Regardless, be sure to factor in all parts you need to carry to erect the tent and stay comfortable. The adjustable attached guy lines make it simple to tension and release where needed. The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon is a superior double-wall semi-freestanding tent, complete with tent poles and modular elements. Set-up is vital here to make the tarp more liveable. Let us know! When traveling with a tarp, be sure to account for the weight of extra paracord and a few extra stakes. Easy to change shape and tension in poor weather, Need to carry at least six stakes; four are provided. Find a tent with adjustable buy lines like the Gossamer Gear the Two. We've tested it while fast-packing in Canada, climbing in the desert, and hiking to high lakes in the mountains, and it's still going strong after five years. Snowy? The livability that your shelter offers is the main attribute that accounts for your happiness the most on the trail. Endlessly curious and reflective, he is invigorated by the beauty, the challenges, and the rewards that come with traversing wild landscapes. The first on the list is the Durston X-Mid 1P (1.9 pounds), a very affordable double-wall pyramid shelter whose bug net is removable, optionally converting it into a floorless pyramid for weight savings and less bulk. Both require you to carry two additional poles for set-up, which adds a little weight. Regardless, if you are in the market for a tarp and want the best one we have ever used, look no further than this excellent design. While both offer adequate protection, the double-wall ultralight tents we tested struggle to handle a strong wind as well as the products above and need some serious guying out in heavy weather. No ads. They are expensive, but the feeling of carrying next to nothing in your pack is one hundred percent worth it. Support poles are in the center of the living space. Third, the light material is see-through at night, so you'll have to decide if you're okay with that. Of all three, the Zpacks Duplex Flex package (that uses poles) was probably the least intuitive. Related: Best Budget Backpacking Tent of 2022. For nicer weather that isn't the worst you can imagine, this tarp option is thin and easy to pitch wherever you explore. The Nemo Hornet 2P and the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon. If you want a super inexpensive option and looking to upgrade from a traditional tarp, the Kammock Kuhli (0.80 pounds) is an excellent option that packs small and fits into small spaces of your bag. That being said, the weight savings of a tarp cannot be ignored. It offers a tremendous amount of space to cook, sleep, play cards, write, read, or even play music. We tested against metrics of livability, weight, weather protection, adaptability, and ease of setup in many different scenarios to give you this in-depth review and help make your tent purchasing decision that much easier, all with your budget in mind. After taking over 10 hours to research products online and read reviews, we select only the best potential ultralight tents. A look at the ultra-spacious Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp; one of the best tarps you'll find on the market. It's also not recommended for snowy weather for this reason. The construction (as Big Agnes points out on their website) is fragile, and the fabrics can puncture and rip easily. We are also impressed by Tarptent's ultralight single-person Aeon Li, which offers a generously sized vestibule and enough headroom for hikers up to seven feet tall. Intuitive to use and adaptable to the seasons, we recommend this tent to anyone and everyone. There are a wide variety of ways to set up this shelter. While you can't see it, this riverside location was quite breezy, which didn't provide any troubles for this tester. An enormous amount of floor space; tall, steep walls make it super spacious, Can be set up with an airflow gap or flush to the ground, Needs a single center pole longer than the average trekking pole, One of the most expensive shelters in the review. Flat tarps earn high points in this category. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. The Ultimate Direction FK Tarp offers a fixed design and does not come with all eight stakes you need, weighing 0.80 pounds with a profile just a tiny bit smaller than the Kuhli Kammok UL. If you're searching for the lightest possible shelter, tarps are the lightest and most packable option you're going to find. The Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 (left) and Gossamer Gear the Two (right) are compared by our testers while camping under the stars and mountains of the Rockies in Colorado. That said, being able to set it up in less than a minute or two, alone, in gusting wind that often precedes inclement weather may ultimately make a difference in your comfort level for the night, especially if the inclement weather lingers for a while. The Zpacks Duplex Flex Upgrade easily outperforms the competition with the lavish comforts of a full tent construction at a ridiculously light weight. What's not to love? Our 5'10" tester (with the hair standing up) has plenty of headroom in this small shelter. All three can be set up high for added airflow or low to the ground for more bomber protection from the wind. The Gossamer Gear The Two is similar but requires two poles for set-up, which takes just a touch longer. With two inflatable sleeping pads, there is some necessary overlap around the feet. Here is the HMG UltaMid 2, set up close to the ground with no gap for the best weather protection, taking a heavy wind, although you wouldn't be able to tell by this photo. It'll make adjustments and adaptability far easier to deal with in odd camping sites. Of these, the Tarptent Aeon Li (1.09 pounds with stakes) and the Big Agnes Scout 1 Platinum (1.1 pounds) are at the top of the list. A larger tarp area with more guy line attachment points, like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp, adds versatility to the set-up, allowing you to make more room underneath it for living even when it's storming. These tents have seen backcountry overnight ski missions in the Northwest, bike tours in the desert, and backpacking adventures throughout the USA. Like the Zpacks Duplex (which doesn't have the same space but offers many of the same features), it has built-in bug netting, making travel through insect-ridden areas a little easier. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Testing the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon to see how it sheds snow. When packing for a week-long stay on an Alaskan Glacier we needed to seriously consider the weight we took along the way. How can we improve GearLab? It is complete with plenty of headroom, upping its livability score. We want to recognize the shelter that offers, by far, the most space of any option we tested, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2. The central valley leads straight up to Tibet. Between them, most of our testers found the Tiger Wall 2 Carbon to be the easiest to set up without consulting directions. Made with top quality DCF fabric ensuring durability and waterproofness. While this shelter is stable and reliable in poor weather, it has some serious flaws. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp pitched in super low storm mode without stakes. While you might find yourself dropping a wad of cash on your next ultralight tent, some come at a higher value than others. The Duplex Flex Upgrade in all its glory. A great option for bike packing. That said, the condensation build-up isn't a problem. Of these models, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear does the best job of making conditions most liveable. Tarps are the hardest and most time-consuming to set up, especially in wind or rainstorms. In nice weather without insects, living under a tarp can be luxurious. It has a rectangular shape. While he isn't necessarily afraid of a heavy pack, he's willing to go to great lengths to carry as little as possible on backcountry adventures. At only 10.9 ounces, including copious amounts of tie-out cordage, this tarp is the lightest shelter in this review. Just as stable in the wind but not quite as water-resistant with its SilNylon construction was the Black Diamond Beta Light, a two-poled pyramid design. Many shelters allow you to add in bug netting, floors, or other components. She has traveled throughout the world, going light and fast over high mountain passes, into low valleys, and across high desert terrain, ideally with a light load. If you prefer to cowboy camp, perhaps a tarp is all that's needed. The Durston, however, offers protection from potential condensation issues in the form of its double-wall design, thanks to its removable inner. The Dyneema fabric is incredibly waterproof and will stand up in high winds and rain. This means if a storm is going through the night, you'll need to re-tension it. Since both are flat, they can deploy easily in a low to the ground storm mode and do a significantly better job of protecting against both rain and wind than in A-frame mode. While we think the performance is worth the cost, not all people may feel that way. After festering in these tents for hours, we've been able to identify key differences and the best uses for each one. When camping in windy Nevada, this kept us up at night with the tent poles bending and the fabric hitting us in the head! If they aren't tarp tents (with a zip-up opening), you will always have at least one end open to the world without bug netting. It comes with two vestibules, which conveniently function as a cooking spot in blustery storms or a small gear storage. Of the two-person tents, the Black Diamond Beta Light (1.35 pounds, stakes included) once again shines. For those who want the best lightweight tent for one, this gets the green light. The floorless pyramid design offers lightweight travel with a packed size just larger than a Nalgene bottle. Most require the need to sink stakes, which need to be in a specific place relative to the installed guy lines. Finally, it's on the more expensive end of the spectrum. It has plenty of room for two people, gear, a dog, and is tall enough to comfortably sit up in. All trademarks property of their respective owners No smart backpacker will ever head out into the wilderness without first practicing setting up their shelter at home first. While the UltaMid 2 makes a great basecamp tent and is adaptable for use on snow (try digging down in the snow to create a far taller covered room to hang out in! The Nemo Hornet 2P (2.34 pounds), another double-wall tent that does a great job at managing moisture, offers good protection and packs down to a small size. However, that bulky item may not be as packable as you'd like. If you wake up to snow or heavy rain and didn't correctly tension your tent before you went to sleep, the ability to easily tighten down the guy lines is much faster than having to reposition your stakes as you would with the Black Diamond Beta Light. Plus, like the Zpacks Duplex, it doesn't pack down to a compact size as small as the Tiger Wall 2 Carbon. It's fast, it's light, it's durable it's everything you need in a shelter and nothing you don't. Once we figured it out, setup takes only a few minutes. She uses a tent almost every other week in her adventures. Dedicated pole tents are the second easiest category to set up. New materials, like Dyneema, are being used in more tents, driving up the cost. Of the floorless pyramid shelters (or mid-shelters), it's not surprising that the BD Beta Light, and Hyperlight Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 and the Durston X-Mid 1P score well due to their considerable footprints that provide loads of space for gear, cooking, and hanging out. The Tiger Wall 2 Carbon is the most packable but also the least durable of the group. If you're stuck waiting out days of bad weather (like our unlucky testers), this is the tent you want to be stuck in, as the two vestibules provide ample space for dry storage and cooking. In the world of ultralight gear, you get less material, costing you more money. The Durston X-Mid 1P also requires two poles, but its rectangular design and clever ventilation access points for the poles make it a quick and easy set-up. The price of the Black Diamond and the Durston are almost identical, but the X-Mid is far more luxurious. You can also make any tent more adaptable by bringing a little extra cordage to use when the terrain gets harder to hammer stakes into the ground. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Measured Weight of All Included Shelter Parts. GearLab is reader-supported. (Imagine the gait of a seven-foot-tall hiker. We love the dual doors that give you the luxury of choosing your entry, as well as plenty of airflow if the forecast does not call for rainstorms. The minimalist design, premium materials, functionality, and comparatively low price make it one of our highest-rated ultralight shelters. Chris is a gear junkie who is constantly tinkering with his kit, making choices based on freedom of movement above all else. So, we have a few other recommendations. No sponsored content. Fourth, condensation can become a problem in humid places. Like other tents and tarps made from Dyneema, the StratoSpire is expensive. The Tarptent StratoSpire Li after a night in the backcountry. We've taken them to Canada, Nepal, Iceland, and more while living out of each one. The materials retain their shape, with the tent shedding away any unwanted moisture and snow. At full deployment (with the fly and the inner together), the X-Mid is a double-wall shelter that weighs in at under two pounds, including stakes. Of the crowd, tarp tent options with thoughtful ventilation do well here. Second, set-up is unfortunately not very intuitive and requires a tutorial. Derek and his pup enjoy spacious headroom in the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon on a backpacking trip into the Gunnison Gorge, early Spring in Colorado. This feature makes it much easier to make micro-adjustments in the middle of the night. We also took to models that allow you to sit up while inside with enough lateral room that you're not pressed up against the fabric wall. Did we mention its also lighter than SilNylon? Andy has spent countless days rambling through the backcountry in the Pacific Northwest, a region that puts ultralight shelters to the test like no other. If you are seeking a versatile tent with good ventilation and all-around good performance, this is an excellent value option that you won't be disappointed in. This giant will break speed records). This tent is set up easily (with practice in under three minutes on softer terrain). So why don't you just cowboy camp without a shelter? You have the option to just bring the tarp and set it up without the interior tent, making it even lighter and easier to pack. Read review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2. We consider livability to be one of the most important considerations because if it's not comfortable, it's not a worthwhile purchase. And if you're looking for extra space, Durston does sell a two-person version of this shelter as well. Those built with Dyneema offer the best lightweight protection. You can also take these parts off to even further strip away weight. Material is like tissue paper, lacking durability. It's manufactured with a flat-face design with wings to provide more lateral room. This tent has everything you need (including poles) at a super low weight. The Kammok Kuhli UL also offers remarkable adaptability with its eight different guy lines with trekking compatible grommets; there's no need to tie the string off to your poles. Based on the design you choose to set up with, this tarp can be used easily for three seasons through any kind of weather and fits two people comfortably. Bringing these shelters made for a great kitchen, sleeping area, with the ability to bring more food for more conveniences when remote and cold. Read review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp. This material retains its shape when it's wet, so it doesn't stretch and need re-tensioning, even after hours of sitting through a storm. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. The Tarptent Stratospire Li is one of the most liveable options out there. It also features the most protective vestibule and interior tent for all four seasons (as opposed to just bug netting). The Black Diamond Beta Light is super simple. A good option for bike packing or as an emergency shelter. The Duplex Flex can be set up on all sorts of terrain. This favorite offers four points for ventilation and two large vestibules with lots of storage. While it doesn't have built-in bug protection, Black Diamond sells a bug netting insert for those that want to extend its usage into the buggiest months. If you often find yourself off trail sleeping on uneven surfaces or in rapidly changing weather conditions, adaptability will be necessary. The internal space and vestibule are decent for two smaller people and gear, but tall or wider folks may find it a bit tight. This tent isn't erected to full headroom (our poles were pretty small) but its vestibules and interior space offer hordes of space for you, an extra person, or your pup. Luckily gear can be kept outside in the spacious vestibules. This provides the opportunity to make your shelter more adaptable to any type of terrain. This ultralight palace is costly; some will find that the weather protection, at such a low weight, makes it worth every penny. The Tarptent StratoSpire Li is distinguished from the Zpacks Duplex by its two large vestibules, multiple ventilation points, and its zippers that have storm flaps. However, when in storm mode, it usually needs to be set super low to the ground with all three sides pinned off in "dart" mode. The Kammok Kuhli is a much higher value but doesn't offer the same living space. The Scout 1 Platinum uses less durable material than the Tarptent Aeon Li and has much less headroom. The Aeon is an expensive tent; the serious fast packer will get their money's worth if a three-season shelter is what they need, but the casual user will spend a lot on a tent that they may only use a few nights a year. For such a thin nylon exterior, we are surprised at its level of durability and protection during storms. The Tarptent StratoSpire Li, our favorite for Weather Protection crushed in this category, as it integrates all these characteristics and an exceptional livability score as well. This is best for those seeking a floorless pyramid tent with many applications across all seasons and environments. While the investment is a big one, it's worth the cost. Generally, the tarp-style shelters do well in this metric. Keep in mind that both the price and the weight are for the tarp without the trekking poles needed to set it up or the stakes required to keep it affixed to the ground, so you will have to figure in the money and weight attributed to both. Those with more adaptable systems have more tie-off points that you can add in. Read review: Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon. It packs down small, is durable, and offers incredible protection in all kinds of weather. The Hornet fell shortly behind. To be frank, the lowest cost is ultimately buying a tarp and rolling it into your pack. Some of our competitors, side-by-side, lit up against a beautiful night sky. With a built-in bug net and full floor, summer nights will have you safe from flying pests, while the Dyneema fabrics wick and shed water without any absorption, even after hours in a downpour. A certain amount of wetness and discomfort is to be expected on trail, but the more you can mitigate it, the better. This tent is ridiculously expensive and one that only a few people will see the value in. It's large enough for people up to seven feet tall. In this update, we feature 15 of the best models today, all under two pounds. If you're sick of condensation building on the interior fabrics, you'll be happy with this purchase. The vestibules feature storm flaps secured in place with tiny magnets. With easy-to-use tensioners on each grommet, you can re-tension and loosen it with ease. This one stands out as the interior tent is a continuous fabric (not bug netting), which makes the interior tent weather-resistant as well (even without the vestibule). While tarps offer great adaptability, living in one for an extended period can be cumbersome. This ultralight tent features waterproof Dyneema that doesn't stretch or sag when it gets wet, plus a durable floor and bug net that's easily removable. If you want to add in bug netting, it'll cost you 13 ounces of weight. If you're ready to purchase an adaptable tarp system at a reasonable price, the Kammok Kuhli UL may be exactly what you're looking for. It's best for those seeking a double-wall construction that can control condensation, with the need for a very packable, non-hiking pole-based construction. Even if we hadn't put these rocks in place, there are few options for re-tensioning this tent except adjusting the location of the stakes. Taking the cake is the Tarptent StratoSpire Li, which has all these attributes. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp and the Kammok Kuhli may seem pretty simple but offer a huge array of ways to set it up for changing weather conditions. Needs a little practice to perfect a bombproof setup, Two huge vestibules keep your gear out of the rain. To make a tent adaptable for different seasons, modular add-ons are quite common. With enough time and practice, anyone can enjoy the versatility and freedom that comes with tarp shelters. North Cascades, WA. Be sure you set your budget, needs, and wants before committing to an ultralight tent purchase. The Beta Light comes without a floor or bug net, while the Distance Adaptor is a fully enclosed option that sets up with trekking poles. It is also tough, durable, and doesn't degrade with exposure to UV light. It does well, keeping us warm and shedding snow! It provides the most area for living and has ventilation in the ceiling. This offers one big space for living but forces you to stay lying down. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Heralded by veteran thru-hikers, these tarps aren't just adaptable but fit flawlessly inside your pack. The Zpacks Duplex, Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon, Nemo Hornet 2P, and Durston X-Mid 1P (2.34 pounds, includes poles and stakes) all have a double-wall construction. If you don't like carrying a lot of weight and you're willing to skimp on the comforts of a traditional fully covered shelter, this ultra-bomber and a durable tarp is our best recommendation. Make a steep-sided shelter or a lean-to with your tarp. Of them, it's not surprising that solo options with less material are lightest. She reviews top backpacking gear part-time and currently runs outdoor programs with Treeline Education daily. This four-sided pyramid is fully enclosed in top-quality DCF material, ranking it right up there with the very best for weather protection. From simple value tarps to expensive Dyneema fully enclosed designs, we aim to choose and compare the best options on the market. That said, if you want a very adaptable, super weather-resistant, fully enclosed shelter that will never have you lamenting the trade-off in space or comfort, then this is the ultralight tent for you. Specifically, those that have better performance and a lower cost. One of the stand-out features of the Gossamer Gear is the adjustable peak height, which can be made larger with a taller trekking pole. After hours of testing, we've learned that tents that use Dyneema Composite Fibers (DCF), with a "tarp tent," or A-frame tarp design utilizing "beaks" or protective vestibules on each side offers the best protection from the elements. Or you could string up your tarp to be as wide as possible to hide from the desert sun. While some options don't score high, they certainly fulfill a certain niche. Bonus! While it does offer some stability in the wind, we don't appreciate how much the poles flex and bow in a heavy storm. If you buy the Tiger Wall's footprint, you can take just that and the tarp to make for a super lightweight bivy with the poles and stakes. Just peg out the edges and insert a pole (or two) inside. First, it needs to be put up with two poles, so if you don't use them, you'll want to check out the Flex (which costs more money). Plus, you need a set of poles to put this tent up. We camp with our friends, set them up in our backyards (when travel isn't an option), and take them to a variety of climates around the world. When selecting products for this review, our selection criteria had one very important detail. ), that simply wasn't going to happen in the Weminuche Wilderness. Keep in mind that when shopping, you need to look at the weight of these extras if that's something you're interested in and add it to your packed trail weight. The Kammok Kuhli is much less expensive and only weighs 0.84 pounds (four stakes included). This makes it very easy to set up during high winds or even storms. The perfectly square design allows for endless adaptability when it comes to pitching options and locations. If you don't like carrying trekking poles or are on a ski or river trip, Tarptent offers a pair of support poles for an additional cost. Did we mention there's enough headroom for a seven-foot-tall person (or Sasquatch) to fully sit up? Another reason why the Kuhli wins a notable mention for its great value as a tarp. The X-Mid 1P being tested in the San Gabriel Mountains. While we did get snowed on pretty heavily a couple of nights while testing these shelters in the Himalayas (with very mixed results) and the Colorado mountains, some ultralight shelters provide more protection than others. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp in the North Cascades, WA. This ultralight bivy tarp comes with stakes and is extremely lightweight. What's more, it's lighter than most ultralight tents we tested and will pack into a small backpack, running pack, or even fanny pack (depending on what you bring). The average outdoor recreationist doesn't. Derek sets up the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Carbon with ease in under four minutes. While we only tested two stand-alone tarps in this year's review, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp is by far the most protective. We love the voluminous vestibules that make it easy to wait out a storm. Of the three tested, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Square Flat Tarp is the lightest advertised shelter weighing only 0.64 pounds (no stakes or extra cord included). But if you like full protection from creepy crawlies and weather, a full enclosure is recommended. With two interior poles, there are few options for adjusting the layout inside, but we didn't find this to be a problem. This is helpful if you find yourself in a storm and need to seriously button down the tent, ensuring it's entirely windproof. Elizabeth demonstrating the ample amount of room inside the Beta Light, and also how both front door flaps can be fastened back for greater airflow. But even better, its tall, steep sidewalls and huge footprint mean that there is enough space for two people to sleep, plus a dog, gear, and then still some room left over for a kitchen or simply spreading out. We appreciate the easy pullbacks that keep the vestibule doors open when you want a little extra air. While tarps certainly skimp on creature comforts like having a full enclosure and don't provide the best protection from the rain or bugs, there are also amazingly light single-walled full-enclosed tents. We also appreciate the adaptability of the double-wall designs that allow for sleeping under only mesh netting on perfect nights, and since they are mostly free-standing models, they often don't need soft ground to set up successfully. All tarps are a great option. If you're out with a smaller backpack and you want a reliable, ultralight shelter, this is definitely one to consider. (Extra long guylines wrap around rocks.) Though there may be a learning curve to properly pitching them in inclement weather, acquiring the skills to read the wind and the slope of the earth and direction of a storm is an invaluable process. The weight of poles, stakes, and the tent. The NEMO Hornet 2P is a free-standing tent that is one of the easiest to set up with good water resistance and features. (Flex upgrade: 11 oz), Total: 1 lb, 10 oz, floor and bug net: 11.5 oz, fly: 14.1 oz, Total: 1 lb, 14.5 oz, fly: 18 oz, inner: 9.5 oz, stakes: 2.5 oz, stuff sack: 0.5 oz, stake sack: 0.2 oz, Mid: 1 lb, 7.7 oz (bug insert with floor = 22 oz, bug insert w/o floor = 13.4 oz), Total: 1 lb, 5.6 oz, tent: 1 lb 1.3 oz, stakes: 3.8 oz, stuff sack: 0.5 oz, (bug netting and floor 1 lb, 13 oz - sold separately), 20 denier 420 thread-count 100-percent polyester, Amazing weather and bug protection makes this one of the most popular thru-hiking options and our first choice, This is the comfortable shelter you want when waiting out a storm, Lightweight, affordable, comfortable, adaptable, and built to last, A spacious, expensive, and high quality single-wall pyramid tent, A very affordable and spacious pyramid tent with great protection, While the price is incredibly high, we appreciate its semi-freestanding superior performance in weather and on long hikes, A spacious single wall tent at a relatively affordable price, Lightweight and bombproof, this shelter will keep you dry and bug-free on solo sojourns, A versatile, incredibly lightweight tarp shelter that provides a bomber design, Luxurious and spacious trail living in a lightweight package, A reliable and affordable pole-constructed ultralight option that is easy to set up, One of our favorite tarps, it presents high value and great performance, A warm single wall tent with full enclosure and a sturdy build, Light and packable, perfect for bikepacking, running, and hiking, More luxury than a bivy sack but doesn't quite cut it as a traditional tent.
Sitemap 26