[Stefan Zölsch]

I chose the Hilleberg niak. It is not the lightest, but has one big advantage. You can pitch it in one peace. That’s very useful in wet conditions. Additionally it’s a two person tent (very cramped) but realy enough space for one.

[Michel]

I recommend the very common MSR Hubba. It’s lightweight (1400 g), ventilation is very good (big mesh area on inner tent), easy to set up and not that bulky. They also offer a “bikepacking version” with shorter poles (I didn’t need that). Some prefer the Hubba Hubba (2 person variant) for solo trips although its apsis is quite roomy.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Michel.

[Martin Clarke]

We have a nature hike 3. Plenty of room nice and light never had any problems with set up. Price point is very attractive to.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by  Martin Clarke.

[Phillip Kaspersen]

I have the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV Ultralight and I´m very happy with it, except from one thing: You can´t pitch it in one piece. It is very light and comes with short poles which is very handy for bikepacking. The tent is also pretty spacious, and I have had no problems with it. I consider the Durston X-Dome +1 since that one can be pitched in one piece, which is handy when it´s raining.

[Thomas Van Pelt]

I used the Alpkit Aeronaut 1 but I am having doubts it will stand the winds at the coastal EV1 route. It has no poles but an inflatable pole. Does anyone has experiences with it? Advantage is the small package size and the weight.

[jenny fancett]

Hi everyone,

I currently use a Ferrino Sling 2 but it is quite heavy (1600g). I’ve just seen a really good deal on the Big Agnes HV UL 1. It weighs only 910 g and costs 287 euros. It seems like a very good deal to me but I’m concerned I’m missing something! My plan is to go from Paris to North Cape next year. Doyou think this tent would be good for that plan? Would it stand up to the elements enough?

https://www.snowleader.com/fly-creek-hv-ul1-solution-dye-gray-greige-BIGA00080.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19827778693&gbraid=0AAAAAD4GT_Bje1IU2UtTfaKR2p7bKAAEC&gclid=CjwKCAiA55rJBhByEiwAFkY1QCGz46xsRvBGjH4NLqYrr3b5USTOIqpTLg20ddBWyjo6877CGk2FURoCCB8QAvD_BwE

Thanks ever so much!!!!!

snowleader.com

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Just a moment...

[Matthew Norway]

Yes, they are high-quality tents! Looks like a good deal to me! The weight is amazing.

[jenny fancett]

Thanks so much!

[jenny fancett]

Me again!

How important do you think it is to have a free-standing tent as opposed to a tent that you have to stake out? I’m wondering about how frequently you’ve had to pitch your tents on surfaces that were too hard to stake out or on concrete surfaces?

I’m still debating whether to buy a new tent or not! I will be doing Paris-North Cape (including eurovélo 1 in Norway).

@Matthew Norway I will be booking a call soon but trying to get as much information together beforehand so as to be able to ask intelligent questions.

[Michel]

A free-standing tent is an advantage if you find a perfect spot on rocky terrain. But on official campsites, you won’t have any problem with any tent most of the time.

Options for finding a good spot are many if you prefer wildcamping but can – surprisingly – be quite limited in places. The upper soil layer can be very thin. It all depends on your route and your demands on a camp spot.

For more flexibility even in remote areas, I’d recommend a free-standing tent.

[Simen Ringstad]

I agree with Michel. Trekking pole tents are great for hiking, if you already have your hiking poles. A free standing or semi free standing is better for biking.

That being said, I use my Durston xmid for both bikepacking and hiking. I have had issues with pitching in spots with very little top soil, but I made it work by gathering some rocks to hold the guy lines.

Any kind of tent will work, but free standing is just easier.

• This reply was modified 1 month, 1 week ago by  Simen Ringstad.

[jenny fancett]

Hi everyone,

Have you had any issues with using a very light weight tent when there is the midnight sun? The guy in my local camping store said that the UVs would damage the tent fly. Cheers!!!

[Michel]

I find it hard to believe the midnight sun would damage the tent fly more than the “regular” sun 😆
Though the midnight sun won’t heat up your tent, it will make it very bright in there. You should definitely bring a sleeping mask to tell your body it’s night. 😎

[Krisztina Faller]

I’m a fan of Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. I use it alone, but I like to have space also for my luggage inside the tent. I bought it six years ago, I’ve set it up at least 200 times in the last six years. In 2019 it was then one of the longest 2 person lightweight tents available with a length of 224cm. They now have new models, including Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack and even an UL2 XL version for tall people. If I would buy it today (2026), I would choose the XL version with 244 cm length. (Yes I am tall.)

The tent can be used freestanding, but I think it’s still better to peg the rainfly down with stakes on each side, as it will flap in the wind otherwise.

A footprint is also important, because the tent floor is very thin and can be damaged on rough ground. It also protects the tentfloor against water. The original Big Agnes footprint makes it easier to set up the rainfly first, when it is raining.

(@jenny fancett: I had no problems with the midnight sun.)

[jenny fancett]

Thanks Michel and Kritziana! I think the man in the shop just meant that the tent would be having more sun coz it doesn’t go down at night rather than implying that the midnight sun has some sort of magical properties. Anyway, thanks so much for your answers!