Ultra Light Tents?

I've been gradually converting my old backpacking gear into modern light or ultra-light so my old knees can carry more camera gear. This year a new tent is in my budget, and I just got my REI dividend. I'm not fully sold on some of the solo ultra-lights I've looked at as they look confining, if not cramped, and the fabic and construction looks flimsy and prone to ripping or other failure. Do you have a strong favorite that you might suggest. Something under 4 lbs. I think the best I've come up with so far is the Mountain Hardware Skyledge. I know a few out there are using the more open tarp type tent styles, but that's probably not for me.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I got the mountain hardware sprite one last year, been quite happy with it so far. It weighs in at about 2 lbs, and is long enough to fit me (6'2"), and has enough space for all my camera gear inside the tent in its own little corner. It's not a resort.. but it's a good balance.

I use a two person Kelty http://www.kelty.com/p-110-teton-2.aspx for solo canoeing. It's a little more than 4 lbs though (I never take the stakes along). REI is listed as a retailer for them, but I got a better deal at one of the local outdoor store chains. Every tent I have, size-wise, is at least 1-2 persons larger than I need (e.g. 6-person tent = 4 person tent). A lot more comfortable, and worth the weight if you get stuck spending time in them due to weather.

I have the Sierra Designs Light Year 1. Weighs less than 3 pounds. My only complaint is that the rain fly always seems to flap around in the wind. Might be a user error or a problem with all non-free-standing designs.

I have a solo Sierra Design tent that I really like. I've also used it while backcountry skiing and it held up well in howling winds. It's a little tight, but I don't mind. However, for the typical summer backpacking in the Sierras, I've started using a light weight nylon tarp, trekking poles, tent stakes, and some nylon cord (I even use the tripod for additional support). This has worked well for the typical afternoon thunderstorms and hail, and is a lot lighter than the tent. I went backpacking with my daughter last summer and brought a two man tent because there was a lot of monsoonal moisture moving in the area. We were camped at 11,000 feet on our last night and it rained all night long, which doesn’t happen that much in the Sierras. I was glad we had the tent that night, as I don't think the tarp system would have kept us dry.

Hi Roger,

I think it is important to decide whether you want a free-standing tent or not. If you go without a free-standing tent, then you can get get a lighter 2 person tent. However I think some 1-man tents are probably roomy enough. I have an MSR zoid (not free-standing), that I fit comfortably in, and I'm 6'3" and 240 lbs. You also have the option of using only the footprint and fly, which saves even more weight, and gives you some more shoulder room. I think that the total weight for my tent is under 2 lbs. In most situations I don't think free standing tents are necessary, but I do have a 2 man free-standing tent for certain situations, (like camping on chickadees in swamps, or on boulder fields), but even in this case I could probably improvise and use stake lines to support the tent.

My MSR zoid is extremely durable, and has held up to 75+mph winds and fierce storms! I love it.

I'm a BIG fan of MSR tents, but Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardwear, Northface, Marmot, and even the REI brand are all excellent products.

Good luck, and happy hiking!

I like my REI Quarter Dome T2. Lightweight (3.75 pounds) and sturdy, even in strong winds. For a free-standing tent for a guy who hauls a lot of photo gear, it's a pretty good price/performance balance.

I currently use, and would recommend, a Marmot EOS tent. Very stable. Awesome vestibule. But there are several name brand tents that will stand up well to weather - as you can see from the comments above. I've heard good things about all of the solo tents mentioned so far. But these ultralight tents are going to be confining and cramped. (I can barely sit up in mine.) Can't get around the tradeoffs, really. Some are only slightly larger than the others. Pay attention to the vestibule, as that can make a HUGE difference in usable space.

For really nice space, you have to go to something like a Tarptent ... my previous favorite tent, until it ripped up twice in the Wind Rivers ... due to, yeah, wind. If you're going to camp mostly below/at treeline, I'd strongly consider the enclosed solo Tarptent. Doesn't really help with your dividend though!

I got my Big Agnes SL1 with my REI dividend a couple years ago and i really like it--under 3 pounds, takes up less pack space than my bivy, free-standing, im 6'4" and it fits me just fine, ive spent days locked up in it without losing my mind (what's left of it anyways)

Hey Roger

Wow ... I want the scales some of these folks on here are using. :)

Note that you want to look at the average 'Packed weight' for the tents .. and you'll find that almost every tent listed on this thread is noticeably heavier than how they're described here. The Mtn Hdwr sprite, for example, is about 3lbs, Min weight, and 3.5 at the packaged weight. The avge packaged weight for the 1/4 dome is over 4lbs.

One of the reasons you can avoid the 'min weight' listings is because different companies use different criteria for them, so you don't get a reasonable comparison.

The Big Agnes SL1 is nice, but it's a bit flimsy, IMO. That's the problem with the ultra-light stuff .. the zippers, etc, are all pretty suspect. Silnylon is silnylon though, and most of the backpacking tents on the market are made of it - it's light, but not super-durable ... bring a footprint or groundcloth, and treat the tent carefully.

The Skyledge 2 is an awesome tent. Mtn Hdwr make the best tents out there, for the money, IMO. I much rather bring that tent than my lighter 1-person tent on almost any trip I do.

Whatever tent you get, swap out the stakes for the MSW Groundhogs.

Cheers

Carl

Thanks for all your suggestions! There are a number of reviews on the REI site, but trust you guys more. Interesting that of all the opinions, no two are the same. I think I've narrowed it down to two of your suggestions and will let it sit for a few days before ordering. I've indeed replaced all of my tent stakes with other tents with the MSR groundhogs. They are great.

There certainly are some lighter free-standing tents but, from what I've seen, it's hard to beat The North Face Tadpole 23. It comes in at 4 lbs and I've really enjoyed it (though I've been curious about that Big Agnes ultralight). Anyways, it's been pretty easy to set up and has a decent vestibule to keep things out of the tent but dry during bad weather.

Backpacker Magazine has their gear review out. You can get all the specs, prices and info on the new designs. I would certainly check there. Could point you in the right direction at least.

Since you have helped so much...I went down to REI and purchased the MSR Hubba. I followed the advice of trying to find decent area under the vestibule, and this one was more generous than most of the other solo ultrlights. REI didn't seem to stock the Marmot EOS which I also considered. The Big Agnes tents had a smaller vestibule and seemed to require more stakes for a stable setup. I was truly tempted by the slightly heavier Mountain Hardware and Northface tents, but at 3 pounds 6 oz pack weight, the Hubba was generally a pound lighter. Guess you can read reviews and advice until you're blue, but the proof will be in the camping. So we'll see. I'll be saving over 2 pounds from my current set up. Thanks.

Hey Roger

You should be happy with it. A fellow who's come up and hiked with me 6 years running has the Hubba. It's a nice tent, though not so great if it gets really windy - no guy line points .. but other than that, it's a great little tent.

Enjoy.

Cheers

Carl

If you want light and storm-worthy check these out:
http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html

http://sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=68

I have a Scarp1, which is a double-walled version of the Moment. It's also a bit bigger... and has a vestibule.

A little late in the discussion but the best tent that I have ever owned and still use for light weight backpacking, Black Diamond's Firstlight. Warning this tent is not great for two people unless you are very good friends. Highly recommended otherwise.

My wife and I use the Big Agnes Seedhouse 2.... about 3.5lbs with the rain fly, which isn't bad for a tent that can comfortably house a married couple. :)

Cheap too, at $290 or so. It's also very quick to setup, and weighs less than 3lbs if you leave the rainfly at home.

Arka C.

My wife and I use the Big Agnes Seedhouse 2.... about 3.5lbs with the rain fly, which isn't bad for a tent that can comfortably house a married couple. :)

Cheap too, at $290 or so. It's also very quick to setup, and weighs less than 3lbs if you leave the rainfly at home.

Arka C.