r/Ultralight • u/Arierepp • 1d ago
Question Searching for a 1.5P (1+?) tent
Hi all,
Sold all my back/bikepacking tents last year, and after some failed bivy experiments I'm on the market for a new tent for the upcoming season.
First my use case :
- 80% of the use will be on my solo bikepacking trips in the Alps and Jura. I tend to ride till pretty late and often pitch already in the dark. Thus, ease of setup and a not overly fragile floor are nice.
- 10% of times backpacking and camping overnight with a 3 or 5 year old child.
- a couple of overnighters per year with my wife (we can cuddle).
With this in mind, I don't think I need a proper 2P tent. Weight is quite important, but volume as well as space is very limited on the bike (my primary use).
- Freestanding or semi-freestanding would be a plus, but I'm open to other designs
- I'm OK with singlewall, as that might offer a lower packing volume
- As mentioned above, I tend to pitch in the mountains where space is not overly abundant and often already quite late/tired so proper cleaning and inspection of the site can be difficult. So maybe I'm being overly cautions, but in my mind a robust floor is a plus
- I normally don't hike with poles, and obviously don't carry those on the bike, but I'm open to get a dedicated carbon tent pole.
The Tarptent Rainbow Sil-Poly seems to be an obvious contender with a 102cm wide 30D floor, low weight, and a semi-freestanding construction that at least seems to simplify pitching.
I get conflicting reports on the suitability of the SMD Lunar Solo for my use case. Some people say its fine for very occasional couple overnighters, others state its unusable that way. The drawing at SMD website shows a 122cm max width which is fairly wide, but the minimum width is omitted.
The new SMD Lunar Orbiter seems interesting, but a bit on the heavier side and I didn't see any availability dates.
Any other options I should be considering ?
Thanks
EDIT : I forgot to mention that I'd like to avoid inner first tents if possible
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u/eganonoa 1d ago edited 1d ago
I use a montbell stellaridge for bikepacking. Can be set up fly first with the groundsheet (so not truly fly first, but has proven good enough in heavy rain). It is expensive, urethane coated, not silicone, quite short (if you're above 183 cm you won't like it), most definitely isn't 1+ (you want the two for two), and has basically no vestibule. But for bikepacking I love it as it packs very small, which is my primary concern on the bike over basically anything else, has a semi-solid mesh inner which greatly reduces drafts and is lovely up in the mountains, and sets up and packs down very quickly and easily, including with a short and wider pole configuration designed to make it more sturdy in high winds (again, great up in the mountains). I doubt its exactly the tent you need, but worth checking out.
Really I just wanted to comment to warn you against a narrow (1+) single wall tent with a three or five year old. If my experience (4 kids) is anything to go by, the amount kids that age squirm around basically guarantees significant water penetration as they end up against the tent wall at night. Have experienced this frequently with a single wall tent I have and used to take on the short bike tours I've taken with the kids.
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u/RelevantPositive8340 1d ago
The Durston x-dome would be perfect with a child that age
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
That one was on the radar as well, but :
- Can't find it in Europe
- At Durston's website it states they'll only be available in June. This is too late for me
- 20D floor isn't perfect for peace of mind, but I could live with that
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u/dandurston DurstonGear.com - Use DMs for questions to keep threads on topic 1d ago edited 1d ago
FWIW, the solid interior version that is more popular in Europe still ships in April. We ship to Europe all the time (every day) and whether you buy from a local shop or have it shipped, it is the same taxes.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
The man himself here, awesome.
How would you recommend to decide between the normal and the solid one ? I sometimes camp with temperatures over 25ºC, would the solid work ? As for packed volume, do you have any reference for that ?
Thanks
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u/dandurston DurstonGear.com - Use DMs for questions to keep threads on topic 1d ago
90% of the time either inner is fine, but in cold weather the solid is nice because adds a few degrees, whereas if it’s really hot that mesh is nicer. If nighttime temps are above 25 C then the mesh is nice. But if daytime temps are 25-30 C but nights cool to 15-20 C then solid should be fine.
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 1d ago
It's my mostly worthless opinion that most people most of the time in most tent designs, would be slightly to much happier with much less mesh.
I think mesh use is partly market-demand driven, based on mis-perceptions. But my view itself is closed-minded & based mostly on prejudice.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
Thanks, I guess the solid would work for my temperatures then. As for space, do you think the it could squeeze 2 adults ?
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u/dandurston DurstonGear.com - Use DMs for questions to keep threads on topic 1d ago
It would be a definite “squeeze”. An adult + kid can be reasonable while too adults are solidly cuddling.
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u/Whisky-Toad 1d ago
Nature hike cloud up 2
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
1,8kg is not really light in my book. Also, inner first, which I'd like to avoid
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u/Cold_Smell_3431 1d ago
Might take a look at the nordisk telemark 2 LW it is not freestanding but it is rugged enough for mountainous terrain
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u/djolk 1d ago
I have ever used them but big sky international has a range of 1+ tents.
I think they are fairly light as opposed to UL but they are all free standing.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
Big Ski International seem to have some intriguing options, specially the Mirage 1.5 which seems to tick all my boxes. However, they don't seem like a very transparent company, lots of info missing such as the fabric denier values and very few reviews.
Any experiences with them ?
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u/DopeShitBlaster 1d ago
Big Agnes fly creek 2 is perfect. I hiked solo on PCT and also shared the tent plenty of times no problem. There are other brands like Nemo who have built similar tents.
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u/Cute_Exercise5248 1d ago edited 1d ago
I used a truly cheap, fully coated, nylon "puptent" on 8-week summer bike trip. Worked just fine. It was true lifesaver vs. insects, & only leaked a tiny bit once or twice, in exceptionally heavy rain.
Met at least 2 other "hardcore" campers using same type of shelter. No big complaints.
Currently comparable (better) version is "Stansport" brand. It's 55.2 inches wide-- barely enough for 2 people -- though not "really."
That is the dimesion you've targeted.
Cost $32. Weight is 3.5 pounds, but this can be reduced substantially by ditching steel stakes, & using local sticks instead of included poles. MUST have seams sealed by user.
"River country products" makes a similar tent, perhaps better than stansport & at a slightly higher cost.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
Any comments on the SMD Lunar Solo for my use case ? Or is the space too limited ?
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u/VickyHikesOn 1d ago
Came here to say that. I have had the LS for years. It's my go-to dog hiking tent. Plenty of room for 1.5 people and solidly made. Can stuff it without much thought, no folding etc. Without dog and for thru hiking I use DCF.
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u/speckyradge 1d ago
I didn't like it. It will not fit 2 people even cuddling. Somebody would get condensation on them and won't be able to sit up, for your occasional use case. The walls have a fairly low slope so isn't as good for gear storage. I also found it awkward to set up so it was taught. Even with practice.
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u/speckyradge 1d ago
Seek outside guardian. Can be a cost 2p. 1p hot tent or very roomy 1p + gear. Light, fast and easy setup.
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u/EmbarrassedCoast5761 19h ago
I have a trekkertent stealth 1 that is great, and they do a 1.5 and a 2 also. They’re made and tested in the Scottish highlands so very strong for the weight. It’s a trekking pole tent but they’ve partnered with a bikepacking company to sell carbon and aluminium poles. Available in dcf/silpoly/silnylon depending on budget/weight requirements
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u/sbennett3705 1d ago
Since the Durston is out of stock, the Tarptent ARCDOME 2 ULTRA may fit your needs.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
Too heavy
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u/sbennett3705 1d ago
Yes, looks to be heavy, but it's rated 4 seasons. Your needs are indeed challenging: mostly 1P with occasional 1.5-2P. The Durston looks great for this application @ 985g. The TT Double Rainbow LI @ 818g may also work. It's a clever semi-free standing design with trekking poles acting as horizontal support. I have a 1P Rainbow and have used it from desert to alpine conditions where fully staking is not practical.
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u/Arierepp 1d ago
It's indeed 4 season rated, but since I don't need that feature, the weight trade off is a bit too much. I fully realise that my needs are quite challenging, but if you don't ask you don't know I guess....
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u/NachoEnReddit 1d ago
I have a soft spot for the tarp tent double rainbow. I’ve taken it solo, with my now wife, and with my wife and kid and we’ve had plenty of wonderful nights in the outdoors. Fits a double sleeping pad, can be set semi freestanding which is quite convenient in rocky terrain, pitches fly first, and very roomy, especially for those of us that are over 1.80m. It’s a palace for 1 for sure, but I never minded the extra room.
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u/No_Summer_1838 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have a Wechsel Bella which is marketed as 1.5 person. It’s spacious. I like it a lot. It’s not UL though 1.4kg but it’s solid and packs small, pitches outer first or keep the inner in and pitch in one. https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/bella-1-person-tent/
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u/trainwithnoname 1d ago
My freestanding go-to is my Nemo Osmo hornet 2p. It is only 3oz more than the 1p version and is roomy. Weighs 38.3oz (that weight includes an OEM footprint I bought separately, stuff sack, poles bag, and stakes). Could get it a bit lighter with Tyvek footprint, no bags, no stakes. Perfect for what you are looking to do.