Tarptent - ProTrail

Hmm, I can't say I ever tried setting it up with one hand, but I remember getting really fast at my [Tarptent Protrail](https://www.tarptent.com/product/protrail/) (unfortunately out of stock right now, huh), and it was my favorite single person shelter ever, after 3.5 thru-hikes where I tried a lot of stuff and got to check out other hikers gear. So, once you get the rear or foot end of the tent set up with two stakes and your collapsed trekking pole (or little collapsible tent pole - more on that in a second) the stakes and pole make kind of a tripod. You have to be a little careful, but that end stays kinda set up, and you keep a little tension as you go to the front of the tent, and set up the main line in the front. Then it's a simple task to stake out the front corners and sides if it's windy/stormy. I hope I'm describing this well, and I can't promise about the mostly one armed aspect you'll have to master, but I was impressed by how simple and bullet proof it always felt. The Pro-Trail needs an extended trekking pole and a collapsed one, to set up the front and back respectively. In your case, if you aren't using a second trekking pole in your weaker hand, you may like the little collapsible pole...it weighs relatively little. So that's another reason to consider the Pro-Trail, though a lot of why I recommend it is just cause I like it. Like others said, watch a video on it and you'll be able to picture where it'd be harder for you or not. It's a great shelter for like a pound and a half. Unless you wanna drop a ton of $ to save a few ounces, I'd just get the sil-nylon regular version. It's still very light and roomy for what it is. It was a joy to use for thousands of miles. Good luck on your thru-hike! I'm jealous. I wanna get out there again.

I was in a ProTrail. I think [this](https://www.tarptent.com/product/protrail-li/) is the same (mine didn't have "li" in the name). It was tight but I loved it more than I can say. Particularly loved that my trekking poles doubled as tent poles. Rainbow Li looks luxurious by comparison. You doing the pct this year?

Check out Tarptent.com. I’ve bought two different models over the years. Thru hiked the AT with the first one. My newest one is 24 oz. They have a lot of options.

Many Tarptents have end struts (little poles that are ~2' tall) that go on the ends of the tent creating a lot more usable space. I'm 6'4, and wear size 13 shoe and fit in my dipole 1 Li with headroom to spare. I think the non-Li version is the same size. The dipole is a very similar tent to the durston, but I think it's a little heavier. I love my dipole. I also have an old version of the Protrail. It's a bit lighter, but not as roomy.

It looks like the Protrail moved the rear pole to the left and the front pole to the right, and then adopted the Ciriform door design.

The front pole sits right at the front edge, creating a high spot at the front, then tapering down? Even more in the way than it was in the Protrail, lol.

Isn't it just putting the former straight A-Frame into an offset position and then adding the Ciriform door design?

How? the X-mid uses two equally long trekking poles, a symmetrical design and a diagonal sleeping area in a rectengular footprint. The TT does none of that, it has unequal poles at the diagonal ends of the sleeping area it seems and an overall longish design. The Zpacks Pivot also has a pole configurations like that, but the TT puts one right at the front corner, which creates a max headroom there.

My Tarptent Protrail has dealt with some nasty wind above treeline. It's not the perfect tent, it's small and it has front entry but I've been through some serious storms.

Can you define "affordable"? Take a look at used gear, r/geartrade and r/ulgeartrade. I picked up my Tarptent Protrail for a $110 shipped.

i’m 6’2” and get space in the Tarptent Protrail. Tarptent recently replaced this model with the with ProTrek. I use a 78” BA pad. Edit for pad size

I switched from the Moment DW to the ProTrail because I didn't like packing with struts.

Love my Protrail, it's my go-to for high bug pressure. Plenty roomy inside. No major condensation issues, especially once you learn to properly pitch the side walls. Never any issues with staying dry inside either

The bathtub floor on the protrail is great, never had any issues with rain While you're shopping for tents, consider the Preamble

Not sure I love the full length vestibule along the side, looks like it eats into the interior space a good bit. I know the Protrail has the mesh wings so it doesn’t have as much usable floor space as its footprint suggests, but sitting upright puts you at the tallest point of the tent and has plenty of space for shoulders (makes putting on and taking clothes off easier). Looking at the ProTrek it looks like the inner is reeeeeaaaaal narrow up top

I personally found the Tarptent Protrail to be one of the most spacious feeling single person UL tents and even spent a couple nights using it with me and a girlfriend though that requires really being close. Costs $240 and weighs 680g all in. (Plus You do need a hiking pole to set it up or get their single pole replacement instead.) The floor is 84” and even at the very very end there is still room for my feet.