Discovering the correct tent for a backpacking journey is all the time tough. You must stability packed measurement and weight in opposition to livability and the way properly it stands as much as wind and rain. I’ve all the time erred on the facet of a sturdy tent over any weight issues, which is why I like the Hilleberg Akto, however I do not all the time want the Akto.
There’s a brief season in my neck of the woods referred to as summer season, when storms are much less possible, and the temps do not drop a lot under the 60s. That is after I’ve been utilizing the Lunar Solo, Six Moon Design’s flagship ultralight 1-person tent. After a number of late and early summer season journeys across the north woods of Wisconsin and Michigan, it is proved itself a succesful shelter. It weighs simply two kilos, packs down fairly small, and checks a complete lot of different packing containers on my tent wishlist.
Loads of Area
{Photograph}: Scott Gilbertson
There isn’t any one tent to rule all of them and looking for one is a mistake. You are higher off with two tents, realizing the restrictions of every and utilizing every when it is the very best for the job. Which is to say, I like the Akto, however I additionally suppose Six Moon Design’s Lunar Solo is superb for summer season journeys while you prize touring gentle over withstanding intense storms.
That is to not say the Lunar Solo will not preserve you dry. It’ll. The silicone nylon, or silnylon, is lots waterproof, although you will both must seam seal it your self with some Seam Grip, or have the Six Moon Designs do it for you earlier than they ship it, which prices $35. My testing tent arrived seam sealed, however being sufficiently old to recollect while you needed to seam seal nearly each tent, I’ve completed it sufficient occasions to say it is not arduous must you select to DIY it.
The Lunar Solo is single wall, single pole tent supposed to be pitched with a trekking pole. This makes for a really small and light-weight tent, but in addition has two potential drawbacks: structural integrity and condensation. Extra on these in a second. As soon as pitched, the Lunar Solo presents 26 sq. toes of dwelling area, a peak peak of 49 inches, and the vestibule presents 8.5 sq. toes of extra gear storage. Total I discovered the Lunar Solo to be lots spacious for one individual with gear. The rear wall expands out barely, supplying you with a spot to stash ceaselessly wanted objects with out pushing them up in opposition to the tent wall.
The 20D silnylon and mesh partitions really feel as sturdy as something you will discover at this weight, until you need to go together with a Cuben Fiber/Dyneema tent, however to my thoughts the excessive value of Cuben places it in a distinct class. The ground of the Lunar Solo is a extra strong 40-denier (40D), and has a bath form to assist guarantee water does not get in. The rear of the Lunar Solo has a 6-inch mesh portion between the ground and the primary wall that helps with air flow.
Any single pole tent goes to wrestle in wind, regardless of what number of guyline factors it presents. I did discover the Lunar Solo compressed a very good deal after I pitched it in excessive winds on the uncovered shores of Lake Superior. It was admittedly not an excellent campsite from a looking for shelter perspective, not one I’d choose if I wasn’t testing the wind resistance of a tent. However it did persuade me that the Lunar Solo wants both a trekking pole or a heavier tent pole than the ultralight pole Six Moon Design supplied (I did a very good portion of my testing whereas bikepacking so I did not have trekking poles).
