3F UL GEAR - Lanshan 1

Hi all, First ever post on Reddit, so bear with me. :) I'm looking for advice on tents. I currently have the Lanshan 1 (3 season). It's my first ever light weight tent and I bought it because it's relatively cheap (EU, €150/$165) and I wasn't sure how much I was actually gonna use it (new to multi-day hiking). I've used it for a few short trips over the past year and I like it: easy to set up, weight etc. The thing is that I (will) use the tent in bad weather. I'm based in the Netherlands (rains a lot) and plan on hiking the West Highland Way (Scotland, 96 miles/154 km) en Kungsleden (Swedish Lapland, 273 miles/450 km) this year. I'm not a 'hike all day, go straight to bed' person and prefer to wait out really bad weather in my tent. For just sleeping, the lanshan 1 is fine. But when spending more time inside in bad weather, it’s too small. I can’t comfortably sit up straight without touching the inner. Also, because the open space between floor and vestibules is quite high, my bag (mariposa 60) only stays dry if I keep it in the middle of the vestibule. Having only 1 vestibule, this is a bit annoying going in and out (especially in the middle of the night when it’s raining). So I’m thinking of upgrading to a new tent. Things to consider: - Will use the tent for 1p and I'm 6 feet tall. I use a wide rectangular sleeping pad ((I keep falling of mummy shaped pads) my pad is 183 x 65 cm / 72 x 25.6 in). - Tent will be used in humid/wet/stormy climate like Swedish Lapland and Scotland. - I always hike with poles, so free standing doesn't really make sense for me. - Tarp not an option, I don't like mosquito's and mud/water inside :) - I like the idea of two doors/vestibules: more storage space, my stuff not begin in the way when getting in and out and the option to open both vestibules when chilling inside. - Budget: I don't mind spending a bit of money since I will use it quite a lot, but a tent like the Bonfus 2p just feels like too much (€700/$760) compared to the lanshan and durston tents. I'm based in the EU and many cheaper US options are not so cheap over here. I'm now considering the - 3 season Lanshan PRO 2 (price in EU: €230/$250 & 1060 gr/37 oz) - Durston x mid 1 (price in EU: €345/$377 & 795gr/25 oz) - Durston x mid 2 (price in EU: €395/$429 & 880 g/31 oz). Wondering if people can say something about spaciousnes of these tents when spending some time inside? Can you sit up comfortably etc? Advice on other tents/options also very welcome! :) EDIT: Hi everyone! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and ideas, really appreciate it! I decided to go for the x mid 2 and while looking for EU vendors, I found a second hand x mid pro 2 on an online marketplace in my country. So I now have the extra space of the 2p for less weight than the regular 1p (although I am spending more than initially planned tho, oh well). I expect the condensation will be manageable since I’ll be sleeping alone in the 2p and won’t touch the walls. We’ll see :) thanks again!

Thank you! Great points. The sagging fabric of the Lanshan is a bit annoying, especially when hiding out from the rain and I feel the tent becoming smaller and keep reorganizing my stuff so nothing touches the inner. Decided to go for the xmid 2! I’m keeping the Lanshan 1, nice to have an extra option.

Can confirm. I started out with the Lanshan only to buy the Durston a year later. The Lanshan isn’t bad per se, the Durston is just so much better :) I got the Durston on an online marketplace in the Netherlands, maybe you can find something similar in your country.

I tried lots of options, from classic Naturehike CloudUp to various frameless shelters. Now I stopped on Lanshan 1 with a carbon pole. This setup is sub 1 kilo, quite spacious and requires little space. Also the tent is connected with the mesh liner and can be easily pitched in the rain. https://preview.redd.it/bi0vrh2uyzwe1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3cb6b0d03c2ffecfc28319379e8d32e7cf37682

Weight difference is worth almost two beers so it's quite an obvious choice

Lanshan 1 or 2

Yea I have the Lanshan 1 and love it but the 2 may be better for more room and if you are wanting to open it up. Make sure you get the standard not the pro.

I was exactly the same. Actually got as far as ordering (and then cancelling) a Tarpstar as I decided to opt for a Lanshan instead (I now have a 1 and a 2). The ability to completely open up the side of the Lanshan made the difference for me, and I've certainly enjoyed using it.

I've been very happy with my Lanshan 1 tent that I bought on AliExpress.

I would agree on this, buddy has the phoxx I and I the lanshan 1 and on a rainy day he struggled to get out of his wet clothes without getting the sleeping bag wet, and in the morning to put on normal clothes. Phoxx 2 seems to be the perfect middle point, space vs weight, at very similar price and same store.

- Lanshan 1 tent from woodtowater.co.uk - Decathlon for down jacket, other clothes - Alpkit has a fair amount of light/cheap gear (shelters and sleeping bags are reasonable, cooking kit) - Multimat for foam mats, or decathlon folding mat Ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk can be a good starting point though not necessarily the cheapest option if you are on a budget. Places for used/on sale stuff - reomm.co.uk - Trek-lite.com forum sales section - Ellis Brigham have some decent sales sometimes - Outlets of various brands

100%, the Lanshan 1 is perfect for bikepacking. It endured pretty intense weather and rain in alpine landscape without any problem

Paria Outdoors has a 3lb, 1p freestanding tent that is only like $160. Lanshan 1 is trekking pole tent that is only 2lbs and costs $130 shipped. (Before tariffs)

Seconded! I’ve used various freestanding but for 1p lightweight as possible (I use trekkking poles anyway) I have used the lanshan 1+ 2. They both ok tents. I’ve used the pretents soloist - great tent but too small for what you want Some other 2p tent I can’t remember now but was wank! Now I’m on the Dustin x mid solid and it’s just fucking surreal such a pleasure to use

Lanshan regular is okay if you’re 6’2” and use an Xlite pad I know because that’s what I used to do. Under 700g is a tall order for that budget.

Well the first thing is: Lightweight - cheap - performs well. You can only pick two from that list. So that pad is pretty light, it’s cheap but it will not perform well. By that I mean it doesn’t protect you from bunps in the ground and will not insulate well. So in summer on top of soft, even grass you’ll do fine as long as you are a solid sleeper. In colder weather on lumpy harder ground, you will be cold and uncomfortable. If I was pushed for budget but wanted a capable lightweight 3 season sleeping pad, I’d get a 2nd hand XLite Neoair with the winglock valve. People are selling them to get the new NXT but they’re great pads. The main issue is they’re a bit crinkly. Tarp is eaay, DD Superlight. They are pretty darn light and well made and well priced. However just sleeping under a tarp leaves you open to moisture sometimes (and sometimes it’s too windy to get a tarp pitched without perfect pitching gear and location) but worse you would be exposed to midges and mosquitos so you tend to need a bivi to go with it. That sorta adds up to a tent-like setup and I do camp this way but it can easily be heavier and less comfortable/practical in some situations. SoI would recommend using trekking poles if you hike and if you tarp, get some pitching cups from wild sky gear (make it easy to rig a tarp to your polea) or consider then get a light trekking pole tent. A secondhand Lanshan is the best budget option by far in my opinion. Just read up on if you want the 1 or 2 person size and the regular or the pro version (pro isn’t necessarily better depending on your priorities). They are excellent, such value for money, very tried and tested. The non pro has a detachable interior that can he pitched on it’s own like a ‘bug bivi’ and on a warm still night you can just camp in that alone or add a tarp high up overheas in case of light showers. Hope that helps. Ask more if you have more questions. I’m heading out on a trip right now myself so depending on signal and when I stop, might take a while but I will reply P.s I’m using a tarp and bivi setup on my current trip but that’s using high-end DCF material gear so my groundsheet, bivi and poncho/tarp cost around £600-700 and you have to import them from the USA too. But I’ve had plenty of fun on army surplus gear that cost a fraction of that amount. This is my main hobby and I’ve been doing it for over 20 years. So don’t think I’m being a gear snob

Yeah the CloudUp is super nice. HOWEVER… you’ve already discovered r/Ultralight… why not take it a step further? Get a trekking pole tent (or a tarp)! I seriously recommend checking out 3FUL’s Lanshan trekking pole tent. I used it for 1000 mi on the PCT and it’s absolutely spectacular OR, get the “Twinn tarp” from Gossamer Gear, everything on their site is like 1/3 off right now!

I have the Lanshan and the X-Mid. Both 2 Pro. Both are terrific tents. The Lanshan is perhaps the better value because of its low price. The X-Mid is the better performer because of its lighter weight and clever design. Both are fine 2 person tents with excellent materials and well performing layouts; although both are cramped for two people.

I am 6'3", have both and used them a bunch (when I take people hiking they get the Lanshan and I get the xmid). The Lanshan is terrific- like some have said, you will need to seam seal. But I have found it can be even roomier than the xmid as long as you use the two side wall guyouts. There is a technique where you take a stick, wrap the guyout around it near the top and then continue to the ground and into a stake. This pulls out those sidewalls and makes it seem so much bigger, especially for head room. That being said, my original silpoly xmid2p is a near perfect tent and the one I use on most trips. My only gripe is the large footprint can sometimes be problematic in heavily wooded or uneven terrain. I believe the Lanshan is silnylon, so based on your climate I would go with an xmid. It won't sag in heavy rain and won't absorb water if you have to pack it up slightly wet.

I’ll second the lanshan. Surprisingly good build quality for the price. I like that the 1p only requires one trekking pole to set up. I have the pro version and it’s like 650g or something… Otherwise I’d also absolutely recommend the X-Mid. Probably the best overall tent on the market and reasonably priced

3fUL lanshan if he uses trekking poles, or naturehike cloud up for a freestanding tent. if he wants to hammock: onewind aerie hammock and 12' onewind winter tarp package. for both he needs insulation underneath him and on top of him. a sleeping bag is not enough.

I don't know how any of those name-brand tents made it into a "budget" list. You may be able to find older models of the BA tents on clearance right now, in which case they do actually approach "budget" status. From those, I would choose the Copper Spur for livability, but everyone's different. If you are open to trekking pole tents, look at the Lanshan tents. Lightweight, proven and actually a budget friendly option. Even some of the Amazon knockoffs can be okay for the price (and I'm not one to usually utter that sentence) - I have a $100 knockoff from a nothing brand on Amazon that I've actually gotten so much more than my money's worth out of over the years. Weighs a kilo. It's a gamble, though. With big brands at least you get warranty support.

The tent is too big for me. I don’t mind the internal space (but it is more than I need) but the footprint is huge and tough to stake out in the PNW. Length is great for my height but it is really wide. I’m 5’10”. Also the tent just doesn’t seem to pitch as easily as my Lanshan. If I have tons of space, pitching isn’t bad, but often I’m compressed in a smaller area, or I target an smaller area because it is flatter and getting a good pitch is hard due to the massive footprint. I really don’t like the rainbow zipper. Have to unzip a big length of it to get out. The tent acts as a bug trap at the top outside the mesh. So having to open the mesh and it falls down means bugs in your tent. Also it’s just tough to get out of unless you unzip the rainbow like 90% or more. I liked my Lanshans zipper better where you can unzip and the mesh hangs down keeping bugs out while you stick your feet out and put your shoes on. Also the rainbow zipper is oddly low for how tall this tent is, I think they just copy-pasted the rainbow dimensions from the duplex. When getting out I oftentimes snag my back on the top of the rainbow zipper. There is so much extra mesh above it, they could have made it higher up leading to a bigger door. I don’t like the trekking pole extension. I am always paranoid I will lose it and bringing more stuff like that runs counter to UL philosophy. It also makes pitching the tent more difficult because it is spring loaded so you have to keep the pole under a lot of tension while staking out the tent. Last, the vestibule doors are a PITA to latch together. The hook is far away from the tent zipper (due to the size of the tent) so it is a reach to do and the tent is usually quite tensioned out making pulling a door to the latch harder. There are a ton of things I like about this tent but these are the things that have really stood out to me.

In my experience I’ve found the copper spur to be a very upright & tall tent, whenever there is high wind the tent does get blown over and flattened out. I rather take my old vango or lanshan in windy conditions to be honest. Copper spur is a great tent though literally my only issue with it.