Wouldn’t it be nice if your backcountry shelter weighed less than a full water bottle—and packed down just as small? Good news! A multitude of options are available that do just that. Bad news! They all require some sacrifices. The trade-offs you make, however, vary significantly by the type of ultralight shelter you select. So which one of the following sentences describes you?

I want the lightest shelter possible.
Ultralight tarps weigh less than a pound, pack down to a size a bit bigger than a tennis ball but smaller than a softball, and are made from featherweight fabrics, usually silnylon. They come in a variety of sizes, with most measuring somewhere between 5 feet by 8 feet and 8 feet by 10 feet. Smaller versions are lighter (as little as 7 ounces), but provide correspondingly less coverage than their larger brethren (10-14 ounces). Tarps can be pitched in a multitude of ways—from a simple overhead canopy to an elaborate low-to-the-ground A-frame—and will keep you adequately dry in all but the most severe weather conditions. For maximum versatility, look for a multitude of reinforced, pre-sewn loops for attaching the guy lines and trekking poles necessary for support. Sleeping under a tarp requires some significant sacrifices, including no protection from bugs, no floor, and the effort (and practice) it takes to set one up properly. Expect to pay $75-$150, depending on model.

DID YOU KNOW?
During 8 hours of sleep, the average person exhales and perspires more than a cup of water.

I want maximum space and protection for the
weight.
Upgrade to a single-wall, floorless tent. An array of styles are available, though most sub-2-pound versions feature an A-frame or tunnel tent design that utilizes one (or both) of your trekking poles for support. Be wary of designs that use both poles—they can be difficult to set up and tension properly. For only a few ounces more (2-3 pounds), consider one of the most popular and proven designs: the pyramid tent. A single pole supports the middle of this teepee-like structure, which is then guyed out or staked around the perimeter. Easy to pitch and extremely sturdy in wind, pyramid tents accommodate two to four people, bringing the per-person shelter weight well below 2 pounds. The drawbacks of floorless tents? Sleeping on the ground, no bug protection, and increased cost ($150-$300).

I want full protection from bugs, weather, and the ground for the least weight.
Slide inside a bivy sack and relax—no bugs, wind, or weather can get you now. Designed to fit over you and your sleeping bag like a crinkly cocoon, most bivy sacks feature a waterproof-breathable upper layer and a more durable, non-breathable bottom. They range widely in weight, from as little as a pound to 2 pounds or more, depending largely on how heavy (and durable) the fabric is. Bivy sacks have some significant disadvantages, however. There’s room for you and your sleeping bag, and nothing else—claustrophobes beware. And no matter how breathable they are, you will still experience significant condensation inside and wake up in a damp sleeping bag. A quality bivy will set you back $200-$300.

I want it all! Give me full protection and good ventilation.
A traditional double-wall tent has a floor. It keeps bugs out. It has excellent ventilation. The only problem? It tips the scales at well over 2 pounds. Most lightweight solo tents hover in the 2-3 pound range; the majority of twoperson tents weigh at least 4. But with today’s ultralight fabrics, a few tents are starting to push the 2-pound barrier, notably the Fly Creek series from Big Agnes and several one-person versions from Big Sky International. You pay more for all this luxury, both in terms of interior space and cost ($300 or more). If you’re hiking with a partner, however, you’ll find a wider range of ultralight two-person tents that reduce weight to less than 2 pounds per person.