For your first tent, stick with freestanding or semi-freestanding since they’re faster to pitch in bad weather, easier on rocky ground and less fussy when you’re tired at the end of a long day.
Trekking-pole tents are great once you know exactly what you want but…they’re not automatically better and can be annoying in wind or limited pitch spots
From your list, the sweet spot is between the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2, Nemo Mayfly Osmo 2P, Exped Mira II HL, or Sea to Summit Alto TR2 only so spend mid-range, prioritize interior space and weather handling over absolute weight and you’ll be much happier than chasing the lightest tents
[11 Best 2 Person Tents for Camping and Backpacking](https://alaskanarrows.com/11-best-2-person-tent-camping-and-backpacking/) for other options as well to vary your choices
Cheers!
haha tell that to my back pain. i recently used my brother in laws BA tiger wall UL2 and my head and feet were touching both ends of the tent and that's considered a longer tent.
We have the Tiger Wall UL-2 and it’s done really well in rainy conditions honestly. The only gripe I have about it is it’s not truly 100% freestanding. You have to stake out the two corners by the foot to open it up all the way and to attach the fly.
It’s definitely roomy for one person and I’ve taken it solo before. That being said my Seedhouse SL-1 is a lot more compact and lighter so I usually take that when I go solo. Never messed with Hubba Hubba though so I can’t speak to those.
I used the BA Tiger Wall UL2 on my PCT.
_Between the two?_...save the weight. Get the BA Tiger Wall UL2. You do not need a fully freestanding tent, and you can't really justify the weight penalty when you have so many other priorities. (Remember: You could carry an extra 200ml/≈6oz of water at _all times_ and be weight neutral. Or 3 more energy bars. That matters more than learning how to pitch a tent.)
_Would I get it again?_...yes. The Tiger Wall UL2 is a proven design for a great tent. HOWEVER, knowing what I know now? I'd get a trekking pole supported tent and save even more weight.
> _if there was a reason why people have been choosing the copper spur instead of the tiger wall._
Yes, the reason is usually that they are "packing their fears". Again, you absolutely do not "need_ a fully free standing tent. Save the weight.
. . . . . . . .
**Any other comment on the Tiger Wall UL2?**
If you're hiking solo, it's got _plenty_ of space inside. It can fit two people snug, but with a single hiker you can lay out your kit however you like. It's just a really versatile size.
There is also a "gear loft" type shelf for drying stuff out, etc.
Also, the "fast fly" option is really nice, and it works as designed. I could deploy shelter from rain ins <2min.
But again...all thing equal...I'd get a single-wall treking pole supported tent.
Yes, think about it a little more. Start lurking in r/ultralight as well to see both sides of the arguments.
Nothing wrong with a double-wall tent, and I love mine. But the number of nights I camped with only my tent, but not the fly? Very, very few.
Look into the "rule of 2" for your big-three items. It states that your target weight (not requirement, but target) is:
* 2lbs for your sleep system
* 2lbs for your shelter system
* 2lbs for your pack/load-hauling system
* ≈6lbs for all three together
Again, it's a target, not a dictum. But keeping track of your base weight is one of the single most important metrics you can do.
Think of it this way: If the single-wall trekking pole tents were not effective...why would they exist? And why would they command their price point and loyalty?
You might get one, or not, but I'd hesitate to be prematurely dismissive.
. . . . . . . . .
_Any thoughts on the Durston Xmid1 or Xmid2_
They're proven, and terrific...and they take up a large footprint at the camp sight. That's really my only complaint. They're hard to fit if a campsight is crowded, but folks make it work every year.
You kinda owe it to your self to look into "all the usual suspects" for single-wall trekking pole supported tents (Durston, Z-Pack, etc.) so you understand the trade-offs.
i.e. Present-day lack of skill is NOT sufficient reason to not get a single-wall trekking pole supported tent. Because by night 10, you'll have the skills to pitch the tent. Choose your tent based upon its merits and your priorities.
Accomplished_Snow270
