The Absolute LIGHTEST Tents You Can Buy

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[chmduquesne]

As a EU viewer, I highly appreciate that you write the values in metric units on screen when you are saying the imperial number. I think this a very elegant way to speak to all audiences without breaking your flow. More YouTubers should do that

[danielwehner]

I started with the Lan Shan. The sagging is really annoying, especially because you need the tension for a proper pitch. Switched to the SMD Lunar Solo and fell in love instantly. Soo much room and the quality is great! I wish I knew before, I could have saved the money for the first try. I also was thinking about the Zpacks, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend that much money on a tent.

[louspeed]

If I wanted (or had the resources) to drop $600 on a tent, I would choose the Durston. I recently purchased the silpoly version which is really impressive in its design. Can't wait to get out on a trip this spring!

[bootmender]

Back when I was young and doing a lot of hiking mostly in the winter I used North face. I have been in the Alps, to the base camp of Everest, the Appalachian Trail twice. Now in my 70’s it’s over-landing in my 4x4 van. Colin Fletcher was my mentor.

[brianmcmurdie]

I’ve been using the Lanshan 2 for 2 years and about 30 nights. I’m done with nylon. I’m looking at the Lunar Solo. I love the roomy space, not having to tighten the tie-outs constantly (because of sagging) and the price is pretty good.

[jeffrubin]

I have Lunar Solo and think its a great choice. The sil-poly material absorbs much less water than sil-nylon, so when you pack up in the morning you’re not carrying all that water weight. Easy to set up. Good price. Plenty of room for your gear. Mine weighs in at 29 ounces with stakes and a Sea to Summit dry bag. Packs down small.

[ChristianPaulPhotography]

For going solo, for the weight and ease of pitch, as well as unique places you can pitch it I have the Lunar Solo. I’m on my third season with mine and I even did the Uinta Highline Trail with mine. I only hike with one pole so the other two pole tents on your list just have no value to me. Six Moon did seam seal mine but I went over it myself, including adding silicone dots on the floor to keep my pad from moving around. It’s held up to heavy rain, hail, frost, high winds, and still is a joy to pack with me. This is a great overview of all these tents. But for single pole hikers like me, the Lunar Solo is the obvious choice.

[charitallman]

After much thought I bought the SMD Lunar Solo. I'm 6ft 3inches tall and love the space (I keep my gear inside) and headroom to sit up and cook in the vestibule. Been on some great treks together!

[ropersix]

I have the Lunar Solo, and have used it for about a dozen nights out backpacking. I like so much about it, but its one huge drawback is the total "footprint"--ie, the space required to pitch it, which includes the guys lines, and especially the main front one. A couple of times I just couldn't fit it all into a space, and had to move to a less desirable spot (after spending time trying to make it work in the first one). The X-Mid Pro One (and the regular Pro) looks like the smallest footprint among the bunch here, but I really wish reviews would include the actual space needed to pitch the tents. The specs only ever mention the floor size, which isn't very helpful with the single wall trekking pole tents.

[LMay]

I have the plex solo, a duplex and an older model of a SMD dcf tent. I especially like my Tarptent Notch Li, which is a super nice alternative considering it's dcf, double wall and very easy to set up. Their most recent addition to the Tarptent line, the Dipole Li, is a very nice tent at a pretty hefty price. I will most likely eventually try the Durston DCF tent because of its amazing innovation. I just need to save up a few more bucks!

[TheOlsonOutfit]

I really appreciate that this video has all these tents side by side. I think the extra room of the Six Moons Design Lunar Solo make it the one for me.

[BoofSquank]

Worth mentioning the regular version of the Durston Xmid, might even appeal to more people because the double wall helps prevent condensation from landing on your gear.

[AdamHunt-gy]

I’ve been using the Six Moon Solo Luna for several years now and for an inexpensive tent it has a lot of pluses. The Solo Luna easily accommodates my 6’4” frame and my backpack. While the headspace isn’t stellar while sitting up, it can be slightly increased for sleeping by using the additional guides and use a trekking pole and a stake increase you head or foot room. Pros; reasonably priced, moderate weight, relatively easy setup but I recommend practicing putting it up a few times before your first time out with it, remarkable little condensation even below freezing. Cons; I wish there were some interior loops to hang lights or laundry in the interior. Getting a perfect pitch is a challenge. Getting in and out can be tricky. The hardware for the vestibule’s guideline looks flimsy and I’d hate to try to replace the hook in the field. As mentioned the tent doesn’t come sealed but you can pay Six Moon to do it or, like me, you can do it yourself. Granted, my seem sealed looks as if I were drunk when I did it and I had to go back to do it a second time. I’d also recommend using a ground cloth. Six Moon sells a poly cro two part ground cloth that weighs practically nothing but it’s a bit of a wrestling match but you could also use a sheet as a rain skirt so there’s that. Or, you could use a sheet of Tyvex, it’s slightly heavier but you loose the ability to use it as a rain skirt.

[mr.perfect]

Great Great video! I have the lunar solo. Mostly because I am 6'3" and the other tents just don't have the room I need. And the price is great. The tent is still super light, and I think polyester is the perfect tent material. It's heavier than dyneema but more durable and significantly cheaper. Plus I just love the 6MD folks. They want you to be able to bring your dog and that is just very endearing to me, not to mention they really do make a great product that they totally stand behind.

[pharrigan-hikes]

I have the 2 person outdoor vitals tent and enjoy it a lot for use by myself. It being my first trekking pole tent; I don't have anything to compare it to except the old Coleman tents I used to lug. So in that respect, I love it for being so light and easy to set up.

[stevenreeves]

Love your videos thank you. THe Lanshan 1 Pro is great for entry level campers. Adult Scout Leaders headed on a high adventure trek, for instance, to Philmont, often do not have the funds to buy more expensive tents and frankly may not use the tent much more than their one major trek. I always recommend it as a great first tent. If they keep backpacking then it makes sense to refine their gear, start to really think about $ and grams and the community. My point is - don't discount the Lanshan 1. Its a great starter shelter and will help introduce more people to the hobby we all love. Thanks again for your thoughtful and insightful content.

[bobpadrick]

Tarptent ProTrail Li for me. Pitches in about a minute. Roomy width. Head room at the head of the tent (over your head) so it's not in your face all night, instead of in the middle of the tent (over your junk) where you (or at least I) don't need all that much clearance. Useable vestibule. Dyneema. 4 stakes. (5 stakes in high wind.) If you don't use trekking poles, they sell poles that are whisper light. It's a flippin' great tent!

[danielcluley]

X-mid Pro 1 is the best design I have ever used.

You can tell it was made by somebody who actually does multi-day, long distance hikes.

Fantastic tent.

[fje]

I went with Zpacks Altaplex a couple years ago, and love it. At 6’3” I need that extra length, and it has some extra width which is nice. Vestibule is pretty decent also. Pricey but worth it.

[evanshaw]

Love your knowledge perspective and ability to empathize with all different types of outdoor people. Keep up the good work. I have the gossamer gear tent. If below treeline it’s superbe if one hikes eats sleeps and up early. Bug protection is a must. It’s great