If you’ve been in the ultralight scene for more than a minute, chances are you’ve heard about the Durston X-Mid Pro 2. This unique tent gets a lot of hype in UL circles, but does it live up to the praise? Read on to see our honest thoughts and analysis from field-testing the X-Mid Pro.

Update:Durston Gear contacted us to let us know that there are some changes coming to the X-Mid line of tents in October 2023. They’re planning to reduce the price of the X-Mid Pro 2, and they’re releasing a larger version with more space for two hikers. We’ll update our review with changes when the new X-Mid hits the market.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $679

LISTED WEIGHT: 19.6 oz.*

MEASURED WEIGHT: 20.7 oz.*

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 90 x 48 x 48 in.

*Listed weight doesn’t include the stuff sack, our measured weight does. Poles & stakes aren’t included for either measurement.

Pros

Ultralight – Durston Gear lists the weight of the X-Mid Pro 2 at 19.6 oz. without the stuff sack, and we clocked it at 20.7 with the stuff sack. No matter which number you go with, the Xmid Pro 2 is lighter than all but two of the 2-person shelters on our list of the Best Ultralight Tents – the Zpacks Duplex and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2.

We’ve found that keeping our pack weight down helps us enjoy backpacking adventures more. And one of the items that makes a big impact on your pack weight is your shelter. Using an ultralight tent like the X-Mid Pro 2 will make a huge difference in your comfort when covering long distances or tackling big elevation gains.

Excellent ventilation – One of the biggest things we think the X-Mid Pro 2 gets right over other single-wall shelters is the ventilation. All too often tent makers look to shave ounces by excluding a proper way to hold peak vents open or dropping peak vents altogether. The X-Mid has a peak vent on both vestibules and includes small struts to hold them open. Having these open vents up high will give warm air (like from your breath) a way to escape, ultimately lessening the amount of condensation you experience on the inside.

The X-Mid also makes use of the tried-and-true mesh perimeter design seen on tents like the Zpacks Duplex and Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo. We think the X-Mid does it slightly better than the Duplex but not quite as well as the Lunar Duo. The Lunar Duo has a large vertical area of mesh at the head and foot that provides excellent ventilation, while the Duplex perimeter mesh runs more horizontally to the ground. The mesh perimeter on the X-Mid blends the two styles nicely by having a decent amount of mesh at the head and foot that is continuous with the mesh sidewalls (read as: no breaks in the mesh to disrupt airflow), and it sits horizontally to let any condensation drip out.

Easy to pack & packs smaller than other Dyneema tents – Silnylon and silpoly tents pack down much smaller than Dyneema tents since they can be stuffed down tight into a stuff sack or the bottom of your pack. The main material of the X-Mid Pro is Dyneema, but the floor is made of silnylon. This greatly reduces the bulk of the tent when it’s packed away compared to other Dyneema shelters.

While you still shouldn’t use the stuff method of packing with this tent because of the Dyneema canopy, we’re impressed with how small it packs down – especially for a tent of this size.

Excellent protection in wet weather – The shape of the X-Mid Pro doesn’t leave any horizontal areas where rain/snow could pile up. Tents that shed moisture readily are less likely to have bad condensation issues inside when wet weather hits. The shape and vestibule design also keep the doors protected from drips – even when the vestibules are open – which is particularly nice when you have to take a 2 a.m. bathroom break in the rain. We’ll talk a bit more about the weather benefits of the vestibules later in this review.

Another very handy design feature (that most other UL shelters are decent at, but not quite at the level of the X-Mid Pro) is the fact that you can pitch this tent in the rain without getting the interior mesh walls and floor wet. Because you lay the tent out flat in a square with the vestibules zipped up, stake from there, then place the poles through the peak vents, rain never has a chance to enter your living space in the X-Mid Pro 2.

Durable fabrics – The canopy of the X-Mid Pro 2 is made with .55 oz. Dyneema which is extremely strong for its weight. While the X-Mid Pro hasn’t been on the market long enough for us to speak to its longevity, we can say that we’ve used other tents constructed from .55 oz. Dyneema – like the Zpacks Duplex – for years without issue.

One thing that sets the construction of the X-Mid Pro 2 apart from many other DCF shelters is that the seams are hot-bonded. The panels of most other shelters are sewn or bonded together and then taped. If a seam is sewn, each needle hole is – in theory – creating little weak spots. Seam tape is then used to cover the needle holes so the panels are completely waterproof, and it reinforces the seams to regain most of the original strength of the fabric. You can see an example of this type of seam on the Zpacks Duplex.

When two Dyneema panels are bonded, it’s usually done with a special bonding tape that can create a seamless transition through strong adhesive and pressure. Then the bond is reinforced with Dyneema tape. This type of bonding can become weak in extreme hot or cold temperatures. But it’s unlikely that the average backpacker will run into such conditions. You can see examples of this type of seam on many flat tarps, like the HMG Flat Tarp.

Hot-bonding – what’s used on the X-Mid Pro 2 – is a process that creates stronger bonds that won’t lose their integrity in harsh conditions. Is this likely to make a difference to the average user? Probably not. Is it more durable? Yes.

Excellent vestibule design – Many ultralight Dyneema shelters pitch with the vestibules raised fairly high off the ground. This can leave the tent occupant vulnerable to splashback from rain and chilly gusts. While we’ve rarely found ourselves in conditions that make the raised vestibules on other ultralight tents a big issue, we know many hikers aren’t fond of this design.

The X-Mid Pro vestibules, in contrast, can be pitched all the way to the ground and offer full protection from the elements when needed. Or you can stake them a bit higher to increase ventilation.

The vestibules are also incredibly spacious. The squared off corner provides much more usable space than the typical triangle vestibule. There’s plenty of room to store all of your gear out of the way of the door, so you’re not having to shuffle things around every time you want to go in or out.

Spacious interior – We found the interior floor space of the X-Mid Pro 2 to be more than adequate for two hikers and exceptionally spacious for one person. The dual pyramid peaks also provide a good amount of headroom at either end and along the diagonal ridgeline in the center. So if hikers sit at opposite ends of the tent facing each other – say, to wait out a storm – both people have a ton of headroom. That said, we don’t generally recommend sleeping on opposite ends as that’s likely to result in one person’s head on a downhill. This can cause blood to rush to the head and make it difficult to sleep.

This pro comes with a bit of an asterisk – we’ll talk a bit more about the issues we have with the distribution of interior volume a little later in this review.

Comes fully waterproof – It’s not uncommon for ultralight tent makers to charge more for in-house seam-sealing or to require the user to do it themselves. We’ve never really been a fan of this since we feel a tent should arrive fully waterproof and ready to hit the trail.

The X-Mid Pro 2 seams are bonded and fully waterproof from the factory. There’s no need for additional seam-sealing.

High pockets create less sag – Many tents are constructed with pockets that sit low on the interior wall so they can be easily reached while you’re laying down. While we like the convenience of having small items close at hand, it tends to cause the mesh wall on non-freestanding tents to sag inward. This usually isn’t a big enough gripe to be a dealbreaker, but we definitely appreciate that the higher pockets on the X-Mid Pro 2 don’t encroach on our sleeping area.

Cons

Interior shape makes usable space less convenient – If you’re looking at the X-Mid Pro 2 as a single-person shelter, this point won’t apply to you. We’ve seen many a happy solo hiker living their best life in the X-Mid, and we agree that it’s an exceptional tent for one.

But for those who will be sharing this tent with another hiker – this is our biggest gripe with the X-Mid and the main reason why it won’t be among our top recommendations for backcountry shelters.

The unique shape of the X-Mid does undeniably provide a lot of headroom, but not where we really want it. The interior of this tent is a parallelogram and the poles are offset from one another to create two opposing peaks at either end. This will work well if you want to sleep head-to-foot so that each hiker gets their own end with ample headspace. But that’s not how most people prefer to share a tent, and it’s not how Durston intends the X-Mid to be used.

Sleeping side-by-side, as most hikers do, results in one person having plenty of room to sit up while the other gets a face full of tent wall in the morning. On top of that, the X-Mid is designed so that the person who got the short end of the stick on headroom also sacrifices some convenience when it comes to storage. Their interior pocket is situated at the opposite end of the tent near the other peak.

Shape makes it tough to get a perfect pitch – The X-Mid is often praised for its very simple pitch. While the basics of pitching the X-Mid are quite easy – we found getting a taut pitch with no sag or surfaces for water to pool up to be a bit difficult.

To start, you lay the tent out flat and stake the corners out in a rectangle. The trouble starts if you don’t stake the corners at almost precisely 90 degrees. You’ll get the trekking poles set only to realize the floor isn’t sitting quite right or the ridgeline is bowed or a wall is billowing in the wind. Sure you can move the stakes around and improve the pitch, but we find this is often easier said than done. Backcountry campsites are usually hiding rocks that impede tent stakes just under the dirt’s surface, and even more often the ground isn’t going to be level.

In our experience, A-frame shaped tents are more forgiving when it comes to unideal pitching conditions. Especially thanks to their more compact footprint, which leads us to our next point.

Large footprint & non-freestanding design can make campsite selection difficult – Non-freestanding tents can pose a bit of a challenge when it comes to campsite selection because you need to be able to get stakes in the ground to give the tent structure. This is a potential issue with all non-freestanding tents, not just the X-Mid. But where the X-Mid adds an extra layer of difficulty is in its large rectangular footprint.

When looking at its overall dimensions, you’ll see that the X-Mid Pro 2 is an 8.3 x 6.7 ft. rectangle. That means you have to find a campsite large enough to accommodate over 55 sq. ft. For comparison, the area occupied by the footprint of the Zpacks Duplex is about 49 sq. ft. That’s about 13.6% smaller, and yet the interior floor space of the X-Mid is less than 2 sq. ft. larger than that of the Duplex.

We have also found that tents with a hexagonal footprint, like the Duplex, are easier to pitch in imperfectly shaped spaces than the rectangular footprint of the X-Mid. And when you factor in our previous point about the need to pitch the X-Mid with its corners as close to 90° as possible, campsite selection can become a bit challenging.

During testing, we sometimes had to pass up epic campsites because the tent wouldn’t fit. We’re not saying this is the only tent that we’ve experienced that with, but we did find it happened more often with the X-Mid.

Expensive – Dyneema shelters always come with a hefty price tag because DCF is an expensive fabric. The X-Mid Pro 2 costs a bit less than the Tarptent Stratospire Li and a bit more than the Zpacks Duplex, but they’re all within a $40 range of each other. We were surprised that their prices were so close because the X-Mid uses a cheaper floor material (silnylon); we were hoping to see some cost savings there. The Duplex and Stratospire are both made with Dyneema canopies and floors.

So why does the X-Mid have a similar price point to tents that are made with more Dyneema? Because the hot-bonding process used on the seams is more costly and time consuming. As we mentioned previously, this process probably won’t make much of a difference to the average user, so we’d rather have the monetary savings from the cheaper material.

You could always get the standard sil-nylon X-Mid 2 for quite a bit less money, but it does weigh almost a pound more (35.4 oz.). That’s still lighter than half of the tents on our Best Ultralight Tents list though, so it could be well worth the monetary savings if you’re willing to carry some extra weight.

90-degree zippers aren’t everyone’s favorite – This is a very small gripe, but one thing some users don’t like about zippers that meet at a corner is the inability to choose where they sit. On a round door, the zippers move together and you can place the exit point wherever you want. Sometimes hikers want both zippers to be up top so they can close the roof vent if rain or wind is really whipping up, sometimes they want the zippers at the bottom so they can easily reach out and grab a water bottle in the middle of the night.

The other side of this argument is that with the X-Mid’s zipper design you’ll never have to fumble around in the dark to find where the pulls are. They’ll always be in the same place at the bottom corner, which makes them consistent and easy to find. Some members of the CH team prefer tent zippers like the ones on the X-Mid and others don’t. In the end, this one gets chalked up to personal preference.

BOTTOM LINE

The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is a popular tent in ultralight circles, and we can see why. It’s lightweight, spacious, provides excellent weather protection, and has great ventilation. But for us the X-Mid missed the mark in a few key areas. We still think it’s a great shelter for solo hikers who want a luxurious amount of space without much weight gain over an ultralight single-person tent, but we’re not quite as keen on this shelter when shared with a partner.

Where we seem to differ in opinion the most from other accounts we’ve read is on the matter of spaciousness. For us, the parallelogram floor shape and the offset poles make the interior a bit awkward to occupy with a partner, as one person will get the short end of the stick when it comes to headroom.

The other key issue we found with this tent is that getting a nice, taut pitch with no sag was harder than we wanted. The large footprint and rectangular shape can also make campsite selection a bit more tedious than with other tents, and we’re not fond of having to struggle with a perfect pitch after a hard day on the trail.

Durston nails many of the details that make for a truly great tent experience, like well-designed vestibules, smart pockets, and outstanding ventilation. But for our two-person adventures, we found that the X-Mid fell a bit short of our high expectations.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions. And come check us out on Facebook and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

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Summer is nearing an end, but that doesn’t mean the adventures have to stop. Fall is one of our team’s favorite seasons to explore in since it means cooler weather, fewer crowds, and less bugs on the trail.

On top of that, one of REI’s best sales of the year – the Labor Day Sale – is happening from August 25-September 4th and includes some of our favorite backpacking, hiking, and camping gear. In addition to deep discounts, REI members have access to some exclusive sale items, and they’ll receive an extra 20% off one outlet item with coupon code: LABORDAY23.

We scoured the sale to find the hottest deals on top ranking items from our Gear Guides. Here’s what we’re most stoked on in this year’s sale.

Not a Member yet?

Oh yeah, if you’re not an REI member, don’t fret! You can pick up a lifetime membership for $30 and still get to use the 20% off coupon. So, your lifetime membership will pretty much pay for itself with one big purchase. Here are some of the reasons all of us here at CleverHiker have been REI members for years:

• Knowledgeable and friendly staff – We always have an awesome experience with the sales and customer service staff. They’re friendly and helpful, and they really know their stuff!
• Save money – There are so many benefits to membership, but some of our favorites are access to 20% off coupons a few times a year, 10% dividend back on full-price purchases, access to the used gear Garage Sale, and discounts on REI Adventures and in-store classes.
• REI brand products are a great value – We generally find that REI brand products strike a great balance between quality and cost. The Magma line of sleeping bags and the Half Dome line of tents are some of our favorite products from their wide range of offerings.
• REI has an excellent return policy – Customer service reigns supreme here. REI gives you 365 days to return or exchange items and we love the ability to buy online and return in store.
• REI is getting into the ultralight game – We’re pretty stoked to see REI jumping into the ultralight arena. They’re now stocking their shelves with UL retailers, such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, as well as upgrading many of their REI brand product lines to focus on fast and light gear.

Footwear

Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Runners – 25% Off

Altra Lone Peaks have long been the flagship shoe of lightweight hikers due to their low weight, grippy outsole, and roomy fit. The 7th iteration of the LPs (men’s / women’s) just might be our favorite – they’re more durable, and have a dialed-in fit. The Lone Peaks landed top spots on our Best Hiking Shoes for Men / Women and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men / Women lists.

All KEEN Footwear – 25% Off

KEEN Targhees are built with a wide toe box and they require very little break-in to achieve a comfy fit. We recommend the Targhee III Mids (men’s / women’s) if you need ankle support and the Targhee III Low (men’s / women’s) if you want something a little less bulky. Get more info about the Targhees on our Best Hiking Boots for Men / Women and Best Hiking Shoes for Men / Women lists.

La Sportiva Hiking & Running Footwear – 25% Off

La Sportiva makes a plethora of high quality hiking and running shoes. The Bushido trail running shoes (men’s / women’s) have awesome traction and feel very stable on rough terrain. The Nucleo Highs (men’s / women’s) are super comfy, and they’re exceptionally lightweight for how rugged they are. Both models rank highly on ourBest Hiking Boots for Men / Women and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men / Women.

Oboz Bridgers & Sawtooths – 25% Off

Oboz is known for their premium insoles that provide unrivaled support, and now’s your chance to snag a pair of their Bridgers or Sawtooths at a great price. The well-cushioned Sawtooth X Low Hiking Shoes (men’s / women’s) and Bridger Mids (men’s / women’s) are featured on our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men / Women and Best Hiking Boots for Men / Women.

Tents

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 & UL3 – 25% Off

The Copper Spur HV UL2 and UL3 are some of Big Agnes’ best-sellers, and they’re among our all-time favorite backpacking tents. The ultralight freestanding design of the Copper Spur enables hikers to pitch almost anywhere, and it doesn’t sacrifice convenience, weather protection, or livability. The UL2 has enough space for two regular-width sleeping pads and some gear, while the UL3 is roomy enough for two wide pads and keeping all of your gear inside.

REI Half Dome Tents – 30% Off

The REI Half Dome series of tents are a good value for those wanting a tent that’s practical for both backpacking and car camping. These tents provide a good balance of durability, interior space, and affordability, and their freestanding design makes them easy to set up. Our favorite size for backpacking is the 2 Plus, and the 3 Plus is more comfortable and spacious for car camping. The Half Dome tents are featured on our Best Camping Tents and Best Backpacking Tents lists.

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P & 6P – 25% Off

The NEMO Aurora Highrise is a great tent for those wanting something spacious and easy to set up. We love the big door on the front and the fact that you can see out of the windows on all four sides – even when it’s raining. This tent is made with high-quality materials, so it’s ready to rock if a storm comes your way. And it’s plenty durable, so it’ll last for many years if you treat it with care. Learn more about the Aurora Highrise on our Best Camping Tents list.

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 & UL3 Tent – 25% Off

Ounce-counting hikers will love the ultralight, semi-freestanding design of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 and UL3. With enough structure to perform well in inclement weather, but a weight that’s barely noticeable in your pack – the Tiger Wall is a more convenient alternative to non-freestanding ultralight tents. The Tiger Wall has a lot to love for ultralight backpackers and is on our Best Backpacking Tents list.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 – 25% Off

This Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 is among the lightest double-wall, semi-freestanding tents on the market. It has a similar floor plan to theBig Agnes Tiger Wall, but the Fly Creek only has one door and vestibule which limits its livability. Still, many hikers love it for its miniscule weight, and it earned a mention on our list of the Best Backpacking Tents.

Sleep System

Exped Megamat Duo & Single – 30% Off

The Exped MegaMat Duo / Single are two of the most luxurious camp mattresses we’ve ever tested. They’re four inches thick, so you won’t feel pressure points or bottom-out if you toss and turn. The Megamat self-inflates, so all you have to do is top it off for the perfect pressure. And when your trip is over, the one-way deflation valve and top-loading stuff sack make packing up quick and easy. The Megamat is at the top of our Best Camping Mattresses list.

Exped Megasleep 25/40 – 30% Off

The Exped MegaSleep 25/40 (single / double) is great for those who want one space-saving sleeping bag that can adapt to different temperatures and conditions. Use the bag with the dark blue side on the top to keep you warm in temperatures down to freezing, or flip it over and have the less insulated light blue side up for warm summer nights. The Megasleep bag is one of our top sleeping bag picks for car camping

Big Agnes King Solomon Double – 25% Off

The Big Agnes King Solomon sleeping bag is a great choice for pairs who want top-of-the-line comfort and quality for summer trips. It’s insulated with 650-fill-power down for efficient warmth and packability. The built-in pad and pillow sleeves reduce slipping, and keep everything right where you want it for a more restful night. Get more info about the King Solomon on our list of the Best Camping Sleeping Bags.

NEMO Roamer – 25% Off

The NEMO Roamer XL Wide weighs a few ounces less than comparable pads and it’s about half the size of others when packed. On top of that, there are a lot of little details that make the Roamer truly great, like flat zero-profile valves, a welcoming fabric sleep surface, and toggles to hitch two or more mattresses together. If you want to have all the comfort of an XL thick mattress and save space at the same time, the Roamer is one of the most ideal options from our list of the Best Camping Mattresses.

Big Agnes Rapide SL – 25% Off

The Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated is a super cushy, durable, and warm sleeping pad for 3-season adventures. Where the Rapide differentiates itself from other pads is its large side rails that help to keep you centered on the pad throughout the night. The Rapide is also 3.5 inches thick, making it one of the thickest backpacking pads on the market. At 19 ounces, the Rapide is among the heavier pads on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads, but its unique comfort and affordable price point still make it a great choice for many backpackers.

Backpacks

Osprey Atmos 65 & Aura 65 – 25% Off

If comfort reigns supreme for you and you don’t mind carrying some extra weight into the backcountry, the Osprey Atmos 65 (men’s) & Aura 65 (women’s) are great options. Thanks to their ample padding and beefy suspension, these packs transfer weight to the hips much better than any lightweight pack. The Atmos and Aura are fan favorites in many backpacking circles, and they rank highly on our Best Backpacking Backpacks list.

REI Flash 55 – 30% Off

The REI Flash 55 (men’s / women’s) backpacking pack is an affordable option for hikers looking to keep their pack weight down. This pack has a comfy hip belt, a supportive foam back panel, and a removable top lid. One of our favorite features of the Flash backpacking packs is what REI refers to as Packmod – the straps and pockets can be reconfigured into a whole bunch of combinations. The Flash 55 is a top pick on our list of the Best Backpacking Backpacks.

Osprey Talon 22 & Tempest 20 – 25% Off

The Osprey Talon 22 (men’s) and Tempest 20 (women’s) are our top picks on our list of the Best Hiking Daypacks. They provide an exceptional balance of comfort, convenience, and functionality. With cushy hip belts, padded shoulder straps, and ventilated back panels, the Talon and Tempest ride very comfortably on the trail. These packs have plenty of room for a full day adventure and convenient storage compartments to keep our gear organized nicely.

Camelbak Hydrobak – 25% Off

The ultralight CamelBak HydroBak (men’s / women’s) is a sleek, minimalist hydration pack that’s comfortable and easy to move in. It’s primarily intended to carry water and has very little gear capacity, so it’s best for short outings. The included Crux Hydration Reservoir is easy to clean due to its wide-mouth opening, and the large handle makes filling up hassle-free. Learn more on our Best Hydration Backpacks list.

Osprey Farpoint & Fairview Travel Packs – 25% Off

The Osprey Farpoint (men’s sizes) and Fairview 40 (women’s sizes) are comfortable and versatile bags with quality construction. They can be tailored to many different travel styles with the option to carry as a backpack, a briefcase, or a messenger bag. Learn more about the Farpoint and Fairview on our Best Travel Backpacks list.

Clothing

REI 650 Down Jacket – 30% Off

The REI 650 Down Jacket (men’s / women’s) is a great option for lightweight adventurers on a budget. It’s made with lower-fill-power down, which means it’s not quite as technical and efficient as more expensive jackets, but we’re very happy with its performance for the price. The 650 Down is our favorite budget-friendly ultralight jacket on our Best Down Jackets list.

All Darn Tough Socks – 25% Off

Darn Tough offers some of our favorite socks on the market, including the top picks on our Best Hiking Socks list – the Micro Crew Cushion (men’s / women’s) and Micro Crew Light Cushion (men’s / women’s). They’re super comfortable and highly functional, but by far their greatest asset is their durability.

All REI Brand Rain Jackets & Pants – 30% Off

All REI brand rain jackets and pants are on deep discount right now. Our favorites for backpacking are the already budget-friendly Rainier Jacket and Pants. If you’re looking for something a bit more durable check out the XeroDry GTX Jacket (men’s / women’s). With so many options available, outdoor clothing can be pretty tough to pick. Take a look at our Best Rain Jackets and Best Rain Pants lists to find the perfect rain gear for your lifestyle.

REI Sahara Hiking Pants, Shorts & Shirts – 30% Off

Need a full hiking wardrobe overhaul? All REI Sahara hiking clothing is on sale, including favorites from our lists of the Best Hiking Pants for Men / Women, Best Hiking Shorts for Men / Women, and Best Sun Shirts. Some highlights include the pocket-filled Sahara Convertible Pants for utilitarian hikers, the versatile Sahara Shorts, and the sun protective Sahara Shade Hoodie.

PrAna Stretch Zion & Halle Hiking Pants – 25% Off

PrAna makes a lot of great hiking pants with a reputation for comfort and durability, but our favorites are the  Stretch Zions for men and the Halle Pants for women. Both styles strike an excellent balance between trail-worthy performance and body-flattering fit. We’ve rocked the Stretch Zions and Halles for years, and both rank highly on our Best Hiking Pants for Men / Women lists.

PrAna Stretch Zion II Shorts – 25% Off

Prana clothing is known for having a great balance of style and longevity, and the Stretch Zion II Shorts certainly live up to that reputation. The fabric is stretchy, easy to move in, and thick yet breathable for durability and comfort. And those going for utility will like that the Zions offer a ton of secure storage without feeling or looking frumpy like some other cargo shorts. We listed the Stretch Zions as the best value on our Best Hiking Shorts guide.

Kuhl Deceptr Pants – 25% Off

The minimalist Kuhl Deceptr Pants have a sleek look, thoughtful pocket design, and a comfortable fit. The fabric on the Deceptr pants is lightweight and stretchy, so they perform very well whether you’re traveling, hitting the trail after a day around town, or backpacking. Check out how they compare to others on our list of the Best Hiking Pants for Men.

All REI Brand Base Layers – 30% Off

Base layers are awesome for adding a ton of warmth to your clothing system without adding much weight. We’ve been using REI Base Layers on backpacking trips for years. We’re partial to the Midweight Top (men’s / women’s) and Base Layer Bottoms (men’s / women’s), but REI makes a wide variety of styles to suit your taste. For more info on creating an effective backpacking clothing system, visit our Best Base Layers and Hiking Clothing 101 posts.

All Columbia Clothing – 25% Off

Columbia is known for making quality clothing at a value price. Several Columbia items found their way onto our clothing guides, but some of our absolute favorites are the flattering Saturday Trail Pants from our list of the Best Hiking Pants for Women and the budget friendly Steens Mountain (men’s)/Benton Springs (women’s) jackets from our Best Fleece Jackets list.

Other Gear

Select Hydro Flask Drinkware – 25% Off

Hydro Flask is known for top-notch insulation, eye-catching color, and excellent accessories. We’ve used a bunch of different Hydro Flask products, and it’s hard to pick a favorite, but we’re particular fans of the 32 oz. Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle and the Lightweight Series Bottles. Check out our Best Water Bottles list to see more about our favorite Hydro Flask bottles and accessories.

All Black Diamond Headlamps – 25% Off

All Black Diamond headlamps are on sale, but the Black Diamond Spot 400 is our favorite and is a top pick from our Best Headlamps List. It’s sleek, comfortable, and stays the brightest for the longest out of any of the headlamps we tested. We highly recommend this feature-rich, high-quality headlamp and we think its price point makes it an exceptional value buy compared to the competition.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – 25% off

The Sawyer Squeeze has been a mainstay on our Best Backpacking Water Filters List for years. It’s incredibly lightweight at only 3 oz., very compact, and is quite affordable. While squeezing the bag can become tedious over time, we find the Sawyer Squeeze to be one of the more convenient water filters on the market – no pumping, no wait times.

Jetboil Flash – 25% Off

For hikers who mostly use a stove for boiling water to rehydrate freeze-dried meals, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Jetboil Flash. If you’re looking for the fastest and most convenient stove for backpacking, The Flash is one of the fastest and most convenient stoves for backpacking, which made it a top choice on our Best Backpacking Stove List.

All Rumpl Blankets – 25% Off

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is like a cozy comforter that’s made for the outdoors. It’s highly resistant to moisture and dirt, so it easily sheds spills, debris, or pet hair with a quick shake. We like this blanket for wrapping up in camp or to use on top of a summer sleeping bag for extra warmth when temperatures dip. The Original Puffy is our top pick on our Best Camping Blankets list because it’s affordable for the quality and it comes in a huge variety of colors.

Platypus Gravityworks Water Filter – 25% Off

The convenience of the Platypus GravityWorks is tough to beat, especially for groups. To use the GravityWorks, simply fill up the “dirty” water bag, hang it above the “clean” bag, and let gravity do its thing. The main benefit? No tedious pumping or squeezing required. See how the Gravityworks compares to other water filters on our Best Water Filters list.

REI Brand Camp Furniture – 30% Off

A good chair can really take your camping game to the next level. The Camp Skyward Chair is a simple, affordable option that’s great for sitting around a campfire, at the beach, or just about anywhere. The Camp X ranks highly on our Best Camping Chairs list. To complete the setup, pick up the REI Co-op Camp Prep Table. We named it best overall on our Best Camping Tables list because it’s sturdy, stable, and has a slatted aluminum tabletop that’s heat resistant and easy to clean.

Eureka Ignite Stoves – 25% Off

The portable and convenient Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Stove is perfect for cooking up gourmet meals around the campfire. Its push button ignitor makes it easy to use, and the simmer control function allows for precise cooking. If you’ll be cooking for a larger group, you may want to upgrade to the Ignite Plus for the wider burners. Check out the Ignite Plus on our Best Camping Stoves list.

All Leki Trekking Poles – 25% Off

If you haven’t jumped on the trekking pole hype train yet, check out our Pros and Cons of Hiking with Trekking Poles post to see why we like them. Leki’s Khumbu Lite trekking poles are some of our favorites for their low weight and durable build. See how the Micro Varios compare to other trekking poles on our Best Trekking Poles list.

Platypus QuickDraw Filter – 25% Off

The Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter is one of the most durable squeeze filters on the market, so it’s a great choice for thru-hikers or anyone who’s tough on gear. The reservoir that comes with the QuickDraw is sturdy, taste-free, and has a convenient handle that makes filling it easy. Its tough build, fast flow rate, and premium reservoir earned it a spot on our list of the Best Water Filters.

REI Brand Coolers – 30% Off

REI has a large line of coolers that range from flat-packs to backpacks. We own the Pack Away Cooler in multiple sizes, and we love them because they take up virtually no space when not in use and they have a convertible design that turns them into a lunchbox. The Pack-Away is featured on our Best Coolers list. The Cool Trail Split Pack is a unique backpack-style cooler that’s perfect for carrying everything you need for a day out.

MSR Windburner Stove – 25% Off

We love canister stove systems because they’re easy to use, great in windy conditions, and efficient. This stove type works best for folks who typically only need to heat water for coffee and backpacking meals, but you do still have some control over the strength of the flame for cooking with the Windburner. You can find more info about the Windburner on our Best Backpacking Stoves list.

Camelbak Crux Reservoirs – 25% Off

The Crux Hydration Reservoir is easy to clean due to its wide-mouth opening, and the large handle makes filling up hassle-free. This reservoir comes in a variety of sizes, but we think the 2L model is usually plenty of water capacity and it fits most daypacks comfortably. Learn more about the Crux on our Best Hydration Packs list.

Up to 50% off Clearance

The season of new gear releases is upon us which means last year’s colors and designs are going on clearance. If you don’t mind being a little behind on the latest fashion trends and gear updates, this is the perfect time to grab some big ticket items (like footwear and tents) at a deep discount.

In addition, from August 25th-September 4th members can save an extra 20% off one REI Outlet item using coupon code LABORDAY23.

More Information

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.

If you found this guide helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks.

For more popular CleverHiker content, check out the following links:

• CleverHiker Gear Guide
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks
• Essential Trail Skills Videos
• Lightweight Gear Foundations Videos
• Backpacking Trip Guides

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is revered in the ultralight backpacking world for its palace-like spaciousness, low weight, and affordable price tag.

We were first intrigued by the Lunar Duo over a decade ago when we saw it while thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Since then, we’ve pitched it hundreds of times on trips throughout the Rockies and all over the Pacific Northwest. Read on to see how the Duo stacks up against dozens of other backpacking tent designs we’ve tested over the years.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $395

LISTED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 13 oz.

MEASURED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 14.4 oz.

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 90 x 54 x 45 in.

Pros

EXCEPTIONALLY SPACIOUS – One of the standout attributes of the Lunar Duo is its exceptionally spacious interior. With a 45-inch peak height that’s well-distributed by the arched brow poles, a 7 ½-foot length, and generous 54-inch width (big enough for two wide sleeping pads), this tent is roomier than most 2-person tents by a fair amount. So, if you’re tall or want plenty of elbow room to make sharing space with a partner more comfortable, this may be the perfect tent for you.

AFFORDABLE – With an MSRP less than $400, the Lunar Duo is among the least expensive ultralight backpacking tents on the market. Comparable tents from big brands and cottage companies often retail for $100-400 more. We’ve gotten a ton of use out of our Lunar Duo and it’s still going strong after thousands of miles on tough trails. Needless to say, we think it’s an excellent value, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lighter and more comfortable tent for the money.

The Lunar Duo is offered in an Explorer model ($395, 45 oz.) as well as an Outfitter model ($210, 57 oz.). We’re partial to the Explorer model for the weight and bulk savings, and we think it’s worth the extra cost over the long run. That said, we’ve used both models extensively and we think they’re both excellent backpacking tents.

ULTRALIGHT – The Lunar Duo weighs 2 lbs. 13 oz. (45 oz.), which is very light for a 2-person 2-door tent – especially one with this much interior space. This weight doesn’t include tent stakes or poles, though, so be sure to take that into account when comparing it to freestanding or semi-freestanding tents.

The Lunar Duo is ultralight, but it isn’t the lightest or most compact tent out there. If you’re really serious about minimizing pack weight, you may want to consider even lighter options. We’ll touch on this a bit more later.

EXCELLENT VENTILATION – There are hooded vents at the top of each door in the Lunar Duo’s rainfly, as well as plenty of airflow around the entire lower perimeter. The canopy is floating, so you can also raise or lower it to adjust how much of a gap you want between the bottom of the fly and the ground.

In clear conditions, the Duo’s vestibules can be rolled back completely for wide views and a cross breeze. Hooks on the guylines allow you to secure one, both, or no sides of the vestibules. This design gives you a lot of control over your tent’s ventilation, and allows you to quickly adapt to changing weather conditions.

TWO DOORS & XL VESTIBULES – Two doors and vestibules are practically essential in our book, especially when traveling as a pair. The Lunar Duo has a large door on each side, so there’s no waiting in line to get out of the weather or crawling over your partner when nature calls at night.

There’s also plenty of room in the oversized vestibules for hikers to store and access their gear. In fact, the vestibules on the Duo are some of the largest we’ve seen on a backpacking tent.

DURABLE – The Lunar Duo is one of the few ultralight backpacking tents on the market made with 30-denier floor and canopy material. Thicker individual threads in the fabric make this tent tougher than a lot of backpacking tents which are often constructed with 20, 15, or even 10-denier material to save weight.

That’s great news for hikers with dogs or anyone who wants to be a bit more carefree with their gear. Since the floor is 30D, we usually don’t feel the need to use a footprint to protect this tent, which keeps more weight and bulk out of our packs.

EXCELLENT WEATHER PROTECTION – We’ve waited out countless downpours and hailstorms in the notoriously stormy Rocky Mountains in the Lunar Duo, and it’s always done an excellent job of keeping us comfortable and dry. Once it’s seam sealed (more on that below), the silnylon rainfly is fully waterproof and trustworthy in even the harshest summer storms.

The Lunar Duo is non-freestanding, so it’s critical to pitch it taught, making sure the stakes have good purchase and you’re using all the guyout points when high winds are expected. We’ve been through some extremely turbulent winds in this tent, and though the experience wasn’t entirely stress-free, it gave us full confidence in the Lunar Duo for weather protection.

FULL INSECT PROTECTION – Unlike some ultralight tarp shelters, the Duo is fully enclosed to keep insects and critters at bay. It has a built-in bathtub floor and an attached mesh inner tent that zips shut, so you can rest easy knowing you aren’t going to wake up with a spider on your face. A single-wall tent like the Lunar Duo is a good happy medium for those who want their shelter to be light, but also bug-free.

RE-TENSIONABLE FROM INSIDE – Another feature that makes the Lunar Duo unique is that the main guylines can be re-tensioned from inside the tent. This comes in really handy – especially when it rains – because silnylon tends to sag when cold and wet, leaving you with a floppy shelter blowing in the wind. With the Duo, you can re-tighten your guylines without having to get out of your sleeping bag.

Cons

HEAVIER THAN SOME – The Lunar Duo (45 oz.) is very lightweight, but it’s significantly heavier than some of the lightest ultralight non-freestanding tents. You could save 1-2 pounds by choosing a tent like the Zpacks Duplex (18.5 oz.), Triplex (21.6 oz.), or HMG Unbound 2 (24 oz.). These tents are all made with Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) though, which almost doubles the cost. If saving weight is a top priority for you, it could be well worth the investment to buy one of these top-of-the-line ultralight tents. If you’d rather carry a little more weight and save a bunch of money, the Lunar Duo is an excellent choice.

The Gossamer Gear The Two ($320) is a solid option for ultralight backpackers on a budget. It costs less than the Lunar Duo, and it’s quite a bit lighter at 23.5 oz., but it’s made with thin 10-denier fabric and isn’t nearly as roomy as the Duo. Another budget option for ultralight backpackers is the SMD Haven ($375). It weighs 38.1 oz., so it’s a little lighter than the Lunar Duo, and it comes with a tarp and inner net that can be used together or separately. It’s not as spacious, but it’s a good alternative for hikers that want the versatility of a tarp for fast and light trips.

STAKES & POLES NOT INCLUDED – Tent stakes and poles are not included with the Lunar Duo, so you’ll need to consider the added cost and weight of these to complete your setup. Most hikers use a pair of adjustable trekking poles to support the Lunar Duo. If you don’t use trekking poles, you’ll need to pack two carbon fiber poles ($40, 1.8 oz. each) or aluminum tent poles ($15, 3 oz. each) to pitch this tent.

We almost always use eight tent stakes to pitch the Lunar Duo; four for the corners, two for the vestibules, and one each at the head and foot of the tent. It’s critical to choose stakes with solid holding power for this tent. These All One Tech Aluminum Stakes are affordable and have worked well for us in most terrain.

NOT FACTORY SEAM-SEALED – The Lunar Duo needs to be seam sealed to be fully waterproof, and we think it’s a bit unfortunate that it doesn’t automatically come that way. You can pay Six Moon Designs $35 for their seam sealing service, or you can do it yourself with a product like Seam Grip. If you like DIY projects, seam sealing isn’t too bad to do yourself, but we generally recommend paying for the manufacturer to seam seal so your tent will be ready to go when it arrives.

LEARNING CURVE TO PITCH – There’s a bit of a learning curve to setting up a non-freestanding tent like the Lunar Duo. We recommend following SMD’s Lunar Duo Setup Instructions and practicing before your first trip to learn how to get the pole height and spacing just right. After a couple practice pitches, it’ll only take you 5-10 minutes to set up the Lunar Duo. That said, it will never be quite as quick and easy as pitching a typical freestanding tent.

Non-freestanding tents like the Duo can also be trickier to set up when the ground is too hard for tent stakes or is so soft (think sand) that tent stakes won’t hold. In situations like this you’ll need to get creative with logs, rocks, or other objects to help tie down your shelter. In the end, with a non-freestanding tent like the Lunar Duo you’ll often spend a bit more time in camp perfecting the pitch of your tent, but your pack will feel lighter all day long on the trail.

CONDENSATION – A general con of single-wall tents is that they don’t have a mesh barrier to separate the hikers inside from the rain fly. That means you could potentially have condensation droplets on the inside of the tent in chilly, humid conditions. When this happens, it’s uncomfortable to rub against the interior of the rainfly, which will feel cold and wet. On the rare occasion it’s necessary, we use a small PackTowl to carefully wipe down the inside of the fly.

In our experience, the Lunar Duo performs better than most single-wall tents as far as interior condensation goes because of its excellent ventilation. It also has more headspace than your average tent, so it’s less likely that your head or the foot of your sleeping bag will make contact with the rainfly.

REQUIRES BIGGER CAMPSITES – We love the Lunar Duo’s spacious interior and oversized vestibules, but the downside is that you’ll need a bigger area to pitch the tent. Occasionally, we’ve had to pass up smaller campsites in search of a suitable place to pitch the Lunar Duo, but that’s rarely an issue.

BOTTOM LINE

If you’re looking for a roomy, ultralight shelter at an exceptionally affordable price, there are few tents that compare to the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo.

Though there are inherent downsides with any non-freestanding tent – a bit harder to pitch and condensation management – we generally feel that the benefits of the Duo heavily outweigh the cons.

It’s tough to find backpacking tents that strike such a great balance between weight, interior space, and price like the Lunar Duo. In addition, this tent is more durable than many ultralight tents, so you can count on it to last for years of adventure.

We think the Lunar Duo is an excellent choice for backpacking pairs, which is why it’s featured on our lists of the Best Backpacking Tents and Best Ultralight Tents.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide, where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Soto Windmaster is touted as one of the absolute best backpacking stoves for its superior wind performance. But does it really outperform other canister stoves when the wind starts whipping?

We put the Soto Windmaster to the test against the other top backpacking stoves on the market to find out if it truly lives up to its name.

QUICK SPECS

MSRP: $70

LISTED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Support)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Support)

FUEL TYPE:Isobutane/propane canister

PROS

Excellent wind performance – We’ve used the Windmaster in some pretty windy conditions – exposed washes in the Sonoran desert, high-elevation ridges in the Cascades, and sprawling lava flows in Central Oregon. And we have to say, we’ve been very impressed with the performance of this stove every time.

The reason many stoves struggle to work efficiently in the wind is because there’s too much open space between the burner and the pot. The Windmaster is designed with a lip around the burner to block some wind at the source of the flame, and the pot sits relatively close to the burner head compared to other leading stoves.

The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is very similar in design with its recessed burner, but the arms of Pocket Rocket aren’t attached to the burner head like the arms on the Windmaster are. The Pocket Rocket design leaves more space for wind to cut the efficiency of your flame.

While the performance of all stoves will be affected by the wind in some capacity, we have found the Windmaster to be noticeably better in the wind than other canister stoves.

Lightweight – With the included 4Flex Pot Support, the Windmaster weighs only 3.1 oz. And hikers who were previously carrying a windscreen with a different stove can save some weight by ditching it for the superior wind performance of the Windmaster.

Compared to other stoves on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves, the Windmaster is the fourth lightest. That said, the top five lightest stoves on the list range from 1 oz. to 3.2 oz. – not a dramatic difference. The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is probably the closest in design to the Windmaster – it weighs 2.9 oz., or 0.2 oz. less than the Windmaster.

Hikers who are really looking to shave every bit of weight and bulk without sacrificing the great wind performance can save around 20 grams (0.7 oz.) by getting the TriFlex Pot Support. We’ll dive a little deeper into the TriFlex later in this review.

Good simmer control/efficient boiling – The Windmaster allows for a good range of control over your flame, so you can boil quickly or simmer slowly for the perfect backcountry meal. We think there are too many factors that go into boil times to make that a truly accurate comparative measurement. But SOTO claims the Windmaster can boil 2 cups of water in less than 2.5 minutes, which we find to be generally accurate under normal conditions.

Stable 4-prong pot support – One of our favorite things about the Windmaster is the strong and stable 4Flex Pot Support that comes with it. This support allows you to use larger pots with the Windmaster, without the stove struggling under the weight or your pot becoming unbalanced.

The outstanding pot support is especially great for couples who prefer to share a single large pot for boiling water.

Interchangeable pot supports – A unique feature of the Windmaster is the ability to swap between the sturdy 4Flex Support (included with the Windmaster) and the ultralight TriFlex Support (sold separately).

We typically always prefer to take the 4Flex Support since it adds a lot of stability for a very small amount of weight over the TriFlex. But hikers who are counting every gram and use a smaller pot may prefer the 0.7 oz. weight savings of the TriFlex.

With the 4Flex, the Windmaster weighs 3.1 oz. – the fourth lightest stove on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves. With the TriFlex, the stove about 2.4 oz. – the third lightest on our list.

Durable – This little stove is very durable for the weight. We’ve tested it on over 500 miles of trail with two hikers using it, and we expect it to last for several more years.

Piezo ignitor – This is a somewhat small perk, since we often find that the Piezo (push-button ignitor) is the first thing to fail on stoves. But it’s a convenient feature – especially in windy areas where it can be difficult to use a lighter.

As we mentioned above, though, the Windmaster is very well-made. And after 500+ miles of consistent use, the Piezo is still working beautifully and generally ignites on the first or second push. Either way, we always bring a Mini Bic as a backup fire source – even if our stove has a Piezo.

CONS

Expensive – The Windmaster is one of the most expensive canister stoves on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves (not including integrated stove systems, like the Jetboil Flash). That said, it’s only $10 more than two of our other top picks -the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and the Snow Peak LiteMax.

We think the Windmaster is worth the cost for hikers who often hike in windy areas – above treeline, in open deserts, or in coastal regions – since it will boil a lot more efficiently than many of the other top stoves.

Bulkier than some – The Soto Windmaster is a bit longer than many other stoves, and the removable pot support – especially the 4Flex – is bulkier than the more common foldable arms on other stoves. It can be a bit tough to pack the Windmaster into smaller pots because of this. Even larger pots may not be able to accommodate the stove and a small fuel canister at the same time.

We usually just store the Windmaster separate from our cookpot in our food bag. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does require you to be a bit mindful of how things are packed so you don’t bend the arms on the pot support.

A bit easier to burn food if you’re not paying attention – One thing to keep in mind is that since your pot sits closer to the flame on the Windmaster than it does on many other canister stoves, you should keep a closer eye on the contents of your pot while you’re cooking/boiling. The more concentrated flame can overheat any food at the bottom of your pot a little more quickly than other stoves.

BOTTOM LINE

We’re big fans of the Soto Windmaster, and we highly recommend it to hikers who are over struggling against the wind to get a quick boil. Though it’s a bit on the expensive side for a canister stove, we think the Windmaster is worth every penny for its durability, stable pot supports, and efficiency. The Windmaster is one of our go-to stoves for exposed, windy areas and for hikes where we’re sharing a cookset with a partner. We’ve been whipping up delicious backcountry meals over hundreds of trail miles with this stove, and it’s one of our all-time favorites.

See how the Windmaster compares to our other favorites on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Soto Windmaster is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop is one of our favorite hikes we’ve ever done in Oregon. Out in this Eastern Oregon paradise, you’ll encounter crystal clear lakes, vibrant fields of wildflowers, ample opportunities to view wildlife, and sweeping views of the Blue Mountain Range.

The Strawberries are a little off the beaten path, but this trip is well-worth the drive if you’ve got a long weekend.

Quick Facts

• Distance: About 20 miles (varies depending on which side trails you take)

• Days needed: 2-3 days to really experience all this area has to offer

• Type: Loop

• Elevation gain: About 5200 ft. including the side trail to summit Strawberry Mountain

• Best travel time: Summer- early fall (July-October depending on weather)

• Permits: You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or Interagency (America the Beautiful) Pass to park at trailheads in the Malheur National Forest

• Difficulty: Challenging

Highlights

• High elevation lakes with tons of fish

• Sweeping views of the Blue Mountains

• Abundant wildlife (mountain goats, deer, birds, butterflies, etc.)

• Tons of wildflowers (usually July-August)

• Waterfalls

• Relative solitude

• Summiting the highest mountain in the Malheur National Forest

• Well-maintained trail

Lowlights

• Lots of sun exposure

• Some fall risk on narrow trail through scree fields

• Mosquitoes in the spring/summer – especially near the lakes

• Road to the trailhead is a bit sketchy

Best Time to Travel

The best time to visit the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is in the summer, but you may be able to access the area in early fall depending on snow. 

We hiked the trail in late July, which we thought was perfect timing. We didn’t have many mosquitoes (except in the evenings near lakes), there were plenty of wildflowers, and the temps weren’t too hot during the day nor too cold at night.

Difficulty

Difficulty depends on your experience, physical fitness, pack weight, & weather conditions.

We would categorize this hike as challenging due to the considerable amount of elevation gain, sections of narrow trail through steep/loose scree slopes, and some difficulty navigating.

We fully believe that the heavier your backpack is, the harder your hike will be. We have our full list of gear recommendations and tips at the end of this guide. 

Permits

No permits are needed to hike the Strawberry Mountains Wilderness Loop, but make sure you have a Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful pass to park at the trailhead

Getting There

The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop is a bit off the beaten path, and is a fairly long drive from any major population center. The drive is beautiful, though, and will take you through the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument if you’re coming from the west.

These directions are for getting to the Strawberry Basin Trailhead, but you could also start from the Roads End Trailhead or High Lake Trailhead (both are on FR-1640, but Google doesn’t recognize them – navigating to High Lake, Oregon will get you to either trailhead). The road up to Strawberry Basin was rutted, narrow, and steep in sections, but we were able to make it up and down (very slowly) in our older 2WD dually Sprinter Van. There were also several small sedans up there, so most vehicles would be okay going up this road at a slow pace with careful maneuvering. We do not recommend pulling trailers past the Horse Camp on NF-6001.

• From Portland – From Portland you’ll have just over five and a half very worthwhile hours to travel. There are a couple of different route options, and – while both are beautiful – we think the route that goes through Prineville is the most scenic and only adds about 15 minutes to the drive time. You’ll take Highway 26 all the way East to Prairie City, and then turn right on Bridge St. which becomes Strawberry Rd and then NF-6001. This road ends at the Strawberry Basin Trailhead.

• From Bend – Coming from Central Oregon’s most populous city, you’ll travel for just over three and a half hours. Head northeast to go through Prineville, then stay on HWY 26 all the way to Prairie City. Turn right onto Bridge St., and follow it all the way to the end to get to the trailhead.

• From Boise – Boise hikers will have less than three and a half hours to drive to get to the Strawberries. Take I-84 north to HWY 26 west. When you get to Prairie City, take a left on Bridge St., and follow that road to its southern end at the trailhead.

Maps & Guidebooks

We recommend downloading the Avenza phone app. and purchasing the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Map (about $5) which covers this loop and the surrounding area. Using this app, you can see your real-time location on the map. This saved us a couple times in the less-traveled southeastern side of the loop.

If you have an iPhone, Topo Maps+ is another great navigation tool that will give you access to a ton of different maps and powerful route-tracking features.

Check out our guide on How to Use Your Phone as GPS Device to see how to get the most out of your smart device.

You can also print or buy maps through the following links:

• CalTopo

• Forest Service Topography Maps

• Discover Your Northwest: Strawberry Mountain & Monument Rock Wilderness Map

Regulations

It’s always important to practice Leave No Trace when you go into nature to protect yourself and others, wildlife, and the environment. 

Before you head into the wilderness, you should check the Malheur National Forest – Strawberry Mountain Wilderness page to check the fire danger in the area. While many backcountry sites have fire rings at them, our strong recommendation would be to avoid building fires. If you do plan to have a campfire during low fire danger times, be sure you read through our Campfire Safety Tips Guide.

Dogs are allowed on this hike, but we recommend leaving your pup at home for this one. The trail is frequently narrow, covered in loose rock/scree, and often has steep drop-offs to one side. Wildlife is also abundant, so if you do plan to bring your dog – keep it on a leash to minimize risk to the forest inhabitants and your pooch. Get more advice on our 14 Tips for Hiking & Backpacking With a Dog page.

Water

Water is easy to access from springs and lakes for the first six miles of this trail (going counterclockwise from Strawberry Basin trailhead). The driest stretch is from about a half mile before the Strawberry Mountain summit trail to High Lake (about 7 miles including the summit). Be sure to stock up before you head up this sun-exposed section. We recommend carrying no less than two liters for this part of the hike. 

After High Lake, you’ll trek a somewhat strenuous three miles before you have access to water again via a short side trail to Slide Lake. It’s a good idea to carry extra through this steep and exposed section, as well.

Slide Lake is your last major water source before you hike the last 3.5 miles back to the trailhead where you started. This stretch of trail is also pretty exposed and hot, and may be slower-going than your usual pace due to extremely narrow and loose scree traverses.

Route

There isn’t a ton of information available for this loop, so we put together this little description of directions to help you navigate:

From the Strawberry Basin Trailhead parking area, the trail starts behind the pit toilet and follows well maintained switchbacks up to Strawberry Lake. On the way up, you’ll encounter intersections with the Slide Lake Trail, keep right at these junctions to start the loop counterclockwise. 

After you’re done taking in the sights at the lake, you can go either direction at the fork in the trail you came in on to get around the lake. Turning right to go along the west side of the lake is a .8 mile trek, going left to hug the east bank is .4 miles. There are a ton of campsites in the area. But this lake is only a mile from the trailhead, so you’ll likely encounter other campers, fishers, and SUPers/kayakers here – especially on the weekend.

If you took the west bank trail, turn right when you come to a junction on the south end of the lake to rejoin the Strawberry Basin Trail. If you went on the east side, continue forward at the junction on the southern end. Continue up the gentle slope to the stunning Strawberry Falls. This is a great spot to fill up on water and have a snack before continuing up into more sun-exposed trail. 

Shortly after the waterfall, you’ll come to a junction with the Little Strawberry Lake Trail on your left. We highly recommend taking this short diversion to see the beautiful lake surrounded by high cliffs. We saw our first six mountain goats of the trail on the rocky faces above this lake. There are also a ton of good camping opportunities here, but mosquitoes can get pretty bad in the summer.

If you took the side trip to the lake, go out the same way you came in and turn left to continue down the trail. If you didn’t take the side trail, just continue forward. From here you’ll be gradually ascending a little over 1,000 ft. over the next three miles. You’ll pass several springs and some good camping opportunities. We decided to camp at the last spring near the remains of a wooden cabin so we would be fresh for the rest of the climb to the top of the highest peak in the Malheur National Forest – Strawberry Mountain. There will likely not be any water for about seven miles after this, so definitely stock up here.

Continuing up the Strawberry Basin Trail, you’ll come to a signed junction pointing the way to Strawberry Mountain. Turn right to take this trail if you’re going for the peak – we highly recommend summiting this mountain. We saw another mountain goat on the way up, and the views from the top are unreal. It’s only a mile to the summit and a little over 600 feet of elevation gain – which you’ll do the majority of in the last .3 mile push to the top. If you don’t plan to climb the mountain, continue forward on the Onion Creek Trail – there are still plenty of beautiful views ahead.

If you summited, congrats! Return the same way you came up, and turn right where you left the trail to join the Onion Creek Trail. 

The Onion Creek Trail will take you across a wildflower-filled ridge with some burned trees. You’ll travel down what appears to be an old dirt road with stunning views (don’t forget to look behind you to catch one last glimpse of Strawberry Mountain) before joining an actual dirt road near the Road’s End Trailhead. Continue ascending on the dirt road until you reach the High Lake Rim Trailhead.

From here, you’ll descend down to High Lake and your first reliable water in seven miles. On one of the last switchbacks, there’s a spring about 30 ft. or so off trail. We chose to fill up here instead of using the lake. There are good campsites at High Lake, but you’re likely to be sharing the area with other campers and fishers since it’s an easy hike in from the trailhead.

At the time we hiked the trail, the sign pointing you towards your next waypoint (Slide Lake) was downed and facing the wrong direction, so be sure to pay close attention here. If you’re using Avenza, watch your GPS dot for a bit to make sure you’re on the correct trail. You should be ascending gradually on a trail that becomes more and more worn in as you get further from the campsites at High Lake.

Just before the top of the ridge, we saw a group of about 30 mountain goats (some with babies!) grazing here. So keep an eye out in the grassy forest ahead. From here all the way to the end of the trail, you’re likely to see a ton of mountain goat tracks along your path.

Once you crest the ridge, you’ll start descending to Slide Lake via a narrow and rocky path. The junction to Slide Lake will be on your right once you’re down in the valley. We took this short side trail and camped near the lake for our second night. The views from this lake aren’t as impressive as the others, but it’s still lovely in its own right. We had several deer visit our campsite here, and we heard fish jumping in the lake all morning. Whether you’re camping here or not, you’ll probably want to hit the small stream across this side trail as it’s your last reliable water until you get back to the trailhead. There are a couple of small springs that cross the actual trail nearby, but we’re not sure if they’re reliable. They were flowing weakly when we came through in late July.

After Slide Lake, you will encounter what is undoubtedly the sketchiest part of the trail. A faint line sneaks across a steep scree field with fall risk and unsure footing. The views are beautiful, and the challenge was pretty fun. But it’s not something we’d want to do in bad weather. Alternatively, you can turn right before this section to head down the lower elevation horse route. If you decide to traverse the scree field, just go slow. It’s not long, and we thought the scenery was worth the bit of anxiety.

After you get through the scree field, you only have about a mile left until the junction with the Strawberry Basin Trail where you’ll turn right to head back to the trailhead where you started. Once you’re back on the Strawberry Basin Trail, you’ll descend on nicely graded switchbacks for a mile down to the parking area.

Backpacking Gear: What to Pack

We prefer lightweight backpacking because it allows us to cover more ground with less effort, and we can focus more on enjoying our hike rather than being bogged down by excess gear/weight. For more recommendations on our favorite lightweight backpacking equipment, check out the CleverHiker Gear Guide and our Top Picks page. 

TENT: This trail is pretty rocky, and it can be difficult to get tent stakes into the ground. We recommend going with a lightweight freestanding tent to avoid difficult pitches on stubborn ground. Our current favorites are the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 / UL3 for hikers who prioritize keeping weight as low as possible, and the REI Half Dome SL 2+ / SL 3+ for those whose main concern is a good balance between weight and price. Learn more about our top picks on our list of the Best Backpacking Tents.

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT: We hiked this trail in late July with the Katabatic Flex 22 and HMG Unbound 20 quilts. We were very happy with these choices and think a quilt is the way to go for summer hikes like this one that have big changes in elevation. 

With a quilt, you can always cinch it up tight on chilly nights, or open it fully for plenty of ventilation on hot evenings.

We have plenty of other quilt options for any budget on our Best Backpacking Quilts list. Or if you prefer the added coverage of a sleeping bag, head over to our list of the Best Sleeping Bags to see our top lightweight picks.

SLEEPING PAD: Because you’re pretty likely to end up in a rocky campsite, we think the most comfy option would be a lightweight air pad. We used the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT and the Klymit Static V2 for this hike, and we found them plenty insulative for this trip. You can read more about both of these pads on our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.

BACKPACK: The best backpack to take on any trail is the one you find most comfortable. For us, that meant going as light as possible to make the elevation gain easier. We took the Nashville Pack Cutaway and Atom Packs Atom+, and we really loved the convenient design of both of these ultralight backpacks.

Not everyone wants or needs to go so minimal, though, and we have a whole list of our top backpacking packs if you prefer more capacity and padding. Our current favorites from this list are the HMG Unbound 40 for those who want the best balance of low weight and support, or the REI Flash 55 (men’s / women’s) for hikers looking to go light on a budget.

COOKING SYSTEM: We cooked our meals together in a shared pot, so we took the Soto WindMaster for its efficient performance and the Vargo Bot for its large capacity. Build your perfect backcountry cooking setup with our lists of the Best Backpacking Stoves and Best Backpacking Cookware.

FOOD: Since this trip is fairly short, you don’t have to carry a heavy load of food, and you can afford to take along some extra luxuries if you’d like. Check out our guides on the Best Lightweight Backpacking Food, Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals, and Best Energy Bars for some of our go-to recommendations. There’s a good amount of sun exposure too, so we recommend taking some electrolyte mixes from our Best Hydration Mixes list.

FOOD STORAGE: Bear canisters aren’t required on this trail. But wildlife is abundant in this wilderness, and it’s always a good idea to store your food properly. We used Ursacks to keep critters from getting into our goods at night.

WATER FILTER: We mostly drank from the abundant springs flowing directly out of the mountains on this trail, so we weren’t overly concerned about unsafe water. We used Katadyn Micropur Tabs (chlorine dioxide), and waited 15 minutes before consuming water. If you prefer a filter, check out our top picks on our list of the Best Backpacking Water Filters. We like using the Katadyn BeFree in combination with the Hydrapak Flux Bottle because it’s easy to squeeze and collapses when not in use. Head over to our Best Water Bottles list to see all of the reasons we love the Flux.

FOOTWEAR: This trail can be pretty rocky, so we recommend going with footwear that provides good underfoot support and solid traction on variable terrain. The Hoka Speedgoat 5’s (men’s / women’s) or Topo Ultraventure 3’s (men’s / women’s) would be good lightweight choices. Learn more about these shoes on our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Women.

CLOTHING: Here are some of the clothing items we used/recommend on this trip in the summer. See more of our favorite hiking/backpacking clothing in our Gear Guides. 

• Sun shirt – Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie (Men’s / Women’s)

• Hiking pants – Outdoor Research Ferrosi (Men’s) / REI Trailmade (Women’s)

  – or –

• Hiking shorts – Nike Dri-Fit (Men’s / Women’s)

• Underwear – ExOfficio Give-N-Go (Men’s / Women’s)

• 2-3 Pair socks – Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion (Men’s /Women’s)

• Rain jacket – Montbell Versalite (Men’s / Women’s)

• Down jacket – Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 (Men’s / Women’s)

  – or –

• Fleece jacket – Patagonia R1 Air (Men’s / Women’s)

• Base layer bottoms – Patagonia Capilene Midweight (Men’s / Women’s)

• Lightweight warm hat

• Sun hat

HEADLAMP: We took the Black Diamond Spot 400-R from our list of the Best Headlamps. It’s rechargeable, plenty bright, and a great value.

MAP: We used the Avenza phone app. for this trip and downloaded the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Map before we left home.

FIRST AID KIT: Always bring a small personalized first aid kit; we used the .5 Adventure Medical Kit. Find the perfect kit for you on our list of the Best First Aid Kits.

SUN PROTECTION: Most of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop is exposed to the sun. Sunglasses (polarized recommended), sunscreen, and SPF lip balm are a must.

OTHER ITEMS:

• Cash & ID

• Sit pad

• Multitool / pocket knife

• Personal toiletries

• Hand sanitizer

• Wet wipes

• Insect repellant

• Power bank

MORE INFO – Ultimate Backpacking Checklist

More Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Photos

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this guide helps you plan a fun adventure in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions. And if you found this guide helpful, please share on social media, and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five! 

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• CleverHiker Gear Guide

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

• Essential Trail Skills Videos

• Lightweight Gear Foundations Videos

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The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall 2-door tents on the market. This makes it ultralight, convenient, and easy to pitch. It also has more headroom than much of the competition due to its long brow pole that pulls out the sidewalls. 

But is the Tiger Wall worth its spendy price tag? And will its thinner materials hold up to the rigors of the trail over time? We put the Tiger Wall UL2 to the test in rugged conditions to see how it would hold up compared to the leading tents in this popular category.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $450

MEASURED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 8 oz. (all components)

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 86 x 52/42 x 39 in. (wider at head, narrower at foot)

SIZES:1-Person, 2-Person, 3-Person

PROS

VERY LIGHTWEIGHT – Your shelter will be one of the heaviest items you’ll carry while backpacking, so choosing an ultralight tent like the Tiger Wall UL2 will go a long way in reducing your overall pack weight. This tent weighs only 40 oz. (2 lbs. 8 oz.), which is exceptionally lightweight for a double-wall semi-freestanding tent.

The other leading tents in this category (2-person, 2 door, semi-freestanding) are the MSR FreeLite 2 (37 oz.) and the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 (40 oz.). All three of these tents match up similarly on the scale, but the Tiger Wall has the most headroom by far.

COMPACT PACKED SIZE – The components of the Tiger Wall UL2 pack down small, so your tent won’t take up too much space in your backpack. The tent body and fly are very compact and easy to find a place for inside your pack, while the pole assembly folds into a narrow shape that’s easy to slide into an exterior pocket.

SEMI-FREESTANDING – The Tiger Wall is a semi-freestanding tent, meaning it’s supported by a simple pole structure, but requires a couple of stakes to complete the pitch. We normally stake out our tents anyway, so that’s not usually a big deal. The simple pole structure also makes setup/takedown easy, adds rigidity in foul weather, and makes it convenient to move the tent around camp or shake out debris from the interior.There are also some downsides associated with semi-freestanding tent designs, so we’ll cover those in the con section below.

You could save even more weight by going with a non-freestanding tent or tarp, but these shelters have some trade-offs, including a steeper learning curve, the need for trekking poles to set up, and usually more interior condensation management.

The Tiger Wall combines the best of both worlds for those who want a tent that’s easy to use as well as ultralight.

NEAR-VERTICAL WALLS – As mentioned before, the brow pole on top of the Tiger Wall disperses the peak height across the width of the tent. The sidewalls of the tent body are pulled nearly verticle and the tent has an open and spacious feel inside. The Tiger Wall has the same 39-inch peak height and similar floor dimensions to some of the leading competition (MSR FreeLite 2 and NEMO Hornet OSMO 2), but its interior feels roomier thanks to its wide brow pole.

TWO DOORS & TWO VESTIBULES – The Tiger Wall has double doors and generous vestibules on each side. After testing dozens of tent designs over the years, we strongly prefer backpacking tents with two doors and two vestibules for easy access, gear storage, and views. These features are especially important to us when traveling as a pair, but even when we’re solo it’s nice to have options.

QUICK & EASY SETUP – The single-pole structure makes setting the Tiger Wall up a breeze. The pole ends and corresponding tent grommets are color-coded, so you can orient the components with a quick glance and have your tent set up in minutes. We appreciate that the brow pole is attached to the rest of the pole assembly as well, so there’s a much lower chance of misplacing this piece.

As mentioned before, the Tiger Wall is semi-freestanding, so you’ll need to secure at least two tent stakes to hold out the corners of the foot. This isn’t quite as convenient as a fully freestanding shelter, but we normally stake out our tents anyway, so this task doesn’t usually make much of a difference. At a minimum, you’ll need six stakes for a basic pitch of the Tiger Wall; four for the corners, and two for the rainfly vestibules. Carrying eight stakes will give you a more complete pitch, securing both ends of the rainfly. And if you encounter harsh weather, you’ll want an additional three tent stakes (a total of 11) to utilize the additional tiedown points on the exterior of the rainfly. Nine high-quality Dirt Dagger stakes are included.

GOOD WEATHER PROTECTION – The Tiger Wall UL2 is a fully waterproof, double-wall shelter, with all seams taped for protection. Because the Tiger Wall is an ultralight tent made with fairly thin materials, we usually try to find campsites with limited wind exposure, but we pretty much do this with every tent.

EXCELLENT POCKETS – One of our favorite features of the Tiger Wall is the large interior pocket that keeps gear organized and off the floor. This ‘gear loft’ is at eye level and is in a perfect position to easily reach when you’re sitting up in the tent.

The gear loft pocket is even bigger on the current version of this tent than it was in previous models – so big that we can practically unload our entire pack into it when getting settled in camp. It’s excellent for storing clothing, electronics, stuff sacks, and much more.

Aside from the super handy loft pocket, the Tiger Wall also has small yet functional pockets on the sides and head of the tent.

EXCELLENT VALUE – Ultralight tents are made with high-tech materials and take a lot of engineering to design, so they tend to be pretty expensive. A 2-person backpacking tent in the 2-3 lb. weight range will generally cost somewhere between $400 and $600. The Tiger Wall currently retails for $450, which is competitive with the similarly equipped Nemo Hornet ($430) and MSR Freelite ($450). Given its quality construction and considering its upsides, we think the Tiger Wall is an excellent value in this category. Check out our list of the Best Backpacking Tents for a deeper dive into tent prices.

SPACIOUS FOR ONE – The Tiger Wall UL2 really shines as a spacious tent for a single hiker and their gear. It doesn’t weigh much more than some one-person tents (MSR Hubba Hubba 1 – 39 oz., Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 – 38 oz.), but it has a much more luxurious interior. For two people, the Tiger Wall is a bit of a tighter fit, so we cover that in the con section below.

LIGHT & BRIGHT – The white rainfly on the Tiger Wall lets natural light in so you can see clearly inside the tent while you’re relaxing, reading, or looking at maps on long summer evenings. We prefer this soft, white light over a gloomy, dark tent interior with a red, blue, or green tint. The fly color generally wouldn’t make or break our tent buying decision, but it’s worth considering what kind of atmosphere you’ll enjoy most when you’re hanging out in your shelter.

It’s also worth noting that the Tiger Wall’s thin, light-colored fly might not be for everyone. It’s almost translucent in very bright conditions, which could be annoying if there’s a full moon or you like to sleep in. If your circadian rhythm is sensitive to light, you might want to consider a tent with a darker rainfly.

FAST FLY MODE – If you purchase the footprint that’s made for the Tiger Wall UL2, you can quickly set up the rainfly, get inside, then continue to pitch the tent body while under cover if it’s raining when you arrive at camp. This helps keep you and your gear dry and gives you the option to use the fly and footprint alone if you want to travel even lighter. This is a nice option to have, but we don’t use this feature very often, and would generally prefer to use a footprint that’s lighter than 6 oz.

UNIQUE DOOR TOGGLES – Another cool feature of the Tiger Wall is the door toggles, which are designed to allow you to roll back both sides of the vestibule for ventilation or wide views. The toggles are large and easy to slip into the keeper loops with one hand. We’ve also found that it’s easy to flap the rainfly back over the head or foot of this tent for partial shade and maximum ventilation. This kind of versatility is great for those that prefer using a tent with the fly off in clear weather but want to be ready if rain showers crop up.

SOLUTION-DYED FABRIC – The newest model of the Tiger Wall is made with solution-dyed fabric that’s highly resistant to fading with UV exposure and more eco-friendly to manufacture. Essentially, the color dye is added to the nylon fibers while they’re being produced, versus dip-dyeing the woven material. Solution-dyeing is said to save up to 60-90 percent in water usage and offers a significant reduction in CO2 emissions by eliminating repeated rinsing in large vats of hot water and machine drying.

CONS

NOT AS DURABLE AS SOME – One of the reasons the Tiger Wall is so light is because the floor and fly are both constructed with thin, 15-denier silnylon. If you tend to be rough on gear and prize durability, we would suggest looking elsewhere. That said, if you treat this tent with care it will hold up well. Also, it’s worth remembering that if small rips occur, they can always be fixed with a little Tenacious Tape. Additionally, you could pick up the Tiger Wall footprint or another lightweight footprint to increase tent floor durability.

TIGHT FOR TWO – Though the Tiger Wall was built to maximize interior space, it’s still a fairly tight-fitting tent for two average-sized people. To give you a better feel for the size, the Tiger Wall UL2 is 52 inches wide at the head and narrows to 42 inches at the foot. A regular sleeping pad is about 20 inches wide, so two pads will take up nearly the entire tent floor. If you and your partner prefer a bit more interior space or use wide sleeping pads (about 25 inches), we recommend bumping up to the UL3 (66/60 inches head/foot) for increased comfort.

RAINFLY SAG – The Tiger Wall’s rainfly provides ample protection in stormy conditions, but the thin, 15-denier fabric tends to sag when it gets wet and cold. For a taught pitch, you’ll want to re-tighten your guylines after setting up your tent and giving it 10-15 minutes to settle. You may have to re-tighten guylines when rainy weather blows in as well. This is pretty typical for backpacking tents, but the semi-freestanding design of the Tiger Wall makes re-tightening a bit more important.

NO VENTS IN FLY – There are no built-in ventilation ports on the rainfly of the Tiger Wall, which limits its ability to control condensation. The doors of the rainfly do unzip from the top on each side and have small hoods to block rain, so that helps to provide some ventilation. That said, vents like that are unideal when it’s really pouring hard outside.

OK ZIPPERS – The zippers on the Tiger Wall are just okay in our opinion. They’re not our favorite, but not terrible either. On the main tent body, each door has two zippers, one that goes along the top and one along the bottom. The main body zippers function well and rarely snag in our experience. The zippers on the rainfly often require the use of two hands to prevent snags, especially when wet. We consider the tent fly zippers to be a bit of a downside, though we often find this drawback in other tents as well.

SEMI-FREESTANDING DESIGN – Semi-freestanding tents are generally lighter than fully freestanding tents, but they need to be staked down, which can be tough in some circumstances. In the rare situation that we’re camping on solid rock or sand that won’t hold tent stakes, we’ll get creative by using rocks as weights or tying guylines off to objects. We always stake out our tents though – freestanding or non-freestanding, so we’re used to this kind of problem solving. If you frequently camp in places with bedrock, loose ground, and high winds, you might be better off with a fully freestanding tent.

Bottom Line

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 offers an excellent balance for backpackers who want their shelter to be ultralight, but still convenient, livable, and easy to pitch. It’s one of the lightest double-wall 2-door tents on the market, and the longer brow pole on top provides more headroom than the competition.

We think the Tiger Wall UL2 is generally best for solo, ultralight backpackers looking for a roomy, convenient shelter. The UL2 can definitely fit two hikers, but it’s a fairly tight space to share. We recommend the Tiger Wall UL3 for pairs that want a more roomy interior.

Overall, we think the Tiger Wall is a well-rounded tent that most people will be very happy using on the trail. Big Agnes continues to do an excellent job of pushing the limits of ultralight backpacking tents while keeping comfort and user experience in mind.

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More information

We hope this review helps you determine if the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this review, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.