Outdoor Vitals Cirq Ultralight Tent Review

The Outdoor Vitals Cirq Tent is a single-person ultralight trekking-pole tent that weighs 1 lb 13 oz and requires two trekking poles to pitch. It has a two-peak design, one taller than the other, creating a large front vestibule and open rear porch, though inaccessible from inside, with peak vents on both sides of the ridgeline to promote airflow. Dimensionally, this tent is enormous and requires a large open space to pitch, but if you’re tall and have plenty of room to set it up, you’ll be a happy camper. It’s priced at $330 USD and about 10% less if you’re an Outdoor Vitals member.

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• Minimum Tent Weight (tent and guylines): 1 lb 13 oz (822g)
• Minimum number of stakes to pitch: 6. I recommend 8
• Type: Single-wall, dual peak
• Peak heights: 53” / 44”  (135 / 112 cm)
• Floor Dimensions: 91.3” × 28” (232 × 71 cm) – I measured 90″ and 30″ in the middle tapering to 28″ at the ends.
• Fabric: 15D Nylon / 50D Polyester Sil/PeU Ripstop (2000mm)
• Seam-taped: Yes:
• Internal pockets: 1, hang loops in peak corners
• Color: Gray fly with blue floor
• Pros: Seam-taped, Spacious interior, excellent airflow resists internal condensation
• Cons: Requires a large space to set up – 12′ x 12′

The Outdoor Vital Cirq 1P is a single-wall, one-person tent that requires two trekking poles for pitching. The front peak is taller than the rear peak, creating a large front vestibule and a smaller covered area at the rear of the tent, though it is not accessible from the inside. Catenary cut edges in the fly help reduce fabric weight while increasing airflow and aerodynamics.

When you pitch the tent, the trekking pole tips slot into grommets sewn to the side of the tent floor, which adds stability and helps maintain the floor width. The tops of the peaks are not reinforced, so remember, tips down!, to avoid shredding the ceiling. While you can technically pitch the tent with 6 stakes, I found it very helpful to stake out the top of the two peaks separately. All of the guy-lines are pre-attached and have line-loc tensiors, which is nice. The guy-lines are also quite long, although you won’t need that extra length all the time.

There are two wide mesh-backed vents below the ridgeline to promote airflow. They both have kickstands to prop them open and several velcro patches to keep them closed in inclement weather. When open, they help clear out any water vapor from the peak to prevent condensation. It’s the first time I’ve seen any ultralight tent maker include such wide side vents on a mid-like shelter.

Entry is through the front vestibule and door. The vestibule doors can be rolled back individually or together and are secured with dowels and fabric loops. Something to consider if you have limited dexterity. The front wall of the tent above the bathtub floor is all mesh with a door on the right side. You’ll probably want to position your head at this end.

The back wall of the tent is part solid and part mesh. It overlooks an area covered by the rear vestibule, but it’s not accessible from either the inside or the outside. It has a few functions: it increases airflow from front to back and provides an anchor for the rear pole. It’s remarkably similar to the back cavity of the Gossamer Gear “The One” tent, as are many other aspects of the tent (see our review for pictures). There’s one mesh pocket on the back wall where you can store your phone, glasses, and a headlamp, and two hang loops in the peaks to hang gear.

The ends of the floor are attached to the fly and hang below it with mesh, providing some flexibility if you have to pitch the tent on uneven or sloping ground. This is a common “ultralight tent idiom” that also enhances airflow and gives a place for any internal condensation to drip out without wetting the tent floor.

The tent’s interior is enormous. The bathtub floor is 8 inches deep, 90 inches long, and 30″ wide in the middle, tapering to 28″ at the head and foot end, with peak heights of 53″ (135 cm) and 44″ (112 cm). You’ll have no problem fitting a 25″ wide pad in this tent: just make sure your trekking poles are long enough. You might require a pole jack.

Depending on where you backpack, that interior space comes at a cost, though. The Cirq requires ample open space for setup. It’s not just the length of the tent, but the room required to stake out the peaks. I’d give yourself at least a pitch that’s at least 13′ x 11′ to set the tent up. That’s prohibitive in my neck of the woods, in New Hampshire, Vermont, and along the 1400 miles of Appalachian Trail I’ve hiked. If you’re lucky enough to even find a flat space, it’s probably got trees or vegetation in the way. For solo backpacking in the eastern USA, I recommend tents that require a small pitching footprint for this reason.

When setting up this Cirq, there’s also a lot of tension put on the stakes because of the peak height and the fact that the tent makes a big wind target. Stakes are not included with this tent, but I recommend using long ones with good holding power. Outdoor Vitals sent me Easton tubular 8.75″ stakes (sold separately) to use with the Cirq, and they’d be a good choice if the soil permits their use.

The Bottom Line

The Outdoor Vitals Cirq Ultralight Tent delivers exceptional interior space and ventilation, making it an excellent choice for taller backpackers seeking comfort while keeping shelter weight reasonable. Its dual-peak design and large vestibule enhance usability, while wide ceiling vents effectively reduce condensation. However, its large footprint and staking requirements demand ample, open space for setup, which may limit its practicality in densely wooded or constrained environments. Overall, if you prioritize roomy shelter and excellent airflow on your treks and can accommodate the tent’s size, the Cirq is a good ultralight option worth considering. Tall people take note. This is one long tent!

Disclosure: Outdoor Vitals donated a tent for review.