The Absolute LIGHTEST Tents You Can Buy
The Absolute LIGHTEST Tents You Can Buy
Check out Garage Grown Gear: https://geni.us/AlGAz
Plex Solo: https://geni.us/reUOLKS
SMD Lunar Solo: https://geni.us/mXImBA
Lanshan 1 Pro: https://geni.us/0TFyA
X-Mid 1 Pro: https://geni.us/2ZYxxp
The One: https://geni.us/UyPNsT
Fortius Tent: https://geni.us/qWhULR7
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
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The fact that cottage companies and their hand made products made by Americans in the USA may be a nice touch for you. But for anyone else in the world it’s not necessarily a good sign of quality. What comes to mind is how expensive US imports really are in the world or for example the EU, where I live. A 600$ tent starts here beyond 1000€++. There aren’t any companies like Zpacks, Tarptent etc. in Europe except Bonfus ( same price tag as US import). For gods sake, would you buy dyneema tents for prices like we do? All I want is a dyneema tent with a price tag like a US domestic purchased dyneema tent. But in the EU. And what I’ve mentioned above about my impression of American made product quality is my personal impression after multiple disappointments from buying products made in US cottage sweat shops
Great point on the folks who work in these cottage companies! Keep workers in America employed! Thanks
How do any of these tents hold up in strong wind? Say, if you were hiking in an alpine area, with vast open spaces and potentially rough wind-, rain- or hailstorms?
The Altaplex has almost the same design as the Plexsolo, but it’s a 1.5 person tent and could be worthy of a mention for those that want gear in their solo tents.
My DIY Dyneema floor less one person tent weighs 4.7 ounces, all glue construction, 4.4 feet W X 9.12 feet L X 3.5 feet H, waterproof entry/exit zipper, waterproof zippered vent with mosquito netting and hood. A loop at the peak provides hanging the tent by 9 or more methods or use of an interior or exterior pole eliminating the need for a pole at the entry/exit. There is a loop at the interior peak for hanging a flashlight and/or other gear. The vent eliminates a portion of condensation build-up. All materials were about $225, 2022/2023. Being floor less, I have the choice of what material I prefer for a ground sheet or inexpensive interior net tent. It sits in the palm of my hand. I’ve also constructed a 4.05 ounce floor less Dyneema tent, 4 feet W X 8.5 feet L X 3.5 feet H. Same construction and features of the above tent. I’m about to construct my Two Person Six plus ounce floor less Dyneema tent, 5 feet W X 4.42 feet wide at the 9 feet L side X 3.7 feet H, similar construction and features as the above tents. A good number of you can build your own tents and save a bundle of money and enjoy features, capacity, frustration and pleasure of your personal creation. You need to know or learn trigonometry and have experience building stuff. I can provide support.
Ciao! Grazie per la recensione, molto utile! hai avuto modo di testarla con forte vento? come si è comportata?
You should make a video on which one is tbe driest in a storm
for me weight has never been a problem my pack is like 55 pounds still lighter then when i was in basic lol maybe when im 60
This is for backpackers who MUST carry a pole for these tents. What’s the lightest tent with POLES INCLUDED that can withstand 30mph gusts?
Love your knowledge perspective and ability to empathize with all different types of outdoor people. Keep up the good work. I have the gossamer gear tent. If below treeline it’s superbe if one hikes eats sleeps and up early. Bug protection is a must. It’s great
I don’t know how I feel about paying more just to pay the workers more and me the consumer not benefitting. Many of the tents you reviewed aren’t even finished and require seam sealing, in essence I am paying more for workers who do less. The concept you present is why small companies fail so often.
I own a 6 moon design solo, it’s an incredible product, I hiked the first 265 miles of the PCT and this little tent performed incredibly well in Santa Ana winds conditions!
Just the comparison I was looking for. Thanks!
What about condensation issue?
I’m probably going to get a Lunar Solo this year for a specific reason: it only needs one trekking pole. I like to have a trekking pole available to me me for hiking down sometimes gnarly little trails to a water source. With the Lunar Solo, I can set it up when arriving at camp and hike to the water source at my "leisure."
Any reason you didn’t cover the Hyperlite MID 1?
I’ve been using the Six Moon Solo Luna for several years now and for an inexpensive tent it has a lot of pluses. The Solo Luna easily accommodates my 6’4” frame and my backpack. While the headspace isn’t stellar while sitting up, it can be slightly increased for sleeping by using the additional guides and use a trekking pole and a stake increase you head or foot room. Pros; reasonably priced, moderate weight, relatively easy setup but I recommend practicing putting it up a few times before your first time out with it, remarkable little condensation even below freezing. Cons; I wish there were some interior loops to hang lights or laundry in the interior. Getting a perfect pitch is a challenge. Getting in and out can be tricky. The hardware for the vestibule’s guideline looks flimsy and I’d hate to try to replace the hook in the field. As mentioned the tent doesn’t come sealed but you can pay Six Moon to do it or, like me, you can do it yourself. Granted, my seem sealed looks as if I were drunk when I did it and I had to go back to do it a second time. I’d also recommend using a ground cloth. Six Moon sells a poly cro two part ground cloth that weighs practically nothing but it’s a bit of a wrestling match but you could also use a sheet as a rain skirt so there’s that. Or, you could use a sheet of Tyvex, it’s slightly heavier but you loose the ability to use it as a rain skirt.
I’m really not a fan of dyneema. It’s super expensive and actually takes up more space than other materials because to keep it in good condition you have to fold it. You’re trading so much convenience for negligible weight loss.
I was wondering why Hyperlite mountain gear is not on your list?
As I never carry trekking poles those tents are not for me…
Woobie masterrace
I agree gossamer gear the one is best all round tent
HELP. I cannot decide between GG The One vs Lunar Solo. I am 180cm and Ive noticed people talk about that potentially being a bit of an issue in terms of space with Gossamer, I dont want to feel like s sardine inside of the tent rubbing my head on the walls. Any advices? 🙁
Hubba Hubba
Check out Garage Grown Gear: https://geni.us/m2tzeVo
Plex Solo: https://geni.us/ahG1KjD
SMD Lunar Solo: https://geni.us/QFJZ
Lanshan 1 Pro: https://geni.us/i6ps
X-Mid 1 Pro: https://geni.us/AHiFfF
The One: https://geni.us/Mix2
Fortius Tent: https://geni.us/xaEGs
Good on you for spelling out exactly WHY our dollars spent on domestically produced items is a better deal for ALL involved. People who complain about spending too much maybe want TOO MANY things. If you have a passion for hiking, it’s worth considering domestically sourced hiking equipment.
I’m going to make a bold statement: No 1P tent should cost more than $200. Period. They need to figure out how to scale their business and get costs back down to reasonable levels. Dyneema isn’t that special.
Hey, Steve. Why is there no review of the hyperlight tent?
It baffles me that someone would sell a tent that isn’t waterproof. (from the factory)
Love your videos thank you. THe Lanshan 1 Pro is great for entry level campers. Adult Scout Leaders headed on a high adventure trek, for instance, to Philmont, often do not have the funds to buy more expensive tents and frankly may not use the tent much more than their one major trek. I always recommend it as a great first tent. If they keep backpacking then it makes sense to refine their gear, start to really think about $ and grams and the community. My point is – don’t discount the Lanshan 1. Its a great starter shelter and will help introduce more people to the hobby we all love. Thanks again for your thoughtful and insightful content.
Ouch no mention of the original leader in this space, Tarptent.
X-mid (if funds allow the pro) I need to get get a new tent for the summer. I spend a lot of time above tree line on ridges and the fact that you can get away with only 4 stakes is nice. Its really hard to set up a tent in the dark or in the rain with a ton of rocks in the ground. I need it to shed light snow, even in summer it could happen. I need a vestibule.
I’m hesitate between Durston X-mid and Nemo Hornet 2P, anyone has any idea ?
I think the durston is probably lighter when you include the weight of the stakes
Please Review the Paria Arches 1 person trekking pole tent. That’s one I’m considering
The world needs more full dcf dual wall 1 person tents for tall people. Tall hikers = everything is heavier more expensive and less options overall 😪
I fell for the hype. I’ve had a lunar solo for three or four years. It is the biggest letdown of any gear I’ve ever bought. I finally just bought the landshan one and two person, both double wall (nobody likes the pro version). These tents pitch 1,000 times better than the lunar solo, have more room, and guy out better. They are higher quality, and seem taped from the factory, and include stakes and extra guidelines which the solo does not. The solo’s fabric is also ridiculously slippery, which means you better have something under your sleeping pad.
I know it wouldn’t be ultra lite …but can I have a pullover from your beard??
Really good comparison! I hope I can get one of these in Europe
Kinda disappointed with this video to be honest. Almost 80% of the Lanshan 1 section is to tell people to buy from Cottage Companies than it is about the tent. I wouldn’t have mind if you just ripped into the tent and criticise it to high heaven or just let me know how it fails multiple rain tests or whatever. Also, I get that buying from smaller companies helps the community but when you’re trying to make an educated purchase especially with a comparison video, this just ain’t it chief.
I personally love the tarpstar one by alp kit it’s only 500 g and you can only bring the rain cover for the fly and it’s just under €200
I have the Plex solo tent which i plan to use when I go bike touring. Planning on doing the PCBR in July so it should be dry during that month so condensation should be minimal.
Please do your research before you claim something is the worlds lightest, because the Z Packs Plex Solo is NOT not lightest tent in the world!…I have the lightest, which is the Jumper Home, Mountain House 1.5P…It’s much bigger than the Plex Solo (big enough for two in fact) but it only weighs 326g (11.49oz)! (Minus the pole and pegs). My Pole is a custom made, 1.4m long, four section, Carbon Fibre pole made by MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs)…It weighs 92g.
Despite my tents super ultralight weight it’s super strong, and it has easily handled 65mph winds on mountain summits, which of course is what it was designed to do, hence it’s name.
It’s made from 0.67oz real tree camo DCF, and it is not stitched together, it’s fully bonded, so there are no holes in the seams for water to get in and there is no stitching to fail. Unfortunately, you can’t buy one new anymore as the Chinese genius who made it, who called himself "Jumper Home", tragically passed away in a climbing accident on a Chinese mountain a couple of years ago, which was a massive loss to the entire ultralight outdoor gear market.
It was inexpensive too…I only paid £350 ($400) for it, and he even customised it to my requirements…I know I’m super lucky to have it, and it’s a real shame others can’t enjoy having one too, and have to resort to using heavier tents.
I have the six moons design. I use it mostly for bike packing. In the bike packing area pack volume is more important to me than weight to me. It stuffs down way smaller than the $700. Offerings
Great video! Two of my favorite photographers in one video! Enjoyed it immensely.
I really loved my Tarp tent notch Li. light, easy set up, bomb proof, expensive, durable. Good size interior.
A 25 inch pad like the termarest xlite next max fits easily in the gg one, you don’t need a tapered pad
How can I get these tents without sponsoring the US? No sane person wants to pay someone who might have voted for Trump.
i would choose the x-mid pro 1
No HL?
You didn’t mention the Hyperlight Mid 1. It’s 16.7 ounces and 32" wide end to end. Thanks for what you do.