Black Diamond One Shot - Lightweight One Man Tent
The Black Diamond One Shot solo tent is about as light and efficient as you can get. A great little tent if it fits you. If you are taller than six foot one you might as well keep looking. Montrail Hardrock trail runners added for scale.
Did I ever tell you about the biggest Black Bear I ever saw in Arizona? I was hunting Coues Deer by myself last year at about 6500 feet and I was just about to the spot where I was going to bivy for the night and there he was. In front of me about 35 yards and not in too much of a hurry to do anything. I am a poor judge of such things but if I had to hazard a guess I would say he was every bit of 300 pounds, maybe more. He looked right at me then eased off into the scrub. I couldn't see how far he went and that made me nervous. As it turns out he didn't go very far.
I specifically ordered the Black Diamond One Shot tent for this trip and I was anxious to test it out. I am not a big fan of tents. I like to look up at the night sky and more importantly I like to see what is going on around me. I can't do either in a tent but I have used a number of good ones up high and in bad weather so I understand that they have a place in my gear locker and sometimes in my pack.
I picked the One Shot because it is about as lightweight and efficient as I think you can get. It is a single wall model (meaning there is no fly) using Epic fabric. It measures 36 inches high at the peak by 85 inches long and 36 inches wide at the base. It weighs just 2.22 pounds (tent and poles only). The whole package is just a tad bigger than a 32 ounce Nalgene bottle. I am 5'11" and 235ish and I fit in the One Shot just right. My head and feet are just a couple of inches from touching the ends of the tent when laid out so if you are too much taller you can probably skip the rest of this post. The One Shot ventilates very well on account of a half moon zip vent with bug netting on one side and a full half circle entry door on the other. Both are sheltered by an eve that is supported by a cross rod to keep rain and run off from pouring in. I like the design very much.
36 inches tall, 36 inches wide and 85 inches long. A brilliantly simple design, advanced materials and solid construction make this a dependable little shelter when you really need it. 3 seasons or more in a pinch.
I have used this tent four times. Well, actually that is not true. The one time with the bear I set it up but after he came back to visit I spent the rest of the night with my back up against a rock wall and my rifle in my lap. The last time was out on the sport court when a big storm rolled through the valley. Heavy rain all night and intermittent wind gusts were no problem. Plenty of air passing through the big vents kept condensation to a minimum. Top notch workmanship and materials insured that there were no leaks. When guyed and staked properly this little tent could handle severe weather or even wet snow if it had to so I would certainly carry it for occasional super light and fast fourth season trips.
Three things to remember about this tent though. This is a reasonably sturdy one man shelter but it is made for specialized applications where low weight is a priority. Second, there is no room for your pack unless you are going to sleep on it or lay it on top of you. Third, the eye brow eve is fairly short and there is no optional vestibule so keep that in mind when pitching.
If you go solo and you want the lightest little tent you can find that actually works when you really need it, this is what I use.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
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Posted by Wade Nelson at Monday, February 08. 2010 
Categories: Shelter
Tags: one man tent solo shelter single wall one man tent lightweight solo tent
Categories: Shelter
Tags: one man tent solo shelter single wall one man tent lightweight solo tent
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