
Tarptent - Scarp 1 Ultra
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Based on 1 year's data from Mar 8, 2026 How it works
The Tarptent Scarp 1 Ultra is the ortha look, I am really impressed with mine although it is let down by the door magnets, though that's not a deal breaker not a 2 man tent, but plenty of room for 1.
What you mentioned is accurate. Both will have enough length when lying down, but the Scarp has a lower interior height, so you may not be able to sit up perfectly straight. For pole options, it will depend somewhat on personal preference. Lighter poles can work, but you need to be more careful during set-up and take-down and use more guy lines to stabilize in high winds. So if you don't expect harsh conditions that often and are willing to fiddle around with more stakes and lines on occasion, go with the lighter poles. I personally would probably use Syclone poles + some extra lines for the conditions you described, and the only ones I would not recommend are the 3.9 carbons. The Scarp 1 is less of a 4-season specific tent and requires at least a semi-rolled pack due to the struts, so it is not quite as much of an issue as on the ArcDome. We may make more Scarp 1 Ultras at some point, but we would rather wait and use whatever stuffable UHMWPE fabric we decide on for the ArcDome.
Look at the Scarp 1 at Tarp-tent….with optional cross supports for additional snow loading protection and it’s on sale now!
For 35% off, I would be getting the Scarp 1. For 1 person it’s very spacious. And yes you can fit two people inside it if you use 20 inch inflatable mats.
I love my Scarp 1. Haven’t used it for true mountain summit camping in the UK yet as I prefer to duck down to more like 700m for peace of mind. I have the crossing poles in carbon but yet to use them. Hiking poles work great to lift the fly off the inner in windy weather (use some shock loops on the mid panel guy out tabs). Having two vestibules is wonderful but plenty of space inside to bring in all your gear if that’s what you prefer. I’m not very tall so I can sit up in it just fine, but if you are very tall you might prefer a dome tent.
I have a TarpTent that is really good in wind and rain (though the carbon fiber pole broke on my last day of camping in high wind). My favorite tent is my cheap Naturehike - I've camped in it well over 100 times in rain,, wind, and high altitudes. It's getting old, sure, but, it's been rock solid throughout Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Scotland, Eastern Europe...
It's a tad heavier, yes, but it packs smaller than my other tents. And it does really well in wind (and rain, until this, which might be an anomaly).
I exaggerated a bit when I said everything was wet. My wool base layer, boots, and backpack were in a big garbage bag (I always take a big bag to put everything in at night. I also have a waterproof outer layer. The problem was that I didn't have a dry place to change. I had to wait for the rain to let up. And even wet, my sleeping bag would have offered some warmth - I just didn't want to get it dirty. I wasn't THAT cold. I burned a lot of camping fuel, drank a lot of tea, and stayed awake - It was just the preferrable option by that point. I only had a couple of hours left before dawn.
With my better tent, yes. It's fully waterproof and built for high winds (Tarp Tent).
Scarp 1. Honestly, I'm not super impressed with it. It's light, but bulky. Waterproof, but so noisy in any wind (crinkly material). My carbon fiber pole broke my last morning of a week long trek in Iceland, and it's expensive to replace. The fabric is fragile. I had a couple of rocks tumble from my rock wall and they tore the fly. I also had a manufacturing defect - one of the support pole attachments tore off the fly my first night. I sewed it back on. I think the design is good, but there's a reason I brought my old tent.
You definitely aren’t too tall for the Scarp 1. It is really long tent.
The Tarptent Scarp 1+ is a good fit for your requirements and often seen on more adventurous pitches in the Scottish Highlands and other European ranges. Fly first, freestanding pitch with good ventilation options and a solid inner available, which is two-thirds solid, one-third mesh. The 1+ is a large one person (you can squeeze in 2) or there is a dedicated 2 person Scarp also. For three season use it comes in around 1.1 - 1.3 kg, so we'll within your target. And a bonus for you: rather than look for another winter tent, you can add optional crossing poles to the Scarp in winter to make it an even more bomber 4 season, snow loaded fortress! It is within budget I reckon. Tarptent have the Scarp on sale at the moment with a stunning 35% off! (Not affiliated BTW) And just to add an alternative viewpoint, my personal choice and go-to shelter for the type of conditions you describe is the MLD Trailstar with a breathable or bug bivvy (but inners are available). Not freestanding, but palatial space and just the most beautiful, aerodynamic mountain-hugging limpet of a tarp you will find, and only half a kilo.
I can recommend you doing some research around the Scarp 1. I love mine. Scotland Mountains on YT has used his for years on Scottish summits.
Think you have a few good suggestions already... But you mentioned msr access... What don't you like about it? I had the 2p version, very spacious, just a little too big for me. I switched to scarp1 which is 1+. With your dog, maybe the scarp2?
not sure why 30° enters the equation since tents are not what keeps you warm. They keep the wind off you and they keep you dry in the rain. If you get a hot tent designed to be used with a wood stove, that’s not really great for backpacking unless it’s winter and there’s snow everywhere so you can put it on your pulk. And it only stays warm while the stove is operating. If year around doesn’t include lots of wind and snow, any tent designed for three season use will do. If you intend to use a tent in winter blizzards, you need two tents, one that works well in high winds and takes a load, and a three season tent. True four season tents are designed with extra guylines inside and out, and durable materials to withstand snow loading and 50+ mph winds, often floorless so one can increase space by digging down into snow. You’ll want snow stakes instead of regular nail stakes. Tents with steep sides to shed snow or long dome type with a large vestibule work well. Hilleburg and MSR have models that are designed for 4 seasons- heavy and weather worthy. I have a GoLite Shangri La - floorless, vented at the top, three person version, weighs 2.5 lbs with a single pole. I didn’t bother with the mesh inner because I never intended to use it unless there is snow. It is not freestanding and doesn’t have to be. it’s no longer in production, but there is a similar version that I believe is made by the company that bought Go Light. The other tent will have an inner bugnetted layer to keep mosquitoes off, regular stakes, lighter waterproof fly and be whatever shape you want. I have a variety of these that I have purchased over the years. My favorites were the Lightheart gear - I wore out the first one, replaced it with the same model, and then it was stolen from the garage when a roommate left the door open. I replaced it with a Durston Xmid. In the past, I have used several models of Tarptent. They also have a four season model called the Scarp. You might have a look at their various models. They do a balance of weight and durability. They are far too light for true severe winter conditions but would be okay generally for use in snow with appropriate stakes.
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