Greatest Ultralight Tents of 2024, Examined and Reviewed

Ultralight tents are one of many nice engineering marvels: out of a sheet of wafer-thin cloth and a pair of trekking poles, you may make shelter appropriate to resist wind, rain, bugs, and extra. Our solely actual criticism about ultralight tents is that you could’t simply go to an enormous field showroom and see all of them arrange facet by facet. Among the greatest on the market are made by smaller cottage corporations that merely don’t have that form of attain. In order a part of Out of doors Life’s annual backpacking gear assessments, we’re taking the most effective ultralight tents from corporations like Durston, TarpTents, Gossamer Gear, Zpacks, Search Outdoors, and extra out on America’s lengthy trails to see which can impress our tester group. For the parameters of this check, we’re defining ultralight as weighing lower than 2 kilos for a one-person tent or 2.5 kilos for a two-person tent.

↓ Bounce to Semi-Freestanding Tents

↓ Bounce to Trekking-Pole Tents

How We Examined the Greatest Ultralight Tents

Choice

Ultralight tents are chosen throughout a variety of producers, from large names like MSR and Mountain {Hardware} to cottage corporations like Search Outdoors and Durston. We take a look at a spread of tent types — each freestanding and trekking pole — with the intention to get a greater sense of which tents are applicable for folks of assorted sizes and with completely different expertise ranges.

Since this overview is by and for folks centered on ultralight backpacking, weight is the most important precedence, adopted by consumer suggestions and, lastly, value. The place a few of our much less skilled backpackers struggled with setup, we are going to word {that a} explicit tent might require apply to arrange accurately. Non-necessary options, like a number of pockets, will probably be talked about however will not be a rating issue. 

Tents are divided into two classes: 

• Semi-freestanding tents will be put up with out stakes, however will probably be lacking some actual property on the within. These tents ought to nonetheless be staked down throughout windy situations and to assist maximize the utility of the rainfly throughout downpours.
• Trekking pole tents should be staked into the bottom with the intention to arise. Some, however not all, gear producers present non-compulsory poles for people who don’t use trekking poles.

Testers

To check the most effective backpacking tents, OL recruited a testing panel with a spread of expertise ranges, physique varieties, and preferences.

• Adam Tycaster — Over 4,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the PCT 2014 and CT 2017. Peak: 6-foot-3. 
• Alex Robinson — OL editor-in-chief; a backcountry large recreation hunter and fair-weather path runner. Peak: 6-foot-2.
• Ashley Thess — OL affiliate gear editor. Over 600 miles of backpacking expertise. Peak: 5-foot-7.
• Diana Helmuth — Writer of The best way to Endure Outdoors (Nationwide Out of doors Ebook Award winner). Over 1,500 miles of backpacking expertise. Peak: 5-foot-11.
• Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell — Over 11,000 miles of backpacking expertise together with the PCT 2014, CDT 2016, AZT, 2017, and GET 2017. 5-foot-6.
• Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster — OL workers author. Over 4,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the PCT 2014 and CT 2017. 5-foot-5.
• Patrice “Regular” La Vigne — Gear reviewer, Denali information, and writer of Between Every Step. Over 7,000 miles of backpacking expertise, together with the AT 2011 and Te Araroa 2014-2015. 5-foot-5.
• Sven “Magic” Anderson — 1,350-mile LASH (PCT) 2022. Climbing with Parkinson’s illness. 6-foot-2.

Testing

Out of doors Life conducts an annual backpacking gear testing journey that focuses on revolutionary light-weight and ultralight backpacking gear. These testing journeys happen on America’s nationwide scenic trails, together with three nights alongside the northernmost part of the Oregon Coast Path and 4 nights on a stretch of the Pacific Crest Path within the Goat Rocks Wilderness. 

These journeys normally see the testing group masking 10 or extra miles every day, organising camp in environments starting from the alpine to lowland coastal areas to deep forest. Testers obtain a brand new tent for testing every night, which they’re chargeable for organising, sleeping in, taking down, and carrying to the following camp. Small particulars, like a too-small door, a sticky zipper, or troublesome to make use of connection factors can begin to actually bounce while you examine this many tents facet by facet in a real-world atmosphere. The place attainable (and affordable) testers arrange their tents in lower than very best situations to see how they’d fare within the components. 

Scoring

We independently weighed the tents as used within the area. This is a crucial distinction, as a result of most producers solely present “packaged weight” (every part that got here with the tent, together with the restore equipment) and “minimal weight” (simply the poles, fundamental physique, and rain fly). Some cottage corporations, which frequently promote their tents with out the mandatory stakes, don’t present a path weight in any respect. The weights supplied beneath extra intently replicate how ultralight backpackers would use these tents: with stakes, and some guylines. For sure, the weights supplied within the report card fluctuate from manufacturer-provided weights.

After taking copious notes within the area, the testing group then spends a day filling out scoring sheets for every merchandise within the check. When scoring tents, we arrange every tent once more in order that we might examine and distinction their relative deserves. We additionally focus on and examine with each other, which is useful for understanding how and why experiences with the identical gear can fluctuate from individual to individual. Scores are then averaged among the many testers, with the highest scoring tents receiving prime honors. 

• Ease of arrange: Tents have been arrange by a number of testers, permitting us to evaluate which have been appropriate for beginner ultralighters and which needs to be dealt with solely by skilled backpackers. 
• Inside residing area: Most backpackers will spend eight or extra hours a day sleeping — that’s a 3rd or extra of your day trip on the path. A tent that feels claustrophobic or cramped will make for a worse open air expertise and probably negatively have an effect on your sleep at evening. We assessed the usable area in every tent, noting how the slope of pitch or vestibule dimension modified our expertise.
• Safety: Testers thought-about whether or not the tents they slept in supplied ample safety from rain, wind, and condensation. 
• Worth: The value of an ultralight tent can fluctuate wildly, from a pair hundred {dollars} to upwards of $600 — the most costly ultralight tent we checked out prices nicely over a thousand. We ranked every tent on whether or not the setup, weight, and liveability is merited by the value level.

Inside Area

A second check we pioneered throughout our overview of two-person ultralight tents is OL’s Two Dudes in a Tent. In our expertise, a “two particular person tent” can imply a number of various things. Typically it means it’s an important tent for {couples}. Typically it’s simply an additional giant tent for a single particular person. More often than not, it’s going to match two ladies fairly nicely. And generally it’s going to truly present sufficient area for 2 common sized males to sleep subsequent to one another with out issues getting awkward. This check consisted of two phases. Within the first, Alex Robinson and Sven “Magic” Anderson — each over 6-foot-2 — acquired into every tent and evaluated whether or not or not they’d need to share it whereas backpacking. For these tents that failed this metric (and there have been loads of these), Ashley Thess and Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell examined to see which they’d be prepared to share with each other. One word on this check is that these outcomes will not be presently accessible for the tents coated in OL’s first spherical of backpacking gear testing, which centered on one-person fashions.

Lastly, many outside gear producers are engaged on eradicating PFAS, a virtually ubiquitous ceaselessly chemical, from their waterproof gear as we strategy the 2025 deadline set by California and New York. I queried producers to see the place they have been on this course of and have included that data beneath within the report card part. Typically, responses have been very encouraging. Producers have already made necessary strides in eradicating PFAS from the principle materials of their tents, and are actually engaged on getting it out of the trimmings (zippers is an enormous one which retains developing). Virtually all had plans to be PFAS free by spring of 2025. A number of are already there. 

Learn Subsequent: PFAS Defined: These Eternally Chemical substances Are Being Banned from a Number of Out of doors Merchandise. Now Gear Makers Are Scrambling

Comparability Desk

Under is a side-by-side take a look at the specs most necessary to ultralight backpackers (value, dimension, and weight) together with the typical of our testers’ scores. The tent weights right here come from the producers; our measured weights will be present in the important thing options part beneath. Costs are present as of the date this text was final up to date. Tents are organized by pitch type and listed within the order through which we advocate them.

Semi-Freestanding Tent Specs & Tester Scores

Tent	Value	Marketed Weight	Size x Max Width (Min Width)		Setup	Inside Area	Safety	Worth
MSR Freelite	1P: $420 2P: $450 3P: $540	1P: 1 lb, 15 oz 2P: 2 lb, 5 oz 3P: 2 lb, 11 oz	1P: 87” x 33” 2P: 84” x 50” 3P: 84” x 66”		5	3.5	5	4
Zpacks Free Zip	2P: $900 3P: $1000	2P: 1 lb, 15.6 oz* 3P: 2 lbs, 4.2 oz*	2P: 86” x 44” 3P: 86” x 60”		4.8	2.8	3.4	2.4
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus	2P: $420	2P: 2 lb, 4.6 oz	2P: 86” x 52” (42”)		4.7	3	3.7	3.3
Large Agnes Fly Creek	2P: $400	2P: 2 lb, 4oz	2P: 86” x 52” (42”)		4	2.3	3	4.3

Trekking-Pole Tent Specs & Tester Scores

Greatest Ultralight Tents: Semi-Freestanding

Greatest Total: MSR Freelite

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Purchase the 3-Particular person Mannequin

One-Particular person Mannequin Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Diana Helmuth and Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 5
• Inside Residing Area: 3.5 
• Safety: 5
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the 1-Particular person Mannequin: 1 pound, 14.5 ounces (half an oz lower than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 39 inches (1P & 2P), 43 inches (3P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P & 3P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: 3 years
• Value: $420 (1P), $450 (2P)

Professionals

• One of many lightest semi-freestanding tents we examined
• Size on the 1-person mannequin makes it an affordable selection for people as much as six toes tall
• Straightforward to arrange 

Cons

• Much less width than different tents we’ve checked out

In case you’re kitting out your first ultralight setup, that is one to have in your radar. Our tester group was impressed with how straightforward and fast it was to arrange the MSR Freelite — one tester set it up in below two minutes with out having used it earlier than. The inside of the one-person mannequin, whereas not precisely spacious, was giant sufficient for the most important sleeping pad on our check (a full-size rectangular Therm-a-Relaxation NeoAir Xlite NXT), with a backpack becoming handily into the vestibule. Testers reported that it felt bigger than it was, which is a crucial element should you get caught inside ready out a storm. The mesh and fly have been extraordinarily light-weight and lots sturdy, with the filth falling proper off once we shook it out earlier than stuffing it away for the day. The poles have been even created from aluminum, versus splinter-prone carbon fiber. Our solely concern was with that 15D bathtub flooring — it might profit from a groundsheet on more difficult terrains — however this was strictly theoretical as we didn’t expertise any holes on our testing journey. 

Whereas some ultralight backpackers choose the burden financial savings of a single-wall tent, the acute condensation of the Oregon Coast confirmed the benefits of a double-wall setup. Whereas the remainder of our testing group was fastidiously packing up for the day, avoiding the soaked sides of their single-walled tents lest they unleash a rainstorm on their sleep system, the tester within the MSR Freelite 1 might sit up, bump their head on the mesh on the prime of the tent, and keep dry. 

There are just a few small quibbles with this tent. One is the door: It’s on the small facet in comparison with the remainder of our area, forcing our tallest tester (5 toes, 10 inches) to pretzel her limbs greater than she would have favored when getting out. The included stakes (needle stakes) are additionally decrease high quality in comparison with different choices within the MSR arsenal. Contemplate upgrading to both the light-weight MSR Carbon Cores or the MSR Groundhog Minis, which have nice holding energy. 

Greatest Improve: Zpacks Free Zip

Two-Particular person Mannequin Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, Diana Helmuth, and Sven “Magic” Anderson with further enter from Ashley Thess

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Purchase the 3-Particular person Mannequin

Report Card

• Ease of Setup: 4.8
• Inside Residing Area: 2.8
• Safety: 3.4
• Worth: 2.4
• Measured Weight of the 2-Particular person Mannequin: 2 lbs, 3.4 oz (3.8 oz heavier than marketed; marketed weight didn’t embody stakes)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 43 inches (2P & 3P)
• Doorways: 2 (2P & 3P)
• Supplies: Dyneema
• Guarantee: 2 years
• Value: $900 (2P), $1000 (3P)

Professionals

• Very storm worthy
• Light-weight

Cons

• No vestibule
• Tight squeeze for 2 folks
• Costly

OL Affiliate editor Ashley Thess raved in regards to the tent she used on the Tour du Mont Blanc, and, after our testing group had the prospect to take a look at the Zpacks Free Zip, we are able to see why. Like all semi-freestanding ultralight tents, it takes little or no time to set this one up. In contrast to different semi-freestanding ultralight tents, you get a surprisingly bombproof pitch with little or no tweaking. 

Unusually for an ultralight tent, there are 4 separate pole sections, all the identical size. Two poles crisscross to kind an X on all sides, creating the construction of the tent. All our testers discovered this to be easy and intuitive. Helmuth, who struggled mightily with the Zpacks Plex Solo, rated the Free Zip a 5 for setup; the truth is, it had almost excellent scores throughout the board. 

In our expertise, whereas it’s attainable to arrange the Zpacks Free Zip with out stakes, our testers aren’t recommending it. First off, the stress from the 2 opposing cross-pole sections needs to clamshell the tent, which is annoying. However even when you get inside it and drive the tent form down along with your physique weight, you’re going to be lacking some flooring actual property. The stakes are additionally important if you’re planning to make use of this tent in uncovered or windy situations. However as soon as it was correctly staked out, testers have been impressed with its stormworthiness, with one noting that it “felt prefer it might stand up to a hurricane.”

Whether or not or not you assume the Free Zip has sufficient inside area is determined by your expectations from an ultralight tent. Zpacks charges the smaller mannequin of this tent as being for one to 2 folks (and the bigger as being for 2 to a few). Our expertise helps this advice. Whereas two medium-sized ladies with ultralight kits have been capable of match into this tent collectively, this one didn’t cross our Two Dudes in a Tent check. One other consideration with this tent is condensation. Like all single-wall tents, it’s liable to accumulating moisture on the inside, however when totally zipped up it’s much more inclined than most: it was one of many few tents on our Goat Rocks Wilderness trek to battle with condensation (on the second evening, whereas camped subsequent to a river). The shortage of vestibules makes this an extra problem. 

The small dimension of the vestibules are maybe one of the vital noteworthy options of this tent. Their taut design is a part of what makes them so stormworthy; nevertheless, it additionally implies that you aren’t going to suit way more in there then your footwear. Whether or not that’s a dealbreaker or a non-issue for you’ll rely on the scale of your current equipment. Magic additionally famous that the low entrance to this tent was troublesome to get out and in for him, as a consequence of stiffness from Parkinson’s. 

We are able to’t finish this overview with out mentioning the value. It’s very excessive (actually partly as a result of excessive price of Dyneema and carbon fiber), and sure out of attain for many ultralight backpackers. 

Learn our full overview of the Zpacks Free Zip Tent for extra data.

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Two-person mannequin examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Adam Tycaster, Ashley Thess with further enter by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4.7
• Inside Residing Area: 3
• Safety: 3.7
• Worth: 3.3
• Measured Weight of the 2-Particular person Mannequin: 2 kilos, 3.7 ounces (0.9 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 41 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $420 (2P)

Professionals

• One of many lightest non-trekking pole tents we’ve examined
• Straightforward to arrange

Cons

• Entrance entry was not fashionable with testers
• 2-person mannequin was not giant sufficient for 2 folks

I checked out the one-person model of this tent as a part of my scouting for the second annual OL backpacking gear check and got here away impressed. It arrange quick and was light-weight with a small packed dimension (important while you’re carrying the Palante Desert, one of many greatest ultralight backpacks). It wasn’t probably the most home-like tent I had ever used, but it surely felt secure and safe and, to be sincere, I don’t wish to spend time in my tent, anyway.

The tester panel for the backpacking gear check used the two-person model of the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus. Let’s begin with the unhealthy: for a two particular person tent, they weren’t impressed by the inside area it supplied, with a number of testers noting that it felt cramped and they’d not need to share it with a second particular person. Once we ran our Two Dudes in a Tent check on this one, it was the one tent that our two gal testers advised us was too small to make use of. (Tycaster, our tallest tester, did just like the two-person for simply himself.) Testers have been equally nonplussed by the entrance entry door. Whereas it does present some weight financial savings, it cuts the variety of attainable vestibules down from two to 1. It additionally implies that you enter the tent on the prime of your sleeping space, which loads of folks discover awkward.

However testers did admire how straightforward it was to arrange and take this down (no directions wanted for this group), particularly in comparison with the trekking pole and different non-freestanding tents we checked out. Regular talked about that, when attaching the rainfly to the principle physique, “the hooks have been so small, they have been just a little troublesome to safe with out effort.” Thess reported that the tent, even when totally staked out, flapped round considerably in heavy winds. This one is a greater guess for backpackers prepared to hike a number of miles previous that ridgeline to succeed in the security of the timber. 

One attribute of this tent that testers have been torn on was the white cloth. It tended to choose up filth simply, but in addition made the tent extra seen in low gentle situations. 

Large Agnes Fly Creek UL

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Two-person mannequin examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Alex Robinson, Adam Tycaster, and Sven “Magic” Anderson

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Residing Area: 2.3
• Safety: 3
• Worth: 4.3
• Measured Weight of the Two-Particular person Mannequin: 2 kilos, 4.7 ounces (.3 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 42 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $400 (2P)

Professionals

• Cheaper than different tents on this record

Cons

• Heavier than different tents we checked out (though nonetheless very light-weight)
• Entrance entry will be extra awkward to get into

The Large Agnes Fly Creek is the same design to the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus, and testers’ suggestions on this tent mirrored as such. The front-end entry was irritating, however setup and takedown was straightforward sufficient. Regardless of the tent coming in at a lower cost level than the Nimbus, testers rated it much less favorably, together with the tester, Tycaster, that used each tents. He and Magic each famous that the vestibule was small and that the inside was oddly claustrophobic with the perimeters tending to sag. “The inside felt like a coffin,” stated Tycaster. Whereas he was our tallest tester, these will not be the outcomes you need for a two particular person tent. It’s value noting that, in our Two Dudes in a Tent check, testers reported that two ladies can match into the two-person model simply advantageous.

Greatest Ultralight Tents: Trekking Pole

Greatest Total: Gossamer Gear The ONE and The TWO

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Diana Helmuth and Ashley Thess 

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Residing Area: 4.5 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the One-Particular person Mannequin: 1 pound, 6.6 ounces (1.4 ounces lower than marketed)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 45 inches (1P), 43 inches (2P)
• Doorways: One door (1P), two doorways (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: One yr
• Value: $255 (1P), $320 (2P)
• Non-obligatory aluminum pole units accessible (5.7 ounces for a pair)

Professionals

• Straightforward to arrange
• Moderately priced
• Good sized inside that felt homey to our testers

Cons

• Technically a smaller footprint than comparable fashions

The Gossamer Gear The One is the full bundle. It’s straightforward to arrange, even for first-time trekking-pole tent customers. It’s very gentle. It has sufficient head room to maneuver round comfortably within the morning. The vestibule match all our gear with room to spare. It packs up small. It even had an inside stow pocket for odds and ends like eyeglasses. Examine. Examine. Examine. 

Learn Subsequent: The Greatest Trekking Poles

However that is the true purpose it received the highest slot: The Gossamer Gear The One, greater than some other tent in our check, simply had that je ne sais quoi that we search for in our dwelling on the path. Our testers needed to be on this tent on the finish of the day and have been pleased to get up in it within the morning — even our tallest tester at 5 toes, 10 inches. There was extra wrangling to be the following tester for this tent than of some other we checked out.

Each testers who took this tent out reported that they have been ready to determine how one can arrange the tent with out instructions (one thing that was decidedly not true for all of the trekking-pole tents in our check). Nevertheless, they each famous the dearth of instructions supplied within the bundle — contemplate downloading these to your smartphone earlier than heading out into the sphere.

The one draw back to this tent is that it requires two trekking poles to arrange, making it much less weight-conscious for backpackers who solely carry one for difficult stream crossings or steep talus. 

Greatest Worth: Durston X-Mid

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell with enter by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster and Patrice “Regular” La Vigne

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Residing Area: 3.5 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 5
• Measured Weight of the One-Particular person Mannequin: 2 kilos, 1 ounce (2.2 ounces heavier than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 46 inches (2P)
• Doorways: Two doorways (1P & 2P)
• Supplies: Polyester
• Guarantee: Two years
• Value: $234 (1P), $270 (2P)
• Additionally accessible as a one-pound DCF tent
• Non-obligatory carbon fiber poles accessible (6.2 ounces for a pair)

Professionals

• Wonderful geometry makes for a secure arrange
• Most vestibule area of something we checked out
• Very affordably priced

Cons

• Not as gentle as another ultralight tents in our check (DCF model is way more costly)
• You’ll need to seize some completely different stakes (included choices weren’t the most effective)

When arrange accurately, the Durston X-Mid 1 had a number of the greatest geometry of any tent our testers had ever tried. It’s totally taut and safe in opposition to wind and rain, not sagging within the slightest when severe moisture units in. Even when it wasn’t arrange completely (a unfastened stake popped on my first evening on this tent), it was shockingly secure: I didn’t even discover till morning.

Despite the fact that the rainfly was soaked from the unrelenting condensation of the Oregon Coast, I used to be utterly dry on this tent, due to its double-wall setup. What makes the Durston X-Mid 1’s double-wall design particularly distinctive is that it was designed to be pitched fly first — no further groundsheet required. Our testers additionally seen that the pitch had steeper partitions than was typical, which maximizes livability — even when it doesn’t technically provide you with extra flooring area. 

The Durston X-Mid 1 even had two doorways and two vestibules, distinctive amongst one-person tents to our data. Despite the fact that it’s the same weight to the opposite double-wall ultralight tents we checked out, the Durston X-Mid 1 is (on the time of this overview) about $200 inexpensive. Hiker trash: This one is a no brainer. 

So what’s improper with this tent? To begin: It’s not your lightest possibility. For a similar weight because the Durston X-Mid 1, you could possibly get a totally freestanding tent. (Durston does provide a 1-pound model of this tent in DCF, however the value level for that’s up there with a number of the pricier ultralight tents.) Its setup additionally proved difficult for testers accustomed to freestanding tents. If that is your first trekking pole tent, give your self a while and area to mess around with perfecting the setup. 

Learn Subsequent: Greatest Tent Stakes

Lastly, you keep in mind I discussed a stake popped out the primary evening we used this tent? That stake had bent whereas being pushed into moderately delicate floor. I’d plan to interchange them with top-of-the-line tent stakes, with a watch towards MSR Groundhog minis or Large Agnes Filth Daggers. 

Learn our full overview, Durston X-Mid 1 Evaluation: A Newbie-Pleasant Ultralight Shelter.

Lightest: Gossamer Gear Whisper

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, Diana Helmuth, Ashley Thess, and Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, with enter from Patrice “Regular” La Vigne

Purchase the Whisper

Report Card

• Ease of Setup: 3.6
• Inside Residing Area: 3
• Safety: 2.6
• Worth: 2.6
• Measured Weight: 10.1 ounces (.1 ounce greater than marketed) 
• PFAS free

Key Options

Professionals

• Ridiculously light-weight
• Shocking inside area
• Dialog starter

Cons

• No devoted flooring
• More durable setup than others on this record
• Comparative lack of privateness

The Gossamer Gear Whisper was one of the vital impossible-looking tents our testing group had ever seen. At its core, this tent is one thing like a cross between a tarp and a single-wall trekking pole tent. It has the weight-savings of the previous, however the setup is nearer to the latter. Gossamer Gear co-founder Glen Van Peski designed the Whisper for a particular journey he was headed out on, and solely 500 have been launched as an preliminary restricted run — maybe, at first look, it didn’t look like a tent with widespread attraction. Nevertheless it flew off the cabinets, and Gossamer Gear ended up making it a everlasting a part of their choices. 

After sharing this tent with our testing group, I can see why it has such attraction for a sure subset of ultralight backpackers. There have at all times been a pair limitations to the tarp setup. The primary is that you can be the entree on the buffet for any mosquitoes round. The Whisper solves this properly by having a mesh skirt alongside the underside of the tent. The second is that, for one thing seemingly so easy wanting, tarps are difficult and time-consuming to arrange. And that’s the place the Gossamer Gear Whisper actually shines. After I learn Glen’s stream-of-consciousness instructions on the Gossamer Gear website below the FAQ (which I undoubtedly advocate), it took me lower than 10 minutes to arrange on my first try. The essential concept is to begin on the foot, staking out across the shorter trekking pole, after which pull it taut as you stake every successive loop in till you get to the facet with the taller trekking pole. I think about with a little bit of apply, I might get this tent up about as shortly as some other trekking pole tent. 

Different testers had equally optimistic experiences with the setup. Skilled thru-hiker High Shelf known as it a “fast, straightforward, and self-explanatory,” noting that the DCF makes it simpler to create a taut silhouette than you’ll get with silnylon. Diana and Ashley additionally each acquired the tent up with out an excessive amount of bother after I supplied a recap of the really helpful technique. 

Testers’ emotions about truly sleeping on this tent different dramatically. “It seems like my first tent,” stated High Shelf. “Simply sufficient of what you want and nothing you don’t.” Ashley didn’t have comparable heat fuzzies, stating that she wouldn’t belief this tent in any form of climate. And Diana opted to forgo sleeping in it in any respect, swapping with Regular on the third evening of our check. That turned out to be the windiest evening, with a number of testers arrange in additional uncovered places reporting their tent construction being compromised. So it was notable that Regular, arrange with some tree safety, got here away impressed with the structural integrity of this tent, giving it a 4, the very best ranking of our testers.

“I felt the wind blowing in by way of the mesh backside half, however I wouldn’t have recognized it was windy (possibly 10 mph) as a result of the remainder of the tent physique was as tight as a trampoline,” she stated. “You may bounce a penny off it.”

After I examined this tent on the ultimate evening of our journey, I had the prospect to expertise this firsthand. The tent appeared prefer it was standing up with pixie mud, which didn’t make me really feel as safe within it as I needed. However the precise construction was so inflexible and taut that regardless of what number of occasions I knocked into the middle pole, it didn’t transfer in any respect. 

Gossamer Gear doesn’t opine on how many individuals this tent will match, however our take is that, whereas it simply barely match our two gal testers, it’s actually a roomy match for one. Whereas there’s technically area on either side of the middle pole for 2 sleeping pads, the logistics of cramming in any further gear or, heaven forbid, the particular person on the far facet needing to make use of the restroom in the midst of the evening, makes this a no-go. 

Greater than some other tent on this record, belief your intestine on this one. In case you’re an outdated hand at trekking pole tents or tarp-curious, this could possibly be simply what it is advisable to actually drive that base weight down. But when the concept of forgoing a flooring and having the underside 4 inches of your tent be nothing however mesh provides you pause, then go together with one other decide on this record. 

Greatest for Tall Folks: Tarptent ProTrail

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 2
• Inside Residing Area: 2.5 
• Safety: 3
• Worth: 4
• Measured Weight: 1 pound, 8.2 ounces (.2 ounces heavier than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 45 inches
• Doorways: 1
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon flooring; ripstop polyester shell
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime
• Value: $240
• Non-obligatory carbon fiber poles accessible (6.9 ounces per set)

Professionals

• Usable size makes this an important possibility for taller people
• May match two folks in a pinch
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Tends to sag within the center in condensation-prone situations
• People with a shorter wingspan will battle with setup

Loads of folks over 6 toes tall received’t even take a look at a one-person ultralight tent. In any case, the simplest approach for producers to save lots of weight and defend your UL bonafides is to easily make your tent smaller than the competitors. And, to be sincere, our all-women testing crew, which topped out at 5 foot 10, was principally advantageous with that. However there was one ultralight tent we tried that was clearly constructed with an over six-foot particular person in thoughts: the Tarptent ProtTrail.

Whereas loads of different ultralight tents declare the same 84-inch size, few even have that a lot usable area, as a result of taper of the partitions. Not so within the Tarptent ProTrail, which has totally vertical sides on the prime and the underside of the tent. We expect that anybody as much as six foot 4 could be comfy mendacity down inside this tent. 

Sadly, getting in is a special story. The Tarptent Protrail has head-in entry, which most testers discovered to be considerably uncomfortable and awkward to make use of, particularly after they have been drained after an extended day of climbing. 

The 2 trekking poles used within the setup of the Tarptent ProTrail have been separated lengthwise, 84 inches from each other. That lengthy profile, with none further assist or construction within the heart, meant that it sagged extra from the condensation than the rest we checked out. We might even have considerations about this tent in severe wind situations if it was angled incorrectly or if wind was coming from a number of instructions. 

It’s value noting that shorter folks will battle to arrange this tent, as certainly one of our testers found on the ultimate evening of our journey alongside the Oregon Coast Path. That’s as a result of the entrance trekking pole should be held upright similtaneously you stake out the far door: the wingspan of a shorter particular person simply can’t attain that far. 

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 2
• Inside Residing Area: 2 
• Safety: 3
• Worth: 3
• Measured Weight of the 1-Particular person Mannequin: 15.9 ounces (weight consists of stakes; not included in buy value or marketed weight)
• PFAS free

Key Options

Professionals

• By far the lightest tent in our check
• Single pole arrange

Cons

• Costly
• Expertise wanted to realize the right pitch
• Requires a taller trekking pole to pitch correctly

Our testers had extra combined emotions in regards to the Zpacks Plex Solo than the rest we checked out. The load of this tent spectacular; it’s additionally twice the value of our greatest general decide within the trekking-pole class. The Dyneema shell that helps give this tent its low weight was additionally surprisingly cozy, with our tester noting that it was simply 5 levels hotter inside than out. Nonetheless, if the pitch wasn’t simply so, it felt, within the phrases of 1 tester, like “sleeping within a moist trash bag.” 

The inaccurate pitch was not for lack of attempting. Our tester, who described the supplied directions as a number of the greatest we checked out, spent a very long time attempting to get this one proper. However then she’d get into the tent and understand one thing wasn’t fairly proper with a number of of the ten stakes. After getting out to regulate the stakes and the guylines, she’d get in once more, and see that now one thing new was improper. By morning, she was fairly annoyed, however different members of the testing journey who had used Zpacks earlier than merely nodded sagely. The pitch on these tents is hard to grasp. 

We additionally had considerations about its storm-readiness. In contrast to different ultralight tents, there is no such thing as a zipper on the door, simply clips on the corners of the 2 sides that safe to a stake. Which means rain and wind can each push their approach by way of should you haven’t protected your self by another means. Skilled thru-hikers will know if it is a danger they’re prepared to take. In any case, some trails are unlikely to see situations that might make this a difficulty, and there’s at all times the choice to prop your backpack up within the door to offer some further safety. However we predict early-career ultralight backpackers ought to assume twice earlier than committing to a setup like this. 

In case you’re new to ultralight tents, particularly should you’re new to trekking pole tents, we predict you need to shelve this one in the intervening time and go for a barely heavier mannequin just like the Gossamer Gear THE ONE or Durston X-Mid-1. However should you’ve been utilizing ultralight tents for a while, and are able to improve to that elusive sub-10 pound equipment, then this could completely be in your quick record. 

Just like the Six Moons Lunar Solo, this one doesn’t include stakes — you’ll want to purchase these individually. Whereas our first advice is for the MSR Groundhog Minis, that’s going to push you up over the one pound mark. To maintain this below a pound in whole weight (and get all ten stakes — you’ll want them to take full benefit of the inside area), go for the MSR Carbon Core. 

The final word is to verify your present trekking poles. The very best pitch is achieved with a pole set to 132 cm in size, however some poles don’t prolong that far.

Search Outdoors Daylight

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Alex Robinson, Adam Tycaster, Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, and Diana Helmuth

Report Card

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Residing Area: 4.8
• Safety: 4.3
• Worth: 3.8
• Measured Weight: 2 kilos, 10.1 ounces (3.1 ounces heavier than marketed)
• PFAS free

Key Options

• Max Head Peak: 50 inches (2P)
• Doorways: Two doorways (2P)
• Supplies: Ripstop nylon
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime (additionally offers restore for a payment)
• Value: $450 (2P)
• Non-obligatory carbon fiber poles accessible (8.4 ounces for a set)

Professionals

• Spacious
• High quality supplies
• Straightforward setup (for a trekking pole tent)
• Made within the USA

Cons

• Costly
• Heavy for an ultralight tent
• The non-compulsory carbon fiber poles have been heavy (8.4 ounces) and confused testers

The Search Outdoors Daylight was the one non-freestanding tent that was arrange within the uncovered alpine space on our third evening of testing within the Goat Rocks Wilderness (the opposite three trekking-pole tents have been arrange among the many timber). The tester, High Shelf, reported that it stayed up advantageous, though there have been some hiccups alongside the best way given the lower than very best staking-out state of affairs. “It felt homey, spacious, and tremendous storm-worthy,” she famous. Robinson, who examined it on the ultimate evening once we have been camped in muggy situations close to a pond, reported no condensation. 

All of the testers for this tent have been effusive of their reward. “Best trekking pole tent to arrange I’ve ever skilled,” stated Helmuth. Whereas the Search Outdoors Daylight is noticeably costlier than the Gossamer Gear The Two, which has the same silhouette, there are a number of causes to decide on this model. First off, this tent has unimaginable inside area, by far probably the most of any two-person tent we checked out. Two giant and tall people will simply match inside this tent with out feeling overcrowded. It’s additionally created from 30D nylon, which ought to have an extended lifespan than the Gossamer Gear’s 10D. I additionally appreciated a singular characteristic, the place a sliding toggle on the center edge of every vestibule allowed you to simply entry the zipped mesh door. “So easy and enjoyable,” famous Helmuth. “Why aren’t all tents like this?”

One side of this tent that stymied our testers was the non-compulsory carbon fiber poles, that are bought as an extra add-on. These got here in 4 separate sections, with no shade coding or different indicators to indicate you ways greatest to assemble them. Virtually everybody ultimately figured it out, however the consensus was that trekking poles have been a lot simpler to make use of. Whereas the Search Outdoors Daylight is on the heavy facet for an ultralight tent, we predict it’s nicely value your consideration should you’ve been contemplating upgrading to a 3-person tent to get extra inside area.

Six Moons Lunar

Purchase the 1-Particular person Mannequin

One-person mannequin examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 4
• Inside Residing Area: 3 
• Safety: 4
• Worth: 4
• Measured Weight of the One-Particular person Mannequin: 1 pound, 12.9 ounces (weight consists of stakes; not included in buy value or marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

Professionals

• Straightforward to arrange
• Capability to regulate the door guyline from contained in the tent
• Inexpensive
• One particular person mannequin wants just one trekking pole 

Cons

• Low partitions will be claustrophobic

Possibly you’re like me: You don’t usually use trekking poles whereas climbing, however you’ve been recognized to toss one into your pack for gnarly river crossings or for further stability on steep, snowy terrain. However there’s no approach you’d carry two simply to make use of in a trekking pole setup — at that time you may as nicely simply use a freestanding mannequin. 

The Six Moons Lunar Solo was one of many few ultralight tents in our check that used one trekking pole in its design fairly than two. The consequence was a modified teepee construction that was surprisingly intuitive to arrange. Regardless of having by no means used this tent, I used to be capable of put it up in solely a few minutes with no instructions.

It additionally had a number of particulars I appreciated. The primary was a vent on the highest of the tent. It didn’t assist with the unrelenting fog of the Oregon Coast, however in drier climes it will cut back condensation buildup from exhaling inside your tent. It additionally had a rigidity adjustment for the rainfly door contained in the tent, a considerate element that I hadn’t seen earlier than. This may let you do away with extra slack (usually attributable to wind or condensation) within the a part of the tent masking your gear with out having to get out of your tent.

Whereas the height peak of this tent is ample, I discovered it troublesome to keep away from bumping my head in opposition to the condensation-soaked tent partitions within the morning. This was partly as a consequence of my website location: I used to be pitched on barely uneven floor, which made it troublesome to realize the steeply sloped partitions that might have been attainable on flat floor. 

Whereas this tent is affordably priced, word that the value doesn’t embody stakes; you’ll have to buy these individually. 

Six Moon Designs Haven

Purchase the 2-Particular person Mannequin

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Sven “Magic” Anderson, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, and Diana Helmuth

Report Card 

• Ease of Setup: 1.8
• Inside Residing Area: 4 
• Safety: 3.8
• Worth: 4.3
• Measured Weight: 2 pound, 10.5 ounces (weight consists of stakes; not included in buy value or marketed weight)
• PFAS free in 2025

Key Options

Professionals

• Versatile setup
• Straightforward to separate the burden between two folks

Cons

• Time-consuming preliminary setup
• A bigger stuff stuff sack is required to simplify subsequent setups

The Six Moon Designs Haven has a considerably distinctive setup that maximizes versatility whereas maintaining the burden down. Like with the Durston X-Mid, you pitch the rainfly first, after which dangle the shelter beneath it. There are a number of benefits to this design. In unhealthy climate, it makes it a bit simpler to maintain the within of the tent dry when taking down the tent. (And, not like single-wall tents, it fares a bit higher in opposition to condensation.) It additionally implies that should you don’t anticipate to come across vital bugs, you possibly can merely depart the tent physique dwelling and select to sleep below the tarp alone. 

In apply, clipping the mesh tent physique beneath the rainfly is a little bit of a ache. “I’ve at all times hated the entire ‘arrange the rainfly first’ as a result of then it’s a must to yoga pose below the rainfly to attach it to the tent physique,” famous Regular, our first tester. Magic, who’s climbing with Parkinson’s, additionally famous that “the setup may be very troublesome,” rating it a 2, his lowest rating throughout our testing journey. Different testers expressed comparable frustration, particularly with accurately orienting the bug internet to the rainfly physique, which, at the least in our model of the tent, was not shade coded. A few of this might need been minimized tester to tester by merely leaving the bug internet connected; nevertheless, as a result of the bug internet and the rain fly every have their very own devoted stuff sack, there wasn’t a simple strategy to pack them away collectively. I might advocate that anybody taking a look at this tent additionally buy a bigger stuff sack to simplify setup in these conditions the place you need to depart the 2 halves linked.

All testers famous that the within of the tent was lots spacious (this one simply handed our Two Dudes in a Tent check), though two talked about that they wished the tub flooring had come up a bit larger. Helmuth additionally famous that the zippered doorways are each on the identical facet of the inside bug internet, but the rainfly doorways open on reverse sides, which appeared odd. 

The Remainder of the Subject

The Out of doors Vitals Fortius was a new-to-us trekking pole tent which we had some combined emotions about. Our tester ended up needing to observe a video on how one can set it up with the intention to crack it (it was considerably much less intuitive than the remainder of the trekking pole tents in our check), and even then the ultimate form appeared odd in comparison with the glossy class of different ultralight tents. 

Fortunately, the inside was spacious and the low value coupled with low weight make this tent one to think about.

We struggled with the Kuiu Summit Star, which simply had probably the most difficult setup. Our most skilled tester spent forty minutes getting the pitch proper on her first try, the longest she stated she had ever spent organising a brand new tent. 

However there have been particulars that stood out: an extremely spacious vestibule (this was successfully the biggest one-person ultralight tent we examined by a large margin), nice breathability, lengthy size that may attraction to taller people, an non-compulsory vestibule flooring. This may be the correct selection for an particularly affected person particular person searching for an ultralight basecamp. And it does look awfully sharp as soon as it’s up. 

The Samaya Opti 1.5 is one which we needed to like. In any case, that is the model that introduced us the Radical1, one of many greatest 4-season tents that weighs lower than a pound and a half. They usually have been taking a special strategy to the trekking pole setup right here (exterior A-frame with a facet entrance, simpler to get out and in), which is at all times enjoyable to mess around with. Nicely, mess around we did, however we simply couldn’t get this tent to look proper. We notably struggled with the guyline on the again of the tent, which when pulled taut truly decreases the inside area of the tent. Certainly an angle exists the place this wouldn’t occur, however we didn’t discover it throughout our check. 

There have been different issues too. The included stakes, the identical as with the Radical1 that labored so nicely in snow, had poor maintain in delicate floor and bent after they hit exhausting floor. Adjusting the pitch of the trekking poles alongside the A-frame was additionally difficult, as pulling the guylines alongside the facet taut tended to have an effect on the angle and make the entire setup unstable. And whereas the vestibule was a formidable dimension, the marketed entrance porch possibility requires a second set of trekking poles — which you’d solely have should you have been sharing this tent with one other particular person. For us, this ultralight tent didn’t hit the mark (particularly at this value level), however we’ll be watching to see what the revolutionary Samaya model comes out with sooner or later. 

The best way to Select the Greatest Ultralight Tents

Semi-Freestanding versus Trekking Poles

For the uninitiated, semi-freestanding tents can keep up with simply the poles inserted, no have to stake into the bottom except you need to maximize your flooring area (or rain is within the forecast). Trekking-pole tents, however, should be staked out with the intention to arise. For years, skilled backpackers would have a tendency towards trekking-pole tents for the burden financial savings. Novice backpackers, however, would gravitate towards the simplicity and safety of a semi-freestanding tent, that are simpler to excellent the setup of.

Lately, nevertheless, the distinction in weight and ease of setup between freestanding and non-freestanding tents has began to shrink. Our decide for the most effective semi-freestanding tent, the MSR Freelite, weighed lower than a number of trekking pole designs we checked out, whereas the one trekking pole design of the Six Moons Lunar Solo was almost as straightforward to place up as a typical cross-pole development. 

Trekking Poles

In case you presently use trekking poles, then switching to a tent that includes them into the design generally is a main weight financial savings. (If you don’t, then you definately’ll need to incorporate the burden of the trekking poles or the substitute tent poles into your calculations earlier than making a ultimate determination). When selecting an ultralight tent, verify that your trekking poles prolong as much as the really helpful peak — our check of the most effective ultralight tents was paired with our check of the greatest trekking poles, and we have been stunned at how typically the trekking poles we have been utilizing have been too quick for the tents.

Ease of Setup

There may be quite a lot of variation in how straightforward or troublesome ultralight tents are to arrange. Some tents, particularly freestanding tents, are so easy to arrange that you simply don’t even want instructions. Others appear to require infinite fiddling to realize the best setup, particularly the primary few occasions you employ them. In case you repeatedly hike till nightfall or are heading into part of the nation the place snap storms are the norm, selecting a tent the place you possibly can obtain an important setup lightning quick is crucial. 

Single versus Double Wall

Most tents are double wall tents, the place the interior mesh physique and outer rainfly are two items separated by an inch or so when arrange accurately. This helps to stop condensation — the moisture that collects as we exhale in the course of the evening — from getting our gear moist once we brush up in opposition to the tent partitions. Nevertheless, further materials means further weight, and ultralight purists usually go for single wall tents that emphasize air flow. Nevertheless, as our further condensation-prone backpacking gear check alongside the Oregon Coast confirmed, generally no quantity of air flow will stop speedy condensation construct up. So that you’ll must resolve which is extra necessary: safety from condensation or a decrease weight. 

Vestibule Measurement

For this check, we appeared solely at one particular person tents, which usually lack the inside flooring area for greater than one of many greatest backpacking sleeping pads. With these tents, a wholesome dimension vestibule is necessary if you’re carrying greater than the naked minimal of substances. 

Seam Sealing

Seam sealing is crucial to waterproofing the seams of a tent. Not all ultralight tents seam seal their tents mechanically — some provide their tents at a lower cost with the understanding that the buyer will seam seal it themselves. If you do not need to seam seal your personal tent, double verify whether or not that is supplied mechanically or as a separate service earlier than buying. 

Stakes

Light-weight stakes with wonderful holding energy are important for non-freestanding tents. Nevertheless, not all ultralight tents include stakes on the level of buy. Others don’t include stakes which are applicable for difficult terrains or situations. I’ve famous within the above evaluations the place stakes will should be bought individually and when you need to contemplate swapping out the supplied stakes for one of many greatest tent stakes. 

FAQs

Q: How heavy is an ultralight tent?

Ultralight tents usually weigh between 1 and a couple of kilos for a one-person mannequin. A two-person ultralight tent will usually weigh a couple of pound greater than their single particular person counterparts. 

Q: What materials is used for ultralight tents?

Ultralight tents are usually created from DCF (Dyneema Composite Material), silnylon, or silpolyester. Poles and stakes are usually created from light-weight aluminum (look for top of the range poles, like these from DAC) or generally carbon fiber. 

Q: Is a tarp higher than a tent for ultralight backpacking?

In case you’re new to ultralight backpacking, it’s greatest to begin with an ultralight tent. Whereas tarps are a superb ultralight possibility, their means to deal with sure climate situations is proscribed and so they require considerably extra expertise to realize a weather-ready setup. 

Closing Ideas

There has by no means been a greater time to improve your backpacking tent to an ultralight mannequin. The ingenuity and variety of design and development implies that it’s straightforward to discover a tent that matches your wants, present equipment, and expertise stage. After testing these tents first-hand within the area, we’re assured that they’ll shave ounces (and even kilos) off your base weight whereas nonetheless offering the standard sleep it is advisable to take advantage of your subsequent outside journey.

Semi-Freestanding Tents

Trekking-Pole Tents