Moon on a stick tent time

So I’m after the perfect bike packing tent without spending a fortune but I’m not sure it actually exists, anyone help point me in the right direction?

Wants:
– Green or a colour that would fit in for a stealth wild camp.
– 1 person in size
– Self supporting ie no walking poles
– Lightweight, sub 1.5kg
– Small pack size with shortish poles
– Two layer
– Can be be pitched outer first (or ideally both inner and outer together)
– Tall enough to sit up in

Tall order I know, I’ve looked.

MSR Hubba kind of fits the bill. Poles aren’t especially short though. Nice and spacious for a solo tent too. Might be able to pick up a bargain or one second hand in decent condition.

I’d be really tempted by a Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack, but they’re pretty spendy…

https://hilleberg.com/eng/tent/red-label-tents/akto/

But does not meet the not spending a fortune criteria.

I’m struggling to think of any freestanding tent that pitches outer first – all designs I can think of rely on attaching to the groundsheet to tension the poles.

I’ve just got one of these, it’s perfect:

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/tents-shelters-c25/one-person-tents-c74/bella-1-person-tent-p15381

Thought it’d be a hard one.

Reasons I’m not keen on spending ~ £400 on a tent is 1. I’d rip it the first I’d use it, I know I would. Same reasoning with expensive waterproof jackets.
And 2. I don’t have £400, I’d have to use the credit card on anything over £100…

Surprised no one’s said it yet but alpkit soloist? Haven’t used mine yet but checks most of your criteria except pitches outer first but that is definitely moon on a stick and I mainly see that on tents costing 3x as much

Was ready to buy the Alpkit but it’s inner pitch first, other than that it’s perfect. It might not mean much to some but I live in Scotland where we tend to get weather, in fact some days it seems like we get all the weather in a single day. Plus midges when it’s not blowing a hoodie or clegs when it’s warm. A quick dry pitch is what I really want.

Vango Helium, can be had second hand for your price and does everything you want..

Second time this week I’ll recommend a nature hike cloud up.

If you get the footprint version, you can pitch outer first (ish) too.

I’ve just got one of these, it’s perfect:

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/tents-shelters-c25/one-person-tents-c74/bella-1-person-tent-p15381

That looks great

If it is a simple pitch that goes up in 5 minutes how many times is it that wet that it matters?

My bike touring tent is an Argos Pro Action 1 which cost under £30 because I’ve never found anything better without paying silly money. Inner first but goes up fast. Great headroom.Keeps out driving rain (after adapting it by adding 3 extra guys to the flysheet).

I considered the Alpkit but as I’m 6ft3 it isn’t tall enough for me.

A while back I got a really good deal on a Terra Nova Laser. Light as a feather but I Ebayed it after 1 trip. A faff to put up and a got a crick it my neck becauseit was too low.

I think we might have a winner with the Vango. Just seen a second hand one for sale.

Looked at them before but discounted them for some reason I can’t remember now.

I’ve a 2 man Vango Banshee I bought years ago which has been good, just a touch too heavy and bulky for bike packing.

Nature Hike Cloud-up is inner pitch first and over 1.5kg, thanks for the recommendation but doesn’t really suit what I’m after.

Edit: watched a video on how to put it up outer first but looked too much a faff.

The Alpkit Soloist isn’t at all spacious. In fact I can’t sit up properly in mine and I’m only 5’8”. It’s fine for one night but I’d definitely not want to spend a lot of time in it. That’s when I’d use the MSR I have (and accept the bigger pack down size).

I think we might have a winner with the Vango. Just seen a second hand one for sale.

Looked at them before but discounted them for some reason I can’t remember now.

Not freestanding?

Helium looks easy enough to put up, would have to see how few pegs I could get away with.

Another reason for a quick pitch is that I’m planning on doing some longer self supported rides. My brain doesn’t work too well after being in the saddle for 12 + hours, from experience. I’ve used a bivvy bag in the past and is ok as a stop gap but I’ve never slept that well in one. Midnight peeing is also an accident waiting to happen. Was looking at at hooped bivvy but a one person tent looks like a more comfortable compromise.

I have a MacPac microlight. Fits almost all of your criteria, including pitching inner and outer together. Not sure where to get one in the uk now though.

Why the insistence on a two layer tent?

+1 Naturehike Cloud Up 1? (front entrance, little storage)

Also look at the Vango Nevis 100? (side entrance, small side vestibule)

Vango pretty much ticks every box except maybe a little too bright a green? (use woodland netting?) and is 1.7kg (trail weight could be less if you were to play around with lighter pegs, guys, less repair kit etc)

£102 new at Amazon or price match elsewhere.

I agree about the Hike Lite for a cheap, good, tall solo tent but it is exceptional for the money (other very cheap tents won’t likely be nearly as good) and harder to find examples. Also is 2kg.

Nordisk Svalbard 1 PU is similar to the Hike Lite but much more dosh than £30! (and is still 2kg)

I think sub-1.5kg + 1m tall is where you’ll struggle with finding a budget 2-skin tent.

Vango F10 Helium Ultralite 1 I think ticks every box?

Best price I can find for the Helium may be worth trying other stores for price matching?

I’m looking for much the same as OP (but also want 2 person and side-entrances) so currently looking at either a Nevis 200 (this year) or else trailer-tow what I have (4kg Vango Storm 200+) this year and save for a Helium 200 for next year (unless can bag a used one)

Wild-cards are:

– Nordisk Svalbard SL1 because it’s a better take on the Tiger Paws/Hike Lite

– Vango Heddon because I have cam-lock trekking poles and they easily strap either side of my frame bag along the top tube. Trekking pole tent may not be sturdy for exposed camping though, so will wait and see reviews.

Anyone fancies DIY seam-sealing you can still get a cheapo (under £100 posted) 1.5kg silnylon meta-copycat version of the Proaction Hike Lite/Tiger Paws from AlieExpress

Blue, tho 🤷🏻‍♂️. Link to purchase in vid description.

Why the insistence on a two layer tent?

Midges.

Two layers to minimise condensation as well as keep out midges. Looked at a couple of hybrid tents but wasn’t convinced about the condensation.

At 6″4 I fit fine in my soloist.

The condensation is the same whether you have two layers or not, you’re just less likely to touch it or have it drip on you if there’s an inner between you and it.
A big enough single layer tent like a pyramid doesn’t need an inner to combat condensation because you’re never near the sides I find.

Looked at a couple of hybrid tents

Including the Lunar Solo? Neither midge nor condensation have been an issue for me.

Surprised no one’s said it yet but alpkit soloist

It’s a copy of the older style Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 or SL2 dependant on size. I have the SL2 both the old style and new. I use it for long trips solo and shorter trips 2 up. I also have a Laser Comp for ultra light solo trips.

This style is free standing, fully tensioned and put up inner first. Typical American style. Quite a small porch and a bit chilly in a UK winter with all the mesh.

I can confirm Big Agnes’ post sales support is superb. They warranteed my SL2 after 10 years when the seam tape started to make a bid for freedom. Try that with cheap Alpkit copycat kit.

Was ready to buy the Alpkit but it’s inner pitch first, other than that it’s perfect.

The Alpkit tent will pitch outer first if you buy the accompanying footprint/groundsheet.

I considered the Alpkit but as I’m 6ft3 it isn’t tall enough for me.

It also comes in an XL.

Why the insistence on a two layer tent?

What happens when you touch the inside of your single-skin when it’s chucking it down outside?

Price-wise, folk are wanting a tent that does everything & weighs nothing for the price of a night out. Invest in something that will last, do the job and give years of pleasure & comfort. I’ll be using my Phoenix tent later in the week – very expensive in it’s day but +35 years later, a good ‘investment’.

Invest in something that will last, do the job and give years of pleasure & comfort.

I’d agree with this if it is possible for the OP to stretch to it.
I bought my MacPac in 1995 in Christchurch NZ, used it every night for four months backpacking round NZ, US and Canada and have used it almost every year since for events and a few weekends away. Careful use and being meticulous about getting it dry and storing in the dark very loosely packed has meant it is still perfectly weather tight.

Second the Alpkit recommendations. I got the XL and at 6ft 4″ I fit in it and can sit up. Managed to get it in the sale for £99. Absolute bargain.

Recommend what you have:

Wild Country Hoolie 2 Compact V2 Tent – 2 Man Tent

OK, it’s a 2-man, but I’ve found 1-man tents to be great if you have no gear or are a smurf.

What happens when you touch the inside of your single-skin when it’s chucking it down outside?

Same as when you touch inner and outer together on single skin.

FWIW, i prefer double skin as I think it is usually warmer and more midge proof for the few times mrs_oab comes along.

But, I totally get that a larger single skin with appropriate bug netting/venting works really well.

The classic N+1 IMO….

Lanshan 2 but buy a couple of lightweight tent poles rather than using walking poles? Decent size for 1 person, packs down small and 2 layer. https://3fulgear.com/product/ultralight-tent/lanshan2-classic/

Single skins are an acquired taste – and yes I own one and use it a lot. You do get more condensation problems – on a double skin you let the condensation thro’ the permeable inner and wind blowing under the edge of the fly clears most of the condensation.

Tents I wouldn’t buy second hand. Not because of care, maintenance, but because the taping has a defined lifespan before the glue packs in, and I’d like as much of that time as possible

Pitching outer first, even in ‘weather’ has never struck me as that important… practice going faster!

@wbo I hadn’t thought of the midge / biting flying thing issue until spotting this thread, I’d been considering a single skin for lightweight and ease of pitching and had heard great things about the Lightwave S15 – have you had any issues with bugs?

I’ve found I just don’t really like being in a bivvy (I’ve got an Alpkit Elan), I’d rather carry a few hundred grams more and be able to sit up!

(sorry for the slight thread hijack / diversion)

Same as when you touch inner and outer together on a double skin.

I guess I’m out of touch, but the last double-skin I had there was about 6″ between the two.

Any reason not to buy a Vango Nevis 100 over the Vango F10 Helium ul 1?

It’s about £100 less and only a couple hundred grammes heavier.

I’ve got the elan and it’s snug. 6’2″ and 15 stone. I bought the vango helium 2 man for poorer weather and love it. Glad I didn’t buy the one man.

I don’t really get where the concern over midges comes from – single skin tents are still fully enclosed; they’re not just a detached ground and fly sheet.