--- title: "Ultralight tents" description: "Lightweight, packable and reliable tents for long-distance treks – double or single-wall, freestanding, for 1, 2 or more people. There's one for you." canonical_url: "https://gramino.com/c/sleep/tents" last_updated: "2026-07-14" --- # Ultralight tents An ultralight tent is an investment in comfort and safety on your journeys. When choosing, consider the weight, construction and space you'll need. Whether you're after a freestanding tent for maximum stability or a super light shelter for long treks, you're sure to find a model that suits you here. This category is also available as [HTML](/c/sleep/tents). ## Products Showing the 24 most popular of 54 products. The [category page](/c/sleep/tents) lists all of them, with filters. - [Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2](/p/big-agnes-tiger-wall-ul2.md) - [Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3](/p/big-agnes-tiger-wall-ul3.md) - [3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 (2026)](/p/3f-ul-gear-lanshan-2.md) - [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul2.md) - [3F UL Gear Lanshan 1 (2026)](/p/3f-ul-gear-lanshan-1.md) - [Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2](/p/big-agnes-fly-creek-ul2.md) - [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul3.md) - [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul3-xl.md) - [3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro (2026)](/p/3f-ul-gear-lanshan-2-pro.md) - [3F UL Gear Lanshan 1 Pro (2026)](/p/3f-ul-gear-lanshan-1-pro.md) - [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul2-xl.md) - [NEMO Hornet OSMO 2P](/p/nemo-hornet-osmo-2p.md) - [Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Bikepack Solution Dye](/p/big-agnes-tiger-wall-ul2-bikepack-solution-dye.md) - [Liteway Illusion Solo Tent](/p/liteway-illusion-solo-tent.md) - [Big Agnes Salt Creek 3](/p/big-agnes-salt-creek-3.md) - [Big Agnes Salt Creek SL2](/p/big-agnes-salt-creek-sl2.md) - [Big Agnes C Bar 2](/p/big-agnes-c-bar-2.md) - [MSR FreeLite 2](/p/msr-freelite-2.md) - [Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL4](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-hv-ul4.md) - [Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Bikepack Solution Dye](/p/big-agnes-fly-creek-hv-ul2-bikepack-solution-dye.md) - [Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1](/p/big-agnes-fly-creek-ul1.md) - [NEMO Dragonfly OSMO 2P](/p/nemo-dragonfly-osmo-2p.md) - [MSR FreeLite 3](/p/msr-freelite-3.md) - [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-mid-1.md) ## Under the roof A tent is one of the most important pieces of gear for every mountain lover. After demanding days on the ridge it offers shelter, dryness, warmth… a piece of home on faraway journeys. In recent years, thanks to [modern materials](/blog/technical-glossary-of-outdoor-materials), outdoor gear developers have managed to build tents that are not only **durable**, **spacious** and **technically clever**, but also perfectly **packable and light enough** to appeal to ultralight fans and bikepackers. **Ultralight tents and how to care for them** are the subject of a [separate article](/blog/ultralight-tents-everything-you-need-to-know) on our blog, but the basics are simple: as always, choosing one comes down to **the balance between "luxury" and weight** – [freestanding tents](/c/sleep/tents/freestanding-tents) with a floor made from denser materials and their own pole structure will always be a bit heavier than those pitched with [trekking poles](/c/sleep/tents/non-freestanding-tents), which need careful staking. ## Types of ultralight tents – construction and comfort **1.** [**Freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/freestanding-tents) - Built around a rigid pole structure, they're easy to move before the final staking. - They provide better stability in the wind and greater comfort. - There are also [**semi-freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/semi-freestanding-tents), which can stand on their own without being anchored with stakes, but one part has to be weighted down or staked to be taut. - Examples: [Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2](/p/big-agnes-tiger-wall-ul2), [NEMO Dragonfly OSMO](/p/nemo-dragonfly-osmo-2p-2026), [MSR Hubba NX](/p/msr-hubba-hubba-nx) **2.** [**Non-freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/non-freestanding-tents) - They use [trekking poles](/c/gear/trekking-poles) as their support structure and need careful staking. - Extremely light and packable, suitable for more experienced users. - Examples: tents from [3F UL Gear](/b/3fulgear), [Liteway Illusion Duo Tent](/p/liteway-illusion-duo-tent-2024), [Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2](/p/hyperlite-mountain-gear-unbound-2) If you're just starting out with ultralight gear, a freestanding tent may be the better choice, because it's easier to pitch and more comfortable to use. ## Single-wall vs double-wall tents ### 1. [Single-wall tents](/c/sleep/tents/single-wall-tents) - Lighter and more compact, but they can have slightly more trouble with condensation - Pitching them takes more experience and the right spot. - Example: [Liteway Illusion Duo](/p/liteway-illusion-duo-tent-2024), [3F UL Gear Lanshan 1 Pro](/p/3f-ul-gear-lanshan-1-pro) ### 2. [Double-wall tents](/c/sleep/tents/double-wall-tents) - They offer better protection from insects and condensation. - Thanks to modern materials they can be surprisingly light. - Example: [Sea To Summit Telos TR2](/p/sea-to-summit-telos-tr2) ## How much space do you need? When choosing a tent it's important to consider how much time you'll spend in it. If it only serves as a shelter for the night, the smallest and lightest models will do. But if you expect to sit out bad weather for longer, a roomier model may be more comfortable. **Planning long treks or rainy days on the trail?** Then it's worth considering **enough room for your gear**. The [Liteway Illusion Duo](/p/liteway-illusion-duo-tent-2024), for example, offers plenty of space at a weight under 800 g. On long-distance trails like the [Pacific Crest Trail](/blog/pacific-crest-trail-pct-guide), ultralight tents rated by the manufacturer for 2 people are often used by a single person, precisely because they're light enough and offer a higher level of comfort. ## Tent FAQ ### What tent weight should you choose for a long-distance trek? For multi-day treks most people go for a tent in the ultralight category – under 1 kg for a 1-person tent and around 1–1.5 kg for a two-person model. But if comfort matters more to you than weight, you can reach for roomier models with a higher weight. ### What tent size should you choose? The numbers given by the manufacturer (1P, 2P, 3P) are more of a minimum. If you're planning to sleep two people with your gear inside the tent, we'd recommend going for a bigger model (a 3P tent for two people with backpacks or with a dog, say), otherwise the interior can get very tight. Always check the tent's interior dimensions too – we list them in the shop with each product. ### Is a single-wall or a double-wall tent better? [**Double-wall tents**](/c/sleep/tents/double-wall-tents) (an inner bedroom + rainfly) offer better protection from insects, condensation and moisture, so we recommend them for longer treks in changeable weather. Thanks to modern materials they can be surprisingly light. [**Single-wall tents**](/c/sleep/tents/single-wall-tents) are usually significantly lighter and more compact, but they can have slightly more trouble with condensation. Pitching them takes more experience and the right spot, so they suit dry, warmer conditions better. ### What's the difference between freestanding, semi-freestanding and non-freestanding tent construction? [**Freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/freestanding-tents) are pitched on a rigid pole structure and are easy to move before the final staking. They don't really need staking at all to hold their shape. They provide better stability in the wind and greater comfort. One example is the [Big Agnes Copper Spur UL](/p/big-agnes-copper-spur-ul2). There are also [**semi-freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/semi-freestanding-tents), which can stand on their own without being anchored with stakes, but one part has to be weighted down or staked to be taut. One example is the [Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL](/p/big-agnes-tiger-wall-ul2). [**Non-freestanding tents**](/c/sleep/tents/non-freestanding-tents) use trekking poles as their support structure and need careful staking. They're extremely light and packable, but better suited to more experienced users. One example is the [Liteway Illusion Duo](/p/liteway-illusion-duo-tent-2024). ### What can you do about condensation in the tent? Condensation in a tent is a natural phenomenon – it forms when the humid air inside meets the colder rainfly. Good ventilation helps (open the vents and the door zippers), as does tensioning the fly properly, choosing your spot (further from water, for example), avoiding cooking in the vestibule, and using a footprint that protects your gear from damp underneath. ### How quickly can a tent be pitched? [Ultralight tents](/c/sleep/tents) have a simple construction, most often pitched on one or two connected poles. That means you can put them up in a few minutes, even when you're tired after a full day of trekking. Tents and [tarps](/c/sleep/tarps) that are pitched with trekking poles can take a bit of practice and skill, but there's nothing complicated about it – just try it a few times before your first trek. ### What about the water column in tents? The water column tells you how much water a material can take before it starts to leak through. On the rainfly it's usually around 1200–1500 mm, on the floor it tends to be higher (2000–3000 mm). These values are perfectly sufficient for normal conditions in Europe – the tent will handle heavy rain as long as it's pitched and tensioned properly. ### Are ultralight tents resistant to strong wind? Yes, as long as they're pitched, tensioned and anchored properly. With [ultralight tents](/c/sleep/tents) it's also very important to pick a suitable, sheltered spot to sleep. ### How should you care for your tent and footprint? After every trek let the tent and the footprint dry out thoroughly, and store them loose rather than compressed in their stuff sack for long periods. Clean off any dirt with lukewarm water and no aggressive detergents. Proper care extends the tent's life and keeps its water resistance. ### Can a tent be pitched with just the rainfly and footprint? Yes, most ultralight tents allow it (all tents from [Big Agnes](/b/big-agnes), for example). You need a footprint with anchor points – you then attach the fly directly to it. That saves weight and gives you a spacious single-wall shelter. ### Are stakes and guy lines included with the tent? It depends on the specific tent model. Some tents come complete with stakes, guy lines and a stuff sack, others include only some of these or none at all. The specification for every product on our site always says what's in the package. It's worth checking before you buy, so you know whether you'll need to [buy anything extra](/c/sleep/stakes-and-guy-lines). ### What's the difference between the standard and the Bikepack version of a Big Agnes tent? The difference between the bikepacking and the standard version of [Big Agnes](/b/big-agnes) tents is mainly in the pole length and the packaging. The Bikepack version has shorter pole segments (30 cm instead of 50 cm) so they attach better to handlebars or in a frame bag. The tent also comes with a tough waterproof bag you can use to strap the tent and the poles to your handlebars. The bikepacking tent also has a dedicated storage space for a helmet. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.