Shelter Systems
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Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Zpacks Groundsheet Poncho.
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Tent Fitting the Easy Way
If you are struggling to find a shelter that fits, you aren’t alone. We provide some (mostly useful) advice in the context of a pop culture tour.
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Tarptent ProTrail Li Review
The Tarptent ProTrail Li (17.7 ounces / 502 g, from $529) is a single-wall, double trekking-pole, single-vestibule, front-entry Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) 1-person shelter.
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Choosing an Ultralight Shelter for Backpacking (Member Q&A)
How to make the decision of what type of ultralight shelter to use on various types of backpacking trips in different seasons.
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Durston X-Mid 2P Review
The Durston X-Mid 2P is a 2-person, double-wall, dual side-entry, silpoly shelter with two vestibules that weighs 40 oz (1134 g).
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NEMO Dagger 3P Review
The Nemo Dagger 3P (4 pounds 5 ounces / 2 kg, MSRP $529.95) is a three-person, free-standing tent with roomy vestibules, light-diffusing overhead pockets, a stuff-sack system designed to help split the load amongst hiking partners, and pre-bent, color-coded poles (2019 update) for easy setup.
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Enlightened Equipment Uprising Underquilt
The Enlightened Equipment Uprising Underquilt is a tapered, somewhat customizable underquilt aimed at experienced hammock users. It incorporates a number of performance features differentiating itself from the majority of available offerings, such as strategically placed insulation and a unique suspension system.
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Locus Gear Khufu DCF-B Shelter
One of the most aesthetically beautiful Dyneema Composite Fabrics shelters we’ve ever used. The Locus Gear Khufu DCF-B is very stormworthy, easy to pitch, stable in high winds, sheds heavy…
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Kammok Mantis UL Hammock
The Kammok Mantis UL (and its slightly heavier companion the Mantis) are all-in-one hammock shelters. They come with (almost) everything you need for a successful hammock shelter system – hammock, stuff…
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Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
We recommend the Lunar Solo to backpackers looking for a lightweight, economical, single-wall shelter. It’s one of the least expensive solo tent options on the US market in this weight…
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Helinox Chair Zero
The Helinox Chair Zero is probably the most beloved lightweight camping chair among hikers who pay attention to the weight of their kit. The reason for this is that when it was…
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REI Flexlite Air Chair
The higher leg angle of the REI Flexlite Air Chair (relative to the Helinox Chair Zero), combined with its deeper seat, cradle your hips and body more comfortably, while in…
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Nemo Kunai 2P/3P Tent
The short length of the Nemo Kunai 2P Tent means its usefulness as a two-person tent is primarily limited to those under 5’9” (175 cm). If you are tall, you…
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Mountain Laurel Designs Supermid Shelter
There are lighter pyramid shelters available for summer use, but if stormworthiness is important to you, take a look at a silnylon Mountain Laurel Designs Supermid Shelter. We’re happy to…
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MSR Stake Hammer
The MSR Stake Hammer usually stays in our car for camping at developed campgrounds and trailheads, where tent sites are usually compact or gravelly. However, it’s also an essential tool…
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Nemo Airpin Stakes
A unique hook design built into the head of the Nemo Airpin Stake means that you don’t need loops or knots to secure your shelter guylines, making tension adjustments easy…
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REI Snow Stake
For winter and spring backpacking in snowy environments, the REI Snow Stake (and the more expensive, but similar MSR Blizzard) are our recommendation when the snow is consolidated. In this…
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ZPacks Ultralight Titanium Tent Stake
The ZPacks Ultralight Titanium Stake is our pick for a thin, easy-to-insert, ultralight tent stake for most secondary shelter guylines that don’t require a lot of holding power. An orange…
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ZPacks Carbon Fiber Stake
We’re not big fans of tubular carbon fiber tent stakes, because hikers tend to use them inappropriately in soils that are too rocky or hard. However, the experienced hiker knows…
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ZPacks Titanium V Stake
The ZPacks Titanium V Stake has a large surface area that provides outstanding holding power in soft soils, yet is strong enough for use in harder and rockier soils. This…
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