Solo tents?

“I'm looking to buy a solo tent in the next couple of months, and haven't found anything I like. I'm looking for one that is big enough to sit-up in, and weighs around 3lbs.

Any suggestions?”

“If you can find a peak1 by coleman, I believe the new model is under a different name. I have had mine for 3yrs and it's great. Say's its a 2 man but works great for 1 and is around 3lbs and some change.....”

“Hilleberg Akto!”

“there are lots of great choices out there. Try the new Black diamond tents. The first light is a 3lb two man with alot of head room.”

“Have you looked at the SD Ultra LightYear? If you're 6' tall or under, you can sit up in it. Can be tough to change in, but doable. It's 3lb1oz packaged weight.”

“What area/conditions are you hiking in?

Tarptent Cloudburst with sewn in floor and zippered door = 2lbs 7oz, almost 40cu-ft in interior space, uses 4 stakes to hold it up and set up in about 2 minutes. Doesn't have a bathtub floor so you have to pay attention to where you set it up.”

“NorthFace Canyonlands. Sit up in it. Lots of features. Lots of ventilations. No leaks in rain. 3.5 pounds.”

“Here's more info for you to synthesize.”

“I have the hilleberg Akto 4 season 3lbs and the Canyonlands. I haven't tried the Canyonlands yet but intend to use it for warm season hiking. A friend had one when I went out last year and, well, yes. I had tent envy. Looked really nice.

So it depends where and when you tend to backpack. So many factors. I highly suggest you pick up a backpacker magazine gear guide and do some homework.”

“I'm still liking my Mountain Hardware PCT one person tent, just over 3#.”

“I do not have first hand experience with a Canyonlands but I have an aquaintance who did. You should hear him curse about the tent, it would make a sailor blush. Apparently in the super humid SE where you will get condensation on any and every tent fly at one point in time the Canyonlands was not a good choice. ~40 degree rainy weather the condensation builds up on the fly so much it just drips right through the mesh body onto whomever and whatever is inside. I guess spending 5-6 misserable nights soaked inside Canyonlands is enough to make anyone hate it.”

“Waypoint One- Mountain Hardware under 3 pounds.”

“I found out (and yes, I knew for a long time anyway) if you want to reduce weight, you'll not be as comfortable, maybe even get wet.

I couple ounces or one lb can make a big difference. I have the canyonland and never had a problem. I did camp in pouring rain with my canyonland. Space? ha, talk about mansion. Okay, so it's not huge, but I have a lot of room, even get my backpack in it. Remember, I am only 5'2" though.

Trying to reduce weight I bought the SD cd ultra light year. Didn't try it out yet, but will this weekend. I have seen it last weekend during my linville gorge hike. Took a peek...very small, not sure if one lb less is worth it.

yeah, I didn't have time to play with it yet.

i may return it to REI”

“Hey Gem, I fit in my LightYear okay, and I've got 10" and 100 pounds on you. I think you'll fit no problem.”

“I change outside the tent, but then I am not shy. If others are around or I think someone might come by, I change behind the tent so not to offend those with delicate sensibilities.”

“lol, there's no "behind" on a LightYear...”

“I've got a Kelty Clark tent that's starting to need replacing. It's a little on the heavy side at close to 4 pounds, but man is it sturdy - withstood some pretty good blows without a flinch. Interior space is not it's strong suit - it's pretty much "bivy" size down at the feet. Since I'm short I can almost sit up in it, but not quite. It'd be difficult to change inside of. Comfy to read in and sleep in though. Been looking at a tarptent type set up - mainly for cutting down on the weight.”

“Yah I've been looking at getting a bug bivy to use with my silnylon tarp for summer. The LightYear is light, but I wanna go lighter...”

“bigkingtut - The coleman cobra is now the Exponent Inyo II. Same basic tent. Probably one of best solo tent values around. I got mine for $64 on-line. Mine is about 4 lbs with everything.”

“ya'll have some really nice tents!
i am a budget backpacker, by nessecity so ichose the Eurika MOuntain PAss 1XT for my entry level solo tent. it's not quite as lightweight as some of the nicer brands but i am very happy with it. freestanding, sit-up-in-able,lot's of vestibule space, and it even protected me from sasquatch on my upper buffalo wilderness solo trek.

i scored some tyvek for it but i don't think i could use tyvek for fast tracking the tent. i bought some grommets and i'm going to make a properly sized groundcloth and put the grommets on the corners so i can fast track it in warm dry weather. those walmart tarps(usually blue) is all i can think of that'd be strong enough for this...

too bad eurika doesn't just make one, it would be so simple for them and i know I'D buy one....

BRAINSTORM! WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS BEFORE! !???!?!?!! I could get my mom(AWESOME SEEMTRESS SEWER TYPE HOBBY GEEK) to make on out of silnylon from walmart!!!???”

“you could also maybe use some of that walmart nylon to reinforce the grommet points on the tyvek for the "footprint". The tyvek will be more puncture proof than the nylon.”

“Check out the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 1. I just got it, used it on one trip so far. It's freestanding, but better staked out, 84" long, 41" wide at head, 29" wide at foot, head height 32", foot height 14". It even has a small vestibule. It weighs 2, 14. I was able to sleep very comfortably next to my pack.”

“Thanks, for all of the great suggestions.

I'll check them out.

Salem”

“Got a North Face Canyonlands. Works pretty good in my area (southern california). Never had a problem with rain or condensation as mentioned above. Has enough room for me and most of my gear. Also, I usually use it as a bug shelter (no rainfly). Have used it successfully in So Calif's mild winters.”

“nice tip roam....


lmao, he's prolly so overwhelmed he's just gonna forget the whole thing now”

“I bought the MSR Zoid 1 and have been very happy. I'm 6'6" and it was one of the only solo tents that was long enough.

If I was buying again I would be getting a Henry Shires Tarptent.

My Review of the Zoid 1:

Weight: Carrying weight is just about 3lbs 4oz. This includes 4 stakes and the three stow bags (poles, stakes, tent).

Size: I just fit into this tent. I have room to sit up with my head scrunched down. I have room to flip from side to side on a ful length thermarest. I stuffed my clothing into the front nook and used that as a pillow and I was able to stretch my legs at the other end - but they were touching the fabric. In my usual sleep position on my side I was not touching any of the mesh walls.

Pitching: Pretty easy, not freestanding, but only two stake points needed for a good pitch. I would not use more stakes unless the weather was nasty. Another stake is needed to create the vestibule and doorway. I questioned whether I wanted a tent with pole sleeves, but these are so small that it's not like threading a long pole down a long chute - that part is a snap. It does take a little work to get the fly taught. You need to tension the endpoints just right and you also need to make sure the fly seams are on the correct side of the poles - this will make sense once you see it pitched. It's no biggy, I just like it taught for the breezes.

Doors: The outer and inner doors do give you plenty of venting options, but to save weight their is only a door on one side of the tent so cross breezes are difficult to capture (no different than most solos like the Sierra Design tents, or the Eureka Backcountry). I am planning on creating a way to stake out the non-door side of the fly to let a little more crossbreeze in. This won't be a problem in temps under 60 degrees. I could easily get in and out of the tent. Easier than the SD Light Year. I also liked this tent because it has a real vestibule. Yes it is smallish compared to a typical two-person, but between the endpoint pillow and the vestuble I can get all of my gear under cover (I use a GVP G4 pack so no frame). There is also room to cook in this vestibule.

Inner Tent: Lots of meash, nylon above the body to protect from condensation dripping in. A cool feature is little "gear-loft" pockets on both sides of your head to put a reading light, watch, maps, journal, lighter, mini-tool, whistle, etc while your sleeping - very handy. There is also a zipper at the top of the tent so you can reach your hand out and open or close the kick stand vent at the top.

Fly: I lke the natural tan color, its cheery in the dark, but subdued in the daytime. Kickstand vent at the top. Factory seam sealed I believe. It has guy out loops if it gets really windy. As can be seen in the picture the pitch psace is quite compact. I bought the MSR footprint but probably will not use it. The fastpitch without the inner tent is really saggy and I'd rather take a regular tarp, so I doubt I'll use the MSR footprint much.

Weather: I have only had it in non-windy rain and it did fine. I have not seam sealed it - as it appears that MSR has already done a good job - no leaks so far. The fly goes about as low as any typical tent and I imagine that it would keep about as much blowing rain out as the next tent.

Pros: Lightweight, tan color, easy pitch, good quality, good solo protection from rain and bugs with room to move around a bit (unlike a bivy or the Eureka Soitaire).

Cons: It is snug - I can't fully sit up, ventilation is not great while the fly is fully down. Door on only one side.

Conclusion: I have the right solo tent for me and will not be looking for another for a long while. The only other shelter I plan on use will be a tarp which gives more ventiliation, but less weather and bug protection.”

“I have been looking for a one person light weight free standing tent. Since REI has there 20% off sale on I am looking at these 3 tents.
If you have one of the 3 listed please give your opinion pro or con. I listed the Hubba but it is a long shot due to is narrowness.


http://www.rei.com/online/ComparisonChartDisplay.do?type=User&storeId=8000”

“link didn't show any listed.”

“hmmmm, link works for me..it shows all three tents with price and specs
last edited: 5/08/05 7:46:36 PM”

“shows "compare items" on mine...but nothing listed”

“Marmot EOS Tent

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47858111


MSR Hubba

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47698354

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47843086”

“If I were buying, I'd go for the Black Diamond First light. Lighter and build just like a Bibler with lighter fabric.”

“what about a bivy sack?”

“wingding, just don't think I would like a bivy sack”

“easy...seedhouse. I don't own one...but that is what I want...so there..thats settled :D”

“Rat Packer got the Hubba and it looks pretty damn cool. (I was with him when he shopped for a solo) Unfortunately since my foot injury, he hasn't done any backpacking and hasn't tried it yet. : (

But I do know it sets up super easy and fast and the freestanding aspect of it is super nice. Seems pretty sturdy too.”

“i was looking at the same issue a night or two ago and liked the look of the Black Diamond Lighthouse. Also - theres a mountain hardware single wall that looked good.

I'm leaning toward a bivy sack/tarp setup though. But if i were in the south where it rains a lot i might rather have a full tent.

I've had a Kelty Clark Tent for years and its been good, albeit slightly heavier than some others. The Crestone looks like their newer model of the Clark.”

“Roam, down here I can get by with more mesh than you can. I like the Black Diamond but a tad to expensive.

I have a Eureka Gossamer which is a one person tent but it is like sleeping in a coffin. I may put it on ebay just to get rid of it.

I do like that these tents are free standing which helps”

“yeah, i like the freestanding tent style as well, but there aren't many solo tents it seems that are built that way.

My Clark is somewhat coffin like as well.”

“out of the 3 I have listed I like the Big Anges and the Marmot the best due to overall size(width).

Just hoping someone who has actually used them can comment”

“I'm gonna buy a new solo tent as well, was leaning for the Hubba, gonna check out the lighthouse/first light now.”

“The REI Roadster is a fine solo tent for it's very low price.....”

“yeah, but it looks like a really big dork designed it and also like it would catch wind better than a sail.”

“Lol...ok it does look like the mother ships escape pod, but it works very well.
I have the Coupe (the 2 man they don't make anymore) and I know 2 who have the Roadster.
Btw...when Rainy and me have our tents together...it is the Mother Ship and it's Escape Pod..lmao!
But seriously...it handles wind and rain storms like a pro-we have gone thru both of them together in our tents. And I suck at putting my tent to the wind right-and nary an issue even when the wind howled for 12+ hours!”

“well, thats a pretty good endorsement.

it is cooky lookin tho.”

“The Roadster is not free standing and it isn't much wider than the hubba.

two strikes against it already..lol”

“and its UGLY”

“mountain hardware tri light 1. I've used mine in 2 blizzards and it has stood up and laughed at 25+ inch snow falls.”

“three strikes it's out...lol”

“Why is non freestanding bad in your view? I haven't used a freestanding tent in 3 years now.
I will probably never go back to one.
1) I have learned how to put up a non freestanding right.
2) They can be much stronger in wind.
3) They are usually lighter -and NOT ALL MESH.
4)All mesh is good in summer, but not fun in winter.
Don't knock non-freestanding tents, many 1 man tents are that way.”