
Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Reddit Reviews
In addition to the durston tents as already suggested (I have the x mid and while its very light because it’s a trekking pole tent, the fabric feels quite durable), I want to suggest the marmot tungsten 1 person tent. Less than 4lbs, durable, comfortable, less than $300. It’s the first backpacking tent I bought and it’s still the one I reach for on shorter trips where I’m not worried about weight. It’s so easy to set up, stays stable in wind and rain, and fits it pretty small spots without feeling claustrophobic inside. Others have suggested big Agnes — while I love the big Agnes fly creek 1p I have I would not describe it as very durable. I do a lot more patching of holes on that tent than the other two I mentioned. Still a great tent and I’m not getting rid of it anytime soon, but I don’t think it’s what you are looking for.
Yes!!! I’ve ended up using the footprint with my Big Agnes instead because it’s so delicate and the tungsten has been totally fine without it
I used a Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 person tent most recently.
Another vote for BA, but the 1p
Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Get the 3 person if either of you are over 5’7”. My husband and I are both 5’7”-ish and barely fit inside the Tiger Wall 2. I love it though, it has 2 doors, is easy enough to set up and pretty comfortable for an ultralight backpacking tent. I do NOT recommend the Fly Creek, at all. I had one for a good section of my thru hike and it was so uncomfortable to climb in and out of. I hate that overall design.
My fly creek lasted a whole 15 backpacking trips before the pole hub at the pinnacle of the tent broke while setting it up and Big Agnes warranty just stopped responding hahah. Oh and the pole clip broke, needed to be replaced, and it got random little micro-tears in the tent body. Never buying their garbage again. I went back to Tarptent and Six Moon Designs.
Yeah, I did enjoy the tent when I was using it. Their UL fabrics are way too delicate for my style of backpacking though.
I have the fly Creek one. Ultralight. Kept me warm and dry in a thunder shower
I’ve been to many festivals over the years - so it varies. I often retire an older tent to become my festival tent. One that i don’t care if someone falls on it. I do like room - so a 4-person tent for 2 people is nice. But I don’t keep much gear in my tent at festivals - so it’s really just my sleeping pad / bag / pillow, maybe a few clothes. I don’t like taking my XL lux car camping tent - because there isn’t always room for that. It’s hot when I go often - so a hook to hang a fan is nice. But really - at sunrise I’m probably getting up and going under the shade canopy. If rain is in the forecast- I may even bring one of my nicer tents to make sure I’m dry. All that said - a MSR Mutha Hubba is my current festival tent. I also have an older Big Agnes Fly Creek that’s still in working order.
Looking at the poles will tell you quite a bit about sturdiness. The Freelite 1 uses DAC NFL 8.7mm poles with a forked design. So one end of the tent has essentially 2 archs of 8.7mm while the other end has a single arch of 8.7mm. That would be comparable in sturdiness to other tents that also use a forked arch of 8.7mm, such as Big Agnes Fly Creek and Tiger Wall, and Nemo Hornet. Tents that use essentially dual arches of 8.7mm at both ends are going to be sturdier, like X-Dome 1+ but also BA Copper Spur, MSR Hubba, and many others. Easton Carbon 3.9 is very similar to DAC 8.7 mm in sturdiness. Then both brands of tent pole makers make numerous stiffer options but with higher weights that would likely put the tent over your 1 kg goal.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Backpacking

Top pick
Durston - X-Mid 2
Best for Beginner camping

Top pick
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series
Best for Comfort-focused car camping

Top pick
Gazelle Tents - T4 Hub Tent Series
Best for Hot and humid weather camping

Top pick
Durston - X-Mid 2
Best for Rain and wind

Top pick
Durston - X-Mid 2
Best for Snow and wind

Top pick
SlingFin - Portal 2





