Lightest freestanding tent ????

Near as I know, they will all require stakes to keep from blowing away, and to stake out the rainfly where the door is.

That said, lightest free standing I know of is the Tarptent Double Rainbow if you use trekking poles. It actually works quite well. I think the MSR CARBON REFLEX 2 will also free stand with trekking poles.

If you are looking a more traditional free standing tent, the Big Agnes SL2 is probably the next lightest option.

Personally, I think free standing is highly over rated. You will always need stakes, or rocks, or whatever.

Mike
Take a look at the Tarptent Scarp 1. Double wall,two doors and two vestibules. 32" wide and 86" long (all usable…) . In peg down mode is 44 oz light , with the two optional poles for the freestanding set-up add another 12 oz, that gives you a rather light but very large one person shelter. Note the 39" peak height.
If you want to "tarp it" at times, just use the fly and the main pole, about 32 oz.
Franco

You could always check out Big Sky, if you're in no hurry.
A partner got a couple of them and they are very nice, but it took him like almost a year. Looks like some of the 2 man ones are in stock.

Mike,

I’m convinced that the reality of the “free standing tent” is that it CAN stand on its own, not that it necessarily WILL. As pointed out by others, there will come a time when you’ll need to anchor it.

I have seen an unanchored tent tolling like a tumbleweed about as fast as its owner could run. I’ve also watched a tent containing two sleeping bags and pads sail downriver 30 feet in the air. Luck for the owner that this was canoe trip … also lucky that it was summertime in the midwest and wet sleeping bags were only an inconvenience.

BPL subscribers can read a good article about things that can be done in situations where stakes either ineffective or impossible.

Hey Guy,
I have a squall-2 and its great. I know,I know, its not free standing. But its huge, and tall and mine weighs with EVERYTHING, seamsealed too, 31.5 oz. Or the GG squall-2 for a few ounces less.Just a thought

True, Jim. But if you're camping on that sort of ground all the time it can be a PITA to have to go looking for sticks, rocks etc when setting up your tent. And you have to make sure that you do a good job of it, or the tent will collapse.

With a freestanding tent you only have to rig up something which will stop the tent blowing away. The tent doesn't depend on stakes to stand upright, so it's no big deal if one pops out or isn't seated as well as it could be. So you can be pretty lazy and do a half-a$$ed job and unless you're in some really strong winds you'll be fine.

Having said that there is a weight penalty to a free-standing tent. But I can see why it would be worthwhile for some people (not me though).

Thanks for the input folks,great info.

I know, not many people are into true freestanding tents.

I honestly do need one for this area.

There is no topsoil,no stones…pretty much NO way to anchor a tent. The smallest stone is a boulder about an acre in area. I have an old EMS thunderlite that I can use,but that gem is at least 5 pounds.

Please keep the ideas coming. I appreciate your time.

The Black Diamond Firstlight is truelly freestanding. As is the old ITent that the Firstlight is patterned on.

It's the simplest possible design, a single wall tent with two poles that cross, no fly, no vestibule. It goes up in about 30 seconds, nothing but the tent and the two poles is needed.

If I'm worried that the wind is going to carry off the tent I put a rock in each corner on the inside of the tent.

This will be year six that I'm using the tent, and I stopped bringing stakes a long time ago.

Weight is very reasonable at 44 ounces with stock poles, 37 with carbon fiber ones.

The Firstlight has other issues though:
It's short lengthwise, I'm 5'4'' – much taller may be an issue. It's made in Epic which is highly water resistant but not water proof. Depending where you hike this could be a serious consideration. I hike the Sierras and the desert -it's worked for me. And it's fairly spendy at $300, unless you find it on sale.

Hi Mike

> There is no topsoil,no stones…pretty much NO way to anchor a tent. The smallest stone
> is a boulder about an acre in area.

I am intrigued! How about a few photos?

Cheers

I will see if I have some pics of the actual spot where I camp,its right on the edge of the glacial lake,all rock. Inland about 100 feet there seems to be topsoil,but it turns out to be about an inch of moss/lichen,no way to get a stake in.

The 1 man North Face "Solo 12" weighs 2 lbs, 5 oz. AND is the most wind resistant solo tent available. (95 mph wind tunnel test.) One of our Sierria Club 'Vegas backpacking leaders owns one and loves it. Very little condensation due to it's roof top "wind chimney".

Eric

Not freestanding.