For Tall Backpackers Who Go Ultralight: Six Moons Designs Skyscape Trekker Tent Review

As I trudged up the nearly 1,000-foot vertical trail leading to the top of the mountain I was camping on, I watched the sunset and the storm clouds building. The conditions weren’t ideal for pitching the new Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker Backpacking Tent for the first time, but I was going to put it through a serious test.

About an hour later, as the last light disappeared over the ridge line, fat raindrops started to splat all around me. No sooner had I inverted my trekking poles and inserted them into the tent than the skies opened up and rain started pelting the hybrid double-walled trekking pole tent. 

Perhaps one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a new tent is to hole yourself up in it for a night in a rainstorm — the good news is the Skyscape Trekker ($275) kept me warm and dry. While I would not call the small one-person tent “spacious,” it did fit my large, tall frame, as this model is designed for tall hikers like myself.

In short: If you are a tall ultralight backpacker looking for a versatile three-season ultralight tent, the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker backpacking tent is a great option. It has an 8-foot-long floor, and weighs a scant 26 ounces. It is ideal for tall backpackers who spend lots of time on the trail and like to go light. The tent is easy to set up, and the double-wall vestibules can open for a 300-degree view of the night sky.

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Tents.

Six Moons Skyscape Trekker 1-Person Tent Review

Weight

The first thing you’ll notice about this tent is its minimalist design. The entire thing weighs just 26 ounces (not counting the stakes and trekking poles used to pitch it). Only one tent on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Backpacking Tents is lighter — the Gossamer Gear The Two, which is a mere 23 ounces.

No matter how you slice it, this is a light tent. But take note: The tent stakes and trekking poles are not included with your purchase — those you have to provide on your own.

Setup

The initial setup at dusk with a storm approaching was a little confusing. I followed the instructions on the stuff sack and at first tried to keep the trekking poles upright and outside the tent. 

After realizing they needed to be inverted and inside the body of the tent, it popped up easily. Subsequent setups took a matter of minutes. I got better at figuring out the tension on the three stakes that keep the tent upright over time. 

With a little practice, you can get this tent up and ready to jump into really fast. I had to remove the pads and baskets on my Gossamer Gear LT5 three-piece carbon trekking poles to insert them into the slot at the top of the tent. It helps to notch your poles at 45” so you can quickly adjust them to the right recommended length for the tent.

There’s a built-in bar at the top of the tent on either side of where the trekking poles go. That offers additional support. The two vestibule guy lines can be staked out on either side if the weather is bad. Or, you can roll them back, which is essentially like sleeping in a mosquito net bivvy. Stakes and trekking poles needed to set up this tent are not included when you buy the Skyscape Trekker.

Long but Not Spacious 

Standing at nearly 6’3”, I’ve grown accustomed to tents being a bit cozy if not downright cramped. At times, I’ve carried a two-man tent just for myself to ensure that I have a little extra space. The Skyscape Trekker Backpacking Tent is designed with tall backpackers like me in mind.

This one-person model of this double-walled lightweight tent extends to 8 feet. It ensures I have plenty of room to stretch out after a long day. The tent is also designed with 60% head space versus 40% foot space, creating more room for my head and shoulders. This means I can sit up in the tent and change clothes.

There are two side entrances with an 8-foot vestibule space. I was able to stash my pack and boots under there during the rainstorm. There is a bathtub-style floor to the tent. However, rain and mud still splashed up on the netting when it was really coming down.

The vestibule canopy, depending on how you set it up, leaves about a 6-inch gap between the ground. While good for airflow, this is where the water splashed back up on the tent. 

Overall, this tent is great for rainy conditions thanks to the hybrid double-wall. I was positioned where the heavy rain got one side of the tent a bit wet and muddy. Despite the length of the tent, it is still relatively narrow at about 4 feet across at its widest. The head of the tent comes to a point, so space is at a premium there.

Hybrid Double-Wall & Skyscape Mode

At 28 ounces, this is one of the lighter tent options out there, especially for a hybrid double-wall tent. That means that 80% of the canopy is separated from you by a mesh wall. This is key for major rainstorms, as I experienced. It kept the wet canopy from dripping on me. 

The Skyscape Trekker’s body is made of 100% silicone-coated polyester. The canopy is 20D polyester, and the floor is 40D for additional strength. I used it without a footprint and had no issues.

One of the best features of this tent is that you can roll back the vestibule, converting it into a net tent with great airflow and 300-degree views. I wasn’t able to utilize the feature when it was raining. But on clear starry nights, it is an awesome feature.

The two doors on either side are large and easy for bigger hikers to get in and out of. It’s also nice for tossing larger sleeping pads and sleeping bags into the tent. 

Six Moon Skyscape Trekker 1 Plus: Who Is It For?

If you are a tall thru-hiker or weight-conscious backpacker, then you will appreciate the Skyscape Trekker. At less than 2 pounds, it’s a great option for fast and light backpacking trips and thru-hikes. For bigger backpackers like me, it’s one of the best single-person tent options I’ve come across. It weighs almost nothing, sets up easily, and I fit without issue.

While the tent will work for an overnight trip, from car camping to backcountry excursions, the price will be a hindrance for anyone who is not serious about spending many nights each season. 

At close to $300, this is intended for serious trekkers who are after a lightweight home away from home. It’s a steep price for such a minimalist tent, but for a 26-ounce tent, it’s priced to compete with other similar tents.

For any trip where I just need a tent for myself, and I want to move quickly and as light as possible through the backcountry, this tent has earned a permanent spot in my backpacking setup.