Tents for bikepacking: These 3 lightweight tents with a small pack size fit well on the bike
Marc Strucken
· 14.07.2024
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Bikepacking is, it has to be said, what you make of it. This probably applies to most endeavours, but everyone has a different understanding of the term bikepacking, which is currently being used very frequently. Some people immediately visualise themselves on a 1000 km trip through Guatemala, others think of a short weekend escape.
The three tents we tested here certainly have their strengths (and weaknesses) - but they all fit into most standard handlebar bags. These small tents for one person may not be the lightest, but they have advantages over ultralight materials such as bivy sacks and tarps: robustness, self-sufficiency (they stand on their own) and better protection against the elements.
We tested two models from Vango, based near Glasgow in the UK: the F10 Helium UL Air and the Apex Compact 100. From the Italian manufacturer Ferrino from Turin comes the Piuma 1 Ultralight.
Practical test of the Vango Apex Compact 100
The first one-person tent in our small test is the heaviest. The Vango Apex Compact 100 weighs a chubby 1886 grams (self-measured) including all the included utensils such as poles, pegs, repair kit and stuff sack. The focus here is primarily on the environmental aspect, as it is mainly made of 70D Protex Eco fabric, which is made from recycled PET bottles. The pack sack itself can be attached to the handlebars, or you can put the tent and accessories with or without the pack sack in your own handlebar bag.
The construction of the Vango Apex one-person tent
The Vango Apex - as well as the other two tents in this test - has a fairly simple construction: they all have a central arch from which the tent extends to the front and rear. The set-up is therefore almost the same for all of them. Firstly, thread through the pole, which is divided into small sections connected with elasticated bands. This was easy with this model and is clearly defined by robust tabs. The ends of the tent pole are fixed to the floor of the Vango Apex with a fabric strap, which keeps the arch in place. A small tent pole is used to set up the foot end - it is fixed between the tent groundsheet and a loop. The tent is then tensioned at the front and back - and that's it. Tensioning the tent and getting the Vango Apex to stand up straight takes a little fine-tuning and getting used to at the beginning, but basically it really does stand up in about 5 minutes, as the manufacturer itself states.
Space, feeling of space & handling
With a floor area of 215 x 95 cm and a maximum height of 88 cm, the interior of the Vango Apex Compact 100 is large enough for most people, including a hip bag or small rucksack. There is also space for (waterproof and insect-proof) luggage in front of the inner entrance. However, the vestibule measures less than 50 cm at its widest point - most of it will probably have to stay on the bike. Lying in the tent, there is plenty of space at the top. Most of the inner tent is made of opaque fabric, which is also windproof - apart from the large entrance to the inner tent, only small mosquito net "windows" on the side and at the end provide air circulation. Good when it's cold - bad at 25 degrees and above. The zips work ok. The only real criticism of the tent, however, is that you have to pull the zip from the bottom front to the top front to get out of the inner tent; a really long way. A 2-way zip would be much more practical here!
Facts & Figures
- Set-up time: approx. 5 minutes
- Capacity: Tent 1 person
- Total weight: 1886 g
- Material: Protex Eco
- Length: 30 cm
- Width: 15 cm (diameter)
- Prices: RRP 185 euros - from 130 euros in stores (as of July 2024)
Conclusion on the Vango Apex Compact 100
The price of around 150 euros for the Vango Apex Compact 100 is attractive, the design and workmanship leave little room for criticism - ok, the zip. And at just under 1.9 kilos, the weight is quite high if you also want to take a sleeping bag and/or sleeping mat with you. But if you want a sturdy shelter and a green conscience without having to worry about the weight, the Vango Apex is certainly a good choice.
Practical test of the Vango F10 Helium UL Air
The Vango F10 Helium UL Air also comes from the British Isles. The exciting thing here is that it has no poles like the Apex, but instead has an inflatable arch - hence the addition Air in the name. However, there is an identical F10 Helium UL, which is erected with an aluminium pole. With the Vango F10 Helium UL Air We have the tent with the average weight determined by us: 1173 grams. Curiously, the manufacturer's weight specification is higher - 1200 or 1350 grams.
The inflation sausage (the manufacturer calls it Airbeam), which gives the Vango F10 Helium its stability, is a thing in itself. On the one hand, it saves the aluminium poles, in principle space and weight as well as threading. In practice, however, the "sausage" is also made of thick plastic. In the end, the Air version weighs even more than the identical Helium with poles (1010 grams according to the manufacturer). And inflating it also takes time, especially with the pack sack acting as a pump bag.
The structure of the Vango F10 Helium
And that brings us to setting up the tent. You can attach both the pump bag and a bicycle pump to the valve of the sausage, but it has to have a decent volume if you want it to go faster. That leaves your own lungs... Otherwise, the small tent pitches just as quickly as the Apex - once you have got used to handling the air-filled stabilisation. Here, too, there is an aluminium pole about 30 centimetres long for the foot end, and the guy ropes are also easy to use.
Space, feeling of space & handling
Inside, the Vango Helium is much smaller than it looks from the outside, as the inner tent is hung quite low. On the other hand, the light-coloured fabric makes it appear a little "airier", even if the inner tent almost lies on your face when lying down - not everyone likes that. The dimensions are accordingly: 210 x 65 centimetres with a maximum height of 85 centimetres in the inner tent.
But: There is a 2-way zip for the entrance to the inner tent! The whole tent and the floor are pleasantly soft and only rustle slightly, even with a sleeping mat. Air inlets at the front and rear of the inner tent also provide ventilation. The five centimetres less in length and only 65 instead of 95 centimetres in width in comparison are noticeable. You only want to bring what you absolutely need into the tent.
Facts & Figures
- Set-up time: approx. 5 to 8 minutes (depending on the inflation process)
- Capacity: Tent for 1 person
- Total weight: 1173 g
- Material: Protex 15
- Length: 33 cm
- Width: 14 cm (diameter)
- Price: RRP 590 euros >> e.g. available at Doorout at a reduced price
Conclusion on the Vango F10 Helium UL Air
The idea with the Airbeam (air sausage) is a good one - but on balance it saves nothing. So if you look at the weight, the lighter helium without air is the better choice. And what happens if there is a gradual loss of air? An aluminium frame is definitely more resistant. Apart from that, the one-person tent is really reduced to the bare essentials, right down to the loops for the pegs made of thin cord. The RRP is high at almost 600 euros, but even then the dealer prices are more bearable. The complete package also fits well in the handlebar bag. In warm weather, it also provides good protection against the cold, so a sleeping mat and long clothing are sufficient for the night.
Practical test of the Ferrino Piuma 1 - TIP
The Ferrino Piuma 1 lives up to its name: Piuma is Italian for feather. At 1016 grams, it is the lightest tent of the three shown here - even though it is labelled "0.95 kg". The Italian tent is even equipped with very light pegs, but these provide almost too little support for the guy ropes if the wind is too strong and pulls on the tent. Anyway, everything fits easily into the pack sack, which is also the smallest here. However, low volume and low weight come at the expense of the tent's dimensions. This tent is not for tall or stocky people, as the sleeping area is only 60 centimetres at its widest point - many sleeping mats are clearly too wide in the foot area. On the other hand, the Ferrino Piuma makes the airiest impression with its light grey outer shell and even lighter inner tent.
The structure of the Ferrino Piuma 1
Also the Ferrino Piuma 1 relies on the bar arch as the central element. However, this consists of individual elements that are only 23.5 centimetres short, which are all connected with an elastic band and slightly curved. This makes it very easy to thread through the tunnel of the outer shell, which is also curved. What's even better is that you don't have to catch the rods to fix them to the ground - the curved rod finds its way almost by itself.
The minimalist pegs with a hook at the top hold the thin cords well - but in soft ground (sandy, damp) they tend to "cut" through the ground when pulled because they are very flat at three millimetres. The rods, the loops, everything makes a lightweight yet durable impression. Mention should be made here of the anodised plates in matching colours into which the poles are inserted! Italian products always have their own style. The handling is no less formidable.
Space, feeling of space & handling
As already described, the Ferrino is the tent with the least space inside. On the other hand, you are surrounded by air, almost cool. The inner tent is wafer-thin and the large mosquito net entrance is correspondingly transparent and air-permeable. The impression when lying down is therefore less cramped than with the other two tents. The fabric above your head also rises steeply towards the ceiling so that you don't come into contact with it at all.
The entrance to the inside is huge. But the best thing is that it can also be rolled up and fastened! So you can put it in and take it out undisturbed or let in even more air. A real summer tent - but probably less pleasant in the cold. A small gimmick is the zip window, which allows you to bring in a water bottle from the area between the inner and outer tent without having to get out of the tent completely. However, it is questionable what a 2-way zip on the flysheet is really good for.
Facts & Figures
- Set-up time: approx. 6 minutes
- Capacity: Tent for 1 person
- Total weight: 1016 g
- Material: Nyon Ripstop
- Length: 29 cm
- Width: 13 cm (diameter)
- Price: RRP 280 Euro >> e.g. at Alltricks available at a reduced price
Conclusion on the Ferrino Piuma 1
The Ferrino Piuma 1 one-person tent was our favourite in terms of concept and weight. Also in view of the relatively favourable price compared to the two tents from Vango. Although there are almost 900 grams between the Vango Apex Compact and the Ferrino Piuma, with a bit of luck it's less than 50 euros. On the other hand, only those who don't have a wide back or need a lot of space will fit into the Italian customised product. We have not yet been able to test how water-resistant the thin floor of the inner tent is (Ferrino promises "total waterproofing" on the website) - but we will be happy to give you feedback once we have had our first rain with the Ferriono Piuma.
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Marc Strucken
Editor
