The Absolute LIGHTEST Tents You Can Buy

Check out Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/AlGAz
Plex Solo: geni.us/reUOLKS
SMD Lunar Solo: geni.us/mXImBA
Lanshan 1 Pro: geni.us/0TFyA
X-Mid 1 Pro: geni.us/2ZYxxp
The One: geni.us/UyPNsT
Fortius Tent: geni.us/qWhULR7
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[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Check out Garage Grown Gear: geni.us/m2tzeVo Plex Solo: geni.us/ahG1KjD SMD Lunar Solo: geni.us/QFJZ Lanshan 1 Pro: geni.us/i6ps X-Mid 1 Pro: geni.us/AHiFfF The One: geni.us/Mix2 Fortius Tent: geni.us/xaEGs

[@chmduquesne]

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

[@affalaffaa]

Handy for Canadian viewers as well as they use metric.

[@Ryan-yi5ro]

​@@affalaffaa The entire world is.

[@mojaslovenija9903]

I always freak up when someone is saying that is frezzing at 20° ;)

[@guillaumekeulen219]

Imperial is different then US! Google it! This mistake let my uncle Joseph crash in the Java Sea! He bailed out safely!

[@capedmarauder2055]

Completely agree. Very grateful to have such good content. Equally, it is essentially Imperial for the US and metric for the rest of the world. So, anyone broadcasting to the world better include metric!

[@jeffhartman5166]

Durston X-mid (non-pro). Best combination of price, features, space, and weight. $240 for a tent that has 2 vestibules, comes seam sealed, fits wide sleeping pads, well ventilated, and weighs only 28 oz. Best value double walled tent on the market.

[@Mysteri0usB]

The fact that this tent isn't talked about more by backpacking youtubers who only highlight the flagship models is a bit dissapointing

[@Yomamma100]

I 100% agree. I think for some purposes it’s better than the pro, being double walled.

[@nils_6542]

such a shame it costs almost 500 to get it shipped to europe.

[@cyrilhaessig27]

You are right, it is an amazing product. Shame that over here in Europe it is nearly twice the price by the time you add tax/import duty. If I lived in the US I would have bought one ages ago.

[@bananarama3624]

@@Mysteri0usB Really?? I have ONLY heard comparisons between Durston and Zpacks for most videos?? Most of the big backpacking KZbinrs only compare trekking pole tents from US brands and barely ever try any European or Australian or New Zealand brands which is more inconvenient for people who aren't from the US and it costs a lot for them to ship it over

[@lorenzoalcantara5636]

Have used the X-Mid Pro 2 on two through hikes after a couple of years of the MSR Hubba Hubba and about 30 years (and multiple patches and re-urethaning and seam sealing) of an MEC Snowfield 2 person Expedition. The transition from about 3.5 kg to 1.4 kg now about 500g with the Durston XMid Pro 2P is amazing! Less weight and less volume for my ageing body to carry. Dan Durston is knocking it out of the park with his designs.

[@donb6070]

Lunar Solo has served me well on trips through the Cascades, and kayak trips in Montana. Being 6'3", I am quite comfortable inside the Solo. Having room for my backpack is great, too, allowing me to change into day clothes and access early morning coffee brewing gear without the need to go outside if the morning is drizzly.

[@AdventureswithWillem]

Very underrated tent

[@rono.3692]

I agree! I am also 6'3" and love my Lunar Solo. I now backpack with my Tarptent Aeon Li and I admit to secretly wishing for the Lunar Solo's floor space. If SMD could make it from DCF, I would classify it as Best Tent Ever!

[@memathews]

The SMD Gatewood Cape works for me and my 6'3" height. It's essentially a wearable Lunar Solo poncho with the same tent length, but three inches less taller (45") and 13inches narrower (66"), and no bug net or floor. I add a 2S2 bug net (3 oz) clipped to the top and 4 square corners, which makes a total package weight of 16 oz with a light ground cloth. The vestibule uses the same zipper style opening that is so convenient and spacious. But I don't think you can go wrong with any of these, all these tents look great and weigh so little.

[@Senki207]

With how many gear reviews are bringing up this point, I'll have to bring up a counterpoint: buying from "cottage companies" mainly because you're supporting the brand feels a bit... ivory tower(ish) to me. I'm not saying that Zpacks and the rest don't make absolutely amazing products, they do, but for most of us, our gear is just something that allows us to do what we love, hike, explore and have adventures. There's nothing wrong with buying the cheapest gear (that still does the job right) and spending the rest of the money on amazing trips. If you have surplus money and you want to support local companies (though US companies aren't "local" to most of the world), it's okay, but the main point of hiking gear is to allow you to practice your hobby. If I had to choose between a $500 tent and a five day trip or a $180 tent and a twelve day trip, I'm always choosing the latter. The video description about the Lanshan tent is mostly an advertisement about buying from small companies instead of a description of the tent. I've owned a Lanshan 2, and honestly it's done its job perfectly and the equivalent of the $300 I saved by not ordering a Zpacks Duplex allowed me to go on a lot more trips. I encourage everyone to consider what they need the gear for and how they're going to use it before considering the "ethical" implications of buying said gear.

[@TheFraziers]

I'll add my personal favorite which is the Tarptent Aeon. It's made of DCF, weighs only 17 ounces, and has great interior room and storm worthiness thanks to the carbon struts it has in two corners. It also requires the least number of stakes of any similar tent I can think of.

[@DanDeLeeuw989]

I just picked one up about a month ago and pitched it in my backyard... I don't have all the experience that these KZbinrs do, but it's an absolutely amazing tent with awesome ventilation, low weight, and plenty of useable room! Can't wait to take it out in the back country this spring!

[@boogada]

I also love my Aeon. Its definitely absent from this list.

[@HomeyD.Clause]

Tarptent Aeon Li - Dyneema (DCF), USA made, six stake setup, functional rain fly, adjustable vents/air flow, adjustable splash guards, 19.3 oz / 548 g (with apex guyline, stakes, struts, and bags). Been using it for two years. Tarptent Aeon Li FTW.

[@CBne1997]

@@HomeyD.Clause Tarptent’s are not made in the US. The only UL tents I know that are made in the US are Zpacks and MLD. HMG moved their manufacturing to Mexico recently.

[@anselmocat]

Aeon is a great tent but needs 6 stakes to set up properly. If you had to decide between it and the DD Xmid pro 1 it would be a very tough decision, but the DD may sneak it on internal and vestibule space as well as being easier to set up. Have both, speaking from experience 😂

[@danielwehner1876]

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

[@jonathankobbe6073]

currently thinking of getting the lunar solo as an upgrade for my lanshan as well. Are you still as happy with your lunar? And do you use it without a groundsheet? 40d poly is right on the edge of what i feel like im comfortable using without a groundsheet, especially since the tent isnt super cheap.

[@sidneymoon8586]

My favorite is the Tarptent Notch Li, which is unique in having two doors, lots of vestibule space, and the option to add more wind protection to the interior, making it warmer in cold or windy weather. It also the only tent I’ve found that can be set up with my extremely lightweight 110cm poles. It’s only disadvantage is that it is harder to pack inside a pack because of it’s packed length.

[@TheAdventureGeek]

2nd the NotchLi

[@Justin-tb2qk]

I never heard of this...thanks looks really good tent. ​@@TheAdventureGeek

[@debspieltube]

Lunar Solo! Used it for two seasons. Light and roomy! Like all single wall tents condensation is an issue, especially if it rains, but expected. I live in Utah so this usually is not a problem.

[@bootmender]

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

[@bootmender]

Another Explorer I look up to is Todd Carmichael; He is the first American to complete a solo trek across Antarctica to the South Pole, on foot with no assistance, capturing the World Speed Record with a total travel time of 39 days, 7 hours and 49 minutes.

[@briananderson3668]

The Durston x- mid tent served me well this week. The tent did well in 4 plus inches of wet snow, heavy winds, heavy rain during a trip earlier this week in Southern Utah.

[@envman67]

I just ordered the Durston X-Mid 2 for just $300. By far the BEST tent for the money. It can handle 40-60 mph winds, heavy snow, torrential rain with ease. It weighs just around 35ozs and it’s around $400 cheaper than the XMid pro version.

[@eep803]

A shame not to see any of the Tarptent 1 person tents in this line up. They have a great selection of designs under just one brand, the Aeon to match the plex solo, the Notch li to match the gossamer gear, the Stratospire li to match the durston. Not exactly the same as each, but pretty comparable.

[@mr.perfect5303]

Agree, they make great tents. The Pro trail Li is an excellent design. So are their rainbow tents. They're just a tad too small for me 😢

[@gabbette999]

& I just got home from using their DiPole Li 1p and it was AWESOME!!!

[@CexCells]

Love my Notch!!

[@PeteBraginton]

I really like my Notch Li. That Di pole looks sweet tho!!

[@emmanuelprocyk7029]

yep. Aeon Li 543g, lots of room, superb design, 569 USD. I just love it!

[@louspeed1]

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

[@seanoconnell6735]

Exactly!.......which is what I did. I have the original X-mid 1P tent that I bought about 3 years ago, or maybe 4? Anyway, GREAT design, but I wanted a bit more space, so when the original run of the X-mid Pro 2 was advertised, I was lucky to get an order. Expensive, yes, but I just couldn't resist. Fantastic tents and they are probably all I will need the rest of my life.

[@jeffrubin8570]

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

[@rachelbrain]

I love my X-Mid 2p v2, so if I decided to go lighter, I'd definitely pick up the X-Mid Pro. I'm sure it'd be worth the investment for longer trips.

[@ChristianPaulPhotography]

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

[@charitallman5742]

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

[@ropersix]

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

[@Suncity4]

Wow, not a Tarptent mention. Like the Aeon Li at 17 ozs without steaks or a Notch Li which has 2 doors and is an inner and outer 2 piece tent at 20 ozs without stakes. Henry makes wonderful quality products and a long line up of 1P tents like a Rainbow Li at 22 ozs that can be pitched on slick rock with trecking poles. I’ve used or have a lot of the tents you showed but nobody makes as many light 1P options as Tarptent.

[@brianmcmurdie]

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

[@Kevinschart]

i've been using my durston since 2020 (sil/poly). Before that, I had a cheap nylon tent from amazon. it's great not having to get out in the middle of a rain storm to tighten lines

[@elr05]

I

[@mojaslovenija9903]

Nylon is problematic in hiking in the rain or wet area and there is no time to dry the tent when packing. The nylon-made tent is lighter than polyester, but in the real situation when wet it became significantly heavier. When we check old tent-making brands with 50 or even 100 years of legacy their flagship tents are still made of polyester variants - sure with the reason.

[@jamesthornton3339]

The lunar solo is a great tent. I've had mine for two years. Now if I could find a sleeping pad as comfortable as my hammock.

[@martinapolamova540]

@@jamesthornton3339 Whatś your point of view on condensation with Lunar Solo? Does the water drops on you somethimes?

[@renaecummings8068]

Lunar solo. At 26 oz which is still pretty light, you get TONS of room. No issues with pad widths, headroom, etc. if you want to keep all gear inside there is plenty of room. The door doesn’t flop down like zpacks, and the lunar solo usually goes on sale at certain points of the year making it possible to get for $200. Also, it packs down smaller than DCF tents do. If I could have any tent it would probably be the Durston pro 2. The 2 would be super roomy but super expensive, but also take up a bigger footprint and not pack down as small. No….🤔 I think the Lunar Solo is still the winner.

[@NikhilShahi]

Yeah I agree. I have the X-Mid 2 solid but am eyeing the X-Mid 2 pro also for longer trips. Dan did mention that he might make a hybrid DCF tent eventually (late next year) - so I might hold out for that.

[@bigriver47]

I chose the plex solo and I have had no problems with this tent. DCF does not breath and I used it in New Mexico and Southern San Juans on the CDT. It rained almost every day and for a few days almost all day, after 4 days it was as wet in the tent as outside with condensation the main culprit. Also, to fully exploit the space in the Plex solo you will need 10! tent stakes. I recommend a beefy one to anchor the trekking pole, and a bunch of shepherd's crooks for the other points. I camped above 12000 feet in a thunderstorm and this tent was gold with hail, high winds and rain, rain, rain. Weighs less than a pound. Dump your tarp and get one of these, easily my most expensive piece of gear, worth every nickel.

[@donterres5315]

I really loved my Tarp tent notch Li. light, easy set up, bomb proof, expensive, durable. Good size interior.

[@chrisfarmer1430]

I think it's the Xmid for me. I have used the Tarptent Double rainbow for some time but just purchased the X-mid 2 V2 which now has a 52" wide floor. To clarify, I did not purchase the pro version (the floor width in the pro is slightly narrower as his video describes). I don't mind a little extra weight and the materials and features really match a lot of the things I've looked for in a tent for a long time. Just didn't want to mislead anyone.

[@bobpadrick7718]

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

[@schnickschnack2090]

yes 👍

[@stevenreeves1394]

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.

[@steemteem4437]

I use the lanshan 2. It's fantastic. My only complaint is that the rain fly is so slippery and packing it up can be a little frustrating. In my opinion it could be much worse so, that's a great issue to have with a pretty cheap, light, and roomy trekking pole tent.

[@DerekMellottphoto]

I got my Lanshan 2 for $25 CDN at an Amazon returns place, I'll deal with the minor negatives for that price

[@LMay64]

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

[@Jhollowed25]

Yea that's one thing that I surprised he didn't mention. I think the Xmid 1P is the only tent in this video that is double-wall, and yet it's still one of the lightest

[@at19pct21]

@@Jhollowed25 XMid Pro 1P is single-wall, DCF canopy, silnylon floor. XMid non-Pro 1P is double-wall, sil-poly, and is heavier than the semi-freestanding Nemo Hornet 1P (but also larger and cheaper).

[@mr.perfect5303]

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

[@TheOlsonOutfit]

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

[@evanshaw17]

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

[@jfifield20]

Durston X Mid Pro would be my top choice since it has two unobstructed doors, two huge vestibules ( so you can keep your pack & gear on one side and then cook on the other side in bad weather without having to be cramped or move anything), two upper vents, ability to pitch all sides to ground level for better coverage in winter or storm conditions. And in non windy conditions you only need 4 stakes to pitch.

[@Jimmy2Bits]

I got the 2nd gen X-mid 1. not the pro. instead of nylon, it's made of polyester which has doesn't sag in the rain because it doesn't absorb water allowing it to dry faster staying lighter. and it's less than half the price of the similarly designed x-mid pro 1.

[@chadbrow]

Durston, of course.

[@danielcluley870]

X-mid Pro 1 is the best design I have ever used. You can tell it was made by somebody who actually does multi-day, long distance hikes. Fantastic tent.

[@robertjones7023]

Great point on the folks who work in these cottage companies! Keep workers in America employed! Thanks

[@johnmccarron]

I'M from Scotland and I found the Six moon Lunar Solo years ago,I've had other tents, but keep coming back to Lunar Solo, good weight,tough tent it's I think is hard to beat, a go anywhere tent, only thing that annoyed me was condensation but I got over that I think its a long lasting good tent in all conditions.

[@iseabeck9488]

I've been rocking the Fortius 2p for almost a year now. I knew the 1p was going to be waaaaay too small. I have zero beef with my 2p. Wind, rain, even snow (10 inches overnight, 1 partial collapse).

[@GenX_outdoors]

I’d have to consider the Durston 1p (not the pro). His regular 1p is a double wall for just $300.

[@susansheppard2349]

Actually $240! 28 ounces.

[@NikhilShahi]

That one is $240 and quite the bargain.

[@pharrigan-hikes]

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

[@markheming3507]

I’ve been a sixmoons guy for several years…. Best bang for the buck I’m not afraid of a few bugs, so I have been using Deschutes tarp for years and love it. It is a great way to drop the weight but still have a awesome shelter

[@LUCKY_LARRY]

I recently used a Lunar Solo for about 500 miles and loved it. I now have nearly 1000 miles on a Tarptent ProTrail Li. I see this as a good time to splurge on a DCF tent. I don't see any lighter, stronger, more advanced materials coming down the pike any time soon. With these new tents, I can carry along some liveable space for less weight than the ol' tarp and bivy. It's a good time for tents. Just be sure you practice a good pitch before you go out. Nothing worse than a saggy, floppy tent pitch.

[@nopeninja8883]

Thank you for educating people on cost vs employee support

[@jsbaker2795]

I've been using the Six moons Deschutes+ for many years now , has no floor , and just a bug net "skirt" that runs around the outer perimeter at 16oz it has served well with heavy use Has worked great with my dog when needed (no worries about him puncturing the floor) A simple piece of tyvek or sil poly has done the trick without fail A bonus for me its not possible to get pooling water in a tent with a detached floor Condensation will be on the inside regardless of what you do and it dripping to the bottom around the perimeter and being able to shed away is much more preferable to little ponds collecting in all those other impermeable built in floors. Alot cheaper whenever it's time to eventually replace it too.

[@NCTKMH]

I use a Lanshan 1 and love it. My first night out in it there were 35-45mph sustained winds with gusts up to 60 mph while on a section of the NCT a few hundred feet from the Lake Superior shoreline in late September. Needless to say, it’s an absolute tank in high winds!

[@japoc]

Jesus that’s one hell of a trekking pole. What trekking pole were you using to pitch it? Because I’ve seen videos on KZbin of people testing it with wind speeds less than that, and their trekking pole was bent after.

[@NCTKMH]

@@japoc Ozark Trail aluminum pole. Trust me, I was expecting worst but it held up all night. I however didn’t sleep at all so the next day wasn’t the best lol

[@japoc]

@@NCTKMH Thanks! Have you ever had to pitch the Lanshan 1 with rocks only? No earth, just rocks. I'll be hiking with the Lanshan 1 for the first time soon, and there will be a section with rocks only... I'm wondering if that's actually possible, or if I need to find an alternative. Thoughts?

[@BoofSquank]

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

[@rootsandpeaks]

I have both and am planning to do a comparison video. Should be fun!

[@BoofSquank]

@@rootsandpeaks Would love to see a video dedicated to a direct comparison of the two, I don’t think one exists yet.

[@NikhilShahi]

I agree. I went with the solid as it is double walled, has less mesh and is only 1.2 lbs more. The extra weight is worth it for me and the X-Mids can't be beat design wise.

[@hittinpure1]

@@NikhilShahiI am new to backpacking and looking for a tent… would the mid x be good enough for beginner? Or too much weight … doing short trips 4-5 miles

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Tarptent Protrail model, 24oz or 680g, $239. These are super easy to set-up, rain and storm worthy, and very well made. All the stitching, seams, and zipper are durable. Plus, you can set it up in the rain and it stays dry inside.

[@gerrardmurray4583]

As a humanist, I really appreciate that you assert the value of proper wages and conditions for the workers

[@agrivere5494]

Quite a few people have mentioned Tarptent, and I have to add my recommendation for these tents as well. I use the ProTrail Li, which weighs in at 17.2 ounces (including the stakes), sets up easily, and unlike many of the tents reviewed here has more than enough room inside for a wide sleeping pad. This tent is 30" wide at the bottom, and 42" wide at the top (head) end, so there's a lot of space for such a light tent. And it's actually cheaper than any of the Dyneema tents listed here. A shame it wasn't reviewed.

[@finneganmagee]

We are rocking the same tent. Agree simple sturdy dyneema tent that is good value.

[@vpredhouse]

I'll take my Tarptent rainbow li over anyov those. Can be set up w trekking poles in lieu of stakes and has a luxurious amount of space for one. Also, smd gatewood cape combo deserves some love for its versatility and being a double-wall tent.

[@markcummings6856]

2 most important features of a House- 1. Waterproof 2. Structural integrity. All tents in video are waterproof, X-Mid blows the others away in structural integrity!

[@fje00]

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

[@woodchip2782]

I still love my Tarptent Notch 1P. It’s heavier than all those tents but at half the cost and can open on BOTH sides providing good ventilation…😊

[@GeekfromYorkshire]

I have the original from when first released 2012. Still using it. Poles long, pegged wide = warmer weather. Poles short pegged close to fly = winter. Although I also have the Protrail from 2015 which I prefer in summer as it's roomier. I don't use the guyline locks, I use knots and loop around the pegs in pitching then just raise the pole height while inside if there's sag.

[@intothefoxhole7985]

The lunar solo is a good option when compared to the lanshan. When in such a small tent while facing condesation, it could have a strong advantage with its lack of stretch. I would like to try this one out, or possibly the plex solo, because of the single pole design. Since i dont hike with a pole less is more for a tent. Also, single pole tents shed wind very well.

[@nickday7381]

I own the lunar solo and love it i also now own the X Mid 1 Solid for the colder months in northern UK. Not used as much but starting to really like it. Hopefully the love will blossom. 😂

[@loganbohn5935]

I think the Tarptent Notch li is a great option at 20 oz, especially if you prefer double walled tents like I do

[@stevesalter1138]

Another great gear video, thank you! This is a list of ultralight, signal person, trekking pole tents. They all work just fine. However, dyneema is the far superior material. Therefore, the best tent would be the lightest one made out of dyneema. Everything else is just semantics. The Zpacks Plex Solo is the logical winner.

[@Earthpet711]

If I could pick, I would take the X-mid pro 1 for sure. That thing is made with love and Dan is the man!

[@christopherbeach416]

I have the SMD LS. I love it!! We are a family of 5 so I am always on a budget and for my solo trips this is my go too!! Of course if I ever "hit it big" I'll upgrade to a dynema tent. But that's for future me to worry about lol.

[@matthewborthwick8710]

I've got a lanshan pro 2 as I live in the UK and shipping from America to UK costs a fortune. I've really had no problem with it and it's perfect for my needs. Seam seal took me a total of 45 mins and 6 hours to dry

[@ytmwang]

I already bought the Durston Xmid Pro 1 because of ease of setup, which is often not a metric reviewers use to determine the best tent. That and it came with a coveted sticker. #notacult. Nice video!

[@elr05]

#notacult #weloveourstickers. I’m looking forward to using my XMid Pro 1P as soon as possible.

[@ulperformance4087]

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.

[@jeffstone28]

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."

[@matthewfurst1577]

Always enjoy your videos, another great one. Thanks. I own a Durston x-mid 1p not the pro and also the lanshan 1 pro. I love them both, but if I could have just one tent it would be the Durston pro 1p. Thanks again

[@mikesalasek3603]

I resently purchased an X-Mid 1 Pro and I am very impressed. Duel doors on a one person tent, seriously awesome. I can't wait to use it.

[@antoniom.andersen6704]

I'd prefer the lunar solo seeing as I sometimes hike with a dog. Right now I have a nordisk lofoten 1 ulw and a robens chaser 2. On a side note, you said they are all 1 pole tents but I believe that the durston uses 2 poles... not a big deal as I've never heard of someone trekking with only 1 pole 😃

[@MCMPNed68]

The Durston X-Mid Pro I've been eyeing for the last year and half now!

[@Shockhikes]

Been out in my Xmid pro1 a couple times now. My absolute favorite tent. Not a single thing I could think to improve

[@craigsmith9541]

Really appreciated this video. EXCELLENT COMMENTS from other viewers and their experience. Thank You!

[@mojaslovenija9903]

Good explanation and I understood the point. In my point of view; a tent is essential gear when spending nights outdoors. The priority of the tent is to protect, it not only from bugs or rain but also wind, and being robust is not a bad idea (being on a thorough hike for two months and setting tent up and down each day takes some price on the material), so the difference of half a kilo (half a liter of water) when the heavier tent protects fully is trivial. Long story short, my current expedition tent 2P tent with a "full bag" weight (pegs, poles, groundsheet, ropes...) is 1400 g but is with wind gust test up to 200 km/h and 4000 mm water resistance... European brand with a high reputation and the price of only 340€.

[@j3hikes444]

durston for the win

[@glenndorsey9068]

Six moon design lunar solo is my tent of choice. I just don’t see the expense of exotic material for tent or pack although if I were a thru hiker, maybe. . . Lunar solo is a wonderful tent for my dog and me on 2-3 day trips here in Southwest Va mountains, although when condensation conditions are right I prefer my double wall Sea to Summit Alto 2 person (also a roomy tent). I enjoyed your quick lowdown on these tents. Glad to see the one I picked several years ago is still the one I would probably pick.

[@___Chris___]

I need a three person trekking pole tent (=sleeping 2 people with wide sleeping pads, roomy enough for tall people like me (I'm 6ft 3"). + a bit of extra space). Does anyone know of a tent that fits that mission? Let's hope there'll be something like the x-mid pro as a 3-person version or a "Lanshan 3P" with polyester instead of nylon. I know there's still the Zacks Triplex, but I'm somehow not really convinced by that one.

[@gavinhalm3016]

For me, it's the Durston X-Mid 1 (non "Pro"), at under 2 pounds and a mere 240 bucks...Just can't beat it for what you get. And, carrying a mere 11.7 oz more weight is not worth 2.5+ times the expense of the Pro...An absolute masterpiece of a lightweight 1P tent.

[@kirkrozelle1900]

My favorite is the Tarptent DiPole 1 Li. It's huge with lots of airflow and can be put up with only 4 stakes in relatively calm conditions. It is very pricey though.

[@unightie]

I find the asymmetric shapes hard to pitch. That’s why I chose the Zpacks Duplex with flex kit for solo trips

[@BrokenBackMountains]

As a Durston xmid 2 solid owner, if I was going for a lighter tent I'd choose the Durston. I am not a fan of single skin tents though.

[@bmwohl]

Nice summary. This is my tenth season using a Zpacks Duplex, the same Duplex for solo or solo plus dog. I could not be happier. And I've been searching for the perfect tent since I started backpacking in 1957.

[@johnhutchison2268]

I am based in Scotland and my first choice is the duplex for solo tracking. It keeps me dry in the worst of Scottish weather and at 22 oz is relatively light

[@jayyoung2586]

I chose the Durston X-mid Pro 1.

[@donniebel]

I’m going with none of these. Upgraded to the Tarptent Dipole1- very happy with it. Granted it’s pricey but it has several features that set it apart from this lineup such as unparalleled interior space and ventilation which I feel puts it ahead of the X mid (my second choice). It appears that the trend is for 25” wide pads and older designs that don’t accommodate wider pads are at a serious disadvantage in the marketplace for many.

[@hugoschmitt9208]

Hey there, thanks a lot for your video ! I'm kind of a weight weenie but I discovered over the years that I hate single wall tents. In your opinion, what are the lightest double wall 1 person tents ? Notch li ? Thanks 😊

[@basecampcarolina4352]

Great video! Two of my favorite photographers in one video! Enjoyed it immensely.

[@travellingDAS]

Great review! Durston all the way for me, I’ve had the v1, the v2 and the solid 1P, they are solid tents and so easy to pitch. Time to move on up to the pro 2P as my only criticism left is needing a bigger tub. I love my Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT when I car camp and I’d have the Soulo or Akto for gnarly winters in the mountains but for multi-day 3 season trekking Dan’s designs are tough to beat imho.

[@iceman857]

Genuinely not a criticism, but why do KZbinrs seem to ignore the Tarptent line? My Aeon Li weighs ~500g.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Because Tarptent makes it hard for us to get their tents. I’ve only used one Tarptent and raved about it. If Tarptent was willing to let me use more tents with less hassle I would love to talk about their tents more.

[@iceman857]

Your response is similar to what I heard yesterday from Justin Outdoors. Must be Mr. Shires’ problem, not KZbinrs. ;)

[@eep803]

I’ve only just seen this reply after questioning the lack of Tarptent. It’s a shame, but thanks for clarifying.

[@quakingleaf]

I’ve owned most of these and now have a Tarptent Dipole 2 Li. It’s my favorite ul tent of all time.

[@robd.9481]

Thanks for the comparison video. I wish their were more comparison type videos done. Which would I choose? I think I'm going with the Protrail Li for my AT thru hike coming up. I like the simplicity of design and setup, the wide entrance, and the ventilation. Also I like the quality from TT and that it's American made. I wish Henry made it a few inches taller.

[@TheFleetcaptain210]

I have the Durston Xmid2 Pro and the Zpacks Altaplex and really like the both of them. While both are a bit heavier than your selection, they are worth the extra weight. The Altaplex gives me the headroom and smaller footprint when I am heading into rugged terrain, and the Durston provides the space I like for 1 person on longer canoe trips. Any of these tents mentioned are great for canoe tripping. Light weight for portaging and easy setup are what I am looking for as major features. Personally, I do like Dyneema as the material for my tents.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Great plug for cottage companies. I actually work for REI, and everyone I know both loves and applauds these small businesses. Having said that, there are brands on Garage Grown Gear that are not what most of us would term true cottage companies. Several brands you see on there may be based in the US, and employ people in the US, but many of them still have gear manufactured in China. I'll let you do your own research, and use your own judgement from there.

[@MrJacobryborg]

I got the xmid pro1, i was torn between the Tarptent dipole 1 and the xmid pro1. The weight of the xmid was the winning factor

[@tharrylock]

I've had the Lunar Solo for almost a decade and have used it about 100 times. I switched to the Z-pack duplex in 2021 as a way to shave more than a lb off my base weight and feel like the stupid way Z-packs does the tent zipper such that you need 2 hands to unzip and zip vs. how Lunar Solo does it really detracts from what is supposed to be the best tent out there.

[@emeliehammarstrom15]

If I had the money I would choose the xmid 1p pro, but now I will be able to buy the Altaplex for a good price (second hand) so I will go with that for now.

[@ronman33]

I'd recommend the River Country Products One Person Trekking Pole Tent, Ultralight Backpacking Tent. Same style as these and it has taped seams. Has been around for a few years and has been a proven tent. Plenty of reviews and vids out there. True, it's 40oz; but that weight includes the lines and stakes that come with it. Also, it's $60, which I believe is much lower than the ones here. I've used mine about 16 times over the last few years and have had no issues. I'm in the NW, so you know it's been in the wind and rain.

[@CBne1997]

Of the ones in your lineup I’d choose the XMid.

[@realfingertrouble]

I have the Lanshan 1 for years and now the Lanshan 2 - I appreciate the individually cuddled gold-plated cottage industry tents, but I cannot afford to spend £300-£600+ on a tent. Also many of them are hard to get in the UK, 3FUL actually ship here VAT included, whereas many cottage industry places don't cos of the VAT/custom rules, or you'll get extra surprise custom or shipping charges.

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

I bought the Dan Durston Xmid pro 2 after a bunch of research. Being able to walk into campsite, pull out the tent, put a stake in each corner and add trekking poles and it is up means a lot. You did not mention ease of erecting the tent. To me this is huge. Unless there is a major downpour and you have to spend the day in the tent, roominess might not be as important. Putting up the tent in the dark and packing it up quickly in the morning is more important for a thru hiker, along with weight.

[@JackKlumpass]

Love that clip of the factory. I’m glad my money goes to support endeavours of small companies😅

[@mobius9818]

X mid pro for weight, design and ease of setup. No fiddling around. and fewer stakes.