inside quantity, whereas the Offset Duo makes use of a 3rd pole on the foot finish to extend house, and each methods work successfully.
For common consolation, the 3 F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional scores barely above the normal Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 and MSR FreeLite 2. Rounding out the two-person tents, the fantastically light-weight ZPacks Duplex Traditional, Six Moon Designs Haven, and Gossamer Gear The Two are all a bit small. In our one-person tents, each the ZPacks Pivot Solo and X- Mid Professional 1 are glorious, providing comfy interiors that finally rely on private desire concerning which works greatest on your fashion. The Six Moon Designs LunarSolo is notable for offering spectacular ground house, and behind all of them is the distinctive Gossamer Gear The One, which options unbelievable headroom however a cramped ground.
WEIGHT
As the only most essential metric, weight defines an ultralight shelter. Typically, our tents are divided into two classes of weight: the premium choices, which fall within the 16-22 ounce vary, and the usual and price range choices, that are within the 30-40 ounce vary. The important thing differentiator between the 2 classes is the material used of their development. We’ll discover cloth particulars additional within the Sturdiness part of this information. Our premium choices are made out of Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF), whereas our commonplace and price range choices use silnylon or silpoly. DCF is the lightest and strongest cloth accessible, weighing an astonishing 0.5 ounces per sq. yard for the rain flies on tents such because the Durston X-Mid Professional 1, Durston X-Mid Professional 2+, Zpacks Offset Duo, Zpacks Duplex, and the Zpacks Pivot Solo, which makes use of a barely heavier 0.75oz/sq yd model for its commonplace configuration. This cloth is sort of supreme for tent rainfly development as a consequence of its low stretch, waterproof qualities with no coating, and glorious tensile energy. Sadly, it is usually one of the crucial costly materials in the marketplace. The opposite group of tents in the usual and price range part is made out of extra standard tent materials like silnylon or silpoly. Whereas they’re extra inexpensive, these supplies nonetheless provide excessive efficiency and are considerably cheaper than DCF.
There are numerous elements that affect weight. Zipper dimension can play a major function while you’re striving for each gram, and most premium DCF tents use #3 sized zippers, whereas commonplace tents make the most of a mixture of #3 and #5. Flooring sturdiness is one other main issue. Though DCF is right for a tent rainfly, it’s a distinct story for the bottom since DCF is vulnerable to punctures and abrasion. To deal with this, thicker DCF or silnylon is utilized, which is proof against each punctures and abrasion. Nevertheless, completely different weights of materials are employed throughout numerous tents since every producer has its personal preferences for sturdiness, and these decisions contribute to the general weight.
The lightest tent we examined is the spectacular Zpacks Pivot Solo. Weighing in at 16.1 ounces on our scale for the usual model we examined, it’s a cleverly designed tent for one individual however instructions a excessive worth as a consequence of its unique use of DCF. Zpacks additionally gives a “lite” model that’s 13.5 ounces as a result of it makes use of thinner materials. Nevertheless, since lighter weight DCF is a considerably unproven ground materials, we’re hesitant to suggest that possibility with out additional testing. Not far behind is the Durston X-Mid Professional 1 at 17.4 ounces. The X-Mid additionally has two completely different weight choices. A model with a DCF ground is lighter at 15.5 ounces, however we choose the model with the silnylon ground as a result of it’s extra inexpensive and packs smaller. For 2-person shelters, the development continues with the Zpacks Offset Duo and Durston X-Mid Professional 2+, which comply with the identical ideas as their one-person counterparts, that includes lite choices and silnylon ground choices, respectively. Within the two-person class, the lightest possibility is the basic Zpacks Duplex Traditional, which additionally is available in a lite model that reduces the load even additional. We imagine that for most individuals, the consolation enhancements with the Offset Duo are price it, however it stays a tempting possibility for probably the most enthusiastic ultralight pairs.
Exterior of DCF, the Gossamer Gear The One and The Two are notable for being impressively light-weight, regardless of their silnylon development. The One weighs 19.5 ounces, whereas The Two weighs solely 25.3 ounces. These weights are unbelievable; nonetheless, they arrive with some vital tradeoffs. To realize this weight, each fashions use 10d silnylon for the rainfly and ground. In distinction, most tents use 20-30d supplies, making sturdiness extra of a priority for these shelters, though there are lots of stories of excellent long-term efficiency with correct care. For a extra commonplace shelter, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo employs extra sturdy supplies and has a median weight of 26 ounces.Since that is an Ultralight Tent Information, all these fashions provide glorious weight for what they’re. Nevertheless, for this class, the average-weight fashions embody the two-pole shelters: the Huge Agnes TigerWall UL2, MSR FreeLite 2, the inexpensive 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional, Six MoonDesigns Haven, and the semi-freestanding TarpTent Double Rainbow. In a distant final place for weight is the distinctive Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2, which ideas the size at 40.7 ounces however supplies unbelievable storm worthiness for that weight.
EASE OF USE
Linked carefully to consolation, ease of use is an element that’s usually sacrificed within the pursuit of the lightest shelters. Throughout our analysis for this information, we examined dozens of tents and located many who made that sacrifice. Entrance-entry shelters are instance, as they permit for vital weight financial savings with only one door on the entrance of an extended shelter. Nevertheless, they are often awkward to make use of, particularly with two individuals, which is why none made it into our information.
We additionally tried to exclude tents with overly complicated staking necessities, awkward vestibules, or different design decisions that made utilizing the tent too difficult or irritating. We’re happy that every one of our decisions are typically fairly straightforward to make use of.
Setup may be irritating or remarkably easy relying on the tent, and all of our alternatives contain some sacrifices on this space. For these accustomed to pop-up tents and easy two-pole designs, most of our picks require trekking poles to be used.
Trekking pole tents necessitate a little bit of adjustment in comparison with conventional pole tents for correct setup, however we imagine that with observe, they’re no tougher or extra complicated to arrange. The truth is, since there is no such thing as a have to arrange the mesh tent first after which the rainfly, we expect they will even be quicker to deploy than conventional tents.
Our standout tents on this class have been the X-Mid Professional 1p, X-Mid Professional 2p+, TarpTent Double Rainbow, and ZPacks Offset Duo. All 4 supplied easy setups, together with nice doorways, vestibules, and options; nonetheless, we give the sting to our editors’ alternative X-Mid fashions for barely higher ease of use.
In the course of the pack are a lot of the tents we examined. The MSR FreeLite 2 scores barely greater than the others as a consequence of its nicer doorways, whereas the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is held again by a considerably irritating door design. The Gossamer Gear The Two, Gossamer Gear The One, 3F UL Lanshan 2 Professional, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, and ZPacks Duplex Traditional all rank within the center as a consequence of door designs we didn’t choose, however they arrange simply in any other case.
Within the “good however with caveats” class is the rest. The Six MoonDesigns Lunar Solo and ZPacks Pivot Solo are trickier to arrange; nonetheless, not like the above tents, they function nice doorways. The Lunar Solo has a hexagonal form that complicates attaining an ideal pitch in comparison with the broader A-frame fashion tents, and the Pivot Solo is a genuinely asymmetrical design that requires some observe to grasp every time. Lastly, the Six Moon Designs Haven ranked the bottom as a result of inside not with the ability to hook up with the rainfly on the peaks or for use with trekking pole ideas down.
WEATHER RESISTANCE
Maybe the largest concern with ultralight shelters is that they won’t adequately defend you from the weather. The usage of thinner supplies and trekking pole-supported designs makes individuals really feel inherently nervous in comparison with conventional tents. Nevertheless, trekking pole designs may be fairly stormworthy when constructed correctly, and thinner materials are nonetheless robust sufficient when utilized successfully. Most of our suggestions would encourage confidence in typical storms encountered within the backcountry.
Nevertheless, one shelter sits in a category of its personal. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is a formidable shelter, boasting a pyramidal form that’s supreme for shedding wind from all instructions. It options loads of man line attachment factors and as much as eight staking factors to make sure it stays safe in all sorts of climate. We received’t mince phrases right here: if supreme climate resistance is your high precedence, that is your shelter.
Nevertheless, ultralight gear focuses on making sensible trade-offs, and the very fact is that most individuals merely don’t require the extent of storm safety that the UltaMid 2 gives.
Most trails don’t undergo extreme wind corridors, most campsites aren’t situated on excessive mountains, and most people will adhere to sound wilderness recommendation by searching for shelter or staying at house if the climate is just too opposed.
Sure design parts contribute to higher or worse efficiency. Massive cloth panels can usually catch the wind and put pressure on the tent stakes, so one of the best tents reduce these sections or incorporate panel pulls for extra assist. Correctly positioned attachment factors for man strains on the peak or center of the tent are immensely useful when staked accurately. Trekking pole tents additionally profit from assist buildings which can be considerably stronger than commonplace tent poles.
Whereas a standard domed form can successfully shed wind and distribute load, we’ve witnessed inner pole buildings collapse below wind stress. A pyramid design just like the UltaMid 2 performs properly, however presents trade-offs in different areas, so it’s not the only real design discovered within the class. Lastly, any tent with a narrower profile going through into the wind will carry out higher in constant wind circumstances.
Our high picks for tents all present a degree of climate safety appropriate for many backcountry adventures. This implies they need to stand up to a median thunderstorm with out injury and provide safety from typical winds and rain. For these circumstances, the tents that stand out to us are the Durston X-Mid Professional 2+, Durston X-Mid Professional 1, Tarptent Double Rainbow, and ZPacks Pivot Solo. Each X-Mid fashions make the most of a novel offset pole geometry that minimizes massive panels and consists of loads of attachment factors for securing them if the climate turns poor. Their rainflys additionally lengthen low to the bottom to scale back splashback and drafts from the wind.
The Double Rainbow incorporates a distinctive single pole construction that creates a dome form for wind shedding, together with guyline factors to bolster it throughout storms. Nevertheless, what makes it much more distinctive is its awning mode for the doorways, utilizing a flap of silpoly spaced between the 2 sections. This design enhances consolation throughout rainstorms contained in the tent, permitting you to go away the doorways open and propped up whereas nonetheless offering safety from gentle rain.
Scoring within the center are the ZPacks Offset Duo, SixMoon Designs LunarSolo, 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional, ZPacks Duplex Traditional, Six Moon Designs Haven, Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2, and MSR FreeLite2. All of those tents present satisfactory storm resistance for backpacking.
Trailing behind are the 2 Gossamer Gear fashions, The Two and The One, which proceed to supply a novel proposition. They ship very good weight and worth as a tradeoff, with storm-worthiness being a kind of tradeoffs. The One incorporates a partial awning on one aspect, making it poor in wind from that path, whereas The Two has massive back and front panels that catch the wind. Each tents have a historical past of surviving long-distance trails with ease, however they wouldn’t be our first decisions for storm circumstances.
DURABILITY
Most ultralight tents sacrifice sturdiness to realize their featherweight standing, however with correct care, they will final for a lot of nights of use. The supplies utilized in ultralight tents usually are not inherently weak; like clothes materials, they require completely different care. For instance, silk is an extremely robust cloth below rigidity, far stronger than cotton. Nevertheless, silk has a status for being delicate as a result of it feels so skinny and requires particular dealing with in comparison with cotton, which is way more forgiving in the case of washing and care.
Figuring out how one can care on your garments will lengthen their lifespan, even for silk ones, however you want to wash them in another way from commonplace cotton garments. The identical applies to ultralight tents. In comparison with a canvas tent, an ultralight shelter usually received’t maintain up properly if roughly tossed right into a sled with logs and tenting gear. Nevertheless, it’s not designed for that sort of use. As a substitute, producers count on a sure degree of care with their merchandise, permitting their designs to concentrate on light-weight safety.
The materials in our tent choice have completely different strengths and weaknesses. Probably the most specialised cloth we use is Dyneema Composite Fiber, the strongest cloth at present accessible in the marketplace and the most suitable choice for rainfly use. It boasts distinctive tensile energy however has poor abrasion and puncture resistance. Subsequently, it’s important to not use your tent as a groundsheet when cowboy tenting, because the thinner sort of DCF utilized in rainflies can develop pinhole punctures extra simply.
Moreover, stuffing DCF can weaken it; thus, rolling it’s the advisable storage method. The development of DCF is exclusive because it’s not a woven cloth like nylon or polyester. It consists of a grid of Extremely Excessive Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers sandwiched between two layers of mylar (polyester). The UHMWPE fibers present the material with its outstanding tensile energy, whereas the mylar protects the fibers from abrasion and punctures. DCF is measured in ounces per sq. yard, with usually 0.55-0.8oz/sq yd used for rainfly development and 0.75-1.1oz/sq yd for the ground.
We imagine that 0.55oz/sq yd is ample for rainfly use, which implies the heavier weights used listed here are as a consequence of the next thread rely and barely thicker mylar layers that improve tensile energy. For ground materials, puncture and abrasion resistance is normally prioritized over tensile energy. Subsequently, as a substitute of accelerating the thread rely for greater tensile energy, producers go for thicker mylar layers. We suggest at the least 1.0oz/sq yd DCF for ground supplies.
Silnylon is probably the most basic cloth and a very good all-around materials. It boasts nice tensile energy, abrasion resistance, and puncture resistance, so it’ s generally used for each the rainfly and ground. Silpoly has been changing silnylon in lots of tents for a number of years as a consequence of its quite a few benefits.
Whereas its specs usually are not as spectacular as equivalent-weight silnylon, its superior UV resistance makes it extra sturdy over time, making the 2 materials typically comparable. Nevertheless, silpoly’s best benefit is that it doesn’t sag when moist. Nylon materials have a novel molecular construction that enables water to behave as a plasticizer, progressively elongating the fabric. This impact reverses when the fabric dries out, so there are not any long-term results; nonetheless, it does imply you’ll have to re-tension your tent within the rain after a number of hours. Each materials are measured in thread weight utilizing denier models.
With out delving into particulars, the next quantity signifies a thicker, extra sturdy cloth. 10 d is the bottom you ll discover for rainfly materials, whereas we typically choose 15- 30 d for rainfly development. Within the present era of cloth know-how, 20 d is the candy spot for sturdiness and weight. Since silnylon is solely extra abrasion and puncture resistant than DCF, it’s not unusual to see the identical weight used for the ground materials.
Most of our tent alternatives are designed to final all through a whole thru-hike of at the least 2,500 miles or dozens of nights of use. The tent we belief most for sturdiness is the costly however sturdy Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2. With a rainfly made out of 0. 8 ouncessqyd DCF in comparison with the extra standard 0.55 ouncessqyd weight, and a thicker 1. 1 ouncessqyd ground, it consists of more durable supplies than most DCF tents. Mixed with Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s robust development and reinforcement, you have got a shelter that ought to not fail anytime quickly. We additionally appreciated the sturdiness of the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, Tarptent Double Rainbow, and Six Moon Designs Haven. All make the most of silpoly or silnylon at thicknesses of 20 D to 30 D, which is commonplace for ultralight tents.
All of our DCF choices are spec’d with weights which can be well-tested within the subject and provide comparable ranges of sturdiness. The ZPacks Pivot Solo in its commonplace configuration enhances this with more durable DCF; with out extra testing, it stays our desire over the Lite model that makes use of thinner cloth. The X-Mid Professional 1, X-Mid Professional 2+, ZPacks Offset Duo, and ZPacks Duplex Traditional all present first rate sturdiness for DCF. According to the usual DCF, we additionally discover two freestanding tents: the Huge Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 and MSR FreeLite 2, each utilizing 15D silnylon.
As an oddity, the 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Professional employs 20D silnylon for the fly and 15D for the ground. Nevertheless, we’ve heard stories of 3F UL utilizing low-quality materials up to now to realize their low costs. We imagine in giving firms an opportunity to enhance; though 3F UL claims their materials are enhanced, we want to conduct extra exams earlier than updating the sturdiness score.On the decrease finish, we’ve cautious sturdiness considerations concerning each of Gossamer Gear’s tents, The One and The Two. They make the most of thinner 10D silnylon for the rainfly, however much more regarding is identical 10D for the ground. We focus on this within the full critiques of each, however it is a reliable design option to create the lightest-weight non-DCF shelters accessible. Patrons of each ought to perceive that they require additional care, however with correct consideration, they need to final a substantial time.
Tips on how to Select an Ultralight Tent
PRICE
Beginning with a sensible price range is essential for locating gear you’ll get pleasure from within the backcountry. Overspending on pointless gadgets can result in burnout. Whereas premium ultralight tents appear costly, they aren’t important for path expertise. We’ll categorize ultralight backpackers into two sorts: informal hikers who need minimal gear and severe adventurers centered on weight discount. A very good check of dedication is whether or not you’ve thought of slicing your toothbrush deal with. If not, you seemingly match within the first group.
Many backpackers really feel intimidated for not spending on premium shelters or face disgrace on the path for price range gear. There’s a notion of “not being severe sufficient ” should you don’t spend as a lot. Anybody who makes you’re feeling ashamed on your gear decisions isn’t price your time. The essential phrases on the path are “Hike Your Personal Hike.” At CleverHiker, we respect everybody’s decisions and types. You belong on the path simply as a lot as these with costly gear or quicker instances. Backpacking elitism is as absurd as every other elitism. All of us share this expertise, having fun with nature collectively. Hike your individual hike, select your individual expertise, and disrespect those that diminish your pleasure.
We provide a spread of costs so everybody can discover what suits their price range. Ultralight tents are costly, even our price range possibility. Should you’re on a strict price range, think about area of interest setups appropriate on your climate and atmosphere. The web gives helpful recommendation, exterior this information, like utilizing an affordable tarp, paracord, and a bug headnet, which may be inexpensive although might require effort for consolation. Analysis and perceive backcountry security earlier than utilizing unfamiliar shelters.
Figuring out your price range for ultralight tents may be tough, particularly with premium choices. Should you’re a pastime backpacker desirous to lighten your pack, think about a standard ultralight tent fabricated from silnylon or silpoly below $400. When you received’t get the light-weight of DCF shelters, many designs are comparable and carry out comparably. You’ll discover extra double wall designs, which some choose, and the sturdy materials cut back the danger of damaging an costly tent.
For individuals who chase miles and love optimizing weights all the way down to the gram, we imagine it’s price investing in a DCF shelter. Particularly for a thru-hike, it may be useful to contemplate price by way of {dollars} per evening. On a thru-hike lasting 150 days, a $400 tent will price about $ 2.67 per day, whereas a extra premium $700 shelter will probably be $ 4.67 per day. That’s almost double the worth, however ask your self whether or not you’d choose to spend an additional two {dollars} a day to hold a a lot lighter (and generally much more livable) tent. Everybody has completely different consolation ranges right here, and there’s no mistaken reply, however there’s a cause many thru-hikers go for DCF. After feeling the ache in your ft from a heavy pack, an additional two {dollars} a day for a featherweight pack begins to really feel extra interesting than a city burger. Moreover, if you buy a price range tent and resolve midway by way of a path to modify to a DCF shelter, you’ll find yourself spending greater than should you had simply invested within the DCF from the beginning.
In the end, worth is arguably probably the most difficult metric to find out. Every individual has a definite price range and distinctive preferences concerning what brings them consolation on the path. Like all pastime, the extra time you put money into deriving enjoyment from it, the extra it justifies paying greater costs for extra satisfying experiences. Nevertheless, your private candy spot concerning price-to-performance is one thing that may solely be found by way of expertise and self-awareness.
WEIGHT
Ultralight tents fall into two weight courses: these made with DCF and people with out. This correlates on to price- spending extra typically leads to lighter tents. The worth issues talked about earlier apply right here as properly, however elements additionally affect how weight issues to you.
Pack weight isn’t nearly lightening your bag for miles; for a lot of, it enhances enjoyment in different methods. Older people considerably profit from ultralight gear, because it improves pack consolation and reduces joint ache, permitting them to benefit from the outdoor longer than with conventional tents. Light-weight tents additionally allow the inclusion of extra comfy sleeping pads and pillows on journeys.
When you’ve got a distinct segment outside pastime, saving weight with an ultralight tent permits you to carry extra alongside. Photographers and videographers profit, as an additional pound saved means an extra lens, small tripod, star tracker, microphone equipment, or motion digital camera with out sacrificing consolation. Painters with bigger watercolor kits, writers with bodily journals, cooks who like to cook dinner, or those that choose a backpacking chair over sitting on the bottom to get pleasure from a sundown will discover extra room with weight financial savings. Uncover your individual joyful area of interest; there are not any guidelines (besides Depart No Hint!) for having fun with nature, and the wilderness is a superb place to let your coronary heart run free.
One helpful metric for figuring out whether or not it’s best to improve your tent is contemplating what number of ounces per greenback you’re saving. This can be a matter of non-public desire based mostly in your price range; nonetheless, saving $10 per ounce is normally a no brainer, $20 per ounce is cheap, and $30 per ounce is typical however considerably on the sting for common consolation. Should you’re contemplating an improve, this method might help reframe the query, making it simpler to resolve.
INTERIOR SIZE
Ultralight backpacking focuses on important gear for consolation on the path, significantly inside dimension, which is dependent upon peak. Most tents match people as much as six ft tall, so shorter hikers might discover shelters typically comfy. Nevertheless, these nearer to 6 ft might have to keep away from tents that compromise consolation.
Producer claims range broadly; some tents labeled as “suits tall individuals” go away little room, leading to our head and ft touching the partitions when mendacity down. Whereas this won’t trouble everybody, many choose additional clearance to maintain their sleeping bag or quilt dry from condensation.
The inside size isn’t an ideal indicator of consolation. The wall slope limits house utilization with out contact. Contemplate that you simply’ll have at the least an inch-thick sleeping pad, a fluffy quilt with two inches of loft, plus your foot’s size. That totals about 14 inches of thickness to consider. The helpful metric is the usable size measured 14 inches above the tent ground. Producers usually don’t specify this, and whereas websites like fitmytent.com visualize it, their database isn’t full.
Panel pulls are helpful for maximizing house. These attachment factors on the head and foot areas may be staked out to drag the material away, growing livable space. Additionally they stabilize the material in robust winds and cut back flapping.
Nevertheless, they add weight and complexity to setups. We choose tents with out them, however they will improve sure fashions. In our testing, we intention to point whether or not a tent will probably be comfy for people round and above six ft tall. The standout choices are the 2 Durston X-Mid Professional fashions, which offer distinctive sleeping size for taller customers and ranked as our most comfy fashions.
The 2 Zpacks fashions, the Offset Duo and Pivot Solo, additionally ship glorious efficiency, with the Pivot Solo uniquely designed to eradicate the concern of a moist footbox by incorporating a second pole that locations mesh on the foot finish. The Tarptent DoubleRainbow deserves reward as properly; its single arched pole creates ample usable house on the head and foot areas as a result of almost vertical sidewalls, permitting for a really comfy sleeping expertise when utilizing it.
FEATURES
Ultralight tents provide many options, making it exhausting to decide on which to put money into. We concentrate on these interesting to most, however area of interest choices might resonate with you, so think about exploring past our picks if one thing catches your curiosity.
We centered on key options. Massive vestibules are important for storing backpacks and sneakers whereas sleeping. Having a rain-protected vestibule, even with the primary door open for airflow, is useful. Should you sleep with the doorways partly open and it drizzles, your gear stays dry. The scale and sort of doorways are crucial- cramped doorways are uncomfortable to make use of, particularly close to condensation-heavy tent partitions.
Rainbow-shaped doorways work for many circumstances, however we choose L-shaped doorways for higher bug safety and stability. Beneficiant inside pockets close to the doorways assist preserve the tent organized. Peak vents handle condensation, and including kickstands, stiff rims, or man line attachments to carry them open is advantageous. We additionally favor man line attachments on the peaks and center for wind resistance throughout storms.
There are additionally some distinctive options that not all tents possess. The Tarptent Double Rainbow permits trekking poles to be hooked up on the staking corners to transform the tent into freestanding mode, which may drastically help on trails just like the Appalachian Path, the place tent platforms are widespread. The Double Rainbow may make the most of trekking poles to carry open the doorways and create an awning with a hidden flap between the door sections. That is great for these days spent ready for a rainstorm to go, as opening the doorways helps forestall the tent from feeling too claustrophobic.
The listing of tent options goes on and on, and the total listing is exterior of the scope of this text, so analysis by yourself and discover the great world of ingenious designs producers have give you.
DOUBLE VS SINGLE WALL
The controversy over double versus single wall designs is dependent upon private desire. A double wall options an extra mesh layer between you and the rainfly, permitting for separation; the mesh clips into the rainfly in trekking pole tents or rests on high in conventional pole tents. Single wall designs eradicate this mesh, stitching the doorways on to the material, leading to a lighter however much less modular possibility.
We need to tackle a standard false impression about single vs double wall tents concerning condensation. Whereas double wall tents are stated to supply higher safety, this misleads individuals into pondering they’re inherently extra proof against condensation. Below the identical circumstances with equivalent designs and materials, each tent sorts kind the identical quantity of condensation. A mesh inside doesn’t inherently cut back condensation. Whereas additional mesh might disrupt airflow, it doesn’t block moisture; condensation outcomes from temperature variations and air humidity. We’re not shaming anybody for this perception – it’s amongst many backpacking myths – however understanding condensation helps make knowledgeable tent buy selections.
What a double wall development helps with is stopping you from touching the moist partitions of the tent. Your sleeping bag stays in a dry space, your garments received’t by accident take in water when brushing towards the partitions, and it will possibly additionally assist block some misting. Misting happens when condensation types on the sidewalls of the tent, however persistent raindrops and wind knock it off the material and onto the inside. It usually seems {that a} tent isn’t really waterproof as a result of it feels prefer it’s raining inside your tent. That is an unavoidable symptom of humid climate and rain, and it’s usually discovered at greater elevations while you’re contained in the storm clouds themselves.
Typically, we imagine that single wall tents – with ample house – are your best option for an ultralight setup. Nevertheless, this relies closely on the atmosphere you’re heading into. Should you often backpack in humid areas – akin to Scotland, the Appalachian Path, or the Boundary Waters – a double wall tent might present added consolation.
Moreover, some individuals admire the modularity of with the ability to pitch solely the rainfly or simply the web tent for stargazing. Nevertheless, should you principally end up in much less humid circumstances – like Colorado, the Pacific Crest Path (excluding Washington), or any desert – you’ll seemingly solely encounter condensation sometimes, making a single wall design definitely worth the weight financial savings.
Conclusion
Ultralight tents present among the finest methods to scale back vital weight out of your again whereas on the path. This class has advanced from a group of area of interest tarp designs to firms providing full backcountry lodging that surpass the consolation of even conventional backpacking tents. CleverHiker is devoted to serving to you discover one of the best tent on your wants, and we hope that no matter your tenting fashion, this information has assisted you in attaining good sleep and glad shoulders on any journey.
