Best Ultralight Shelters Under 900g: Trekking Pole Tents & Tarps

Cutting shelter weight is one of the fastest ways to lighten your pack without touching your budget for food or safety gear. Every tent and tarp below has a minimum weight under 900g, and all are available through Backpacking Light Australia. Specs are sourced from the manufacturers and our own listings, and every pro and con has been checked against independent reviews too — so you're getting an honest look, condensation quirks and all.

Quick Reference

Gossamer Gear The One Ultralight 1 Person Tent — Updated Model

• Best for: Solo UL/thru-hikers using trekking poles; minimalist 3-season backpacking
• Material: ClearSkies 15D recycled nylon + 20D ripstop grid, SIL/PU coating, PFAS-free (4,923mm HH)
• Minimum Weight: 558 g
• Estimated Packed Weight: 630.4 g (incl. 6 stakes, guylines, stuff sack)
• Dimensions: 213.4 cm length, 83.8 cm width (head) tapering to 53.3 cm (foot)
• Peak Height: 124.5 cm
• Packed Size: 30.5 × 12.7 × 12.7 cm

Pros:

• Lightest true solo trekking-pole shelter in this lineup, with a very compact packed size
• Major waterproofing/durability upgrade over the previous fabric
• Dual doors and vestibules for entry and airflow from either side
• Adjustable guyline system maximises usable floor space

Cons:

• Single-wall design still condenses in cold, calm or humid conditions
• Floor tapers sharply — tight for tall or wide sleepers
• Not freestanding; needs two trekking poles (sold separately) at a specific pitch height
• Small zippers can be fiddly and are best kept out of exposed, high-wind sites

Need room for two? Gossamer Gear also makes The Two, a 2-person version with the same ClearSkies fabric, 124.5cm peak height and 213.4cm length, scaled up to a 121.9cm (head) tapering to 106.7cm (foot) floor. Minimum weight is 798g, with an estimated packed weight of 864.3g (incl. 6 stakes, guylines, stuff sack) — about 240g more than The One — and costs $688.95 AUD.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Ultralight Tent

A fully enclosed, single-pole pyramid-style shelter — the fastest and simplest full-coverage tent in this list to pitch. Best for solo hikers who want speed, a fully bug-proofed shelter, and strong wind/rain performance in one package, and are willing to pay for it.

• Best for: Solo hikers wanting a fast-pitching, fully enclosed 3-season shelter
• Material: Dyneema Composite Fabric 0.55 (walls) + DCF 0.96 (floor) + no-see-um mesh
• Minimum Weight: 454 g (incl. pole jack)
• Estimated Packed Weight: 526 g (incl. 6 stakes)
• Dimensions: 81.3 × 243.8 cm interior floor; 137.2 × 271.8 cm exterior footprint
• Peak Height: 137.2 cm
• Packed Size: 21.6 × 15 × 14 cm

Pros:

• Very fast, simple one-pole pitch, ideal for solo hikers wanting speed and simplicity
• Spacious for one person plus gear, with height-adjustable floor and dual peak vents
• Handles high wind and heavy rain/hail well, per multiple field reviews
• Genuinely ultralight given it's fully enclosed with built-in bug protection

Cons:

• Condensation is a real, recurring issue on calm, humid or cold nights
• Reduced headroom at the front and rear compared to peak height
• Expensive before you add stakes and a compatible pole
• Requires a correctly sized trekking pole or HMG's separate carbon-fibre pole

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2P Dyneema Tent

The roomiest fully enclosed shelter in this roundup, built for two people or a solo hiker who wants extra space. Reviewers consistently praise its vestibule capacity and tall sidewalls. Best for duos or long-distance hikers who prioritise space and storm-worthiness over the absolute lightest 2-person weight.

• Best for: Duos or long-distance hikers wanting a roomy, storm-worthy 2-person shelter
• Material: Dyneema Composite Fabric 0.55 (walls) + DCF 0.96 (floor) + no-see-um mesh, taped seams, 3D sidewalls
• Minimum Weight: 624 g
• Estimated Packed Weight: 696 g (incl. 6 stakes)
• Dimensions: 228.6 × 121.9 cm bathtub floor; 243.8 × 274.3 cm exterior incl. vestibules
• Peak Height: 122 cm
• Packed Size: 21.6 × 15 × 14 cm

Pros:

• Best-in-class vestibule space for a 2-person DCF trekking-pole tent
• Genuinely roomy — fits two wide sleeping pads side by side
• Tall 3D sidewalls keep wind-driven rain off the floor better than flat-walled competitors
• Extremely light for a fully enclosed 2-person shelter, and storm-tested by multiple long-distance reviewers

Cons:

• Condensation performance is inconsistent — site selection and venting make a big difference
• Vestibule vents lack rigid struts to hold them open
• Opposing mesh doors can be awkward for two people moving in and out together
• High price, plus mandatory extra spend on stakes and poles

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Ultralight Tent

A long-running favourite in the ultralight world thanks to its distinctive low hexagonal shape, which sheds wind from any direction. It's one of the most affordable and easiest to pitch shelters in this list. Best for solo hikers wanting a simple single-pole setup with genuinely excellent wind performance at a mid-range price.

• Best for: Solo hikers wanting fast, simple pitching and strong wind-shedding performance at a mid-range price
• Material: 20D silicone-coated polyester canopy, 40D silicone-coated polyester floor (3,000mm HH), #3 YKK zippers
• Minimum Weight: 740 g (stakes and pole not included)
• Estimated Packed Weight: 812 g (incl. 6 stakes)
• Dimensions: 228 × 121 cm inner floor, 2.4 sqm floor area, 0.8 sqm vestibule
• Peak Height: 124.5 cm (set centrally for maximum usable space)
• Packed Size: 27.9 × 11.4 cm

Pros:

• Low hexagonal shape with short, steep sides handles wind and snow loads exceptionally well
• Fast, simple single trekking-pole pitch — reviewers report under two minutes in any conditions
• Bathtub floor plus 15cm mesh lining keeps you separated from condensation on the canopy walls
• Generous vestibule (0.8 sqm) set on the long side for storage and ventilation with the door fully open

Cons:

• One of the heavier tent-style shelters in this list, before adding stakes or a pole
• Does not come seam-sealed from the factory — you'll need to seam-seal it yourself before first use
• Stakes and trekking pole both sold separately
• Single-wall condensation can still occur on the canopy in humid or still conditions, despite the mesh lining

Pacertent Ridgetop 1 Plus Ultralight Trekking Pole Tent

The budget option in this roundup, at less than half the price of the Gossamer Gear or Hyperlite tents. It uses a twin-pole design with steep panel angles for extra headroom and storm-worthiness rather than the lowest possible weight. Best for solo hikers who want more interior space and a storm-ready shape without spending on premium fabrics — though worth noting upfront that we couldn't find any independent third-party reviews of this specific tent, so its pros and cons below are drawn from manufacturer and retailer information rather than field-tested opinion.

• Best for: Solo hikers wanting extra headroom and a storm-worthy shape at a budget price
• Material: 15D nylon ripstop Sil/PEU floor, 15D polyester ripstop Sil/PEU fly (2,000mm HH), no-see-um mesh
• Minimum Weight: 736 g (tent + guylines)
• Estimated Packed Weight: 820 g (incl. stuff sack, 8 stakes)
• Dimensions: 210 × 130 × 80 cm (tapered), 2.2 sqm floor area, 0.8 sqm vestibule
• Peak Height: 118 cm
• Packed Size: 38 × 11 cm

Pros:

• Roomy for its weight class — twin-pole design gives good peak height and floor area
• Steeper panel angles designed for better wind and snow shedding than flat-walled competitors
• Dual peak vents and adjustable pitch height for condensation management
• Significantly cheaper than the other tents here, with stakes and a footprint bundled in

Cons:

• Single door only, limiting entry/exit and cross-ventilation options
• Heavier, lower hydrostatic-head fabric than the DCF or ClearSkies options in this list
• No independent reviews exist yet — real-world durability and performance claims rest on manufacturer/retailer copy
• Not freestanding; requires two trekking poles, not included

Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF Flat Tarp 8' x 10'

The simplest and most versatile shelter here: a rectangular Dyneema Composite Fabric tarp with 16 perimeter and 6 body tie-outs for near-unlimited pitch configurations. Best for experienced tarp campers and minimalists comfortable pitching without an enclosed floor or bug net — or as a group cooking/rain shelter.

• Best for: Experienced tarp campers and minimalists wanting maximum pitch versatility
• Material: Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) 0.75 oz/yd², stitchless bonded ridgeline seam
• Minimum Weight: 309 g (tarp + guylines)
• Estimated Packed Weight: 381 g (incl. 6 stakes)
• Dimensions: 244 × 305 cm (flat)
• Peak Height: variable — pitch height depends on trekking pole/pole setup used
• Packed Size: 19.1 × 20.3 × 6.4 cm

Pros:

• Extremely light and compact for its size, with near-unlimited pitch configurations
• DCF doesn't absorb water, so no sag or stretch when wet
• Very durable — reviewers report years of hard use across varied climates
• Doubles as an emergency layer or day-pack shelter

Cons:

• Expensive for "just a tarp"
• No floor or bug protection — needs a separate bivy or mesh inner
• No four-sided weather protection in storms
• Stakes and trekking poles both sold separately, adding to real all-in cost

SlingFin NFT Ultralight Flat Tarp

The non-Dyneema alternative to the Hyperlite tarp above — a 10D sil/sil nylon flat tarp that ships complete with pre-attached guylines and 12 stakes included, at roughly 60% of the price. Best for tarp campers who want a durable, fully kitted-out setup without paying DCF prices, or for duo/group use given its larger footprint.

• Best for: Tarp campers wanting a durable, fully kitted-out non-Dyneema option; duo or group shelter use
• Material: 10D nylon 66 ripstop, silicone-coated both sides (sil/sil), 20D reinforcements, catenary-cut long edges
• Minimum Weight: 386 g (incl. pre-attached guylines)
• Estimated Packed Weight: 618 g (incl. stuff sack, 12 stakes, spare guylines)
• Dimensions: 304.8 × 292 cm (flat) — note this is a larger 9.5' x 10' tarp, not 8' x 10'
• Peak Height: variable — pitch height depends on trekking pole/pole setup used
• Packed Size: 10 × 10 × 23 cm

Pros:

• Excellent value — widely rated as one of the best-performing non-Dyneema tarps available
• Ships complete with guylines, tensioners and 12 stakes included in the price
• Catenary-cut long edges give a taut, non-flapping pitch
• Sil/sil nylon is strong, sags less than PU-coated fabric, and is easier to repair than DCF

Cons:

• Heavier than the DCF tarp option in this list, despite being nylon rather than premium fabric
• No bug protection — needs a separate mesh inner for a fully enclosed setup
• Fabric can be slippery and awkward to fold back into its stuff sack
• Doesn't come seam-sealed out of the box; one long-term reviewer reported the ridgeline needed sealing over time

SlingFin SplitWing UL Tarp

SlingFin's most minimal trekking-pole shelter, designed for thru-hikes and FKT attempts where every gram counts. Unlike a flat tarp, the SplitWing closes in at the foot end and uses adjustable "wings" at the front pole to trade off floor area/storm protection (pitched low) against headroom (pitched high). Best for solo hikers wanting the lightest possible enclosed-foot tarp shelter, or two very close friends happy to share a snug space.

• Best for: Solo or duo UL/thru-hikers wanting the lightest enclosed-foot tarp shelter, with the option to add a vestibule or mesh inner later
• Material: 10D nylon 66 ripstop Sil/Sil (1,200mm HH), 20D nylon ripstop PE reinforcement panels (1,800mm HH) at high-stress points
• Minimum Weight: 224 g
• Estimated Packed Weight: 315 g (incl. 6 DAC J-stakes)
• Dimensions: 229 cm length; 152–182 cm width (head, depending on pitch height); 92 cm width (foot)
• Peak Height: 104–119 cm (head, depending on pitch height), 61 cm (foot)
• Packed Size: 20 × 10 × 10 cm

Pros:

• Extremely light for an enclosed-foot shelter — packs down to roughly grapefruit-sized
• Adjustable front pole height (105–120cm) lets you prioritise either headroom or storm protection
• Enclosed foot end cuts drafts and improves weather protection over an open flat tarp
• Modular system — add SlingFin's optional vestibule or Mesh Body later for full double-wall protection

Cons:

• No floor or bug protection on its own — needs the optional Mesh Body for a fully enclosed setup
• Cozy rather than comfortable for two people despite the "1-2 person" rating
• Open front (before adding the optional vestibule) offers less weather protection than a fully enclosed tent

Adding a floor: Pair it with the SlingFin Splitwing Floor ($139 AUD) for a puncture-resistant groundsheet under your pad. It adds just 99g packaged (203 × 140/76cm, head/foot) and doubles as a footprint if you later add the Mesh Body inner — a cheap, light way to protect your gear and sleeping pad without committing to a full double-wall setup.

Which one should you choose?

If you want the lightest possible solo trekking-pole tent, the Gossamer Gear The One (or The Two for two people) is the standout this year with its updated ClearSkies fabric. For the fastest, fully enclosed pitch, Hyperlite's Mid 1 and Unbound 2P are hard to beat — at a price. If you'd rather have a simple, wind-shedding tent at a friendlier price point, the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is a proven, easy-to-pitch option, and the Pacertent Ridgetop 1 Plus gets you into a roomy, storm-worthy trekking-pole tent for under $300. And if you're comfortable with an open or semi-open tarp setup, the Hyperlite Flat Tarp, SlingFin NFT and SlingFin SplitWing all offer excellent versatility — the NFT for value, the SplitWing for outright minimalism.

Browse the full range of ultralight shelters and hammocks at Backpacking Light, and subscribe to our newsletter for more gear guides like this one.