1 person tent recomendations

[GR8ADV]

I would not recommend a bivy. I use them for extreme winter conditions when a tent is not feasible (Alpine climbing), or as a backup shelter in the summer if I need to be fast and light and only require a shelter if the weather turns. If I KNOW ahead of time the weather will be bad, the last thing I want is a bivy. You can retreat to a tent to wait out bad weather. Doing it in a bivy...sucks.

I think you could be well served with a Terra Nova Laser Comp 1. http://expeditionportal.com/field-tested-terra-nova-laser-competition-1/

It has elements of tarp living if you just use the shell and not the inner tent body. Like a pyramid, the hoop architecture is incredibly strong and holds up very well in high wind and with snow loaded. It has far better livable space. Pyramids stink for livable space with highly sloped walls and that center pole is a pain.

Another great option is the Hilleberg Enan: http://us.hilleberg.com/EN/products/yellow-label/enan/enan.php

I fully disagree that just going to a 2-person tent makes for the better 1-person experience. That's categorically incorrect. This is about feature and square footage. Some 1-person tents rival the space of some small 2-person tents. You have to assess livability on a tent by tent basis.

You might hold out a bit and wait for Nemo Equipment's new system they designed ideally with bikepacking (mountain bike travel) in mind. It is a comprehensive tarp, bag and bug bivy system that is really slick, very storm worthy, and exceptionally light. But, it works best as a whole system.

+1 on the Hillebergs. I have two of them. I have yet to find a better made tent. If you want quality that will likely outlast your travels, they make the quality you need.

 

[westranger29]

I will second the msr hubba, I have been using one for some time now and it is great; durable, light, and quality made. A tent that weighs less than a pound or so more than a hammock/bivy is worth it to me. Look at outdoorgearlab.com also, they do great comparison reviews.

If I didnt have the MSR, I would consider a Big Agnes or Hilleberg too.

 

[mobob]

I have a couple that I like. For one person and bad weather, I like the North Face Big Fat Frog (two person) because it's fairly light, sturdy, and has a very big vestibule (relatively speaking) to store your gear out of sight or cook a meal in a pinch. It will work for two but it's better for one. You can also swap out the fly for the North Face Tadpole on the same tent and use it as a smaller tent when you don't need the vestibule.

I also have the a good hammock setup. It's just convenient when the area your camping doesn't have a flat area for a shelter or when it's so wet even good tents suck. I have used it between two posts on a dock, two trees on the side of the lake, two trucks, two rocks, and many places you couldn't get close to with a tent. Get a good one and you will find plenty of use for it anywhere but the desert.

 

[GR8ADV]

If I didnt have the MSR, I would consider a Big Agnes or Hilleberg too.

Google best four season tent and you will get here. http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/4-Season-Tent-Reviews There is a reason why the top three are Hillebergs. Simply one of the finest tent makers. Now of course if you don't care about 4 season ability, a built in fly for pitching in the rain, virtually indestructible build quality, the ability to stay pitched during the most fierce wind and handle snow loads, and things like the ability to double pole for strength, then there is no need to spend the money. It is quite funny to compare Big Agnes to Hilleberg.

 

[Christophe Noel]

It is quite funny to compare Big Agnes to Hilleberg.

I like Big Agnes for what it is, and they do make fine products, but they sure get a lucky break with their reputation relative to the products they make.

 

[GR8ADV]

I like Big Agnes for what it is, and they do make fine products, but they sure get a lucky break with their reputation relative to the products they make.

In general we get what we pay for. Tents are no different and some are clearly more expensive than others. But the best is the best, ( and Hilleberg is one of them), and that may be quite different from one that works ok in most instances. We can say the same about most products. I do not like reviews that say bad things about product A just because they like product B without having any experience in both products. In this case it was my time in a Big Agnes that lead me to Hilleberg. The BA was ok in ok conditions. I now own 2 Hillebergs, a Nam3 GT when there are two of us or when I need a reasonably light but still pack-able tent for 2-3 and a huge vestibule, and an Akto for solo moto and bicycle trips. But even they have their issues. Condensation being one, and the limited downside of not being free standing and thus making staking on a sandy beach more difficult.
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This is simply my opinion. There are lots of tents out there for people to choose from. And what ever it takes for people to get out is fine by me.

 

[PlacidWaters]

I like Big Agnes for what it is, and they do make fine products, but they sure get a lucky break with their reputation relative to the products they make.

I find Big Agnes tents and sleeping bags quirky. The tents seem overly complicated. There are simpler, cheaper tents that are just as well made and get the job done in moderate weather. Kelty for example. I don't agree at all with the concept of Big Agnes sleeping bags. They fail to tell people that they work best for back sleepers, when more than half of people are side sleepers. I was disappointed when Helinox decided to affiliate with Big Agnes. In my mind an association with Big Agnes isn't a positive selling point.

 

[PlacidWaters]

Some 1-person tents rival the space of some small 2-person tents..

Example?

 

[PlacidWaters]

In planning a trip. I keep multiple solutions in the truck. We get as far as we can in the truck. Re assess the hikes. Then grab any additional or change gear. I have a Bivy, 2 & 3 person tents in the truck. They all are small and fit in a backpack. We also carry a range of sleeping bags too.. . .Each trip is unique and might require slight tweaking. .

This is a pain but I admit that I often do the same thing: carry one set of gear for one situation and another set of gear for other situations on the same trip. It makes me feel better to have a 50-liter backpack, small tent, and small mattress that can be backpacked into the woods if more luxurious possibilities are not available.

I also agree that each trip is unique and requires tweaking. That's why I have 4 tents:
1) Backpacking and bike camping (two person tent for one person)
2) Kayak camping (can be a bit larger and heavier than a backpacking tent, but still a 2P. I'm talking about a one-pound difference or so, which is meaningful to backpackers.)
3) Light car camping (3-person tent)
4) Luxury car camping (4-person tent)

. . . along with two cots and four mattresses corresponding to the above trips. Sure, I could use a two-person tent for all of the above, but that wouldn't be fun. There is no one-person tent on that list. Because that's not fun!

 

[shadow61]

I use the MSR hubba hubba , its a 2 person and is super light. i took it on my AT hike earlier this spring and it was awesome. Its a little pricey but worth it