From full-blown thru-hikes to fast weekend missions, we’ve clocked some serious miles in a range of the best ultralight tents. Our ranks are flush with thru-hikers, and collectively, we’ve likely put down close to 10,000 miles of hiking across the U.S. and beyond. Along the way, we’ve become pretty particular about our shelter choices.
To pinpoint the best ultralight tents, we gathered sage advice from hikers who’ve tracked the toughest, longest miles with their gear. Whether you need a do-it-all shelter to hike the PCT or AT with, like our top-pick the Zpacks Duplex Lite, or you want to dip your toe in with a more spend-wise option like the Gossamer Gear The One, there’s something here for everyone — even semi-freestanding options like the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2.
When considering ultralight shelters, we considered material choice, interior space, footprint size, and, of course, the all-important weight. We got real nerdy and broke out the kitchen scales, ground-truthing given weights and measured packed sizes, and then set out to put as many miles on these tents as possible before rendering a verdict. Check out our top choices below.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Ultralight Tents guide on August 22, 2025 to add our new favorite shaped tarp, the Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper. This single-hiker shelter uses hanging bug mesh and tucks in more interior space than you’d expect. We also added rating attributes to every tent to aid in your decision-making process.
The Best Ultralight Tents of 2025
Best Overall Ultralight Tent
Zpacks Duplex Lite
9.0/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at Garage Grown GearCheck Price at Zpacks
Best Budget Ultralight Tent
Gossamer Gear The One
7.5/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
$255 at Garage Grown Gear
Check Price at Gossamer Gear
Best Single Trekking Pole Ultralight Tent
Zpacks Plex Solo Tent
8.2/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
$599 at Garage Grown Gear
Best Freestanding Ultralight Tent
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
7.9/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
Best Shaped Tarp
Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper
8.1/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
Check Price at Gossamer GearCheck Price at Garage Grown Gear
Best Ultralight Pyramid Tent
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Dyneema Tent
7.9/10 RatingJump to review
BUY OPTIONS
$699 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear
$699 at Backcountry
See more picks
Best Overall Ultralight Tent
Zpacks Duplex Lite
Check Price at Garage Grown GearCheck Price at Zpacks
9.0
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 8.0
- Weight 8.0
- Weather Resistance 9.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 14.9 oz.
- Packed size: 5" x 11"
- Peak height: 48"
- Floor space: 25 sq. ft.
- Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.55 oz./sq. yd. canopy, 0.75 floor)
- Vestibule area: 11 sq. ft.
- Doors: 2
Pros
- One of the most ultralight two-person shelters out there
- Very compact packed size
- Durable enough for an entire thru hike
- Small footprint for compact sites
- Doors can be closed individually
Cons
- A tight squeeze for two hikers, or anyone tall sleeping on an inflatable
- Expensive
- Rainbow zippers degrade quicker than L-zip designs
- DCF can shrink with age
Read Review: Zpacks Duplex Lite Tent Review: Cut Weight, Not Comfort — Unless You’re Over 6 Feet Tall
The Duplex has been one of the de-facto tents for thru-hikers for years, but it’s often carried by solo hikers looking for a bit more livable space than pairs. The Zpacks Duplex Lite ($669) leans into this fact, and by trimming the margins just a bit more, it lands as one of the best ultralight shelters we’ve used to date.
While the Duplex Lite does shift to a lighter 0.75 oz./sq. yd Dyneema floor material, it’s mostly the slightly smaller profile that helps it hit a sub 1-pound weight. The slimmer 40″ flood is just big enough to fit occasional tent mates, but otherwise hosts plenty of space for solo hikers. Zpacks tweaked a few other dials (including a move to thinner guylines), but otherwise, this is the same Duplex we’ve put thousands of miles on already.
The design is proven and sets up with two trekking poles quickly, given you’re familiar with the quirks. A trekking pole set at 48″ is just about ideal, and we’ve painted a little reminder on our poles to nail it every time. With two vestibules, you’ve got just enough space to store your pack and trail runners outside the shelter, and since the doors close independently, you can leave one open to help clear out condensation.
To be sure, this tent is a tighter squeeze for two hikers. The 40″ width of the floor is the bare minimum needed to fit two regular 20″ sleeping pads side by side, and you need to nail the pitch height to ensure you don’t shortchange yourself in both canopy height and bathtub floor width. But for the way that most hikers will use this tent, we think it’s an excellent design.
Long-term users should also know that the lifespan of a shelter like this is billed at just about one thru-hike, or around 3,000 miles of use. The DCF material will begin to accumulate pinholes around the pitch peaks and corner tie-outs, and because the material will also shrink slightly over time, the doors will be harder to close entirely.
Even still, these are common areas of sacrifice in ultralight tents, and besides the price (which is quite high), we think the Duplex Lite is a killer option for most ultralight hikers. If that price is just a no-go for you, consider a silpoly design like the Gossamer Gear The One or Two — both very similar designs to the Duplex line, but at a slight weight ding.
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
Best Budget Ultralight Tent
Gossamer Gear The One
$255 at Garage Grown GearCheck Price at Gossamer Gear
7.5
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 7.0
- Weather Resistance 7.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz.
- Packed Size: 5" x 10"
- Height: 45 in.
- Floor Space: (LxWxH) 84 x 33/21 (head slightly wider)
- Materials: Custom 10-denier nylon ripstop SIL/PU fabric
- Vestibule Area: 10 sq. ft.
- Doors: One
Pros
- Super spacious floor space
- Solid strength-to-weight ratio
- Affordable pricing
- L-zipper doors don't drag in the dirt
- Silpoly canopy won't stretch as much as silnylon
Cons
- Condensation tends to build up pretty easily
- Internal mesh pockets are placed a little awkwardly
- Silpoly material won't be as durable as silynylon
Paul “Pie” Ingram is a thru-hiker based in Helsinki, Finland, and has checked off the AT, Annapurna Circuit, CDT, and more than 400 miles of the High Sierra Trail. Ingram’s favorite tent is the Gossamer Gear The One ($255) — a budget-friendly shelter that nails the design and keeps costs down by offering it in an affordable silpoly material.
“The One tent provides a huge amount of livable space for its weight compared to many similar tents on the market. It provides more protection from the elements than lighter options, such as a tarp and bivy. It’s not as light as some tents made with Dyneema Composite Fabric, but it’s cheaper and arguably more durable,” said Ingram.
This tent has accompanied him across more than 3,000 miles and more than 180 nights on trail. So far, the tent shows zero issues, abrasions, or holes. The tent body and floor are constructed from a custom 15-denier silpoly material, which won’t stretch as much as silnylon, and is certainly cheaper than DCF.
Senior Editor Chris Carter is another die-hard fan of The One. He recently used it on a 5,000-mile back-to-back thru-hike of the CDT and AT, and he lauds The One’s ability to keep up with the best of the best. It may not boast all the bells and whistles of other ultralight brands — but it sure does punch well above its weight.
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is another budget-wise shelter we’d recommend checking out, and while it’s almost half a pound heavier, it does shrug off condensation a bit better. The single pole design of that tent will mean less headroom, and this is the main reason we lean on The One more often when recommending an ultralight shelter that’s also lightweight on your wallet.
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
(Photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
Best Single Trekking Pole Ultralight Tent
Zpacks Plex Solo Tent
$599 at Garage Grown Gear
8.2
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 8.0
- Weight 9.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 13.9 oz.
- Packed Size: 5" x 11"
- Height: 52 in.
- Floor Space: 20.6 sq. ft.
- Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.55 oz./sq. yd. canopy, 0.75 floor)
- Vestibule Area: 6.4 sq. ft.
- Doors: One
Pros
- Extremely ultralight
- Well-ventilated
- Unique system of dealing with condensation buildup
- Only uses one trekking pole instead of two
Cons
- Expensive
- Somewhat annoying not having a zipper on the vestibule
A sub-14-ounce, fully enclosed tent using only one trekking pole? Oh yeah. How Zpacks keeps managing to crank out top-shelf, ridiculously durable gear catered for the gram-conscious backpacking crowd, we’ll never know. But the Zpacks Plex Solo ($599) carries the torch of the brand’s reputation.
Retaining the durability and function we have grown accustomed to with Zpack’s flagship models like the Duplex, the Plex Solo shaves ounces by using a single 132 cm trekking pole, and implementing a no-frills, simple design. They’ve also eliminated zippers from the vestibule doors by using a metal hook. This system pares down on weight, but we did find it a bit more finicky to use late at night.
The Plex Solo maximizes space with a series of guylines that pull the fabric outwards from the center pole. But even with that space, condensation buildup plagues single-wall ultralight shelters the most. The Plex Solo addresses this with one of the best designs we’ve seen in the industry, and we’ve been mega thankful for the lack of drips on our sleeping bags in the morning.
There is a screen between the bathtub floor and the tent walls, which can be sloped downward by an elastic cord that keeps the bathtub elevated. This allows the condensation to run down the wall and fall through the sloping screen rather than onto the floor.
As one of the lightest, fully enclosed shelters you can buy, the Plex Solo is quickly becoming the gold standard for the ultralight and thru-hiking crowd. It’s just so hard to beat 13.9 ounces, with a design that doesn’t skimp on performance or comfort. If you’re staring down the barrel of a multi-month thru-hike, or just want an ultralight shelter for fast forays in the backcountry, look no further.
Best Freestanding Ultralight Tent
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2
Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry
7.9
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 6.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 2 lbs., 3 oz.
- Packed size: 5" x 18"
- Peak height: 39"
- Floor space: 25 sq. ft.
- Materials: HyperBead recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon fly and floor, polyester mesh canopy
- Vestibule area: 16 sq. ft.
- Doors: Two
Pros
- New HyperBead fabric is 25% more waterproof and 6% lighter than previous version
- Two doors for easy entry and exit with two hikers
- Semi-freestanding shape sets up almost anywhere
- Canopy storage on the interior
Cons
- Weight north of 2 pounds is trending out of UL territory
- Foot end of the tent is fairly low volume
- Floor dimensions are snug, and won't allow wide sleeping pads
At just north of 2 pounds, the semi-freestanding Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 ($480) is just about the lightest non-trekking pole shelter you’ll ever get your mitts on. We think it’s the one to snag if you want the versatility of setting up nearly anywhere, or just don’t hike with walking sticks.
The design saw a revision in early 2025, which introduced Big Agnes’ HyperBead fabric — a new 15-denier nylon material that the brand claims is 25% more waterproof and 6% lighter than the previous. We’re big fans of trimming weight wherever possible on our UL shelters, and doing so on the entire fly and tent inner pays out some good dividends. The 2-person version of the Tiger Wall specs out at 2 pounds, 3 ounces, which is double what our top pick, Zpacks Duplex Lite, comes in at, but you do get some added versatility in being able to set up in more austere environments, such as on slickrock.
That new fabric is skinned onto an already-proven semi-freestanding design that uses a two-pole setup as its backbone. The larger of the two 8.7 mm DAC aluminum poles is a h믭 design that forks into two struts that form the head of the shelter and angle down fairly sharply to maximize the available headroom. The single cross pole at the peak of the tent gives you and your tent-mate space when sitting up, but we will note that the foot end of the Tiger Wall is a snug fit for most.
Unlike many trekking-pole supported tents, the Tiger Wall actually sports some interior organization options on the ceiling of the canopy, in the form of an overhead pocket for wrangling headlamps and such, and a foot end sleeve for other small kit. This is obviously a bit of a luxury, but it does get stuff up and off the floor, which is otherwise snug for two 20″ wide sleeping pads.
Oddly, Big Agnes revised the packsack for the Tiger Wall as well, making it a more all-in-one stuff sack that’s heavier than previously, while offering little sleeves for things like your tent stakes. We’re not typically into systems like this in our UL shelters and often opt to free-stuff the tent into our packs to cut a few ounces.
We’ve tested a handful of other freestanding-style UL shelters, including the NEMO Hornet Elite and Hyperlight Mountain Gear CrossPeak, but keep coming back to the Tiger Wall as the most well-rounded, livable, and affordable. Solo hikers are probably better served by the brand’s single-door Fly Creek HV UL1 tent, another semi-freestanding shelter that trims the second door (and half a pound), but one that can feel cramped when real weather comes in.
Best Shaped Tarp
Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper
Check Price at Gossamer GearCheck Price at Garage Grown Gear
8.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 9.0
- Weather Resistance 7.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 9.8 oz.
- Packed size: 5" x 13"
- Peak height: 51"
- Floor space: 102" x 49" (head end), 25" (foot end)
- Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.51 oz./sq. yd. canopy)
- Vestibule area: N/A
- Doors: One
Pros
- Lightweight with just enough protection
- Very versatile design without a floor
- Good amount of space for a single person shelter
- Pitches in tight sites
Cons
- Set up requires some adjusting to get just right
- Zipper lays in the dirt
- Price
The Gossamer Gear Whisper ($499) might have started as a passion project, but it’s now earned its spot among the top-tier single-person UL shelters. Not much more than a shaped DCF tarp with a hanging bug net, the Whisper lives up to its name and comes in at 9.8 ounces.
Compared to the Zpacks Plex Solo, the Whisper has several advantages. It’s lighter (the Plex Solo weighs 14 ounces) and sets up with two poles instead of one, which increases living space. Hikers above 6’ will often have trouble with the Zpacks shelter, whereas the Whisper has space to spare.
The hanging bug net is also an advantage, given your preferences. Using a separate ground sheet (we suggest polycro) means you aren’t married to using it every night, and it can be cycled out when it wears out. The DCF canopy is about the same weight for both shelters and is equally featherweight.
The setup on the Whisper is a bit of a dance and requires a certain order of operations to get the tension just right. You’ll also need adjustable length poles to get the 130 and 60 cm poles needed to set up the shelter. Unsurprisingly, these are the maximum and minimum lengths of the brand’s popular LT5 Trekking Poles.
The zipper used is a waterproof style that should hold up in the long run, but care should be taken to keep it clean. This is the only real area of concern we had with the Whisper, as long-term use might gum up the teeth and render the zipper useless.
There aren’t many hanging bug mesh tarps on the market currently, with the Zpacks Hexamid and Six Moon Designs Deschutes being the exceptions. The Deschutes is a silpoly shelter and will save you $300, but it only sets up with a single center pole, and the Whisper certainly provides better footend height. If you’re after something more versatile than the Zpacks Plex Solo (or just want more headroom), the DCF Whisper is a solid option.
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
(Photo/Nick Belcaster)
Best Ultralight Pyramid Tent
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Dyneema Tent
$699 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear$699 at Backcountry
7.9
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 8.0
- Weight 8.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz.
- Packed Size: 6" x 8.5"
- Height: 64 in.
- Floor Space: 63 sq. ft.
- Materials: 0.78 oz./sq. yd. Dyneema Composite Fabric
- Vestibule Area: N/A
- Doors: One
Pros
- Strong 0.78 oz./sq. yd. Dyneema Composite Fabric is thicker than most
- Very easy to pitch in difficult spots
- Can be suspended from a tree limb and set up without a pole
- Many guy out points across the shelter from shoring up against wind
- Two way main zipper aids in ventilation
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires two trekking poles to be lashed together to be set up
- Need space to set up guy lines
- Bulkier packed size
Read Review: Pitch a Pyramid: Hyperlite UltaMid 2 Tent Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is incredible, but it’s also super expensive. So, while we do love this model for several reasons, it comes with a caveat of a $699 price tag, plus another $399 if you want the mesh insert to keep bugs away. For serious hikers, the hefty investment may be worth it, as it’s definitely one of the most versatile UL shelters available.
Pyramid shelters can be extremely storm-proof and very amenable to being pitched where other shelters might have difficulty. With only one pole to wrangle and no floor to work around roots and rocks, we’ve thrown the UltaMid up where other shelters simply wouldn’t work, including on snow where we’ve dug out elaborate bench seating.
Hyperlite builds the UltaMid 2 with a 0.78 oz./sq. yd. Dyneema Composite Fabric, which makes it a good bit burlier than the 0.55 DCF canopies used on many other UL shelters. This does result in some added bulk, but this tent, which uses trekking poles for support, weighs in at just 1.2 pounds for the main tent body.
The only drawbacks are the price and the need for trekking poles. The center trekking poles need to reach a height of 190.5 cm, so you have to use trekking pole straps to lash two poles together. This isn’t our favorite design, but it does afford a pretty gigantic interior area. You also are going to need space to guy out the lines, as it is not freestanding.
While expensive, the UltaMid 2 is a top-tier tent that will last a very long time. If you’re looking for an ultralight tent we’ve called a “wonder of engineering” that will give you many seasons of use, this one is worth considering.
(Photo/Christian Black)
(Photo/Christian Black)
(Photo/Christian Black)
(Photo/Christian Black)
Other Ultralight Tents to Cut Ounces With
The UL shelters above are the ones we lean on the most in our load-outs for everything from lightweight weekend backpacking to months-long cross-country thru hikes. That said, there are numerous companies turning out excellent ultralight shelters these days, and we’ve tested a good number of them looking for the best. Check out our runner-up selection below before making your choice.
Durston X-Mid 1 Tent
Check Price at Durston
8.7
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 9.0
- Weight 7.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 14.4 oz.
- Packed Size: 5" x 12"
- Height: 46 in.
- Floor Space: 46.5 sq. ft. (fly); 20 sq. ft. (insert)
- Materials: 20-denier polyester with 2,500 mm sil/PEU coating
- Vestibule Area: 20 sq. ft. (10 sq. ft. x 2)
- Doors: Two
Pros
- Durable construction
- Unique, double-wall design
- Simple, four-stake pitch
- Affordable
Cons
- On the heavy side for an ultralight tent
- Small internal storage pockets
- Guy lines are a bit difficult to adjust
Read Review: Ultralight Tent to Weather Serious Storms: Durston X-Mid 1 Solid Review
With a unique geometric design, stellar weather resistance, and an approachable price point, the Durston X-Mid 1 ($239) is making a significant splash in the ultralight backpacking community. We decided we needed to get our hands on one of these after seeing a few on a recent overnight into the Grand Canyon. These things are blowing up — and for good reason.
First, it’s extremely intuitive to pitch, requiring under half the time as some other ultralight shelters we’ve tested. The tent can be pitched with a minimum of four stakes and requires little guesswork on stake location. We aren’t aware of any other shelter using two trekking poles that boasts this ability.
This is due to its rectangular design with offset trekking pole locations between a diagonal sleeping area. This effectively maximizes sleeping and vestibule space, utilizing a shape that handles wild wind and snow like a champ. The X-Mid is also a double-wall shelter, and the removable mesh inner has a waterproof bathtub floor that easily clips into the tent or can be removed to shave weight.
We barely have any complaints about this lightweight phenomenon, but some slight cons stood out. The X-Mid is on the heavy side for an ultralight shelter (30.8 ounces), which is a turnoff for many in the ultralight community. We also found the guy lines to be a bit difficult to tighten, and we wish there were bigger storage pockets in the mesh insert.
These gripes aside, we think the X-Mid is one of the better trekking pole-style backpacking tents you can buy. Its thoughtful design and quality materials make this a reliable, spacious escape from the elements for rugged forays into the backcountry.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
$270 at AmazonCheck Price at Six Moon Designs
6.8
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 6.0
- Weather Resistance 6.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 10.1 oz.
- Packed Size: 4.5" x 11.5"
- Height: 49 in.
- Floor Space: 26.3 sq. ft.
- Materials: 20D and 40D silicone coated polyester
- Vestibule Area: 8.5 sq. ft.
- Doors: One
Pros
- Affordable with a quality build
- Spacious
- Durable design
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Heavier than most other single pole designs
- Setup takes some getting used to
- Not our favorite door clasp system
For the penny-pinchin’ thru-hiker weary of astronomical Dyneema prices worth a month’s rent, the lightweight and spacious Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($260) may be the perfect pitch. It’s not the lightest, most packable UL tent on the market, but for that price, it offers incredible value.
Unlike many other traditional designs, the Lunar Solo’s canopy floats higher off the ground, which, paired with a gaping top vent, allows for 360 degrees of ventilation and fights off condensation calamities. The tent floor also floats, as it is fixed to the fly with elastic bands. These are helpful attributes, but make this a bit more difficult to set up for the first time.
After using this unique tent a couple of times, here’s what we like the most. First, the Lunar Solo boasts one of the more spacious internal volumes of single-pole-style shelters we’ve tested, at the cost of a smaller vestibule. We feel very comfortable sprawling out on our sleeping pad with a good chunk of our gear stashed away in the corner opposite the door.
We also appreciate the durable construction, at the cost of a higher weight, and the minimal condensation buildup. This thing is breezy, but still fends off some serious weather. The free-floating nature of the bathtub floor seems to mold to rocky, uneven ground better than others, and does a solid job at resisting tears.
A handful of drawbacks did surface for us: The overall weight is heavier than similar tents, and the package doesn’t come with stakes. The tent tensions well, but we aren’t huge fans of the door clasp system at the front. We think the Gossamer Gear The One is likely a better budget shelter for most, but if you only hike with one pole or camp in high humidity often, the Lunar Solo can be a great pivot.
Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp With Doors
$379 at Garage Grown GearCheck Price at Zpacks
7.8
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 10.0
- Weather Resistance 7.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 5.5 oz.
- Packed Size: 3" x 6"
- Height: 47 in.
- Floor Space: N/A
- Materials: .55 oz/sqyd Standard Dyneema Composite Fabric
- Vestibule Area: N/A
- Doors: One
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and packable
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Versatile design that can be combined with mesh inners or bathtub floors
- Only requires one trekking pole — or a stick
- Linelocs make for easy adjustment
Cons
- Not the most spacious interior
- A bit challenging to set up
- No protection from bugs or critters
Matt Mason of Bozeman, Montana, is a thru-hiker and wildland firefighter. The long trail vet is also a Triple Crowner, meaning he’s completed the three major long-distance trails in the U.S., and among the many tents Mason has beat up, his all-time favorite shelter choice is the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doors ($379).
“The Hexamid has an incredible weight-to-strength ratio — it’s 15 times the strength of quality steel per its weight. This fabric does not stretch, which can make pitching it tricky. But once it’s properly pitched, it does not start to sag like nylon shelters do. That means no adjusting is needed in the middle of a rainstorm,” said Mason.
The Hexamid’s weight is only 5.2 ounces, which is ideal for fast-packing. But a shelter’s weather-proofness is an even more important rule of thumb, said Mason. “By golly, the Hexamid keeps me dry! I’ve weathered high-alpine rain storms; wet, heavy snowfalls in the Southeast; and long, rainy nights in the Pacific Northwest.”
This one-person tarp sets up with one trekking pole or walking stick. The single-wall tarp doesn’t include a groundsheet, which can be bought separately. The tarp packs into a small stuff sack that’s 6.5 x 10 x 14 cm.
Mason has used this shelter for more than 300 nights, and it’s extremely durable. “I’m very impressed with how well it’s held up over the years. The tent body, tie-out points, seam sealing, and guylines are in good shape, considering this shelter has two trips from Mexico to Canada,” he said. Solo tarp shelters won’t be for everyone, but the Hexamid is a classic design for a reason.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear CrossPeak 2
Check Price at Hyperlite Mountain GearCheck Price at Garage Grown Gear
8.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 6.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 2 lbs., 2 oz.
- Packed Size: 6" x 11"
- Peak Height: 42"
- Floor Space: 28.5 sq. ft.
- Materials: Dyneema Composite Fabrics DCF5, DCF10, and 20D sil-nylon
- Vestibule Area: 15 sq. ft.
- Doors: 2
Pros
- Impressive weather-resistance for an UL shelter
- Ideal for terrain that doesn't take stakes well, or those who don't carry trekking poles
- Water-resistant door zippers and magnetic tie-back toggles
- Short DAC aluminum poles that pack away well
Cons
- Not the lightest option out there due to the integrated poles
- Price is slightly eye-watering
- Will require more care than other shelters
Read Review: Ultralight, Freestanding Tent Braves Extreme Weather: Hyperlite Mountain Gear CrossPeak 2 Review
2025 may well be the year of the ultralight freestanding shelter, and while tents from Durston, Tarptent, and Six Moon Designs impressed us, the Hyperlite Mountain Design CrossPeak 2 ($950) stood out the most. We used this shelter in Patagonia earlier this winter, where it shouldered the brunt of the weather without complaint.
In typical Hyperlite style, the CrossPeak 2 is a full-tilt Dyneema Composite Fabric design that borrows a good bit from the brand’s trekking pole-supported Unbound 2 tent, but gets it standing on its own feet with a three-pole design. This structure was surprisingly strong in stiff winds and easy to set up solo.
The single-wall design aims to trim as many ounces as possible from the freestanding design, and at 34 ounces, the CrossPeak is among the lightest pole-supported shelters. Hyperlight didn’t lose sight of durability, though, and still made concessions to keep the tent tough, like using DAC 8.7 mm aluminum poles instead of carbon fiber (a negligible weight difference, but much more trusty).
Used on the 4-day Huemul trek in Patagonia this February, the CrossPeak stood strong in surprisingly high winds. The DCF5 canopy is about standard weight in UL shelters, and paired with a DCF10 bathtub floor, it packs compactly into an 8-liter stuff sack. Setup is intuitive, with only three buckle adjustments to dial in once your poles are settled.
The doors need to be pinned out, but even these are dialed in to a tee, with water-resistant zippers and magnetic tie-backs for securing them. Livability is better than most UL shelters, with the pole-structure bumping out the end walls to a steeper angle that didn’t brush the foot boxes on our sleeping bags.
Price will certainly be a consideration here, but $950 isn’t out of the ballpark compared to the average of ultralight tents. We also would love to see a slightly more robust material used in the pole sleeves, because while the 20D silnylon used is strong when tensioned, it can be punctured with a pole if you aren’t careful.
Ultimately, the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL1 edged out this tent for the freestanding award title simply for being more affordable, but if you’re looking to make an investment, the CrossPeak is a solid new design.
Tarptent Stratospire Li
Check Price at Tarptent
7.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 8.0
- Weight 7.0
- Weather Resistance 8.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 14 oz.
- Packed Size: 5" x 16.5"
- Height: 45 in.
- Floor Space: 26.8 sq. ft.
- Materials: 0.51 oz./sq. yd. Dyneema Composite Fabric, 20D ripstop nylon, 15D nylon mesh
- Vestibule Area: 24 sq. ft.
- Doors: Two
Pros
- Tons of vestibule space
- Excellent venting
- Good balance of weight and durability
- Comfortable for two
Cons
- Expensive
- Not freestanding
While not the lightest DCF dwelling on our list, the Tarptent Stratospire Li ($659) earns a place in our kit thanks to its near-perfect balance of lightweight and livability. The mix of materials, interior dimensions, and two vestibules makes this tent a stellar option for two, and a palace for one.
This ultralight tent doesn’t feel that ultralight once you’ve set it up. The floor space is a rectangular 45” x 86”, easily allowing for two pads. There are also doors on either side, with plenty of dry storage space (~12 sq. feet) for either occupant. We spent 6 days in the Southern Sierra backcountry and were grateful for a dry space to cook with plenty of room for our climbing gear.
If you’re carting off the whole shebang, you’re looking at 30.35 ounces in your pack. For comparison, that’s about 6.5 ounces more than the Gossamer Gear Two and more than double the 1-person Zpacks Plex Solo. If you’re looking to cut weight above all else, then there are certainly lighter options, but not with 24 square feet of vestibule space.
In our experience, Dyneema is the most durable material for ultralight tents and is far tougher than nylon, and after several seasons, we’ve yet to find a rip or tear. The bathtub-style bottom is 20D ripstop sil-nylon, and the mesh interior is also vulnerable to puncturing, so you still need to be careful when packing and unpacking this tent, but it’s still much more durable than a tent like the NEMO Hornet.
The Stratospire Li is an expensive, “boutique” tent made by a small company of backpackers. Quality control is unparalleled, and you’ll never find these on sale at a big box retailer. But if you’re willing to shell out the cash, you’ll be rewarded with a tent that can go the distance and let you live in relative luxury when you get there.
NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P Tent
$650 at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry
7.5
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 7.0
- Weather Resistance 7.0
- Ease of Use 8.0
Specifications
- Weight: 2 lbs., 1 oz.
- Packed Size: 4" x 19"
- Height: 37 in.
- Floor Space: 27.3 sq. ft.
- Materials: OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric
- Vestibule Area: 12.4 sq. ft.
- Doors: Two
Pros
- Semi-freestanding design
- Silpoly fabric doesn't sag
- Tent is easy to split up between two to carry
- Environmentally friendly OSMO fabrics
Cons
- Expensive
- Fragile for car camping or sharp rocks
- Not much room in the foot end of the tent
- High-cut fly isn't the most storm-proof
Read Review: An Ultralight Tent Without the Ultralight Tradeoffs: NEMO Hornet OSMO 3P Tent Review
With solid upgrades to the already legendary Hornet Elite 2 tent, the NEMO Hornet Elite Osmo 2P ($660) offers greater water resistance and less sag when wet than its predecessor with NEMO’s proprietary Osmo fabric. We love this tent. Mostly, we love how much this tent saves both weight and pack space.
The Hornet Elite Osmo weighs a scant 2 pounds, 1 ounce — respectable for a freestanding two-person shelter. And you can ditch some stakes and the stuff sack for a minimum trail weight of 1 pound, 11 ounces. For gram-counters, that makes it a contender on weight alone.
This tent is more than just light. It’s also a very legit abode in bad weather. On stormy nights on the trail, the Hornet Elite Osmo kept our team dry and comfortable. Inside, a 27.3-square-foot floor gives a small but acceptable space for two adults. This is certainly not a large footprint, and you will be shoulder-to-shoulder with your tentmate, but it’s serviceable.
Unlike many ultralight options, which depend on trekking poles, this is a freestanding tent. It uses a clever three-pole design with a small “Flybar” where they all connect to give it that extra bit of volume. It has a mesh interior and utilizes an integrated rainfly to keep out bugs, rain, and wind.
Fortunately, there is enough room under the two vestibules (serviced by two doors) for a large pack, shoes, and some other gear. We’ve used it many times in the rain, and it has enough space to keep your kit dry, even in nasty weather.
Of course, at $650, the Hornet Elite Osmo is a significant investment. But we’ve used it for enough nights to be impressed with its durability. That said, this is a super-light OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric tent. That means it won’t hold up to tons of abuse, and we don’t recommend it for car camping, as that would put wear and tear on a very expensive tent.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1
$599 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear
7.1
How we rate products ⓘ
Rating Details
- Space & Comfort 7.0
- Weight 8.0
- Weather Resistance 7.0
- Ease of Use 7.0
Specifications
- Weight: 1 lb., 2 oz.
- Packed Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
- Height: 54 in.
- Floor Space: 21 sq. ft.
- Materials: DCF5, DCF10, No-See-Um mesh
- Vestibule Area: N/A
- Doors: One
Pros
- True half-mid design
- Very durable with reinforced peak
- Spacious vestibule
- Magnetic door toggles
- Slightly thicker DCF used in floor compared to like-shelters
Cons
- Condensation in cold temps
- Proper setup requires practice
- No guyline in the front for tension when both door flaps are open
- Expensive for a solo shelter
Minimalist, with a pinch of luxury — that about sums up Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Mid 1 ($599). Following a similar silhouette to the legendary Plex Solo, the Mid 1 is HMG’s take on a classic ultralight layout. This one-pound, two-ounce half-pyramid shelter uses Dyneema fabric to provide a haven from the elements that’s simultaneously strong and durable, while still extremely lightweight.
Besides using DCF, this tent cuts more weight by relying on a single trekking pole (and your own stakes). Beyond the scant ounces, the major selling point for the HMG Mid-1 is its surprising roominess — particularly in the vestibule. GearJunkie’s 6’3″ tester could sit upright without touching the top of the mesh enclosure, and could easily lie down with room to spare at both head and feet.
Our testing did reveal a few noticeable downsides. First, you will need to supply your own trekking pole and stakes — and stakes (or anchors of some kind) are not optional. You could conceivably get away with 4 stakes, although you would have no vestibule and flapping sides. Six stakes are highly advisable, and extra guylines to create full tension in the rainfly are ideal.
The biggest ding we found lies in the door flap design. Both sides can roll back and are secured by a magnetic clasp, but there is no center guyline to keep tension on the tent if both are rolled away. This is a bummer because we love to sleep with doors open when the weather allows, maximizing ventilation and minimizing condensation. There are loops at the peak of the tent where you can attach your own guyline, but we wish one had been included for the price.
Setup requires some practice to perfect, and even then, proper setup will require some fine-tuning and adjustments. The biggest drawback to this otherwise outstanding tent is the price tag. $599 is a significant investment. For the same price, we’re more likely to get into the Zpacks Plex Solo — a lighter shelter overall.
Ultralight Tents Comparison Chart
| Ultralight Tent | Price | Weight | Height | Floor Space | Materials | Vestibule Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zpacks Duplex Lite | $669 | 14.9 oz. | 48 in. | 25 sq. ft. | Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.55 oz./sq. yd. canopy, 0.75 floor) | 11 sq. ft. |
| Gossamer Gear The One | $255 | 1 lb., 3 oz. | 45 in. | 19.2 sq. ft | Custom 10D nylon ripstop SIL/PU fabric | 10 sq. ft. |
| Zpacks Plex Solo | $599 | 13.9 oz. | 52 in. | 20.6 sq. ft. | Dyneema (0.75 oz./sq. yd.) | N/A |
| Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 | $480 | 2 lbs., 1 oz. | 39″ | 25 sq. ft. | HyperBead recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon fly and floor, polyester mesh canopy | 16 sq. ft. |
| Gossamer Gear Whisper Tarp | $499 | 9.8 oz. | 51″ | N/A | Dyneema Composite Fabric (0.51 oz./sq. yd. canopy) | N/A |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 | $699 | 1 lb., 3 oz. | 64 in. | 63 sq. ft. | DCF8 (0.78 oz./sq. yd.) | N/A |
| Durston X-Mid 1 | $239 | 1 lb., 14.4 oz. | 46 in. | 46.5 sq. ft. (fly), 20 sq. ft. (insert) | 20-denier polyester with 2,500 mm sil/PEU coating | 20 sq. ft. |
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo | $260 | 1 lb., 10.1 oz. | 49 in. | 26.3 sq. ft. | 20D and 40D silicone-coated polyester | 8.5 sq. ft. |
| Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp With Doors | $379 | 5.5 oz. | 47 in. | N/A | 0.55 oz/sqyd Standard Dyneema Composite Fabric | N/A |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear CrossPeak 2 | $950 | 2 lbs., 2 oz. | 42 in. | 28.5 sq. ft. | Dyneema Composite Fabrics DCF5, DCF10, and 20D sil-nylon | 15 sq. ft. |
| Tarptent Stratospire Li | $659 | 1 lb., 14 oz. | 45 in. | 26.8 sq. ft. | Dyneema, 20D ripstop nylon, 15D nylon mesh | 24 sq. ft. |
| NEMO Hornet Elite OSMO 2P | $660 | 2 lbs., 1 oz. | 37 in. | 27.3 sq. ft. | OSMO poly-nylon ripstop fabric | 12.4 sq. ft. |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 | $599 | 1 lb., 2 oz. | 54 in. | 21 sq. ft. | DCF5, DCF10, No-See-Um Mesh | N/A |
Testing a number of different ultralight tents from Zpacks on a chilly, wind-blasted backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon; (photo/Chris Carter)
How We Tested the Best Ultralight Tents
We’re frustratingly particular about the shelter we hunker down in each night on a long journey, and heavily scrutinize each candidate for this guide. Rest assured — only the most deserving, durable, functional tents earned any real estate on this roundup. We’ve scoured online ultralight forums, bugged our broad swath of thru-hiking connections, and attended various gear shows to narrow in on the streamlined selection of tents you see today.
We recognize that the ultralight tent market is organic and constantly evolving. We have therefore slotted this guide into an iterative update schedule and are constantly on the prowl, scoping out new models the moment they hit the market, and testing them to see if they deserve recognition.
Our Expert Testers
From dedicated ultralight weekend warriors to lightweight backcountry hunters and full-blown thru-hikers living in tents for months on end, the GearJunkie squad has spent countless nights cuddled up in ultralight shelters.
Author Chris Carter has paid his dues on hundreds of backpacking trips over just as many miles through all manner of conditions. Chris has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of long trails in the United States: the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail, and continues to backpack with an ultralight loadout all over the world.
Assisting in our ultralight tent testing is Senior Editor Nick Belcaster, a 2018 PCT thru hiker who has run his OG Zpacks Duplex into the ground and then some, with potentially more patches than original DCF at this point. His typical base weight hovers around 9 pounds, and he travels across the West testing everything from ultralight backpacks to hiking sandals.
The Hyperlite CrossPeak 2 is the first freestanding tent from the brand, and held up to everything Patagonia could throw at it; (photo/Nick Belcaster)
Our Testing Process and Testing Grounds
We’ve trekked to some of the most far-flung, remote corners of the globe, and weathered gale-force winds, snowy whiteouts, and perfect star-speckled nights in all sorts of featherlight tent designs. Along the way, we’ve learned the importance of a shelter for comfort and safety on any backcountry mission, and we won’t settle for anything but the best.
Our testing leans heavily on field experience, and much of it occurs on section hikes of the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails. Every ultralight tent we test is initially used without any instructions, giving us insight into the relative difficulty of setting it up. Then, we aim for the worst weather forecast we can find to test these shelters on their performance in harsh conditions.
Since this is ultralight equipment, we also rolled out the trusty kitchen scale to verify weights for ourselves, as well as compare compressed sizes when stuffed into the same compression sack, measure bathtub floor and peak heights, and even calculate the tent spaces needed for each set up. Combining these bench results from our field testing gives us the best possible understanding of these ultralight shelters, and when our recommendations come down to mere ounces, it all matters.
Our search also includes surveying current thru hikers on the shelters they’ve put thousands of miles on; (photo/Nick Belcaster)
Our UL Tent Rating System
We’ve identified a few rating attributes to compare these UL tents on, aiming to better understand where they excel and where they’ve gone a bit too far in the ultralight quest.
Space & Comfort
When rating on space and comfort, we look for specific internal measurements such as peak height, floor dimensions, and distance from our sleeping bags to the walls. We consider the size of vestibules and the coverage they provide. Overall, we rate tents the highest when they can store all equipment in a covered area, or even better, in the tent with you.
Weight
Weight is a big deal in ultralight shelters, and we look for sub-1-pound weights for any DCF trekking-pole supported tents to award the highest ratings. Sub 2-pound weights for any freestanding UL shelter earn a good score. Some, like tarps, will score very high in the weight category, but suffer in the weather resistance rating due to low coverage.
Weather Resistance
After our in-field and bench testing, we’ve got a pretty good idea of weather resistance, and we look for protection against rain, wind, and blown sand to award the highest scores here. Freestanding tents will score higher compared to trekking pole shelters, with the trade off being weight.
Ease of Use
A UL shelter should be simple to set up, but not all of them are. We look for simple staking, footprints that are able to sneak into smaller tent sites, and designs that use fewer tension lines and are easier to balance while setting up. Freestanding tents typically rate the highest, followed by non-freestanding, and then tarp shelters.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose an Ultralight Tent
We tested a variety of ultralight tent designs in a multitude of different environments and conditions to bring you the best of the best; (photo/Chris Carter)
Ultralight tents allow you to truly narrow in on absurdly minuscule base weights, but still must hold up to the rigors of life on trail. Your shelter is your first line of defense against life-threatening elements, and you shouldn’t fudge on safety for the sake of weight savings. Above, we covered a broad range of ultralight tent designs, and it’s important to seriously consider your needs and personal comfort threshold before jumping to a decision.
Below, we’ve outlined some important considerations when choosing the perfect model for your needs. The best ultralight tents help gram-conscious adventurers trim back the weight of their load. The tradeoff? These designs require more user care and, for some models, more time to set up than beefier builds.
All things considered, these featherlight tents are a great option for long-distance trekkers, thru-hikers, and other seasoned outdoor travelers wanting to slim down the burden of their supplies.
It’s important to note that this guide focuses on niche mega-light tents, and that choosing the right tent for you is essential. For more casual backpacking trips that afford a bit more comfort, check out our comprehensive guide on regular backpacking tents. And, if you’re simply scoping out a camping tent for car camping adventures or base camp luxury, be sure to scroll through our guide on the best camping tents on the market.
Seasonality
Senior Editor Chris Carter slowly getting buried by snow in the San Juans on the CDT in 2021. Gossamer Gear’s The One somehow survived the onslaught; (photo/Chris Carter)
Backpacking tents are typically built for three-season or four-season conditions. A three-season tent will suffice if you plan on using your tent across the spring, summer, and fall.
The infrastructure of a three-season tent can handle rain and light snow. Typically, these builds are not ideal for heavy snow, super-high winds, or vicious storms — like the harsh or blizzard conditions you might face while ski mountaineering. A four-season tent is a better choice for full-on winter, the weight of snow, and strong winds.
That said, ultralight shelters are designed with the demands of high-altitude stretches on long-distance trips like thru-hikes in mind. Our authors have weathered some seriously gnarly conditions in these flimsy shelters, including driving whiteouts in sub-zero temps.
Capacity & Doors
Lots of geometry and stitching wizardry is employed to maximize vestibule and living space in ultralight tents without packing on the pounds; (photo/Chris Carter)
Folks aiming for ultralight tents usually invest in a one- or two-person design. Three- and four-person ultralight tents exist, too. For instance, the three-person Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 Solution Dye ($500) is 2 pounds, 10 ounces.
Your ideal tent size depends on the number of campers, their overall size, and how much equipment needs to be stored. Brands categorize their tents based on the number of people, but the dimensions — length, width, height, and vestibule size — vary from tent to tent.
The tent’s peak height, which is where the tent is the tallest, also differs between each model. Get out your tape measure as you research. It’s also a good idea to visit a local retailer where the tent can be set up for you to check out in person.
You’ll want to consider whether one or two doors are more functional for you. Two doors can be helpful for each sleeper to have their own exit and entry. But, eliminating a door can cut weight and cost.
Ultralight tents that require only a single trekking pole for construction have the biggest challenge when it comes to maximizing space. Manufacturers have employed some serious geometric wizardry with these designs to increase space in both the vestibule and the enclosed sleeping area without adding significant weight. HMG’s Mid 1 sports one of our favorite vestibule designs on a single trekking pole shelter, increasing its space by placing the stakeout point further away from the mesh insert on the vestibule itself.
Whatever ultralight tent you decide to go with, make sure there is adequate room inside for your backpacking sleeping pad and sleeping bag of choice to comfortably deploy inside while leaving plenty of space for other gear. Taller, larger hikers need to keep this in mind if they tend to rock longer or wider pads and bags.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear throws some extra space into the vestibule of their Mid 1 by placing the stake further out from the mesh insert than other models; (photo/Chris Carter)
Single-Wall vs. Double-Wall
Tents are either single-wall or double-wall designs. Single-wall tents are lighter, nonbreathable, waterproof, and don’t include a rainfly. They typically don’t offer as much storage for gear but generally have some form of a vestibule.
A double-wall tent actually contains two items: a breathable tent paired with a waterproof rainfly. The setup usually offers vestibule space to stash equipment. Compared to a single-wall tent, the kit weighs more and requires more time to set up. Single-wall tents are less breathable and produce more condensation.
Materials & Footprints
The materials of ultralight tents need to be strong and waterproof enough to last thousands of miles, but light enough not to weigh you down; (photo/Elina Osborne)
Ultralight, strong materials — like Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) — cost more than heavier-set fabrics. For instance, the two-person Zpacks Duplex Lite weighs 14.9 ounces and costs $669. DCF has a phenomenal strength-to-weight ratio and is highly waterproof.
In contrast, the single-person Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL ($370) is constructed with ripstop nylon and weighs nearly 33 ounces. Their volume isn’t apples to apples, but the lighter material certainly comes at a premium.
Gossamer Gear’s The One uses an interesting nylon ripstop SIL/PU fabric that sheds water well and crams down tiny, but stretches out at night after your initial setup — particularly in the rain. We’ll often have to adjust the guyline’s tension in tents like these soon after they are pitched. This fabric is not quite as premium as DCF, but it gets the job done and has a phenomenal pack size.
The material used in tent construction is either inherently waterproof or treated with a DWR (durable water-repellent) coating to block precipitation. If the fabric is treated, it’ll eventually need a refresh, depending on the conditions faced, user care, and volume of use. A separate footprint, or groundsheet, isn’t required for an enclosed single-wall tent.
Ultralight materials are pretty durable, but they tend to break down if they’re roughly handled. Investing in an ultralightweight bundle means the hiker should be mindful with gear care.
Silpoly, or SIL/PU, fabrics can significantly cut the price on your UL shelter, but won’t be quite as lightweight as DCF options; (photo/Jackson Sims-Myers)
Minimalist Shelters
Minimalist shelters, like the Hexamid Pocket Tarp, are essentially rainflys that protect you from pouring elements — but not buzzing insects. The groundsheet is sold separately. Some designs have a zipper-free doorway that rolls up and can be clipped back. Campers can pair their superlight shelter with a personal bug net if the region is buggy.
To trim grams, some campers opt to leave behind the primary compartment of their double-wall tent kit. Instead, they solely use the footprint, poles, and rainfly.
Another option is a hammock tent: a hammock with a protective mesh enclosure and an optional rainfly, which is key if there are bothersome insects around like scorpions or ticks.
Weight and Packed Size
The packed sizes of two ultralight tents we tested; (photo/Darwin Rakestraw)
A dwelling’s ounces hinge on the materials — like the fabric and zippers — size, and whether poles, a rainfly, and footprint are included.
One of the lightest double-person tents on the market is the Zpacks Duplex Lite, which weighs 14.9 ounces. By comparison, the one-person ultralight Gossamer Gear The One weighs 20.6 ounces.
The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 1 is 33 ounces. To really slim down cargo, a minimalist option like the Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doors is 5.2 ounces.
There are no hard rules about what defines an ultralightweight tent. Folks with a goal to decrease haul weight need to consider the cumulative ounces of their entire kit. Generally, lightweight tents range from 48 to 72 ounces. Ultralight configurations are less than 48 ounces.
You’ll need to select a feathery tent that still delivers the features that you need — like built-in insect protection or not. Be forewarned, the lighter a tent is, the more complicated the setup is and the less headroom there is.
The packed size of a tent doesn’t correlate with its weight as much as it does with the materials used. Fabrics like nylon ripstop SIL/PU used in GG’s The One tend to squeeze down to a smaller packed weight than tents made of DCF (like HMG’s Mid 1) in the above photo, though the DCF models may boast a lighter weight.
Make sure that the packed size of your UL tent fits comfortably with the rest of your loadout in your ultralight backpack. Many packs that accompany these ultralight kits fall in the 35-45L range, and every element’s volume needs to be considered.
Pitching Ultralight Tents
Putting the Gossamer Gear The One through its paces on a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail; (photo/Chris Carter)
The lightest tents and shelters are non-freestanding, meaning they don’t include tent poles to be hoisted up. Instead, one or two trekking poles plus stakes are used to elevate the tent. The tent is held upright by tensioning the tent fabric between the trekking poles and stakes firmly planted in the ground.
Some light designs, like the Big Agnes Fly Creek UV UL 1, are freestanding and fast to pick up and adjust location — they just weigh a bit more. Most of the designs we tested for this guide use trekking poles as the backbone of their structure.
Compared to a freestanding tent, this type of skeleton takes more time to assemble, because the ground needs to offset the stake just right — especially if it’s windy or rainy out. This can be difficult, particularly in the alpine where it may be too rocky to drive stakes in at the perfect locations.
The stakes on trekking-pole-style tents need to be firmly planted in tough ground at specific points so they can be tensioned against the trekking poles to keep your tent upright; (photo/Chris Carter)
In a pinch, large rocks can be used to get the corners and guylines of your tent where they need to be. If you can’t slide a large rock into the cords coming out at the stakeout points, you can insert a stake into the cord, and place it horizontally on the ground with a large rock between the stake and the tent. When you tension the cords, the stake won’t be able to slide under the rock. This was our author’s method on many a night on thru-hikes when pitching his tent above the treeline.
We like to bring a couple of different lengths and strengths of stakes for the different stakeout points around our tents. We generally use shorter, lighter stakes for the four corners of trekking-pole-style tents and the guylines, and bring two longer, thicker options for staking out the sides of the tent, which bear more stress and need to have a more solid purchase in the ground.
Make sure to practice setting up your ultralight tent before setting off on your journey. It takes time to master how much tension you should put in the guy lines, what to adjust your trekking poles to, and how to avoid an awkward off-center pitch. Freestanding tents can be much more straightforward to set up, and there are additional considerations when pitching a trekking-pole-style tent.
Trekking Poles in Ultralight Tents
Two trekking poles slanted slightly outwards afford Gossamer Gear’s The One and Two a shocking amount of internal space to sit up, change clothes, or shuffle gear around; (photo/Chris Carter)
As discussed above, it can be a challenge to master the art of pitching a trekking-pole-style shelter. A perfect pitch largely boils down to appropriate trekking poles. If you are going to be depending on these types of tents in the backcountry, your poles need to be sturdy enough to handle brutal blasts of wind and rain, and long enough to reach the required length to properly pitch the tent.
These tents require you to expand your trekking poles much longer than you would have them set for hiking, and not every pole can extend to the lengths needed to reach the tent’s peak. Also, you most likely won’t be able to use fixed-length poles if you plan on bringing these types of tents along.
Select poles that have broad grips that fit solidly in the reinforced pouches at the peaks of your tent. Thin grips shift around and could even slide out of the tent in strong wind. The clasps on your poles need to be strong, as heavy wind could force your poles to collapse if they are weak, making the tent tumble in around you at midnight. Not a pleasant alarm clock — we speak from experience.
Bathtub Floor
The bathtub floor on the HMG Mid 1 can be adjusted with pull cords to raise or lower the sidewalls and regulate airflow into the tent; (photo/Chris Carter)
Frequently, ultralight setups have a bathtub floor, which prevents groundwater from seeping in during a weather event. A bathtub floor means that the waterproof fabric comprising the floor extends a few inches off the ground and up the tent walls.
These are important elements of ultralight tents, and need to be made of durable, extremely waterproof fabric. Some floors in models like many Zpacks tents and HMG’s Mid 1 (photographed above) allow you to adjust the height of the floor to allow more or less airflow into the tent and help regulate condensation buildup.
Vestibule & Interior Storage
Plenty of vestibule space is important for keeping backpacks and dirty shoes dry, but separate from your sleeping space; (photo/Chris Carter)
Ultralight tents will often have storm doors that roll back or clip forward to protect equipment rather than a zipper-enclosed vestibule door. Compare your body measurements to the tent’s width and length. If it’s stormy out and you’re hunkered down for a while, it’s nice to have a bit of extra room to bring some or all of the gear inside.
Otherwise, the vestibule can be a great spot to leave the boots or pack overnight. Stashing these in the vestibule helps keep debris and pebbles that could poke through the tent floor out of your living space.
Some ultralight tents might have small, interior mesh pockets to store a few items like a phone or headlamp. Generally, ultralight tents don’t have as many storage compartments as lightweight or heavier tent designs.
Guylines
Guylines help to maximize internal space on ultralight tents, and keep them secure in strong winds and storms; (photo/Chris Carter)
Guylines are important features on ultralight tents for a number of reasons. For trekking-pole-style tents, they serve as a quick and easy way to pull the sidewalls out further, immediately boosting the internal volume. For freestanding and double-wall shelters, this doesn’t apply quite as much, but they still can afford a bit more internal space.
Perhaps more importantly, however, guyline points allow you to further secure your tent to the ground in the case of tempestuous storms or strong wind. A properly guyed-out tent can withstand some seriously gnarly weather. Many tents come with a small spool of guyline cord in the box that you can stuff in the bottom of the stake bag in case they are needed. Others, like HMG’s Mid 1, require you to provide your own cordage if you want the additional protection.
Tent Stakes and Pole Splints
One of our author’s ultralight stake kits for a freestanding tent loadout; (photo/Chris Carter)
Like everything in the ultralight cult, the debate on the best ground stakes for an ultralight loadout is fierce and constantly evolving. Every iota of weight is scrutinized for each gear category — especially if there is any metal in the system.
The conversation around which stakes are best for which purpose is so nuanced and intense, that many ultralight tent manufacturers have stopped shipping stakes with their tents altogether. This is under the assumption that most UL backpackers have already dialed in on their specialized stake kit of choice — and in the case of our author — they’re not wrong.
We possess a variety of stake kits that we bring for different ultralight backpacking scenarios, and each serves its purpose in specific climates and environments. It would take too long to dig into the minutia of each kit’s models and purposes, but the one we use the most is our MSR Ground Hog combo. These stakes have proven themselves worthy over thousands of miles, and strike a healthy balance between strength and weight.
There are more featherlight options out there — like Vargo’s Titanium Shepherds Hooks (0.3 ounces) or Suluk 46’s absurd Atani Titanium Tent Stakes (0.17 ounces) — but unless we are trying to go as light as possible, the Ground Hogs are perfect for most UL backpacking trips we set out on. If we plan to rock a freestanding tent (which we usually do when hiking with a partner and sharing the tent’s weight), we simply bring the requisite number of ultralight MSR Mini Ground Hogs (0.35 ounces).
If we think we will have to pitch the tent in light snow or insane weather, we swap these out for their longer, sturdier older sibling: MSR’s regular Ground Hogs (0.5 ounces). For deep snow on winter objectives, you’d have to upgrade to beefier snow stakes like MSR’s Blizzard Stakes, or REI’s Snow Stakes.
When hiking with a trekking-pole-style tent — which is 90% of the time for us — we bring a combo of 4-6 Mini Ground Hogs, and two regular Ground Hogs for the side stakes. The stakes at the base of these tent’s doors and sides bear the most weight and are tensioned tight against the trekking poles. They need to be driven deep into hard ground so they don’t pull out when you cinch your tent tight, or when it’s hit with a strong gust of wind.
If we are backpacking with a freestanding tent, we will almost always throw in a lightweight pole splint in case one of our poles snaps or cracks mid-trip. Simply slide these splints over the broken area, and you can still pitch your tent until you get to a place where you can replace the poles. Splints have saved us on a number of trips, and we don’t like to leave home without them.
Ventilation and Dealing With Condensation
Ultralight tent manufacturers have come up with some creative ventilation designs to deal with condensation, but most single-wall shelters still struggle with moisture buildup at night; (photo/Chris Carter)
Ultralight tents often feature mesh walls, storm doors that furl back, or no walls at all for airflow. Mesh walls decrease the overall temperature inside the tent and help fight condensation. As mentioned, single-wall tents with a solid synthetic construction experience more condensation and feel clammy beneath precipitation.
Ultralight tent designers have done everything they can to limit condensation buildup, but the reality of the matter is — those walls are going to sweat. Vents on the walls (like in the photo above), broad mesh panels, and variable bathtub floor heights can minimize the misery, but in our experience, some condensation is inevitable.
There are a number of ways to mitigate moisture buildup in ultralight tents, and you can fight the condensation calamities if you work with the wind and pitch your tent in an appropriate location. Here is a bit of wisdom we’ve accrued through trial and error during our countless nights in the backcountry:
- Ventilate your tent as much as possible by sleeping with all the doors rolled back or with the rainfly off if it’s not raining. This helps humid air and moist vapor from your breath to easily escape.
- Avoid camping under the open sky as much as possible. If you can, pitch your tent under a tree’s canopy.
- Orient your tent so that the vents are facing the direction of the wind. This allows the wind to circulate through your tent easier and boosts ventilation.
- Try not to hang wet clothes or shoes up to dry inside your tent whenever possible. Drying them inside your tent boosts humidity. If you need to keep them inside, store them in a dry sack so the moisture is contained. Make sure you have plenty of lashing points on your backpacking backpack so you can tie wet gear up to dry in the sun as you hike the next day. Under the same token, cook and boil water outside your tent as much as possible.
- Avoid camping right next to streams, rivers, lakes, or marshy areas with higher humidity when you can help it. We know — It’s fun to camp next to a babbling brook, though, so don’t sacrifice the beauty of a potential campsite just so your tent is a bit dryer. For us, the condensation cost is usually worth it for the experience.
- If possible, don’t pitch your tent in low valleys or depressions of a landscape where cold air lingers at night.
- As one of our old thru-hiking mentors would say, “Simply hold your breath all night. It’s the only way to keep ultralight tents dry.”
In all honesty, there’s no golden rule for getting rid of drippy condensation. Our best advice is to embrace it as part of the brutal but beautiful joy of backpacking — and pull your tent out to dry in the sun when you plop down for lunch the following day.
Soaking up that Sierra magic in Gossamer Gear’s flagship ultralight tent during a thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail; (photo/Chris Carter)
Price & Value
Ultralight backpacking equipment often isn’t cheap, but you also don’t need to part with any extraneous organs in order to get your hands on a solid UL tent, either. With options in both silnylon/silpoly and more deluxe composites like Dyneema Composite Fabric or Ultra, there’s a definite range of tents out there.
You’ll need to consider how often you’ll be using your tent as a major deciding factor — thru-hikers will obviously need to opt for a larger investment, while weekend backpackers can likely get away with less.
Budget
If you’ve already splurged on your UL pack and sleep setup, going with a budget ultralight shelter can make a lot of sense. These will typically run you between $250 and $300, and they are overwhelmingly single-wall designs made from silicon-treated nylon or polyester. This certainly helps to keep the price down, but it won’t be as light as tents made from DCF.
The Gossamer Gear The One ($255) is still our favorite budget UL tent, and while some single-person tents use a solo trekking pole design, the One uses two to create a good amount of interior space. The Durston X-Mid 1 ($239) is set up in a similar way, but uses a unique offset design to increase interior space even further, and sports a double wall design. Both are reliable shelters with entire thru-hikes under their belts, and less than many mainstream backpacking tents today.
Mid-Tier
Spending between $400 and $600 opens up a lot of doors in ultralight tents, including the use of DCF materials in the build. Single hiker shelters like the Zpacks Plex Solo ($599) and Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 ($599) both hover around the 1-pound mark, and sport around 20 sq. ft. of floor space, which we’ve found just about right for solo hikers.
You can also get into a lightweight freestanding tent for these prices, and the $370 Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 1 is even a bargain comparatively. Overall weight will be a little higher due to the use of tent poles (2 pounds on the Fly Creek), but the ability to set up the tent on rock slabs or frozen ground can make a worthy tradeoff.
An all-around shelter like the Zpacks Duplex will run you around $650+, but can last multiple thousand miles. This shelter has been used for over 2,700 miles; (photo/Erika Courtney)
Premium
It could be argued that all ultralight tents are premium, but there is an upper crust even here, with full DCF two-person shelters running upward of $700. These tents make use of a lot of Dyneema, which helps explain their lofty price tags, but quality design also weighs heavy here.
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P ($699) and Zpacks Duplex ($699) are very similar tents, and both implement a design that has been refined over many years of testing on long trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ultralight tent?
The best ultralight tent is one that keeps you comfortable in the terrain where you venture and one that alleviates the weight on your back. However, you could sacrifice comfort and durability if you choose an ultralight tent that’s too lightweight.
Some experienced thru-hikers and adventurers prefer to drop as much weight as possible to help them boost mileage. And they don’t mind the caveat of being more vulnerable to the surrounding habitat and inclement weather.
Are ultralight tents durable?
Ultralight tents are fairly durable against the weather but are also more sensitive to abrasion and rough handling than heftier tent designs. The lower the ounces, the more conscious the tent’s user needs to be.
How much do ultralight tents weigh?
There’s no universal guideline that defines the ultralightweight tent category. Generally, ultralight tents weigh less than 48 ounces. The shelters recommended in this guide range from 5.2 to 33 ounces, and this list isn’t comprehensive of all the best ultralight options.
Are ultralight tents worth the cost?
An ultralight tent is a stellar investment for long-distance or high-volume trekkers seeking to move faster and more nimbly. Also, if an outdoor traveler is seeking to pare down their entire overnight kit, cutting the den weight is a good avenue.
Some hikers need to lessen the burden on their bodies for health reasons and overall longevity, and the extra cost is worthwhile.
How long do backpacking tents last?
Backpacking tents degrade over time due to exposure to the elements. Those variables include rain and direct sunlight, contact with the terrain, overall handling, care, and storage conditions.
As with any outdoor equipment, tents reflect wear and tear with time. They will last longer if they’re well maintained.
To give you an idea, the Zpacks Duplex Tent claims it will last a minimum of 2,500 miles straight or several years of casual use. Thru-hiker Elina Osborne confirmed the tent tackled her 2,653-mile journey along the PCT and counting.
At print, the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 1 handled 200 days of use. The Zpacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doors withstood more than 300 nights. And the Gossamer Gear The One breezed through more than 3,000 miles, all according to our expert crew of thru-hikers. Each of those tents isn’t in mint condition but they’re all still workable, protective, and in the field.
How do I make my backpacking tent last longer?
You can integrate a few simple routines to extend the life of your tent. During a trip, shake out the tent before you pack it away, to relinquish loose debris that could scrape the fabric.
After heavy use, your shelter can be soaked in soapy water, rinsed, and hung or put up outside in the shade to completely dry. When it’s ready to be stashed, make sure the tent is in a dry, fairly cool place and not wound up tight.
You can make simple repairs too. Tent seams are taped to prevent water from entering the tent but can degrade. They can be restrengthened with seam sealer.
A waterproof coating can be reapplied, as well. Be sure to check with your tent’s manufacturer about which aftermarket products are compatible with the materials.
How do I know when to replace my backpacking tent?
If the interior material itself is falling apart — as in, the waterproof coating is peeling off — that’s a clear sign the tent is worn out, and it’s near time for a replacement. If there are large holes (like from a campfire spark) that can’t be dependably patched, it’s a fair segue to a new purchase.
Furthermore, as more outdoor industry brands remove chemical treatments from their tent products, you might opt to purchase a tent that is more environmentally friendly and aligns with your health needs.
Basking in the glory of one of the most magical sunsets author Chris Carter saw on the Continental Divide Trail next to his trusty GG The One; (photo/Chris Carter)
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