Table of Contents
two door trekking pole ultralight hiking 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 mentioned are subject to change, and any Aliexpress prices do not include GST
- these require trekking pole(s) often with adjustments from 110 to 135cm!
- some trekking poles only extend to 125cm
- the medium-large poles generally extend 110-140cm but often have larger grips than the small-medium poles which only extend to 125cm
- these require secure pegs into each of the four corners for stability - this can be problematic in rocky areas or sand
- trekking pole tents are NOT recommended for some trails such as the Larapinta Trail in Australia where finding secure peg options can be difficult - freestanding wind resistant tents are preferred on this trail
Introduction
- hiking tents without poles which are designed to use both of your trekking poles are very popular for ultralight long trail backpackers as well as ultralight overnight campers as they weigh a lot less than tents with poles HOWEVER they can have significant issues and do require practice setting up.
- for long trail hikes, it is strongly recommended you go for the more expensive Dyneema Cuben Fibre fabric models as these are much stronger, much more waterproof and lighter than nylon fabrics
- for less demanding circumstances, a dual wall nylon tent may suffice
- in low humidity hikes a lighter single wall version may be an option but these do risk you getting wet from condensation
- most hikers prefer a more spacious 2P (two person) option rather than a narrow 1P tent
- there are also single pole trekking pole tents where your trekking pole inserts as a centre pole much like a tiny teepee tent but these have less usable space inside
- these can be very hard to set up in strong winds, especially if you have not practiced setting it up optimally!
- in strong winds you need to bring a few extras to help mitigate failures
- extra pegs are critical for these tents as they do require a LOT of tension to keep them standing in the wind and the main failure point is inadequate pegging - you may need two pegs for each guy out placed at an angle to each other
- if there are plastic clips such as on the doors of some of the tents - replace these with metal ones and bring small carabiners - plastic has a habit of breaking in strong wind
- strongly consider bringing a bivy just in case it all fails and you need to keep dry
- have a microfibre towel to dry out the inside of the tent if it gets wet whilst setting up or during the rain from a failure of waterproofing which is most likely to occur from either a puncture in the material or from wind stresses on the sewn tie outs which connect the inner to the fly
- these require pegging for stability - in alpine areas, there may not be ground suitable for pegs and you may need to use large rocks or tie to trees
- the Z packs Duplex tent has an optional freestanding pole set which helps address this issue but adds weight and cost
- all of these tents are very similar design, are NOT freestanding, and all require practice to pitch them
- in general (apart from the Durston tents), peg out the 4 corners of the inner tent first (however, if using the optional ground sheet, you may prefer to peg out the 4 corners of the ground sheet first then carabiner the corners of the inner to the corners of the ground sheet - this allows setting up the fly first and packing up the fly last so your inner tent does not get wet)
- amongst these tents, the BEST value for money storm proof tent and easiest to pitch are the polyester Durston X-Mid tents - and for alpine use - go for the “solid” ones
- the best fabrics are PeU silpolyester and DCF cuben fiber - both are far better than silnylon for many reasons
Expensive Dyneema Cuben Fibre (DCF) options
- if ultra-lightweight, durability and safety are the major factors - then these are the tents to buy - but they cost 3-4x as much as a nylon version
- DCF is lighter (half the weight of silnylon), much stronger, much more waterproof, doesn't stretch when wet as does nylon, less slippery, and more UV resistant, BUT is translucent and can still be damaged by abrasion or punctures!
2P DCF trekking pole tents
-
- perhaps the most popular tent for long through-hikes in America
- A-frame style tent; 1.0 oz/sqyd 20,000mm Dyneema® Composite Fabric floor (1.14m x 2.3m which is more than twice as thick as the fly) and .55 oz/sqyd DCF 15,000mm fly; inner mesh;
- sets up with 2 trekking poles set to 122cm;
- 2 entrances / 4 storm doors; NO ZIPS on fly doors - for better durability in dusty conditions
- 609g (539g excl. the 8 stakes you need to buy separately and which will weigh about 70g)
- packs to 18 x 33cm
- $US699
- opt. 323g Duplex Freestanding Flex Kit extra $US149
-
- as above but fly doors have zips
- $US699 647g (577g + 70g stakes);
Z packs Duplex tent
Z packs Duplex tent with optional Duplex Freestanding Flex Kit - add your trekking poles in severe weather for extra stability
-
- 578g, Dyneema cuben fibre fly; dual trekking pole tent; unlike the polyester version, the DCF version has a NON-REMOVABLE SEWN IN INNER making it partly single wall.
- floor is 15D Sil/PEU nylon so you will need a protective ground sheet; - a DCF floor version is coming in Aug 2024;
- floor space inside fly = 100“x83” = 58 sq ft = 2.3×1.17×1.17m = 2.7sqm; fly has zipper;
- too small for 2 people unless you top and tail; best as a 1 person tent;
- a popular tent for long hikes with lots of gear such as fishing trips where there is plenty of larger tent pitch sites given the extra floor space vs the Zpacks Duplex
- $US679 / $AU1008 for nylon floor version; ($AU1162 for DCF floor)
-
- unlike the polyester version, the DCF version has a NON-REMOVABLE SEWN IN INNER making it partly single wall.
- 2024 model, as above but 6“ wider to accommodate two wide (25” / 64 cm) sleeping pads and provides taller headroom (1.24m peak) and steeper sides to allow taller campers up to 6'6“ tall
- reduced the rotation of the diagonal ridgeline to create more even headroom on both sides to optimize the tent for two people sleeping in the same direction
- substantially more head clearance than A-frame tents of similar size
- 2.3×1.32×1.24m inner with area 3.0sqm 630g; 2x1sqm vestibules; packs to 27 x 13 cm (opt. 15D silnylon floor instead of DCF which is $AU150 cheaper)
- $AU1223
Durston X-mid 2P Pro DCF
- TarpTent Notch Li 1P tent
- 2 door very versatile tent as fly can be set up alone, and the mesh or “solid” inner tent can be set up on their own
- expensive and main issue is the floor tapers to 20” at end limiting sleeping pad sizes
- 610g incl. stakes, packs to 41×10 cm
- TarpTent Dipole 1 Li 1P tent
- 703g
- TarpTent Dipole 2 Li 2P tent
-
- 680g; 229x122x122cm high; packs to 22cm x 15cm x 14cm;
- DC5 and DC8 fabric walls; No-See-Um mesh;
- $US699
Hyperlight Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Tent
DCF inner tents that require a tarp cover
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo 2 Insert
- Dyneema cuben fibre DCF8 sides, DCF11 floor, No-See-Um Mesh; dual trekking pole tent which can be matched to their Echo Dyneema tarp and then converts the tarp into a fully-enclosed zipped and floored tent system.
- 414g but need tarp; 213x132x104cm high (rear is only 114cm wide); packs to 19.05 x 16.50 x 12.7cm;
Siliconised nylon options
- you may wish to choose a freestanding tent with poles at 1.1-1.6kg rather than these trekking pole tents as freestanding tents are MUCH EASIER to set up in the wind, less reliant upon pegging, and you can leave the tent set up when you go on a short hike with your trekking poles
- examples include:
- Nemo Dragonfly 2P
- Big Sky Revolution 2P
- and for even better protection, durability, and easier door access, at 1.9kg you have the awesome Mont Moondance 2 which comes in mesh or fabric versions but is over $AU800
- see also:
2P silnylon trekking pole tents
10D silnylon single wall tents
- 10D nylon is no where near as strong as 15D or 20D nylon or a Dyneema / cuben fibre tent
-
- 667g 10D 1800mm waterhead PU ripstop silnylon dual entry;
- condensation can be an issue - ensure it is well ventilated as it has no vents and keep your head and gear away from the low angled roof
- bathtub floor at only 1800mm water rating will let water seep through so don't camp on areas which will pool water in rain
- reviewers seem to be happy with it
- best for warm dry weather conditions with low humidity without strong winds
- minimal vestibule and no rain protection of inner mesh door when fly is open - could be an issue in hot, humid wet weather - maybe bring an extra tarp and poles - but then that defeats the weight savings of this tent
- $US320
- this is a fav tent for hiking for this lady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUvzsdz9Igo compared to the Durston X-Mid2, S2S Alto TR2, Nemo Dragonfly, although the Nemo is a much more featured better all round tent if you are happy to carry the extra weight
Gossamer Gear The Two
15D silnylon dual wall tents
- ASTA GEAR Yun Chuan
- asymmetric Durston X-mid like tents in 1P and 2P versions
- 980g 1P and 1140g 2P
- 5000mm 15D double sil ripstop nylon with 5000mm 20D nylon inner floor you need to seam seal with silicone adhesive glue!
- 1P version:
- 540g 2.49×1.62×1.35m outer with 440g 2.28×0.81×1.25m inner mesh tent; total 1.1kg; $AU234 for mesh inner version $AU264 for fabric inner version
- 2P version
- 570g 2.54×2.1×1.35m outer with 540g 2.33×1.32×1.25m inner mesh tent total 1.25kg; packs to 40x8x8cm $AU266 for mesh inner version $AU299 for fabric inner version
- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006138226555.html can purchase separate inners and outers
-
- 1060-1155g 2P
- 15D 5000mm PU single-sided coated silicon nylon with tear strength of 12-15N
- 20D 6000mm PU nylon floor;
- dual entries with 70cm vestibules;
- catenary cut fly for ventilation underneath
- YKK zippers
- 220*110*125cm packs to 34cm*15cm
- the seams are tape seam sealed for additional waterproofing (as no silicon coating to inner layer as with the Pro version which prevents tape seam sealing in the Pro model)
- available in “3 season” full 20D nylon mesh inner and “4 season” 20D nylon fabric inner for colder weather as it reduces wind chill and costs ~$15 more and weighs 20-30g more - you can buy these separately
- unlike the Pro, it is a dual skin tent with fly separate to the inner and the fly can be used by itself and the inner can be used by itself
- adjust your trekking poles to between 115cm-125cm (designed for 120cm height but you could drop these down to 110cm for lower profile in strong winds but then you need to manage a slack inner tent)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXopQe6mv9w 80day review
- the Lanshan 2 needs some minor mods to work well
- the two tie outs in the middle of the panels MUST have additional waterproofing applied (eg. wax, sealant)
- replace the plastic door clips with metal ones or carabiners as they will break in strong winds
- additional pegs to ensure it remains guyed out and the fabric is well tensioned to reduce wind resistance
- consider longer 3m guy ropes for the two main guy lines from the tops of your trekking pole to give more stability in strong winds
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuY8BBH0f3Y - fails in strong winds as door clips break (bring carabiners or replace with metal clips!), peg webbing broke, hiking poles got bent; fly leaked rain water into inner tent as she didn't follow instruction to apply additional sealant to the tie out points; very difficult to set up in strong winds; poles can fall down in strong gusts;
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b95uPpaorBo - how to improve this tent
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FewWBUnrueQ - how to improve this tent - 11 more mods
comparison of “3 season” full 20D nylon mesh inner and “4 season” 20D nylon fabric inner for colder weather
2P and 1P versions
20D dual wall silnylon tents
- Six Moon Designs Haven Tarp Shelter and Haven Net Tent
- 963g excl pegs/guys; uses 114cm trek poles;
- outer tent:
- green or grey 20D silnylon; 112cm high; 453g; packs to 28 cm x 11 cm
- there is also a 280g cuben fibre version ($US475)
- inner mesh 1/2P tent:
- 2.23×1.11m = 2.5sqm; 30D silnylon floor; 20D noseeum mesh; 510g; packs to 30 cm x 11 cm
- Haven NetTent hangs from the tarp shelter
Six Moon Designs Haven Tarp Shelter and Haven Net Tent
20D single wall silnylon tents
- single wall tents have the fly connected with the inner tent and as such have a major problem with getting you wet due to condensation
- perhaps only use in low humidity camps and ensure it is well ventilated
-
- 940g; 20D double-sided coated silicon nylon - inner wall and fly are connected together; 20D floor;
- the seams are not “seam-sealed”, you need to seal them yourself for waterproofing
- 20D Pro fabric is “3 times more robust and tear-resistant than the 15D classic version” but the Pro is single skin vs double skin for the classic
- available in “3 season” full 20D nylon mesh inner and “4 season” 20D nylon fabric inner for colder weather as it reduces wind chill
- inner tent layer and rainfly are connected together so essentially single skin and thus lighter weight and smaller size than the Classic but can have a greater condensation issues
- $US157
Siliconised polyester tents
- polyester is heavier than nylon but has 3 main advantages over nylon:
- does not absorb as much water so:
- it does not stretch and sag when wet
- will dry out much faster and shakes off far more readily (a wet nylon tent is also heavier to carry)
- does not get weaker when wet as does nylon (by about 10%)
- much more UV resistant
- it is less expensive
- Liteway Illusion Duo
- 2 door, 2P single layer pyramid tent and can be installed with one 130cm trekking pole or with two trekking poles in A-form to increase inner living space
- 2000mm 20D silpoly but seams are not sealed and you will need to seal them
- also comes in DCF cuben fibre version for $AU2199
- outer: 2.76×2.45×1.3m;
- inner: 2.3×1.35m
- Liteway PyraOmm Duo 1-2P rectangular pyramid tarp tent
- 710g for 1P inner excl. pegs, guys
- dual wall tent with a mesh inner for those no taller than 185cm
- single trek pole tent makes it very easy to set up and it is very versatile and light BUT the sides are angled making it feel a bit cramped compared to A-frame trek pole tents or to freestanding tents
- two door outer tent:
- 2.72×1.64×1.3m
- various versions:
- stealthy grey/olive/black 20D 2000mm WH silpoly version:
- 440g excl. pegs, guys
- grey “UltraTNT” fabric version
- white DCF cuben fibre version
- one door 1P inner mesh tent:
- 2.3×0.86×1.3m; 270g excl. pegs; 20D silpoly floor, noseeum mesh;
- you could instead by the much cheaper, narrower (70cm), heavier (430g+), more waterproof and stronger 40D asymmetric Chinese version https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32998063783.html for ~$100 in mesh or full fabric (“4 season”) versions
- two door 2P inner mesh tent:
- 2.34×1.26×1.3m 395g excl pegs.
- the Duo version of this tent allows better rain protection with door open when used with a 1P inner than the Solo version and you get the extra rear door for not much extra weight or expense
- the 1P inner will keep you further from the door and rain than the 2P inner and give more space for your wet gear but it only has one door but the outer tarp's rear door is still a usable for ventilation and potentially emergency exit or re-orientation of the 1P inner tent if weather direction changes
- there is a much cheaper Chinese version of this outer tent but the outer tent only has one door, is not a stealth color, and is heavier https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32998063783.html
- creating a 2P option for this tent is possible (personally I think the 1P inner and single trek pole is probably the best for a solo hiker)
- you need a A-pole connector to allow use with two angled trek poles and this can be bought from either:
- Liteway
- aliexpress as part of the above Chinese version tent but you need to buy 2P tent package and unfortunately this 2P inner tent only has one door
- from https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004202926258.html for $AU26
- 2P inner tents can be bought from either:
- Liteway but they are expensive, mesh only option and only have 20D floors but importantly you get 2 doors
- one door 2P inner tents (only having 1 door is not well not well suited to the PyraOmm Duo but they are much cheaper and have more waterproof floors):
- https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32998063783.html - buying the 2P package gets you a 1 door tent, 1 door 2P mesh inner tent, A-pole, ground mat for under $AU270 excl. GST
- full fabric, but floor is 20D and not waterproof - see https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005466518900.html $AU70
- Tarptent Dipole 1 DW
- 923g incl stakes requires 2 trek poles 114.3-122 cm
- fly: 483g 20D nano ripstop 100% silicone coated polyester 3000mm + uses 2 x 18“ end struts at 8.5g (rigid) or 20g (folding strut) each
- floor: 30D double ripstop 100% silicone coated nylon 66 3000mm
- inner is 213×91-71x109cm and can be set up by itself with the trek poles + end struts.
- full mesh inner: 337g 15D nylon no-see-um
- solid inner: 326g 10D ripstop nylon
- packs to 28 cm x 12.7 cm;
- NB. NOT seam sealed - you need to do this yourself!
- Durston X-Mid 1
- as for the X-Mid 2 but:
- 875g excl. footprint
- much narrower for only 1P: 2.31×0.81m floor with 1.85 sq m area; 117cm height; fly footprint 170 x 254 cm;
- packs to 30 x 13 cm; vestibules 1 sq m x 2;
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak79mOHpkoQ bad weather test by WildBeare
- “solid” version with fabric inner is 30g heavier but warmer see https://durstongear.com/products/x-mid-1-solid
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NW5Izj8dJQ wind test in Ireland - worked well except the magnet does not keep the door open - bring a peg perhaps!
- optional X-Mid Stargazer Kit allows inner tent set up only
- optional Z-Flick Tent Pole if you don't have 2 hike poles
- add a 2.8×1.8m 20D silpoly tarp awning to allow door open during rain - see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Joj3XIITzk
- Durston X-Mid 2
- 20D Silpoly 3500mm WH
- assymetric design with floor being a parallelogram rather than rectangular
- unlike most of the above tents, it can be erected just with 4 pegs and 2 inverted trekking poles and only needing guy lines for windy weather
- this makes it much easier to set up than most of the above tents
- this model is rated “storm-proof”
- YKK zippers; vestibules 1.1 sq m x 2; fly footprint 210 x 254 cm
- 2.34×1.32m floor with 3.1sqm area and 122cm height
- packs to 30x15cm; weight excl. footprint 1085g
- optional X-Mid Stargazer Kit allows inner tent set up only
- optional Z-Flick Tent Pole if you don't have 2 hike poles
-
- full fabric version but has upper 2/3rds of each door as mesh
- also gains buckles at the base of the fly zippers, premium low-stretch guylines, and additional reinforcement at some optional stake points around the base.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zIxuulW090 - setting it up without reading intsructions
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcgZUKe7djU - 9 day wet weather condensation tests
- use trek poles at 125cm and adjust inner tent to ensure at least 5cm separation between inner and outer tent - do not have wet gear inside the inner tent.
Durston X-Mid 2
Durston X-mid 2 solid inner tent
- Decathlon MT900 v2
- white 2000mmPU 20D silpoly fly
- white 3000mmPU 40D silpolyamide groundsheet, inner is mesh upper 2/3rds
- 70kph wind tested
- needs two 115cm trek poles and has an additional supplied foot support pole but ideally needs a 3rd taller trek pole to keep the foot end taut
- 1.3kg