Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking and mountaineering tents because they can be set up quickly just about anywhere, on wooden tent platforms, rock, sand, snow, and even climber’s portaledges, without having to be staked to the ground first. This is particularly useful in poor weather when you need to get out of the weather and can’t search for a protected tentsite or dig one out in the snow.
| Make / Model | Type | Size | Doors | Min Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond First Light 2 | Wedge | 2 Person | 1 | 3 lbs 1 oz | $369 |
| Big Sky Soul 1P | Dome | 1 Person | 1 | 2 lb. 4 oz. | $250 |
| Hilleberg Unna | Dome | 1 Person | 1 | 4 lb. 7 oz. | $725 |
| Black Diamond El Dorado | Wedge | 2 Person | 1 | 4 lb. 8 oz. | $730 |
| MSR Advance Pro | Wedge | 2 Person | 1 | 2 lb. 14 oz. | $549 |
| Hilleberg Soulo | Dome | 1 Person | 1 | 4 lb. 7 oz. | $735 |
| Exped Orion II | Dome | 2 Person | 2 | 6 lb. 2 oz. | $649 |
| Rab Latok Mountain 2 | Wedge | 2 Person | 1 | 4 lb. 1 oz. | $650 |
| Tarptent Moment DW | Dome | 1 Person | 2 | 2 lb. 10.4 oz. | $325 |
| Big Sky Chinook 2 | Dome | 2 Person | 2 | 4 lbs 3 oz | $599 |
Most freestanding tents are wedge or dome-shaped, making them highly weather and wind-resistant. However, truly freestanding tents tend to be slightly heavier than non-freestanding ones because they have to be self-supporting, with long tent poles that add additional weight. Some two-person models can be cramped, particularly ones designed for mountaineering where comfort is often sacrificed in the name of reduced gear weight. Still, the experience of setting up a freestanding tent is liberating because you can pitch one anywhere there’s flat ground. That kind of flexibility is highly valuable when you need to get out of the weather and into a secure and stable shelter.
1. Black Diamond First Light 2P Tent
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Black Diamond | Amazon
2. Big Sky Soul 1P Tent
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Big Sky
3. Hilleberg Unna Tent
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Campsaver
4. Black Diamond El Dorado 2-person Tent
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Black Diamond
5. MSR Advance Pro 2 Tent
6. Hilleberg Soulo 1P Tent
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Campsaver
7. Exped Orion II Tent
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REI
8. Rab Latok Mountain 2 Tent
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Backcountry
9. Big Sky Chinook 2P Tent
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Big Sky
10. Tarptent Moment DW
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Tarptent
Freestanding Tent Selection Criteria
When evaluating freestanding tents, it helps to research the climate conditions you expect to use the tent in, as this will inform the degree of tent pole strength and breathability required.
Tent Ventilation
Tents windows, doors, and vents are Important to minimize and reduce internal condensation. This is achieved by keeping the door(s) open when feasible, through peak and side vents, and in some cases through the use of breathable wall fabrics. You can never have too much ventilation in a tent, although the addition of doors and zippers can result in increased weight.
Tent Pole Architecture
Most freestanding tents have two or three crossed poles, anchored inside or outside the tent walls. Exterior poles that are anchored in sleeves are much stronger than poles that connect to an inner tent using clips or velcro tabs. They’re much more wind resistant and capable of withstanding heavier snow loads.
Interior Tent Space
Freestanding tents designed for high alpine mountaineering use are often smaller and more cramped than those designed for four-season use because weight savings are so critical when you have to climb many thousands of feet to reach your destination. When selecting a tent be realistic about your length and width requirements, particularly when choosing a two-person wedge style tent.
Number of Doors
Tents designed to hold two occupants are more comfortable and convenient to use if they have two doors and vestibules because you can come and go without waking your tent partner. Dome style tents often provide greater covered vestibule storage, which can make a significant difference in livability.
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I’m surprised to see the BA Copper Spur did not make the cut.
Looks like this is a 4 season tent list, probably why it’s not on there along with the Nemo Dagger and Dragonfly..
They’re not on the list because they’re not freestanding. The rain flies need to be staked out. Just because the inner tent is freestanding, isn’t sufficient.
See previous comment. You need to stake the rain fly of a copper spur out. It isn’t freestanding.
Technically, you don’t need to stake the rain fly in. You can use any kind of tape to tape it to a rock on the ground. That should work.
So then why is the tarp tent on this list? Their site says only the internal is free standing.
It seems lately the 2-3 pond 1 p freestanding tents are being removed or redesigned to oblivion. I have an old passage and an old quarter dome. Nothing like them to be found. ( the soul 1p is out of stock) My passage needs a complete refurbishing. My quarter need new roping inside the poles which I have never had to do before. The passage leaks now but I am thinking about trying to rectify that issue . Both of these tents can be set up in a hurry without staking. I have been in many situations where this came in handy…like a 50 mph wind in sleet storm. Last thing I want to do is stake and tie out. Both passage and quarter hold out wonderfully to the wind without being staked or tied out. Any light weight one you would add in?
( not sure how often you update!)
The external is also freestanding.
I am SOOO happy I still have a Brand New (looks wise) 2010 Tarptent Moment Single Wall at 28 Oz and only 2 stakes. I have literally set this tent up in 60 seconds it seems more spacious inside as a SW than the DW. I have a Lunar Solo that is new, the SilPoly green and a Duplex and of course the Lanshan 2, but I will always keep the Moment. Another great article Amigo and have a good Holiday.
So do you stake out the ends of the Tarptent Moment?
You don’t have to if you use the long pole to turn it into a freestanding tent.
What a cool design, especially at that price point!
Henry, the owner, is a genius.
The Big Sky Soul comes in a 2 person model also, in case that’s of any interest to someone…
Phil, Thanks very much for including the TT Moment DW. As I read the topic title even before opening the article I was thinking,”I’ll mention the TT Moment DW because nobody thinks of it as freestanding as few know about the “Crossing Pole” option.
But SURPRISE! There it was in the list. Just goes to show you are the “gear guru”.
BTW, to give the fly more support in high winds and heavy snow loads I ran the X-ing pole under the fly by shortening it 8 inches. It goes thru the existing interior loops in the current fly. These keep it in place in very high side winds.
Hello Philip, what are your thoughts on the freestanding ZPacks Duplex with the exterior crossed poles? Many thanks for your excellent article. Cheers from Oz, Cat
My definition of freestanding is quite strict. You shouldn’t have to stake out any part of the tent to erect it. Judging by Zpacks photos, you still need to stake out the vestibule. Other than that, I have no experience with the zpacks freestanding kit and have never seen it in use, so I’m going to reserve judgment on its utility.
Ahoy Phil, xlnt timing as i’m in the market now for a new 4-season. I’d be interested in knowing if you’ve taken a close look yet at the revised (mid-2019) BD HiLight 2P–the new blue version? Comes factory seam-sealed, side door, allegedly more rain-resistant than the First Light while not that much heavier…
The min weight is 3 lbs 8 oz. I think the original specs published by BD were wrong, but they’ve since been updated on the BD website. Looks like a decent option for one person. I think I prefer the front entrance on the first light though since it means you can fit the tent into very narrow spaces that would only fit a bivy. Harder to do with a tent with a side door. Not having to seam seal it is nice. Wish they did that for the firstlight.
I cannot thank you enough for posting this info and guiding me to the Big Sky x2. There are few comparison lists out there reviewing truly free standing tents, surprisingly.
Any cottage industry companies in range of the 2lb 8oz Big Sky Soul x2 yet?
Thank you so much!
Not freestanding.
Hey Philip, re the Big Sky Soul 1p – couple questions: 1) you mention it uses two crossed trekking poles (was this a misspeak?); 2) the entrance looks a little like the inner tent floor is exposed to rain when unzipped & entering… is that the case?
Also, any thoughts on their Revolution 1p?
Thanks for the education as always!
Both the Unna and Soulo have minimum weights of 2.0kg (4.4oz)