Who makes the smallest packed size solo tent?

[bdstorer]

A year ago I bought a Eureka Spitfire 1 for bikepacking duties.. it's seen only minimal use and allready it's falling to bits. Dud tent.

Apart from being crap the main draw back was the packed sized.. at 5" x 22" it is looooong and didn't fit in my frame bag on comfortably in my backpack. Looking for a replacement solo tent and one that packs down alot smaller. Any suggestions?

[donmeredith74]

That's a tough one to answer because there are so many options out there. You might check out backpackinglight.com forums for some ideas. There's anything from traditional one man tents like the Big Agnes Seedhouse 1SL to bivy/tent hybrids to tarps. I finally settled on a tarp and bugnet combination from mountainlaureldesigns.com. You can check out some photos of the setup on my blog: http://lightpack.blogspot.com/2009/11/table-rock-to-eastatoe-gorge.html.

[DaveC]

My Montbell bivy packs to 3" by 5".

[Done]

I second the bivy bag suggestion. Light, warm, and quick to set up. Just park your head underneath a big tree, and they're pretty dry too!

[Aslan]

The Big Agnes Fly creek one or two is light and comfy.  I have the Fly Creek 2 which is a 2.2 lb palace compared to a bivy and doesn't weigh much more than a bivy.  It keeps the bugs at bay, I can sit up (mostly) and read or change and it can fit my buddy it in it in a pinch; although we will definitely be spooning which is a bit disturbing. That it can work for two is a huge bug and rain safety net.   I only have 7 nights in it so I can't speak for durability but it is light, big for its weight, and I can pack it under my bars or put it in my talon. 

[scott-australia]

Six moons designs lunar solo is 15 x 4.5

[DaveC]

...a 2.2 lb palace compared to a bivy and doesn't weigh much more than a bivy.

My bivy weighs 6 oz.  I have a sleep system good to 25 degrees that weights less than your tent.

[bdstorer]

Ok, decided to look harder at a bivy as an option. Thus far I think the 'poled' bivys tick a number of boxes for me (bug proof, head room and in some cases room to read a book). Which of the poled bivys are good, pack small and lighter than say an MSR Hubba tent?

I've been looking at the Black Diamond Bipole and Tripole bivys, the Big Agnes 3 Wire bivy and a Mountain Hardware number. Any feedback on these bivys?

[Rockin]

My bivy weighs 6 oz.  I have a sleep system good to 25 degrees that weights less than your tent.

Post up what your kit is Dave. 

I find the older I get the more comfort items I carry.  Someone needs to make beer that weighs less.

[timroz]

Someone needs to make beer that weighs less.

They do.  It's called scotch.

[bmike-vt]

They do.  It's called scotch.

+1 
Nothing beats a good single malt.

[southmark]

Zpacks Heximid Solo tent. Weighs 8.2 oz, packs to 6" x 6.'5". Zpacks Heximid tarp. Weighs 3.2 oz, packs to 2.5" x 4" x 5.5".

[Aslan]

My bivy weighs 6 oz.  I have a sleep system good to 25 degrees that weights less than your tent.
 
If you don't want to go bivy I am still all for the Big Agnes Fly Creek 2.  2.2 lbs for two people.  Compared to a 6 oz bivy, which will have zero comfort in a rainy or buggy situation, it is only 7 oz per person more for a lot more comfort.  I do long tours and don't want to sleep in a bivy for a month.  Maybe I am old and soft.  For a short trip where weather is unlikely to be an issue a bivy is a contender.  For those short 2-3 day trips I use the emergency medical bivy at 3.8 oz.  It can double as a ground cloth too.   However, if it rains or if the bugs are in early season mode, you are just surviving.  I bikepack because it is fun. So, If you are racing, take the bivy.  If you want to enjoy your camp time and get a good nights rest regardless of conditions, take a tent.  Don't forget to bring the scotch.  My wife and my daily ration weighs more than you bivy.

[VABikePacker]

I'm on the way "off the ground" - ENO doublenest, Speer "PeaPod", researching the tarp currently....I'm not a gram counter....I'm looking for the tarp to serve as a "make shift bivy" if I'm in a spot where no trees/fixed objects exist to hang from...

[DaveC]

Montbell bivy (6 oz)
Cut down ridge rest (6 oz)
Homemade Climashied XP/Pertex quilt (20 oz)
Backpackinglight Headnet (.2 oz)


With good site selection this gives up nothing in comfort compared to a tent; where I live.  Midsummer in GA would be a different matter.

[Rockin]

I just bought a Wenzel Starlight for $20.  Using some old carbon arrows for poles and aluminum gutter spikes for stakes it is down to 1.63 pounds.  I have less than $40 into it.  The packed size would be dependent on how long you made your replacement poles. 

[sherpaxc]

Have you bought the Peapod yet?  If not I'd recommend skipping on it.  I've had one (sold it).  Good concept but it didn't work out as well as it should have. 

I'm on the way "off the ground" - ENO doublenest, Speer "PeaPod", researching the tarp currently....I'm not a gram counter....I'm looking for the tarp to serve as a "make shift bivy" if I'm in a spot where no trees/fixed objects exist to hang from...

[Aslan]

Montbell bivy (6 oz)
Cut down ridge rest (6 oz)
Homemade Climashied XP/Pertex quilt (20 oz)
Backpackinglight Headnet (.2 oz)


With good site selection this gives up nothing in comfort compared to a tent; where I live.  Midsummer in GA would be a different matter.

How do you like your quilt?  I have been thinking about converting.  Do you stay warm enough on just your pad or do you wrap it around you like a bag when it gets cold?  Getting back on topic, I still prefer a tent to a bivy and the weight penalty is minimal for two.  For one, even a light tent can not compete on weight and space unless it is bug season.  I suppose the best solution is if you are rolling the dice on bugs and or weather, suck it up and carry the extra 1.8 lbs.  Worth it for comfort.  If it is late season and all you are worried about is a 2-6 hour thunder storm the bivy is compelling.  Thanks for making me think about my kit more critically Dave.  I would be curious to swap pack list to see where I have become too soft.

[bivysack]

Personally, I always prefer a bivvy sack, but when it rains there is no denying that a lightwieght tent is more comfortable. I don't think it's the lightest, but the Vango Helium 100 Superlite Tent - is a great tent and comes in a less than a kilo which is light enough for my trips.

[moosevt]

check out the Nemo GOGO and for a little more weight but larger pack size you can have sit up height with the Tarptent Moment. The GOGO, though, rules.