Tents

In the market for a lightweight tent under 3lbs and packable. Single walled. Preferably 4 season. Waterproof? Easy set up and sturdy.

Main uses would be long distance hiking, climbing and travelling in all types of weather.

I have looked into the BD firstlight, however I hear it isn't waterproof. Any suggestions? Recommendations on good tents you all have?

Much Appreciated,

Steve

There are only a few 4-season tents in the 3lb range and I wouldn't get one unless you're going to be spending most of your time pitching it in freezing, windy weather above tree line. Otherwise they're cramped, not especially durable for the $$ and condensation sucks. It's a specialty piece, really. Get a decent 3-season tent, or a tarp shelter if you really want to save weight.

4 Season tent under 3 lbs? That is tough... I just spent too much time researching every tent made on earth and here are my suggestions (BTW) these are two-man tents. If you are looking for a 1 man tent all these manufactures have single person tents that will be lighter. I decided on the Nemo Kunai because it was double wall (less condensation build up) and has a tons of features with incredible design and its super lightweight for a double wall. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these tents. BTW the tents below all made my short list after comparing ~15 tent manufacturers.

• Nemo Kunai (This is the tent I ended up getting and love it). 2 man, Double wall, 4lb 10oz trail weight.
• Rab Latok Summit. 2 Man, Single Wall, 4lb 1oz.
• Hilleberg Nallo 2. 2 Man, Double Wall, 5lbs
• Mountain Hardwear EV2. 2 Man Single Wall, 4lb 14oz
• North Face Assault 2. 2 Man Single Wall. 4lb 15oz

the tarptent scarp is "3+,4- season" with the optional crossing poles ... weights 1.4 kg, but its double walled ... can fit 2 if needed

do a search in reviews ... dem brits use it in all kinds of heinous weather

;)

Dude, where were you two weeks ago when I was trying to sell my Sea to Summit Soloist for half the market price.

Hilleberg Akto
Dual walled, but really bomber. Pretty pricey though if you're paying full price.

Long distance hiking and you put a question mark on waterproof... The only requirements for long distance hiking are lightweight and waterproof. If you are actually doing a long trail buy something cuben. None of those tents will be good for winter mountaineering; you will need another

Firstlights are water proof enough. They don't leak in the rain,

I have the Henry Shire Tarptent Rainbow and love it although after 6+ years of heavy use I am in the market for a new tent as well. I am looking for a free standing tent with a vestibule under 3 lbs, so have been looking at big Agnes tents. I will be following this topic. BTW minus condensation aren't all tents waterproof, I mean what's the point if they're not?

I also have the BA AngelSprings UL2. It is super light, has a good sized vestibule and comfortably fits two (assuming you're not plus sized). BUT after about four days of torrential rain and soaking without moving sites, the floor became saturated and soaked through where we slept. This was using a Tyvek sheet as a ground cloth. That being said I have used it in lighter, shorter rains with no saturation issues.
Not four seasons, but it's sub-one kilo. For downpours and snow, I stick to the Hilleberg Akto.

Vinzanto wrote:I have the Henry Shire Tarptent Rainbow and love it although after 6+ years of heavy use I am in the market for a new tent as well. I am looking for a free standing tent with a vestibule under 3 lbs, so have been looking at big Agnes tents. I will be following this topic. BTW minus condensation aren't all tents waterproof, I mean what's the point if they're not?

The BA copper spur is a similar layout to the rainbow, great vestibule space having two. The thing I really like is that the walls are more vertical down by your feet (compared to their single rib pole at the feet designs). When it gets windy the tent wall will not push in on your feet as the lighter models do.
Downside is that on rock sites/bivy spots it's a much bigger footprint than a bivy style tent.

The BD firstlight is NOT waterproof with use.

Vinzanto wrote:I have the Henry Shire Tarptent Rainbow and love it although after 6+ years of heavy use I am in the market for a new tent as well. I am looking for a free standing tent with a vestibule under 3 lbs, so have been looking at big Agnes tents. I will be following this topic. BTW minus condensation aren't all tents waterproof, I mean what's the point if they're not?

some fabric are less waterproof than others

the earlier tarptents were made with silnylon that was barely considered "waterproof" especially after decent use ... in a heavy windblown rain theres been reports of 'misting" through the fabric

epic fabric (older BD firstlights) were more snow and sprayproof than waterproof ... but thats fine as it makes a tradeoff with breathability for dryer applications (winter, snow)

for a tent to be barely considered waterproof it needs a hydrostatic head of 1200 mm on the fly ...

for it to be considered waterproof even in driven rain and after good usage ... look for 2000-3000 mm+ for the fly and 3000-5000+ for the groundsheet

the ground sheet requires much higher waterproofing than the fly as when you kneel on the fabric the pressure exerted is much greater than rain hitting the fly ...

and HH in a single walled tend needs to be higher than a double walled ... as in a double walled even if theres some "misting" the air gap and secondary layer of fabric will help keep it at bay

some smaller manufacturers have found this out the hard way the last few years and many have switched to 2000-3000 mm + silnylon

waterproof is relative and a tradeoff ... there aint no free lunch

now condensation is an entirely different issue altogether ...

;)

Steve,

Consider a Sierra Designs Flashlight if backpacking is primarily what you're doing. Ticks all the boxes you listed except for 4 season, but honestly unless you're routinely pitched above treeline in gale-force winds and driving snow, it will hold up just fine when staked properly. Even then, stake it out under big rocks and you're good. Assuming you use trekking poles, it uses them as the primary supports, which means no pole bag and thus the whole thing packs down to a very compact size in your pack. Sweet tent - very roomy even in one man size.

I quite like my Tarptent Double Rainbow, meets all your requirements except 4 season. It will handle a bit of snow though. I've used it in all kinds of different conditions in Alaska, Patagonia, and Yukon and it's held up quite well. Set up is a breeze too.