Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent Review
For backpacking and bikepacking, the Lunar Solo impresses with excellent storm protection, ample interior space, and durability
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo backpacking tent on the Idaho Centennial Trail.
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Updated February 17, 2024
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Our Verdict
The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is roomy, durable, lightweight, well-ventilated, provides excellent storm protection, and is easy to pitch. The Lunar Solo is Six Moon Designs' flagship one-person single-wall tent. Initially released in 2005, it has undergone a number of improvements and the latest iteration is an exceptional shelter at a great price. I’ve used it over thousands of miles of backpacking in rain, snow, high winds, and desert conditions and continue to be impressed with its stability and ability to withstand harsh conditions.
The Lunar Solo is easy to set up and take down quickly, with a single hiking pole support design (either a trekking pole or 49” folding tent pole sold separately), and it’s not difficult to get the proper pitch. The 6” bathtub floor provides excellent rain protection. At 6’1”, I’ve never had an issue with the toebox of my sleeping bag hitting the end of the tent and getting wet. Plus, with 34.75 square feet of interior and vestibule space combined, there is plenty of room to keep your gear out of the rain. Six Moon Designs (SMD) is one of the pioneers in the ultralight gear industry, and their groundbreaking use of silpoly tent fabric makes the Lunar Solo one of the most functional ultralight tents out there.
The Lunar Solo is the winner of the best single-person shelter award in our lightweight Best Backpacking Tents review and best solo shelter award in our Best Bikepacking Tents review and Best Affordable Tent in our Best Ultralight Tents. We dedicate this single product gear review to do an in-depth look at why we like this ultralight tent.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SIX MOON DESIGNS LUNAR SOLO
Specs
Weight (excluding stakes): 26 ounces (740 grams)
Type: Single wall tent
Stakes required: 6
Fabric: Silicone-coated polyester (silpoly)
Pole required: 1 trekking pole or 1 49" carbon 5-section pole or 1 49” 3-section pole (sold separately for bikepackers, bike touring, packrafting, and paddling)
Season: 3-season
Freestanding: No
Doors: 1
Entry: Side entry
Floor space: 26.25 square feet
Vestibule area: 8.5 square feet
Peak height: 48"
Packed size: 11" x 4.5"
Best For
The SMD Lunar Solar is a one-person backpacking shelter designed for three-season use. It’s lightweight and durable enough for a long-distance thru-hike and roomy and comfortable enough for weekend backpacking trips. The large interior space makes it an especially good choice for taller folks and backpackers who like to store their gear inside the shelter.
The compact packed size and available 5-section single tent pole make the Lunar Solo ideal for bikepacking.
The Lunar Solo is also a great bikepacking shelter. SMD sells a 5-section carbon or aluminum pole that will easily fit with your bikepacking kit. It's also the winner for Best Solo Tent in our Best Bikepacking Tents story. The interior of the Lunar Solar has a “notch” (extra storage area) that is perfect for your panniers or bike bags.
How We Tested
I used the Lunar Solo as my primary solo shelter for several years and thousands of miles. I carried the Lunar Solo on
1,200 miles of a Pacific Crest Trail southbound thru-hike, including the section of the PCT that coincides with the John Muir Trail
700 miles of the Continental Divide Trail section hike
an Idaho Centennial Trail section hike
numerous other ultralight backpacking and bikepacking trips.
The Lunar Solo on the author’s southbound Pacific Crest Trail thru hike.
What We Liked
Plenty of usable interior space
Large, usable vestibule
Storm worthiness
Side entry and oversized screen door
Good ventilation, especially for a single wall tent
Easy to pitch
Durability
Fabric
Usable interior space
The Lunar Solo is a roomy one-person ultralight shelter. It is 7½’ long and 4’ wide. This includes a large “notch” in the back of the shelter which is perfect for storing gear such as a backpack or bike panniers. The interior height is 49”. There is plenty of usable space for a large person to sit up, change clothes, and organize gear without touching the interior walls.
Large usable vestibule
The Lunar Solar has an 8 ½ square foot vestibule area that provides protected space for footwear and gear and room to cook with a backpacking stove (note: always follow safety instructions on your stove regarding where you cook). The vestibule doors can be fully rolled up for nice views and better ventilation. During storms, you can use a zipper vestibule closure for extra protection from the elements.
Storm worthiness
A fall snowstorm in the Sierra on the Pacific Crest Trail. The Lunar Solo effectively sheds the snow.
I have used the Lunar Solo in high winds, rain, and snow. It has performed great in extreme conditions.
The 7 ½’ length of the shelter helps to keep your sleeping bag or sleeping quilt toe box dry during wet weather. This is a problem I’ve had with most other shelters, including two-person shelters.
The bathtub floor on the Lunar Solo effectively keeps water out of the shelter. The Lunar Solar can also be pitched lower in 45”- 46” for a lower profile in high wind situations. It sets up with trekking poles and you can adjust your trekking pole height depending on conditions.
Note: Be sure to seal the seams in your shelter with an appropriate seam seal applicator. Alternately, when you purchase, select a pre-seam sealed tent directly from SMD for an extra $35. As of this time, third-party retailers do not sell the Lunar Solo pre-seam sealed.
Side entry and oversized screen door
The side entry and oversized vestibule door make the Lunar Solar easy to enter and exit. I find front entry shelters requiring me to back in on my knees uncomfortable and “messier” to use. With the Lunar Solo's side entry, this is not a problem.
Good ventilation
Single-walled tents are prone to condensation. However, I have not had major condensation issues with the Lunar Solo. In 2019, SMD redesigned the top vent to improve airflow and increase durability. There is a full perimeter noseeum netting between the bathtub floor and shelter walls. The Lunar Solo is designed to pull in cold air from the bottom and vent warmer air out the top.
Easy to pitch
The Lunar Solar can be set up in under two minutes (with a little practice). The adjustable tension cords on each guy line make it easy to get a solid pitch, The easy tensioning adjustment keeps your tent taut without too much moving stakes or geometry.
Durability
I have used the Lunar Solar for over 1,000 miles without any issues. The silicone-coated polyester floor (40D) and floating canopy (20D) is durable against sharp objects. I have not had any tears or major punctures. I do not use a ground sheet. The Lunar Solo has a floating floor that reduces floor stress and minimizes punctures. The #3 YKK zippers still perform well and do not stick.
Pro tips: If you do get a tear or puncture, we recommend silnylon patches from Gear-Aid.
We strongly recommend that you regularly clean and treat your zipper with a zipper lubricant.
Weight
The Lunar Solo weighs 26 oz. While there are lighter tents out there, it has among the best weight to usable space ratios we've seen of any ultralight tents. Sometimes ultralight tents will skimp on living space in the name of saving weight. The footprint on this tent is generous.
Fabric
SMD converted from silnylon to silpoly in 2019. We especially like that silpoly is more compressible and sags less than silpoly while maintaining the durability, lightweightness, and waterproof qualities of silnylon. The fabric stretch on silpoly is less than on silnylon while minimizing sag. Read more about this fabric below.
What Could Be Better
Larger, more internal pockets. The Lunar Solo has a handy mesh cargo pocket, but it's small. We would love additional and larger pockets to more convenient store items in the shelter.
Design for thicker sleeping pads. Thick sleeping pads decrease the amount of headroom within the shelter. For example, this happens with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (the overall winner in our Best Sleeping Pads guide and one of the most popular backpacking sleeping pads for years). I have not had an issue (I don't use a NeoAir), but we’ve heard reports from some folks that they would like a higher canopy when using a thick sleeping pad.
Features
Material and waterproofing
Six Moon Designs was one of the first tent manufacturers to convert from silnylon to a 100% silicone-coated polyester material (silpoly). The Lunar Solo has been manufactured with silpoly since 2019. The Silpoly used by SMD has a hydrostatic head of 3,000mm, which means that the fabric can withstand a 3-meter column of water; 1,400mm is the minimum to be considered waterproof. We recommend tents be a minimum of 2,000mm.
Silpoly is more compressible than silnylon. It is also less likely to sag, allowing for a tauter pitch. Siliconized polyester is less likely to trap moisture and is less likely to delaminate. Silpoly is shaking up the ultralight world and as a smaller brand, Six Moon Designs has had the most time of almost any brand to perfect using it in a shelter.
Netting
SMD shelters have a no-see-um netting to protect against bugs. I have found the netting to be durable. However, I always carry a no-see-um patch kit on long trips.
Vestibule
The Lunar Solar has a large (8 ½ sq. ft.) usable vestibule. There is sufficient vestibule space for gear. In good conditions, the vestibule can be completely rolled up allowing surrounding views and improved ventilation.
Side Entry
The Lunar Solar has a large side entry that is easy to enter and exit. I find it much more comfortable and convenient to use rather than a front-entry shelter.
Floor Area
The Lunar Solar is a large single-person shelter. There is 26 sq. ft. of internal floor space, plenty of room for a large person to sit up, change clothes, and organize gear without touching the interior walls. The generous internal gear area ensures you can keep items inside the tent, such as during storms or freezes. The optimized sleeping area gives you plenty of room to sleep as a solo hiker.
Bathtub Floor / Floating Floor
The vestibule height can be adjusted.
The Lunar Solar has a very well-designed floating bathtub floor. I have found that the bathtub floor pitches perfectly every time. The floor “floats,” reducing stress on the materials and minimizing punctures. I have never had a puncture despite not using a ground sheet. SMD sells a lightweight polycro groundsheet for those who want extra protection.
Internal Gear Storage Area
The internal “notch” is my favorite feature of the Lunar Solo. The notch is an area in the back of the shelter for gear storage. It is the perfect place to store my pack so I can conveniently access my gear.
Peak Height
The Lunar Solar has approximately 48” of headroom inside the shelter when the pole is set to 49”. This is plenty of height to comfortably sit up and change clothes without touching the canopy.
In stormy conditions, the shelter can be pitched at 45”- 46” to create a lower profile.
Center Pole Support
The Lunar Solar uses a single center pole support. You can either use a trekking pole, set at 49”, or SMD sells carbon or aluminum poles. They have a 5-section pole that fits perfectly in a bikepacking kit. As a bikepacking tent, its stand-out feature is an ultralight, 2.3 oz carbon fiber 5 section tent pole. The pole collapses into segments that are only 11 inches long, making the pole and the tent easy to stow anywhere on your bikepacking bike or bicycle touring bike. This also makes it good for kayakers and packrafters.
The center pole support provides stability for wind or snow loads. The Lunar Solo is designed to shed wind from all directions; however, SMD recommends that in the windiest conditions, the shelter be pitched so that the back of the tent faces the wind.
Storage Pocket
The Lunar Solar has a single internal pocket. As we note in What Could Be Better (above) we would like to see larger, additional pockets inside the shelter.
Other Versions Available
Lunar Duo Explorer
Weight (excluding stakes): 45 ounces (1270 g)
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: 2 trekking poles or 2 45" 3-section carbon or 5-section carbon folding poles (sold separately for bikepackers, bike touring, packrafting, and paddling)
Freestanding: No
Entry: Dual side entries
Floor space: 34 ft2 (3.2 m2)
Vestibule area: 12 ft2 (1.1 m2)
The Lunar Duo Explorer is a two-person version of the Lunar Solo. It has two side entries and two vestibules. The Lunar Duo weighs 45 ounces and costs $395.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE LUNAR DUO EXPLORER
Weight (excluding stakes): 57 ounces (1600 g)
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: 2 trekking poles or 2 45" 3-section carbon or 5-section carbon folding poles (sold separately for bikepackers, bike touring, packrafting, and paddling)
Freestanding: No
Entry: Dual side entries
Floor space: 34 ft2 (3.2 m2)
Vestibule area: 12 ft2 (1.1 m2)
The Lunar Duo Outfitter is a more affordable version of the Lunar Duo. It is made of heavier polyester, instead of silpoly. The Lunar Duo Outfitter weighs 57 ounces and costs $210.
We love that Six Moon Designs is making more affordable versions of their tents. It’s great for Boy Scouts or anyone on a budget.
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Other Tents to Consider
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker
Weight (excluding stakes): 27 ounces (7900 g)
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: 2 trekking poles or 2 45" 3-section carbon or 5-section carbon folding poles (sold separately for bikepackers, bike touring, packrafting, and paddling)
Freestanding: No
Entry: Side entry
Floor space: 23 ft2 - 2.2 m2
Vestibule area: 16 ft2 - 1.4 m2
The Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker is a 1-person shelter with two side entry doors and vestibules. The Skyscape Trekker is 103” long and has a 45” canopy height. It’s a great choice for tall hikers. It has an easy five-stake pitch. The Skyscape Trekker weighs 28 ounces and costs $275. We think the Trekker is a better option for taller hikers and folks who prefer a two-door shelter.
We’ve had tall hikers tell us that they think the Skyscape Trekker is the perfect shelter. You can read our in-depth review of the Trekker here.
COMPARE PRICES OF THE SIX MOON DESIGNS SKYSCAPE TREKKER
Weight: 36 ounces (includes stakes)
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: poles included
Freestanding: Semi-freestanding
Entry: Side entry
Floor space: 22.3 ft2 - 2.2 m2
Vestibule area: 7.3 ft2 - 1.4 m2
The Nemo Hornet OSMO is a 1-person double wall shelter. The Hornet is semi-freestanding (no trekking pole necessary) with a single door and vestibule. The Hornet weighs 29 ounces and costs $400. You can still find the previous version, called the Nemo Hornet (no Osmo) made of a 10D Sil/PeU Nylon Ripstop for $269. A lightweight version, the Hornet Elite Osmo, weighs 29 ounces and retails for $550.
The big disadvantage with the Hornet Osmo is the headroom. With only 37” of headroom, that’s a full 11” less than the Lunar Solo. With all that extra headroom you never have to worry about hitting your head in the morning and potentially disrupting that overnight condensation.
You can read our in-depth review of the Nemo Hornet Osmo Elite here.
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HORNET
HORNET ELITE
Weight: 28.3 ounces (includes stakes)
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: 2x trekking poles (42-45") or 2x Tarptent's vertical poles for bikepackers and bike touring
Freestanding: Semi-freestanding
Entry: Dual side entries
Floor space: 15.75 ft2 - 2.2 m2
Vestibule area: 16 ft2 - 1.4 m2
The Tarptent Notch is a double-walled, double door and vestibule 1-person shelter. It requires two trekking poles to pitch. The Notch weighs 28.3 ounces (includes stakes) and costs $259 (for the mesh interior).
VIEW THE TARPTENT NOTCH
Weight (excluding stakes): 17.7 ounces
Type: Single wall tent
Pole required: 2x trekking poles (set to 125 cm) or 2x Gossamer Gear's vertical poles for bikepackers and bike touring
Freestanding: Semi-freestanding
Entry: Dual side entry
Floor space: 19.5 SF ft2
Vestibule area: 10 ft2
The Gossamer Gear One is a single-walled 3-season shelter with two doors and vestibules. The new weight is 17.7 ounces and costs $300. It's made of a 10D Nylon Ripstop SIL/PU fabric.
While the light weight of this tent may be tempting, our experience with the One involved a lot of condensation. This surprised us because it has doors on both sides, allowing for cross ventilation. Still, we woke up with a river of condensation in our tent.
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About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
Mike Unger has been thru-hiking since 2006. He’s closing in on 28,000 miles on North American long trails and is one of a handful of people who is a Double Triple Crowner, having hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trails each twice. He’s also hiked more obscure routes like the Ouachita Trail, Oregon Desert Trail and was part of the group that set the First Known Time on the Blue Mountains Trail.
He’s also picked up another passion along the way: long-distance bicycle touring, including the 1,850 mile Pacific Coast route. When he’s not hiking or biking, he’s probably planning his next trip and/or researching gear.
You can read all articles by Mike Unger here.
