Table of Contents

hiking tents with part fabric - part mesh inner tents

see also:

  • I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective
  • any prices are indicative and are subject to change by the retailers

Introduction

1P tents (1 door unless specified)

  • for a solo alpine hiker on many day hikes where weight is a premium consideration, my tip for best combination of storm proof and light weight while still being affordable is the 905g Durston X-Mid 1P solid trekking pole tent
    • this is much more storm proof than a Hornet or Fly Creek and yet similar weight (assuming you are hiking with trekking poles)
    • it is the only 1P with lots of fabric inner under 1.5kg with 2 doors (other than the Asta version of this tent) which gives far more flexibility in managing changing wind conditions overnight, reducing condensation and providing some cross-ventilation during the day
    • you can pitch the fly first in the rain so your inner tent and gear do not get wet
    • polyester fly will be more UV resistant, will dry out faster, and not sag or be as heavy when wet compared to a silnylon tent (although the Nemo Osmo fabric may be just as good)
    • the mainly mesh inner will be warmer in the cold alpine conditions than full mesh inner tents
    • you can buy an optional mesh inner tent to use in warmer summer conditions with optional starlight view for use without the fly
    • it allows a better stealth option if you become worried by the presence of dodgy humans as you can easily go into low profile stealth mode by lowering the trekking poles even whilst inside the tent and the green color may help with this (see stealth camping for solo woman hikers )
    • BUT you need fairly flat ground to get it pitched well AND you need at least 6 pegs to be firmly placed AND you need to practice pitching the tent as it can be fiddly
  • HOWEVER, if you want easier set up or are going to a place where a freestanding tent is much more desirable such as areas where ground is very uneven or pegging or tying guy ropes to trees is not always possible (eg. Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs or camping on granite boulders) then other options are:
    • 800g Nemo Hornet 1P Elite Osmo - needs 3 pegs, and the weather to be kind, although you are paying a premium for this tent which will struggle in strong winds and rain
    • 1080g Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 bikepacking tent - needs 3 pegs, but better than the Hornet if it could be wet (better fly coverage than the Hornet but similar weak frame) and not too windy
    • 1400g Northface 1P Stormbreak - pegs only needed for fly vestibule - best option if the weather could be nasty or pegging is impossible
    • NB. all the above tents will need pegging down in strong winds (especially if you are not inside to stop it blowing away - it will still roll away with a backpack inside!) - if pegging is not possible with these then can tie guy ropes to large rocks or to trees.
    • if the forecast is for extremely strong winds - don't go!

one door trekking pole tents

two door trekking pole tents

single spine one hub tents

single spine, two hub tents

two main long axis poles

2P tents

3P tents