ALPS Mountaineering Backpacking-Tents Lynx 1

I got this as a tent for my teenage son to go camping, but I use it more than he has. It is high value, it is seam sealed, it is rugged, it is warm. Set up is basically idiot proof. The short version of the review, this tent is good to go. You won't regret buying it.The only potential con is the weight. 5 pounds is substantial for a one man tent. However in exchange for that weight, you get a freestanding tent, and a 70D floor. I have a big agnes copper spur UL 2 person tent that is much bigger and half of the weight, but it also costs 4 to 6 times the price, and is much more delicate. I also have a six moons designs solo that is one third of the weight, but is a single wall tent, non free standing, less rugged, and 2 to 3 times the price.This tent is perfect for entry level campers and backpackers that don't feel confident in finding the best place to set up camp. It is also for people willing to sacrifice weight savings for rugged reliability and simplicity.I love all 3 tents that I own, and for most situations, my Alps 1p wouldn't be my go to choice. However, if I were forced to pick only one tent to bring with me in a true survival scenario where reliability was my highest priority, I would most likely choose this tent. I don't think I can give it any better praise.Oh yeah, the factory stakes are garbage, but high quality stakes are cheap and easy to replace. Get yourself some MSR groundhogs with all the money your saved getting this tent and your g2g.

ALPS makes excellent tents at a fraction of the cost of other high-end manufacturers. This one is no exception. Is it ultralight or hyperlite? No. Is it an ideal tent for backpacking? Sure. It's compact, light, and super-easy to put up and take down.This tent's design does not lend it particularly well to ventilation when it's hot outside--you may have to rig the fly a little bit to get a cross breeze to come all the way through the tent. Fortunately it's small enough that if you do it right, you can reach outside the tent walls and bring the fly all the way back down to cover everything if a pop-up shower interrupts your backcountry nap.My ONLY criticism of ALPS tents is I wish they had some integrated mesh/elastic pockets in the corners, instead of the 2 hanging pockets on either end and the one you have to hang with hooks from the top.

I picked up the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1-Person Tent for a back-country ski-touring trip, looking for something lightweight, durable, and capable of handling freezing conditions without costing a fortune. I’ve used ultralight tents before, but I needed something sturdier—and this tent delivered.🎒 First Impressions: It arrived in great shape, and setup was refreshingly simple. The materials felt solid right away—definitely stronger than my previous ultralight gear. The aluminum poles and freestanding design gave me confidence it could handle wind and snow.🏕️ Setup & Use: Instructions were clear, and I had no trouble getting it pitched quickly. Even in the cold, everything came together smoothly. There’s no real learning curve, which is a huge plus when you're setting up in fading light or bad weather.❄️ Performance in the Wild: I used it for a three-day ski touring adventure, and it held up beautifully. It didn’t take up much space, and I never worried about wind tearing it apart or snow collapsing the structure. That said, the ventilation panels on the sides—while great for airflow—aren’t ideal for heat retention. I tried covering them, but the tent isn’t really built for that. Also, condensation froze on the rain fly and melted onto me in the morning. Not a deal breaker, but worth noting.📏 Size & Comfort: It’s tight. If you can afford the weight, I’d recommend going for a two-person tent for a bit more breathing room. The stakes weren’t great in snow, but I improvised with sticks and buried them until they froze—worked like a charm.💸 Compared to Other Tents: The design is simple and not particularly innovative, but the durability and price make it a solid choice. I’ve used more expensive alternatives, and while they had more features, this one held its own.✅ Would I Recommend It? Yes—for solo adventurers on a budget. It’s not a luxury tent, but it’s dependable and gets the job done. If you’re venturing into cold conditions and want something that won’t let you down, this is a great entry-level option.🕒 Used for 3 days | 🎿 Backcountry ski touring | 💰 Purchased at full price