To all survival experts and campers: What's the best super-lightweight tent?

[FactsAreDead]

So I've been steadily building up my survival equpment, but one key item I'm still missing is a good tent. I did some googling, but I'm not happy with what I found. Figured a bunch of bear-wrestling Americans would know about this shit, so here goes!

What I want:

- One-man tent
- as lightweight as possible
- as small as possible when packed
- below 200 bucks

Basically imagine you're backpacking and you need a tent, but you want to keep weight and size as low as possible, because you're also wearing a ton of other shit. Any ideas? Recommendations? Thanks!!!

 

[Stilton Disco]

I might not be American, but on my father's side I'm part of the Scottish Forbes Clan, which was founded when one of my ancestors drunkenly fought a bear and wasn't killed*, so close enough.

There's actually a few things to take into consideration with a tent.

How many seasons are you going to want to use it in, what kind of terrain are you going to be in, what's the weather extremes you deal with in the area, what kind of other equipment do you have already, and how tall are you?

*And yes, it does say something about the rest of the Clan that that was enough for them to go 'Aye, that's the fella we want making the decisions for us'.

 

[J-Roderton]

Haven't priced them or anything in a while, but I always liked using the little triangular ones for solo. I've since gotten a big two-room kinda tent for camping these days.

 

[Zefah]

Always been a Coleman man here...

This one is great in summer.

Amazon.com : Coleman 2-Person Sundome Tent, Navy : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Coleman 2-Person Sundome Tent, Navy : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Easy to set up even alone. The 2-man version should be light enough for backpacking.

I'm sure there's better stuff out there, especially in Europe with all of your fancy brands, but I can't complain with the above.

 

[Stilton Disco]

Having had a think about it, I'd recommend for all round use the Nature Hike Cirrus 2 man tent.

Sure, it's a 2 man tent, but the extra weight is offset by more room to stretch out, makes it easier to stow your bag in with you in bad weather, while still sleeping comfortably, plus, if you do ever want to take anyone with you, you have the space.

Also, good and within your budget.

 

[FactsAreDead]

How many seasons are you going to want to use it in, what kind of terrain are you going to be in, what's the weather extremes you deal with in the area, what kind of other equipment do you have already, and how tall are you?

How many seasons: Indefinite, as long as possible

What kind of terrain: Let's say from Germany to Japan by land (well, until you need to go by boat between China and Japan)

Weather extremes: All kinds, I assume. Should be fit for heavy storms and thick rain. Not sure if temperature is even part of a tent's function, that's more for the sleeping bag, I guess?

Other equpiment: As far as housing goes, none. So I still need to find an also small, lightweight sleeping bag.

Height: 186cm

PS: Don't do drunk bear fighting! Always stay sober while fighting bears.

 

[FactsAreDead]

Having had a think about it, I'd recommend for all round use the Nature Hike Cirrus 2 man tent.

Sure, it's a 2 man tent, but the extra weight is offset by more room to stretch out, makes it easier to stow your bag in with you in bad weather, while still sleeping comfortably, plus, if you do ever want to take anyone with you, you have the space.

Also, good and within your budget.

Ooff, that weight.

The kind of ultra lightweight tents I'm looking for are in the area of 1kg. The best ones weigh below 1kg, but often cost several hundreds dollars. Definitely want to stay below 1.5kg though.

But thx for the help so far.

 

[Stilton Disco]

How many seasons: Indefinite, as long as possible

What kind of terrain: Let's say from Germany to Japan by land (well, until you need to go by boat between China and Japan)

Weather extremes: All kinds, I assume. Should be fit for heavy storms and thick rain. Not sure if temperature is even part of a tent's function, that's more for the sleeping bag, I guess?

Other equpiment: As far as housing goes, none. So I still need to find an also small, lightweight sleeping bag.

Height: 186cm

PS: Don't do drunk bear fighting! Always stay sober while fighting bears.

I'd go with the Naturehike I linked then, but be sure to get a good quality sleeping bag for winter and a decent mattress, which you definitely want to spend a bit more on for quality and comfort.

EDIT: If weight is that big of an issue you're going to struggle to get something good and cheap. I totally understand the desire to minimise weight, but I do also find there's a point where you spend so much time focusing on going as light as possible that you end up sacrificing comfort and utility and ending up having a miserable time, or spending way too much for something you barely use.

 

[mcz117chief]

I only camp in a tent I bring with me in a car, so big and heavy duty. When I hike it is super easy to find, or at worst make, some shelter basically all over the planet, aside sand deserts. Carrying a tent with you is imo pointless. Money is lighter and can get you a bed and a shower, much more convenient.

 

[Stilton Disco]

I only camp in a tent I bring with me in a car, so big and heavy duty. When I hike it is super easy to find, or at worst make, some shelter basically all over the planet, aside sand deserts. Carrying a tent with you is imo pointless. Money is lighter and can get you a bed and a shower, much more convenient.

See I like either hiking out as far away from people as possible or taking a canoe out to some remote stretch of river or see, then setting up camp well away from obvious civilisation.

It's the simple joy of isolation and being able to simulate a good approximation of being back in the natural world that I love about camping. I know it's all an illusion due to only really slumming it compared to life's average luxuries, but it's just very cathartic to be able to pretend the modern world doesn't exist, and that at least briefly we can be back to our primal basics, that I love about camping.

Anyway, back to Ultralight tents!

Other options are to just get a tarp tent, which is miserable in bad weather but a lot cheaper and easy to set up, hammock tents, which are sadly limited by the need for trees, or tents that use hiking poles, which do mean you need extra things for it to work, but at least hiking poles are great for long journeys on foot and a wise investment anyway.

This for instance ends up only 1.1kg's, and can be bought for under 200.

 

[Dr. Farnsgoth]

How are you gonna fit all your anime in a one man tent?

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

What kind of terrain: Let's say from Germany to Japan by land (well, until you need to go by boat between China and Japan)

I hope you have a roll of duct tape in your pack if you plan on hiking that kind of distance. You never know when you'll need a way to patch up your tent, clothes, footwear, or temporarily bind and secure a wound/injury.

 

[DonDonDonPata]

I've always preferred a simple tepee tent with a rainfly and stakes to keep the sides pulled out. Floor space is nice but being able to comfortably stand upright is even nicer. We have a huge 15ft tent with a single pole in the middle. Takes 5m to set up.

you could opt for a smaller version I guess. The ease of setup would still be true and if it's just for yourself, why bother with separate rooms?

 

[mcz117chief]

See I like either hiking out as far away from people as possible or taking a canoe out to some remote stretch of river or see, then setting up camp well away from obvious civilisation.

It's the simple joy of isolation and being able to simulate a good approximation of being back in the natural world that I love about camping. I know it's all an illusion due to only really slumming it compared to life's average luxuries, but it's just very cathartic to be able to pretend the modern world doesn't exist, and that at least briefly we can be back to our primal basics, that I love about camping.

I get you, bro. But like you said you are canoeing so you have the boat carry the weight for you, same as me when I take a car, build a tent and then walk around the area having a base to return to and a car if something bad happens. When I did these wilderness hikes I just used a tarp and dug a moat to shelter myself from a potential rain if there was no shelter anywhere, which there usually is honestly. Also, weather forecast is important, you don't want to go out to some completely deserted part of Europe during the rainy season.

I could literally talk about this for hours as wilderness survival is one of my hobbies but suffice to say, best is to stick to trails between cities so you can start and end each day around other people, there are a ton of reasons for it (security, health care, food/water, comfort etc. etc.). There are plenty of trails which are for the vast majority of the time completely devoid of any semblance of modern world, only every once in a while you come across a sign saying "*backwater* 2-10 miles". Those are honestly the best options for someone going alone.

I would never go to the depths of wilderness in Europe or any other continent alone, like not in a million years, and OP is talking about a potential trip from Germany to Japan, someone who has obviously no experiences with any serious hiking if he is asking us about a tent. I could talk for hours why it is a dumb idea. For something like that you would need so many things and a ton of know-how and experience to even attempt something like that, not to mention you have to know the locals of countries like Russia or Iran since you are going to the far east and those areas are almost certain deathtraps once you leave the big cities. Not to mention your body has to adapt to this kind of abuse, if you just suddenly decided to up and leave for a 1000+ mile hike your body would shut down after a few days 100%, I saw it many times already, it happened to me too the first time I was putting on airs thinking I could do anything.

Like I said, everything about the OPs post reeks of lack of basic knowledge and I hope he doesn't try anything stupid. He should go take a walk along the entirety of the Alpenstrasse and take it from there. If he can do that then he has my respect as an intermediate hiker. BTW. Alpenstrasse is legendary if you take a powerful bike and you get good weather, absolute dream.

 

[Stilton Disco]

I get you, bro. But like you said you are canoeing so you have the boat carry the weight for you, same as me when I take a car, build a tent and then walk around the area having a base to return to and a car if something bad happens. When I did these wilderness hikes I just used a tarp and dug a moat to shelter myself from a potential rain if there was no shelter anywhere, which there usually is honestly. Also, weather forecast is important, you don't want to go out to some completely deserted part of Europe during the rainy season.

I could literally talk about this for hours as wilderness survival is one of my hobbies but suffice to say, best is to stick to trails between cities so you can start and end each day around other people, there are a ton of reasons for it (security, health care, food/water, comfort etc. etc.). There are plenty of trails which are for the vast majority of the time completely devoid of any semblance of modern world, only every once in a while you come across a sign saying "*backwater* 2-10 miles". Those are honestly the best options for someone going alone.

I would never go to the depths of wilderness in Europe or any other continent alone, like not in a million years, and OP is talking about a potential trip from Germany to Japan, someone who has obviously no experiences with any serious hiking if he is asking us about a tent. I could talk for hours why it is a dumb idea. For something like that you would need so many things and a ton of know-how and experience to even attempt something like that, not to mention you have to know the locals of countries like Russia or Iran since you are going to the far east and those areas are almost certain deathtraps once you leave the big cities. Not to mention your body has to adapt to this kind of abuse, if you just suddenly decided to up and leave for a 1000+ mile hike your body would shut down after a few days 100%, I saw it many times already, it happened to me too the first time I was putting on airs thinking I could do anything.

Like I said, everything about the OPs post reeks of lack of basic knowledge and I hope he doesn't try anything stupid. He should go take a walk along the entirety of the Alpenstrasse and take it from there. If he can do that then he has my respect as an intermediate hiker. BTW. Alpenstrasse is legendary if you take a powerful bike and you get good weather, absolute dream.

Maybe we need a wilderness/camping/outdoorsman thread? Swap tips and show off equipment.

I must admit, being in Great Britain does mean even my most isolated and extreme camps don't hold a candle to the extremes you get in mainland Europe.

I love Dartmoor for how isolated and relatively untouched it is, but it's still pretty safe and easy to get to and navigate as long as you aren't a complete idiot.

Also I had thought he meant Germany to Japan was the range of places he was planning to visit, not the journey itself.

Yeah, if he doesn't even have a tent and know the basics of what to be looking for, there's a good chance he'll die if he attempts it. I mean hats off to the ambition, but that's a fucking stupid idea.

 

[mcz117chief]

Maybe we need a wilderness/camping/outdoorsman thread? Swap tips and show off equipment.

Would be nice, although all my stuff is currently at my old place for now. I do plan a week long hike with my bro and some friends across the hills here in Czech Rep. in a few weeks.

I must admit, being in Great Britain does mean even my most isolated and extreme camps don't hold a candle to the extremes you get in mainland Europe.

You have no idea man. Going just outside the last streetlight of a city can be deadly. For example here in Czech Rep, we have a TON of wild hogs everywhere and I saw what those things can do if they get enraged. Just imagine, the night falls, you forgot to pack your headlamp (BIG MISTAKE), you are in a middle of a forest, you are effectively in 100% darkness, suddenly you hear a weird noise, it gets closer, then you hear pigs squealing, rush of hoofs and BAM! you get hit by a half a ton truck, your back is broken and you are dead. Shit, man, and that is just the tutorial level. Once you go out to the mountains you can even meet wolves, jackals and even bears here, although all three are pretty rare and mostly only in the far east of the country but it is a real threat. Then of course you can meet a crazy person, a highwayman or just take a wrong step and fall into a 3 meters deep mud pit or bog. GG EZ. And this is all in the "super safe" country of Czech Rep.

Also I had thought he meant Germany to Japan was the range of places he was planning to visit, not the journey itself.

Kek, I hope you are right, I just immediately jumped to conclusion after our last big hero Keraj back on GAF thought he could be Tarzan in South America despite never seeing a jungle in his life.

 

[FactsAreDead]

I get you, bro. But like you said you are canoeing so you have the boat carry the weight for you, same as me when I take a car, build a tent and then walk around the area having a base to return to and a car if something bad happens. When I did these wilderness hikes I just used a tarp and dug a moat to shelter myself from a potential rain if there was no shelter anywhere, which there usually is honestly. Also, weather forecast is important, you don't want to go out to some completely deserted part of Europe during the rainy season.

I could literally talk about this for hours as wilderness survival is one of my hobbies but suffice to say, best is to stick to trails between cities so you can start and end each day around other people, there are a ton of reasons for it (security, health care, food/water, comfort etc. etc.). There are plenty of trails which are for the vast majority of the time completely devoid of any semblance of modern world, only every once in a while you come across a sign saying "*backwater* 2-10 miles". Those are honestly the best options for someone going alone.

I would never go to the depths of wilderness in Europe or any other continent alone, like not in a million years, and OP is talking about a potential trip from Germany to Japan, someone who has obviously no experiences with any serious hiking if he is asking us about a tent. I could talk for hours why it is a dumb idea. For something like that you would need so many things and a ton of know-how and experience to even attempt something like that, not to mention you have to know the locals of countries like Russia or Iran since you are going to the far east and those areas are almost certain deathtraps once you leave the big cities. Not to mention your body has to adapt to this kind of abuse, if you just suddenly decided to up and leave for a 1000+ mile hike your body would shut down after a few days 100%, I saw it many times already, it happened to me too the first time I was putting on airs thinking I could do anything.

Like I said, everything about the OPs post reeks of lack of basic knowledge and I hope he doesn't try anything stupid. He should go take a walk along the entirety of the Alpenstrasse and take it from there. If he can do that then he has my respect as an intermediate hiker. BTW. Alpenstrasse is legendary if you take a powerful bike and you get good weather, absolute dream.

Just for the record: I wouldn't make Germany-Japan my first trip

First, I'll try either a roundtrip to the countries bordering Germany. Or traveling the Alps which are like 50km or less southern from where I live. Or even more realistically, first I'd go regular camping somewhere for a week and see how that goes.

My biggest fear in regards to the big trip actually are people. At some point, I would either have to cross through the middle-east or traverse the vast plains of south-east Russia/Mongolia. I'd like to take the former path, but I honestly dunno if it's even possible to travel through there without being murdered by terrorists. Plus, I'm kinda scared of traveling through India by foot because of tigers. But these are all things I'd look into before I do it. Other people have done it, so it cannot be impossible.

But since you're knowledgeable, let me ask you absout sleeping bags! That would be the 2nd largest item I'm still missing, after a tent.

 

[mcz117chief]

Just for the record: I wouldn't make Germany-Japan my first trip

First, I'll try either a roundtrip to the countries bordering Germany. Or traveling the Alps which are like 50km or less southern from where I live. Or even more realistically, first I'd go regular camping somewhere for a week and see how that goes.

My biggest fear in regards to the big trip actually are people. At some point, I would either have to cross through the middle-east or traverse the vast plains of south-east Russia/Mongolia. I'd like to take the former path, but I honestly dunno if it's even possible to travel through there without being murdered by terrorists. Plus, I'm kinda scared of traveling through India by foot because of tigers. But these are all things I'd look into before I do it. Other people have done it, so it cannot be impossible.

But since you're knowledgeable, let me ask you absout sleeping bags! That would be the 2nd largest item I'm still missing, after a tent.

Bro, if you are free on Discord later today I can take you through it. I don't feel like writing essays. Read my next post after the one you quoted for more info too.

 

[Stilton Disco]

Just for the record: I wouldn't make Germany-Japan my first trip

First, I'll try either a roundtrip to the countries bordering Germany. Or traveling the Alps which are like 50km or less southern from where I live. Or even more realistically, first I'd go regular camping somewhere for a week and see how that goes.

My biggest fear in regards to the big trip actually are people. At some point, I would either have to cross through the middle-east or traverse the vast plains of south-east Russia/Mongolia. I'd like to take the former path, but I honestly dunno if it's even possible to travel through there without being murdered by terrorists. Plus, I'm kinda scared of traveling through India by foot because of tigers. But these are all things I'd look into before I do it. Other people have done it, so it cannot be impossible.

But since you're knowledgeable, let me ask you absout sleeping bags! That would be the 2nd largest item I'm still missing, after a tent.

Honestly, it sounds like you're trying to run before you can walk.

What you're suggesting takes years of prep, learning through trial and error and a level of expertise well beyond most dedicated enthusiasts.

The simple basics of feeding, hydrating and cleaning yourself alone would be a constant struggle and require a huge amount of research and practice, well beyond just buying stuff.

 

[mcz117chief]

Honestly, it sounds like you're trying to run before you can walk.

What you're suggesting takes years of prep, learning through trial and error and a level of expertise well beyond most dedicated enthusiasts.

The simple basics of feeding, hydrating and cleaning yourself alone would be a constant struggle and require a huge amount of research and practice, well beyond just buying stuff.

Not to mention doing it alone is insanely risky.

 

[FactsAreDead]

Honestly, it sounds like you're trying to run before you can walk.

Yeah, but I've always been like that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it won't.

But again: That big trip will not happen without softer attempts beforehand, so don't worry

 

[Stilton Disco]

Yeah, but I've always been like that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it won't.

But again: That big trip will not happen without softer attempts beforehand, so don't worry

Good, well in that case forget the whole ultralight on a budget approach and just get some comfortable shit to learn the basics.

The compromise of added weight to provide both a better experience is well worth the trade off, and until you have learnt how to do all the bushcraft and survivalist bollocks you need for long camping trips, you're better off just carrying a few kilos to make everything a bit easier, then replacing them with more delicate, expensive and lighter versions bit by bit over the years.

That also has the added benefit, of course, of that extra bit of weight building muscle and stamina faster too, which will benefit you in the long run.

Also if you can find a hot tomboy/non camp gay guy (depending on preference), a two man tent and knowing how to competently provide a comfortable camping experience, properly cooked meal, with the romance of a fire you started under the stars, will get you laid. Being basically a high tech tramp will not.

 

[mcz117chief]

Also if you can find a hot tomboy/non camp gay guy (depending on preference), a two man tent and knowing how to competently provide a comfortable camping experience, properly cooked meal, with the romance of a fire you started under the stars, will get you laid. Being basically a high tech tramp will not.

Also, if you have a partner, and don't use any kind of vehicle, you can always

You don't need to carry two of everything so the difference between going solo and duo is significant.

@OutrageousFacts bro, if you are serious about hiking, hit me with a PM and I can initiate you into the basics which I have learned from experience (mostly painful), books, army vets from all over the world etc. trust me, you want to hear me out.