Best Solo Tents For The Lone Ranger in 2022
Most people venturing into the wild for the first time want the reassurance that comes with having more than one person in the tent at night, and that’s completely understandable. Veteran backpackers however, experienced in the ways of the woods and in search of the type of peaceful solitude that can only be found there, often opt for solo tents. Solo tents are typically marvels of efficiency; engineered to fit easily in your backpack and light enough to be carried for days without wearing you out. They also setup fast and do just as good a job protecting you from the elements as any full size camping tent. Below we’re going to take a look at the 10 best solo tents on the market as selected by our product review experts.
The Best Solo Tent
1ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Solo Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Lynx is a free-standing solo tent that sets up fast and features plenty of ventilation, a roomy vestibule you can use for additional storage, a superb rain fly that will allow you to stay dry as toast, a waterproof floor with factory sealed seams and a gear loft for your clothes, smartphone, reading material or anything else you want to put there. The Lynx weighs in at less than 4 pounds and yet is large enough at 90 inches long to accommodate just about anyone. Zippers on the door and vestibule are high-quality, anti-stick affairs that provide reliable, smooth performance time and again.
Durable #8 zippers
Poly taffeta floor
Factory-sealed seams
Polyester fly material
- BrandALPS Mountaineering
- Model5024617
- Weight3.94 pounds
Easy setup in about 5 minutes.
Sits low to minimize wind exposure.
Features a roomy vestibule that can be used for additional storage.
Large D-shaped door for easy entry and exit.
Uses durable 7075 aluminum stakes that won’t succumb to conditions.
It’s not really a cold weather solo tent.
Not a lot of headroom inside.
2The North Face Stormbreak 1 Solo Tent
If you’re looking for high-quality outdoor equipment, The North Face is always a good choice. Whether it’s a hiking coat or a freestanding solo tent like this one, you can count on the equipment to keep you warm and protect from the environment. The North Face Stormbreak 1 is made from a variety of different polyesters – 75D polyester, 40D polyester mesh, and 68D polyester. This makes it super tough and lightweight enough to carry on your back, which is essential when you’re hiking long distances. It has an easy-to-pitch design, a large door for easier access, and a waterproof cover. In short, it’s one of the best solo tents that money can buy.
Dimensions – 34” x 34” x 87”
Made from 75D, 40D, & 68D polyester
Easy-to-pitch design
Large door
Waterproof cover
- BrandThe North Face
- ModelStormbreak 1
- Weight10.6 ounces
High-quality materials
Easy to set up
Looks great
Large door for easy access and viewing
More expensive than other brands
3MIER Ultralight 3-Season Backpacking Tent
In order to fully attain a lightweight balance, the MIER Ultralight Mountaineering solo tent was crafted out of a ripstop nylon rainfly material of 15 deniers, with a bewildering 5000mm coating. This is light enough for all backpackers to wield with joy, coupled with the fact that other embedded functionalities are certain to provide security and comfort. And in addition to its sufficient durable properties, this rainfly material can also withstand tears and ruptures, while also being incredibly water-resistant. Amazingly, the seams have also been taped to a secure finish, which guarantees optimum coverage during heavy downpour. And when looking deeper at the features of this tent, it’s evident that the construction was duly incorporated to allow sufficient ventilation.
Additionally, both the no-see-um mesh material of 20 deniers used for the inner tent and the webbed design, aid tremendously on the topic of ventilation. Insightfully, to further assist with ventilation, the no-see-um mesh material was also incorporated on the door and walls of the tent. Furthermore, the inclusion of windows on the vestibules helps to regulate the amount of air that passes through the tent per time. Another unique aspect of this mountaineering tent is the bathtub floor incorporation. This is made with a ripstop nylon of 20 deniers and a 6000mm coating with fully taped seams to ascertain its anti-tear and water-resistant properties. Overall, this is a great solo tent that has been incorporated with a reflective and webbed design.
No see-um door and wall construction
Ripston nylon rainfly material
Water-resistant
Two-way YKK zippers on doors
- BrandMIER
- Weight2.6 pounds
4TETON Sports Quick Tent
Judging by the sheer quality of products released by the TETON Sports brand, it’s evident they love to encourage quality outdoor living. This brand believes that the excitement, adventure, and exhilaration of being outdoors should not be missed as a result of a lack of effective equipment. Hence, they resorted to crafting out several intuitive products from the depths of excellence, in order to provide many with what they need for a thrilling experience. Founded since 2005, they haven’t backed down on their goals and the TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Quick Tent is another one of TETON’s incredible designs. The most amazing thing about this tent is the fact that it can be set up with just a single pull. This is accomplished due to the incorporation of a reinforced cord which is wired into the constructional framework of the tent.
What’s more, this tent has been thoroughly engineered to give all users a ready-to-go package, which delivers an instant setup required. And once the poles are locked in, and the cord is drawn, the tent is instantaneously ready for use. Indisputably, this product has an edge over others, ensuring that convenience is attained at all points in time. The TETRO Sports Quick tent comes built using a rainfly material with an assured waterproof advantage, durable enough to last through extreme weather conditions. Even more beneficial for any camping trip, this tent comes with a window view to ensure unforgettable experiences.
Full mesh at the top of the tent
Micromesh rainfly material
Extremely lightweight
Comes with a storage bag
- BrandTETON Sports
- Model1009A
- Weight5.7 pounds
5ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr Solo Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr solo tent sports an innovative design that’s extremely stable while at the same time providing something many solo tents don’t: headroom. Yes, you’ll be able to sit up and have a snack (just don’t do that in bear country), read a book or just take stock of your day. There’s plenty of ventilation, a roomy gear loft, factory sealed fly and floor and a large vestibule for taking off your boots before you enter, or to use for storage. Once you raise this solo tent you’ll see how the designers have managed to carve so much head room out of such a small amount of fabric. And the whole thing weighs only 3 lbs 14 ounces to boot. Definite candidate for best one man tent.
At 86 inches it’s long enough for everybody
Lots of ventilation make this a great warm-weather solo tent
Rugged 7075 aluminum poles won’t buckle in the wind
3 feet of vertical loft in the center
Includes guy ropes and tent bag
Could be tricky to setup without practice
Higher profile means more wind exposure
6MSR Hubba NX One Person Tent
The MSR Hubba NX Solo Tent has a ‘space age’ look some will love and others won’t love as much. Looks aside however it has a slew of things going for it including its remarkable light weight (2 lb 7 oz), the 30D ripstop nylon factory-sealed floor, the silicone-coated waterproof rain fly and the fact that it packs down to almost nothing, thereby saving room in your backpack. There’s a 9 square foot vestibule and 3 feet of vertical space at the center so you can sit up without hitting your head. The aforementioned 30D floor has sacrificed ruggedness for light weight so be sure to use a ground sheet. Other than that it’s all good.
Single pole design is remarkably stable.
Maybe the lightest solo tent on the market.
Best in class ventilation.
Spacious vestibule for storing gear.
No tent stakes required.
Doesn’t come with a groundsheet.
Will cost more than most other solo tents.
7Flytop Single Person Solo Tent
The Flytop Single Person Solo Tent isn’t going to bowl anyone over with its design but it should impress more than a few people with how easy it sets up and how stable it is in challenging weather conditions. This is a narrow tent but one that manages nonetheless to squeeze out 40 inches of headroom. It’s fairly light, very affordable, and uses 210T polyester in the floor that’s factory coated with 3000mm of PU waterproofing. Ventilation is good if not great and there’s a large mesh pocket inside to hold your valuables while you sleep. This solo tent is long enough at 82 inches to accommodate most and it doesn’t eat up space in your pack.
Ultralight tent design with easy setup.
Waterproof floor keeps moisture outside.
Durable aircraft-grade aluminum poles.
Rain fly provides excellent coverage.
Reinforced anchor points.
Won’t win any beauty contests.
No gear loft inside.
8TETON Sports Mountain Ultra Solo Tent
TETON Sports can be relied upon to produce all types of high-quality outdoor gear and this Mountain Ultra Tent is another feather in their cap. You’re going to pay more for this than for many other solo tents but what you’ll get in return is rock-solid build quality, a weather-resistant low profile, and lightweight durability. There’s plenty of micro-mesh ‘windows’ to foster good ventilation, a waterproof bathtub floor to keep the water outside where it belongs, and an innovative design that utilizes a single pole; which cuts down on setup time and carry-weight. That carry weight checks in at just under 4 pounds which makes it an ideal solo tent for long treks.
Extra high waterproof bathtub floor.
1 shock corded aluminum pole reduces setup time and weight.
Copious mesh for optimal ventilation.
Rain fly clips in place and stays there.
Limited lifetime warranty on workmanship.
It’s going to cost you more.
Make sure you order the solo tent as there are 4 sizes.
9GEERTOP 1-Person Bivy Solo Tent
The final tent on our review list is the Geertop 1 person Bivy Solo Tent which is actually a pretty remarkable piece of equipment given its price. The Geertop boasts a full-size fly that provides total coverage during rain events, factory sealed seams to provide even more protection against encroaching moisture, and a pair of opposable mesh windows that ensure flow-through ventilation. The solo tent is long at 84 inches and there is 3 feet of headroom at the high end. It uses 7000 series aluminum poles that are lightweight and rugged and it weighs a measly 3 ¼ pounds so you can take it anywhere. A great 3 season solo tent value.
All seams are double stitched.
Oversized rain fly ensures you stay dry in all conditions.
2 doors allow more setup options.
Plenty of interior storage for your valuables.
Breaks down to 17 x 4 x 4 inches.
Windows may be too large to be practical.
Camo option seems a bit much.
10Eureka! Solitaire AL One-Person
Like the name suggests, the Eureka! Solitaire AL One-Person, Three-Season Backpacking Tent is only perfect for one person. So, you shouldn’t go into this one with a partner and expect to sleep well at night. The first thing to note about the Solitaire AL is that it’s a bivy-style tent. So, the most comfortable position while it will be lying prone with your head at the end of the front door. This way, you can quickly get rid of the moisture from your breath and not have to deal with any condensation.
The tent is pretty broad for a one-person pack, measuring 32”. While you won’t be able to sit up in it, it’s got 96” in length, so it’s spacious enough for you to keep your gear stacked up beside you neatly. Setting up shouldn’t be a problem. The tent comes with two poles that slip into pole sleeves, thus aiding quick setup. It’s also worth noting that while the tent is free-standing, you might want to stake the sides and corners out to stretch its fabric and get more space.
You can enter and exit through the roof zipper at the center of the tent. It’s also got a rain fly for protection for windy and other turbulent weather conditions, although you can roll it over the front door when everything clears up, so you get more light and ventilation.
Perhaps the most significant demerit of the Solitaire AL is the fact that it can get a tad warm if you don’t roll the front fly at night. The poorly designed zippers don’t help matters either. While the precipitation and humidity will play significant roles in these, you’ll find that if it’s raining and warm outside, the tent can become incredibly humid and hot.
Perfect for one person
Quick setup
Comes with rain fly protection
Poorly designed zippers
Small inside gear pockets
Not suitable for large backpacks
11Luxe Tempo Ultralight 1 Person Tent
If you’re the type of camper who needs a high-performance tent that’s both durable and spacious, then look no further than the Luxe Tempo Ultralight 1 Person Tent. The tent brings just about everything you need – the durability to withstand harsh weather conditions, enough space to accommodate gear and man, and much more.
This is a 3-season tent that works seamlessly in both winter and summer months. It weighs just 3.3 pounds, so it’s perfect for the solo backpacker who wants to be one with nature. It also comes with two vestibules and two doors, so there are more options for moving in and out of the tent. The abundance of space also makes it suitable for campers with a ton of gear.
The rain fly on the Luxe Tempo Ultralight 1 Person Tent is rated with 20-Denier 360T Rip-stop Silnylon, as well as a 5,000mm Silicone coating. The built-in canopy is also coated with a 210T breathable polyester, so you don’t have much to fear in colder, rainier climates. Just don’t overdo it. This is not the tent for freezing temperatures.
The floor on the tent is entirely waterproof, With a taped 210T Ripstop Polyester and 8,000mm PU coating. The tent also comes with a 210T PU coated polyester footprint that helps to preserve it. The hooded vent is adjustable, and it comes with effective condensation control that lets it quickly take out the hot air you breathe out. You’ll love camping in this for sure.
Perfect light shelter
Stands firm in the wind
Tub walls are not high enough
12Hyke & Byke Yosemite 1 and 2 Person Backpacking Tent
Hyke & Byke is a firm that designs products for outdoor activities of almost any kind. The Hyke & Byke Yosemite 1 and 2 Person Backpacking Tent is one of the most popular products from the company, and it’s quite easy to see why. The company put more of a premium on weight, and it paid off quite well. The one-person variant of the tent weighs 2.5 lbs, while the 2-person variant measures in at 3 lbs.
This is a 3-season tent that’s not suitable for heavy rains or light snow. However, when you go hiking in the spring or autumn, you’ll be glad you brought this camping tent with you. To top off the list of advantages, you’ll find that setup on this tent is nothing but a breeze. The tent comes with two poles and a clip-pole attachment, so you don’t need to do much to get it ready. The stakes on this one are also made of durable metal, so they won’t get damaged when you drive them into the ground on several occasions.
Mountain bikers will also appreciate the waterproof and spacious design. Taped floor seams, a PU 2000 rainfly, and a bathtub floor help ensure that rain is effectively prevented from entering the tent. The tent also comes with two vestibules for easy aces and convenient gear storage.
However, there are also some drawbacks that you will need to keep in mind. The tent is not suitable for use in extreme weather conditions. Also, you’ll find that the tent’s canvas is rather thin and is prone to damage.
Lifetime warranty
Freestanding tent
Thin diameter poles
13Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent
The Featherstone 2 Person Backpacking Tent is another tent that shouldn’t be ignored at all. It might not be the most spacious option out there, but the product is pretty impressive nonetheless. If you’re looking to take a friend on a hike or backpacking adventure, then you should give it some consideration. The inner body of this tent is made of a micro-mesh fabric that ensures breathability and can help take care of condensation.
The rainfly also comes with a polyester fabric and a 3000mm coating. Thanks to hydrostatic resistance, you can rest assured that you and your friend will remain dry while inside, even under heavy rainfall. There’s also a bathtub-style floor that is made of oxford nylon and which is coated with 3000mm hydrostatic resistance. This coating is the reason why the floor is waterproof.
The tent comes with a free footprint, as well as an aluminum pole structure that is free-standing. With all of this, setup and packing are pretty easy.
The tent’s interior measures approximately 31 sq.ft. The headroom is about 110cm, so you can sit up and talk with your gossip partner, but you can’t stand under this tent. It’s not tall enough. There are two vestibules and two doors on the tent for swift entry and exit. The living space and vestibules aren’t so large, however, so you might need to bend a bit when coming in and going out.
This tent is a buyer’s delight, but it comes with its challenges. It can’t withstand blizzards and heavy rains, and you will suffer from a space constraint – especially if you and your friend have a lot of gear. However, it’s very functional, and the price is also pretty accommodating.
Two vestibules for storage
Lots of extra room
Too expensive
Difficult to unpack
Solo Tents Buyers Guide and FAQs
Before purchasing your solo tent you’ll want to know a few things about how they’re made and how they work.
Q: What Is A Vestibule?
A: Lots of people are thrown off by the term “vestibule”. It seems to imply something very solid and formidable but what it really refers to is a small patch of protected ground that’s created by the fly extending out beyond the footprint of the tent near the door. The vestibule is commonly used as a place to remove wet, dirty boots and sometimes wet clothes before entering the solo tent, though not all vestibules are large enough to do that. Most everyone uses this covered area to store things that won’t fit in the tent. This is particularly true when talking about small, narrow solo tents like the ones reviewed above.
There are 2 kinds of vestibules: front and side. Front vestibules extend from the front door of the tent. These are most common on round or square tents. Because they’re associated with multi-person tents the front vestibule tends to be pretty large. Some can be large enough to accommodate a camping chair. Side vestibules are what you typically get on solo tents, simply because there is nowhere else to put them. They’re not a spacious as front vestibules but they’re still big enough to allow easy access to the door while also providing room to store some gear you don’t want inside.
Q: What Is A Rain Fly?
A: The rain fly is what prevents you from having to break camp and go home if it starts to rain. It fits over your solo tent providing protection from rain, snow and wind. You will be hard pressed to find a waterproof tent for one person so a quality rain fly is essential. There are two types of rain fly; partial coverage and full coverage. Within the category of partial rain flys there are those that nearly fit over the entire tent and those that only cover enough to keep rain from coming directly in through the mesh windows. A true full-size rain fly by comparison will cover every part of the solo tent and make sure there is no area that is coming in direct contact with precipitation. The ability of a good rain fly to also mitigate the effects of strong wind cannot be overstated. Strong wind can ruin your camping experience just as easily as rain or snow so being able to deflect it is a huge plus.
Freestanding Vs Non-Freestanding Tent
A freestanding solo tent is one that’s kept upright by poles that are part of the internal structure of the tent. All of the tents reviewed above are freestanding tents. With freestanding tents the poles tend to be covered by the rain fly and are largely invisible from the outside when the fly is in place. As a general rule freestanding tents are a bit heavier than non-freestanding tents due to the poles. Freestanding tents are also prized because they often don’t need to be staked down and they setup and break down quickly.
Non-freestanding solo tents are sometimes indistinguishable from freestanding tents because they also use poles to stay upright. In this case however they use trekking poles which means if you normally bring trekking poles with you you’ll save on weight because you won’t need special tent poles like with a freestanding solo tent. Non-freestanding tents must be staked down, they typically feature single wall structure with no rain fly and if you damage a trekking pole it’s easy to replace. The overwhelming majority of solo tents however, are freestanding tents.
Q: How Long Will A Solo Tent Last?
A: This is not a question with a single, straightforward answer simply because solo tents come in all shapes and sizes are made from different materials and are used for different purposes. That said, any high quality tent regardless of size should last you many years if properly cared for. The exception being tents used by climbers assaulting the world’s most extreme peaks. Let’s take a closer look at the things that impact the lifespan of your tent.
Quality Materials And Construction
There’s just no substitute for a well-made tent. All the nifty design cues and flashy colors in the world won’t allow a poorly built tent to withstand wind, snow and rain for very long. Premium solo tents on the other hand are engineered to last and feature tough, tear resistant fabrics, rock solid stitching in all the seams, high quality no-stick zippers, poles made of high quality aluminum and true waterproof floors. As with most things in life you’ll pay more to get more.
Intended use
While quality materials and solid construction are the bedrock elements for determining how long your solo tent will last it’s also important that your tent be designed for the type of use you have in mind. For instance if you repeatedly use your 3 season tent in the winter time you’ll not only be frequently uncomfortable, you’ll also drastically shorten the life of the tent. If you purchase a solo tent with a partial fly and then use it often in rainy conditions you’ll again shorten its lifespan and make yourself miserable in the process.
Maintenance
While few people think about things like tent maintenance it’s one of those simple things that can make all the difference when it comes to extending the life of your solo tent. Cleaning it regularly, folding it properly and storing it according to the directions will ensure you get the most from your single person tent.
Here are a few other ways to make your solo tent last a bit longer.
- Always use a ground sheet (sometimes called a “footprint”).
- Always use the rain fly even if it’s not raining.
- Clean your one man tent after every outing.
- Make sure you dry it thoroughly after cleaning and before storing it.
- Make repairs when it becomes necessary. Don’t let damage linger.
- Store your hiking tent out of direct sunlight.
Some people will make their solo tent last 30 years while with others the same tent won’t last 10. What separates the 2 is usually nothing more than making sure you’re not asking too much of the solo tent and developing good maintenance habits.
Conclusion
If you are the type that likes to venture out into the wild by yourself you know the value of a good solo tent. These marvels of modern engineering are light years ahead of similar tents made just 20 years ago and can provide you with a stable, dry, warm environment so that you can emerge in the morning refreshed and ready to face another day on the trail.
We hope you found this information on the best solo tents helpful and that it allows you to make an informed decision when purchasing your next lightweight one person tent. Don’t forget to stop back often for more insightful product review guides from Gear Hungry.