How much does the CampPal 1 Person Tent weigh?

The CampPal 1 Person Tent weighs approximately 3.75 pounds (1700 grams), placing it in the lightweight rather than ultralight category. It's heavier than premium options like Tarptent or Six Moon Design shelters but lighter than most big-box retail shelter options.

Is the CampPal tent actually waterproof in heavy rain?

The tent features a 3500mm water resistance rating on the outer tent, seam taping on all zippers, velcro wraps with PVC sealing, and taped bottom corners. In testing through multi-day rain events, it held up well with no floor leakage, though the zippers require maintenance to stay watertight.

How long does the CampPal tent take to set up?

Setup takes approximately 3-4 minutes once you learn the corner stake sequence. The single ridge pole design is straightforward, and most users can pitch it without referring to instructions after 2-3 attempts.

I'm 6'1" - will the CampPal fit me?

At 6'1" with a Gregory Gandalf pack, I fit comfortably with room to spare. The vestibule is modest but accommodates a standard pack and trail shoes. Taller hikers up to about 6'3" should be fine.

How well does it handle wind exposure?

The tent has 4 stake-out points (corners) plus 2 vestibule attachment points, totaling 6 points. In moderate wind, the stock setup is adequate. In sustained gusts over 25 mph, you'll want additional guylines and attachments for better stability.

I Tested the CampPal 1 Person Tent for 40 Nights - Here's the Verdict

Lena Park

May 14, 2026

07:03

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I bought the CampPal 1 Person Tent after my previous shelter failed spectacularly in a late-season storm on the Colorado Trail. That night I spent six hours in a puddle-lined tarp tent convinced I was done for, so when I saw a sub-four-pound shelter selling for what seemed like a reasonable price, I was willing to take a chance. That was fourteen months and roughly forty nights of use ago.

How it held up

The CampPal has survived some genuinely ugly weather. I've used it through a wet October stretch in the Smokies where it rained for three consecutive days, and on a windy ridge at 11,500 feet in the San Juans where gusts were strong enough to make me second-guess leaving basecamp. The 3500mm water resistance rating proved accurate in those conditions. No leakage through the floor, and the seam taping held up even when water pooled along the edges during a particularly brutal afternoon thunderstorm in Great Basin. The aluminum pole construction is functional but not exceptional. The single ridge pole design makes pitch straightforward once you've figured out the corner stake sequence, and I can get it taut in under four minutes when conditions cooperate. Wind stability surprised me more than I expected for a freestanding-adjacent design. I wouldn't call it bombproof in sustained gusts above 30 mph, but it handled the worst I threw at it without any structural complaints. The ripstop fabric has shown some minor pilling after a season of use, which I expected at this price point. No tears yet, but I've been careful about clearing debris from the pitch site.

How it stacks up

At 3.75 pounds, the CampPal sits in that middle ground between ultralight claim and true lightweight performance. That's 1700 grams for those who count. It's not going to replace a Tarptent or Six Moon Design for the gram counters, but it's lighter than most retail-store shelter options from REI or Backcountry. The extended 8.2-foot length is genuinely useful. At six foot one, I can lie flat without my feet pressing against the mesh, which isn't always a given in single-person shelters. The extra width at the foot end (they add about a foot through the taper) gives just enough room to keep a pack inside rather than under the vestibule. Vestibule space is modest. I can fit my GG Murmur pack and some trail runners, but if you're carrying a full bear canister, you'll be doing some creative tetris before sleep. For most thru-hikers this won't be a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before you buy. Packability is solid. It compresses down small enough to fit in an average hip belt pocket if you're really trying, though most people will strap it to the outside of their pack. The carry bag is larger than strictly necessary, which makes stuffing easier but adds a few grams. View on Amazon for the CampPal lists fire retardancy to CPAI-84 standards, which matters if you're camping in areas with strict fire safety regulations. I've appreciated having that compliance when booking permits in restricted zones. The 30-day money-back guarantee and limited lifetime warranty feel like standard e-commerce positioning, but I've seen worse coverage from established brands. The 24/7 customer service claim is harder to verify.

Honest gripes

Here's what I didn't love: the zippers are the weakest part of this tent by a significant margin. After about thirty nights of use, the main door zipper started sticking intermittently. I've cleaned out the zipper track and lubricated it, which helps temporarily, but it still requires careful manipulation to close smoothly. At this price point I'd expect better hardware longevity, and this is the component most likely to end a shelter's functional life. The interior mesh is fine but not great. It's standard 15D style mesh that does the job, though it doesn't block fine wind as well as some higher-denier options I've used. On cold nights with wind, you'll feel it more than you'd like. Condensation management is average. Single-wall designs have inherent limitations here, and the CampPal doesn't overcome them. On humid nights, expect some moisture on the inner walls near the foot end. Venting helps, but don't expect miracles if you're camping in the conditions where condensation typically becomes an issue. The stake-out points are minimal. Four corners plus two vestibule points means you're relying heavily on your own judgment for guying out in wind. I added a set of lightweight JD Brand hooks to give myself more attachment options, which added grams but made a real difference in stability. These criticisms are real, but they haven't stopped me from reaching for this tent consistently. For the price, it performs above its weight class in most categories.

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