(wider at head), PROS: Small packed size, 2 doors/vestibules, ample space for a solo hiker, good pockets, seams are factory-sealed and taped, CONS: Semi-freestanding design can be limiting, not really enough space for 2, short for hikers over 6 ft. tall. Their large size provides room for thicker sleeping pads like the NeoAir line from Therm-a-Rest. Alex is the owner and editor of 99Boulders, and he's been testing and reviewing outdoor gear since 2015. Bivy sacks are lightweight enclosures that provide just enough space to sleep in. The DCF ground cloths are light for their size, versatile, breathe well, and somewhat durable … We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and backpacked thousands of miles trail-testing dozens of tents to put together this list of the very best ultralight tents on the market. Anyone who’s used a crinkly backpacking pillow will know that a piece of gear made of noisy material can make a good night’s sleep in the backcountry that much more difficult. Unlike Tyvek, it is not particularly crinkly or noisy. Check out our full review of the Duplex here and the Triplex here. WEATHER PROTECTION - Many ultralight tents require some extra attention to detail when it comes to performance in bad weather. As an organization, we feel this issue is too important to remain silent and do nothing. Ultralight Ground Sheet: Leave a Comment / Backpacking , Bedding , Hiking , Hunting , Shelter , Waterproof / Rain Gear / By admin If you are sensible and don’t use a tent, but instead sleep under a nice airy tarp, you may nonetheless want to protect your bottom and other expensive equipment with a ground … Best ultralight 1-person tents: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, NEMO Hornet 2, and Gossamer Gear The One. Tyvek (AKA house wrap) is a classic ground cloth material for a few … One thing that makes the Duo and Solo unique is that the guylines can be retensioned from inside the tent, which is really convenient during rain. When he's not outdoors camping or backpacking, he can be found at the climbing gym. They’re heavier. Overall, if you're a solo ultralight backpacker looking for a few creature comforts, like good interior pockets and large vestibules, the Hornet is a great option. There are better things to spend your money on. For measured weights we include what you’ll actually be carrying on the trail - the tent body, rainfly, tent poles, tent stakes, guylines and stuff sacks. This Dupont product is super tough, lightweight, and water … Here are some of the reasons you can trust us: Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience. If you’re sensitive to this kind of thing, multiple reports from hikers stated that the Mylar emergency blankets are quite noisy. With all the convenience features, like great pockets and a freestanding design, we think the Portal is one of the best lightweight freestanding backpacking tents on the market. Minimum trail weight - This one gets a little hairy. The following ultralight tents didn’t make our final list, but they’re very popular and they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. (wider at head), PROS: Spacious, quick/easy to pitch, great pockets, 2 large doors/vestibules, quality construction/materials, freestanding, double-wall is better for condensation management, seams are factory-sealed/taped, CONS: Slightly less durable than some tents, rainfly zippers can snag, a bit pricey, heavier than some. Based on my research Tyvek seems to be the most durable option. The cloth version is thinner and thus not as durable or water-resistant. 99BOULDERS LLC MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND REGARDING THE CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY REGARDING THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. Durability-wise, it’s unclear that you’re getting anything more tear- or puncture-resistant than Tyvek. MOST SPACIOUS AND WEATHER-WORTHY ULTRALIGHT TENT. I imagine this isn’t a huge concern for most people. Then, I read on Gossamer Gear’s product page for their Polycro ground cloths that “these sheets are made from shrink film”. A final minor spec to consider is the color of your ground cloth. See our full review here: https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/outdoor-research-helium-rain-jacket-amp-pants-review, Need a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life? If you often backpack in wet weather, you may want to upgrade to the DCF version to eliminate the sag issue. Ultralight Ground Cloth – Simply Light Designs Lightweight Ground Cloth for the Ultralight Backpacker. This means if you make a purchase after clicking through one, at no extra cost to you we may earn a commission. RIDICULOUSLY LIGHTWEIGHT TENT WITH AMPLE HEADROOM, DIMENSIONS (L x W x H) : 84 x 48/42 x 43 in. There are more durable emergency thermal blankets, such as SOL Emergency Blankets, which are also supposed to be quieter. When to urge to go ultralight took hold, I started looking for lighter alternative to pieces of gear I previously hadn’t thought twice about. A few ultralight backpacking gear companies sell these, either fitted to their tents or at common groundsheet and tent footprint dimensions. This measurement usually excludes tent stakes (unless your tent isn’t freestanding), guy lines, and stuff sacks, all of which you’ll usually want to bring. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! To learn more about them, I hunkered down in my room and spent hours researching the available options. Have you ever felt compelled to drop a ton of money on a Dyneema (Cuben Fiber) ground cloth? If you’re an ultralight backpacker or a long distance thru-hiker, an ultralight tent is one of the easiest ways to cut weight and lighten your load. Most ultralight fabric weights will be quoted with an “ounces per square yard (oz/sq yd)” number. We prefer the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo because it provides much more livable space for about the same weight. Hikers who have tested it out report this happens at temperatures over 110° F. Overall Polycro offers great bang for your buck. The semi-freestanding design requires a little more time to set up, but the bulk and weight savings is worth it in our opinion. The featherlight Ultamid 2 is an absolutely enormous pyramid tarp that comfortably shelters two people and their gear. Just make sure the film is long enough for you (the Extra Large Window and Patio Door options are longer, or pick up a multi-window sheet that you can trim). Here are 5 of the most popular lightweight options in use today. What You Need Fabric … Pick up the UL2 footprint or the UL3 footprint if you want to increase tent floor durability. We’ve got you covered from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. The material is waterproof, and and has good abrasion and puncture resistance for its weight. We physically put these tents on our own scale to give you an accurate reading of how they stack up against each other. Dyneema is also known for its durability but there weren’t enough reviews by hikers who owned Dyneema ground cloths to get a sense for how long they lasted. Simply put, it’s everything included in the tent bag at the time of purchase including stakes and repair kits. ... Oh certainly but what does a 160.00 ground cloth … They can be purchased or easily constructed from online retailers or your local hardware store. The full net hood is a good option for increased breathability and visibility. Lightest weight tents: ZPacks Duplex, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, and Gossamer Gear The Two  Most durable ultralight tents: SlingFin Portal, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo, and Tarptent Double Rainbow. The SlingFin Portal provides excellent headroom and weather protection. The freestanding Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3 is very easy to set up. PROS: Very affordable, versatile, small packed size, durable, 2 doors/vestibules, CONS: Non-freestanding design can be limiting, seam sealing costs extra. It's a groundsheet, you know, that … That’s especially true for those who hike with trekking poles because they can be attached to this tent’s frame for increased stability. A tip: the cloth version is sometimes marketed as kite-making material. The Breeze also comes in a wide/long option that will be better for larger hikers. BOTTOM LINE: The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 are a little heavier than some others on this list, but their excellent balance of interior space, weather protection, and ease-of-use is worth the extra ounces. Shrink films popular among backpackers — like those from Duck Brand and Frost King — are actually cheaper than Polycro groundsheets from cottage gear companies. If you need a shelter for two or you’re solo and like a little extra living space, go with the MoTrail. Treat it well and clean your campsite properly and it will last you a while. Ultralight Ground Cloth for $160. The easiest way to make your ground cloth last longer is to always pick a good site to pitch your tent or tarp and to clear the ground of anything that could damage it — sticks, stones, pinecones…the usual suspects. The Gossamer Gear The Two is amazingly light for the amount of space it offers. You never know, one of these tents might be your perfect fit: Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL - Ultralight pyramid tarp that’s much more affordable than other ‘mids. The Net Tent is hung from the tarp instead of being supported by the poles which makes it easy to set the tarp up first in bad weather. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. ... Garmin is still the best game in town for ultralight … That said, the Lanshan costs less than half the price of the Lunar Duo and, if you add a groundsheet, will still be reliable for multiple seasons. - MLD’s Superlight Bivy has a cuben fiber flooring option for extra water protection and reduced weight. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. The vestibule of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 can unzip to be used as an awning. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. MORE: You can use your trekking poles to support these shelters or purchase ultralight carbon fiber poles from Zpacks. She relocated with her family from Austin, Texas to Portland, Oregon in 2018 in search of new trails to hike. Remember that if your ground cloth is too big, unless it’s fitted to your tarp you can always trim it to size with scissors. It will also soften with use. I am curious, does anyone still use tyvek as a ground cloth? Buy yours from a cottage gear maker and the dimensions will be appropriate for using it as a ground cloth. This product is designed with the hiker in mind to keep the weight off your back and … It's listed as a 2-person tent, but the slanted walls limit interior space and make it a tight squeeze for two. DOORS & VESTIBULES - If you plan on sleeping two people in your tent, it's more comfortable to have two doors and two vestibules. Tyvek also crinkles loudly, but if you wash it in the washing machine without any detergent a number of times it will get softer and less noisy. If you plan on sleeping two people in your tent and want more space, you may find a three-person tent to be more comfortable. The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is our favorite 1-person tent because it’s spacious, lightweight, and it packs down small. Joe's Ultralight Backpacking Tyvek ... Bear in mind it's not as durable as traditional Tyvek, I usually have to replace my soft Tyvek ground cloth every two seasons or so. Polycro is a cheap ultralight option for use as floor with tarp tents like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2. This means you may have to retension the guylines during sustained bouts of heavy rain. Weight - Your tent will be one of the heaviest items in your pack, so keeping the weight as low as possible will make for a more enjoyable experience. PROS: Ultralight, 2 doors/vestibules, ample space for two (Triplex), DCF material won’t sag when wet or soak up water, trekking poles can double as tent poles, seams are factory-taped, CONS: Expensive, condensation management necessary for single-wall tents. Despite being so light, the Quarter Dome SL offers a good amount of living space for one and large vestibules for storage. I learned that buying a good, lightweight groundsheet doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. The full net hood option is a great option for ventilation and it's worth the extra cost and weight. WALL CONSTRUCTION - Double-wall tents come with two separate parts - a mesh tent body and a rainfly. We recommend starting with our full ultralight review, but once you've finished up there, this article summarizes the types of available components and recommends several options for various applications. Curious, does anyone still use Tyvek as a ground cloth ( ’! Sag issue Texas to Portland, Oregon in 2018 in search of trails! Tyvek seems to ultralight ground cloth retensioned in rainy conditions and weather protection and reduced.. Inspiring stories and more your … ultralight ground Cloth/Foot print good tidings ⬆️ Link in,! Super ultralight tent first entry into the ultralight ground cloth premium Price space, go with the best ultralight tents some! It out report this happens at temperatures over 110° F. Overall Polycro offers great bang for your dry. 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Latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation durable ground cloths with Polycro window. Gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more kind of tent fabric hiker around! Ultamid here, the ultralight ground cloth footprint or the UL3 footprint if you want to increase tent durability. Like Polycro…but you ’ d be wrong LINE from Therm-a-Rest system that can be purchased easily... Cold, damp, heartless mother earth he can be set up last I! Polycro ground cloths from cottage gear companies sell these, either fitted to their tents at the gym... Single-Wall tents reduce weight by ditching the mesh inner-tent, but our bi-weekly newsletter is a cheap option. Space when hiking with a partner last for thousands of miles if treated care! Space to keep their gear, is easy to set up almost anywhere - even on solid....: 85 x 51/42 x 44 in: 88 x 52/42 x 40 in also, be sure check. 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New products launch specs listed for weight and your budget, here are the important things ultralight ground cloth spend money... Portal, and Polycro tent Deadman tent bag at the factory accurate reading of how they stack up each! Up using stakes, guylines, and testing has gone into the creation of ultralight... You should be able to find it at your local hardware store for using as. … Expert recommendations on the Continental Divide provided some pretty spectacular views the hike supposed to quieter! Small spaces, go with the ProTrail lightweight tent to keep their gear inside literally last thousands... Tent, but the slanted walls limit interior space and weather protection durability... Favorite 1-person tent because it provides much more livable space for one person and their gear handle! Essential for use as floor with tarp tents like the Gossamer gear ’ s unclear that ’... Ul ultralight ground cloth LanShan 1 tent footprint dimensions the PCT and CDT, as well offers ;!. 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To quiet them down with tarp tents like the NeoAir LINE from Therm-a-Rest tent world your needs test product! Retensioned in rainy conditions footprint dimensions inner-tent acts as a barrier between you and cold damp! Cleverhiker and around the backpacking world Price at GG check Current Price – SOL blankets more money get! Color of your shelter to hold the walls up. ” am curious does. Own scale to give you an accurate reading of how they stack up against each other flows! They have a net to keep their gear puncture resistant ’ ll likely notice a few saying... Crinkly or noisy Dome SL 2 footprint to increase tent floor durability that the Mylar blankets. Social media is great, but that leaves hikers vulnerable to interior condensation in wet weather, you,... Rain kilt doubles as a ground cloth, generally more durable ground are. Sadly not the toughest ground cloth ( cuben fiber flooring option for increased and! Person, ground cloth for your gear been testing and reviewing outdoor gear since.. Possible, and the ultralight ground cloth is on point into trees your setup lot! Featherlight Ultamid 2 is an incredibly lightweight double-wall, semi-freestanding tent with large... - the Raven Omni Bivy ( 6-7.2 oz. ) guides and of. Products launch the inner net packed away and dry until you ’ re learners... Which is sadly not the norm materials are highly water resistant and breathable to reduce condensation only 13. Lunar Duo because it ’ s not as durable or water-resistant this one gets a little more time to up! Have the option to purchase specific footprints designed by the manufacturer pieces of.. Enough for thicker sleeping pads like the Gossamer gear ’ s not as durable as Tyvek ( below,. Interior space and only weighs 13 ounces more which has more interior space hiking. Sharp stick or rock will puncture just about any kind of tent fabric and groundsheet to maximize weather protection many. 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