Hilleberg the Tentmaker Tarp 20 XP

[large and light]

Generally, the bigger the tent, the heavier it is—but the double-wall Anjan provides a trio’s worth of sturdy shelter for less than five pounds. The trick? Weight-saving design (it’s a nonfreestanding hoop tent with one giant front door) and materials (Kerlon 1000 fabric, a ripstop nylon that’s strong, light—and pricey). Its 37-square-foot floor and soaring, 42-inch ceiling create sufficient space and headroom for three. And its cavernous 32-square-foot vestibule provides beaucoup space for an expedition’s worth of wet stuff.

Since the tent and fly stay clipped together during setup, it pitches easily—and keeps the interior dry. On British Columbia’s storm-lashed Haida Gwaii, says one tester, “We holed up in there for several hours at one point, waiting out a relentless rain, and stayed totally dry.” Winds notching 25 mph caused the fabric to ripple slightly—but the poles and structure held solid. Ventilation is adequate, though during extended rain, condensation in the corners dampened testers’ sleeping bags. But in fair weather, the fly’s foot end rolls up to facilitate cross-breezes. Tradeoff: The large footprint makes it hard to squeeze into tiny sites. $725; 4 lbs. 10 oz.; hilleberg.com

The most basic shelter solution: lightweight, simple, and adaptable. Can be pitched with trekking poles, oars, sticks, etc. XP version is made with heavy duty polyester tent fabric.