Comparative review
Deputy Editor and keen backpacker David Lintern considers a wide range of one-person tents for all seasons
CHOOSING a one-person backpacking tent is a balance between weight, space and weather resistance. It needs to be light enough to be carried – sometimes for days at a timeand be spacious and robust enough to survive poor weather without feeling cramped. There are practical limits: if it’s too small, cooking or getting changed become impossible without touching the sides and getting damp in the process. Too large, and we might end up carrying unnecessary weight: an even greater burden if the unit becomes wet. Weight depends on materials as well as size. Lighter tents tend to use more specialist materials and can cost more, but the weight of a tent fabric doesn’t necessarily determine its strength or durability. Treated or modern woven fabrics used in lightweight models can be stronger and lighter than traditional polyurethane (PU)-coated fabrics. The hydrostatic head (the measure of how much water can stand on the material before it leaks) of an ultralight fabric can be as high as head needn’t be very high anyway – anything over 1000mm is adequate. Groundsheets generally need to be thicker and tougher than the ground and will be subject to more wear and tear.
Other factors have a significant bearing on weight and weather worthiness too – the poles and pegs supplied, as well as the overall design of the shelter and where the fabric is supported. Here, I’ve covered a wide range of designs, from those supported by trekking poles, to A frame and Y frame and a variety of free-standing or semi-free-standing models, which rely less on pegging points for structure and more on the pole position. Some are built for heavy winter weather, whilst others are designed for more benign conditions.
Condensation can be more of a problem in solo tents than larger ones as there’s less space for air to circulate and you’re likelier to touch the walls. Look for ventilation options like two-way zips or covered portholes.
It’s worth carefully considering your room in the shelter, both when lying down and sitting up. Include extra clearance for a sleeping mat and bag! A vestibule should ideally be covered and have enough room for storage and cooking.
TESTING CONDITIONS
David used these tents from summer 2023 to spring 2024, so all were tested to their design limits and, in many cases, well beyond. They were used in the Scottish Highlands in high winds, extreme cold, rain and snow. Weights are from David’s digital scales and include stuff sacks and pegs where supplied.
Pitching: flysheet-first, or as a unit
Flysheet: 0.8oz DCF, 20,000mm hydrostatic head (silnylon also available)
Inner: solid with mesh door,
