Back Packing Tent

grand · 10-06-2011, 03:32 AM

I wish to go on an extended back packing trip with some friends, but we agreed to have separate tents. Who makes the "top-of-the-line, one-man, back packing tent? Where is it available?

Refrigerator · 10-06-2011, 04:44 AM

Mountain Hardwear, MSR to name a couple.......Kelty would be the cheaper end.....North Face has a few as well. Go to REI.com, Campmor.com, Mountaingear.com, Tarps,..... or just google one man backpacking tents.....

danny28 · 10-06-2011, 06:52 AM

I would have said North Face right from the start. I've never heard of a Kelty tent.

Anyway your trip sounds wonderful- where will you be backpacking and camping? Take something super lightweight since you will be carrying it with you.

Fox & Hounds · 10-06-2011, 08:01 AM

Have you looked at hammocks? They are very light weight, easy to set up, and IMO very comfortable. I have a Clark that I use when I'm going out for more than a weekend.

** Kelty has a full line of backpacking tents http://www.kelty.com/c-tents-shelter...FR5Cgwod6lesRQ

wvbreamfisherman · 10-06-2011, 08:09 AM

Kelty actually has some nice-looking tents. I don't have any experience with them, though.

ponderosa · 10-06-2011, 11:57 AM

Kelty has been around forever in the backpacking gear world. I currently own four Kelty tents. As long as you avoid the cheaper models with fiberglass poles and skimpy rain flies, you will get a great product. The true backpacking tents I have from Kelty are every bit as good as my very spendy MSR backpacking tent, in design, materials, and workmanship.
If money isn't an issue, my favorite one man tent, because of the pole configuration and available "living" space, is the MSR Hubba. I have the 3 man version of this one and love it.

I often find the best prices online at campmor.com and sunnysports.com

Lamebeaver · 10-06-2011, 02:09 PM

IMHO, you're asking the wrong question.

You can get a top of the line tent for $300 or more, or you can get 10 basic tents for $30.

The cheap tents need to be seam-sealed, and won't last as long. But you won't cry as hard when you have a branch poke throught the screen, etc. on the cheap one.

For my money, cheap tents make more sense.

briansnat · 10-07-2011, 06:16 PM

Some good 1 person tents include:

Sierra Designs Light Year 1
MSR Hubba
Sierra Designs Zolo 1
Sierra Designs Vapor Light 1
Big Agnes Fly Creek 1
Big Agnes Lynx Pass 1
Marmot Eos 1

I'm going to differ with the previous poster and suggest you stay away from the cheap tents. They don't last, and if you find yourself in a storm with a leaky tent and cheap poles that broke in the wind you'll be pretty miserable.

That said, nearly every tent I mentioned above sells for under $200 with the exception of the Big Agnes Fly Creek. So you don't have to spend a bundle to get a quality solo tent.

IndianaHiker · 10-08-2011, 10:24 AM

I use a tarp instead of a tent. Love my Granite Gear White LIghtning. This weekend trying a hammock for the first time. The Tarp is 8x10 and only weight a pound.

Michael · 10-08-2011, 05:05 PM

I use a Coleman 1 person backpacking tent. It's about 2 1/2 pounds, which is light enough for me. It goes up quickly and comes down quickly. I found it on sale for something like 80 bucks. So far it's been more than worth every penny.

I tried out tarp camping for the first time this summer. I used a 6x8 blue tarp that I bought for 4 dollars. It took more fiddling than the tent, but it wasn't at all difficult to put up. My only real complaint about it is that it was buggier than a tent, but that's easy enough to solve (mesh, wait until it's not buggy, etc). The thing weighs less than a pound, and it rolls up smaller than my water bottle, so I'd consider something similar if I were trying to cut all possible weight.