Tents & Hammocks

Alternatively, there are hammocks and/or tarps. They're another way of sleeping in the wilderness, and will delight fans of ultra-light walking. See our range of tents, hammocks & tarps below.

The importance of tents

The hiking tent is one of the heaviest and most cumbersome accessories in a hiker's backpack. Yet it's essential for a good night's sleep. They provide comfort and allow you to recuperate properly between two stages of the trek.

The main role of the tent is to protect you from rain, gusts of wind and insects. Contrary to popular belief, it offers little protection from the cold. The difference between inside and outside temperatures is just a few degrees. For warmth, you need a good sleeping bag (down or synthetic, depending on your needs) and an insulating mattress.

As a specialist in outdoor food and equipment, Lyophilise & Co aims to offer you the tents that best suit your needs. Whatever your budget, you'll find the perfect tent for you: 1 to 4 places, spacious or ultra-light, for hiking or bikepacking...

How to choose your hiking tent?

There are two opposing criteria: comfort and lightness. Naturally, the more comfortable and functional a tent is, the heavier it will be, and vice versa. It's up to each individual to set the cursor according to his or her preferences.

To begin with, a tent with a reputation for comfort will have a fly. This has several advantages. The flysheet can be removable, allowing you to sleep under the stars with a simple mosquito net. It's also a good barrier against condensation. On the other hand, it adds weight. Double-walled tents remain the preferred option for most backpackers.

Then, for greater comfort, it's best to opt for a freestanding tent. This means the tent doesn't need poles to stand upright. That's a comfort, because you can put it on any kind of ground (even hard ones), and you won't need hiking poles to hold it up, as is the case with some models known as tarp tents (or pole-mounted tents).

Other criteria include the number of doors and apses. A two-person trekking tent generally has two doors and two apses. On ultralight models, there may be just one door and no apses, to save precious grams. This means you can't leave your backpack outside your tent. The choice is yours.

Last but not least, the most functional tents are spacious (both in height and width) and feature interior storage pockets for your small accessories.

Dyneema has recently made its entry into the outdoor world. This material, which has long been used in nautical circles, offers many advantages, including lightness and strength. The result is models weighing just a few hundred grams that are spacious and durable over time. Among the best-known dyneema tents are the Plex Solo and the Duplex from Zpacks.

MSR Hubba Hubba NX tent

This trekking tent is one of the most comfortable tents for two people, while remaining lightweight. That's why it's one of the best-selling tents in the world. With a total weight of 1720 grams, this dome-shaped tent has two doors, two apses and an interior surface area of 2.7 m². Set-up is very intuitive and takes just a few minutes. Ideal for light hiking and sleeping well at night.

MSR offers several models: Hubba NX for 1 person, Mutha Hubba NX for 3 people, Hubba Hubba Bikepack 1P for one person and Hubba Hubba Bikepacking 2P for 2 people.

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo tent

This model is designed for ultra-light hikers. Unlike conventional dome-shaped, freestanding tents, the Lunar Solo is set up with poles. These replace the poles, saving weight.

Its total weight is just 740 h, almost half that of the Hubba Hubba NX. Your back and shoulders will thank you.

What about hammocks and tarps?

To save even more weight, there's the option of tarp, hammock or hammock and tarp.

The tarp is a tarpaulin that attaches to trees to protect you from the rain. You can then sleep on your mattress with a sleeping bag, directly on the ground. But be careful not to puncture your mattress! We recommend putting a foam mattress under your air mattress, or at least a protective tarpaulin. You won't be protected from the wind or insects. But it's still a good solution, especially for summer bivouacs.

The hammock also requires two attachment points. Contrary to popular belief, it's an excellent sleeping solution. The rocking motion helps you fall into a deep sleep more quickly. And there's no backache! We recommend you take a mosquito net to protect you from insects.

As the hammock doesn't protect against rain, it can be combined with a tarp. This is often used by bushcraft enthusiasts or those on jungle expeditions for whom it can be dangerous to sleep at ground level. It's also becoming increasingly common among hikers.

The best brands of hiking tents

The best-known and best-selling brands are MSR, Zpacks and Big Agnes. You'll come across them on every GR and trek around the globe.

Lesser-known, high-quality brands include Tarptent, Liteway and Six Moon Designs.

Buying a tent is a long-term investment. At Lyophilise & Co, we select durable tents that will accompany you on all your outdoor activities for many years to come. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Our experts will be happy to advise you on the models that are right for you!