If you ever check out ultralight internet forums like Reddit or Backpacking Light, you’ll very quickly discover that people have some strong opinions on what tent weight can be considered ‘ultralight’ – and their definitions can vary widely. 

A part of the issue is that there is rarely any delineation between what type of tent is being discussed. Is the tent a 2-season or a 4-season? Is it single or double wall? Freestanding? Does it have a frame structure or do you need to use hiking poles? Most discussions you find online that put forward clear ‘weight limits’ for ultralight tents don’t address any of these factors, or how that might impact the total weight.  

However, if you really want a ballpark estimate for what tent weight classifies as ultralight, we’ll give you one.

For a 3-season, double-wall tent with a full-length pole frame structure to be classified as ‘ultralight’, it should be about 1kg or less for a 1-person tent, or about 2kg or less for a 2-person tent. That's including essential accessories, carry bag, etc.. 

At the end of the day, the best weight for a tent depends on how, where, and when you’re using it. Choose the option that fits your adventures, not someone else’s spreadsheet.

A tent’s waterproof rating is usually expressed as a hydrostatic head measurement. This rating tells you how much water pressure the fabric can handle before it leaks. 

The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric is. 

It can be tempting to fall into the ‘more is better’ trap – surely you should get a tent with the highest hydrostatic head rating you can get your hands on?! 

In reality, the industry benchmark for the hydrostatic head rating of a 3-season tent is between 1,200-1,800 for the fly and 2,000-3,000 for the floor. While you can go higher than that, it probably won’t noticeably improve the waterproof protection of your tent. 

What actually makes a noticeable difference are things like the fabric quality, coating composition, seam sealing, and the tent design. We’ve got a blog article that goes in depth into all of these topics, read it here.

After each trip, we recommend unpacking your tent and allowing it to air dry in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight until it’s completely dry.

While you’re at it, take the opportunity to give it a spot clean. Shake or brush out any debris, then use a soft cloth with a cleaning solution that’s formulated for outdoor gear (we recommend Nikwax Tech Wash®) to clean off any dirty marks on the fabric.

If a deep clean is required, this should always be done by hand. Fill your bathtub or a large bucket of water with lukewarm water and suitable technical wash. Work over the fabric using a sponge or soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Gently wipe off the excess water with a towel first, then hang on the clothesline or on a rack and leave to air dry completely.

If you use your tent frequently (30+ nights per year), we recommend applying a waterproofing or solar-protective treatment, such as Nikwax SolarProof® once a season.

Tent season ratings are intended to help you understand what conditions a specific tent is suitable for. 

3-season tents are intended for use in spring, summer, and autumn, and can handle the typical weather conditions you’d experience if you were camping in these seasons – so a bit of everything, basically. 

However, 3-season tents are not designed specifically for extreme weather, such as snow, high winds, or storms, and may lack some of the necessary features or durability to manage these conditions. 

This is where 4-season tents come in – they are designed for use in challenging winter or high alpine conditions, with greater durability, wind resilience, and waterproof protection. Some 4-season tents have special design features to make them suitable for use in heavy snow. 

3.5-season tents are an in-between. The materials are generally slightly stronger and more durable than those found in a 3-season tent, and the design may vary to prioritise stability and weatherproofing, but they don’t feature the snow-specific features that are typically found in a 4-season tent.

Yes, all Alton tents are covered by our All Good Guarantee, which is our Lifetime Warranty* against manufacturing faults and defects. That means if your tent ever fails because of a manufacturing fault or defect in materials or workmanship, we’ll repair or replace it. 

Our All Good Guarantee doesn’t cover damage from accidents, misuse, storms, or normal wear and tear, but we will do our best to assist you in these situations by providing advice on how to repair your gear.