Bikepacking tent recommendations please!

I’m looking to do a 4 day bikepacking trip around the cairngorms this summer and while I’ve done a few multi-nighters and a tonne of overnight bikepack trips I generally take a hammock rather than a tent, having been to the cairngorms and looking at routes I could possibly make a hammock work but would prefer the freedom of being able to pitch up anywhere and not having to plan or push for a wooded area each night

Since I’m used to hammock camping I have no problem sleeping in a tight space so am happy to go compact and save space with a very small tent but would still prefer a tent over a bivvy bag in case the weather is terrible and I can’t hang out outdoors. I am 6’2” though so need space for a long body!

Any recommendations for lightweight waterproof compact 1 man tents? It will get a lot of use on other trips so not concerned too much about cost

Trekkertent.  Intended for use with walking poles but you can also buy CF poles for them.  Probably a drift best at your height.  Made in Scotland and thus built for scottish conditions.  Long lead time on ordering but they do come up second hand sometimes – there is a facebook group for them

I have two – a stealth 1.5 and as drift custom 2 / 3.  Really well made, very light

https://www.trekkertent.com/home/

Very happy with my MSR Hubba NX. I’m not as tall as you but there’s plenty of leg and headroom in it. Folded poles aren’t as short as some but they still fit in my handlebar roll or frame bag.

This topic has been done several times recently, so it might be worth doing a search.   Just remembered… the search function never works for me!

Vango F10 Helium 1, outer pitch too.

Same height as you, and I don’t touch the ends please can sit up straight.

I’m really happy with My Naturehike Could-Up tent (the slightly more expensive fabric variations whichever one that was).  It’s barely heavier than my old (cheap) Gellert 1-person tent which was the default answer to this question 15 years ago. Packs up smaller. Can be used in any combo of fly / footrpint / inner depending on the weather, is big enough to sit up / get changed in at 6ft, and is long enough to stretch out and have luggage at your feet/head.

Downsides:

Obviously I bought it on price, and actually got it off ebay 2nd hand. If I’d spent 3x more at RRP (so more like 7x in actual money) on it from a big brand I’d have picked a tent that opened on the side to make cooking in wet weather a bit more pleasant.

There’s no (that I’m aware of) carbon pole upgrades.

People will tell you unsolicitedly that it’s a rip-off of a US designed tent. But generally can’t then tell you which one. They’re right in as far as it looks like a tent, and that most tents fall into a few basic designs.

SMD Lunar Solo. I likely have more nights camping in the Cairngorms than anyone on this thread so my opinion counts more 😂

TBH at 6ft 2in you’ll struggle with many lightweight tents. I’d definitely want to lie down in a couple.

I like my alpkit soloist XL.

The only thing I’d change is the entry. It’s tough to get in without brining a load of mud in.

I’m 6″4 and the XL is long enough for me

Soloist XL

£160, 1.3kg.

Alpkit Soloist XL, or the new Ultra 1 if you have a larger budget.

Yeah, I’m not a fan of end-entry tents. Quite apart from the design cutting down on vestibular storage space, and the entry-exit issues when it’s raining, I like having the doors open as wide as possible when I can. In fact I’ll often sleep with the door of my Lunar Solo tied up (but then I also prefer the bivvy experience anyway).

I have one of these, it’s side entry and inner opens up both sides for ventilation, my criticisms are it is really just ok for sleeping in and not sitting in, as it is too low, the other -ve  issue is it needs a load of pegs to set up properly.  Yes it’s inner-first for pitching but it is lightweight and low-key, and good value 🙂

https://www.tiso.com/eatnz7ti0192/oex-phoxx-1v2-green

review (not mine!) here — https://thetrailhunter.com/oex-phoxx-1/

I also have one of those, I haven’t used it and doubt I will as I find it so claustrophobic even using it in the garden at home. It’s not especially light for its size but it is cheap and doesn’t feel cheap. I got it on sale and I think it’s often reduced. I’m open to offers.

yep @stevenmenmuir it does seem small first getting into the tent, but once inside I find it’s ok, especially with the sides open.

My 3 person n alpkit tent weighs the same as that oex tent!
The new 1 person alpkit tent may be worth a look. It is a ‘proper’ tent rather than a trekking pole tent so its 900g is pretty equivalent in weight to the c600-700g ultralight trekker pole tents once you’ve factored in poles.

Wow loads of good options there, thanks!

SMD looks great for the cost, but I’m not looking to learn how to waterproof seams myself. Not gonna get a lot of time to test this so don’t want to find out I did it wrong in the middle of nowhere! Same for the trekkertent, looks great but not gonna be getting one quickly

The phoxx, naturhike and Alpkit solo also seem great for a lot less money, but do give up a fair bit in weight/size

New Alpkit one looks good but no packed pic, and the size for packed is the same as the soloist, probably a typo. Anyway not available yet so no good for me

MSR Hubba and Vango F10 seem like winners to me, probably the Vango

Nortent or Hilleberg?

Some of the OneTigris tents are getting reasonable reviews at the lower end of the price range too.

I have a soloist xl as a way of dipping my toe back into having a tent to carry on the bike

Basically it works and is well made. But the door just too low for comfort or practicality

The i don’t think i could sit up in an ultra one, so that’s a no for me

I’m tempted by a hilleberg Enan. My last hilleberg was so good and went in for so long

This list is worth a browse

https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/one-person-tents/

Hilleberg looks fancy but over £700 and heavier than the £70 Naturhike one? I’m sure it’s higher quality and alot more durable but I use a hammock 90% of the time so it’s not gonna get tonnes of use

I have a Wild Country Zephros 2 for sale if it was of interest. I’ve used it once alone, for which it is fine. I’ve used it once with my wife, for which it’s too small, hence why it is for sale.

I’m not looking to learn how to waterproof seams myself. Not gonna get a lot of time to test this so don’t want to find out I did it wrong in the middle of nowhere!

I wouldn’t let that put you off. It takes minutes and the process is pretty much foolproof.

I like my alpkit soloist XL.

The only thing I’d change is the entry. It’s tough to get in without brining a load of mud in.

That’s a pretty unforgivable significant issue – #1 priority for a tent should be keeping your living space dry and clean, especially on multi day trips.

Back to the OP, when I looked into this question a few years ago I ended up buying a Wild Country Zephyros 2 – Been a pretty good tent, well designed and never let me down. Light and spacious inside for 1. Would recommend.

I’m tempted by the Fjern tent on Sportpursuit, looks like the MSR Hubba but a fair bit cheaper. Not much in the way of reviews but I’ve been happy with most of the Fjern clothing I’ve bought.

I’m 6’2″ and have the Vango f10 helium but got the 2 man because it’s not much heavier than the 1 and a bit more space is always welcome

I’ve got a Tarpstar 1 from Alpkit it feels palatial compared to my Soloist.

I do fancy one of those trekkertents though.🤷

OEX Bobcat Ultralite comes out next week.

958g, £195 and a 6′ 5″ inner.

I’ll be looking at that and the Alpkit Soloist next year

Wow the OEX does look good specs wise. Does that shape work well in the wind though? Seems like it’s gonna fly away!

Scotroutes I am very tempted to, and usually would just figure out how to do it but with the amount of good waterproof options out there I just don’t want the hassle and risk

That Bob Cat looks amazing for the money.

The inner is 2m which might be 6 foot 5 inches but I’d need a longer tent than that at 6 foot 4. Hilleberg work on 2.1m inner with vertical ends and 2.2m with a sloping inner at one end. That works for me.

I have the Vango f10 helium 1. Very pleased with, I am 6ft. You need to be fussy with pegging the flysheet out as it can flap if it’s windy.

I fancy the Alpkit Aeronaut 1 – any thoughts?

Focus on loosing more weight and getting stronger, rather than loosing a few hundred grammes from a tent which then will be less weatherproof….

Not a review, but Paul Messner on YT has already done a pitching review of that ultralight Bobcat with a bit of a comparison as he goes, against the original. He also looks at the ultralight tarp

One thing I’ve found with bikepacking is to prioritise lack of bulk over less weight.

And as the OP is suitably tall, standard length poles fit fine in framebags on suitably sized frames 🙂

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I like my alpkit soloist XL.

The only thing I’d change is the entry. It’s tough to get in without brining a load of mud in.

That’s a pretty unforgivable significant issue – #1 priority for a tent should be keeping your living space dry and clean, especially on multi day trips.

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Could have been user error, I’ve only used it a handful of times and was shattered the time I got mud everywhere. It was at least 1h past when I wanted to stop.

I’m 6ft3 3 and I’ve tried all sorts. My friends have the alpkit one. I like the alpkit soloist xl but it’s difficult to get in and out of when it’s wet (opens at the top) and when you open it in the morning it tends to drip into the tent due to how the door is designed.

I purchased the Lanshan one a few years back and I find it’s the biggest solo tent I’ve ever owned. It’s been good so far. Stood up to some poor weather in Scotland. It was a lot cheaper though when I bought mine. Seems a but steep now for a cheap tent. You also need to seam seal it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285045495350?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=twcwmqmrtlc&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=XQz0tf3FQJC&var=586882380623&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I changed from a Rab tarp tent shelter, basically a ridge-less ridge tent https://flic.kr/p/2oVc5g1

to a Sierra Designs tarp tent. I used alloy poles from decathlon that I cut to size.

I used carbon poles I made previously but got fed up with standing on them in the dark and breaking them.

I am also 6’2” and like to be able to sit up if possible. I have a GoLite SL3 for proper luxury when needed.

Must admit I do quite fancy having a go on the lanshan 1. There are a few different types so you need to be careful which one you get, depending on what you want.

The new oex bobcat specs look great..not sure about the colour though.

I fancy the Alpkit Aeronaut 1 – any thoughts?

A friend had the 2 man one for a bit. Really struggled to get it set up nice and taut, and had loads of condensation issues. I was with him on one occasion, and I couldn’t see that it was pitched badly. In the end he managed to get them to accept it back for a refund.

I’ll be checking that Bobcat out when it’s released for sale for sue

One thing I’ve found with bikepacking is to prioritise lack of bulk over less weight.

For me this is key. I have a Nilfisk Lofeton ULW for exactly the use you describe – I wanted a tent rather than a tarp for multi day Scottish trips with midge and rain. It’s definitely compromised as it is more tender to pitch and size inside is definitely compromised (sitting up is not a thing) but you get tent features in miniature in something barely bigger than a water bottle when carried which can easily be carried on a bikepacking setup.  Not cheap mind.

I have a Hilleberg Akto. It’s certainly not the lightest one man tent but it is absolutely bombproof. Has survived all sorts of wild conditions over the years. And it pitches inner and fly together, very quickly. It’s also quite spacious inside, which is great when you’re inside for hours and hours on winter nights. Or sheltering from midges on summer nights.

I paid about £300 for mine 14 years ago. I think they are double that now.  However I reckon I’ll have mine for 30 years or so (basically I’ll never buy another). From that point of view I think it makes them quite cheap.

I’m 6’3 and after looking around a fair bit decided on a hilleberg enan and I wouldn’t want anything shorter. Also have a look at tarptent, I got a scarp 2 for me and the mrs and dog and its huge, probably bigger than you want but they do others. You do have to seam seal them but its an absolute doddle. Neither were cheap, but when I looked closely at the cheaper ones  they all seemed short, and end doors are a complete no in a small tent