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

1. This is a “Rock Solid” Tent, at a far less cost than the competition. 2. Very easy to set up, and the Footprint & Rainfly secure into the same fittings as the Tent, making ALL of it truly ‘Freestanding’. 3. For me, the ‘Freestanding’ issue is a “Must”. The price is 20-25% of comparable Big Agnes and/or Nemo variations. 4. ONLY “Con”: The weight. If you add in the Tent + Rainfly + Footprint + Stakes + Bag = 4.4 Lbs. [I’ve weighed it on a Digital scale.] 5. Total Cost is $95 to $120+/- depending on the Vendor. You will pay $500/$550+ to lose 1.5 to 2 Lbs with the BA or Nemo with their 2P tents. 5. The Alps 1P Tent is small @ 4.4 Lbs [All Items Included]. The BA & Nemo 2P tent will weight less & provide more room, but you’ll pay the difference. 6. Candidly, I like the larger sizes of the BA or Nemo 2P tents, yet ensure you include the weight of all of the above items when comparing. 7. Last Item: The Alps 1P tent is much more robust/durable - especially the zippers. I’ve used both the BA & Nemo 2P. They are lighter with more room [which I enjoy] but Much More/Very delicate. Zippers may not sound like a ‘big item” until you need to get up in the middle of the night, or simply get ‘In & Out’. 8. Hence, if an extra 2 Lbs+/- is mandatory [And I’ve always been weight sensitive on my Pack/Gear] you could choose another brand. But, if it’s ‘just you’, and the added 1-2 Lbs is acceptable, the Alps 1P tent is an incredible bargain & is rugged, too easy to setup, and all components are Freestanding. [I’ve actually traded a Nemo 1P ultralight “expensive” tent on the 2nd day of a backpacking trip with another hiker who was using the Alps 1P, and took no money in exchange, for all of the above reasons.]

I bought this tent 4 years ago to start backpacking in. Although I've occasionally wished for some more room inside, I've never regretted having this tent. Setup is quick and easy. You can guy line it for extra stability. I use a cheap tarp as a footprint. This tent has kept me safe in Rocky mountain downpours, and condensation was only an issue while camping near a lake at altitude during a storm. I've woken up with sheets of ice on the tent while inside I was warm. You can easily heat up your mourning coffee in the vestibule while laying in your sleeping bag. For 100 bucks, id recommend it entirely. I've upgraded to a durston xmid 1, but if that tent were to break, I'd be going back to this tent exclusively lol. You won't regret having this bad boy. The fabric is thick. It's a little heavy at 4 pounds for a 1 person, but you get incredible durability as a result. Buy this to start out.

After buying a cheaper model, I made the right choice and ordered this. I needed a tent labeled "one-man" for Philmont and my trusty two-man ALPS Mountaineering tent did not fit the bill. Typically, I backpack with that tent and am very happy. I'm not sure this one is noticeably lighter but it does have some design features that might make it my new backpacking go to. I camp around 30 nights a year, most of it in Texas. I am female. This tent has a good amount of breathability but the mesh does not come all the way down. What that means is that if I find myself backpacking and it is scorching hot (hello E-Rock, I see you) I can leave the rain fly off and not be on full display for all the Scouts and leaders unless they are standing right over me (rude). If the coast is clear, I could probably even change/get dressed without flashing anyone. That is a nice feature. How did it do in the field? Great! On the first outing, I camped in Northern New Mexico for 7 nights. It saw hail, rain, wind, and much flying dirt. I took it up and down every day with zero issue. These tents are built to be quick to set up but they are made from quality components. The only drawback was that I need to order new tent stakes as mine now look like Dr. Suess candy canes. If you are camping somewhere rocky, get those to start. Could you squeeze someone else in there? Not unless you like them an awful lot. Perhaps if you are taking your toddler on an adventure, that could work. Otherwise, it has just enough room for your sleeping pad and gear. I am 5'7" and my gear fit fine at my feet. I left my boots in the vestibule.

I bought this tent for 2 week adventure bike trip. I don't normally plan to camp out but always want a tent on my motorcycle just in case I get stuck out at night. Great tent for the money. I wanted something small and lightweight but since I'm on a motorcycle and not hiking, I don't have as much of a need to spend a ton more just to save a few ounces. I only spent one night (rain-free) in the tent but it was super simple to set up and take down. I used the rain fly solely to try and contain some warmth and cut down on the breeze. The velcro vents, interior storage pouch, and overall design of the tent are really well thought out. The storage bag has a couple cinch straps which are a nice touch too. I'm 6'3" and slept comfortably with myself and a pack in the tent. Definitely wouldn't want to try and squeeze 2 people in but for 1 person and gear it's plenty. This tent will definitely be coming with me on future road trips.

Doesn’t weigh much. Easy to set up. Has convenient storage. Can use on a cot or as is.