Field Tested: Alton 1 Person Lightweight Tent
When I started looking for a new lightweight tent, Alton was the obvious first choice. I already own their sleep mat, sleeping bag, and a handful of their other products, so I knew I could rely on the quality—and that whatever I chose would be light enough for multi-day hikes or remote climbing missions.
With summer on the way and plenty of plans to get outdoors, I reached out to Alton to test-drive their 1-person lightweight tent.
First impressions? Excellent. Straight out of the bag, the weight sealed the deal—just 1.4 kg.
And honestly, one of the most underrated wins: it actually fits back into the bag without a wrestling match. That deserves its own applause.
I’ll add a small disclaimer: I’m not a tent expert. For the last few years I’ve been rocking a $14 Kmart tent for my overnighters, so stepping into something more technical felt like a serious upgrade.
First night in the tent at Wooroonook Lakes
One of the features that stood out immediately was the external frame system. No more threading poles through sleeves only for them to snag halfway through. The simple clip-on setup is fast, smooth, and frustration-free.
The freestanding frame was another highlight—you can pitch the tent completely, then pick it up and reposition it before pegging it down. Super helpful when you’re searching for that perfect flat spot.
I also appreciated that the tent, fly and footprint (sold separately) can be all connected, so everything pitches in one go instead of in stages. You can detach the pieces with toggles if you want, but having it all go up at once is a huge time-saver, especially at the end of a long day.
There’s a generously sized gear vestibule on the side, ideal for storing your pack or climbing gear.
Inside, the tent feels surprisingly spacious. I’m on the shorter side, but I tossed a couple of tall friends inside and they fit comfortably. There’s enough room beside your sleeping mat for a bag—or your trad rack if you like to keep your gear close.
Left: Exterior Frame & clip system set up. Right: Internal Storage Sleeve
Head height is solid, and the storage options are thoughtful: a small sleeve by the door for essentials like keys or your phone, and a larger overhead pocket perfect for stashing a jacket or other quick-grab items.
Another set of features I appreciated were the small but smart design details that make a big difference on longer trips. There’s a mesh panel on the footprint that helps keep dirt and debris from being dragged inside—something my old tent never managed well. The adjustable ventilation tabs are also a great touch, allowing you to fine-tune airflow depending on the weather, from warm summer nights to cooler alpine mornings. And the outward-opening door is a simple but brilliant improvement; no more rain dripping into the tent every time you climb in or out.
These thoughtful details round out the tent’s already impressive design, making it genuinely user-friendly in real-world conditions.
Aurora skies at Wooroonook Lakes
Overall: It’s lightweight, quick to pitch, and packed with thoughtful features that feel almost luxurious for the middle of nowhere.
The only thing I can imagine rivalling it? Alton’s new Dyneema tent, with a total packed weight of 1.2 kg and an impressive trail weight of just 1.049 kg. That one’s definitely on my radar.
You can purchase the Alton 1 person Lightweight tent and more fantastic lightweight gear here
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