{"id":1142,"date":"2023-05-11T07:31:54","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T07:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1142"},"modified":"2023-05-11T07:31:54","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T07:31:54","slug":"best-ultralight-tents-of-2023-tested-and-reviewed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1142","title":{"rendered":"Best Ultralight Tents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"Article-disclosure\">\n<p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/affiliate-disclosure\/\">Learn More <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ArticleReviewAuthor\">\n<p>\n    <span class=\"ArticleReviewAuthor-publishedTime\"><br \/>\n      Published May 10, 2023 6:45 PM<br \/>\n    <\/span>\n  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">There\u2019s something magical about how ultralight tents push the envelope of protection for weight with their innovative designs and materials. Out of a sheet of wafer-thin fabric and a single trekking pole, you can make shelter suitable to withstand a range of three-season weather scenarios. Our only real complaint about ultralight tents is that you can\u2019t just go to a big box showroom and see them all set up side by side: Some of the best out there are made by smaller cottage companies that simply don\u2019t have that kind of reach. So for the inaugural <em>Outdoor Life <\/em>backpacking gear test, we took a dozen of the best ultralight tents along a section of the 362-mile Oregon Coast Trail to see which would impress our experienced tester group. For the parameters of this test, we defined ultralight as weighing less than 2.5 pounds for a one-person tent, with a focus on tents with or unique designs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">*Measured weight includes stakes, but these are not included in the purchase price<br \/>**Price including the cost of stakes (not included in the purchase price) <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"h-how-we-evaluated-the-best-ultralight-tents\">How We Evaluated the Best Ultralight Tents<\/h2>\n<p>Ultralight tents push the boundaries of what you can do with a sheet of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WUJ5dMbRy9c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DCF<\/a>, a trekking pole, and a handful of titanium stakes. But with so many unique shapes and configurations, it can be hard to assess which will work best for your physical size and current backpacking kit, or the terrain you plan to travel through.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"836\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/group-photo-brightened.jpg\" alt=\"The testing crew, from left to right, Diana Helmuth, Jac \u00e2\u0080\u009cTop Shelf\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mitchell, Laura \u00e2\u0080\u009cChop Chop\u00e2\u0080\u009d Lancaster, Patrice \u00e2\u0080\u009cSteady\u00e2\u0080\u009d La Vigne, and Ashley Thess.\" class=\"wp-image-244149\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The testing crew, from left to right, Diana Helmuth, Jac \u201cTop Shelf\u201d Mitchell, Laura \u201cChop Chop\u201d Lancaster, Patrice \u201cSteady\u201d La Vigne, and Ashley Thess. <i>Outdoor Life<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To help you choose the right tent for your needs and experience, five OL contributors and editors with over 20,000 miles of thru-hiking experience headed to the Oregon Coast Trail to test ultralight tents over five days in late April. The tents in our test ranged from UL mainstays like Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, and Six Moons to freestanding options from major-league brands like MSR, Big Agnes, and NEMO. We also tested tents from top backpack hunting gear companies, including KUIU, Stone Glacier, and Seek Outside as well as relative newcomers like Durston and Samaya.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/three-of-the-best-ultralight-tents.jpg\" alt=\"From left to right, the KUIU Summit Star, Seek Outside Cimarron, and Gossamer Gear The One on the third morning of testing along the Oregon Coast Trail.\" class=\"wp-image-244150\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left to right, the KUIU Summit Star, Seek Outside Cimarron, and Gossamer Gear The One on the third morning of testing along the Oregon Coast Trail. <i>Ashley Thess<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On our multi-day section hike of the Oregon Coast Trail, we tested ultralight tents in as many configurations as possible: different terrains, weather conditions, and testers with different levels of experience. We experimented setting up the tents with nothing more than our wits and what was provided, but we also watched manufacturer instruction videos on loop to get it just so.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Each ultralight tent was evaluated in three categories and given a score of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) from each tester. Weight was also independently verified and based on what you need to carry to set up the tent that is not dual purpose (like a trekking pole). After discussing the scores and relative merits of each ultralight tent, we then determined and agreed upon the awards as a group. The categories were:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ease of set up:<\/strong> Tents were set up by multiple testers, allowing us to assess which were suitable for newbie ultralighters and which should be handled only by experienced backpackers and backpack hunters.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interior living space: <\/strong>Most backpackers will spend eight or more hours a day sleeping\u2014that\u2019s a third or more of your time out on the trail. A tent that feels claustrophobic or cramped will make for a worse outdoors experience and potentially negatively affect your sleep at night. We assessed the usable space in each tent, noting how the slope of pitch or vestibule size changed our experience.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Value:<\/strong> The price of an ultralight tent can vary wildly, from a couple hundred dollars to upwards of six hundred dollars\u2014the most expensive ultralight tent we looked at cost well over a thousand. We ranked each tent on whether the setup, weight, and liveability is merited by the price point.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/all-of-the-best-ultralight-tents.jpg\" alt=\"Some of the best ultralight tents being made today, ready for testing.\" class=\"wp-image-244151\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some of the best ultralight tents being made today, ready for testing. <i>Jac Mitchell<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While we did grade for protection and condensation, we ultimately chose not to include those rankings here. We had very good weather during the window we were testing along the Oregon Coast. However, we did deal with condensation in the tents, due to the comparatively cool temperatures and high humidity along the coast. At night, you could see the droplets of water in the air with your headlamp. Within an hour of being pitched, the interior walls of every tent was wet, even before the tester got inside. We have included our notes below on how that condensation affected the gear inside our tents, but were unable to determine the comparative ability of each tent to vent under these conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For this test, we looked primarily at one-person shelters, and have noted the dimensions and overall usable space for the one-person version of each model, as well as when a two- or three-person model is available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>The Best Ultralight Tents of 2023: Reviews &amp; Recommendations<\/h2>\n<h3>Best Overall: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=13757&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garagegrowngear.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-one-by-gossamer-gear%3F_pos%3D1%26_sid%3D5a62e8f94%26_ss%3Dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Gossamer Gear The One<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"gossamer-gear-the-one\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=13757&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garagegrowngear.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-one-by-gossamer-gear%3F_pos%3D1%26_sid%3D5a62e8f94%26_ss%3Dr\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Gossamer-Gear-The-One.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Gossamer-Gear-The-One.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Gossamer Gear The One is the best overall.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 1 pound, 6.6 ounces<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 4<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 4.5\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $300<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 84 inches long x 33 inches wide x 45 inches high (width tapers to 21 inches at the foot)<\/li>\n<li>Requires two trekking poles set to 125cm (fixed tent poles available for purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Six required, two additional provided<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Ripstop nylon<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a two-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Easy to set up<\/li>\n<li>Reasonably priced<\/li>\n<li>Good sized interior that felt homey to our testers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Requires two trekking poles to set up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Gossamer Gear The One is the total package. It\u2019s easy to set up, even for first-time ultralight tent users. It\u2019s very light (third lightest in our test). It has enough head room to move around comfortably in the morning. The vestibule fit all our gear with room to spare. It packs up small. It even had an interior pocket stow pocket for odds and ends like eyeglasses. Check. Check. Check.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/testing-gg-the-one.jpg\" alt=\"Packing up after the first night of the OL backpacking gear test trip.\" class=\"wp-image-244153\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Packing up after the first night of the OL backpacking gear test trip.  <i>Patrice La Vigne<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But this is the real reason it won the top slot: The Gossamer Gear The One, more than any other tent in our test, just had that <em>je ne sais quoi <\/em>that we look for in our home on the trail. Our testers wanted to be in this tent at the end of the day and were happy to wake up in it in the morning\u2014even our tallest tester at 5 foot 10 inches. There was more wrangling to be the next tester for this tent than of any other we looked at.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/inside-gg-the-one.jpg\" alt=\"The double trekking pole set up of the Gossamer Gear The One made for a substantial amount of headspace, which was handy on our condensation-heavy testing trip.\" class=\"wp-image-244154\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The double trekking pole set up of the Gossamer Gear The One made for a substantial amount of headspace, which was handy on our condensation-heavy testing trip.  <i>Ashley Thess<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Even though the Gossamer Gear The One wasn\u2019t the lightest ultralight tent in our test (see our take on the Zpacks Solo Plex below), the upsides for that extra 6.7 ounces (better night\u2019s sleep, more headspace, easier setup, zip at the door to protect against wind and rain) will be worth it to everyone but the most dedicated gram counters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Both testers who took this tent out reported that they were able to figure out how to set up the tent without directions (something that was decidedly not true for all the ultralight tents in our test). However, they both noted the lack of directions provided in the package\u2014consider downloading these to your smartphone before heading out into the field.<\/p>\n<p>The only downside to this tent is that it requires two trekking poles to set up, making it less weight-conscious for backpackers who don\u2019t already have trekking poles as part of their set up.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Best Value: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaviso.com\/products\/durston-gear-x-mid-1p-tent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Durston X-Mid 1<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"durston-x-mid-1\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaviso.com\/products\/durston-gear-x-mid-1p-tent\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Durston-X-Mid-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Durston-X-Mid-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Durston X-Mid 1 is the best value.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 2 pounds, 1 ounce <\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 4<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 3.5\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $240<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 90 inches long x 32 inches wide x 43 inches high (angled interior)<\/li>\n<li>Requires two trekking poles that can extend to 120cm (poles available for purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Four required, two additional provided<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Polyester<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a one-pound DCF tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Excellent geometry makes for a stable set up<\/li>\n<li>Most vestibule space of anything we looked at<\/li>\n<li>Very affordably priced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Not as light as some other ultralight tents in our test (DCF version is much more expensive)<\/li>\n<li>You\u2019ll want to grab some different stakes (included options weren\u2019t the best)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Consider us the newest members of the Dan Durston fan club. When set up correctly, the Durston X-Mid 1 had some of the best geometry of anything we looked at, fully taut and secure against wind and rain, not sagging in the slightest when serious moisture sets in. Even when it wasn\u2019t set up perfectly (a loose stake popped on my first night in this tent), it was shockingly stable: I didn\u2019t even notice until morning.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/inside-of-durston.jpg\" alt=\"The Durston X-Mid 1 punched above its weight for livability thanks to the steep walls, double-vestibule, double-door design. \" class=\"wp-image-244156\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Durston X-Mid 1 punched above its weight for livability thanks to the steep walls, double-vestibule, double-door design.  <i>Jac Mitchell<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Even though the rainfly was soaked from the unrelenting condensation of the Oregon Coast, I was completely dry in this tent, thanks to its double-wall setup. What makes the Durston X-Mid 1\u2019s double-wall set up especially unique is that it was designed to be pitched fly first\u2014no additional groundsheet required. This is such a preferable order of operations in inclement weather that I hope this becomes the norm in the future. Our testers also noticed that the pitch had steeper walls than was typical, which maximizes livability\u2014even if it doesn\u2019t technically give you more floor space.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/durston-setup.jpg\" alt=\"Jac \u00e2\u0080\u009cTop Shelf\u00e2\u0080\u009d Mitchell, our most experienced tester, said that this tent was as easy to set up as a freestanding tent.\" class=\"wp-image-244157\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jac \u201cTop Shelf\u201d Mitchell, our most experienced tester, said that this tent was as easy to set up as a freestanding tent.  <i>Patrice La Vigne<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Durston X-Mid 1 even had two doors and two vestibules. What one-person ultralight tent has a vestibule for your gear and a totally separate side for you to exit on for a midnight bathroom break? As far as we know, the Durston X-Mid 1 is the only one. This was also, along with the Tarptent Protrail, one of the lowest priced options in our test. Even though it\u2019s a similar weight to the other double-wall ultralight tents we looked at, the Durston X-Mid 1 is (at the time of this review) about $200 less expensive. Hiker trash: this one is a no-brainer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/durston-drooping-setup.jpg\" alt=\"While our new-to-trekking-pole-tents tester followed the provided instructions for the initial setup, her end result wasn\u00e2\u0080\u0099t as robust as we would have liked. However, it was still functional for typical backpacking conditions.\" class=\"wp-image-244158\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">While our new-to-trekking-pole-tents tester followed the provided instructions for the initial setup, her end result wasn\u2019t as robust as we would have liked. However, it was still functional for typical backpacking conditions.  <i>Laura Lancaster <\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So what\u2019s wrong with this tent? To start: it\u2019s not your lightest option. For the same weight as the Durston X-Mid 1, you could get a fully freestanding tent. (Durston does offer a 1-pound version of this tent in DCF, but the price point for that is up there with the Zpacks Solo Plex.) Its setup also proved challenging for testers accustomed to freestanding tents: If this is your first trekking pole tent, give yourself some time and space to play around with perfecting the setup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/durston-stakes.jpg\" alt=\"A small detail that can make a big difference: The provided stakes for the Durston X-Mid 1 were not as high quality as we would have liked. Plan to spend a little extra money on some MSR Groundhog Minis.\" class=\"wp-image-244161\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A small detail that can make a big difference: The provided stakes for the Durston X-Mid 1 were not as high quality as we would have liked. Plan to spend a little extra money on some MSR Groundhog Minis.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Finally, you remember I mentioned a stake popped out the first night we used this tent? That stake had bent while being pushed into reasonably soft ground. I\u2019d plan to replace them with one of the <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-tent-stakes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best tent stakes<\/a>, with an eye toward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MSR-Mini-Groundhog-Stake-Single\/dp\/B0075JJZ6O?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">MSR Groundhog minis<\/a> or Big Agnes Dirt Daggers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Best Freestanding: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MSR-Freelite-1-Person-Ultralight-Backpacking\/dp\/B09LNWWL1F?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">MSR Freelite<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"msr-freelite\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MSR-Freelite-1-Person-Ultralight-Backpacking\/dp\/B09LNWWL1F?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;038%3Bascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/MSR-Freelite.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/MSR-Freelite.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"MSR Freelite is the best free-standing tent.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 1 pound, 14.5 ounces<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 5<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 3.5\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $420<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 87 inches long x 33 inches wide x 39 inches high\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>No trekking poles required<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Five required, One additional provided<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Ripstop nylon<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a two-person tent or three-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Super easy setup<\/li>\n<li>Sub-2 pounds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Smaller interior space than the other freestanding tents in this test<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A freestanding tent that comes in under 2 pounds? If you are wondering what the catch is, so were we. Setting up the MSR Freelite was extremely fast (one tester set it up in under two minutes without having ever used it before), and it took minimal effort to achieve the storm-worthy profile. The interior, while not exactly spacious, was large enough for the biggest sleeping pad on our test (a full-size rectangular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Therm-Rest-Ultralight-Backpacking-Sleeping\/dp\/B0BKDWRPVT?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT<\/a>), with a backpack fitting handily into the vestibule. Testers reported that it felt larger than it was, which is an important detail if you get stuck inside waiting out a storm. The mesh and fly were extremely lightweight and plenty robust, with the dirt falling right off when we shook it out before stuffing it away for the day. The poles (best-in-class DACs, naturally) were even made from aluminum, as opposed to splinter-prone carbon fiber. Our only concern was with that 15D bathtub floor\u2014it may benefit from a groundsheet on more challenging terrains\u2014but this was strictly theoretical as we didn\u2019t experience any holes on our testing trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/MSR-inside.jpg\" alt=\"The interior of the MSR Freelite 1 fit a full-size rectangle Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, with our backpack and the rest of our kit stowed in the vestibule. Like with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL and NEMO Hornet OSMO, we appreciated that this one had multiple storage pockets inside.\" class=\"wp-image-244166\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The interior of the MSR Freelite 1 fit a full-size rectangle Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, with our backpack and the rest of our kit stowed in the vestibule. Like with the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL and NEMO Hornet OSMO, we appreciated that this one had multiple storage pockets inside.  <i>Diana Helmuth<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While there are plenty of thru-hikers who will prefer the weight savings of a single-wall tent, the extreme condensation of the Oregon Coast showed the advantages of a double-wall setup. While the rest of our testing team was carefully 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 in the MSR Freelite 1 could sit up, bump their head on the mesh at the top of the tent, and stay dry.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are only a few small quibbles with this tent. One is the door: It\u2019s on the small side compared to the rest of our field, forcing our tallest tester (5 foot, 10 inches) to pretzel her limbs more than she would have liked when getting out. The included stakes (needle stakes) are also lower quality compared to other options in the MSR arsenal. Consider upgrading to either the lightweight <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/MSR-9-Core-Stake-Kit\/dp\/B01MYZOKHJ?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">MSR Carbon Cores<\/a> or the MSR Groundhog Minis, which have great holding power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Best Single Pole Setup: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=13757&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garagegrowngear.com%2Fproducts%2Flunar-solo-by-six-moon-designs%3F_pos%3D1%26_sid%3D93ab77e50%26_ss%3Dr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Six Moons Lunar Solo<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"six-moons-lunar-solo\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=13757&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.garagegrowngear.com%2Fproducts%2Flunar-solo-by-six-moon-designs%3F_pos%3D1%26_sid%3D93ab77e50%26_ss%3Dr\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Six-Moons-Lunar-Solo.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Six-Moons-Lunar-Solo.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Six Moons Lunar Solo is the best single-pole set-up.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 1 pound, 12.9 ounces (weight includes stakes; not included in purchase price)<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 4<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 3\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $275 (price includes stakes; not included in base price)<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 90 inches long x 48 inches wide x 49 inches high (widest at the middle, tapers at the head and foot)<\/li>\n<li>Requires one trekking pole set to 124cm (tent poles available for purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Six required (not included in purchase price)<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Polyester<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a two-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Easy to set up<\/li>\n<li>Ability to adjust the door guyline from inside the tent<\/li>\n<li>Affordable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Low walls can be claustrophobic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Maybe you\u2019re like me: You don\u2019t typically use trekking poles while hiking, but you\u2019ve been known to toss one into your pack for gnarly river crossings or for extra stability on steep, snowy terrain. But there\u2019s no way you\u2019d carry two just to use in a trekking pole setup\u2014at that point you might as well just use a freestanding model.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Six Moons Lunar Solo was one of the few ultralight tents in our test that used one trekking pole in its design rather than two. The result was a modified teepee structure that was surprisingly intuitive to set up. Despite having never used this tent, I was able to put it up in only a couple of minutes with no directions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/six-moons-seam-sealing.jpg\" alt=\"The vent on the Six Moons Lunar Solo would help manage typical condensation levels, but I was not impressed that there were blobs on the tent fabric from the seam sealing. \" class=\"wp-image-244174\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The vent on the Six Moons Lunar Solo would help manage typical condensation levels, but I was not impressed that there were blobs on the tent fabric from the seam sealing.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It also had a few details I appreciated. The first was a vent on the top of the tent. It didn\u2019t help with the unrelenting fog of the Oregon Coast, but in drier climes it would reduce condensation buildup from exhaling inside your tent. It also had a tension adjustment for the rainfly door inside the tent, a thoughtful detail that I haven\u2019t seen before. This would allow you to get rid of excess slack (typically caused by wind or condensation) in the part of the tent covering your gear without having to get out of your tent.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/six-moons-guy-line.jpg\" alt=\"Being able to adjust the guyline of the tent door while still wrapped up in your sleeping bag is a game changer. \" class=\"wp-image-244173\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Being able to adjust the guyline of the tent door while still wrapped up in your sleeping bag is a game changer.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While the peak height of this tent is sufficient, I found it difficult to avoid bumping my head against the condensation-soaked tent walls in the morning. This was in part due to my site location: I was pitched on slightly uneven ground, which made it difficult to achieve the steeply sloped walls that would have been possible on flat ground.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/six-moons-condensation.jpg\" alt=\"A look up at the walls of the Six Moons Lunar Solo, with all the condensation the Oregon Coast could dream up looming over me. \" class=\"wp-image-244172\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A look up at the walls of the Six Moons Lunar Solo, with all the condensation the Oregon Coast could dream up looming over me.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While this tent is affordably priced, note that the price does not include stakes; you\u2019ll need to purchase those separately. (See our take on the <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-tent-stakes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best tent stakes<\/a> for some ideas.)\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Best for Groups: <a href=\"https:\/\/seekoutside.com\/cimarron-light-single-door\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seek Outside Cimarron<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"seek-outside-cimarron\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/seekoutside.com\/cimarron-light-single-door\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Seek-Outside-Cimarron.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Seek-Outside-Cimarron.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Seek Outside Cimarron is best for groups.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 3 pounds, 7 ounces<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 5<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 5\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $662 (<a href=\"https:\/\/seekoutside.com\/large-titanium-wood-stove-stovepipe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">titanium stove<\/a> is an extra $355)<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 9 feet, 6 inches long x 8 feet, 6 inches wide x 6 feet high (11 foot, 8 inch length and 9 foot, 6 inch width when measured at the center pole)<\/li>\n<li>No trekking poles required<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Eight required, two additional provided<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Ripstop nylon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Straight-forward set up<\/li>\n<li>Lightweight for its size<\/li>\n<li>Came with some the best tent stakes of any tent I looked at<\/li>\n<li>Option to pair with a lightweight titanium stove<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Huge footprint can make it hard to find a suitable pitch site<\/li>\n<li>No floor (option to purchase a floor if you do not plan to use the stove)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I suspect I\u2019m not alone when I say the idea of a so-called hot tent\u2014a tent paired with a wood-burning stove\u2014took some getting used to. Like most backpackers, I\u2019m typically boiling water for my morning coffee in the vestibule while warily eyeing the explicit all-caps instructions to not use a stove in the tent. Starting an actual wood-burning fire in the tent would be out of the question. So it was with trepidation and a whole lot of excitement that I carted the Seek Outside Cimarron out for the third night of the Oregon Coast Trail testing trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/seek-outside-titanium-stove.jpg\" alt=\"A wood-burning fire inside of an ultralight tent? Will wonders never cease?\" class=\"wp-image-244187\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A wood-burning fire inside of an ultralight tent? Will wonders never cease?  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Verdict: It\u2019s great. First off, the Seek Outside Cimarron is an exceptionally easy tent to set up. The first step is to stake out the four corners of the tent, a task made easier by the long (almost 10 inches) twisted aluminum stakes\u2014I was comfortable pounding these in with a rock and they held significantly better than any other stakes provided for this test of the best ultralight tents. Then simply assemble the pole sections together at the lowest length setting, position it in the center of the tent, and adjust it up until it\u2019s at its highest setting. (The stove itself is a bit more complicated, but still straight-forward enough to assemble.)\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/cimarron-stove-pipe.jpg\" alt=\"Poking the titanium stove pipe up through the reinforced portion of the Seek Outside Cimarron. \" class=\"wp-image-244196\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Poking the titanium stove pipe up through the reinforced portion of the Seek Outside Cimarron.  <i>Diana Helmuth<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While Seek Outside markets this as a tent that will sleep two comfortably with the stove set up inside, my sense is that three careful hikers will do just fine. And all five of us fit comfortably chatting and eating in the tent at the end of the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/seek-outside-cimarron-inside.jpg\" alt=\"Even after the water-logged branches of the Oregon Coast put a damper on our fire plans, the spacious Seek Outside Cimarron was still the ideal hangout. \" class=\"wp-image-244193\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Even after the water-logged branches of the Oregon Coast put a damper on our fire plans, the spacious Seek Outside Cimarron was still the ideal hangout.  <i>Jac Mitchell<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The only pitfall for this tent is that it can be a challenge to find a place for it. With the huge footprint and need to stake the tent down, you might spend more time searching for a spot to set up than actually setting up.<\/p>\n<h3>Best for Tall People: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarptent.com\/product\/protrail\/#tab-id-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tarptent Protrail<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"tarptent-protrail\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarptent.com\/product\/protrail\/#tab-id-2\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/tarptent-pc.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/tarptent-pc.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Tarptent ProTrail is best for tall people.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 1 pound, 8.2 ounces<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 2<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 2.5\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $240<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 84 inches long x 42 inches wide x 45 inches high (width tapers to 30 inches at the foot)<\/li>\n<li>Requires two trekking poles set to 122cm and 81cm (fixed tent poles available for purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Four required<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Ripstop nylon<\/li>\n<li>Also available in a lighter weight (and more expensive) material and as a two-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Usable length makes this a great option for taller individuals<\/li>\n<li>Could fit two people in a pinch<\/li>\n<li>Affordable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Tends to sag in the middle in condensation-prone conditions<\/li>\n<li>Individuals with a shorter wingspan will struggle with setup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Plenty of people over 6 feet tall won\u2019t even look at a one-person ultralight tent. After all, the easiest way for manufacturers to save weight and protect your UL bonafides is to simply make your tent smaller than the competition. And, to be honest, our all-women testing crew, which topped out at 5 foot 10, was mostly fine with that. But there was one ultralight tent we tried that was clearly built with an over six-foot individual in mind: the Tarptent Protrail.<\/p>\n<p>While plenty of other ultralight tents claim a similar 84-inch length, few actually have that much usable space, due to the taper of the walls. Not so in the Tarptent Protrail, which has fully vertical sides at the top and the bottom of the tent. We think that anyone up to six foot four would be comfortable lying down inside this tent.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/tarptent-setup.jpg\" alt=\"Our tester did not love the head-in entry of the Tarptent Protrail, but the three and a half feet of height should make it doable for most individuals.\" class=\"wp-image-244199\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our tester did not love the head-in entry of the Tarptent Protrail, but the three and a half feet of height should make it doable for most individuals. <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Unfortunately, getting in is a different story. The Tarptent Protrail was the only tent in our test that had head-in entry, which most testers found to be somewhat uncomfortable and awkward to use, especially when they were tired after a long day of hiking.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/Tarptent-Protrail.jpg\" alt=\"The tarptent sits in a forest.\" class=\"wp-image-244197\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Because the Tarptent Protrail has 84 inches between poles, it sagged with condensation more than any other tent we looked at. <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The two trekking poles used in the setup of the Tarptent Protrail were separated lengthwise, 84 inches from one another. That long profile, without any additional support or structure in the center, meant that it sagged more from the condensation than anything else we looked at. We would also have concerns about this tent in serious wind conditions if it was angled incorrectly or if wind was coming from multiple directions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that shorter people will struggle to set up this tent, as one of our testers discovered on the final night of our trip along the Oregon Coast Trail. That\u2019s because the front trekking pole must be held upright at the same time as you stake out the far door: the wingspan of a shorter individual just can\u2019t reach that far.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/setting-up-tarptent.jpg\" alt=\"One of our testers found she had better luck setting up the Tarptent Protrail front-to-back rather than back-to-front to compensate for the limitations of a shorter wingspan.\" class=\"wp-image-244201\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of our testers found she had better luck setting up the Tarptent Protrail front-to-back rather than back-to-front to compensate for the limitations of a shorter wingspan. <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While the Tarptent Protrail wasn\u2019t our favorite ultralight tent from this test, there are a number of other models from Tarptent that utilize side entry and trekking-pole-free setup that we hope to check out on future tests.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Lightest: <a href=\"https:\/\/zpacks.com\/products\/plexsolo-tent\/?aff=149\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Zpacks Plex Solo<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"zpacks-plex-solo\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/zpacks.com\/products\/plexsolo-tent\/?aff=149\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/zpacks.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/09\/zpacks.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The Zpacks tent was the lightest.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 15.9 ounces (weight includes stakes; not included in purchase price)<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 2<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 2\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Price: $622 (price includes stakes; not included in base price)<\/li>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 89 inches long x 38 inches wide x 52 inches high (width tapers to 28 inches at the head and foot)<\/li>\n<li>Requires one trekking pole set to 132cm (pole available for purchase)<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Six to 10 required (not included in the purchase price)<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF)<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a two-person or three-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>By far the lightest tent in our test<\/li>\n<li>Single pole set up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Expensive<\/li>\n<li>Experience needed to achieve the correct pitch<\/li>\n<li>Requires a taller trekking pole to pitch properly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our testers had more mixed feelings about the Zpacks Plex Solo than anything else we looked at. The weight of this tent\u2014the only one in our test to break the sub-one-pound barrier\u2014is incredibly impressive. It\u2019s also pretty darn expensive: twice the price of our best overall pick. The Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) that helps give this tent its low weight was also surprisingly insulative, with our tester noting that it was easily 5 degrees warmer inside than out. Nonetheless, if the pitch wasn\u2019t just so, it felt, in the words of one tester, like \u201csleeping inside of a wet trash bag.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The incorrect pitch was not for lack of trying. Our tester, who described the provided instructions as some of the best we looked at, spent a long time trying to get this one right. But then she\u2019d get into the tent and realize something wasn\u2019t quite right with one or more of the ten stakes. After getting out to adjust the stakes and the guylines, she\u2019d get in again, and see that now something new was wrong. By morning, she was pretty frustrated, but other members of the testing trip who had used Zpacks before simply nodded sagely. The pitch on these tents is tough to master.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/zpacks-pitch.jpg\" alt=\"Our initial pitch of the Zpacks Plex Solo was OK, but needed some work. \" class=\"wp-image-244232\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our initial pitch of the Zpacks Plex Solo was OK, but needed some work.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We also had concerns about its storm-readiness. Unlike other ultralight tents, there is no zipper on the door, just clips at the corners of the two sides that secure to a stake. That means rain and wind can both push their way through if you haven\u2019t protected yourself by some other means. Experienced thru-hikers will know if this is a risk they are willing to take. After all, some trails are unlikely to see conditions that would make this an issue, and there is always the option to prop your backpack up in the door to provide some extra protection. But we think typical backpackers should think twice before committing to a setup like this.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/zpacks-condensation.jpg\" alt=\"One of the biggest issues with incorrectly pitching the Zpacks Solo Plex is that it cuts down on your usable floor space. In the extreme condensation of the Oregon Coast, that meant our tester\u00e2\u0080\u0099s head and sleeping bag were both wet when she woke up in the morning.\" class=\"wp-image-244233\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the biggest issues with incorrectly pitching the Zpacks Solo Plex is that it cuts down on your usable floor space. In the extreme condensation of the Oregon Coast, that meant our tester\u2019s head and sleeping bag were both wet when she woke up in the morning.  <i>Outdoor Life<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re new to ultralight tents, especially if you\u2019re new to trekking pole tents, we think you should shelve this one for the time being and opt for a slightly heavier model like the Six Moons Lunar Solo. But if you\u2019ve been using ultralight tents for some time, and are ready to upgrade to that elusive sub-10 pound kit, then this should absolutely be on your short list.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/zpacks-pitch-2.jpg\" alt=\"Second night\u00e2\u0080\u0099s pitch: still not quite right. \" class=\"wp-image-244234\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Second night\u2019s pitch: still not quite right.  <i>Jac Mitchell<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Like the Six Moons Lunar Solo, this one doesn\u2019t come with stakes\u2014you\u2019ll need to buy those separately. While our first recommendation is for the MSR Groundhog Minis, that\u2019s going to push you up over the one pound mark. To keep this under a pound in total weight (and get all ten stakes\u2014you\u2019ll need them to take full advantage of the interior space), go for the MSR Carbon Core.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The last note is to check your current trekking poles. The best pitch is achieved with a pole set to 132 cm in length, but some poles don\u2019t extend that far.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Best Eco-Friendly: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/NEMO-Hornet-Ultralight-Backpacking-2-Person\/dp\/B0BMT3TT5N?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">NEMO Hornet OSMO<\/a><\/h3>\n<div id=\"nemo-hornet-osmo\" class=\"ProductCardSimple\" data-id=\"ProductCardSimple\">\n<div class=\"ProductCardSimple-image\">\n                          <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/NEMO-Hornet-Ultralight-Backpacking-2-Person\/dp\/B0BMT3TT5N?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;038%3Bascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/NEMO-Hornet-OSMO.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" data-image=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/NEMO-Hornet-OSMO.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"auto\" alt=\"The NEMO Hornet OSMO is eco-friendly.\"\/><br \/>\n                      <\/figure>\n<p>                  <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Report Card\u00a0<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Measured Weight: 2 pounds, 4 ounces<\/li>\n<li>Ease of Setup: 5<\/li>\n<li>Interior Living Space: 3\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Value: 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Key Features<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Interior Dimensions: 87 inches long x 43 inches wide x 39 inches high (width tapers to 31 inches at the foot)<\/li>\n<li>No trekking poles required<\/li>\n<li>Stakes: Eight required<\/li>\n<li>Materials: Nylon ripstop, OSMO<\/li>\n<li>Also available as a two-person or three-person tent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Pros<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Eco-friendly materials<\/li>\n<li>Easy to set up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Cons<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Heaviest freestanding tent we looked at<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In recent years there\u2019s been growing awareness that what goes into creating these practically weightless waterproof tent fabrics isn\u2019t always great for the environment. If this is starting to weigh on you (it\u2019s starting to weigh on us), then the NEMO OSMO series is one to seriously consider.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>NEMO is one of the backpacking gear companies leading the charge in creating more environmentally sustainable fabrics and processes. Their OSMO tent fabric is made from 100 percent recycled material (a composite of polyester and nylon) and achieves an impressive water repellency without the use of PFAS.<\/p>\n<p>The NEMO Hornet OSMO is a freestanding tent that holds its own in the ultralight arena. It was just a couple of ounces heavier than the other freestanding tents we looked at (the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL and MSR Freelite), with similar interior space and ease of setup. If you\u2019re looking to reduce your impact on the environment, this is a great option that will keep your backpacking kit ultralight.<\/p>\n<h2>The Rest of the Field<\/h2>\n<p>The testers loved the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Big-Agnes-UV-Resistant-Solution-Person\/dp\/B08MWZXQLV?tag=camdenxodl-20&amp;asc_source=browser&amp;asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.outdoorlife.com%2Fgear%2Fbest-ultralight-tents&amp;ascsubtag=0000OL0000244095O0000000020230511070000%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL<\/a>\u2014another freestanding mainstay of the thru-hiking world\u2014for its easy setup, protected interior, spacious vestibule, and mesh storage pockets.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/Big-Agnes.jpg\" alt=\"We loved the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL, even if it\u00e2\u0080\u0099s no longer the lightest of the freestanding options. \" class=\"wp-image-244236\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We loved the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL, even if it\u2019s no longer the lightest of the freestanding options.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While the MSR Freelite squeaked by with the lowest weight of the freestanding tents (and is our recommended pick for this category), the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL is an excellent ultralight option.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=16185&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Foutdoorvitals.com%2Fproducts%2Ffortius-1p-ultralight-trekking-pole-backpacking-tent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Outdoor Vitals Fortius<\/a> was a new-to-us trekking pole tent which we had some mixed feelings about. Our tester ended up needing to watch a video on how to set it up in order to crack it (it was significantly less intuitive than the rest of the trekking pole tents in our test), and even then the final shape looked odd compared to the sleek elegance of other ultralight tents.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/outdoor-vitals.jpg\" alt=\"The Outdoor Vitals Fortius surprised us with its low price and roomy interior. \" class=\"wp-image-244237\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Outdoor Vitals Fortius surprised us with its low price and roomy interior.  <i>Patrice La Vigne<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Happily, the interior was spacious and the low price coupled with low weight make this tent one to consider.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll admit it; we struggled with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=25749&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stoneglacier.com%2Fproducts%2Fskytarp-10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Stone Glacier SkyTarp UL<\/a>. More than any other shelter option we looked at, this one is a masterpiece of geometry. If you set it up right, the weight to space to protection is off the charts. But get the setup even a little wrong, and it\u2019s basically worthless. Unfortunately, getting it right requires a more advanced skill set than most backpackers have (brush up on your knot tying before attempting this one).\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/stone-glacier.jpg\" alt=\"It took a surprising amount of brainpower and persistence for these two thru-hikers to figure out the correct pitch of the ultralight Stone Glacier SkyTarp UL.\" class=\"wp-image-244238\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It took a surprising amount of brainpower and persistence for these two thru-hikers to figure out the correct pitch of the ultralight Stone Glacier SkyTarp UL. <i>Ashley Thess<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Snag the Stone Glacier SkyTarp UL if you are experienced with tarp setups and are looking for backup weather protection to your typical cowboy camping setup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We similarly struggled with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=17561&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kuiu.com%2Fproducts%2Fsummit-star-1p-tent-set%3Fvariant%3D40618533519518\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Kuiu Summit Star<\/a>, which was the most complicated tent to set up in this roster. Our most experienced tester spent forty minutes getting the pitch right on her first attempt, the longest she said she had ever spent setting up a new tent.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/kuiu.jpg\" alt=\"The correct pitch of the Kuiu Summit Star looked amazing, but was a bear to get to. \" class=\"wp-image-244239\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The correct pitch of the Kuiu Summit Star looked amazing, but was a bear to get to.  <i>Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But there were details that stood out: an incredibly spacious vestibule (this was effectively the largest one-person ultralight tent we tested by a wide margin), great breathability, long length that will appeal to taller individuals, an optional vestibule floor. This would be the right choice for an especially patient individual looking for an ultralight basecamp. And it does look awfully sharp once it\u2019s up.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avantlink.com\/click.php?tt=cl&amp;mi=10086&amp;pw=281801&amp;ctc=OL-RU&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.moosejaw.com%2Fproduct%2Fsamaya-opti1-5_10615465%3Fad_id%3DGooglePlusBox%26utm_source%3DGooglePlusBox%26utm_medium%3DPLA%26utm_campaign%3DSamaya%26cm_mmc%3DPLA-_-Google-_-MJ-Shopping-New-Inventory%7CMJ-Shopping-New-Inventory-_-google%7C18334123411%7C146968960451%7C621850761110%7Cpla-294680686006%7Cc%7C9029766%7C8065172%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjwge2iBhBBEiwAfXDBR63TEkxtDA0sSXZaXkl2ePGxBZK8HYHte2V3MkQk2EBI6hvI7gV0zRoC1J4QAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Samaya Opti 1.5<\/a> is one that we wanted to love. After all, this is the brand that brought us the Radical1, one of the <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-4-season-tents\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best 4-season tents<\/a> that weighs less than a pound and a half. And they were taking a different approach to the trekking pole setup here (external A-frame with a side entrance, easier to get in and out), which is always fun to play around with. Well, play around we did, but we just couldn\u2019t get this tent to look right. We particularly struggled with the guyline on the back of the tent, which when pulled taut actually decreases the interior space of the tent. Surely an angle exists where this wouldn\u2019t happen, but we did not find it during our test.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\" data-dimension=\"landscape\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/10\/samaya.jpg\" alt=\"Our testers struggled, and ultimately failed, to get a correct pitch of the Samaya Opti 1.5.\" class=\"wp-image-244240\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Our testers struggled, and ultimately failed, to get a correct pitch of the Samaya Opti 1.5. <i>Ashley Thess<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There were other problems too. The included stakes, the same as with the Radical1 that worked so well in snow, had poor hold in soft ground and bent when they hit hard ground. Adjusting the pitch of the trekking poles along the A-frame was also tricky, as pulling the guylines along the side taut tended to affect the angle and make the whole setup unstable. And while the vestibule was an impressive size, the advertised front porch option requires a second set of trekking poles\u2014which you would only have if you were sharing this tent with another person. For us, this ultralight tent didn\u2019t hit the mark (especially at this price point), but we\u2019ll be watching to see what the innovative Samaya brand comes out with in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>How to Choose the Best Ultralight Tents<\/h2>\n<h3>Freestanding versus Non-Freestanding<\/h3>\n<p>For the uninitiated, freestanding tents can stay up with just the poles inserted, no need to stake into the ground, while non-freestanding tents must be staked out in order to stand up. For years, experienced backpackers would tend toward non-freestanding tents, particularly those that incorporated trekking poles into the design, for the weight savings. Novice backpackers, on the other hand, would gravitate toward the simplicity and security of a freestanding tent, which was much easier to achieve a storm-worthy profile with.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, however, the difference in weight and ease of setup between freestanding and non-freestanding tents has started to shrink. Our pick for the best freestanding tent, the MSR Freelite, weighed less than several trekking pole designs we looked at, while the single trekking pole design of the Six Moons Lunar Solo was nearly as easy to put up as a typical cross-pole construction.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Trekking Poles<\/h3>\n<p>If you currently use trekking poles, then switching to a tent that incorporates them into the design can be a major weight savings. (If you do not, then you\u2019ll want to incorporate the weight of the trekking poles or the substitute tent poles into your calculations before making a final decision). When choosing an ultralight tent, check that your trekking poles extend up to the recommended height\u2014our test of the best ultralight tents was paired with our test of the best trekking poles, and we were surprised at how often the trekking poles we were using were too short for the tents.<\/p>\n<h3>Ease of Setup<\/h3>\n<p>There is a lot of variation in how easy or difficult ultralight tents are to set up. Some tents, especially freestanding tents, are so simple to set up that you don\u2019t even need directions. Others seem to require endless fiddling to achieve the ideal setup, especially the first few times you use them. If you regularly hike until dusk or are heading into a part of the country where snap storms are the norm, choosing a tent where you can achieve a great setup lightning fast is essential.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Single versus Double Wall<\/h3>\n<p>Most tents are double wall tents, where the inner mesh body and outer rainfly are two pieces separated by an inch or so when set up correctly. This helps to prevent condensation\u2014the moisture that collects as we exhale during the night\u2014from getting our gear wet when we brush up against the tent walls. However, extra material means extra weight, and ultralight purists typically opt for single wall tents that emphasize ventilation. However, as our extra condensation-prone backpacking gear test along the Oregon Coast showed, sometimes no amount of ventilation will prevent rapid condensation build up. So you\u2019ll have to decide which is more important: protection from condensation or a lower weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Vestibule Size<\/h3>\n<p>For this test, we looked exclusively at one person tents, which generally lack the interior floor space for more than one of the <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-backpacking-sleeping-pads\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best backpacking sleeping pads<\/a>. With these tents, a healthy size vestibule is important if you are carrying more than the bare minimum of gear.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Seam Sealing<\/h3>\n<p>Seam sealing is essential to waterproofing the seams of a tent. Not all ultralight tents seam seal their tents automatically\u2014some offer their tents at a lower price with the understanding that the consumer will seam seal it themselves. If you do not want to seam seal your own tent, double check whether this is provided automatically or as a separate service before purchasing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3>Stakes<\/h3>\n<p>Lightweight stakes with excellent holding power are essential for non-freestanding tents. However, not all ultralight tents come with stakes at the point of purchase. Others don\u2019t come with stakes that are appropriate for challenging terrains or conditions. I\u2019ve noted in the above reviews where stakes will need to be purchased separately and when you should consider swapping out the provided stakes for one of the <a target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-tent-stakes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best tent stakes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1683735705291\">\n<h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Q: How heavy is an ultralight tent?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Ultralight tents typically weigh between 1 and 2 pounds for a one-person model, with some freestanding ultralight tents weighing as much as 2.5 pounds. A two-person ultralight tent will typically weigh about a pound more than their single person counterparts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1683735711319\">\n<h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Q: What material is used for ultralight tents?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Ultralight tents are typically made from DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric), silnylon, or silpolyester. Poles and stakes are generally made from lightweight aluminum (look for high quality poles, like those from DAC) or sometimes carbon fiber.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1683735725103\">\n<h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Q: Is a tarp better than a tent for ultralight backpacking?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If you\u2019re new to ultralight backpacking, it\u2019s best to start with an ultralight tent. While tarps are an excellent ultralight option, their ability to handle certain weather conditions is limited and they require significantly more experience to achieve a weather-ready setup.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Why Trust Outdoor Life?<\/h2>\n<p>Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we\u2019re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we\u2019re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works\u2014or doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products\u2014because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear\u2014we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>There has never been a better time to upgrade your backpacking tent to an ultralight model. The ingenuity and diversity of design and construction means that it\u2019s easy to find a tent that fits your needs, current kit, and experience level. After testing these tents first-hand in the field, we\u2019re confident that they\u2019ll shave ounces (and even pounds) off your base weight while still providing the quality sleep you need to make the most of your next outdoor adventure.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v3.2\" id=\"facebook-js-js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/gear\/best-ultralight-tents\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a Published May 10, 2023 6:45 PM There\u2019s something magical about how ultralight tents push the envelope of protection for weight with their innovative designs and materials. Out of a sheet of wafer-thin fabric and a single [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1142","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gun-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1142\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}