Bottom Line

For an unbeatable price for its weight, the Two is a tent focused on trade-offs that should attract a specific type of ultralight backpacker. While we believe this tent serves a niche market, it’s not particularly large. However, within that niche, we think it’s fantastic and should make many people very happy on their adventures. For general recommendations, we believe most people are better off either saving up for a more versatile tent or opting for a less expensive option that offers greater comfort and durability. We provide examples of both in our guide to the best ultralight tents. 

For starters, The Two feels cramped. Both in terms of numbers and practicality, the 26 square feet of floor space isn’t the most comfortable, especially for taller people. The floor is only 84 inches, and with steeply sloping walls, the usable length is even less. When testing side by side with other tents in local parks in the Midwest, this was the one where we felt the most claustrophobic. However, it does offer a truly remarkable amount of lateral headroom due to its slanted trekking pole design, something we appreciate. But that headroom also means The Two is disproportionately wide, which makes it struggle even more in the wind. This is not our favorite shelter for weathering storms in the rain, and the lack of vents means it won’t be pleasant in areas prone to condensation either. Adding to this is the 10d fabric used for both the fly and the floor, leaving us with a shelter that balances many trade-offs.

However, just as The Two can’t run from its spec sheet, we can’t deny that it offers something that nothing else can: a remarkable price and weight combination. For many people, that’s likely to be enough. The Two isn’t a bad shelter at all; it just isn’t focused on appealing to everyone. So, if after reading through all its drawbacks you’re still interested, we believe it’s a great tent, just not as a general recommendation.

Comfort

For a shelter focused on being as affordable and lightweight as possible, The Two makes some sacrifices in comfort that will be worthwhile for enthusiasts or smaller users. The primary issue is the limited interior footprint, measuring just over 26 square feet of space- the smallest of any two-person tent in our lineup. Combined with the sloping side walls common in A-frame style tents that restrict interior livability, The Two ultimately feels smaller than any other two-person tent in our selection. 

In some ways, we understand what Gossamer Gear is doing here. They’re pursuing the lightest possible weights with silnylon and smaller dimensions to shave off some ounces. For shorter individuals, this won’t be an issue, but when our 5’11” tester positioned themselves on a 2.5-inch pad in a 20-degree quilt, the footbox was nearly touching the wall, as was their head.

Fortunately, the width is sufficient to accommodate two people, and the lateral headroom is excellent. Gossamer Gear designs their tents with side walls that slope away from the head area, providing 64 inches of lateral headroom even though the floor is only 48 inches at its widest point. The height of 43 interior inches is again on the smaller side, but it is enough to prevent us from feeling cramped when stretching or changing clothes.

The two doors are small due to the tent’s overall smaller dimensions, but they feature comfortable #3 zippers and can be tied back with simple toggle mechanisms. These lead to large vestibules secured by water-resistant #3 zippers. Pockets next to the door are spacious and user-friendly, easily accommodating our headlamp, phone, battery bank, and cables. Less encouraging is the absence of any ventilation.

With no peak vents, The Two accumulates condensation more easily than other tents, and due to the single-wall design and small interior, it’s easy to brush against the innermost layer. Additionally, since the tent is made entirely of silnylon, it will eventually sag when wet, meaning that a wall that was previously held away from the head or foot area will gradually creep downwards on particularly humid nights.

In practice, we haven’t tested The Two in humid conditions sufficiently to make claims about how this affects real-world livability. However, the specifications make us wary.

Weight

With an astonishingly low weight of 25.3 ounces when we measured it, the Two stands out in a class of its own among silnylon tents. Nothing else comes close, as it is nearer in weight to Dyneema Composite Fiber tents that cost double the price. 

Silnylon is a time-tested material with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. However, the reason no other silnylon tent comes close is that Gossamer Gear uses an ultra-thin 10d fabric for both the canopy and floor. This certainly decreases the weight, but raises serious concerns about durability that we will discuss later. Another benefit of silnylon is its great packed size, and when rolled up, The Two measures 5×11 inches.

Ease of Use

Like many A-frame tents, the Two is straightforward to set up and use. With four corner stakes and trekking poles near the doors, we achieved a great pitch on the first try. If you’re not accustomed to setting up trekking pole tents, it’s important to note that it will take some time to get used to the process.

After a few attempts, we find trekking pole tents as easy (if not easier) than traditional pole tents. If you don’t hike with trekking poles, Gossamer Gear sells pole sets at the appropriate length, which will increase the overall weight by 5.7 ounces for both poles.

The small doors make ease of use somewhat trickier than those of other shelters with larger doors, but our overall experience with The Two was straightforward and uncomplicated. We believe anyone can master it without too much difficulty.

Weather Resistance

With a classic design, The Two should perform adequately in most weather conditions encountered on the trail, but certain design choices suggest it wouldn’t be our first option for severe weather. The primary issue is the large front and back panels that catch wind more effectively than most shelters. While it offers excellent headroom, The Two is also wider than other A-frame tents. 

This exposes a large area of unsupported fabric at the head and foot ends. While there is a panel pull for attaching a supporting guyline, it can offer only limited support to the fabric. During our backpacking trip in the Alps, near the border of Switzerland and France, we faced a summer storm that swept through the peaks, flattening several tents of those surrounding us. The Two was among them, and watching the enormous panels struggle against the wind did not instill confidence that this tent was suitable for storms. 

As a significant caveat, we believe that exceptional wind resistance is not the primary purpose of this tent. Gossamer Gear even mentions in their FAQ that The Two will require some additional effort to withstand windy conditions. 

We love to see manufacturers be open about the limitations of their tents and offer helpful advice. This tent is designed with a focus on extreme weight savings for moderate weather conditions, and robust storm worthiness is simply not within the design scope. For people hiking in areas that only experience occasional storms, or less severe winds, The Two should perform adequately.

Durability

As mentioned above, the 10d silnylon floor and rainfly are among the thinnest materials used in the industry. Gossamer Gear is known for its excellent production quality, but that won’t compensate for thin materials that simply aren’t designed to hold up as well as thicker ones. We get the impression that this is the point of the shelter. 

It’s not meant to be a robust fortress or to withstand careless use. It’s intended for people who will be making many other tradeoffs to keep things lightweight, and the lower durability of this tent is just another tradeoff in line with their other choices. If that sounds like you, then the durability offered here should be satisfactory.

That said, this is on the lower end of durability among all our shelters. We haven’t taken it on a full thru-hike to assess how it holds up over days of use, but we’d especially advise caution regarding the floor when using it on rocky or hard terrain. 

Gossamer Gear recommends using a groundsheet like polycryo. While groundsheets can be lightweight, they still add extra ounces and complexity to setup; however, we believe it’s more of a necessity than a preference with this tent if you want it to last.

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear The Two Tent?

More than other ultralight tents, The Two is about trade-offs. Among the metrics we use to evaluate our tents, The Two sacrifices livability, weather resistance, and durability in pursuit of achieving an incredible price and weight combination. It’s not the most affordable two-person tent on the market, but the only alternative to achieving this weight is to spend double the money on a Dyneema Composite Fabric shelter. That’s impressive.

However, it also highlights another issue: the question to consider is, “Why do people bother with those DCF tents if The Two is nearly as light for half the price?” The answer is that those other tents do not compromise livability, weather resistance, or durability to the same extent as The Two. In fact, some of the most livable and durable shelters we tested were made from DCF. The difficult position The Two finds itself in is that for most people seeking a shelter at this weight, it’s wiser to save up more and invest in something more comfortable, durable, and weather-resistant. Additionally, those shelters are even lighter, meaning that those pursuing truly ultralight weights will generally overlook The Two.

We don’t want to be overly negative here; there is a specific type of person who would truly thrive using The Two. If you typically adventure with a partner, are shorter, are on a budget, hike in fair weather, and take extra care with your gear, then this option is excellent. Selecting a good fit for an ultralight tent is all about understanding the trade-offs involved. There is no magic “best tent ever” and there never will be, but The Two certainly has a niche that will delight many people.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Gossamer Gear The Two isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

3FUL Lanshan Pro 2 Review: For most people pursuing ultralight weights on a budget, the Lanshan 2 Pro is a better choice than The Two. It’s seven ounces heavier but significantly cheaper, as it is one of the few tents that outperforms The Two in terms of price and weight combination. We found it more spacious and comfortable to use, thanks to its larger footprint, taller peak height, peak vents, and improved doors. While it’s not as high quality – Gossamer Gear has top-notch sewing – it may be more durable due to its 20d nylon floor and 15d rainfly, provided those fabrics are of decent quality.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: If your interest in The Two stems primarily from its incredible weight but you’re willing to save a bit more, the X-Mid Pro 2+ demonstrates how lightweight and comfortable backpacking can be. With an impressive 32.5 square feet of floor space, a generous 49 inches of height, and a more volumetrically efficient design, this was the most comfortable two-person tent we tested. Although it is priced at double that of The Two and only sheds 3.5 ounces, the comfort improvements – especially for taller individuals – justify the investment. We believe that most people are better off saving up and investing in a tent they’ll genuinely look forward to using at the end of the day, particularly if they plan to take it on a thru hike.

Gossamer Gear The One Review: If you liked the idea of The Two but wish it were designed for one person, we’ve got great news: the appropriately named The One exists! Featuring the same advantages and trade-offs as The Two, it maintains a small footprint, offers great headroom, has poor durability, displays middling weather resistance, and boasts an unbeatable weight for the price. One advantage over The Two is its better ventilation, as it doesn’t have two vestibules; however, the downside is that it performs even worse in wind than its larger sibling. Still, we believe it will appeal to the same type of people who would love The Two. 

Floorless Perimeter Net Shelters: We usually don’t make recommendations like this, but for the type of person that The Two appeals to, we believe that considering floorless perimeter net shelters might be more sensible. Since The Two involves significant tradeoffs, we encourage people to make one major tradeoff – a floor – for substantial benefits in other areas. This results in a notable improvement to livability, more durable materials, increased affordability, access to backpacks without sacrificing bug protection, and enhanced weather protection. With perimeter bug netting, you’ll receive only modest bug protection, and occasionally you’ll need a groundsheet, but besides that, it’s quite sufficient. For those pursuing the lightest weights at the most affordable prices, this route is the best choice, and we feel these options surpass The Two in their own arena. Examples of tents in this category include the Tarptent Preamble, Six Moon Designs Owlhee, Black Diamond Betalight, and for a single-person ultralight option, Gossamer Gear offers The Whisper, used personally by their founder. Although these shelters aren’t for everyone – a reason we didn’t make a general recommendation in our ultralight tent guide – we believe they may be particularly appealing to those who appreciate The Two.

Bottom Line

Few tents are as polarizing as the Gossamer Gear The One, with numerous sacrifices made in the name of ultralight affordability, making it difficult to recommend generally for most people. However, there is sure to be a subset of individuals who recognize all the flaws and still say, “yup, that’s the tent for me,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Despite the tradeoffs, The One still excels in many areas. Its amazing weight, low price, and generous headroom make it particularly appealing for thru-hikers. The quality of construction is also top-notch, featuring clean lines, attractively colored cords, and smooth zippers that enhance the overall experience.

However, these design trade-offs are quite significant. The thin 10d silnylon material makes us a bit anxious when testing this on rough surfaces or in storms. Additionally, the nearly vertical back wall combined with a partial vestibule means it has one direction that is absolutely terrible in the wind. The small interior also isn’t suitable for taller individuals without consistent use of the panel pulls on both ends.

On a lesser note, the small door is somewhat annoying, but not a deal breaker. However, at the end of the day, no other tent can match this weight for the price, and it’s this incredible price-to-weight ratio that makes The One so difficult to overlook. For the right person, this is a fantastic shelter. It’s for someone experienced enough in backpacking to understand the trade-offs and know how to incorporate The One into their adventures without the downsides becoming too significant. If that person is you, we believe you’ll have a fantastic experience, but if you’re uncertain, other shelters in our guide to ultralight tents may be a better choice.

Comfort

The One has a number of great features that make it comfortable for the right person, but this is not a tent for tall folks. To get height issues out of the way, a 5’11” person on a 2.5in pad with a 20 degree quilt will have their head and the footbox of the quilt touch the end walls.

This means that for anyone near that height should either look elsewhere or commit to always using the panel pulls to increase the usable space. Adding to this issue is that due to the single wall nature of this tent, condensation on the walls is more likely to brush against a footbox. On a section of the Superior Hiking Trail which is often quite humid due to the plethora of rivers and lakes, a member of a trail family kept running into this issue with The One, leading to soggy mornings. 

On a more positive note, many trails do not suffer from the condensation stress test that the Superior Hiking Trail does, and we can absolutely see The One thriving in those regions. We do want to note that the half-vestibule is paneled with mesh, making it a great peak vent for moisture from your breathing. But even with adequate ventilation, environmental issues sometimes make condensation inevitable.

Height and condensation issues aside, we believe The One has a lot going for it. The ample headroom is a clever use of two trekking poles and one of our favorite features. The wall near the head is still too close to make changing clothes effortless, but it’s better than most. The interior pocket is also large and well-positioned for holding a headlamp, phone, damp socks, or battery bank during the night.

While the side-to-side headroom is excellent, the actual floor width falls short, leaving The One with one of the smallest floor areas at 15.8 square feet of interior space. The sloping side walls slightly limit usable space.

Additionally, the tapered floor, narrowing from 33 inches to 21 inches, means this isn’t a tent we’d want to share our backpack with frequently. Fortunately, the vestibule is spacious and comfortable for storing our backpack and shoes overnight. However, the vestibule’s generous size is offset by the frustratingly small door area, making entry and exit more challenging than with any other one-person tent we tested.

It may sound like we’re complaining a lot about The One – and we are – but it’s important to step back and understand the purpose of this tent and its intended users. Central to this discussion is the idea that comfort is subjective. Gossamer Gear is recognized for producing some of the highest quality and cutting-edge ultralight gear available on the market. 

This is the same company that makes ⅛ inch foam sleeping pads and 8 ounce backpacks. The One isn’t intended to provide a luxurious experience for the masses; instead, it aims to appeal to those who understand the trade-offs involved and deeply know what makes them comfortable in the backcountry. For these individuals, the small door, limited floor space, and thin materials may not be deal breakers. All of these trade-offs come with an incredibly low weight for a silnylon shelter, and for those interested in The One, weight is likely their top priority. We believe it’s entirely possible to get a great night’s sleep in The One, and we’ve known hikers to use them for dozens of nights on long-distance trails without any issues.

Weight

Weighing 19.5 ounces on our scale, we are amazed by what Gossamer Gear has achieved with a silnylon shelter. This firmly places it in the realm of Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) tents, which come with astronomically high prices. However, due to its silnylon construction, The One is priced in a way that puts all of those to shame, making it something of an anomaly in the ultralight category.

Additionally, the low weight and use of silnylon offer another advantage: this shelter is one of the smallest packed options we’ve encountered. Gossamer Gear rates it at 5×10 inches when rolled.

This weight comes with tradeoffs, particularly regarding durability, comfort, and weather resistance. We will elaborate on these aspects in their dedicated sections, but it’s important to mention that The One isn’t designed to be bombproof, luxurious, or suited for severe storms. Its low weight caters to backpackers who understand the tradeoffs involved and can integrate The One into their adventure plans like a puzzle piece.

Ease of Use

With its hexagonal shape, The One sets up fairly easily. Staking out the four corners is straightforward, and inserting the door trekking pole only required a little effort to ensure it remained upright while securing the door.

The rear trekking pole was easily inserted due to a fly that didn’t touch the ground, and the final stake completed the process. We had no trouble achieving a nearly perfect pitch on the first attempt, only needing to adjust the corners slightly afterwards, which is typical for trekking pole tents.

Unfortunately, the small door somewhat hinders ease of use, as it makes getting in and out of the tent uncomfortable. Most tents with side doors allow you to sit up from a lying position, pivot your legs out of the tent, and exit easily.

However, because the door is small and close to the head end, you need to move your body first before pivoting your legs out. We believe it’s something a user will get used to in time, but it’s not ideal.

Weather Resistance

While many people have successfully used The One on long-distance thru-hikes without any issues, we believe that certain aspects of its design are not ideal for weather resistance.

First, the short rain fly on the back of the tent saves weight but only extends a short way down the shelter, creating a large vertical surface area that could act as a wind scoop for gusts. In a storm with constantly changing wind directions, this design would not be our top choice. 

Secondly, the use of thinner 10d silnylon gives us pause. Silnylon is one of the strongest fabrics available, but while most manufacturers use 20d or 15d for their tents, Gossamer Gear pushes the limits by using 10d in both the rain fly and the floor. These two design choices make us view The One as more of a “fair weather” tent, suitable for conditions that are mostly predictable and where shelter failure wouldn’t be life-threatening.

Durability

As discussed in the weather resistance section, the extremely thin material choice for The One means this shelter requires a bit more care. Gossamer Gear recommends using a polycryo or nylon groundsheet to extend the floor’s lifespan, and although we generally don’t hike with groundsheets, this tent would likely be the exception where we feel it’s necessary.

For trails that typically have fair weather, such as the Pacific Crest Trail, we believe The One would perform well, especially when used with a groundsheet. For more challenging or windy trails like the Laugavegur in Iceland, a sturdier option would be recommended.

On a side note, the included stakes are of average quality and would be among the first things we’d replace. We appreciate that stakes are included, but we bent one during our first attempt, and the ability to easily bend it back into shape with our hands doesn’t boost our confidence.

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear The One Tent?

Few other tents require as much careful consideration as The One, given its many amazing advantages contrasted with significant downsides. For first-time backpackers, this is not an ideal shelter. The extra care needed, small dimensions, and poor wind resistance leave too much room for error. 

On the other hand, for a moderately experienced backpacker who is ready to reduce their base weight without spending a fortune, this could be ideal. It seems that Gossamer Gear is targeting someone with experience who can weigh the trade-offs involved and accept them in pursuit of a lighter pack. Despite any complaints we may have raised in this review, we believe that, for these individuals, The One is a fantastic shelter. The fact that it is priced lower than anything in its weight range makes this an excellent value.

It’s easy to criticize Gossamer Gear for creating a tent with unconventional design choices that differ from the norms of backpacking gear, but we want to encourage gear manufacturers to continue innovating and pushing boundaries. Especially in the world of ultralight gear, where understanding exactly what you need for comfort is crucial, the trade-offs here are not poor design choices; they are deliberate decisions made in pursuit of what truly matters. 

The One isn’t trying to appeal to everyone; it aims to be excellent for a specific group of people seeking an ultralight tent at a low price, who are willing to accept certain tradeoffs. In that regard, this product is fantastic.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Gossamer Gear The One isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Review: Although The One deserves commendation for its polarizing design choices that may not appeal to everyone, we also want to offer equal praise to a tent that aims for excellence for all. The X-Mid Pro 1 achieves this better than any other we tested, effectively balancing performance, weight, and price in a way that left us thoroughly impressed. The length is generous, even for taller individuals, the vestibules are outstanding, the materials are high quality, it offers great headroom, and it also manages to be incredibly lightweight at a reasonable price for a DCF shelter. If you appreciate the ultralight approach of The One but want to elevate your experience, the X-Mid Pro 1 is our top recommendation.

Gossamer Gear The Two Review: For a design style similar to The One, Gossamer Gear also offers a more traditionally designed two-person shelter called The Two. It features a classic A-frame structure with several unique design choices and an astonishingly low weight of 25.3 ounces on our scale. This shelter is still constructed from 10d silnylon for both the fly and the floor, although it isn’t our first choice for storm conditions.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: If the design trade-offs of The One are too much to handle and weight isn’t your top priority, the Lunar Solo is one of the most robust one-person shelters available. We appreciate its ample floor space, durable materials, and straightforward design, which make it a favorite among long-distance hikers and casual weekend warriors alike.

Bottom Line

The Haven features a versatile double-wall design that performs well overall but falls short in a few areas to earn a general recommendation. We don’t consider it a bad tent at all; it just may not suit everyone. Certain design features may appeal significantly to specific users. For alternative options and to explore the competition the Haven faces, check our guide to the best ultralight tents.

When testing this tent in the local woods of the Midwest, we found the quality of the Haven reassuring during setup and use. With a solid 20d silnylon rainfly and a 30d silnylon floor, we had no worries about durability; however, we would prefer to see these materials in silpoly to prevent sagging when wet. The design slightly deviates from the classic symmetrical A-frame style, which provides a bit more headroom and more comfortable doors.

Our biggest issue with this tent comes down to attaching the inner to the rainfly. The inner clips in at the four corners and at the two large fabric panels, but not at the peaks. Instead, pockets hold trekking pole tips that are inserted into the peak, meaning this shelter only sets up with the tips up. The lack of any attachment causes the inner net to flop around, requiring you to chase down the pockets each time you set it up. Compared to other trekking pole shelters, this setup is cumbersome and unnecessarily complicated.

Another drawback is the inherent vulnerability to wind resistance found in the offset A-frame design. The large front panel creates a considerable amount of fabric that can flap in the wind. A single panel pull provides some improvement, but it cannot entirely offset such a large surface area. On the positive side, the fly extends close to the ground, which assists in protecting against splashback and drafts.

For the asking price, we believe there are better shelters available, as this one does not excel in any particular aspect apart from its modularity. Additionally, there are more affordable and superior shelters that perform this function slightly better. While we think this tent is a great choice for someone who appreciates an offset A-frame in a modular design, it caters to a very specific niche, especially considering that there are more appealing options at better prices.

Comfort

Like many A-frame style tents, the Haven is decently comfortable for two people, though the limited interior space prevents it from being excellent. With only 27 square feet of interior room, it offers one square foot less than Six Moon Design’s impressive one-person shelter, the Lunar Solo.

The available space is just barely enough for two people under 6 feet tall, but the offset peak design does enhance livability slightly. To improve head and foot room, the inner net tent connects to the rain fly with toggles in the middle of the net, pulling the mesh away from the user. 

Thankfully, the doors are excellent. Large and L-shaped, it’s easy to swing your legs out into the vestibule when they’re unzipped. The peak height of 45 inches also facilitates easy entry and exit, enhancing overall livability. However, it’s still not enough to create a spacious feeling shelter, and it’s not one we’d recommend for taller individuals. When testing on a 2.5-inch pad and 20-degree quilt, we found the length suitable for people up to 6 feet tall, but not much beyond that. The shape of the tarp can accommodate more height, but it’s the net tent that limits it.

However, part of the appeal of the Haven is its modular nature. There are many situations where the full protection of a bug net isn’t necessary, and leaving it at home frees up a significant amount of space for a relatively low weight of 16 ounces for the tarp alone.

Not everyone will be able to benefit from this modularity, and there are many places where leaving bug protection at home is unthinkable. On the other end of the spectrum, being able to set up the bug net without the fly is a luxury for stargazing enthusiasts, and the Haven includes pre-attached guylines on the net tent specifically for this purpose.

Weight

For the tarp and bug net combination, the Haven weighs 33.9 ounces on our scale, placing it on the lighter end of average for this category. Given its slightly smaller dimensions, this weight is typical for a silnylon shelter of this design. Six Moon Designs has not made any design choices that unnecessarily increase the weight here, and overall we are pleased with the weight considering what we have presented.

Adding to the positivity, the absence of any significantly large stiff pieces makes rolling this tent up easy. The silnylon and mesh pack down compactly, which Six Moon Designs rates at 4.5×11 inches for the tarp and 4.5×12 for the net. For those who like to distribute the weight of shared shelters, the separation of the two components simplifies the process.

Since silnylon absorbs water when wet, this tent will weigh significantly more than other tents after inclement weather and will take time to dry out to eliminate all that extra weight. Overall, we don’t think this is a huge issue since most trips (hopefully) shouldn’t be wet all the time, but other materials perform better in this regard.

Ease of Use

While we overall think the Haven is easy to use, there’s one area that is a bit of a dealbreaker for us, making it one of the most frustrating tents we’ve used. To get it out of the way, it’s the way the inner net connects to the rain fly. There are a total of six attachment points between the fly and the net: four at each corner, and two at the head and foot regions of the large mesh panels.

However, the inner net does not connect at the peaks to the fly. Instead, small pockets of durable material are positioned at the peaks of both the fly and the net tent. If you want to use the fly only, you insert a trekking pole tip into this small pocket and extend the pole. If you want to use both the net tent and fly, you insert the trekking pole tip into the pocket on the net tent and place it in the peak of the fly. But there’s no attachment at the peak between the fly and net.

There are three issues with this design. First, it leaves the net tent loose and flopping about during setup or teardown since both peaks are unsecured. Second, it raises our concern that the friction between the net tent and fly wouldn’t be sufficient to keep them connected during a storm, potentially leading to the poles slipping sideways in high winds. Third, it forces the setup to use trekking poles with tips up, limiting users who prefer using rubber covers on the tips, as they won’t fit in the pocket.

We overall think that tips down is a better approach for most situations, as it secures better to the ground, is less prone to damaging the tent since the sharp tips are kept away from the fabric, keeps handles clean, and prevents animals from nibbling at the salt-rich padding on the handles (thank you, trekking pole manufacturers, for selling replacement sections so we don’t have to buy entirely new poles). Many tents support either orientation, allowing users to decide, so the Haven only supporting one style is disappointing.

Our complaints about this setup shouldn’t overshadow the fact that, for many people, this design choice will be a non-issue. For those individuals, we don’t want to discourage an overall straightforward experience. The A-frame design sets up easily, and the adjustment cords on the corners are long for ample adjustment. If you wish to set up just the rainfly, the design accommodates either tip-up or tip-down configurations.

Weather Resistance

With a time-tested design, the Haven should withstand storms reasonably well. The large panels at the head and foot ends are its biggest drawbacks, but they provide panel pulls to help stabilize the fabric during gusts. However, it wouldn’t be our first choice for storm conditions. The exterior zippers are covered with a rain flap, which isn’t our preferred design compared to a water-resistant zipper, but it helps keep costs down with a simpler design. 

Silnylon is a material that absorbs water and gradually stretches when wet, so after some time in a storm, it will begin to sag, requiring re-tensioning. This can be easily done from inside the tent by adjusting the trekking poles upward, but it’s important to note that other materials won’t experience this same issue.

Durability

The 20d and 30d silnylon used in the rainfly and floor create an excellent combination of lightweight strength and durability. These materials are proven, and Six Moon Designs has a history of using high-quality fabrics in their shelters, which gives us confidence that this product will last a long time with proper care.

While we haven’t taken the Haven on a thru-hike of a long trail, these same materials and construction techniques have been used in other shelters, where we have firsthand experience on longer trails. There’s a reason Six Moon Design shelters frequently appear on lists of the most popular long-distance shelters- they are solid and withstand use effectively.

Should You Buy the Six Moon Designs Haven Tent?

While most of this review has been generally positive, the discussion of value and the intended audience for this product complicates the picture a bit. Frankly, the cost is somewhat high for the level of livability offered here. Other shelters provide a much more comfortable interior at a lower price. To its credit, the Haven’s weight remains competitive and surpasses that of its peers.

However, for just a few ounces more, you can acquire a better price and enhanced livability, a tradeoff that we believe will suit most people considering this category of product. For those who don’t want to compromise on those extra ounces and are willing to pay a higher price, it offers good value, but we don’t think many individuals fall into that category.

This places the Haven in a narrow middle ground. It’s not broadly appealing enough to be recommended for everyone, yet it’s not specialized enough to fit into a defined niche. If we had to categorize the Haven’s ideal user, it would be someone in a low bug area who frequently uses just a tarp, is slightly shorter than 6 feet or doesn’t prioritize livability much, values open stargazing options, and doesn’t mind the trekking pole tip-up approach. For that type of person, we suggest placing your order now; we think the Haven combo is great! However, for most others, there are different options we’d recommend.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Six Moon Designs Haven isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Pro Review: If the overall design of the Haven is appealing but the modularity isn’t necessary, we believe the Lanshan 2 Pro will impress you. Lighter than the Haven and significantly cheaper, the Lanshan offers incredible value in the budget tent market and is a better choice for most backpackers than the Haven. Although the single-wall design has some trade-offs, the increased floor space of up to 29 square feet feels much more livable due to a higher peak height.

Tarptent Double Rainbow Review: For better livability and easier setup, the Double Rainbow is a classic that is sure to please. The arched pole design offers ample headroom when lying down, and while sitting up there isn’t a lot of side-to-side headroom, it remains comfortable enough, making it worth the tradeoff for the more spacious interior.

Durston X-Mid 2p: It’s worth mentioning that the silpoly version of the X-Mid 2p is significantly cheaper than the Haven while offering superior advantages that make it compelling. For just one more ounce, you receive a far more livable interior, enhanced zippers, a more stormworthy design, improved fabrics, all while maintaining a modular double wall design that allows for trekking pole use in either direction.

Bottom Line

For budget-minded backpackers or anyone interested in trying ultralight gear without spending a small fortune, the Lanshan 2 Pro is an excellent choice for an ultralight backpacking tent with minimal downsides. What stood out most to us during testing was how familiar the experience felt, even alongside more expensive models.

You don’t get a cramped interior, complicated pitching, or missing features. Instead, we found the interior to be quite comfortable, even for testers close to 6 feet tall. Additionally, the rest of the tent was mostly easy to use, pitching easily even on the first try. Which is more than can be said for many trekking pole shelters. 

The few corners cut for the sake of a low price include a questionable feeling silnylon. We haven’t subjected it to conditions strong enough to test the durability or longevity of this fabric to make a definitive assessment, so we’ll initially remain optimistic that 3FUL has moved on from their reputation for using low-quality materials.

The vents are also a bit oddly designed, featuring an enormous and cumbersome structure that we wish was simplified. The interior has only one pocket, and we found the door design slightly tricky to use at first before we got the hang of it.

Overall, the experience of using the Lanshan 2 Pro was refreshingly uneventful. Even as experienced backpackers accustomed to tents that cost three times as much, we would be happy to take this into the backcountry for a weekend or even a thru-hike (while keeping a careful eye on durability along the way).

Ultralight gear can be prohibitively expensive, and we appreciate gear that enables more people to enjoy the beautiful outdoors without burdening their wallets or backs. The Lanshan 2 Pro exemplifies this type of tent. Nothing else in the budget category comes close to the value or performance it provides.

Comfort

For two people, the Lanshan 2 Pro offers a solidly comfortable experience that should be acceptable for most people. The floor space is average for a two-person tent at 29 square feet; however, like many A-frame tents, the actual usable area is much less due to the sloping walls.

Nonetheless, we found sufficient space for two 3-season quilts on 2.5-inch sleeping pads side by side, without compromising headroom or allowing either footbox to get too close to the end wall. A downside of the limited floor space is the lack of room to store backpacks inside; they’ll fit at the foot end if you’re not too tall, but that’s not an ideal spot for them.

Thankfully, the vestibules are spacious for each person. A backpack and shoes fit easily and stay protected from the elements when both doors are zipped. When fully zipped, the vestibules reach close to the ground, preventing splashback and drafts, which we appreciate.

The zipper is a standard #3 coil covered by a flap, and the interior zipper is also size #3. The interior door design is interesting, featuring three separate pulls converging at the center bottom. In theory, this allows for using both doors or just one. Since the trekking pole is in the middle, we don’t expect to open both doors often.

The materials are worth mentioning since they feel somewhat different from other 20D silnylon we’ve encountered. To be fair, this is a budget tent, so we’re not expecting the highest quality fabrics. However, it still feels odd that the fabric has a somewhat cheap texture. Another drawback is the large and rather cumbersome vent designs. We appreciate having two large peak vents, but the stiff material used to hold the edge of the vent open is unwieldy and extremely frustrating when trying to roll the tent up after use without creasing it too much.

Additionally, the pocket options are disappointing. There’s only one pocket at one end, and it’s large enough for a single phone. Since both doors are designed to roll back, we understand why there aren’t any pockets on the vertical mesh here, but we’d gladly sacrifice one door for a functional pocket instead.

Weight

Finding a balance between weight and affordability is challenging, but we’re genuinely impressed with what the Lanshan 2 Pro achieves. Weighing in at 32.3 ounces on our scale, it remains on the lighter side compared to its pricier counterparts. When paired with the ample floor space, the weight becomes even more remarkable.

Since it is a 100% silnylon tent, it also rolls up relatively small; 3FUL rates it at 5.9 x 13.7 inches, and in our tests, that seems accurate. The cumbersome vent design hinders more casual rolling, but the included stuff sack features compression buckles, which is a nice touch for space-conscious individuals. 3FUL doesn’t sell vertical support poles if you don’t hike with trekking poles.

Ease of Use

Tents with an A-frame style have been around for years, and the Lanshan 2 Pro doesn’t deviate much from what has made them so popular and easy to use. The four corner stakes and two for the door were easy to set up, allowing us to achieve a perfect pitch on the first try.

However, the cords connecting the two doors to the peak vent guyline can be a bit tricky to manage properly. They attach using a ram’s horn-shaped hardware piece that connects to cord loops near the ends of the zippers on the doors, but it doesn’t seem designed for convenient on-and-off use. We only connected one door this way and relied on the zipper to secure the other door, a method used by many other tents, so we’re not concerned about its strength.

Aside from the tricky door setup, the rest of the tent is straightforward. A surprising aspect that impressed us during testing was the fantastic included stakes. They take on a slightly spiraled Y shape like other designs, but after hammering them into somewhat frozen ground, we were impressed with their strength, as some other stakes we tested had bent under the same treatment.

Weather Resistance

With a low rainfly and solid attachment points, we’re confident that the Lanshan 2 Pro can withstand moderate storms without any issues. Although we’ve yet to test it in truly windy conditions, all the fundamentals of good storm-worthy design are present. These include reinforced panel pulls on the large head and foot sections, as well as attachment points at the peaks for additional guy lines that significantly help resist gusts.

Our biggest concern with a budget tent like this is the stitching quality holding up under repeated gusts. Unfortunately, 3FUL doesn’t seam seal tents from the factory by default. They offer the service for $35, or you can do it yourself. Like all silnylon tents, the fabric will sag when wet, but usually adjusting the tension of the trekking poles helps mitigate the issue.

It is important to note that A-frame style tents like this one are not the best design for enduring severe storms due to the large fabric panels that act like sails to catch the wind. While panel pulls do help, for anyone after serious weather resistance, a pyramid design is preferable, or a design that breaks up the fabric panels at different angles to reduce wind catch. This doesn’t imply that the Lanshan 2 Pro would perform poorly in regular weather; rather, it simply indicates that it may not be the top choice for extreme weather resistance.

Durability

The 20D silnylon and reinforced patches give us confidence that 3FUL is improving its tent designs regarding durability. In years past, 3FUL had a reputation for using lower-quality fabrics, but it seems they have made changes since then to address these issues. The fabric on this version of the Lanshan 2 Pro is a different type than that used in their original Lanshan back in 2013.

Long-term testing will determine if they have done enough here. It’s also encouraging to see reports that they will be moving to a 20D silpoly, which should hopefully perform even better. Our initial limited testing wasn’t sufficient to determine real-world durability concerns, but we will update this review with findings as we continue to test.

Should You Buy the Lanshan 2 Pro Tent?

If you’re in the market for an ultralight two-person backpacking tent but feel intimidated by the astronomical prices, the Lanshan 2 Pro is a clear choice for quality on a budget. There’s nothing quite like it when you consider price, weight, and performance if your top priority is affordability. We have some concerns about its long-term durability because we haven’t tested it for months of heavy use, but what we’ve seen so far is encouraging.

Budget tent buyers are often inexperienced or looking to purchase their first tent, and for these individuals, a trekking pole style tent may not be the best choice. While we believe they’re easy to set up with practice and just as durable in storms as freestanding tents, we understand that for those new to the hobby, it might be difficult to embrace something so different in shape from a traditional pole tent. For those individuals, we offer excellent options in our guide to traditional backpacking tents.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Lanshan 2 Pro Tent isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: If the Lanshan appeals due to its low weight but you aren’t particularly budget-conscious, then in the realm of premium ultralight tents, we recommend the X-Mid Pro 2+. It’s spacious, durable, stormworthy, and surprisingly not the most expensive option available, given its top-tier performance. Among all the tents we tested, this is the one we’d be most eager to take into the backcountry and should serve as a great investment for years to come.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: If you appreciate the concept of a budget tent but seek something lighter for solo trips, the Lunar Solo is legendary among backpackers for good reason. We loved its spacious floor area, durable materials, and impressive design, which make it a top choice for long-distance hikes or casual adventures.

MSR FreeLite 2 Review: If a traditional pole tent has captured your heart, the FreeLite 2 is our favorite semi-freestanding design. With an excellent balance of low weight and livability, it may not be as spacious for two people at head height as the Lanshan 2 Pro, but for some hikers, not relying on trekking poles is essential.

Bottom Line

In the world of ultralight tents, the Double Rainbow stands out with its excellent design, making it our favorite non-trekking pole tent for weight-conscious backpackers. There are technically lighter tents that don’t use trekking poles, but none are as durable, storm-worthy, or comfortable to use as the Double Rainbow. For balancing so many priorities well, it earns a solid spot on our list of the best ultralight tents tents.

The most unique design feature of the Double Rainbow is the single arched pole that runs the entire length of the tent body. It creates vertical walls at both the head and foot ends, which significantly increases head and foot space, allowing you to utilize the entire 88 inches of length.

This arched pole means your trekking poles (if you use them) are free to enable another unique trick: making this tent freestanding. By attaching horizontally at the front and back to the corners, the tent gains enough structure to be set up without stakes in places like granite slabs or wooden platforms. We also believe it’s quite weather resistant, with that curved pole allowing for a distributed wind force across the tent body that keeps the entire structure standing strong.

It still has flaws, namely the reduced lateral headroom, which limits it from being a truly great shelter for waiting out rainstorms. We also believe that trekking pole tents are quicker to set up and take down once you get the hang of them.

Removing that central pole can be tedious compared to pulling down trekking poles. However, we understand why this shelter is so popular; it’s great and comes at an excellent price! For those who love the concept of a pole tent but want to keep the weight to a minimum, the Double Rainbow is an outstanding tent that should last for years of use.

Comfort

We loved testing the Double Rainbow, finding its unique design both comfortable and spacious. The key feature enabling this is the single curved pole that runs through the spine of the tent, creating an arch across its entire length.

At both the head and foot ends, this pole ends vertically, which means that, unlike many trekking pole tents with sloping side walls, the Double Rainbow can utilize its full length of 88 inches. In practice, this translated to a comfortable experience while lying down, with the curved pole helping to avoid any feelings of claustrophobia. When we were stretched out on a 2.5-inch sleeping pad inside a 20-degree quilt, we didn’t feel anxious about the footbox touching the walls.

When sitting up, the comfort takes a hit due to the limited headroom created by the 24-inch crossbar. It’s not unusable, but compared to some other more spacious two-person tents, this isn’t the best option for waiting out a rainstorm while playing cards. The peak height of 42 inches doesn’t contribute much to alleviating this feeling, but it’s certainly adequate.

Other parts of the tent contribute to an overall positive experience. We loved the large side pockets, which can easily hold a headlamp, phone, or even the complete contents of a ditty bag. Interior clips on the ceiling facilitate stringing a clothesline or attaching an optional peak pocket that Tarptent sells. The switch from silnylon to silpoly is also fantastic to see since it doesn’t stretch or sag when wet, and the water-resistant zippers are smooth and easy to use.

The Double Rainbow has several unique features that help it stand out from the pack, including its ability to convert to freestanding mode. By attaching a pair of trekking poles to the four staking points, the combination of the trekking pole structure and the single tent pole creates a freestanding setup, requiring only the doors to be staked out. This is a fantastic feature for those who frequently camp in areas with poor staking options or on platforms like the Appalachian Trail.

Additionally, the doors include a small flap of fabric that can be unfurled to create a porch mode when the corner of the door is supported by a trekking pole. This is a fun feature that enhances livability during rainstorms.

Weight

For a semi-freestanding tent, the Double Rainbow weighs an impressive 36.6 ounces. While some other tents are lighter, Tarptent still provides a comfortable experience for two people in a design that is more storm-worthy than many alternatives. For these reasons, we believe the overall weight offered here is great. Moreover, considering it can be converted into a fully freestanding tent with some trekking poles, it becomes even more impressive.

Tarptent could certainly go lighter here, but we believe they’ve found a good balance between price, durability, and performance. The 20d silpoly rainfly and 30d silnylon are outstanding materials for general performance ultralight tents. The Easton carbon fiber poles are also a fantastic component to see, providing an excellent strength to weight ratio.

Ease of Use

Without trekking poles to deal with, the Double Rainbow is sure to appeal to those more accustomed to traditional pole tents, and overall we found it very user-friendly. Stake out the four corners, insert the single pole, and attach the crossbar at the top. Tarptent has been producing easy-to-use tents for decades, and their most popular model (the Double Rainbow) is no exception.

We appreciated that every part has some adjustability to facilitate setup while also allowing components to be cinched tight. The user-friendly magnetic door closures are also secure; we love seeing this feature appearing not only on this tent but also on many others recently.

Taking down the tent can be a bit cumbersome at times since it’s not as easy to pull the single pole out as it is to slide it in. The pole sections separate under tension, so bunching up the fabric and pushing the pole through tends to work best. This isn’t hard to do, but it takes some time.

Weather Resistance

With high-quality materials and a wind-shedding design, the Double Rainbow offers excellent weather resistance against wind and rain. The large curved areas created by the tent mean there aren’t many large surfaces for the wind to catch like on some other trekking pole tents, and the sag-free silpoly ensures the tent remains tensioned throughout the night.

To enhance storm worthiness, we recommend staking out the optional guy lines from the center of each arched pole side and directing one of the ends into the wind. The peak vents are well-designed, providing decent ventilation on both sides of the tent.

The addition of the porch mode on the doors makes this tent uniquely suited for waiting out rainstorms more comfortably, allowing the doors to remain open. However, as mentioned earlier, the lack of headroom prevents this from being truly great as a hang-out during long, dreary rainstorms.

Durability

The Double Rainbow has long been a favorite on trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest, capable of lasting through a full thru-hike with proper care. Much of its durability stems from the high-quality materials used in the fly and floor. The 20d silpoly is an excellent material for the fly, resisting UV degradation better than classic silnylon, while the 30d silnylon floor offers exceptional puncture and abrasion resistance.

When inspecting the tent for manufacturing quality, we were impressed by the overall stitching quality and feel of the tent. Tarptent has been making tents for a while, and it shows.

Compared to some other more budget tents in our lineup, the Double Rainbow has a solidity that inspires confidence in its use. We believe this will especially benefit backpackers who are new to ultralight gear and still want assurance that lightweight materials will endure over time.

Should You Buy the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent?

Non-trekking pole tents are becoming increasingly rare in the ultralight world, yet the Double Rainbow demonstrates that there’s still a place for them. If you hike without trekking poles and enjoy adventures with another person, this is one of the best options available. From its durability to its weather resistance and unique features, Tarptent has crafted something special here. After years of being an incredibly popular shelter, it’s no surprise that it has garnered such affection from the backpacking community.

All of it comes at a price that is reasonable for the quality and features included. We believe it offers great value, considering it’s a time-tested design that should endure an entire thru-hike, and if you share the cost with another person, it becomes an even better bargain.

For backpackers seeking a lightweight tent that can be pitched freestanding, this tent’s ability to accept trekking poles at the base is unmatched and could be all someone needs to hear. Not every trail offers the luxury of soft, secure earth. Additionally, if you’re just starting your journey into ultralight camping and feel intimidated by trekking pole designs, the Double Rainbow provides a familiar alternative while delivering excellent performance.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Pro Review: If the price and weight of the Double Rainbow are still a bit much and you’re the type of person seeking the absolute best price-to-performance ratio, the Lanshan 2 Pro is hard to beat. Boasting a similarly spacious floor plan but better headroom, the Pro 2 should feel comfortable for two people. Although it’s not quite as stormworthy due to larger fabric panels, it should be more than sufficient for most conditions. The few downsides include poor interior pockets,  cheaper fabric quality, odd peak vents, and the lack of an option to make it freestanding. However, we believe that for many people looking for an affordable backpacking tent, the Lanshan 2 Pro is a great choice.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: To elevate your backcountry adventures, we were impressed by the livability, ease of use, and weight of the X-Mid Pro 2+. With a spacious interior that feels luxurious even for two people, this tent is our top choice for comfort on the trail. Furthermore, the offset pole geometry enhances its storm resilience, while features like large pockets, deep vestibules, and water-resistant zippers make it user-friendly. Although it comes at a premium, we believe it’s fairly priced compared to other tents made of Dyneema Composite Fiber.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: If the Double Rainbow is too large for your adventures because you usually go solo, the Lunar Solo is an excellent choice. With a 20d silpoly fly similar to the Double Rainbow, its pyramid design should shed wind and rain even better while remaining comfortable. The generous floor space is nearly sufficient for two, so you will have plenty of room for taking a backpack inside or just stretching out. 

Bottom Line

For a unique take on a one-person, two-trekking-pole tent, the Pivot Solo came out swinging and hit a home run. Without a doubt, this is one of the best ultralight tents on the market, and you can see more in our full guide. We loved its low weight, good floor space, and excellent livability. The key design feature is a secondary, shorter pole near the foot region that allows the main pole to shift backwards. This enables a large, L-shaped door and a more spacious interior.

The shorter pole at the end also places mesh between the foot area of the interior and the rainfly, protecting sleeping bags from condensation on the rainfly and utilizing all of the floor space more effectively than a design with sloping walls. That floor space extends a bit to the side, allowing for a backpack to be placed inside while sleeping, a luxury for many single-person tents.

While we haven’t taken it into storms for a complete test, the design should hold up well against inclement weather. The ultra-strong Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) rainfly, combined with a mostly pyramid-based design, means it should shed wind and rain like a champion.

It’s still a bit tricky to set up, like many trekking pole shelters, but we believe users will get used to it over time. Additionally, the interior floor to fly tensioners dangle into the head area, the high rainfly height means gusts and splashback can be problematic, and we wish the pockets were designed a bit better. Or simply gave us another one.

However, all of these are minor concerns when considering the tent as a whole. It manages to deliver a remarkably balanced shelter in both features and comfort while maintaining a notably low weight. Although this tent comes at a premium, we believe it is a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Comfort

With its innovative new design, the Pivot Solo offers impressive interior floor space and headroom, resulting in a comfortable experience overall. The shorter pole at the foot end allows for a wider floor area than a single pole design. This design feature ensured we could easily bring a backpack into the interior at night while still having room for other items.

Furthermore, the near-vertical mesh at the foot end keeps the rain fly away from the foot area, eliminating concerns about waking up with a wet footbox due to condensation. We found the headroom satisfactory for both lying down and sitting up, although the single peak limited the space available for changing clothes or stretching. However, for such a focused ultralight tent, this isn’t a significant drawback, and we would rate the Pivot Solo as above average for headroom in this weight class.

The vestibules are a decent size, but since the rain fly doesn’t extend all the way to the ground, splashback will be a concern during rainfall. They’re still large enough for a pack and a pair of shoes. We appreciate Zpack’s trend of incorporating waterproof zippers on their vestibules with a nice and smooth #3 zipper. On a negative note, the one interior pocket is disappointing. With a small angled mesh pocket, it’s big enough for a phone or headlamp, but not much else. Another minor annoyance is the interior fly-to-floor tension cord that dangles into the head area when lying down. We value these tension cords for adjustability, but the placement of the head one gets in the way.

Weight

Zpacks managed a truly impressive weight of 16.1 ounces when we measured the Spruce Green version with a standard floor. For those counting ounces, they offer a lighter version using 0.55oz/sqyd DCF for the fly and a 0.75oz/sqyd floor that weighs in at 13.5 ounces.

While 0.55oz/sqyd DCF is a reliable material for the rainfly, we believe the added durability of the standard floor’s 1.0oz/sqyd material is a better general recommendation, especially if you want it to last for an entire thru-hike. DCF is an excellent fabric for tension resistance due to a network of ultra-strong Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, making it ideal for a rainfly.

However, the relatively weak mylar layers sandwiching the UHMWPE fibers do not provide adequate puncture or abrasion resistance. Although the UHMWPE fibers in the thinner 0.55oz/sqyd DCF are incredibly tear-resistant, the improved puncture resistance of the heavier fabrics comes from additional layers of mylar rather than more fibers.

We still think the standard floor version is incredibly lightweight given the performance and comfort it provides. A minor drawback of using thicker DCF fabrics is that the packed size is larger compared to silnylon or silpoly tents. The Pivot Solo measures approximately 4×11 inches when tightly rolled and 5×12 inches when loosely rolled. Overall, we do not see this as a significant issue, but for backpackers who are more focused on pack volume over overall weight, the size can add up.

Ease of Use

Like all trekking pole tents, the Pivot Solo can be tricky to set up initially, but it becomes easier with practice. We consider it average for a trekking pole tent. The generous amount of cord on the corners and peaks also helps facilitate setup in situations with limited ground space flexibility.

Staking out the tent will be trickier if the ground is hard or many obstacles prevent ideal corner placement. Although freestanding tents perform better in these conditions, we found that the majority of nights spent with non-freestanding tents on various trails were issue-free during pitching. Additionally, large rocks can be used to secure the stakes if the ground isn’t suitable. Unlike silnylon, DCF doesn’t sag when wet, so once the Pivot Solo is pitched, it should remain taut throughout the night, regardless of how wet it gets.

One feature that makes the Pivot Solo great to use is the large L-shaped door. In a shift from their classic rainbow doors that zip from the top, Zpacks employs a design that zips from the bottom. This allows the mesh to hang from the ceiling rather than fall onto the dirt or interior of the tent as seen in other designs. Additionally, the offset pole ensures that getting in and out of the tent is easier without a pole obstructing the way.

Weather Resistance

The semi-pyramid shape of the Pivot Solo should make it a great tent for waiting out storms, but we have yet to take it into a real barn-tipper to test it firsthand. However, Zpacks has a track record of producing tents that withstand the elements well, and we can observe many of the same design choices present here that should provide the Pivot Solo with above-average weather resistance.

For starters, pyramid designs effectively shed wind, and that remains the basic structure here. The addition of a shorter pole at the foot end reduces the surface area that the wind can catch. Even better, with three stakes securing that end, it should easily withstand gusts. DCF is also a proven material, and especially considering the weights of the standard version, you’re far more likely to experience tent stakes pulling out than to see a failure in the fabric.

We appreciate the large peak vent design, which is held open by the door guylines. Although condensation management can be tricky and sometimes nearly impossible to avoid under certain conditions, the presence of the vent boosts our confidence that it will perform well here. We also wish there were an attachment point for a peak guyline to enhance weather resistance even further.

On a more polarizing note, the height of the rainfly above the ground is a design trade-off that will appeal to some but not to others. This height enhances airflow and reduces the overall weight of the tent by using less fabric.

On the other hand, splashback becomes a more significant issue with such a height, and on blustery nights, the airflow can turn into an annoyance instead of a benefit. We don’t hold Zpacks in a negative light for this design choice, however, since nearly every tent in their lineup shares this feature. It’s simply another design decision with its own advantages and disadvantages, and where it stands for you depends on your own priorities.

Durability

In the standard version we tested with 0.75oz/sqyd DCF fly and 1.0oz/sqyd DCF floor, we have very few concerns about durability. Zpacks has been using these same fabrics and construction techniques in some of the most popular and well-used backpacking tents for years, and with appropriate care, they should last a long time in use.

We haven’t taken the Pivot Solo on a long-distance thru-hike, so time will tell if Zpacks has delivered another solid shelter. But even based on our limited testing, we’re highly confident it should shrug off a thru-hike without issue.

Overall, the construction quality is excellent. Many years ago, Zpacks struggled with a reputation for quality control, but they have significantly improved, and it shows. The overall fit and finish of the seams looks great. We also appreciated the reinforced magnetic door closures, which feel solid.

Should You Buy the Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent?

We really like this tent, and for the right person, we think Zpacks has another hit on their hands. If you’re the kind of person who seeks decent livability at an exceptionally low weight, the Pivot Solo checks many boxes. It’s ideal for long thru-hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail, where low weight is a priority.

Zpacks appears to be positioning this as a more livable alternative to their classic Plex Solo, with advantages such as a better door design, easier entry, and improved headroom. At the same time, individuals who might have been deterred from the Plex Solo in favor of the ultra-popular Duplex now have a reason to pause and consider that the Pivot Solo presents a tempting middle ground at a slightly lower weight and price.

However, there’s still no denying that the Pivot Solo is a premium piece of backpacking kit. With its full DCF construction, the price will be hard to swallow for those who aren’t living out of it for months on end. Still, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone on a long-distance trail and should withstand years of good use.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Zpacks Pivot Solo Tent is the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Review: The Pivot Solo and the X-Mid Pro 1 share a lot of similarities, down to a unique 2-pole design, waterproof zippers, an L-shaped door, and comparable weights. The X-Mid simply approaches challenges with different solutions, making it difficult to determine if it is definitively better. For our style of backpacking and the design tradeoffs we value, we do prefer the X-Mid; however, neither of these tents is fundamentally flawed- just different priorities in design choices. If a completely new backpacker asked us to choose, our preference for the X-Mid would become apparent, but at these prices, these are not ideal tents for beginners, and we can envision experienced backpackers falling in love with either option.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: If the eye-watering price of the Pivot Solo is too much to bear, our favorite budget tent still excels with impressive performance at an unbeatable price. One advantage over the Pivot Solo is its much larger floor space, making it nearly suitable for two people. In fact, we’ve seen it utilized that way in a pinch! The downside is a significantly higher weight, but for first-time or experienced backpackers, it’s an excellent shelter.

Zpacks Offset Duo Review: If you liked the overall concept of the Pivot Solo but primarily backpack with another person or a fluffy friend, the Offset Duo is an excellent two-person shelter that is sure to delight. The design language here is quite similar, featuring the same L-shaped doors, zippers, and peak vents. However, the short interior pole is replaced with an exterior one, and it adds another door and vestibule for the other person.

Bottom Line

For an excellent long-distance shelter for thru-hiking, the Zpacks Offset Duo impressed us at every turn, becoming one of our favorite ultralight tents that we tested. It’s difficult to evaluate this tent without comparing it to the legendary Zpacks Duplex, which has been a staple on thru-hikes for years. The Offset Duo makes a strong case that it’s a better shelter for more people than the old classic. And we agree.

Starting with interior livability, the 32.6 square feet of floor space is more usable than other A-frame style shelters due to the exterior pole that lifts the large front panel away from the foot area. The switch to L-shaped doors is a welcome change from the rainbow doors Zpacks used for years, and the addition of peak vents greatly improves breathability now that the rainfly extends closer to the ground.

When testing this in the local forests in the Midwest, we loved the spacious feeling of the interior, particularly not worrying about a wet footbox or having our heads brush the walls. The Offset Duo should be comfortable for people up to 6 feet tall, and although we didn’t test heights above that, Zpacks rates it for individuals up to 6’6” tall.

The biggest downside is its expense, even for a Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) tent. It’s among the most expensive we tested in our lineup, but it’s worth noting that this tent is laser-focused on long-distance thru-hikers who will use it night after night for months on end. It represents a worthwhile investment for that purpose or for those who prioritize performance over price in their gear selection process. Additionally, it’s not our favorite tent for windy storms due to its large front panel, but it should handle the most common weather conditions with ease.

What we’re left with is a tent that delighted us during testing. It’s roomy, lightweight, well-made, and would be a great choice for sharing with someone on a long adventure.

Comfort

After years of the Zpacks Duplex being branded as a “two person” tent but primarily used by one, we’re pleased that the Offset Duo’s slight adjustments to a classic design have resulted in significant gains in comfort. This tent comfortably accommodates two people, end of story. There’s a reason we’re beginning with a comparison to the Duplex. The Offset Duo feels like a thoughtful response to perhaps the most popular ultralight tent of all time, aiming to create a tent where “two people can actually be comfortable.” It updates the design choices, replaces a few features, and ultimately leaves us with a winning product.

The biggest change is the offset poles. In a classic A-frame, the trekking poles are positioned in the middle of the tent body, creating a symmetrical design that reduces both headroom and footroom. The Offset Duo shifts this high point to one side, providing significantly more headroom, and utilizes a short exterior carbon fiber pole connected to a panel pull to increase footroom.

This adjustment greatly enhances the livability of the tent. With a floor space of 32.6 square feet and a peak height of 48 inches, the resulting interior is spacious enough for two people.

The improvements extend to the door designs. The trekking poles aren’t positioned in the middle of the doorway, enabling easier entry and exit, and they also accommodate large L-shaped doors. We love this design, as it allows for unzipping just the bottom section to quickly grab something in the vestibule without letting in a ton of bugs, and we never have to worry about netting falling to the ground as with top-separating rainbow door designs. The vestibules are large and spacious, providing ample gear storage, and the water-resistant #3 zippers feel wonderful.

We managed to fit two standard 20-inch sleeping pads and two 3-season quilts inside without any issues. When adjusting the quilt ends to a comfortable distance from the exterior walls, we still had a comfortable amount of headroom for someone around six feet tall.

Weight

The most appealing thing about the Offset Duo is its incredibly low weight of 21.1 ounces. This can be reduced by one ounce by omitting the end pole and using a spare trekking pole, which we suspect most people will have since this is a two-person shelter.

We recognize the value of having a dedicated pole here, and we’re glad Zpacks included it. Exposed trekking pole handles are notorious for attracting the unwanted attention of deer and other animals that find the salt from our sweat in the cork or foam handles delectable. An extra ounce for that peace of mind in a known problematic area seems like a fair trade.

The Offset Duo uses Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) fabric throughout its construction to achieve an incredibly low weight. The standard configuration features 0.55oz/sqyd DCF for the fly and 1.0oz/sqyd for the floor; however, you can order it with a thicker 0.75oz/sqyd DCF for the fly to provide extra peace of mind.

Still, we believe that an upgrade is unnecessary for most users. The standard weights have been utilized in Zpacks tents for years without issue and have endured many thru-hikes.

While DCF is lightweight, it is unfortunately a rather bulky material, and Zpacks rates the packed size at 6×13 inches when rolled casually. This is larger than competing silnylon or silpoly shelters, but considering the other benefits of DCF, we believe it’s a minor issue that most people won’t mind.

Ease of Use

Despite the deviations from the classic A-frame design, we found the Offset Duo equally easy to use. Setup was straightforward, using four corner stakes to secure the doors and two trekking poles at the peaks. Both the vent and door connect to the same stake with a guyline, which can be a bit fiddly at times, but that’s a minor nitpick that should become second nature over time.

The offset trekking poles also make getting in and out of the tent a breeze, thanks to the large rainfly and net doors. Speaking of those doors, the magnetic closure mechanism is excellent here too, snapping together with a satisfying click. 

If you are transitioning from a traditional pole tent to a trekking pole style like this one, it will take some time to adjust to how these types of shelters pitch. We recommend practicing before taking a tent like this on an adventure, but once you master the fundamentals, we find it just as fast (if not faster) than a traditional pole tent.

Weather Resistance

DCF is one of the strongest fabrics available, making this a good tent for weathering storms. It doesn’t stretch or sag in the presence of water, ensuring a secure pitch that should last as long as your stakes hold firm. The only downside is the large exposed panel on the front. Although the geometry is better broken up by the foot pole than if it weren’t there, it’s still a substantial section of fabric that will catch the wind. This isn’t enough to deter us from taking the Offset Duo on a long trail, but it wouldn’t be our first choice for a trail known for being very windy.

We wish Zpacks had included some attachment points at the peaks for guy lines. During harsh weather, these can significantly enhance tent stability. Unfortunately, the easy setup we mentioned earlier doesn’t apply when preparing the tent for a storm. If you anticipate inclement weather, a trekking pole tent like this will require more time to set up properly, as it lacks the consistent internal structure of a traditional pole tent.

You’ll spend more time checking the tension of the fabric panels and adjusting stakes to ensure that all parts of the tent are adequately tensioned. The good news is that once everything is pitched well, trekking pole tents can withstand some pretty severe gusts; they just require a bit more effort to reach that point. Since this tent primarily targets long-distance trail hikers rather than being specifically designed for harsh weather, we believe the level of weather resistance is appropriate.

The vestibules pitch lower to the ground than other Zpacks tents, which should help significantly with splashback in rain. Splashback occurs when rain falling on the ground next to the tent splashes under the rain fly and onto the tent. It can also splash tiny flecks of mud onto gear, which can add up to a soiled backpack and shoes over the course of the night.

While they still don’t go as low as we’d prefer for optimal protection, they’re definitely better than what we’ve seen with other tents. These lower vestibule heights do sacrifice some airflow, but fortunately, the Offset Duo has a good vent design that we believe more than compensates for this. The two vents are large, and although they’re not particularly deep, they’re held open by a guyline, which we find to be a clever feature.

Durability

The use of DCF construction with time-tested thicknesses for the rainfly and floor suggests that the Offset Duo should have a decent lifespan. Although we haven’t taken it on a full thru-hike to test its durability firsthand, several factors instill confidence that it should last for a significant period.

The type of DCF used is the same as that on the ZPacks Duplex and other Zpacks tents, which are known to endure at least a solid thru-hike of a 2,000-mile trail. This longevity will vary based on how rough you are on gear, campsite selection, and whether you cowboy camp on top of your tent (please avoid this if you want to prevent pinhole punctures).

Furthermore, the overall fit and finish of the tent is excellent. Zpacks has improved their quality in recent years, addressing their past reputation for quality control issues, and we love to see it here. 

Speaking of quality control, we can’t give full marks yet because we encountered a small tear in the fly of the DCF during our first setup of the tent. We are confident it did not occur when opening the shipping box, as we are always careful with any gear box.

Additionally, the included stuff sack would have shown a tear if the knife had pierced the box, but it was in perfect condition. The tear was only a quarter inch and can be easily patched with some DCF tape, making this a minor issue. Still, it prevents us from giving better marks, and it highlights the importance of carrying patch kits on the trail. Thankfully, Zpacks includes DCF tape in the box, so you should be prepared for any small issues that may arise.

Should You Buy the Zpacks Offset Duo?

Although we want to consider this tent on its own, it’s difficult not to compare it to the popular Zpacks Duplex, as it seems to improve upon that tent in nearly every way. For that reason, the primary group of people we recommend the Offset Duo to are prospective Duplex buyers. Unless you’re counting grams or love some other aspect of the Duplex, we boldly claim that the Offset Duo is a better tent for most people.

That is, of course, if price isn’t an issue. The Offset Duo is one of the most expensive tents in our lineup and even costs a premium over the already pricey Duplex. For those sharing the tent on a thru-hike that lasts months, we believe investing in a comfortable sleeping experience is a wise use of your resources.

If you’re not focused on the lightest weights or are just searching for a tent for casual backpacking, we wouldn’t recommend this tent either. Not because it isn’t great for weekend excursions, but simply because it’s excessive.

We have other excellent tents better suited for casual use that we’d suggest, and the Offset Duo is priced for those investing in a long-distance trail. However, if you are looking for your next long-distance tent and love the design of the Offset Duo, we can give it a strong endorsement.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Zpacks Offset Duo Tent isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: The Offset Duo and X-Mid Pro 2+ are remarkably similar in their goals, aiming to create a truly livable and well-designed ultralight tent for everyone. They both achieve this in different ways, and in our opinion, they both succeed fantastically. However, when it comes down to it, we enjoyed the X-Mid just a bit more for our style of backpacking. This doesn’t make the Offset Duo a bad tent; it simply solves certain problems in different ways, and we happen to slightly prefer a different solution. Both tents should offer excellent comfort, weather resistance, and ease of use. However, the X-Mid’s slightly more spacious interior, better wind resistance, easier setup, and lower price mean that we believe it’s the overall better choice for most people. Which one is right for you will depend on your own preferences, so if you feel more inclined toward one, go for it. Both are excellent.

3FUL Lanshan 2 Pro Review: If the Offset Duo is pricey enough to make you think ultralight gear isn’t for you, the Lanshan 2 Pro offers a compelling counterargument. While it may not be as featherlight due to its full silnylon design, it’s more than adequate when shared between two people and comes at a price significantly lower than the Offset Duo. What you receive for that price isn’t a subpar experience either; it’s a solid tent. We appreciate the comfortable interior, ample vestibules, and straightforward setup. The fabric may not be as durable, the vents can be somewhat cumbersome, and we found the door closure a little confusing initially, but overall, for a budget tent, we can’t think of a better option.

Zpacks Pivot Solo Review: If you appreciated the overall feel of the Offset Duo but don’t require the extra space for a second person, they actually offer an Offset Solo. However, for our preference, we favor the design of the Pivot Solo a bit more since it incorporates many of the qualities that make the Offset Duo / Solo excellent, but in a much lighter package with some enhancements. It uses two trekking poles internally to create space instead of relying on an external pole, features one L-shaped door to save weight, and is both lighter and more affordable. While it isn’t our favorite one-person shelter overall, it’s so close that for anyone who truly enjoys what Zpacks is doing with the Offset Duo, we believe the Pivot Solo will delight them.

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Bottom Line

Few tents balance comfort and weight as well as the X-Mid Pro 2+. Among all the tents in our lineup of the best ultralight options, this one delighted us the most, making it our top pick for adventures with two people. The first time we entered, we were astounded by the amount of space- not just the floor space, but actual livable space. We easily fit two lofty sleeping quilts inside without worrying about touching the head and foot ends. Combined with excellent doors, vestibules, pockets, ventilation, and easy setup, it was effortless to fall in love with this tent.

Although Durston Gear is a relatively new company, they have been steadily gaining popularity on long-distance trails thanks to a combination of excellent design and competitive prices. The Pro 2+ is their most premium model, featuring a larger design than the standard Pro 2.

After testing it in the local forests of Minnesota, we found ourselves dreaming of our next big adventure with this tent more than with any other we tested. The design plays a significant role in this success; the Pro 2+ employs an offset pole geometry to maximize internal volume more effectively than other two-pole setups. This same design also allows for easy setup, requiring only four stakes for a basic pitch.

The price will still be a barrier for many people. Like all DCF tents, there’s no avoiding the fact that a tent made from costly fabrics will also be expensive. Fortunately, the option of a silnylon floor helps reduce the price a bit, making it more affordable than other tents in this weight range.

In the end, we’re left with a tent that balances the important aspects of tent design better than any other we’ve tested. Every part feels thoughtfully and cleverly designed, and the few negatives we encountered are intentional design trade-offs to enable a better experience elsewhere. For the way we backpack, this is the one shelter we’d choose if we wanted a delightfully comfortable experience at a weight that makes our backs grin.

Comfort

With a generous 32.5 square feet of floor space and a lofty 49 inches of height in an offset pole design, the X-Mid Pro 2+ is the most comfortable and spacious tent in our lineup. For its weight, there’s no other tent we’d rather spend our nights in. Perhaps the biggest testament to this is what we experienced during our first setup of the shelter.

After testing many other smaller tents, the first time we crawled into the Pro 2+, we literally laughed at how much headroom there was and the seemingly ridiculous amount of livable space. Compared to most other ultralight tents, the Pro 2+ felt like a breath of fresh air for space. We were able to comfortably fit a two-person setup with plush three-season quilts and 2.5-inch sleeping pads into the interior with plenty of headroom and footroom. There was enough room that if you and your tent buddy are around six feet tall, anxiety about a wet footbox or cramped headroom is a thing of the past. 

Part of what makes this tent so effective is the previously mentioned offset pole design. Durston Gear has an entire whitepaper that delves into the specifics of tent design and volumetrically efficient geometry. In summary, the offset design is optimized to provide the most livable interior space possible in a two-pole configuration. We have firsthand experience with manufacturers making bold but unsubstantiated claims about their tents, particularly regarding their ability to accommodate taller individuals, but we are pleasantly surprised by Durston Gear’s design in this case. It genuinely seems to offer a generous amount of livable interior space with a two-pole design, especially when compared to a classic A-frame.

That said, just because the X-Mid has math on its side doesn’t make it perfect. The downside of an offset pole design like this is that it’s inherently asymmetrical. This means that if both people are sleeping head to head, one person will end up with a sloping wall closer to their face than the other.

We were cautious about this when testing, but were pleasantly surprised by the amount of headroom available when sleeping in the non-ideal orientation. Frankly, it’s even more than when sleeping in other shelters in the correct orientation, and we’re thankful that the design accommodates both types of sleeping orientations.

Several small yet thoughtful design features enhance comfort. The large sidewall pockets are easy to use, and the spacious L-shaped doors allow effortless access regardless of your lying position. The headroom is impressive, partially due to the 49-inch peak height but also thanks to the extended diagonal of sustained headroom, which offers a more livable experience compared to a single peak.

Lastly, the vestibules are enormous and fantastic. We appreciated being able to lean our backpacks against the trekking poles at night to prevent them from falling over, while still having the area protected by the smaller vestibule even when the main door was open. They are convenient for any sleeping orientation and provide excellent splashback protection since the fly extends nearly to the ground.

Weight

We measured the Pro 2+ at 21.8 ounces on our scales, which is impressive for a tent that offers this much comfort. There are actually two versions of this tent available, and their weights differ. The version we’re testing features a silnylon floor instead of a Dyneema Composite Fiber floor. This adds two extra ounces but saves $100, which we believe is a decent trade that most people would accept.

Additionally, we appreciate that silnylon packs down a bit smaller than DCF, making the packed size of a large shelter like this more manageable.

The Pro2+ isn’t the lightest two-person shelter on the market, but it’s also not aiming to be. The inclusion of a plus in its name suggests that it targets a more comfortable experience for those who prioritize comfort over having the lightest weight tent available.

Ease of Use

With only four stakes and two trekking poles needed to pitch the tent, we found the Pro 2+ quite easy to set up and use. For those who haven’t used a trekking pole shelter before, setup will require some adjustment, so we recommend practicing at home a few times before taking it on an adventure. However, among trekking pole tents, the Pro 2+ makes it relatively simple. Stake out a rectangle using the two corners, push up the two trekking poles into the peaks, and you’re done.

The downside of this simplicity is that you need to ensure the rectangle is square; otherwise, the pitch will be uneven. Leaving a few inches of cord in either direction with the corner Lineloc tensioners allows for adjustments to rectify this, but you may need to re-stake to achieve a good pitch. Although four stakes are the minimum, we recommend carrying two more so the doors can be staked out for convenient one-handed opening and closing.

One advantage of the design is that when inserting the trekking poles into the rainfly, they can stand on their own. Many other tents require an additional stake while stabilizing the pole until three points of tension can secure it, but the Pro 2+ does not have this issue.

On the negative side, the choice to have the rainfly extend so close to the ground limits the shelter’s versatility on uneven terrain. We understand the design choice – the low rainfly offers excellent protection from wind and rain – but it represents another trade-off in optimizing a tent’s design. When testing other X-Mid tents with the same limitation, we’ve set them up on rocky ledges and various uneven surfaces, consistently finding ways to make them functional, so we don’t consider this to be a significant drawback.

Additionally, the footprint is quite large. The issue arises mainly because its rectangular shape makes it more challenging to fit into natural spots compared to shelters with a more hexagonal design. Given the amount of interior and vestibule space available, there’s no avoiding the large footprint; bigger tents are inherently harder to position in tight spaces. However, Durston Gear provides guides for alternative pitching methods that can collapse the vestibules, offering a considerably reduced footprint size when space constraints arise, which adds a nice versatility bonus.

On the interior, using the tent is similarly easy. The doors are large and comfortable for entering and exiting.The closure mechanisms for both the rainfly and mesh doors are all magnetic which makes securing and closing them a breeze. And the peak vents can be propped open with a kickstand from inside the tent, which makes it super easy to use.

Speaking of those peak vents, they also enable another neat trick. Instead of unzipping the door to place a trekking pole, you can pass it through the peak vent and angle it up into the peak. This is advantageous in rainy weather, as it helps minimize rain entering the interior, or in desert conditions, where reducing zipper use is crucial to prevent failure.

Weather Resistance

With a design that effectively sheds wind and a rainfly that reaches all the way to the ground, the Pro 2+ is one of our favorite shelters for weathering a storm. The offset pole geometry helps disrupt the large side panels that often challenge A-frame style tents. There are still attachment points midway up the sides and at the peak, which can significantly aid in resisting strong winds.

The DCF fabric used in the rainfly is an excellent material for weather resistance. It features minimal stretch and offers outstanding water resistance due to its construction. Unlike silnylon, it does not absorb water and sheds it easily, making it quick to dry and ensuring it won’t weigh down your pack after getting wet.

Although we overall love the Pro 2+ for storms, it remains a large shelter. If winds strike it from the side, it will struggle more, just like any other tent. It’s important to try to orient it with the peak ridgeline facing into the wind for optimal performance. We can’t complain too much here, as comparable tents will also perform poorly when hit from the side and do not possess as good a profile for cutting through the wind when oriented properly.

Durability

With 0.55oz/sq yd DCF for the fly and 15D silnylon for the floor, the Pro 2+ boasts acceptable durability for an ultralight tent and aligns with its peers and our criteria for a tent in this category. DCF is an excellent material for rain flies, and the tensile strength of the fabric has been tested over time on many of the longest trails.

The 15D silnylon floor is an interesting choice for reducing cost and packed size. According to testing conducted by Durston Gear, it performs similarly to 1.0 oz/sq yd DCF as a floor material, though they offer both options.

In our testing, we found that the 15D silnylon used by Durston Gear holds up well against the rigors of a thru-hike. We carried an X-Mid Pro 1 with the same 15D floor for 1,000 miles on the PCT. One night, we accidentally set up on a sharp, abrasive granite rock and woke up to deformation in the silnylon but no tears or punctures.

After allowing the fabric some time to relax, it returned to its original shape. We’re still going to treat the material with a bit more care than the 20D or 30D floors found in other shelters, but we’re pleased with its performance.

Should You Buy the X-Mid Pro 2+?

If you’re in the market for a supremely comfortable backpacking tent that boasts great weather resistance at an incredible weight, we believe the X-Mid Pro 2+ should be at the top of your list. No other tent impressed us as much during testing. It’s the one we want to grab for nearly every adventure with another person. Rather than dreading crawling into a cramped interior, the Pro 2+ is spacious enough to make even taller users sigh with relief.

All that performance and comfort come at a cost, and like all DCF tents, the Pro 2+ is expensive. To its credit, it’s actually on the less expensive side of this class of tent owing to the silnylon floor option, but even with that it’s a chunk of change. For someone embarking on a thru-hike with another person, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment in long-term comfort.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Tent isn’t the perfect fit, our best ultralight tents guide has many other options.

Zpacks Offset Duo Review: No tent comes closer than the Offset Duo to rivaling the Pro 2+ for what it does best. The Offset Duo stole our hearts during testing by offering an incredible blend of legitimate comfort for two, excellent features, and similar durability. In many ways, the editor’s choice award could have easily gone to the Offset Duo. Both tents set out to create a truly comfortable experience for two people at a great weight, and they solved certain design challenges in slightly different ways. And at the end of the day, the Offset Duo isn’t a factually worse tent than the Pro 2+, it’s simply a different experience, and one we’d enthusiastically recommend for anyone interested. To our style of backpacking, we still prefer the Pro 2+, but if you’re not quite as taken with it as we are, the Offset Duo should be the next tent you give your attention to, it’s truly incredible.

Lanshan Pro 2 Review: If the price of the Pro 2+ is a bit too much for you, our favorite budget tent is to the rescue. With a total weight of 32.3 ounces, it’s not as featherweight as the Pro 2+, but still boasts decent livability. It’s roomy for an A-frame style tent, even for taller people, and although pitching isn’t quite as straightforward, we still managed to get a great pitch on the first try. The weather resistance won’t be as good due to larger fabric panels on the head and foot end, and the trekking poles are in the middle of the doors, but overall, we still came away impressed during testing. And for the price, it’s really hard to beat.

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Bottom Line

For the tent that balances performance, price, and weight better than any other, the X-Mid Pro 1 tops our list of the best ultralight tents. We loved the simple setup, excellent length, and storm-worthy design that made us confident no matter the adventure. When testing on the second half of the Pacific Crest Trail, it performed excellently mile after mile, whether we arrived at camp early and wanted to relax or had to set it up at night in the middle of a storm. After hundreds of miles, the quality has held up well, demonstrating great durability.

The unique offset pole geometry provides ample interior space, resulting in a comfortable experience, particularly for tall individuals. This is one of our favorite shelters for those over 6’0”, and we found we had plenty of headroom both sitting and lying down. One drawback is that while the interior width is decent, it isn’t vast. This might disappoint those who wish to store their packs beside them at night, although we found that storing them at the head or foot end worked well. Overall, the rest of the features contributed to a thoughtful and comfortable experience. Excellent zippers and doors, great pockets, and well-designed vestibules ensured we were never left wanting for more.

Although trekking pole tents can be tricky to pitch initially, we must recognize that the Pro 1 performs better than most with its straightforward four-stake design. The set-up follows a simple rectangular shape, and the Lineloc tensioners on the corners make it easy to adjust the pitch if mistakes are made.

Overall, we truly love the X-Mid Pro 1. It kept us comfortable and dry for hundreds of miles at a price that let us indulge in a few more town beers along the way. While it may not be the best tent for everyone, we believe it balances the important aspects well for most people, and we have no hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly.condensation drip out.

Comfort

While some ultralight tents for one person feel little more than a bivy, the X-Mid Pro 1 offers a spacious and comfortable experience. It is one of the best options for taller individuals, comfortably accommodating our 5’11” tester with a plush 20-degree quilt and a 2.5-inch pad, leaving ample head and foot room.

A significant part of this comfort is attributed to the unique geometry of the X-Mid, which utilizes two trekking poles in an offset configuration to maximize interior volume. Durston Gear has published a comprehensive whitepaper on the volumetric efficiency of tent designs that explores this in great detail, and we are impressed with the interior volume of this tent in practice. With a peak height of 45 inches and a sustained length of the interior, we found headroom to be exceptional.

A slight downside of this tent shape is its interior width. While earlier versions of the X-Mid struggled in this area, the current design does a commendable job of providing enough width for comfort. However, for those who prefer bringing their packs inside, there isn’t enough room next to the sleeping area. During our testing, we didn’t consider this a major issue, as there was adequate space at the head or foot end to store a pack effectively. T

he interior dimensions of 32 inches by 90 inches easily accommodate long, wide pads. If the pad is shifted to one side, it creates sufficient space on the opposite side for common items like a ditty bag, battery bank, or spare clothes. The two large pockets near the doors are among the best we’ve encountered, offering ample space while remaining accessible during sleep. We typically place our headlamp and phone in the nearer pocket while using the farther one to hang damp socks to dry overnight.

The vestibules are enormous. While we rarely used both at the same time, the flexibility of being able to enter through either door or open both for excellent airflow was fantastic. We especially loved that when the rain fly was rolled back, the remaining vestibule area was spacious enough for both our pack and shoes, ensuring they stayed dry when getting in and out of the tent during rain.

During our testing of this tent on the second half of the Pacific Crest Trail, comfort emerged as one of the biggest advantages. Regardless of the type of night, we were able to relax inside our tent and enjoy a good night’s sleep while having ample space for everything.

Although we definitely wouldn’t recommend this for regular use, we nearly ended up squeezing two people into the interior on a particularly stormy night, when a fellow hiker struggled to set up their own shelter after sundown, as the storm reached its peak. Thirty-two inches of interior width isn’t much, but in an emergency situation, it would have kept someone else safe.

Overall, one of the main reasons to consider the X-Mid Pro 1 is its remarkable comfort at such a low weight. With spacious headroom and length, excellent vestibules, and great pockets for storage, we were impressed at every turn.

Weight

Weighing just 17.1 ounces with the DCF fly and silnylon floor, the X-Mid Pro 1 stands out as one of the lightest fully-featured tents available. Although the DCF floor option reduces the weight further to 15.5 ounces, we believe that the silnylon floor is a more suitable choice for most users, as it minimizes packed size (the DCF is inherently bulkier) and is offered at a lower price.

One feature that reduces weight more than other shelters is that the X-Mid design only requires four stakes for setup. Unlike other shelters that need a minimum of six or eight stakes, the X-Mid saves weight by needing less. In practice, we carried a total of seven stakes in various sizes: four for the corners, one shepherd hook for the door, and two for peak guy lines if it became stormy.

If you don’t hike with trekking poles, Durston Gear offers adjustable carbon fiber poles at 3.1 ounces each, but standard fixed-length carbon fiber poles would save even more weight.

Ease of Use

Trekking pole tents take some getting used to, but the X-Mid Pro 1 is among the easiest to set up and use. First, stake out a rectangle using the four stakes, then insert the two trekking poles. A standout feature is that when you place one trekking pole, the tent’s design ensures that the pole won’t fall over if you let go. This convenience simplifies the setup process and makes it a breeze. One drawback of the setup is that it can become tricky when the ground isn’t level. This issue isn’t specific to the Pro 1; many trekking pole tents face challenges on uneven ground. However, the fact that there are only four foundational stakes means less to manage when that situation arises.

In our experience, pitching trekking pole tents can be somewhat of an art, and some users will find it easier than others. The simple geometry of the X-Mid both helps and hinders its performance at times. As long as that rectangle is pitched correctly, the entire structure feels solid and secure. However, if the rectangle is misaligned, it can be challenging to determine which corner requires adjustment.

This is a common issue with all trekking pole tents, but we believe the X-Mid performs better than most in this regard. Adjusting the corners is simple thanks to Linelocs on each corner stake, so we typically didn’t spend much time achieving a good pitch. When site space is limited, the X-Mid can be set up in a “skinny pitch” mode by using the peak guylines instead of two of the corner stakes to significantly reduce the footprint size, although this does require a bit of effort. Nevertheless, we’re pleased to see this option available.

A unique trick the X-Mid can perform is that when setting up in the rain, the trekking poles can be inserted through the peak vents. This eliminates the need to unzip the rain fly and keeps the interior dry until you’re ready to jump in. Additionally, this trick also decreases zipper usage, which is crucial in the desert where sand can damage zipper coils.

The door zippers are smooth and easy to use. When staked down, they’re simple to open with one hand. Water-resistant #3 zippers eliminate the need for a rain flap. The peak vents are large and include a small kickstand to keep them open. A great feature is that they can be adjusted from the interior, so you don’t need to step outside in the rain to close or open them. The doors are also worth mentioning; they are spacious and allow for easy entry and exit.

Weather Resistance

With a fly that extends all the way to the ground and a wind shedding double pyramid design, the X-Mid Pro 1 is one of the more stormworthy tents we tested. In our testing, we’ve used X-Mid tents – both pro and non-pro designs – in a variety of stormy conditions and have been impressed with how they handled storms.

In the Swiss Alps during a summer storm while testing the non-pro design, the X-Mid held up well and was the only tent, aside from a fully freestanding design, that remained standing. While testing the pro design on the Pacific Crest Trail, the DCF fly withstood rain and wind without issue.

Like most tents, the X-Mid design has a specific directionality, making it stronger against wind from certain angles. Positioning the peaks into the wind will help, and staking down the included peak guylines in that same direction will be even more effective.

One small area where the X-Mid excels is in its resistance to splashback, which occurs when rain hitting the ground splashes back into your tent. Because the rainfly can be pitched snugly to the ground, we found this feature to be excellent. Our interior and vestibule stayed nice and dry throughout rainstorms.

Durability

With a DCF fly and silnylon floor, the X-Mid Pro 1 is constructed from premium materials designed to endure many nights of use. Although we can’t test every tent on a thru-hike, we used this one on the second half of the Pacific Crest Trail and found it withstood the rigors of over 1,000 miles of hiking exceptionally well.

There were no rips, tears, punctures, zipper jams, or cord failures. The only sign of damage we noticed occurred when we accidentally set up on a granite rock under the shoulder area, resulting in impressions – but no punctures – in the floor fabric. For hundreds of miles afterward, the spot showed no signs of worsening.

DCF and silnylon are time-tested and durable materials when treated with proper care. Ultralight tents will always prioritize low weight over bombproof design choices, and it is essential to use these types of shelters as intended.

To enhance overall durability, the X-Mid utilizes hot-bonded seams, which are superior to stitched or cold-taped seams. If anything does happen, Durston Gear offers a 2-year warranty on their products, and the designer is recognized as an active and engaged member of the ultralight community who personally addresses product issues.

Should You Buy the X-Mid Pro 1?

Few tents balance price, performance, and weight as deftly as the X-Mid Pro 1. Any significant improvement in one category often results in notable drawbacks in others, giving an overall impression that the Pro 1 has achieved a sweet spot in tent design that should attract many users. During testing, we found it got out of our way, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors; every part worked smoothly, enabling us to spend less time frustrated with our pitch and more time relaxing. 

However, it’s not a magic best-tent-ever. For people who don’t require headroom, storm protection, ample length, or easy setup, other models may be more suitable. Additionally, if you need your pack beside you at night, this isn’t the right tent for you. Nevertheless, for most backpackers seeking the lightest weight shelter, we believe the design choices made here are wise and will yield benefits in the long run.

In the world of premium DCF tents, the Pro 1 is more affordable than most, making it an excellent value for what it offers. The inclusion of a silnylon floor to reduce costs and keep packed size down is a great option, and we believe it is worth it for the small increase in weight. Ultimately, the Pro 1 emerges as a competent jack of all trades that excels in each category, resulting in an overall performance that leaves us excited to take it on the next adventure.

What Other Ultralight Tents Should You Consider?

If the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Tent is the perfect fit, there are many other options in our best ultralight tents guide.

Zpacks Pivot Solo Review: For another tent that balances weight and livability well, the Pivot Solo absolutely charmed us. The main reason someone might consider this over the X-Mid Pro 1 is the additional floor width the design offers. Both shelters have approximately the same square footage, but while the Pro 1 provides ample head and foot room, the Pivot Solo shifts that slightly, making it easier to store a backpack at night. We still give the edge to the Pro 1 for most people; we believe it balances price, weight, and performance a bit better for our style of backpacking. However, the Pivot Solo approaches these challenges with a slightly different mindset that might appeal to you. Either tent is fantastic; you really can’t go wrong here.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: An excellent budget king of backpacking tents provides an alternative if the price and design of the Pro 1 don’t suit your style. With ample interior space  – enough to fit two people in a pinch – and high-quality materials that should last a long time, it’s easy to see why the Lunar Solo is so well-loved. While it won’t offer the same headroom as the Pro 1, nor the advantages of a dual door and four stake setup, it’s still a great shelter no matter how many years you’ve spent on the trail.

Durston X-Mid Pro 2+ Review: The Pro 2+ retains the qualities that made the Pro 1 exceptional, but expands upon them to create a backcountry palace for two. The two doors and vestibules now make even more sense, and the vast interior space makes it our top choice when not traveling solo. Although that space results in a larger footprint, staking and setup remain easy to manage.

Durston X-Mid 1: If everything about the X-Mid Pro 1 looks awesome except for the price, then the regular silpoly version is still an excellent shelter at a great price, and it even comes with some advantages over the DCF version. The same efficient design is at work here, but you get a double-wall design, stronger #5 exterior zippers, and the ability to completely remove the inner for stargazing mode, fly-only mode, or to dry both out separately. For those going on a thru-hike, the Pro model still makes more sense, but it’s easy to see why the regular X-Mid has been so popular regardless of the trail.

One of the most effective ways to reduce the weight of your backpack is by choosing an ultralight tent. We’ve spent years – over 800 nights! – sleeping in ultralight tents over 40,000 trail miles. For this guide, we compiled research on 64 different options and selected the best models to test side-by-side.

We evaluated each model based on various metrics such as comfort, weight, ease of use, and weather resistance, while also keeping in mind the best value options available.

If you want to stay lightweight and like the idea of a pole-less pitch, we’ve also tested the best backpacking hammocks.

For more info, check out some of our other most popular gear guides:

Check out this quick list of our favorites, or continue scrolling to see our full list of the best ultralight tents with in-depth reviews.

Best Two-Person Ultralight Tent Overall: Durston Gear X-Mid Pro 2+ ($669)

Best One-Person Ultralight Tent Overall: Durston Gear X-Mid Pro 1 ($549)

Best Balance of Comfort & Weight for Two: Zpacks Offset Duo ($799)

Best Balance of Comfort & Weight for One: Zpacks Pivot Solo ($649)

Most Spacious & Weather-Worthy Ultralight Tent: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 ($699)

Best Low-Weight Design: Zpacks Duplex Classic ($699)

Best Budget One-Person Ultralight Tent: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo ($260)

Best UL Tent with Freestanding Option: Tarptent Double Rainbow ($339)

Best Budget Ultralight Tent: 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro ($190)

Good Balance of Weight & Livability: MSR Freelite 2 ($465)

Best Semi-Freestanding Ultralight Tent: Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 ($480)

Best Versatile Tarp Net Combo: Six Moon Designs Haven ($375)

Best Super Lightweight One-Person Silnylon Tent: Gossamer Gear The One ($255)

Best Super Lightweight Two-Person Silnylon Tent: Gossamer Gear The Two ($320)

How We Test

COMFORT

Staying comfortable on the trail is important to get the most out of your hike, whether it’s an overnight trip or a multi-month adventure. To evaluate comfort for tents, we used a representative gear loadout for a typical backpacking setup. This included a 20-degree quilt and a three-season, 2.5-inch thick sleeping pad. For two-person tents, we added a 30-degree quilt and another 2.5-inch sleeping pad. Our tester is 5’11″, which represents slightly above-average height and covers 80% of men and 90% of women based on American data.

We positioned the footbox as close as we comfortably could to the end wall without worrying about condensation and laid back to evaluate the remaining headroom. We sat up and moved around to check the available headroom both laterally and from side to side, seeing how easily it would be to change clothes or stretch after a long day.

WEIGHT

This ultralight tent guide focuses primarily on weight, as it is a major consideration for many of these tents. We weighed each tent rather than relying on manufacturers’ claims. The weight includes any necessary poles for the tent’s functionality, but we excluded stakes, as they are often a personal choice for many hikers.

EASE OF USE

Some tents can cut corners with ease of use to achieve a lighter weight, although all the tents we tested performed well in this category. We evaluated door size and function, noting which tents were easy to enter and exit. For two-person tents that allow sleeping orientation in either direction, we observed whether the door was difficult to use from one side and if vestibule access was obstructed.

We assessed the accessibility and size of interior pockets, awarding points for fully functional pockets and deducting points for angled designs prone to items falling out. We set up each tent consecutively to compare how each model performed against its peers.

For trekking pole tents, we examined how much adjustment was necessary to achieve a tight pitch and whether the setup process was intuitive and forgiving of mistakes. We reviewed manufacturer instructions for pitching and utilized included stakes to provide as close to a “manufacturer intended” experience as possible.

WEATHER RESISTANCE

For this edition of the guide, we didn’t cover firsthand weather resistance since we tested during the colder months, and most of these tents are not rated for winter storms. We’ll update this guide and the corresponding reviews with appropriate storm testing as it evolves.

For a few tents, some testing was conducted on long trails during heavy use, and we’ve included weather resistance findings from those adventures in their respective reviews. Non-experimental findings from the design evaluation of each tent have been included. This includes checking for large panels of exposed fabric that could catch the wind, evaluating rainfly to ground distances for splashback resistance, and examining guy line attachment points for more advanced storm protection.

We noted which orientations each tent would be strongest in the wind and whether they featured any obvious weak orientations that would struggle in a storm.

DURABILITY

An ultralight tent typically comes with the understanding that it may not last as long as other shelters, and we’ve aimed to note which tents are most likely to endure season after season. We closely examined material choices, identifying which ones have been time-tested on trails and which require extra care or a recommendation to use a groundsheet.

Stitching quality and overall manufacturing condition can indicate longevity. We looked for poorly reinforced seams, particularly at high-stress points, and tested them by pulling to see how much the threads stretched.

For all zippers, we noted their size and water resistance, checking the end stops to ensure they were properly reinforced. We also observed the significant differences in fabric hand feel, although without a tensile testing machine, we can’t directly assess tensile strength.

Why Trust DuskHiker

DuskHiker gear analysts have spent over 2,000 nights under the stars, many of which were in ultralight tents. Lead gear analyst Taylor Passofaro has pursued ultralight backpacking adventures for seven years, covering over 3,000 miles in search of beautiful mountains to explore.

He has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, Collegiate Loop, Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trek, the Tour du Mont Blanc, among others, along with countless nights spent in the parks and forests of his native Minnesota. Many of these adventures were specifically to evaluate new tents, gear, or experiences, with each trip contributing to his goal of mentally cataloging every piece of backpacking gear available.

His background in medical device design and test engineering ensures that every gear choice is thoroughly researched (and graphed more times than necessary) before testing, resulting in solid gear recommendations for all types of adventures.

Analysis & Results

VALUE

Ultralight tents are among the most expensive pieces of gear in your backpack. Determining which one is worth your investment can be a tough choice, influenced by your adventure style, comfort priorities, and, of course, your budget. Therefore, the most crucial aspect of selecting gear isn’t reading gear guides or optimizing spreadsheets, but rather developing a deep understanding of what matters to you and why.

Our recommendations are broad, and a tent we didn’t particularly favor might be the perfect shelter for you. To assist with this, we’ve aimed to be as transparent as possible about the features we believe are generally the best while also highlighting specific features that may attract more niche interests. There isn’t a best tent that suits everyone. Each model we evaluated comes with a set of trade-offs compared to one another and to more traditional tents. Key among these is the amount of performance per dollar or overall value you receive.

The top option in this metric is our budget pick, the 3FUL Lanshan 2 Pro. It strikes a good balance between livability and ease of use while still being lightweight, and we were impressed by the performance it offers. Stepping up in price slightly, the Tarptent Double Rainbow and Gossamer Gear The Two both cost about the same but have vastly different priorities. The Double Rainbow features a unique single pole design with a clever freestanding mode, delivering excellent comfort even for taller individuals with durable materials. In contrast, The Two sacrifices durability, weather resistance, and comfort in pursuit of an incredible weight for a silnylon shelter.

For our one-person shelters, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo remains a fantastic option for a reasonably priced tent that provides impressive performance and surprising amounts of interior floor space. At the high end, we’d like to acknowledge our editor’s choice, the DurstonX-Mid Pro 2+. While it’s far from affordable, value isn’t about finding the cheapest product; it’s about getting the most for your money. The reality is, producing a tent from Dyneema Composite Fiber is simply not inexpensive. However, out of all the tents we researched or tested, the X-Mid Pro 2+ consistently performs the best while being more reasonably priced than its competitors, making it an excellent investment.

COMFORT

The easiest way to reduce weight on a shelter is by simply making it smaller and less comfortable. Therefore, finding a livable interior is a tricky balance for Ultralight Tents because every increase in comfort is typically accompanied by an increase in weight. Manufacturers know that the most important metric for prospective buyers is weight, so they strive to maintain just enough comfort to satisfy most users.

In many ways, this aligns perfectly with what backpackers desire: sufficient comfort to feel happy without unnecessarily wasting ounces. This is, in essence, the crux of ultralight backpacking- pondering the question, “What do you need to be comfortable on the trail?” with an emphasis on the word need. If you’re unsure of your needs, you’ll likely end up carrying excessive weight and soon find yourself looking for a new shelter that better fits your requirements, or you may find yourself cramped in an uncomfortable interior, realizing it wasn’t worth it.

The good news is that there are an enormous number of options available for ultralight backpackers to be comfortable at various price points and comfort levels. To ease the anxiety of anyone entering the hobby: you don’t have to get it right on the first try.

Many backpackers evolve through multiple shelters and refine their needs as they gain more experience with the outdoors and their own preferences. It’s not uncommon to find someone perfectly content under a simple tarp and bivy setup who started off with a traditional tent years ago.

The downside to this approach is cost. Tents are expensive, so trying a few options can add up quickly if you aren’t savvy about buying and selling in the used market. That’s why we’ve tried to highlight which tents offer solid value and which budget options will provide a good experience without compromising quality.

The most obvious metrics to consider are floor space and peak height. However, these don’ t tell the whole story. A tent with enormous floor space and a high peak height might still suffer in livability because the side walls slope so much towards the interior that you can’ t actually use that space for anything.

This is the case with the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2. It boasts the best numbers in our lineup, but those numbers don’ t translate to the best comfort because the sloping pyramid shape limits usable space. In its defense, the UltaMid 2 has made that tradeoff for next-level storm worthiness, but it highlights the point that you can’ t simply rely on raw numbers to provide a full picture.

In our testing, we’ ve aimed to highlight which tents offer the most usable interior space, both sitting up and lying down. This means having a 5′ 11” tester lay on a 2. 5-inch sleeping pad in a 20-degree quilt and observing how much head and foot room we had. Not feeling claustrophobic at the head end is important, but avoiding condensation wetting the footbox can be even more crucial.

A tent that excels in this metric is the Tarptent Double Rainbow. With a singular arched pole that provides near-vertical walls at the head and foot end, we were able to utilize nearly the entire 88 inches of length. Other tents that performed well here include the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 + and Zpacks Offset Duo. The X-Mid employs clever offset pole geometry to maximize usable interior volume, while the Offset Duo utilizes a third pole at the foot end to increase space, and both strategies work effectively.

For average comfort, the 3 F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro scores slightly above the traditional Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 and MSR FreeLite 2. Rounding out the two-person tents, the superbly lightweight ZPacks Duplex Classic, Six Moon Designs Haven, and Gossamer Gear The Two are all a bit small. In our one-person tents, both the ZPacks Pivot Solo and X- Mid Pro 1 are excellent, offering comfortable interiors that ultimately depend on personal preference regarding which works best for your style. The Six Moon Designs LunarSolo is notable for providing impressive floor space, and behind all of them is the unique Gossamer Gear The One, which features incredible headroom but a cramped floor.

WEIGHT

As the single most important metric, weight defines an ultralight shelter. In general, our tents are divided into two categories of weight: the premium options, which fall in the 16-22 ounce range, and the standard and budget options, which are in the 30-40 ounce range. The key differentiator between the two categories is the fabric used in their construction.

Our premium options are made from Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF), while our standard and budget options use silnylon or silpoly. DCF is the lightest and strongest fabric available, weighing an astonishing 0.5 ounces per square yard for the rain flies on tents such as the Durston X-Mid Pro 1, Durston X-Mid Pro 2+, Zpacks Offset Duo, Zpacks Duplex, and the Zpacks Pivot Solo, which uses a slightly heavier 0.75oz/sq yd version for its standard configuration. This fabric is nearly ideal for tent rainfly construction due to its low stretch, waterproof qualities without a coating, and excellent tensile strength.

Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive fabrics on the market. The other group of tents in the standard and budget section is made from more conventional tent fabrics like silnylon or silpoly. While they are more affordable, these materials still offer high performance and are significantly cheaper than DCF. 

There are various factors that influence weight. Zipper size can play a significant role when you’re striving for every gram, and most premium DCF tents use #3 sized zippers, while standard tents utilize a combination of #3 and #5. Floor durability is another major factor. Although DCF is ideal for a tent rainfly, it’s a different story for the ground since DCF is susceptible to punctures and abrasion. To address this, thicker DCF or silnylon is utilized, which is resistant to both punctures and abrasion. However, different weights of fabrics are employed across various tents since each manufacturer has its own preferences for durability, and these choices contribute to the overall weight.

The lightest tent we tested is the impressive Zpacks Pivot Solo. Weighing in at 16.1 ounces on our scale for the standard version we tested, it’s a cleverly designed tent for one person but commands a high price due to its exclusive use of DCF. Zpacks also offers a “lite” version that’s 13.5 ounces because it uses thinner fabrics.

However, since lighter weight DCF is a somewhat unproven floor material, we’re hesitant to recommend that option without further testing. Not far behind is the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 at 17.4 ounces. The X-Mid also has two different weight options. A version with a DCF floor is lighter at 15.5 ounces, but we prefer the version with the silnylon floor because it’s more affordable and packs smaller.

For two-person shelters, the trend continues with the Zpacks Offset Duo and Durston X-Mid Pro 2+, which follow the same concepts as their one-person counterparts, featuring lite options and silnylon floor options, respectively. In the two-person category, the lightest option is the classic Zpacks Duplex Classic, which also comes in a lite version that reduces the weight even further. We believe that for most people, the comfort enhancements with the Offset Duo are worth it, but it remains a tempting option for the most enthusiastic ultralight pairs.

Outside of DCF, the Gossamer Gear The One and The Two are notable for being impressively lightweight, despite their silnylon construction. The One weighs 19.5 ounces, while The Two weighs only 25.3 ounces. These weights are incredible; however, they come with some significant tradeoffs. To achieve this weight, both models use 10d silnylon for the rainfly and floor.

In contrast, most tents use 20-30d materials, making durability more of a concern for these shelters, although there are many reports of good long-term performance with proper care. For a more standard shelter, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo employs more durable materials and has an average weight of 26 ounces.Since this is an Ultralight Tent Guide, all these models offer excellent weight for what they are.

However, for this category, the average-weight models include the two-pole shelters: the Big Agnes TigerWall UL2, MSR FreeLite 2, the affordable 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro, Six MoonDesigns Haven, and the semi-freestanding TarpTent Double Rainbow. In a distant last place for weight is the unique Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2, which tips the scale at 40.7 ounces but provides incredible storm worthiness for that weight.

EASE OF USE

Linked closely to comfort, ease of use is a factor that is often sacrificed in the pursuit of the lightest shelters. During our research for this guide, we examined dozens of tents and found many that made that sacrifice. Front-entry shelters are a good example, as they allow for significant weight savings with just one door at the front of a long shelter. However, they can be awkward to use, especially with two people, which is why none made it into our guide.

We also tried to exclude tents with overly complex staking requirements, awkward vestibules, or other design choices that made using the tent too complicated or frustrating. We’re pleased that all of our choices are generally quite easy to use. 

Setup can be frustrating or remarkably simple depending on the tent, and all of our selections involve some sacrifices in this area. For those accustomed to pop-up tents and simple two-pole designs, most of our picks require trekking poles for use.

Trekking pole tents necessitate a bit of adjustment compared to traditional pole tents for proper setup, but we believe that with practice, they are no harder or more complex to set up. In fact, since there is no need to set up the mesh tent first and then the rainfly, we think they can even be faster to deploy than traditional tents.

Our standout tents in this category were the X-Mid Pro 1p, X-Mid Pro 2p+, TarpTent Double Rainbow, and ZPacks Offset Duo. All four offered simple setups, along with great doors, vestibules, and features; however, we give the edge to our editors’ choice X-Mid models for slightly better ease of use.

In the middle of the pack are most of the tents we tested. The MSR FreeLite 2 scores slightly higher than the others due to its nicer doors, while the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is held back by a somewhat frustrating door design. The Gossamer Gear The Two, Gossamer Gear The One, 3F UL Lanshan 2 Pro, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, and ZPacks Duplex Classic all rank in the middle due to door designs we didn’t prefer, but they set up easily otherwise.

In the “good but with caveats” category is the remainder. The Six MoonDesigns Lunar Solo and ZPacks Pivot Solo are trickier to set up; however, unlike the above tents, they feature great doors. The Lunar Solo has a hexagonal shape that complicates achieving a perfect pitch compared to the wider A-frame style tents, and the Pivot Solo is a genuinely asymmetrical design that requires some practice to master each time. Lastly, the Six Moon Designs Haven ranked the lowest due to the inner not being able to connect to the rainfly at the peaks or to be used with trekking pole tips down.

WEATHER RESISTANCE

Perhaps the biggest concern with ultralight shelters is that they might not adequately protect you from the elements. The use of thinner materials and trekking pole-supported designs makes people feel inherently nervous compared to traditional tents. However, trekking pole designs can be quite stormworthy when constructed properly, and thinner fabrics are still strong enough when utilized effectively. Most of our recommendations would inspire confidence in typical storms encountered in the backcountry.

However, one shelter sits in a class of its own. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is a formidable shelter, boasting a pyramidal shape that is ideal for shedding wind from all directions. It features plenty of guy line attachment points and up to eight staking points to ensure it remains secure in all types of weather. We won’t mince words here: if supreme weather resistance is your top priority, this is your shelter.

However, ultralight gear focuses on making smart trade-offs, and the fact is that most people simply don’t require the level of storm protection that the UltaMid 2 offers.

Most trails don’t go through severe wind corridors, most campsites aren’t located on high mountains, and most individuals will adhere to sound wilderness advice by seeking shelter or staying at home if the weather is too adverse.

Certain design elements contribute to better or worse performance. Large fabric panels can often catch the wind and put strain on the tent stakes, so the best tents minimize these sections or incorporate panel pulls for additional support. Properly placed attachment points for guy lines at the peak or middle of the tent are immensely beneficial when staked correctly. Trekking pole tents also benefit from support structures that are significantly stronger than standard tent poles.

While a traditional domed shape can effectively shed wind and distribute load, we’ve witnessed internal pole structures collapse under wind pressure. A pyramid design like the UltaMid 2 performs well, but presents trade-offs in other areas, so it’s not the sole design found in the category. Lastly, any tent with a narrower profile facing into the wind will perform better in consistent wind conditions.

Our top picks for tents all provide a level of weather protection suitable for most backcountry adventures. This means they should withstand an average thunderstorm without damage and offer protection from typical winds and rain. For these conditions, the tents that stand out to us are the Durston X-Mid Pro 2+, Durston X-Mid Pro 1, Tarptent Double Rainbow, and ZPacks Pivot Solo. Both X-Mid models utilize a unique offset pole geometry that minimizes large panels and includes plenty of attachment points for securing them if the weather turns poor. Their rainflys also extend low to the ground to reduce splashback and drafts from the wind.

The Double Rainbow features a unique single pole structure that creates a dome shape for wind shedding, along with guyline points to bolster it during storms. However, what makes it even more distinctive is its awning mode for the doors, using a flap of silpoly spaced between the two sections. This design enhances comfort during rainstorms inside the tent, allowing you to leave the doors open and propped up while still providing protection from light rain.

Scoring in the middle are the ZPacks Offset Duo, SixMoon Designs LunarSolo, 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro, ZPacks Duplex Classic, Six Moon Designs Haven, Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2, and MSR FreeLite2. All of these tents provide adequate storm resistance for backpacking.

Trailing behind are the two Gossamer Gear models, The Two and The One, which continue to offer a unique proposition. They deliver superb weight and price as a tradeoff, with storm-worthiness being one of those tradeoffs. The One features a partial awning on one side, making it poor in wind from that direction, while The Two has large front and back panels that catch the wind. Both tents have a history of surviving long-distance trails with ease, but they wouldn’t be our first choices for storm conditions.

DURABILITY

Most ultralight tents sacrifice durability to achieve their featherweight status, but with proper care, they can last for many nights of use. The materials used in ultralight tents are not inherently weak; like clothing fabrics, they require different care. For example, silk is an incredibly strong fabric under tension, far stronger than cotton. However, silk has a reputation for being delicate because it feels so thin and requires special handling compared to cotton, which is much more forgiving when it comes to washing and care.

Knowing how to care for your clothes will extend their lifespan, even for silk ones, but you need to wash them differently from standard cotton clothes. The same applies to ultralight tents. Compared to a canvas tent, an ultralight shelter typically won’t hold up well if roughly tossed into a sled with logs and camping gear. However, it’s not designed for that type of use. Instead, manufacturers expect a certain level of care with their products, allowing their designs to focus on lightweight protection.

The fabrics in our tent selection have different strengths and weaknesses. The most specialized fabric we use is Dyneema Composite Fiber, the strongest fabric currently available on the market and the best option for rainfly use. It boasts exceptional tensile strength but has poor abrasion and puncture resistance. Therefore, it’s essential not to use your tent as a groundsheet when cowboy camping, as the thinner type of DCF used in rainflies can develop pinhole punctures more easily.

Additionally, stuffing DCF can weaken it; thus, rolling it is the recommended storage technique. The construction of DCF is unique since it’s not a woven fabric like nylon or polyester. It consists of a grid of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers sandwiched between two layers of mylar (polyester). The UHMWPE fibers provide the fabric with its remarkable tensile strength, while the mylar protects the fibers from abrasion and punctures. DCF is measured in ounces per square yard, with typically 0.55-0.8oz/sq yd used for rainfly construction and 0.75-1.1oz/sq yd for the floor.

We believe that 0.55oz/sq yd is sufficient for rainfly use, which means the heavier weights used here are due to a higher thread count and slightly thicker mylar layers that enhance tensile strength. For floor fabrics, puncture and abrasion resistance is usually prioritized over tensile strength. Therefore, instead of increasing the thread count for higher tensile strength, manufacturers opt for thicker mylar layers. We recommend at least 1.0oz/sq yd DCF for floor materials.