After humping a heavy pack up Longs Peak twice this year, I am beginning to see the wisdom of UL backpacking.

I've already pared down much of my gear, but am at a crossroads with my shelter. I currently have a REI Half Dome+. I do not dislike the shelter, but it is over 5lbs.

I seem to always end up getting rained or snowed on when I am out, so I'd prefer something that is sturdy enough to take whatever is thrown at it.

I am a bit leery of a single wall tent, but that maybe just something I have to get over.

So what sage advice can I get when looking for a 2p UL shelter?

Thanks!

make sure it is big enough. you dont want your bag rubbing up against the sides as it could get wet with condensation. i have a golite utopia 2 and like it a lot because it is free standing and walls are sloped enough that there is ample room. also ive been in a pretty big southern thunderstorm in my utopia and although i did get some misting through the sil, it was nothing that was going to wet out anything in my tent. one other thing to remember is that a single wall will probably need to be tightened after/during rain for optimum pitch because sil sags a bit when wet. another reason i like the free standing utopia with its internal poles.

Floorless pyramid. Eg BD Megalight.

The MegaLight and BetaLight provide the best ratio of weather protection to weight that I've found. They are nearly as good as a tent when pitched low, and are almost as light as a normal tarp.

You don't have the issues of single-wall tents, and the protection is quite ample - no need for a bivy unless you're totally exposed on a ridge in a wild mountain thunderstorm.

They aren't expensive, either. I use the Beta Light all the time and might get a MegaLight for 3-person winter trips.

Edited by Autoxfil on 08/19/2010 09:14:35 MDT.

Since you said that you're leery of single wall tents, have a look at the Lightheart Duo:
http://lightheartgear.com/duo.html

Note that I have no personal experience with this tent, though I'm considering buying the solo (single) version of this for use next year. But there are a number of positive reviews; I met the folks behind this small company at Trail Days in Damascus VA this May and was able to briefly "kick the tires". I liked what I saw, and I liked the folks, FWIW.

I just picked up the Lightheart Duo and its a pretty neat tent. Only had a chance to use it one night, but I like it. I had it fully guyed out with two of the four doors open. My wife and I slept in it with plenty of room, I'm 6'2" and broad shouldered and I did not rub against any walls. I did hit my hiking poles with my bag, so keep that in mind. Mine have a grippy area that grabs my bag.

We did have some condensation at our heads and feet. I think where the floor and tent come together, the air gets trapped there and condenses. I am going to try it with both doors open this weekend. If you are not too tall, it shouldn't get on your bag. So far, I am happy with it considering its 36 oz with stuff sack and stakes.

That being said, there are a number of steps down, in weight, that exist below your current tent. The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is little under 3.5 lbs and would only be a reduction in interior space, compared to the half dome. Its still double wall, free standing. A next step down would be the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2. This is another step down in interior volume - to the point of being pretty tight - and has a single door at one end. Thats around 2.8 lbs. Other manufacturers have similar steps if you look around.

If you still wish to go lighter, then you are looking at tarps, floorless shelters combined with bivy's or inner net tents. This can get you below 2 lbs.

Lots of options and it will probably take some experimentation to get to a final configuration.

On a side note - there are lots of UL tent options coming out this spring. Something to consider if you are not in a hurry.