Best ultralight tent (with floor)

Got a Durston X-Mid 2 Ultralight for hunting season this year.....and wow it was expensive. But after a couple trips out in it, I have to say I'm more than impressed. Pitches super easy, tons of room and it's really sturdy. I did get the adjustable poles with it, because I take my trekking poles with me every day. This thing is lighter AND roomier than any other backpacking tent I've owned. I was solo with all my gear inside, but it would fit 2 guys no problem with full size pads and your packs/boots would easily fit in the vestibules - there's one on each side. It's got solid/smooth zippers (bad zippers are a pet peeve of mine), we got plenty of rain on the first trip and it was completely water tight. When you've got it pitched super tight, no single point feels stressed which gives me confidence. Didn't have any crazy wind, but I wouldn't worry about it with 2 straight poles. Where I've always had problems in the past is with poles that are bent/arced over that have a ton of tension in them.

GREAT tent and unbelievably light. I couldn't believe there was a tent inside when the box came. We'll see how it does long term, but as of now I can't recommend highly enough.

I've been looking to upgrade to the aragali any suggestions

Absolutely love my stone glacier

muffdvr said:

I've been looking to upgrade to the aragali any suggestions

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I'm really liking the looks of the Argali Owyhee 1p with the insert. I am most confident in my Kuiu Mountain Star 2p in the backcountry, its just so solid. I also have a Stone Glacier ULT with the full insert and the dedicated carbon fiber poles. Its insanely light, just a little on the small side.

I think the new Durston is about to change the game as far as a freestanding option. But if trekker supported is okay, my Gossamer Gear "The Two" is a pretty sweet setup.

Rab, 90% here won't even know what that is, but the Rab (formerly Integral designs) is bombproof and light. Our go-to's on Kodiak.

I have two ultralights, a solo (1lb) and two man (~2lbs). Neither are freestanding. Trying to camp with them anywhere there is not a good soil layer is a joke, which is basically where I usually find myself.
They're great tents once assembled, though the two man requires a PhD to set up. After using the two man this cascade buck season in September, I vowed to only use freestanding tents from now on.
This November, I was perusing the "sporting goods section" at the local Habitat for Humanity. They had a freestanding two man tent, 2.5 lbs all in, $15.They accept returns, so it came home with me.
I set it up in my LR to check it out, it had never been used. I felt like I won on a scratch-it lottery ticket.

Wedgy said:

Tent Reviews

Whether you're bivvying on the side of a wall or car camping with the family, we've got something that fits your lifestyle and your budget.

www.outdoorgearlab.com

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I followed this link and noted that construction quality was only weighted 10% in the scoring. As a person who has experienced multiple tent failures over the years due to construction or materials quality, I would give that much more importance.

P7M13 said:

I have two ultralights, a solo (1lb) and two man (~2lbs). Neither are freestanding. Trying to camp with them anywhere there is not a good soil layer is a joke, which is basically where I usually find myself.
They're great tents once assembled, though the two man requires a PhD to set up. After using the two man this cascade buck season in September, I vowed to only use freestanding tents from now on.
This November, I was perusing the "sporting goods section" at the local Habitat for Humanity. They had a freestanding two man tent, 2.5 lbs all in, $15.They accept returns, so it came home with me.
I set it up in my LR to check it out, it had never been used. I felt like I won on a scratch-it lottery ticket.

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What brand/model is it?

Country Bumpkin said:

What brand/model is it?

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Well, a retraction first. The ultralight 2 man is not ultralight, but 3lbs - a Sierra Designs Flashlight 2. The one I found at Habitat is 5.2 lbs, a Wilderness Technology North Duo.
Was stowing all my gear today in it's proper location, and the camping tub was at the bottom so I weighed them. The Sierra Design is quite compact, which is good for storage inside a pack compartment. The Wilderness technology is a long sack, so it would tie vertically to the outside of my pack like I have done for so many years.
Edit to add: the Sierra one, despite having so much mesh and breathing, had really heavy condensation this September. Learned long ago, after a week long trip to the Boundary Waters, to hang the tent for a few days in the garage so it's fully dry when I stow it.