I’m thinking of giving bikepacking a go and am looking at lightweight tents.
Top contenders are the alpkit soloist in XL. 1.3kg at £99 or the Vango Helium UL1 1.2kg at £160 with wiggle discount voucher.
https://alpkit.com/products/soloist
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vango-f10-helium-ul-1-tent
Anyone have experience of either of these? I’m 6ft2 and wondering if they’ll be big enough. Anything else I should be looking at under £200?
i use a alpkit ordos 2. perfect for a 6ft 4'' talle/wide bloke.
the soloist is nice in xl. i may get one of those.
Naturehike do some good value stuff.
I'm tempted by the Alpkit Argonaut, but I think I'll wait until my Naturehike Cloud up 2 has had a few more seasons.
£99 for the Soloist looks great, plus it's only an extra £7.99 for the footprint. Bargain...
I’ve got the standard size Soloist and it’s great for the money. Not lots of room but enough for sleeping and getting changed in (can’t sit upright in it) as well as just enough porch to store bags, shoes and the like.
I'm looking for something similar, I've been looking at the Alpkit Soloist, Naturehike Cloud Up, and Decathlon 1 man ( https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/self-standing-3-seasons-trekking-1-person-tent-trek-900-grey/_/R-p-305777)
Be interested to see what you end up going for.
That soloist has a bold claim:
packing down to the size of a bottle of wine
packing down to the size of a bottle of wine
Looks bigger to me🤣 though probably the same weight.
I did pop down to my local decathlon today to check out that forclaz tent, but they have got rid of most of their tent display due to covid, so couldn’t see it - looks a bit narrow on the inner fly sheet though.
Not seen the cloud up before, looks good, but more muted colours might be better for wild camping. Did consider the alpkit aeronaut was just a bit concerned about the risk of punctures and it’s no lighter than the soloist. That Ordos looks good too👍
I bought a Blackthorn Highlander 1 to try out bikepacking.
It was only £50 and weighs 1.5kg.
It's good, but next year will probably replace with something that has better headroom.
Current list:
Lanshan 1 plus with a separately purchased pole.
Naturehike Cloud Up 1
Forclaz Trek 900 1 man tent (Decathlon)
The Decathlon tent is the forerunner, but would be better if available in stealth green rather than only grey.
My friend I go bike camping with has the vango helium and I always look at it and think I should have bought that one!
I'm 6ft3 and the design of it is great for tall people as the ends have mini poles that are about a foot tall that keeps the tent off your feet and so keeps your sleeping bag dry.
Its the same footprint as mine but seems so much bigger with more use able space than mine.
I think it you change the pegs and ditch the storage bag it's 1.1kg or 1.2k from memory.
I found this channel useful. Some useful, up-to-date lightweight 1-person tent reviews
I have a F10 helium 200 (1.1kg) so probably the older model of what you're looking at and allegedly 2 man 🤣. Had it about 5 years. It's great. Light, spacious enough for a big guy with a full mat, easy to pitch and good in weather.
I'd definitely get another,but I'd need more space than the 1 man version.
can’t sit upright in it)
Absolute no-no for me.
Also must be able to cook with the door shut, ie the vestibule has to be 'big' enough that the stove isn't in the inner and doesn't touch the outer.
I've an ancient Phoenix Phreerunner, sleeps two and I can sit up (and cook).
My friend I go bike camping with has the vango helium and I always look at it and think I should have bought that one!
I’m 6ft3 and the design of it is great for tall people as the ends have mini poles that are about a foot tall that keeps the tent off your feet and so keeps your sleeping bag dry.
Its the same footprint as mine but seems so much bigger with more use able space than mine.
I think it you change the pegs and ditch the storage bag it’s 1.1kg or 1.2k from memory.
I don’t suppose you know whether it would take the wider 64cm sleeping mats? I can see the inner is 95cm at the widest point, but looks like it narrows at either end.
Absolute no-no for me.
This.
Lanshan 2 is a great tent. It's perfectly comfortable for two normal sized humans. Entry from both sides and vestibules on either side too.
A couple of poles of the correct size would be great for bike packing if comfort is a consideration.
Along those lines, Lanshan pro 1 or just the lanshan 1 if you prefer double wall tents. Only need one pole, and shape sheds wind a bit better than the lanshan 2 (I had a 2 for info)
Good tents though.
I've just checked, it's a 2 not a 1. Probably why its bigger than mine. Has a zip either side. You would have to be very friendly to sleep and pretty small.
https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/camping-equipment/741-f10-helium-ul-2.html
Its available at millets/blacks for £270 with £50 off at the moment.
His weighs less than 1.2kg with ti pegs and no stuff sack. Goes straight into his wet side of his dual sided bar bag.
I went a bit mad and bought the Vango Project Hydrogen
Costs £££ but weighs 700g !!
Slept out in it 6 nights now and I am very impressed.
I had to re pitch it once in a more sheltered spot as it didn't like wind very much and I replaced the ridiculous titanium pigs with light weight alu ones.
You cant sit up in it buy I have used the Jetboil in the porch
Pooh I didn't realise there was a double wall lanshan 1...
No Josh, bad Josh.
Yeah, the Lanshan range is a bit bloody confusing!
The pro has a single skin design whereas the standard Lanshan 1 has an inner & separate outer.
There is also a larger versions available which I think is called the plus because some people found the standard one a bit small.
They could do with having a matrix chart on their website of all the different options!
I’ve just checked, it’s a 2 not a 1. Probably why its bigger than mine. Has a zip either side. You would have to be very friendly to sleep and pretty small.
https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/camping-equipment/741-f10-helium-ul-2.html
Its available at millets/blacks for £270 with £50 off at the moment.
His weighs less than 1.2kg with ti pegs and no stuff sack. Goes straight into his wet side of his dual sided bar bag.
Thanks, the 2 man does look a much better option for not much weight gain. Actually blacks have a £50 discount code, so £220. Didn't want to spend loads incase I decide bike packing isn't for me or if I think pubs and B&Bs are the way forward.
I went a bit mad and bought the Vango Project Hydrogen
Costs £££ but weighs 700g !!
They are incredibly light. Looks like the material is super thin, so I guess you'll have to be careful not to rip it. Wiggle have them for £432 with the discount code which is a fair chunk lower than everyone else.
The Lansham 1 Plus has the same space inside as the 1 Pro so a bit more than the standard 1 but still with an inner and outer. I bought one earlier this year, only used for one trip but I'm very happy with it so far. I went for the 4 season inner just because I thought an all mesh inner might be a bit draughty. I believe it's actually slightly lighter than the 3 season inner. The ideal I think would be a solid lower section with a mesh upper.
I can sit up easily in it but that doesn't say a lot at 5'6"
No Josh, bad Josh.
Lol 😆
Aye, I'd go 4 season in inner too, lighter and not as cold in windy weather.
I have the Soloist, and I've used it for bikepacking and climbing, always in summer. Light, tiny, easy, roomy enough, but would need care in rough weather as it's tall - you'd just need to pitch it with the wind. I like it lots BUT I'm 5'10" and just about have enough length. I'd get the XL.
avdave2
The Lansham 1 Plus has the same space inside as the 1 Pro so a bit more than the standard 1 but still with an inner and outer. I bought one earlier this year, only used for one trip but I’m very happy with it so far. I went for the 4 season inner just because I thought an all mesh inner might be a bit draughty
Can you buy the whole tent with the 4-season inner or do you have to buy that separately? I think I've only seen it with the 3-season inner & the 4-season as a separate purchase.
I'm still keen to try something like the lanshan.
It seems that at just over 6', due to the sloping walls, my head and feet just won't have much room.
My favourite tent for inside space is the Vango Halo. This is because it has vertical sides all round, so you never worry about touching cloth.
The pro has a single skin design whereas the standard Lanshan 1 has an inner & separate outer.
Is the single skin just nylon?
Because if it's nylon as soon as you touch it when it's wet on the outside, it'll be wet on the inside..., or have I missed something?
Matt I can't give you direct advice because I am a normal sized person not a freak 😁
The inner in the lanshan 2 as a reasonable depth of tub and the sides while sloping are quite steep so you don't get the feeling of inhaling bugnet. Would depend on mat etc. But also if I recall your wife is about 5 foot so you can lie diagonally and she can have a corner?
The one thing I did notice was the top of the inner is perma touching the outer. It's not a big deal I just need to nip in that seam. The full net does not make for a warm tent though. The 4 season inner looks to be the same as I paid for the whole caboodle.
A lanshan 3 would be ace basically an extended 2 with the same inner.
Because if it’s nylon as soon as you touch it when it’s wet on the outside, it’ll be wet on the inside…, or have I missed something?
Nylon flys are totally waterproof, unlike old canvas tents. You might have a completely dry inner surface on a single skin tent - but equally it could be running with condensation while the exterior is bone dry. How you manage that depends on atmospheric conditions, tent shape and ventilation options, pitch location (and realistic expectations). Worst case is a calm cool night in a single skin tent with a flattish roof, then the wind going nuts at dawn just when a nice, pendulous mass of condensation has built up above you...
You assume my wife would come and camp halfway up a mountain.... 😆
Usually just me.
+1 for the vango f10 helium. I've gone from the alpkit hooped bivi (elan). I've got the 2 man which isn't much heavier than the one man. At 6'2" its got plenty of room for me and kit. You can unlip the inner on the porch and pull it back to give more room for cooking etc.
Cheers for the link nobeerinthefridge.
Looks like the 4-season with footprint is £140 at the moment and then I suppose there's the additional expense of poles.
I'd look at normal poles rather than walking poles.
Nice Scotroutes, but puts the tent up to £185 or so, which takes it out of bargain tent territory towards "proper brand" stuff.
The Decathlon tent definitely looks like a good option for me, but just wish it was dark green rather than pale grey!
You can sell a lanshan for not far off what you pay for it, as lots of folk are too impatient for a 10 day weight, makes it almost try before you buy.
My Mrs has the decathlon one and it looks very good, she loves it but I think it'd be tight for me at the ends at 6'2-3"
It was partly the length and partly that for once I could that I got my enan but it was stupid money and not amazingly light by todays standards.
Sweepy - I'm a short arse - 5'6" so should be fine for me!
Nobeerinthefridge - could be something to consider I suppose!!
Nylon flys are totally waterproof, unlike old canvas tents. You might have a completely dry inner surface on a single skin tent – but equally it could be running with condensation while the exterior is bone dry.
Ah, so a single-skin nylon tent is crap for UK conditions - thought as much.
FWIW my +35 y/o goretex single skin hasn't this problem at all, and is definitely 4 season.
I've been using a (single skin) Lunar Solo for years. I've twice suffered condensation on the inside. Once at the coast in a haar and once in a field on a mist-enshrouded morning. If it's raining then it remains waterproof, even if you touch the inside. Ventilation is the key and that's obtained through good design and careful pitching.
I have the Forclaz Trek 900 1 Man Tent, and have used it for 9 overnight bikepacking trips. Don't have any complaints for the money, the only other tent I considered at the time was the Alpkit Soloist. The advantages of the Forclaz over the Alpkit are side entry with a slightly bigger porch and more headroom when sitting up due to the cross shaped poles.
i did a fair amount of research into 1 man tents, was close to getting the lanshan but wanted double skin, so went for MSR freelite 1, happy with my choice, expensive but well made and 1kg, poles are quite long but fit in my frame bag. would consider the 2 man lanshan for when i go on trips with my GF as the freelite is tiny! but plenty length for me i'm 6ft
was close to getting the lanshan but wanted double skin
Lanshan 1 is double skin.
I have a freelite 1 as well, I wouldn't say it's tiny, it's narrow, but at 6'2" I have no shortage of length, and can sit up. Porch is a good size too (thank god someone called it a porch and not a vestibule!). A lot more expensive than the LS1 though, so it should be a lot better quality really.
I also have a Hubba hubba for 2 man duties, but tbh I tend to take that if weather is not great, as the extra room and 2 porches is handy.
I'm a bit of a fanboi* since I went MSR, bloody good well thought out tents.
* I will buy an access at some point 🙂
A bit of a bargain here for an odd one - tempted myself...
https://www.bergzeit.co.uk/hubba-tour-1-tent-grey
