The author, who hikes from low mountains to the Alps with the motto of keeping his equipment as light as possible, also wants his tents to be as simple and light as possible
However, only a few experts with the skills and experience can survive the night without a tent and relying almost entirely on a sleeping bag (this style is sometimes called "cowboy camping")
However, the good news for hikers like me who still can't give up on lightness is that while until recently most mountain tents were dome-shaped, fortunately there are now many different types of tents available, with many options available, from traditional double-wall tents to shelters (simple tents) that omit the poles and fly, or even tents (tents for emergency bivouacs) that offer increased livability
However, there isn't much information available on which lightweight shelter to start with, even though rare lightweight tents and shelters are particularly expensive items of equipment and are not something you can just buy and try out
Good news for those looking for a lightweight, mountain-safe tent with good value for money. DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent from DD Hammocks . Having used it throughout all four seasons in the Northern Alps and Yatsugatake, this floorless, one-pole shelter is still my favorite.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable shelter that is portable, practical, and cost-effective. Let's get started with our review .
table of contents
- Key Features of the DD Hammocks DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent
- Detailed Review
- Lightweight and compact, weighing just 460g
- Floorless so you can enter the tent with your shoes on
- High weather resistance that allows use in mountainous areas
- Large enough for two people to sleep
- Even if condensation occurs, the floor is not exposed to water
- Excellent value for money, with change coming in at just 30,000 yen
- Seam taped and ready to use
- Flexible fabric and a large storage bag that can accommodate even the most haphazardly packed items
- Summary: This lightweight tent is cost-effective and highly portable, making it ideal for beginner hikers who want a lightweight tent
Key Features of the DD Hammocks DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent
A photo from when I stayed in a tent at Chogatake Hut in the Northern Alps
DD Hammocks is a UK-based brand founded in 2005 by world traveler Nick Vansitter. As the brand name includes "hammock," it is known as a hammock manufacturer, but it also manufactures and sells a wide range of other products, including backpacks, tarps, cookware, and cutlery.
The tent we're introducing today is the DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent . It's an ultra-lightweight tent weighing just 460g, and is designed to be used as a fly for the DD SuperLight Pyramid Mesh Tent
The frameless, single-structure DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent can be set up by hanging it from a branch using the top loop or by lifting the center with trekking poles. It offers ample space for solo campers, and its 3000mm PU coating and large ventilation holes prevent condensation inside. A total of 13 peg-down points ensure high weather resistance, making it suitable for camping and mountain use.
Favorite points
- Lightweight and compact, weighing just 460g
- Floorless so you can enter the tent with your shoes on
- High weather resistance that allows use in mountainous areas
- Large enough for two people to sleep
- Even if condensation occurs, the floor is not exposed to water
- Excellent value for money, with change coming in at just 30,000 yen
- Seam taped and ready to use
- Flexible fabric and a large storage bag that can accommodate even the most haphazardly packed items
Points of concern
- (Obviously) it's not very confidential
- Because it is a one-pole shelter, the living space is not large compared to the floor area (the ceiling is narrow)
- Because it is a single wall, there is a fair amount of condensation
- Slightly heavier than similar models made with more expensive fabrics
Main specifications and evaluation
| Item Name | DD Hammocks DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent |
|---|---|
| structure | One-pole tent |
| Number of people sleeping | 2 people |
| size | L 260cm, W 245cm, H 120cm |
| Storage size | 25 x 20 x 7 cm (actual measurements) |
| weight | 460g |
| material | Ripstop nylon with PU coating (water resistance 3,000mm) |
| accessories |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of setup and takedown | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Portability | ★★★★★ |
| weather resistance | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cost performance | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed Review
I the DD Hammocks DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent for over four years, and I have used it extensively in mountainous areas such as the Northern Alps and Yatsugatake, as well as camping by the sea and lakes.Here is my review of my impressions.
Lightweight and compact, weighing just 460g
Photos from when we stayed in a tent at the Youth Lodge in Yatsugatake
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent is a tent that can be set up using trekking poles instead.
Since it uses trekking poles instead, it has no frame, making it lighter than dome tents and weighs just 460g, less than 500g according to the manufacturer. It also packs up compactly, making it easy to carry
Most UL (ultralight) tents weigh around 500g on average, so the weight of 460g is light enough to pass muster even for those looking for a UL tent
Comparison with a 500ml plastic bottle
Low confidentiality
The secret to its lightness isn't just that it has no frame
The single-wall construction and the fact that it is "floorless" are also reasons for its lightness
Because it is a floorless tent, there will inevitably be gaps at the bottom of the tent, which means that insects and other pests can still get in. Therefore, insect protection measures may be necessary when using the tent in hot weather or at altitudes below the tree line
When the temperature is high, I use a versatile insect net to protect against insects
The mosquito net and net that I use to protect against insects. They are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand
Floorless tents are less airtight, but they have their pros and cons
Floorless so you can enter the tent with your shoes on
As mentioned above, floorless tents have the disadvantage of being less airtight and more susceptible to insects and other insects entering, but the big advantage is that you can enter the tent with your shoes on
Since it is possible to provide a "sleeping space" and a "dirt floor" inside the tent, the overall living space is large and you can stay comfortable inside the tent
When camping in a tent in the winter and it was snowing, I was grateful that I could enter the tent with my shoes on
When I stayed in a tent in the Yatsugatake mountains during the coldest winter, the temperature dropped to minus 18 degrees
High weather resistance that allows use in mountainous areas
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent has eight peg points on the tent body, four guy ropes, and one guy rope for ventilation, allowing for a total of 13 peg down points.
This makes it highly weather-resistant and allows you to stay comfortable even in strong winds
When I camped at Chogatake Hut in the Northern Alps, even though strong winds continued to blow, the tent did not collapse and I was able to stay there until morning without any problems
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent is weatherproof enough to withstand use in mountainous areas.
The fabric itself has a water resistance of 3,000mm and is PU coated, making this tent resistant to not only wind but also water
Large enough for two people to sleep
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent measures 260cm long, 245cm wide and 120cm high, making it large enough for two people to sleep in.
The size may be a little cramped when carrying two people's gear, but it is more than luxuriously spacious for solo use
This spaciousness is beneficial when stranded in bad weather, and there is ample space to cook inside the tent
One thing that concerns me is that, as you can see, one-pole tents have a pointed pyramid shape, which means that the living space is limited compared to the floor area, and there are only a few places to sit
For those who are used to dome tents, this difference can be significant, and you may feel cramped until you get used to it (that's what happened to me)
Even if condensation occurs, the floor is not exposed to water
Condensation inside the tent due to the temperature difference with the outside air
One thing to be concerned about is condensation
Condensation occurs when there is a difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the tent. The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent has a single-wall structure, so there is no space between the inside of the tent and the outside air to mitigate the temperature difference, and the temperature difference directly causes condensation
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent has ample ventilation, but condensation still occurs.
Condensation will eventually flow onto the floor, and in airtight tents, this can lead to flooding. However, the DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent is floorless, so any water that flows down is simply drained onto the ground, meaning there is no need to worry about the inside of the tent becoming flooded
Since it is a single-wall tent, it is not possible to completely prevent condensation, so you will need to take measures against condensation by wiping it down regularly
You can prevent condensation from spreading by wiping it off regularly with absorbent sheets
Excellent value for money, with change coming in at just 30,000 yen
the DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent on the official website as of October 2024 is 25,300 yen. It's a great value for the money, with change remaining from 30,000 yen.
It is quite expensive when combined with the inner tent, but if you don't need the inner tent, it is a tent with excellent cost performance
Seam taped and ready to use
Some tents do not have seams sealed (to waterproof the seams) and require seams to be sealed before use, but the DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent has sealed seams so it can be used in the field as is.
Flexible fabric and a large storage bag that can accommodate even the most haphazardly packed items
I hate having to neatly fold and store things, especially tents, so I like the fact that the storage bag is spacious enough that you can just stuff it all in and store it away
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent is made of very thin and flexible fabric, making it easy to pack and store without folding (though the thickness of the fabric is not disclosed).
Summary: This lightweight tent is cost-effective and highly portable, making it ideal for beginner hikers who want a lightweight tent
Recently, lightweight tents have been released one after another, but they are all expensive (some of them are so expensive that you might hesitate to use them...)
the DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent is excellent value for money and extremely practical, making it recommended for anyone looking for a lightweight tent!
Keep costs down, pack lighter gear and head out for a hike!
Larger models available for even more livability
The DD SuperLight Pyramid Tent in a slightly larger model, the DD SuperLight XL Pyramid Tent . While the price isn't that different, it is slightly heavier at 610g, so we recommend this model if you want to use it comfortably for two people, for example.
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Yosuke
From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains
A freelance writer who enjoys the outdoors all year round, he shares his experiences and the best gear he has used
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