Alpkit - Soloist

Have you looked at the Alpkit soloist? Small vestibule but great price, weight and build quality

It might be because by this sub's standards the tent is heavy, plus it's freestanding. Also, Decathlon isn't a popular brand in the US where most users are based. I'm UK based and have a freestanding 1.2kg tent from Alpkit which I bought when I was just starting, and while I'm planning to upgrade it to something lighter, I think it's done a pretty good job so far and it's enabled me to go on great trips!

I haven't really had a problem with it but I mostly stay at campsites. If it rains heavily when I arrive I will just wait it out under a roof. Maybe I've been lucky but this has happened only once, in Iceland, and I've spent almost 100 nights in this tent by now. If it's just drizzling I'm pitching it. It takes 30sec to pitch and put the outer on so nothing is really getting wet. Also, the tent has a footprint so if you bring it with you you can pitch outer first.

The Alpkit soloist is within that weight and also less expensive than brands like Big Agnes. It's nothing fancy but gets the job done. Can cut the weight further by just using the ground tarp and rain fly if it's not buggy out.

+1 for the Soloist. There is an XL version if you are taller. Probably rather similar to the Cloud Up.

I am a 5’4” woman and I found the phoxx 1 too low for comfort. Couldn’t get changed easily inside it because you can’t sit up etc., felt like I was in a coffin to be honest. Quickly changed for the alpkit soloist which is above your budget but so much comfier, it does pack really small too, would recommend if you can stretch.

Good bit of kit. Little bit small if you're very tall, especially if you want gear inside with you. That said, very easy to pitch and lightweight. I like that you can leave the outer off, don't get to use it much in the UK but I've travelled with the Ordos (basically a bigger soloist) and that's a lovely feature in warm climates