As you might already know, the tent is probably the biggest and heaviest gear in your hiking pack. So, it needs to be as light as possible, as well as easy to pitch. In this article, we’ll provide you a short guide in choosing an ultralight one person tent or one person ultralight tent. We’ll also prepare some great alternatives to a small one person tent, which you can find on the market today.
At the end of this discussion, you’ll find out a lot of great insights about a lightweight one person tent and what kind of one person tent ultralight that’s currently trending among outdoor enthusiasts. And without much further ado, let’s jump straight into the topic!
How to Choose The Best Ultralight One Person Tent
Just as we mentioned earlier, a tent needs to be as compact and light as possible. That’s because you might carry it on your back for 4-5 hours straight while walking on uneven ground. And this is exactly why you need to make some serious considerations when looking for an ultralight one person tent or one person ultralight tent.
First of all, you have to know how easy it is to set up a one person tent. Next, make sure you get a lightweight one person tent that offers enough interior space. And if you’re planning to buy the lightest one person tent, see if it’s tough enough to handle the harsh weather. And to make things easier for you, here’s our version of the three factors you need to think about when looking for an ultralight one person tent.
Entry
First of all, make sure you have no trouble getting into or out of the tent. Whenever you’re looking for an ultralight one person tent, take a look at what the frame looks like. Each tent generally has its own characteristics, but you definitely don’t want one that’s too unorthodox or difficult to assemble. Next, check where the door is located. A good small one person tent should have a side-opening door for super-easy access. And if you don’t feel like crawling towards your spot, avoid the lightweight one person tent with a door on the end.
Design
Again, make sure that you get the one person tent ultralight with a simple design. See if it takes a complicated process to set up, as you may have to pitch the tent on difficult terrain while dealing with harsh weather. Furthermore, a good ultralight one person tent needs to have a stable layout. It shouldn’t be too aerodynamic, so there’s a small chance your shelter will be swept away by heavy storms or strong winds. If you prefer a pop up one person tent, make sure it’s able to withstand these weather conditions.
Weight
Carrying excess weight, especially for prolonged periods, can have a devastating effect on your knees and back. That’s why it’s highly recommended to get an ultralight one person tent, which has now become a standard for all backpackers and hikers. For this, there’s only one rule that you must remember: A small one person tent shouldn’t weigh more than two pounds.
Where Do You Put a Tent on a Backpack?
Based on our experience, the best way to store a tent in a backpack is to place it on top of a sleeping bag. It’s highly recommended to put it in the upright position. But if you find that it takes up too much space, you can opt to place it horizontally. Just make sure that the tent is in the middle of your entire backpack. And keep in mind that not all tents can fit on or in a backpack. For that reason, it’s better to get one of the best one person tents for backpacking.
How Much Does a Good Tent Cost?
A tent can cost you somewhere around 35 to 1000 bucks. It really depends on its size, weight, and features. You need to know what kind of shelter you need and base your search on it. But in general, the more expensive the tent, the better the experience.
Should You Put a Tarp Under Your Tent?
Yes, of course. Laying down a ground cover will keep the tent warm and dry all night. The exception is when you set up a tent on the beach. Instead of putting the tarp under the hood, it would be nice to put it inside.
Sierra Designs High Route 1 FL
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This double-wall tent requires no more than two trekking poles to stand. As a result, High Route 1 FL manages to provide two vertical walls and plenty of interior space. And thanks to this clever design, you’ll get much better overall resistance to strong winds.
As an ultralight one person tent, High Route 1 FL is quite flexible. In some scenarios, the tarps can be used on their own. Apart from that, you can also opt to set up the tent from the outside, especially if you’re under heavy rain. However, we’ve to admit that the assembly process is a bit complicated. You’ll probably need a couple of tries before you actually get the hang of it. But still, this is a recommended one person ultralight tent. Check it out if you can.
What We Love
Offers vertical walls and ample interior space
Pros:
- 31-ounce ultralight shelter
- Trekking pole pitch
- Stuff sack storage
- Oversized tarp area
Cons:
- The configuration is a little tricky
Marmot Tungsten 1P
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Here’s another high-quality lightweight one person tent to consider. The Marmot Tungsten 1P is a tough tent with a 68D Polyester Taffeta floor and fly fabric. It does make the whole shelter heavier. But if you’re faced with some harsh conditions, this tent will be a remarkable choice which you won’t regret.
Thanks to the color-coded clips and poles, setting up the Tungsten 1P feels like a breeze. Some of you might feel this is just a minor feature. But when you set up your tent in high winds or other adverse conditions, you’ll notice how such a thing can make a massive difference. Once you’re done, you’ll get a strong temporary shelter that should be able to handle any storm. And in case you need extra interior space, this lightest one person tent is available in 3-person and 4-person models.
Speaking of tents, have you ever spent the night in a hammock tent? Well, you have to! Compared to a regular tent, a hammock tent is more comfortable, enjoyable, and easy to set up. And if you’re interested, we’ve got a great list of the 13 best hammock tents for backpacking.
What We Love
Tough tent with floor and fly fabric made of strong material
Pros:
- 40D 100 percent polyester canopy
- Roomy sleeping area
- Greater headroom
- Pre-Bend construction
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a stuff sack
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
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Six Moon Designs, better known as SMD, is one of the most experienced brands in the ultralight one person tent industry. They’ve been in business for over a decade and manage to produce some of the best ultralight one person tents around. And of course, the SMD Lunar Solo is no exception.
Lunar Solo is really an impressive tent, allowing you to set up the whole thing using just a single trekking pole. And for around 200 bucks, this product will give you the best bang for your buck. Furthermore, you’ll also get a couple of inches of headroom while sitting in this lightweight shelter. So, whenever you’re looking for a small one person tent and don’t plan to spend too much, this one won’t let you down.
What We Love
An impressive lightweight one person tent, requiring only one trekking pole to stand up
Pros:
- Full vestibule
- High vent
- Easy tensioning adjustment
- Floating canopy
Cons:
- It’s not as light as other similar products
MSR Hubba NX 1
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The MSR Hubba NX 1 is everything you need from a decent three-season tent. We know, this may not be the lightest one person tent around, but you’re guaranteed to get an ultra-rugged shelter here. And there’s no need to worry because MSR knows how to make a balanced gear. While they promise a rugged construction, this ultralight one person tent weighs in at just under three pounds.
And thanks to that, the MSR Hubba NX 1 will be suitable for a wide variety of scenarios. You can take it to a campsite during the summer or use it in a winter camp. Apart from that, there are mesh sides for smooth airflow and added protection from bugs. For some privacy, there are high fabric sides that also function to withstand wind gusts.
What We Love
An ultra-tough shelter suitable for both summer and winter campers
Pros:
- Xtreme Shield Waterproof coating
- Pole geometry for maximum space
- 3-season tent
- Easton Syclone Poles
Cons:
- It’s not good enough to withstand heavy rain
Nemo Hornet Elite
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We can’t really talk about the small one person tent without mentioning the Nemo Hornet Elite. This impressive outdoor gear is one of the most featherlight on the market. Heck, some seasoned hikers might have no hesitation in going as far as claiming this product as the lightest one person tent.
As for the features, there’s plenty to love about the Nemo Hornet Elite. First, it got side doors, which allow you to get super-easy in-and-out access. Next, the fly barely touched the ground. This is great because it means the tent has more than decent weather resistance. If there was something we wanted to fix about this one person tent ultralight, then it would be the vestibule. We personally think it’s too skinny, as it doesn’t leave much space to store your other gear.
What We Love
One of the lightest tents on the market and features a nice side door
Pros:
- Weighs around 1 pound
- Top shelf fabrics
- Two doors
- Raised waterproof bathtub-style floor
- Flybar volumizing clip
Cons:
- The vestibule is too skinny
Big Agnes Tiger Wall
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Tiger Wall is a significant upgrade from Big Agnes’ previous offering. This ultralight one person tent features side doors for easy entry. And in case you plan to go out with your partner, you can opt for the UL2 model, which is designed to accommodate two people. What’s more, there’s an interesting fact that the tent’s side doors apparently have a positive effect on better overall airflow.
As for internal space, most people would probably think it was a little too tight. But on the bright side, you get more headroom than other small one person tents. Apart from that, we also found that this tent had a vestibule of three square feet. That should be more than enough to hold your entire pack.
What We Love
An ultra-light tent with side doors, which makes entry and exit like a breeze
Pros:
- Structured foot-end corners
- Low vent vestibule
- Two-way zippers on the door
- Single-pole structure
Cons:
- The interior space is a little tight
Big Agnes FlyCreek
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It’s no exaggeration to call Big Agnes Flycreek one of the best ultralight one person tents that you can get today. Everything about this portable shelter deserves a thumbs up. Starting from the design, toughness, to weight. It’s everything you want from a one person ultralight tent for backpacking!
Made using special materials, Flycreek offers you extra protection from UV. On top of that, the tent uses a three-pole all-connected design, allowing to get an extra headroom. We’re also impressed by the double-wall design. It has a ripstop nylon rainfly to withstand heavy rain and a more than decent mesh tent to minimize condensation. Lastly, we don’t want to be too nit-picky with this small one person tent, but it looks like it would be nice if there was an internal overhead pocket here.
And since we’re on the topic of outdoor adventures, don’t you know that such things can also be healthy experiences for your pups? But for this, you may want to get them their own tent. In that case, check out our excellent list of the 13 best camping tents for dogs.
What We Love
Offers more headroom than the previous model
Pros:
- More head and shoulder room
- Ultralight
- Freestanding
- HighVolume provides more livable space
Cons:
- Lacks an internal overhead pocket
Dan Durston X-Mid 1
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Due to high demand, the popular Dan Durston X-Mid 1 is now available on Amazon, your favorite marketplace for a lightweight one person tent! This outdoor gear is basically an instant tent with a double-wall design. It features two doors and uses a trekking pole as the backbone of its structure. Furthermore, Drop + claims that setting up this tent will feel like a breeze. It won’t take you more than a couple of minutes.
Another thing that makes this one person ultra light tent worthy is its flexibility. The inner tent is optional, so you can use the rainfly any way you want. As for interior space, you’ll get plenty of it. And for toughness, the Dan Durston X-Mid 1 comes with an additional guy out points for some extra protection against harsh weather.
What We Love
An instant tent with a practical, ultra lightweight double-wall design
Pros:
- Solo shelter supported by a trekking pole
- Spacious interior
- Simple pitch
- Innovative design
- Storm worthy material
Cons:
- Nothing significant
Nemo DragonFly
5
Weighing only 32 oz, Nemo DragonFly is one of the best one person tents ultralight on the market. It got a side entrance and a large vestibule, which will make a great spot to store all your hiking gear. Apart from that, this double-wall tent uses a free-standing design and a hubbed pole architecture for a super-fast pitch. And thanks to the nice ventilation between the inner tent and the rainfly, you’ll get minimal condensation while spending the night inside this portable shelter.
Just as you’d expect from an ultralight one person tent, Nemo DragonFly features mesh sides for some extra privacy. And if you fancy stargazing at night, there’s a black ceiling mesh to keep bugs from getting into your temporary home.
What We Love
It weighs only 32 oz, which practically makes it one of the lightest small one person tents
Pros:
- Integrated 20D Nylon
- Lightweight
- Pre-bent DAC Featherlite polishing
- Rugged material
Cons:
- The addition of a couple of lower pockets would be nice
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV
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Looking for an ultralight one person tent with an extra-wide interior and easy to assemble? Then Big Agnes Copper Spur HV would definitely fit the bill. This double-wall freestanding tent weighs only about 2 oz. It also comes with a side door to provide super easy in and out access. Furthermore, we also noticed that this small one person tent has quite impressive ventilation. It promotes smooth airflow, which in turn reduces internal condensation significantly.
There’s nothing better than an excellent gear organization when doing an outdoor adventure. And for that, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV provides large front vestibules. If that’s not enough, you also get a ceiling pocket, media pockets, and internal hang points. To conclude, the Copper Spur HV does a great job balancing luxury and weight. Truly a lightweight one person tent worth considering.
What We Love
An ultralight one person tent with an extra-wide interior that’s easy to setup
Pros:
- Double zippers doors
- Oversized ceiling pocket
- Media pockets
- Ultralight nylon double ripstop
Cons:
- Not recommended as a first tent
Black Diamond Beta Light
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Looking for an ultralight one person tent that won’t hurt your wallet? Then Black Diamond Beta Light is your best bet. This versatile yet affordable tent comes without a netting bug. Instead, you’ll get a classic easy-to-pitch pyramid shelter, which is ideal for almost any type of surface. In case you’re going on a winter camp, you can simply dig under the hood to create a kitchen. Furthermore, this portable shelter can be folded to such a small size that it won’t take up much space in your backpack.
As we said, the Black Diamond Beta Light doesn’t feature a bug netting. But in case you want some extra protection, there’s a bug netting insert sold separately. However, it’s quite heavy and is offered at a price. So, unless you plan on going on an adventure during the buggiest months, we don’t recommend getting one.
And speaking of tents, won’t you agree that the assembly process can be quite tiring at times? For that, you may want to start considering investing in an instant tent. If that’s the case, you can find some great recommendations on our list of the 13 best pop-up tents for camping.
What We Love
A classic pyramid shelter is easy-to-pitch, which is suitable for almost any type of surface
Pros:
- 30D SilNylon
- 4 season tent
- Weight about 1.3 pounds
- Lots of internal space
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a bug netting
Nemo Dagger
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The Nemo Dagger is perhaps the most livable solo tent you can find out there. Amazingly, it manages to deliver the entire thing in a handy, ultra-light package. Just as you’d expect from a best one person ultralight tent, Dagger features a rectangular floor and symmetrical ceiling. As for gear storage, you get no less than two massive vestibules here.
The only thing that might stop you from buying the Nemo Dagger is the ventilation. We really wish it had more mesh to promote better airflow. But don’t you worry because this is by no means a massive problem, especially if you camp in the cooler months. So, whenever you need a solo tent with a nice and convenient design, Dagger should be your go-to choice.
What We Love
One of the most livable solo tents to come in an ultra lightweight package
Pros:
- Vertical walls
- Increased headroom
- Pre-bent DAC Featherlite polishes
- Two large vestibules
Cons:
- It could use a better ventilation
MIER Ultralight Tent
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Marketed as a multi-purpose backpacking tent, the MIER Ultralight Tent is a rock-solid portable shelter. It got a 15D custom-coated silicon fabric and ripstop nylon rainfly with double-stitched seams to protect you from windy storms. Furthermore, the vestibules are large enough to accommodate plenty of massive gear and allow smooth airflow.
As for the setup process, it can be quite challenging at first. But you can count on some of the tutorials on YouTube for some help. After a couple of reviews, you should be able to set up MIER Ultralight Tent in no time. Overall, this tent offers great value for the price. It’s strong against the wind and got more than enough space to accommodate two people.
What We Love
A rock-solid shelter with a custom 15D coated silicon fabric that resists heavy storms
Pros:
- O-ring connectivity
- Inner tent setup
- Elastic cord & slider
- Ultralight & waterproof
Cons:
- The setup process can be quite confusing at first
