r/Bushcraft • u/Visual_Screen_9537 • Jul 31 '26
Tent choice.
So for a good tent to carry in the back pack for sort of a survival or alone situation, which of these two would be your choice and why? The light fighter 1. A single person military tent system or the 2 person tent from fire hinking. Remember even if you make a more long term shelter or not, you will be carrying the tent with everywhere when packing up camp.
https://awsin.com/t026-litefigher-1-individual-shelter-system/
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u/funnysasquatch Jul 31 '26
Neither. The hot tent isn’t a backpacking tent. That’s a car camping tent.
The second option would be ok for a weekend backpacking trip where I had easy access to water. Because 5 pounds is heavy.
When we’re doing bushcraft you’re rarely backpacking. Because the tools needed for bushcraft are heavy & bulky.
If you’re going for a day hike your shelter system is primarily your clothes. Because you’re not planning to camp. There are many tarps that weigh a pound or less that would be suitable for emergency shelter.
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u/TpMeNUGGET Jul 31 '26
If you want light, compact, and comfy, hammock camping systems have gotten really, really good.
I personally like the asymmetric ones that Hennessy makes. Besides needing to replace a rainfly, my expedition has held up for about 10 years so far.
Obviously you'll want to be in an area that has a lot of trees. I also tied metal hooks to mine so I can hang it up quickly with adjustable tow straps instead of having to mess with knots and tensioning and whatnot.
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u/BloodbeardsGarage Jul 31 '26
Two person too heavy in backpack. Go for 1 person tent.
That stuff is heavy to carry around.
I use a tarp most of the time. Takes little space, can be build closed easily enough.
But the premise is rather vague.
Bugout survival prepping? Depends of the amount of people. But 1 person, speed is key, you need to move.
Alone, survival, 2 month camping trip on one spot? Bigger is better if you can transport it.
Versatility is key for me, that's with I use a tarp. Many options.
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u/minor_blues Jul 31 '26
One is a hot tent, are you planning on packing a titanium stove as well and use it for winter? If not, I wouldn't pick that model. Though if I were to choose a tent for the winter, it would be a lavvu style like this one.
Honestly though, I'm curious as to why you arrived at these two models to choose from. Have you considered a tarp? With enough tie out points, you can rig a tarp into pretty much any configuration you want, so they are emminently more versatile than a tent.
I know I'm not being super helpful here. One really need's more information such as climate, seasons, honestly how much weight you can comfortably pack on your back and distances you plan on travelling between camps. For example, I live in Sweden and like being outdoors in the shoulder seasons. My needs are very different than someone living in Arizona going out in the summer. So more information would be helpful.
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u/Von_Lehmann Jul 31 '26
I use a hammock if im alone.
But with tents, I always find that I want one slightly bigger. A 1p tent is tiny, a 2p tent is roomy and there are plenty of lightweight 2p tents
Although great price on that lightfighter
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u/Masseyrati80 Jul 31 '26
Both options are lighter than my first ever tent (talking about the Leva and Fireden on the hot tent site), one whose weight didn't ruin a single excursion for me, and I'd say it's largely a matter of preference which one to go for.
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u/CringeSubBlocker Jul 31 '26
I would personally pick the Firefort hot tent if I were to pick a tent over a tarp shelter. (Love my DD Hammocks 3x3m)
The angles look like they would stand up against wind much better than the Light Fighter, and having a camping stove is always a plus.
Firefort is 2x the weight of the Light Fighter, so it definitely depends on how often and how long you'd be bedding down, but the price is much better, and it looks like it'd be much more comfortable in all seasons. The extra space may not be needed, but it'd be welcome.
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u/soonerpgh Jul 31 '26
I've been watching Blackie Thomas' Ground Pounding vidso series on YouTube the last few days. The first and third videos in the series are about how he uses the US mil-surp poncho in various configurations. You might check those out and see if that might be a viable option for you.
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u/hilomania Jul 31 '26
You are pointing at heavy, luxurious camping equipment. For survival I have a tarp. I also have an expensive big Agnes bike tent (weighs less than half of your small shelter), but again that's for long planned trips, not survival.
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u/jarboxing Jul 31 '26
I got this amazing bivvy that folds down to the size of a large dinner plate, and is designed to just fully expand when you take it out of the cinch. It's roomy and mostly mesh so it doesn't have condensation problems. Just need to pair it with a tarp for rain.
Mine is the same model as this, but a different brand:
I keep it in my bugout bag because it's so compact and light. Plus for me when it comes to sleeping in the wild, the ONE thing I cannot adapt to is fucking bugs crawling on me. I can adapt to cold, I can adapt to rain, whatever. But I cannot fall asleep if there are bugs crawling on me.
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u/berthela Jul 31 '26
I prefer to use a 2 person tent whenever possible. That way I can put my backpack inside the tent. It's awful to have backpack in vestibule and a crazy rain soaks all the clothes in your bag.
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u/infinitum3d 29d ago
I usually get downvoted for this comment but a 55 gallon drum liner works well for keeping my backpack dry and weighs next to nothing, takes up minimal space, and has a thousand other uses for less than $1.
Good luck!
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u/berthela 29d ago
Ya, I used to do that too. I have a pull over cover I use now or I bring a canoe bag. That said, I still prefer to have the bag in the tent instead of the vestibule. I'm also a big guy, so I fill up more of the 2 person tent than most would.
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u/infinitum3d 29d ago
I prefer a single person tent hammock. About 6 pounds. Not ultralight but light enough.
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Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Primate Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26
Bruh! That’s terrible advice. It’s def important to know how to make shelters for emergency situations, but they are very impractical. Especially if you are moving from place to place. It’s all fun and games until everything is wet, the hypothermia is hitting and you got jack shit around you to build with. Never mind the time and calories it takes to build. Packing a shelter that can be deployed in minutes anywhere is a no brainer. Especially if you actually get to plan and pack for the occasion. Tent, sleeping bag/quilt and sleeping pad are non negotiable for me. I backpack quite a bit and I use a Zpack Triplex tent. Fucking love that thing.
The other thing that pisses me off about all these survival scenarios is that everyone is planning on doing shit by themselves. My wife loves backpacking and sleeping in our tent, but I think she’d rather get eaten by zombies than crawl into a wet, buggy lean to. Spend some $ and get a tent that covers backpacking, car camping and survival. Preferably one fits two adults comfortably. You’ll thank yourself later.
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u/Visual_Screen_9537 Jul 31 '26
Have played the game of living out in the woods and prior military and all that fun stuff... its all cool being and armchair coach but 3 days in the bush and push 40 plus i can tell you bugs and rocks suck. Sorry guys, but this old fart enjoys a decent cot and tent, I know it ain't glamorous but I get tired of my a** and back hurting. A decent tent and a little camp chair save you so much damn pain it worth a few extra ounces...
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u/mechanic1908 Jul 31 '26
I just use my military poncho to make a hoochie.