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1 person tent: trade ounces for room and storm strength

By the Plain Prepper editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Quick answer

The three solo tents here range from 1 lb 11 oz to 4 lb 1 oz, and the lighter ones give up floor shape, fabric thickness or self-support. MSR's Elixir 1 weighs 4 lb 1 oz but includes a footprint and uses heavy 75D fabrics. MSR's Hubba Hubba HD 1 weighs 2 lb 10 oz with 20 sq ft of floor and a 3,000 mm fly. Big Agnes's Fly Creek UL1 hits 1 lb 11 oz trail weight but is semi-freestanding with a tapered floor. Compare the same weight type, floor area and vestibule before choosing.

Three solo tents side by side

Spec	MSR Elixir 1	MSR Hubba Hubba HD 1	Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1
Lightest listed weight	4 lb 1 oz (minimum)	2 lb 10 oz (minimum)	1 lb 11 oz (trail)
Packaged / total weight	5 lb 2 oz	3 lb	2 lb
Floor	18 sq ft, 88 x 30 in rectangle	20 sq ft rectangle	20 sq ft, 86 in long, 38 tapering to 28 in
Vestibule	8 sq ft	8.5 sq ft	5 sq ft
Peak height	39 in	39 in	40 in
Fly coating	75D polyester, 1,500 mm	20D nylon, 3,000 mm	HyperBead fabric
Floor coating	75D polyester, 3,000 mm	30D nylon, 6,000 mm	Not listed on spec tab
Footprint	Included	Sold separately	Sold separately
Pitch	Two aluminum poles	One DAC pole, side entry	Semi-freestanding, front entry

The Fly Creek's 2 lb total is less than half the Elixir's 5 lb 2 oz packaged weight, but the Elixir adds a footprint, thicker fabrics and a rectangular floor. Per pound of lightest listed weight, the Fly Creek gives about 11.9 sq ft of floor, the Hubba Hubba HD about 7.6 and the Elixir about 4.4.

Read weights the same way

MSR says it follows the ASTM F1934-98 standard for two terms:

• Packaged weight: everything in the package off the shelf, including stakes, guy lines and the stuff sack.
• Minimum weight: only the tent body, rainfly and poles.

Big Agnes lists "trail weight" and "total weight" instead. When comparing brands, line up minimum or trail weight against each other, and packaged against total, then add the stakes and footprint you will actually carry.

Space for one person and gear

• Floor shape: MSR calls both of its solo tents true rectangles; the Fly Creek tapers from 38 to 28 inches, narrower at the feet.
• Vestibule: gear that stays outside the inner tent but dry lives here. The MSR tents give 8 to 8.5 sq ft; the Fly Creek gives 5 sq ft.
• Entry: the Hubba Hubba HD has a side door; the Fly Creek has a front door at the head end.
• Headroom: all three list 39 to 40 inches at the peak.

If you are tall or sleep with a wide pad, check floor length and width against your pad, not just square feet.

Waterproofing and condensation

MSR explains its millimeter ratings: a 1,500 mm coating withstands a 1,500 mm (5 ft) column of water for more than a minute before a drop comes through, which MSR says is enough to keep out rain in a hurricane-force storm. Higher numbers, such as the Hubba Hubba HD's 3,000 mm fly and 6,000 mm floor, add margin.

Condensation is a separate issue. MSR says a person gives off about 1 to 2 pints of moisture a night, and that no design eliminates condensation; ventilation is the fix. Its tips:

• Keep the peak vent open.
• Open a door in good weather, or vent from the top of a door with the double sliders.
• Open at least two vents for cross-flow when you can.
• Guy out the rainfly to improve airflow.

Footprint, care and storage

MSR recommends a footprint under its tents to keep the floor clean and dry and protect it from abrasion. The Elixir 1 includes one; for the Hubba Hubba HD and Fly Creek, it is an extra.

Storage matters for a tent kept for emergencies. MSR says never to pack or store a tent wet, damp or dirty, because prolonged moisture breaks down the waterproof coating through hydrolysis, and that UV light is a tent's biggest enemy. Store it dry, cool and out of direct sun, loose in a breathable oversized sack rather than its stuff sack. Practice pitching it at home before you need it in the dark or rain.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

How much does a good 1 person tent weigh?

The examples here run from 1 lb 11 oz trail weight (Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1) to 4 lb 1 oz minimum weight (MSR Elixir 1). Compare the same weight type across brands.

What is the difference between minimum and packaged tent weight?

Under ASTM F1934-98, which MSR follows, packaged weight is everything in the box; minimum weight is only the body, fly and poles.

How do I stop condensation in a 1 person tent?

Ventilate. MSR says to keep the peak vent open, open at least two vents for cross-flow and guy out the fly; a person adds 1 to 2 pints of moisture a night.

Do I need a footprint for a solo tent?

MSR recommends one to protect the floor from dirt and abrasion. The Elixir 1 includes it; the Hubba Hubba HD 1 and Fly Creek UL1 do not.

Sources

• Elixir 1-Person Backpacking Tent: tech specs, MSR (Cascade Designs)
• Hubba Hubba HD 1-Person Backpacking Tent: tech specs, MSR (Cascade Designs)
• Fly Creek UL1: specs, Big Agnes
• MSR tent FAQ: weights, waterproof ratings, condensation, storage, MSR (Cascade Designs)

Sources checked 2026-10-15.