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Best Ultralight Tent

Last Updated: December 26, 2020

Ultralight equipment has become popular over time and keeps getting lighter, which can lead to an increase in expense.

There are a multitude of choices on the market, and it can be overwhelming to know where to begin your search in acquiring the best ultralight tent.

We explored five of the best ultralight tents on the market and are confident you’ll find your match.

In a survival setting, the last thing you want is heavyweight equipment burdening your overall performance, which is why you should consider an ultralight tent to ease you to success.

We’ll outline what an “ultralight” tent is and how it should deliver, and include vital considerations to make in construction and design for your future adventures.

We hope after reading through our reviews and buyer’s guide, you’ll find an ultralight tent that elevates your chances of survival.

Our Reviews
1

River Country Products Trekker Tent

The River Country Products Trekker tent provides one of the more spacious ultralight tents on the market. It is shaping up at seven feet long, 62 inches wide and 42 inches in height.

The tent also features small back vents to allow for ventilation in warm conditions. Not all ultralight tents provide this feature.

Weighing in at an impressive 2lbs and 12oz this tent comes in as one of the lighter tents of this round-up.

It’s not just the weight that comes in low, but the price too, this tent is extremely affordable compared to some of its closest rivals.

This ultralight tent can be set up in as little as just one minute, allowing users to seek shelter almost immediately.

The only real downside to this very affordable tent is that it doesn’t come with trekking poles. They can be added for an additional fee, increasing the total purchase price.

The tent is intended to be used with trekking poles but will actually work with any stick that is over 42 inches in height.

So you could potentially use your existing trekking poles or even a small branch from a tree.

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Pros

  • Weighs an impressive 2lbs
  • Budget-friendly
  • Extremely spacious
  • Highly rated
  • Quick and easy set-up time

Cons

  • Trekking poles are not included
2

Hyke & Byke Yosemite Backpacking Tent

Brought to you by Hyke & Byke, the Yosemite two person backpacking tent comes with a vast array of perks.

Featuring double wall ventilation and a 5000mm waterproof footprint the tent has excellent waterproof durability. Providing that all-important lifeline when the heavens start opening.

In terms of specifications, the tent stands at 45 inches in height, has a length of 88 inches and a width of 54 inches.

The full tent in its ultralight setup weighs in at a reasonable 3.26 lbs.

With a lifetime warranty this ultralight tent serves as one of the more affordably priced options featured on this roundup.

With high quality materials this product is competitively priced against its rivals, showing great value for money at its reasonable price.

The lightweight and durable tent offers a free standing setup with no-see-um mesh walls.

The tent is available in both one and two person specifications, allowing for flexibility when choosing which format is right for you.

Available in orange, blue, white, forest green and lime green this tent can accommodate the fussiest of tent decor enthusiasts.

One downside to this tent is that it doesn’t feature vents at the top of the fabric. Leaving the potential for humidity inside when experiencing warm temperatures.

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Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Highly durable
  • Available in a range of colors
  • 1 & 2 person specifications
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • No vents at the top of the tent
3

Paria Outdoor Products Bryce Ultralight Tent

Brought to you by Paria Outdoor Products, the Bryce one-person ultralight tent features a host of high-end features for a fraction of the price. Featuring 12 Y-stakes, Dyneema guy lines and 5000 mm silicone waterproofing.

The tent is also hosts two-way inner and outer zippers and mesh pockets amongst a range of other perks.

This ultralight tent comes in at a trail weight of just 2lbs 15oz, making it extremely easy to travel around with.

Paria Outdoor Products offer a lifetime warranty, and this product can be returned should any problems arise with it.

This tent has excellent durability, with aluminium poles/stakes and ripstop nylon. This tent has been put together with high-quality materials.

Rated at five stars, this tent is an excellent ultralight backpacking tent.

Unfortunately, this tent is only available in one color, yellow on the outside with an interior of red and grey. But this shouldn’t be a significant issue when it comes to choosing which tent is right for you.

This tent can also be bought in its two-person format for a slightly higher fee.

The length and height remain the same for both tents. However, the two-person tent has a 53-inch width, compared to a 36-inch width on the one-person tent.

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Pros

  • Trail weight of just 21lbs
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Great durability
  • High-quality materials

Cons

  • Premium price might turn off some customers
  • Only available in one color
4

River Country Products 1-Person Tent

Brought to you by River Country Products, this one person trekking pole tent boasts a quick set up time. Its set-up time can be completed in just minutes as a result of its simple yet effective design.

The product is extremely affordable and comes with a protected mesh area to store all of your gear, or even another person.

It features a bathtub floor and also a protected vestibule to accommodate your gear. The tent also hosts a rear roof vent, allowing for plenty of ventilation in warm conditions.

As with most ultralight tents, it should come as no surprise that this product is compact and extremely easy to fit back into your backpack.

Its 2.5-pound weight will make it light and ensure it doesn’t consume too much space in your backpack.

The tent also comes available in both green and blue and stands at the height of 48 inches.

Unfortunately, this tent does not come equipped with trekking poles, however, at the top of the tent is a reinforced fabric loop which allows for attachments to trees and whatever else you can find in nature’s toolbox.

But the tent does come with nine ultra-light aluminium stakes and three guy lines, ensuring it is securely pitched.

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Pros

  • Quick to set up
  • Budget-friendly
  • Protected area for all gear
  • Compact and easy to pack

Cons

  • Not waterproof
5

Naturehike VIK 1-Person Backpacking Tent

The Naturehike VIK 1 Person Ultralight 4 Season Backpacking Tent offers a spacious 83 inches of length, 34 inches of width and 38 inches of height.

And in just five minutes this tent can turn from its bag into nature proof shelter.

This product from Nature Hike also includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee or a refund will be issued.

Additionally, the suppliers will even throw in a free footprint with your order to ensure maximum comfort.

The fully waterproof design is comprised of nylon and silicone, allowing for a shelter resistant enough to hold off even the heaviest of rainfall.

As a result, this ultralight tent can be used year-round and even features sun protection of more than UV 50.

This is a highly rated tent, and as a result of this, it does come at quite a high price. However, it is worth the long-term investment.

The tent also comes with a small storage section at the underside of the tent roof, perfect for small items.

Only one color is available for this model which is white. The tent can also come equipped with a skirt for a small additional cost.

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Pros

  • Assemble time of just 5 minutes
  • Fully waterproof design
  • All season tent
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

Cons

  • Premium price might turn-off some customers
  • Only available in one color

How Can I be Ultra-Right When Selecting my Tents Weight?

When selecting the best ultralight tent for you, it should come as no surprise that the weight of the product is critical.

Ultralight tents fluctuate in weight anywhere between 0lb and 3lbs, although most weigh around 2lbs.

Remember to take into consideration what sort of activities you intend on completing prior to choosing which weight of a tent you select, as some may add an unnecessary burden to your backpack weight.

What Shape Tent is Best for me? 

Despite being small and light ultralight tents are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. 

Some take the pyramid shape allowing users to stand up inside their tents, whilst others have a more dome like structure.

Additionally, some tents may have side door access whilst others will contain an entrance at the front or back of the tent. 

Make sure you check the dimensions of a tent prior to purchase to ensure you aren’t left without enough room for yourself and your equipment.

How Compact Should my Tent be? 

Whilst the weight of the tent is important, potentially even more crucial is how compact the tent becomes when stored away in your backpack. 

When backpacking you don’t want a heavy bag, but you also don’t want a tent consuming precious space in your backpack.

Consider how much space you will have to store you tent in your backpack before deciding on which tent is right for you.

What Materials are Best for my Tent?

The materials the tent consists of can play a big role in how well the tent performs. 

Dyneema is the king of materials when it comes to ultralight tents, the material also known as Cuben Fiber is extremely strong and durable.

The other common material used is silnylon, slightly heavier and not quite as strong, but certainly a more budget friendly option.

Additional components such as tent stakes are available in a variety of metals, with slightly differing weights.

Make sure you focus on the quality of the stake over the weight of it. Buying the lightest stakes make not result in the most durable product.

How can I Choose the Right Tent for the Right Weather?  

When addressing this issue you should prepare accordingly. Some tents are better suited to certain types of weather. 

For example, you may find yourself wanting a vent on your tent to address humidity levels on a warm day.

Or you may require a solid waterproof tent to battle harsh weather and keep you warm. 

When choosing your tent make sure the materials and structure meet your environmental demands. The last thing you want is to wake up in your very own Lake Michigan.

How Long Will my Tent Last?

Aside from the obvious environmental threats, your tent has to be durable. There’s no reason why a quality ultralight tent shouldn’t last for over five years.

Many companies now offer 100% guarantees with their tents, so if you aren’t happy with the product then you can claim a refund. 

A lot of this depends on the quality of the materials, an expensive tent may seem like a waste of money but if you have to frequently replace cheaper tents than it can be seen as a wise long term investment.

Ensuring all zips are closed when packing up your tent can prevent the zip teeth from catching on the material of the tent and potentially damaging its canvas. 

What Small Extras Would you Recommend Adding?

When purchasing your new tent, you may want to consider a few additional extras to increase your comfort level.

A small camping mat would allow for a comfortable nights sleep on most surfaces where you choose to pitch your tent.

You may also want to consider carrying some additional tarpaulin for an additional layer of water resistance.

Recap

The highly rated Hyke & Byke Yosemite two person backpacking tent wins this roundup.

The dome style ultralight tent combines a reasonable price with a high quality product to make an excellent shelter.

The tent provides an impressive lightweight and durable product available in both one and two person formats and a range of colors.

Severe weather won’t be an issue when using this tent, its PU 2000 rating will keep you dry from the rain and its taped floor seams will keep the tent floor dry.

Along with some of the other tents on this roundup, this product also provides you with a lifetime warranty, meaning you can claim a refund should your product not meet your expectations.

The best ultralight tent of this roundup deserves its place at the top.
One of the best ultralight backpacking tents currently on the market for an affordable price.

The tent also features some of the best ultralight tent stakes.

If you love the outdoors, then this is one of the best ultralight two person tents on the market.

If you have used any different ultralight tents and feel they deserve to be on this list then get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

From all of us at Survival Front, Happy Prepping!

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