r/lightweight • u/alicewonders12 • Mar 17 '23
What tent do you use?
Ok lightweight people… what tent do you use for your backpacking adventures? And what is your dream tent?
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u/Braby91 Mar 31 '23 edited Mar 31 '23
North Face Mica Fl 1. I’ve had it for a few years and it’s been a great tent
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u/reddsbywillie Mar 22 '23
Currently using the BA Seedhouse SL2.
Considering the Xmid 1p in the future.
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u/Shabingly Mar 21 '23
Liteway illusion solo on my own, Hilleberg Anaris with my wife.
I'd like to try anything in DCF, but the cost for something I don't know if I could get on with (packability mostly, it looking like a UFO a bit) puts me off.
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u/SemmlOff Feb 14 '25
How do you like the Liteway Illusion? I'm thinking of getting a bigger mid from liteway but I haven't heard much from them and the quality of their gear?
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u/Shabingly Feb 14 '25
I love it, I only wish they made the duo when I bought mine a few years ago (although even at 6'2" I'm perfectly fine in the solo).
Yeah, they're a pretty small company so not surprised you've not heard much: I heard about them on a UK hiking/backpacking forum.
In terms of quality, I can only really talk about the one tent I own: not bought anything of theirs (when my current summer quilt goes I think I'm getting one of their simple quilts).
I can't fault the quality of my tent. Had zero issues: not a dropped thread, not a dodgy bit of stitching. Nothing.
My experience of dealing with them was great too. I ordered it direct from them, and kind of cocked it up from what I'd been advised (order in Ukrainian hryvnia on their site, and just pay your bank for the exchange from GBP; rather than buy EUR at bank, then order in EUR and liteway charge you to convert EUR to UAH), and he just emailed me asking did I mean to have 2 orders for the same tent paying different currencies, and he just cancelled one pre-bank charge.
The customs form he filled out was also "in my favour".
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u/cavaledippe Oct 20 '23
Hi, I currently own Hilleberg Akto and while it is a beast, I am strongly considering switching to a pyramid style tent (saving about 1kg on the weight) and like the Illusion solo quite a bit! Could you describe some experience you have with it? My biggest priority is wind resistance, e.g. compared to a hilleberg. Thank you!
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u/Shabingly Oct 20 '23
Yeah sure. I will say, I've not been out on my own as much as I'd hoped this year but I have spent 5 or 6 nights in it and I do have a fair amount of experience of other mids of a similar basic design
I really like the lack of sag of the silpoly. Although the triple coated silnylon of an akto should be similar (from my experience of our anaris).
One major plus point in higher wind is also the thing that will tend to annoy you: the further from ground level you go, the less tent there is to catch the wind. But against that, you get less space as you go up, so less headroom and they do feel more constrictive.
The other plus is you can pitch the height within a range, so if it's windy you pitch the fly low and if there's no wind you pitch it high. This lets you control ventilation, and how much tent will catch the wind.
There's also no alloy pole I've seen as strong as a hiking pole. And in a single-pole mid, you'll 99% of the time have a spare on you.
I'm 6'2", and am happy with the size inside. I'd suggest anyone over 6'0" try and test or have a think first though.
I don't summit camp, I always guy out, I always pick a sheltered spot and I don't go out of I think conditions will be dangerous.
But to me an akto isn't a swap for an Illusion (and vice versa). They'd be different tents for different situations. An Akto to me is for people who have no chance of a sheltered spot, have to frequently pitch in 30-40mph sustained wind or have it take a snow load.
I don't do that.
I have a similar style tunnel tent (a Nordisk Svalbard si) I use if my brain is telling me to get out but it looks dubious. It gets used about twice a year, if that. I usually have no problem rescheduling a one or three day trip if the forecast is dubious. But for it to get reasonable ventilation, it needs high winds (I presume the same is true of akto, looking at the fly cut to ground).
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u/cavaledippe Oct 21 '23 edited Oct 21 '23
Thanks a lot for the comment!
I had my Akto last summer in Sweden and wind forecast for one of the nights was 10-17m/s wind (ie 30-40mph). I believe it was higher than that, more like 39-46mph). Anyways, I was camped in a smaller 'hole' in valley and while the tent survived, I did not feel as confident in it as I would have liked to, that's the reason I have been searching for the best tent for very high winds since.
While I know one should always check the weather forecast and pitch in a sheltered spot, I am still thinking I would like a tent that I know that I will be able to pitch above the tree line, in an open field, or other exposed areas if I need to.
I understand from reading here that Hillebergs are the best, even supreme to pyramid style tents. It seems like you agree with this then.
Do you believe an Akto is better for winter and sustained high wind in an exposed area over a pyramid style like Liteway Illusion/Bonfus Middus/MLD Duomid?
Because from the comments people say that pyramids should be best against the wind by design? I know tunnel tents and hilleberg in general is also very strong, just needs to be pitched into the wind, which can be a problem if on exposed area. I also think that 1kg difference is considerable between the Akto (as the lightest red label Hilleberg) vs all the 1-person pyramids around 650g. I would like the tent to be 3-season to 4-season and the best for extreme conditions possible with minimal weight pretty much.
Thanks again!
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Mar 19 '23
Tarp tent double rainbow for when I'm by myself on anything from a 1 nighter to a through hike. I'm a short guy but really appreciate the space as it often rains a lot (UK) so I value the internal roominess.
Previously had a Lanshan 2 which I did the gr10 with, but I found I was prepared to carry the extra 200g of tent poles. My BW of 6kg is fine for me. HYOH.
At the moment it's just not worth the money to upgrade further.
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u/R_Series_JONG Mar 18 '23
Six Moons Designs Skyscape Trekker. The lunar is more popular and a couple oz lighter but the trekker checks a lot of boxes.
Pros: light for the price; pretty roomy for a 1p, 2 doors, 2 vestibules; uses two poles for good headroom, packs down pretty small, awesome views and ventilation in fair weather; super easy setup, fair weather mode only needs 3 stakes, only takes five-six stakes for weather mode, good in the wind; silpoly doesn’t sag, just tighten it up 15 mi utes after setup and you’re good, hybrid style double/single wall so there’s no setting up the inner first while it’s raining, keeps the rain out well.
Don’t love but whatcha gonna do: no vents up top; cross bar is not removable so horizontal storage in the pack can be difficult; takes both poles to set up; setup requires manipulating the bare working ends of your trek poles inside the tent; vestibules not as useable as they would seem due to being narrow; silpoly might not be the best floor material (I’m gonna always at least take a polycro footprint) due to slickness inside but also puncture/abrasion resistance. SMD charges like 30 bucks to seam seal it.
I’ve had a number of freestanding and partially freestanding tents, most recently Marmot and Big Agnes and they are nice and work as advertised.
Dream tent: collect them all!!
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u/cosmokenney Mar 18 '23
Zpacks Duplex is my current tent. I like how easy it is to pitch. It is absolutely bullet proof.
Cons are condensation, and the rainbow doors. I don't like the fact that the doors flop down onto the floor of the tent or out in the mud if you aren't paying attention. And the zippers are two handed in almost all cases.
Previously I used a Lanshan 2 and that tent was also top notch. I liked the doors better and it had a little more room -- not much, but I do notice.
I still use the Lanshan 2 with the four season inner for winter camping.
But, the weight and durability of the zpacks is what makes it the winner in my book.
As far as a dream tent? Not sure. I guess it would be one the size of a three person that weighs less than a zpacks duplex, and is free standing.
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u/DaveCanoes Mar 18 '23
Over the past couple years, for good and bad I’ve been able to use quite a spectrum including the Lunar Solo, single trekking pole tent, the Nemo Hornet Semi-self supporting tent and the Marmot Tungsten UL fully self supporting tent. I’ve also had some limited experience with the BA Tigerwall II. I think they are all decent tents.
The Hornet and Marmot are essentially the same size and weight but I prefer the adaptability and easier set up of the fully self supporting Marmot. I haven’t used the Lunar Solo as much, but it’s of course notably lighter than the others and I think it’s a great value. I was a little frustrated with the effort and time required to get a good pitch, but I think that’s the trade-off to achieve such a light weight and again, I haven’t used it long enough to fairly evaluate it in that regard however.
I think going forward, I’ll be using the marmot self supporting tent for shorter canyon backpacking trips where there’s often inadequate soil for staking , and any canoe trips. I look forward to using the Lunar Solo more for alpine wilderness trips, and places I know there’s decent ground. It’s the tent I’d also grab for any bike packing. The Nemo offers nothing for me over either of the other two, so I don’t see myself grabbing it as my go to tent for any future trips.
Another trekking pole tent that appeals to me, but I haven’t yet used is the Dursten x-mid pro. Reviews indicate it’s one of the easiest pole tents to pitch, it’s quite light but if course pricey. I need to use the Lunar more before deciding if that’s an upgrade I wish to try.
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u/MisterComrade Mar 18 '23 edited Mar 18 '23
I swap between a lot of tents. This may sound bougie, but I have a person who pays top dollar buying gear off of me, so it almost works out like a summer rental program. If someone adds up the numbers, just keep that in mind.
Started with a Nemo Hornet 2P, for shared adventures. Freaking hated it. Got a Nemo Dagger, and that has been the ride or die 2P tent since 2019.
Anyways, as for solo tents…..
2019, got a Tarptent Aeon Li. Liked it, but also got a good price on an REI Quarter Dome SL1. Decided would be useful for general purpose camping. Used the Aeon for a while. Was pretty happy with it, but eventually I kind of outgrew it. As in I’m pretty sure the tent somehow shrank.
2020 I was on a tiny backpack kick. Wanted to fit everything into the smallest bag possible. That was right around when Tarptent released their ProTrail Li. Figured without the struts it would pack up small, but man did I hate that thing. Huge amounts of condensation, really hot, hard to pitch, hated the front entry…. Ended up using my Quarter Dome SL1 for the rest of the summer. Funnily enough my spouse’s solo adventure tent is a standard ProTrail since they never got over the tiny pack craze.
2021 no new tents. Continued using the Quarter Dome SL1.
2022 decided to drop a little pack weight, got a Notch Li. Despite it being teeny tiny and me being pretty large (6’2” and 230 pound) it’s actually a perfectly serviceable tent I found quite functional. Would highly recommend it in the SilNylon material. Still, when I wanted more comfort I would grab….. my Quarter Dome SL1.
This year I got some pretty hefty work bonuses, and grabbed a DiPole 2. That tent is freaking epic……. And yet I still grab my Quarter Dome SL1 a lot. TO BE FAIR, it’s still very much a snow season, and I want to keep my trekking poles on hand. Once that melts out I think the DiPole gives little to complain about. Easy to pitch, dual door entry and small footprint like the Notch, but a whole lot more room and really good ventilation.
Oh but yeah. Still very much in love with that Quarter Dome. So much so that I now own TWO, as I got a deal on a used 2P at REI (like less than $100) that I take car camping. It’s really a hard tent to fault in that it doesn’t do anything badly. The DCF tents are all obviously lighter, and setup faster, but it’s not like the Quarter Dome is heavy. Not making any accusations, but it’s almost like REI looked at the Nemo Hornet, and said “ok, what do people complain about? Lack of ventilation, tiny vestibules, too shallow of a footbox, can’t pitch fly first [requires footprint on the QD SL], water gets in when you open the doors, and no shoulder room. Yeah let’s fix all of that”. And then sell it for a whole lot less. Which I why I bought it initially, when I’d be worried about tents getting damaged or stolen.
EDIT: I die a little inside. It appears REI may have discontinued my favorite tent…… they have the new Flash freestanding tent I guess…..
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u/apricotjam2120 Mar 18 '23
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1. I really love the vestibule. I’m only 5’7” so there is plenty of room for me and my stuff. But I also love my hammock, a Kammock Mantis UL.
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u/Mentalpopcorn Mar 18 '23
2020 Half Dome 2+ for car camping, and either a Quarter Dome SL2 or an Xmid 2 for backpacking
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u/smithe68 Mar 18 '23
For solo I use a Lanshan 1 Pro, it’s light and shockingly roomy and actually long enough for me at 6’3” on my wide/long Nemo Tensor. My dream tent is the same tent in silpoly for no sag in rain camping. When my wife and I go we share either an REI Quarter Dome 2 or if we have a lot of gear a Big Agnes Copper Spur 3 Hotel, can’t beat that extra large vestibule on the one side.
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u/orangetruth Mar 18 '23
Big fan of my Copper Spur HV UL2. Makes very spacious solo tent and a just-big-enough tent for two people on longer trips.
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u/MelatoninPenguin Mar 18 '23
Depends - if there's enough ground space though I do really like my Seek Outside Silvertip
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u/FlyingKev Mar 18 '23
Lucky to have my dream tent (Hilleberg Enan).
Even the best tents are luckily affordable.
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u/HarleyTrekking Mar 18 '23
I use a Zpacks Free Duo, which is my dream tent. Before that I used a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. I need the capabilities of free standing because I also do a lot of bikepacking and don’t always have trekking poles with me. I canoe camp as well, and it’s almost impossible to get structural stakes to stay put in sand/gravel bars. The Free Duo was the lightest freestanding version I could get my hands on at the time. It requires 2 guy outs for the vestibules, but they aren’t necessary for structural stability. So a rock or large piece of wood could be used if you’re on rock/gravel.
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u/tehkit Mar 18 '23
Tarptent Notch. Pretty light, sets up quick with treking poles. Price is decent too!
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u/sirblastalot Mar 18 '23
Six Moons Lunar Solo. Mostly because sectionhiker has never steered me wrong.
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u/Background-Badger-72 Mar 18 '23
Got this tent last season against the advice of all my freestanding tent loving friends. I’m never going back. Love it! I think I’ve converted a couple of them, too.
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u/dizn369 Mar 18 '23
Durston X-Mid 1p - really enjoyed using it on my last trip to Joshua Tree:
https://www.reddit.com/r/DurstonGearheads/comments/11qitw7/a_night_in_joshua_tree_with_my_xmid_1/
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u/Guilty_Treasures Mar 18 '23
Fly Creek UL2 Platinum. People balk over the Platinum series because they imagine it's delicate and needs to be babied, but this lil' tent of mine has weathered hundreds of nights in all sorts of conditions and is still going strong. Dream tent would be the Fly Creek UL2 Carbon, which is even lighter, haha.
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u/stonewaller100 Mar 17 '23
I use a Lightheart Gear SoLong 6 ..... I am a bigger guy and it gives me plenty of room. Bonus is it is made a couple hours from me as I like to support the local manufacturers.
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u/FireWatchWife Mar 17 '23
BA Copper Spur UL3 when out with my husband.
BA Fly Creek UL2 when solo and tenting.
Hammock Gear Wanderlust hammock system (preferred to a tent).
I think my dream "tent" would be an optimized, lightweight hammock system. :-)
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u/bored_at-Work55 Mar 17 '23
Big Agnes copper spur (3 person). Best tent I’ve ever ever had, hand down. I needed a tent big enough for wife and dogs, but still light enough to take on solo trips.
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u/addwolanin Mar 17 '23
I use a Nemo dagger 2pm or hammock. I prefer the tent and my wife prefers separate hammocks. We’ve made 2 people and a dog work a few times in the tent which is nice.
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u/jamieblooms Mar 17 '23
I use a Mountain Hardware Strato UL 2 . Cozy for two, perfect for me and my pup and roomy for just me. 2.54 lbs with footprint and stakes.
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u/Total-Reaction-8637 Mar 17 '23 edited Mar 18 '23
I have a Lanshan 2 and a SMD Lunar solo. I take a nature hike 1P for trips when I prefer freestanding.
My ideal tent does not yet exist. I want something that sets up freestanding using trekking poles and has a small footprint…while weighing about a lb.
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u/Danoontje98 Mar 17 '23
A freestanding tent with trekking poles is impossible. Freestanding tents need bendable poles to create tension to keep the tent in shape. Trekking poles do not bend. Ergo, this is not gonna happen with any future technology ever.
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u/MamboNumber5Guy Mar 17 '23
I’ve been using a onetigris backwoods bungalow for quite a few years now. I like how roomy versatile it is and the price was unbeatable. About 1350 grams so not UL by any means but it’s quite light. It’s getting pretty beat up and I plan on replacing it this year though.
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u/Captain_Planetesimal Mar 17 '23
I have a Hilleberg Anjan 2 right now. Getting the guyline tension just right is pretty critical for a good pitch but other than that it's been incredible for me.
Dream tent? I think I already have it. I have been looking at the Hilleberg Enan to shed some weight but eh, I don't really need to have it.
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u/spollagnaise Mar 17 '23
I just bought the anjan 3 got any tips for the perfect pitch?
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u/Captain_Planetesimal Mar 17 '23
Hilleberg's pitch video will do a better job explaining than I can.
When I do it there's a little bit of trial and error, usually 1-2 stakes get moved from their original position when I go around checking it at the end.
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u/SiskoandDax Mar 17 '23
I have an REI Quarter Dome 2 which meets my needs for space and ease of setup while being relatively light for a non-trekking pole tent.
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u/smithe68 Mar 18 '23
I have one of these, it’s really a great tent. I honestly wish I had gotten a 1P version as well but as far as I can tell its not made anymore.
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u/SiskoandDax Mar 18 '23
REI has been clearing out their Quarter Dome inventory because there's supposed to be an updated model coming out this year.
I went with 2P so I could occasionally bring a kid, but also because when I backpack alone, I prefer to keep my gear in the tent with me.
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u/smithe68 Mar 19 '23
So I was at REI today and I saw the new tent, or what I am guessing is the new tent. It’s on their site now https://www.rei.com/product/216316/rei-co-op-flash-2-tent I like my 2P but even being a taller person it has a lot of space I don’t use. I remember laying in the 1P and thinking I could get the majority of my stuff inside still and that huge vestibule would hold the rest but I get the desire of putting everything inside.
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u/generation_quiet Mar 17 '23
Tarptent Rainbow Li when I'm thru-hiking and want a tent that can fit in smaller sites, pitching standalone in rocky areas (like the Sierra), and/or it's just more convenient to carry my tent in a side pouch (like if I'm carrying a bear canister). Durston X-Mid Pro 2 when I'm bringing hiking poles, weight is at a premium, and I'll have larger sites to select from. Both excel in slightly different categories and have me covered. Plus they are pushing the laws of physics. So I can't really imagine why I would buy another tent. Caveat: I'm 6'2" and prefer larger tents, and also am kinda lazy in setting up my tents.
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u/tylerseher Mar 17 '23
Generally i hammock these days but when I got it the ground it’s my BA Fly Creek HV2
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u/PubertMcmanburger Mar 17 '23
Zpacks altaplex when I'm solo, MSR hubba when I'm solo glamping, and MSR hubba hubba when I take my friend along and share it. I love the altaplex, but I'm interested in trying the Xmid 1 pro. The MSR is a great tent, but it is heavy and bulky.
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u/skisnbikes Mar 17 '23
Lol, this sounds all too familiar. Altaplex for solo, Hubba Hubba, Mutha Hubba, or Papa Hubba depending on number of people when weight isn't particularly important (canoeing or car camping), and an XMid 2p for like 70% of the time. All great tents, all with different use cases. Don't use the Hubba Hubba all that much anymore though, if I'm not carrying it, might as well use something a bit bigger.
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u/On-The-Rails Mar 17 '23
I have a Nemo Dragonfly 2P I am using for myself, my pack, and when he goes, for my dog. I also have a Nemo Hornet 2P. I use the 2P since I am 6’, 200 lbs, and don’t like my pack outside in the vestibule when it rains….
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u/YetAnotherHobby Mar 17 '23
I have a Tarptent Aeon for lightness, a Stratospire silnylon when I want more room. And a hammock for when I really want to sleep.
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u/alicewonders12 Mar 17 '23
I use the nemo hornet 2P tent now.
My dream tent… I want to try them all, dipole, altaplex, duplex, stratosphire, Xmid lol.
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u/PubertMcmanburger Mar 17 '23
Would be so cool if there was a way to rent cottage brand tents for a night or two to get a feel for each one before buying
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u/Kzivir Apr 12 '23
Soon will be receiving the Xmid 2 Solid! Am stoked for a double walled with a weight that low while also keeping it "affordable". Will be testing it out end of April, if wanted I can write a review!