Directory Of Lightweight Backpacking Tents And Shelters Under 3 Pounds

56 Responses to “Directory Of Lightweight Backpacking Tents And Shelters Under 3 Pounds”

1. 

   LarryB Reply April 25, 2012 at 9:52 am

   Hi Erik, Thanks for this great resource. Your listed weights are somewhat lower than what I am seeing though. Are you listing the minimum weight which usually includes fly and footprint?

   I have both the Big Agnes SL1 and the Big Agnes FC1. With poles, stakes, body, and fly these weigh in at 42oz for the SL1 and 32.9oz for the FC1. Both handle superbly in heavy rain. Your listed weights on these are much less.

   • 

     Erik The Black Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:06 am

     @LarryB: For tents I have listed the “trail weight” from the manufacturers website, which usually includes the tent body, rainfly, poles, guylines and stakes (the important stuff) but leaves out nonessential things like stuff sacks, stake bags, instruction manuals, etc. For tarptents and tarps I listed whatever weight is listed on the manufacturer’s website. Depending on the shelter this usually includes the weight of the shelter and guylines, but may or may not include the stakes (which sometimes are not included). I will check on those Big Agnes tents to make sure I didn’t get those wrong. I have been getting pretty cross-eyed from looking at all these numbers the last few days

   • 

     Erik The Black Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:18 am

     @LarryB: I checked the Big Agnes website and according to them the trail weight of the Seedhouse SL1 is 2lb, 1oz (33oz) and the Fly Creek SL1 is 1lb, 14oz (30 oz). I’m guessing they probably made some changes for 2012 that lightened them up a bit. Either way, they are both impressively light for double wall tent shelters. Thanks for the heads up.

2. 

   Jim Keener ( J J ) Reply April 25, 2012 at 9:59 am

   Nice list, Erik. A good place to start. Thanks.

3. 

   Scott J Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:20 am

   A few more that I didn’t see on the list:

   GoLite Poncho Tarp
   http://www.golite.com/Poncho-Tarp-P885.aspx

   GoLite Shangri-La 1 Tent
   http://www.golite.com/Shangri-La-1-Tent-P46825.aspx

   Eureka Solitaire
   http://store.eurekatent.com/solitaire-tent

4. 

   Robin Acock Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:25 am

   Hi Erik,
   I hiked from the border to Tehachapi last year and used a Terra Nova Laser Competition and found it excellent. I had never back packed before (Hauser canyon was the first night I have ever camped!) so it was a bit of a shot in the dark. It isn’t roomy but survived the storm a day north of Warner Springs with no trouble and I had little trouble with condensation. It is a double skin tent and weighs about 34 ozs although I took a few stronger tent pegs which would add a little. It is British, so I don’t know if it available in the USA. I paid £208, so a bit over $300 I suppose.
   There is a smaller version now that is only 19 ozs, but it has no storage space at all and is meant for fell runners. It might not be suitable for long distance back packing.

   And thanks for all the notes on the web site – they have given me a lot to think about – very useful.

   Robin

5. 

   Marty Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:26 am

   Hi Eric,
   take a look at this tarp

   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RVHBLO/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i01

   I’ve got one, super light, packs small

6. 

   Dambara Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:34 am

   Awesome job, Erik, thanks! I like Joe Valesko’s intelligent ZPacks designs: for my Hexamid Solo Tent, since I don’t use hiking poles, the lightweight external frame-poles in my Blast 36 backpack remove and combine to serve as the Hexamid’s single support pole. Very multipurpose ultralight!

7. 

   Gary Costello Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:40 am

   Hi Eric,
   I have recently ordered a Trailstar shaped tarp by Mountain Laurel Designs. There is a Cuben and Silnylon version which I was unable to see on your list….Unless I’m being thick!
   Regards,
   Gary
   South Wales.

8. 

   Steven Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:42 am

   You may want to look at the Blackbird Hammock from Warbonnet Outdoors. I have both the Hennesy asym and the Blackbird. I prefer the Blackbird becuase of the foot box, superfly, and yeti underquilt.

9. 

   Jane Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:53 am

   I’ve been enjoying your posts. Informative. Inviting. Interesting that it goes from heaviest to lightest. I love my Zpacks hexamid and would put them on top! great job though and comprehensive … Including additions in comments.

10. 

    Tim Reply April 25, 2012 at 10:57 am

    im rocking Integral Designs Siltarp1 Person 7 oz

    http://www.backcountry.com/integral-designs-siltarp1-person

11. 

    scoutboy Reply April 25, 2012 at 11:15 am

    I didn’t see the tent I use; six moon designs Lunar Duo. A huge(54″x90″) 2 person tent with 2 x 12sqft vestibules at 41oz. With my Ti stakes I am about 45oz.

12. 

    Keith Reply April 25, 2012 at 11:17 am

    This is a great list. I did not see Kelty
    Noah Tarps, all have good size to weight ratios and are inexpessive.

13. 

    Diana Reply April 25, 2012 at 11:29 am

    Love me Big Agnes solo. Great value. Can sit up in it and fit my whole pack if needed – with vestibule for muddy boots.

14. 

    Thumper aka dofdear Reply April 25, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Eric, Check out TNF Simple Bivy. It comes in at 16ozs and is a better bivy option than say the REI Minimalist Bivy as the TNF bivy is a complete enclosure where the REI is open with bug netting. See http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/simple-bivy.html?parent_category_rn=&cm_vc=Search

15. 

    brian Reply April 25, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    hey eric
    thanks for sending a new gear list.
    on tents.

16. 

    RJ Lewis Reply April 25, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Wow- what a list! I see both tents of mine on there..my Double rainbow and my Contrail. But if I ever wanted to lighten up further, I definitely have some options with this list you have created for us. Thank you for taking the time to do so. I refer alot of folks here for accurate information, since there seems to be alot of inaccurate info out there recently. Keep up the great work!!

    Oh…a great map project that badly needs to be done is the North Country Trail- the one that runs about 4000 miles from Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota to the east coast. It would be a challenge indeed, but one that would really be appreciated and get more folks using the trail. Another good project would be the Superior Lake trail (SHT)and the trails along the border of Minnesota and Canada. Some of these are badly in need of your good mapping skills. Just some ideas, as if you don’t have enough already.. LOL.
    Take care and again, thanks for all the hard work you do for us hiker trash!
    RJ

17. 

    Lollygag Reply April 25, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Great List! It makes me covet the ZPack stuff. The Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn (two person spinaker tarp) has performed great for me solo although it would be very tight for two. As it is, it could be longer. In hunker-down mode, with both sides pinned down for super stormy weather, it is only comfortable for one. In fair weather pitch it is delightfully roomy for one, but not overkill, granted I like some overhang for rainy Washington state weather. I’ve tried solo and poncho tarps here and they seemed inadequate for our mountain rain.

18. 

    Sean Reply April 25, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Thanks for putting all of this together! It would have saved me a lot of time if I didn’t buy myself a new tent a few months ago…Makes me kick myself in the ass for finding ones on your list that are cheaper AND lighter.

19. 

    helen Reply April 25, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    Eric,

    Thanks for the list. great reference tool. I would suggest some of oware tarps @ http://www.owareusa.com

    he has a cuben fiber tarp..7.5 x7.5 at 4.5 ozs.

    also, a 5×8 30d silnylon at 6.5 ozs and a cuben fiber one at 3 ozs.

    also, a 8 x 10 30d silnylon at 13.5 ozs.

    Plus quite a few other sizes.

    I have used the 5 x 8 silnylon one and really enjoy it.

20. 

    PThurman Reply April 25, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I have a tent at 5 lbs 3oz, would you consider this average weight, or heavy? A tent under 2 lbs doesn’t seem like it would give any kind of shelter that would hold up to any of the elements.

21. 

    Eva B Reply April 25, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    Thanks, Eric for the gear information. Being a newbie in serious ultralight gear your list will help tremendously.

22. 

    Alan Reply April 25, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    I’d suggest including the Mountain Laurel Designs Patrol Shelter.

23. 

    JAbbott Reply April 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    Erik:
    Great list! You are an incredible resource for lightweight/ultralight hiking…devoting the time and energy required to put together such a comprehensive directory (with photos to boot). Thank you, you rock!

24. 

    Jon Reply April 25, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    Jane and Eric,
    I’m planning a 2013 PCT thru-hike and have been considering ZPacks Hexamid Solo plus and Six Moon Design’s Wild Oasis. The weight of the Solo is great but I have a concern about the 29″ entry being very tight for this 62 yr old man. Any comments?

    Eric, great resource, thanks.

25. 

    gary rivers Reply April 25, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    Look at hilleberg atko its a great tent. I use it for 4 season camping it is durable and pretty much bomb proof.

26. 

    Linda V Reply April 25, 2012 at 9:54 pm

    An awesome list Erik. Thank you for putting it all together in one convenient place. My go-to shelter is my Gatewood cape, I absolutely love it. I do have a Tarptent Contrail but don’t use it anymore. I will forward this list to a friend who will be in the market for a light weight shelter soon

27. 

    Jay Wiese Reply April 26, 2012 at 6:43 am

    Great list. Suggest splitting out 1-, 2-, and 3-person shelters into separate categories. Shared weight for some of the heavier 2-person tents works out to less than 2 lbs per person.

28. 

    Jane Reply April 26, 2012 at 8:58 am

    To answer Pthurman. I’m just a customer of Zpacks and as I understand it to test his product, a hexamid tent, that is somewhere around nine ounces he did the entire continental divide trail that included snow and every kind of inclement weather and he could continue to do it again with the same tent. Many others have since followed in his footsteps. There are other cottage companies using cuben fiber as well. The material is lightweight, waterproof and has tear resistance. Other lightweight materials such as silnylon have also held up readily on thru hikes and all weather conditions. A weightier pack may or may not be more durable. (I once had a relatively heavy bivy from a big reputable company and the waterproof coating all peeled off in a mess after a short time). Lighter weight makes for more enjoyable hiking and I believe any of the choices listed here have been proven to be adequately durable. Hope that helps.

29. 

    Garrett Reply April 26, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Eric,

    I just came across your post, and it looks like you have a great site. I work for the North American distributor of Terra Nova (which someone mentioned above). They would be a great addition to this post as they specialize in lightweight tents.

    Terra Nova currently manufactures nine tents that would fit your criteria above. In fact, they have the Guinness World Record for the lightest double walled tent in the world. Could you shoot me an email at garrettadrian@sport-hansa.com if you’d be interested to learn more? Thanks!

30. 

    Dambara Reply April 26, 2012 at 11:51 am

    To answer Jon,

    Jon, I’m a 59-year-old man using the Hexamid Solo tent, and it works fine. For me, lightness + intelligent design equals the most joyful combo for LD hiking.

    I’m merely doing the JMT in August, so your 2013 PCT thru-hike is inspiring! Cheers!

31. 

    Grace Reply April 26, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    So glad to see my favorite Eureka Spitfire on here! It may not be the lightest, but for those of us who need to balance $$ with light weight, it’s by far the best bang for your buck on this page.

32. 

    Jane Reply April 27, 2012 at 2:10 am

    Hi Jon. You only have a decade on me and I find the doorway of the hexamid easy to access. I did get the “beak” for the doorway that can be folded back. … Sort of a vestibule and added protection There are a few YouTube videos that the maker, Joe does that might help answer your question. I find it easy to sit up and also enjoy views.

33. 

    j Reply April 27, 2012 at 3:19 am

    Tarptent Moment:

    http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html#specs

    •Clip-in breathable liner available
    •Free-standing with optional 7-ounce pole
    •Very stable and taut pitch with PitchLoc foldable corners
    •No-see-um mesh with separate mesh door for airflow
    and views; bug proof when zipped up
    •Adjustable venting at ends, apex, and sides
    •Quick drying — inside and out in minutes
    •Reflective spectra cord guylines

    Show Dimensions | Product Sheet (pdf) | Setup (pdf)

    Sleeps

    Weight (oz/kg)

    Floor Width (in/cm)

    Floor Length (in/cm)

    Floor Area
    (ft2/m2)

    Interior Height (in/cm)

    Stakes (included)

    Packed Size (in/cm)

    Price

    1

    30/ 0.85

    42/ 107

    84/ 213

    19/ 1.8

    39/ 99

    2 x 6in/ 15cm

    20 x 4 / 51 x 10

    $235

34. 

    HeatherDarnell Reply April 27, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Wow – thanks for including that cool-looking Big Sky Wisp 1p Super Bivy!! I had never heard of a Super Bivy so I’m grateful you have them listed here My tarp got thrashed on a recent Boy Scout trip [the poor kid tripped over my orange line!! Completely tore the tarp ] SO I have been shopping for a suitable replacement.

35. 

    Bill Reply April 27, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    If you are listing tarps, and it seems you are, don’t miss the patrol. I typically carry it, and my tent stakes are heavier than it is. (!)

36. 

    Bob Pringle Reply May 6, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    Hi Erik,
    Been reading your emails and blogs for a while now. Much appreciated. Got a Big Agnes Copper Spur imported from the USA, (unfortunately not available over here for us limeys).Fab tent by the way. Don’t know if you have heard of tent makers Terra Nova.
    They make a tent which weighs in at about 18 ounces.Not sure if it is available in USA. You can view it here:
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/terra_nova_laser_ultra_1_tent_review.html

37. 

    Tony Mason Reply May 15, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    I did not see any golite products in your list the shangrila 1 and 3 are quite light and very affordable

38. 

    m Reply May 27, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    thanks for all your work (and play). finished jmt last summer-your guidebook and ultra-light suggestions helped greatly. just ordered tent after getting inspired from your list.
    want to try a piece of cdt this summer (s. co-n.nm), since i don’t see one of yours, is there a guidebook for that trail you could recommend?

    • 

      Erik The Black Reply May 29, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      @m: Last time I checked most CDT hikers used Jon Jey’s maps. Here are some other map books for the CDT which are new: CDT Map Books. I don’t know anything about these.

39. 

    Thumper Reply May 29, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    Hey Eric, Are you planning on updating this list? Many folks have identified other great shelter choices that should be considered and added to your list.

    Thumper aka dofdear

    • 

      Erik The Black Reply June 6, 2012 at 10:14 am

      @Thumper: Yes I will update the list when I have the time. In the meantime new shelters will be posted in the comments.

40. 

    RJ Lewis Reply May 30, 2012 at 9:30 am

    After looking through all the tents you have posted, I went back and looked at Lightheart Gear’s Solo in cuben fiber. I took the leap, getting perhaps the last tent of the season, as they are now sold out of cuben fiber tents. I will be taking it out for a long hike on the Superior Hiking Trail before long. Thanks for posting such great info! Absolutely love your site.

    • 

      Erik The Black Reply June 6, 2012 at 10:15 am

      @RJ: Please let me know how you like the Lightheart Gear Solo. I really like the design of that tent and have been seriously considering buying one (in silnylon). I’ll be interested to hear how it works for you.

41. 

    JoeG Reply June 6, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    I’ve had a Tartptent Contrail for 2 1/2 years, and I’ll never use anything else. I don’t hike in the snow, so I don’t have to worry about snowloads. I hike generally in the Sierras, above 8,000 ft. I’m 6’2″ and the Contrail has plenty of room for me. I especially appreciate the netting that zips up tight and bug-proof. The tent folds up and rolls up small enough to be crammed into the basement with my sleeping bag. Plus, when I had questions about the tent, Henry Shires was more than helpful in teaching me how to use it.

    Two thumbs up for the Tarptent Contrail!

42. 

    RJ Lewis Reply June 7, 2012 at 11:58 am

    @Erik
    Would be happy to send a report your way when I get back from my trip to the Superior Hiking Trail. I should be home in early July. Also ordered a new 42L pack from Elemental Horizons, (24oz- customized for my personal issues). Take care Erik and be looking forward to talking to you soon!
    RJ

43. 

    Steve Reply July 19, 2012 at 5:58 am

    Hi guys,there is a company called appy trails that do a very ultra light tent called the mark 3, sleeps comes in at around 550grams.
    May be worth addin to the list?
    Great list though
    Cheers

44. 

    Dave Reply July 23, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Hi Erik,

    How about Black Diamond’s Mids? The Mega Light comes in under 3lbs and sleeps 4 comfortably (I fit 5 college freshman in one during a downpour!) The Beta is around 2lb., while the Beta Light is 1.5lb. BD also has a whole bunch of bivy, though I’ve never used them.

    Thanks, and keep up the great work!

45. 

    Tim Reply August 1, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    I have the Appy Trails Mark V which is of course bigger than the Mark III, but with a wife and two dogs I need the bigger one. My wife’s not happy with the lack of a floor but then again that is what a ground cloth is for.

    I’ve seen the Mark III and if it sets vup as quick and easy as the Mark V then it is a great tent as well.

46. 

    Patrick Fitz-Gibbon Reply August 1, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    Really helpful list, I have a Huntech bivy bag , Huntech is a New Zealand based company and it has kept me warm and dry on many nights. I am not sure if you have Huntech gear in the USA at this stage but they are well worth checking out.

47. 

    jp Reply September 19, 2012 at 10:22 am

    love your site brother very informative. keep it up

48. 

    Karl Reply October 5, 2012 at 5:59 am

    Nice list!
    I believe several of these tents would also fit on it.
    http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/tents-and-spares/ultralight-lightweight-tents/

49. 

    Valerie Reply February 12, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    This is more of a glorified tube tent or bivy, but you can’t beat the price. ($40) You absolutely must waterproof/seam seal it. If you use trekking poles instead of the tent poles, and replace the stakes with aluminum you can get it under 2 pounds. Condensation and size are the biggest issues, would like to see if I can modify it to add ventilation…

    http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___36447

50. 

    Carl Reply February 24, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    Erik,

    I’m close to “pulling the trigger” on Judy’s LightHeart Cuben Solong-6. I’ve corresponded with her getting the options down. I understand you have a LightHeart (Solong-6)?

    Any thoughts you may have that I can consider that you’re willing to share. What factored into your decision making? What tent features did you go with/why? You have my email if you need to reply direct.

    thanks–Carl

    • 

      Erik The Black Reply February 25, 2013 at 12:00 pm

      @Carl: I ordered the standard Lightheart Gear Solo in silnylon and received it a couple weeks ago. So far I am very impressed with the shelter. I like the design a lot, especially the fact that you can pull back the flys in good weather exposing all that mesh. The biggest complaint I have with most backpacking shelters is they feel claustrophobic, but this shelter solves that problem.

      I did run into a bit of a problem setting it up because my trekking poles are old and the locking mechanisms are worn out, so it takes a lot of twisting and turning to get them to lock properly. The way you set up this shelter is you get inside, put your trekking poles in place and stick the tips into the PVC ridge pole, then extend the trekking poles and lock them to hold up the tent. This took a bunch of fiddling because my poles wouldn’t lock (not the fault of the tent). I finally got it to work by twisting the poles so that they were almost locked before putting them in place. I also noticed that you could accidentally poke a hole in the roof if the poles aren’t securely inserted into the ridge pole when setting up, so that’s something to pay close attention to.

      I’m six feet tall and the standard size is a bit short for me. My head and feet feel a bit cramped when I’m laying down. So I think I will exchange it for the SoLong version. I went with silnylon over Cuben fiber because I like the extra durability and longevity of silnylon.

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