BACKPACKING TENTS always involve compromises between weight and space, especially with solo ones. How small a tent can be whilst still being functional is, to some extent, a matter of what you’re prepared to put up with. There are tiny ultralight tents with barely room to do more than lie down. For me these are just about acceptable for overnight trips in good weather; but for anything longer I prefer larger ones in which I can sit up, store gear and cook undercover. Will you live in your tent or just use it for sleeping?
I think 2kg is about the most a solo tent should weigh. Many are far less than this whilst still having adequate room.
The most common solo tent designs are tunnel tents (with two hoops), single-hoop tents and pyramid tents (with single upright poles). Solo tunnel tents are usually tapered with the high point at the door end. With single-hoop tents, the hoop may run across the tent or along its length. This single hoop may be backed up by short poles at each end or else split into two to form a Y-shape. These designs give more wind resistance and headroom. There may also be a cross-pole at the apex for more headroom. Pyramid tents can usually be pitched with a trekking pole, saving some weight. All these designs work. What differentiates models are weight, the position and number of guylines, fabrics, vents, doors and ease of pitching.
The lightest tents are not necessarily less durable. Silicone-treated fabrics are stronger and lighter than polyurethane-coated fabrics. However, ultralight groundsheets usually have a low ‘hydrostatic head’ (the measure of how much water can stand on the material before it leaks) and may leak under pressure. Brands often recommend using a separate footprint under the groundsheet. This adds weight and cost, and should be included with the tent.
Condensation can be more of a problem in solo tents than larger ones because there is less space for air to circulate and it’s harder to avoid touching the walls. Good ventilation can mitigate it but not prevent it. Leaving doors and vents open whenever possible keeps tents drier. Low and high vents allow cool, dry air to enter and push warm moist air out. Some tents have two-way flysheet door zips that can be left undone
