Selecting the right one-person backpacking tent is all about finding the balance between weight, space, and weather resistance. Your tent needs to be light enough to carry on extended hikes yet spacious and durable enough to keep you comfortable and safe in varying weather conditions.
Here’s what you need to know to make an informed choice on the selection of your next 1-person tent:
Key Considerations
Weight vs. Space: A lightweight tent is essential for long hikes, but space matters too. A tent that's too small can make cooking and changing clothes difficult without touching the sides and getting wet. A tent that's too large adds unnecessary weight, especially when wet.
Material Matters: Modern, lightweight tents often use specialised fabrics that are both strong and light, such as treated or woven materials that outperform traditional polyurethane (PU)-coated fabrics. The hydrostatic head, a measure of waterproofness, can be just as high in lightweight materials as in heavier ones.
Design and Structure: Tent designs vary, from trekking pole-supported shelters to A-frame and freestanding models. Each design affects weight, stability, and how much pegging is required. Look for features like ventilation options (e.g., two-way zips or covered portholes) to reduce condensation, which can be more problematic in smaller tents.
Comfort and Space: Make sure the tent fits your height and offers enough space when lying down and sitting up, with extra room for your sleeping mat and bag. A vestibule is crucial for storage and cooking, ideally covered and spacious enough to use comfortably.
Top Picks: One-Person Tents for Solo Campers
Here are 6 of our favourite one-person tents and why we love them:
1. The Nortent Vern 1 Person 4 Season Backpacking Tent
The Nortent Vern 1 Person 4 Season Backpacking Tent is a highly durable, reliable shelter designed for solo adventurers, perfect for long hikes through mountains or remote landscapes where dependable protection is essential. Its aerodynamic design and versatile anchoring options ensure stability in all weather, making it a trusted companion in the outdoors. Built with clean, nature-inspired lines, this tent prioritises quick and easy setup, typically taking just 2-3 minutes with a little practice. Reinforced with Dyneema, the world’s strongest fibre, all exposed areas of the outer fabric are crafted to withstand harsh conditions, ensuring maximum durability and resilience in the elements. We love this tent for its rugged design and ease of setup.
The X-Mid 1 Solid UL tent features an offset design, with the inner section positioned at an angle to the fly, effectively maximising living space. This arrangement creates two spacious storage areas on either side of each door, perfect for stowing wet gear or for cooking. It can be pitched fly-first, which is ideal for wet conditions, or as a complete unit, with the basic setup requiring just four pegs and two trekking poles. Additional guy lines at each end help to secure the poles in place. For extra internal space, the fly can be pitched on its own, but during bug season, the inner clips seamlessly. The poles are cleverly positioned away from each entrance, while the large double doors provide easy access. The X-Mid 1 Solid boasts a solid inner with two mesh windows, and the fly has two vents to help manage condensation effectively. Both the fly and the inner floor are made of durable polyester with a high hydrostatic head, ensuring excellent waterproofing. This tent truly impresses us on all fronts!
3. MSR Elixir 1 Backpacking Tent
The MSR Elixir 1 is a brilliant tent for solo backpackers, offering exceptional durability, privacy, and comfort. Designed as MSR's most liveable tent for solo adventurers, it features a spacious vestibule for gear storage, a single easy-access door, and a clever blend of breathable mesh and solid canopy fabric for optimal ventilation, warmth, and privacy. Inside, a built-in gear loft keeps essentials organised, while glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls ensure easy access at night. Its unique pole geometry maximises headroom, comfortably fits a large mat, and the adaptable rainfly offers great views. The tent's freestanding design with colour-coded poles, clips, and webbing, plus red vestibules, ensures quick and hassle-free setup. We rate the Elixir 1 for its perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and thoughtful design.
4. Wild Country by Terra Nova Helm Compact 1
The Helm Compact 1 is a spacious and lightweight free-standing dome tent, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a compact and easy-to-pack shelter. Designed as a roomy 3-season tent for solo campers, it packs down to a convenient 30cm x 17cm, making it ideal for backpacking trips and youth expeditions. The Helm Compact 1 offers ample headroom and a generously sized porch for storing gear, with additional storage space accessible from a small door in the inner rear flysheet. Its dome design provides greater stability compared to single-pole tents, and the inner and flysheet pitch together quickly and easily. Ventilation is excellent, thanks to mesh panels on the inner door and a smaller mesh door with a cover at the rear. A side-opening, tarp-style tent bag simplifies packing when it’s time to move on. Our testers love the Helm Compact 1 for its balance of space, stability, and compact size, making it a great choice for backpackers who need a dependable, roomy tent without the bulk.
5. Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Solution Dye UL Tent
The Fly Creek 1-person tent is a top choice for 3-season camping. Its solution-dyed fabric offers UV resistance and environmental benefits. The redesigned tent features a vertical door and steep walls for extra headroom and space, while the single-pole DAC Angle SF Hub optimises volume without extra weight. Setup is easy with the TipLok Tent Buckle™ for secure pole capture and rainfly attachment, and reflective guy-lines ensure quick pitching. Inside, there are two mesh pockets, an oversized media pocket, and gear loft loops for organisation. This tent picks lots of boxes for our team.
6. Exped Mira 1 HL 1
The Mira HL is the perfect blend of space, comfort, and weight, featuring new clips for quicker and more intuitive setup. It maintains its generous headroom and two practical entrances with vestibules. The tonal green canopy seamlessly blends with nature, while the lightweight design makes it an excellent choice for various camping conditions. At just 0.95kg minimum weight and packing down to 41x12cm, it’s easy to carry and set up anywhere. The Mira HL also excels as a self-standing mosquito net, providing airy and bug-free shelter. With its durable materials and thoughtful design, we love the Mira HL for its ideal mix of functionality and portability.
Key Features to Look For
Flysheet Materials: Lightweight silicone-coated fabrics are durable and waterproof. PU-coated nylon or polyester are heavier, less durable, but more affordable.
Inner Materials: Breathable nylon or polyester can keep out condensation drips and breezes. Mesh inners provide ventilation in warm weather but may let condensation through unless the mesh is very fine.
Groundsheets: Groundsheets should be made of heavier, tougher materials than flysheets, with a higher hydrostatic head. Optional ‘footprints’ can provide extra protection but add weight.
Inner Dimensions: Ensure the inner length allows room for your sleeping bag and mat without pushing against the ends. Headroom should be at least 90cm for comfortable sitting.
Poles and Pegs: Poles should be easy to attach, ideally colour-coded if of different lengths. A variety of pegs (thin for hard ground, wide for soft ground) provides flexibility. Bring extras in case of loss or breakage.
Guy Lines and Stability: Guy lines are crucial for stability in strong winds; make sure they are sturdy and easy to adjust.
Porches and Doors: Look for porches big enough for cooking and storing gear. Flysheet doors that open in multiple ways offer better access, views, and ventilation options.
Ventilation: Protected vents and upper door zips that can stay open in most conditions help reduce condensation build-up.
Pitching Style: Tents pitch either inner-first, flysheet-first, or as a unit. Each style has its pros and cons, so practice pitching your tent before heading out to ensure you’re comfortable setting it up quickly and securely.
Pitch perfect
Choosing the right one-person tent involves balancing comfort, weight, and durability. Focus on the features that matter most for your style of camping and weather conditions. Practising pitching your tent before your trip can save you time and trouble in the field. We carry a range of 1-person tents from top brands like Big Agnes, Exped, Wild Country by Terra Nova, MSR, Pretents, Zpacks, Wechsel, Nortent, and Durston Gear, so you're sure to find the perfect fit. If you need any help choosing, just send us an email, and we'll be glad to offer some advice on your next 1-person tent.
Happy camping!
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