LightHeart Gear LightHeart Solo

[stable featherweight]

We don’t know why this three-pound tent is called the Kilo. No matter. Here’s the math that counts: one pound per person for a three-person shelter. And unlike some ultralights, which employ futzy trekking-pole setups or wispy fabrics, this three-season dome achieves its low weight by using innovative carbon-fiber poles with connectors that use short monofilament tethers rather than one long piece of elastic cord. Ergo, best-in-weight-class stability.

Pitching the Kilo takes two minutes, and even without guying, it withstood 30-mph gusts in the Sierra. Headroom is adequate, with a 40-inch peak height that lets campers play cards without crouching, but the 43-square-foot floor was a snug fit for three thru-hikers on the John Muir Trail.

Downsides: The 4.5-square-foot vestibule shelters little more than three pairs of boots. Condensation dampened testers’ bags with just two campers inside, and in rainy conditions, the fly sagged onto the mesh, further compromising airflow. (Update: Easton says Velcro attachment loops have been added to the inside of the fly to improve stability and reduce sag. We didn’t test the new version.) $499; 3 lbs.; eastonmountainproducts.comIdeal for an ultra-light backpacker for thru-hiking or just an overnight trip. This roomy 1+ person tent has space for you and your child, your dog, or all your gear. Comes with small plastic ridge pole and requires 2 hiking/trekking poles for set-up. Features the exclusive “star gazing mode” where the attached flys can be rolled up on top of tent to provide maximum ventilation and views. Custom options include numerous colors, cuben fiber materials, additional entry or vestibule access, alternative adjustable tent poles, wedge/awning options, and much more. Standard version comes in grey with black floor or forest green with tan floor