Ozark Trail 1 Person Backpacking Tent - Budget Backpacking Gear

www.trailnamea...
Ozark Trail 1 person backpacking tent.
The problem with loving the first product you buy, is that you stop looking at purchasing others. Such is the case with my Marmot Tungsten 1 person backpacking tent. Fortunately, I have enough hiking buddies, who are happy to loan me some of their gear to test out, and review for you.
My buddy, Bear Bait, bought the Ozark Trail 1 Person backpacking tent for his first section hike, which was our first section on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest. On our first night, it got dark sooner than we'd expected, so we wound up setting up camp in the dark. The Ozark Trail 1 person backpacking tent is so quick and easy to set up, that it was no problem doing it even in the dark.
The Ozark Trail 1 person backpacking tent has some pluses and minuses, which I describe in this video. Its low cost, ease of setup, and its inordinately roomy interior, make the Ozark Trail 1 person backpacking tent a 1 person tent that someone interested in getting into hiking and backpacking, without succumbing to the high cost of some of the items, a good option to consider.
I can't say that I'd take the Ozark Trail 1 person tent over my Marmot Tungsten 1 person tent, but it certainly does have potential, at least as an introductory tent.
Check out my review of the Ozark Trail 1 person backpacking tent!
#Hiking #HikingLife #GetOutAndHike #KeepHiking #FindYourTrail #OzarkTrail #Backpacking #FloridaTrail #NatureLover #SectionHiking #FloridaHiking #HikeFlorida

[@jamesblack-pi6et]

I appreciate the superior people among us helping us "poor folks" out with their superior knowledge and existence

[@Elhombresanchez]

I'm late to the show watching your reviews but thank you for reviewing affordable gear for we "the poor's" 😂.

[@buckfynn]

I have one. Mine didn't leak out of the box. But I went ahead and sprayed it with Atsko Silicone Water-Guard as I do with all my budget tents. So far no problems with it. And overall I have been pleased with it.

[@SaimonThapa]

Does it need a footprint?

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

I own this tent and have used it a dozen times without too many problems. The weakness of this tent is the door, if there is dew or it gets wet, make sure you open it very carefully to keep water from coming into the tent. The other one is the top where water can just sit and collect. You probably should seam seal the tarp. Or what works well is take an 8x10 blue tarp and use that instead (or with) the current tarp. Use a trashbag for a footprint. You can't beat the price point.

[@SteveHsFavorites]

I agree with all you wrote. It really has a lot of room, easy to set up and the cost is great for the tent you get! I use other tents, depending where I am going too and how harsh the environment is.

[@1GunGurl]

I have this tent and like it a lot for what it is. It’s spacious and super easy to set up. I waterproof all of my inexpensive tents to prevent water from coming into the tent. The water just beads and rolls off now. It works well and has seen some serious rain without any issues after waterproofing it.

[@TrailnameAce]

1GunGurl thanks for sharing!

[@Safemoonprince]

I just bought it. How do you waterproof it? I used a silicone spray next to the tents. I used 1 coat as the directions. Should that be enough?

[@mannyg9059]

I have and have used a Ozark Trail one man tent, I would recommend taking with you a green garden trash bag (it's not heavy) as a backup footprint or tent cover and cut it open if needed for rainy or misty weather. This tent is great for a "no budget" overnight backpacker as I. It is so inexpensive that it is almost as disposable as a plastic lighter.

[@underthecarolinasky2363]

Great review. I just reviewed this same tent on my channel. Ive had mine for over 2 years. Love it!

[@TrailnameAce]

Under The Carolina Sky thanks for the comment! Have you had the issue with the tent collecting water? This tent has some great potential, given the price and how amazingly roomy it is! Thanks again!

[@underthecarolinasky2363]

It collects a little water on tpp after a rain but no leaks at all. No issues with the tub or the fly. I took it on a 4-day 3-night backpacking trip in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. I was in two severe rainstorms with no issues at all. A great tent for the price. It wpuld be nice if they would redesign the top a little to shed water better. I also have the 4 season 2 man tent from Ozark Trail which I will review in a few weeks. Another great tent for the money.

[@TrailnameAce]

Good to know! The water collection within the fabric had me concerned. I’m used to rain beading off the fabric. The flat top isn’t the best design, but as long as it doesn’t leak, that s what truly matters! Have you considered carrying your tent on the outside of your pack? It saves a lot of room for those long sections!

[@underthecarolinasky2363]

@@TrailnameAce I have carried it outside the pack a few times. My problem is, My pack is not set up for much outside carry. It's time for a new one. I'm checking out a few now. That is a good idea!

[@TrailnameAce]

Under The Carolina Sky please check out the Osprey Exos! My first pack had some great features, but didn’t fit my body well, which created a lot of discomfort and downright pain on the trail! I got fitted for the Exos (they actually have sizes for the models, tailored to different body lengths), and have never looked back. It’s ridiculously comfortable. For just under $200, it is a little pricey, but the way you can customize the fit makes it really well worth it. I did a video review on my channel if you want to check it out. If that price is too high, you may want to look into the JanSport Katahdin 50l. My buddy Ahab has one and he loves it, and I plan to spend a few days with it soon, to be able to review it.

[@STho205]

As a short use tent it's fine. Good budget choice for dirt bike or small motorcycle camping too. The fly design is the worst part if this tent. The screen inner tent is great proportions and offers a great summer bug free night. However the rain fly is too skimpy, make a puddle on an unsupported flat roof, doesn't really cover the door at all and cuts off most of the ventilation. Rain coming: I'd suggest using a couple of sticks atop the tent as struts to make the roof not sag and puddle then drip. Worst part is you open the door and the whole water puddle pours in on you. The 2 person tent of this design and color has a much better fly, but is 6lbs. If they made the fly a bit bigger you could stretch our a vestibule. A 6x6 ultralight tarp as a diamond over this would help. The alternate one person OT tent (blue and gray) that has one hoop and a vestibule fly is probably best in rain but very cramped, while this is best on dry nights. Figure a $30 is going to need $20 of upgrades to be reliable in rain: Weather spray $6 Seam seal tube $5 Lighter stakes $6 Polyethylene sheet for ground cloth and cover over the door $4 I use a bigger fly from a bigger dome tent, and this sucker is then equivalent to an REI $150 tent. I use the included rainfly only for cold dry nights to keep heat jn.

[@journeybrook9357]

The older model had a larger rain fly. I don't not know if the change was from design or factory or cost saving. But I wish they would fix this problem.

[@morganlammert7881]

I bought mine new relatively inexpensively, didn't like the fiberglass poles, bought aluminum which are about an inch longer, made it more rigid, which works well and about $25 more. I also bought lightweight aluminum tent stakes and replaced the cheap stakes that came with the tent. Sprayed the tent and cover with waterproofing, sealed all seams. Then I sat in it while I sprayed it with a water sprinkler for an hour and it never leaked. I only bought it for a get home bag, so it's not being used all the time or consistently. I also bought a camoflauge tarp to hang over the tent to hide it and to keep more of the weather off of it. All in all, still less than $100 overall.

[@EKEACRES]

Could you please tell me where you got the Aluminum poles at for this tent? Thank you.

[@anotherboredgenius283]

yes, please! i would also like to know where you got aluminum poles for this tent

[@morganlammert7881]

@@anotherboredgenius283 Ebay. Had to measure the old ones, found an equivelant length in Ebay pages. They were in centimeters. Had to order them from China. But you can find them if you look hard enough. The aluminum tent stakes are from Walmart. Waterproofing is from Walmart.

[@morganlammert7881]

@@anotherboredgenius283 Found the poles on Ebay. Had to do a bit of research, like measuring the old ones. They came from China in centimeters, but they did make a big difference and made it lighter to backpack with. The tent pegs came from Walmart for about a $1 a piece.

[@anotherboredgenius283]

@@morganlammert7881 Thanks for your reply!!! Yep - I love this little tent, and aluminum poles would really put it over the top. I do a lot of 8x10 tarp (I'm 6'3") camping these days, but this tent has always performed above its pay-grade. I also replaced the stakes with msr-style stakes. Cheers!

[@journeybrook9357]

What's sad years years ago I bought this tent and the rain fly was bigger/ longer to stake out and had no problems. Have purchased a second one ,had to do extra DIY to make it 💯. But I still like it.

[@omegathompson584]

Just bought these and definitely need water proofing. The water pooled on the top and slowly leaked through. This was after about 12 hours of steady drizzle.

[@clear_gray_sky539]

Just bought this need to know the minimum stakes needed . This video showed me ty

[@ibnalfreak]

Great review. I was really tempted to get this tent, but the e-port is a big thing to note before taking it on a summer trip.

[@gettingpast4391]

Just got one of these for $29! If it fails I'll buy another one in 2 years.

[@TrailnameAce]

EXACTLY!!! My $200 Marmot, like most any other tent, stopped being waterproof after a couple of years of heavy use. I’m switching to tents like this in the future!

[@suzannecyr]

I didn't see if you cross the poles You said you don't. But it looked like you did. OMG Will it keep out rain? Idk

[@norys90]

Just get this one at walmart, its awesome and affordable

[@speterbilt]

The one I had like this the "rainfly" had a door and was a little wider to put gear under the fly

[@TrailnameAce]

speterbilt my Marmot tent is like that, and I really think I prefer this, because I keep my gear in the tent.

[@speterbilt]

@@TrailnameAce i gotcha. That works too. I just hate dirt in a tent. Lol. Thanks for the response

[@TrailnameAce]

speterbilt my big issue is unwelcome hitchhikers climbing into my gear at night. 🤣

[@speterbilt]

@@TrailnameAce yeah that makes sense too. Hahaha. Ok I like your idea better. I don't like bugs either or rodents

[@paulsmithjr2305]

What size is it

[@springbloom5940]

So much to like about this tent and so much to hate. At regular price, there are much better options available. At the $16 I paid, it was a great deal. Its surprisingly warm and with an aluminum pole upgrade, has outstanding wind performance. Its too short for tall people; head, or toes, or both touching the walls. Apparently only short people solo camp, according to the specs of virtually every solo tent on the planet. The fly doesn't have much lifespan; the urethane coating began failing after about 4 months of continuous use. Increasing maintenance kept it going, for about 18 months, before it became unserviceable; now use it under a tarp, as a bug net. The floor leaks if it gets too wet under it and the fly, like *every* 'budget' coated polyester fly, wets out and seeps through, in a saturated environment; mine would begin leaking within a few hours in a winter drizzle. I improved it quite a bit, with silicone treatment. Its impossible to open the door, without getting water inside the tent and water pools on top of the fly. Ditching the bag and rolling it in a tyvek groundsheet, its a fairly compact(~9"x15"), ~4lb with the aluminum poles(~$20 on eBay and trimmed down to 14.5" sections) and rainproof package that can be unrolled and pitched in 90sec, in the dark. For fair weather camping, its a decent tent. For wet environments, its lacking. It will however, shed a downpour, like a duck. But, with continuous exposure to mist/drizzle, it will leak. Of course, every Ozark Trail and similar polyester fly tents do.

[@TrailnameAce]

Spring Bloom in my experience, it’s just a matter of time before any tent leaks. My $200 Marmot finally started leaking after years of use, so that’s not a huge issue for me, it’s just something to plan for. I had no problem with the interior space. I’m 6’-3” tall, and had ample room to lie down at night, without touching. It’s certainly not the best tent out there, but for the price, I’d say it’s hard to beat. Thanks!

[@springbloom5940]

@@TrailnameAce They made the W700, REI Quarter Dome clone, for awhile. I assume they got a cease and desist from REI, because its discontinued. I got it on clearance for $39 and have been really impressed, for an ultralight. That said, though the fly finally disintegrated, I still keep the body of this one, for use under a tarp. Its simple enough that I've thought about taking it apart and rebuilding it with ultralight silnylon and a tyvek floor.

[@raylamascus2296]

I have this tent but I use a stansport starlite tent rainfly and it covers the door of the tent. I like the ozark tent better than the starlite tent but the rainfly is better. Also waterproof spray the tent and fly and flooring just to be safe

[@irishman3375]

when you say "waterproof spray the tent and flooring" im assuming you spray the tent from the outside, but the flooring, do you spray the bottom of tent or the inside flooring? tia

[@raylamascus2296]

Irishman don’t sh pray the floor. It should be already waterproof

[@journeybrook9357]

​@@irishman3375Good question.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Tent golden rule #1 If you wanna stay dry- waterproof your tent with water guard and seam seal inside and out💡

[@JoeysClones]

Just saying Ozark has reenforced their zippers on the new 1-ps the twos are close to the poor man's Nemo now.

[@techguy9023]

It looks like the zipper being unprotected might leak in a storm. How is it for condensation in cold weather?

[@TrailnameAce]

Tech Guy I haven’t experienced it in cold weather yet. But it should be good, because the main tent is mostly bug mesh, which is then covered by the rainfly, so it’s highly breathable.

[@bobj8611]

The zipper flap where the top meets the bottom does look like a weak spot but mine hasn't leaked. Maybe in a horrible storm with rain blowing directly on the transition point it might leak. Opening the door in the rain is where the trouble is.

[@TrailnameAce]

Bob J my biggest beef with the design, is the huge flat spot on the roof. But with some waterproofing applications regularly, it shouldn’t be an issue.

[@bobj8611]

@@TrailnameAce Agree. Water puddles up on mine but so far no leaks thanks to a little water proofing now and then. I don't camp in the rain very often (never on purpose) so this tent even with it's quirks is fine for me.

[@TrailnameAce]

Bob J I agree. This tent is really a great option.

[@rookiecamping4896]

Could I waterproof with scotch guard?

[@TrailnameAce]

Rookie Camping waterproofing will always extend the practical life of your tent. If you’re going to waterproof it, consider adding seam tape, too. In my experience, once a tent reaches the end of its waterproofing, sealing the tent itself won’t solve the problem, because water usually also comes through the seams at that point of failure. This tent is cost-effective enough, that you could buy a new one every year or so, replacing it while it is still useable.

[@jmcnallyua]

would it be a good tent to take on the Appalachian Trail and also is it waterproof

[@TrailnameAce]

SOUL MAN it depends on your intent. For a section, I would definitely consider it. It did the job, and I believe it would easily hold up on a section. But if you’re planning a through, you may want to keep looking. It would probably hold up, but it’s considerably heavier than gear you’d want to carry on a through hike.

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

I'd probably would go with a chinese clone of a big tent maker like a 3F brand over this or get a lightweight 8x10 tarp to cover this tent with instead of the tarp provided which also leaves you enough room for a vestibule. The only weather condition I haven't tried it in is on a very windy night/day. The poles are on the low end on this model. But inside the tent, it's great and gets the job done well. But for the price point, this tent gets very high marks from me.

[@angelsky8944]

Does it have a spot to have a power cord though?

[@TrailnameAce]

It does, but I’d recommend sealing it, because it doesn’t seem to close securely enough to keep out tiny visitors.

[@willdunn7929]

How much does this tent weigh?

[@TrailnameAce]

It’s listed as being 43 ounces.

[@toddferrell9180]

No vestibule?

[@TrailnameAce]

Todd Ferrell no, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me. I like my gear in the tent with me, to prevent unexpected hitchhikers lol. And this tent has a ton of extra width, enough to comfortably stow my lack next to me.

[@robinvargas440]

Took me over an hr to set up, its still not even set up properly lol

[@TrailnameAce]

Robin Vargas lol, really? What are you having a problem with?

[@robinvargas440]

I can't get the poles upright to support the tent, i ended up crossing the poles and using the stakes as support but its still all wonky lol

[@TrailnameAce]

Robin Vargas I had some difficulty the very first time I set it up, as well. Unlike most tents, the poles don’t go from corner to corner. Instead, the ends of the poles both go into their grommets on the same side, at the front and in the back. Then you stand them up and cross them over. Did the video help at all?

[@robinvargas440]

Trailname Ace it did, i do have it set up and my big thing was getting it to stand up supporting itself, the pole system itself is fine i think its the dimensions that make it just a bit tricky

[@TrailnameAce]

Robin Vargas it is a bit of an awkward tent, but for the money, I think it’s excellent. I was shocked at how spacious it is inside!

[@michaelhernandez410]

The fiberglass pole on mine broke the first time I used it. Do not ever buy this garbage!