How the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent Performed During My 223-Mile Ouachita Trail Thru-Hike
An ultralight trekking pole tent for solo backpackers and bikepackers
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March 9th, 2026
Our verdict
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST is an ultralight tent for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers who want to minimize weight by using their trekking poles instead of dedicated tent poles. With minimalist hardware and lightweight, extremely waterproof Hyperbead fabric, it maintains Big Agnes’ attention to detail, including a full bathtub floor and bug netting, all in a 19.3-oz package.
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST is one of the first trekking pole-only ultralight tents that will be widely available at stores like REI, marking a big change in the mainstream-ing of ultralight shelters.
As a tent manufacturer who hasn’t made trekking pole tents before, Big Agnes did a great job on making an ultralight tent that thru-hikers would actually use. It’s expensive for a one-person tent, but if you’re a Big Agnes fan and have always wanted a shelter lighter than the Tiger Wall, the String Ridge VST 1.5 will feel like the perfect home.
Big Agnes says, “set an FKT with VST.” As a thru-hiker who held an FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Appalachian Trail, here’s what I think about the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent.
Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent
For more of our favorite ultralight backpacking tents, check out our Best Backpacking Tents and Best Ultralight Tents guides.
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Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Specifications
Price: $550
Minimum weight: 1 lb 3.3 oz
Packed weight: 1 lb 7.1 oz
Floor area: 22 SF
Vestibule area: 9 SF
Peak height: 47 inches
Packed size: 3.75 x 14.25 inches
Season rating: 3-season
Capacity: 1 person
Pole material: N/A; trekking poles
Fly material: Proprietary HyperBead fabric; 20-denier recycled solution-dyed polyester with 20-denier high-tenacity ripstop fabric, 4,000 mm waterproof rating without intentionally added PFAS
Floor material: Proprietary HyperBead fabric technology; recycled 15-denier ripstop nylon with 1,500 mm waterproof rating without intentionally added PFAS
Footprint included: No (sold separately)
Best for
Solo backpackers wanting to go fast and light
Backpackers and thru-hikers who already use two trekking poles
Big Agnes fans who have dreamed of something lighter than the Tiger Wall
Fast and light trips where a low-volume, lightweight tent enables a smaller backpack
Bikepackers who want a compact tent that will easily fit in bike bags
Comparison table
| TENT | MSRP* | WEIGHT | FLOOR AREA | VESTIBULE SPACE | PEAK HEIGHT | PACKED SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 | $550 | 1 lb 3.3 oz | 22 SF | 9 SF | 47 inches | 3.75 x 14.25 inches |
| Zpacks Plex Solo | $599 | 12.6 oz | 20.6 SF | Not stated | 52 inches | 4.5 x 11 inches |
| Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo | $260 | 1 lb 10 oz | 26.3 SF | 8.5 SF | 49 inches | 11 x 4.5 inches |
| Durston Gear X-Mid 1 | $269 | 1 lb 9.4 oz | 21.3 SF | 20.4 SF | 47 inches | 12 x 5 inches |
What we liked
The excellent ventilation in the back of the Big Agnes String Ridge VST.
Excellent waterproofing material (Hyperbead) that doesn’t absorb water and dries quickly
Vertical back sidewall creates 47” of sit-up room and more usable space compared to other 1-person ultralight tents
Good ventilation and less condensation relative to other single wall trekking pole shelters
Good balance of comfort and packability
Generous front vestibule
What could be better
The trekking pole holding pocket doesn't quite fit several of the trekking poles we tested it with. We tried both the handle and the tip.
More expensive than other ultralight tents
Heavier than some ultralight solo tents
Like other ultralight tents, sloped walls at the head and foot make it less suited for taller people
Like other ultralight tents, not ideal for extreme weather
How we tested
I tested the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent on a 223-mile long thru-hike of the Ouachita Trail in Arkansas and Oklahoma over 11 days. I also took it on backpacking trips in the Big Cone Douglas Fir Forest of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and in Joshua Tree National Park.
My goal was to expose the tent to as many conditions as possible given: hot humidity, high wind, dry desert air, and alpine wind. I also tested in rain and a constant mist.
I set up the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent with different trekking poles to see how it worked. On my thru-hike, I used the Gossamer Gear LT 5 three-piece trekking poles. On backpacking trips in the San Gabriel mountains and in Joshua Tree National Park, I used the Leki Cressida FX Carbon trekking poles.
I also set it up with the Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking poles, Zpacks Minimalist trekking poles, and Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles to see how it sets up with different types of poles popular with thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers.
To test the setup and breakdown experience, I set up this tent in all sorts of campsites. Some were flatter than others. Some had unavoidable vegetation close-by and required some creativity in set-up. I tested in permitted established campsites and dispersed campsites. I set up the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 on pine needles, leafy duff, soft and hardpacked dirt, and desert sand.
We also tested the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent alongside other popular ultralight tents including the Zpacks Duplex, Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, Nemo Hornet Osmo Elite, and Gossamer Gear The One.
Performance in the field
Setup and ease of use
Unlike many ultralight tents these days, the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 calls for two trekking poles set up at different heights: 120 cm and 100 cm. I’ve set up enough different types of ultralight shelters in nearly two decades of ultralight backpacking that I figured I could figure this one out and wing it. It turns out, as with most things in life, reading the directions ahead of time is a worthwhile endeavor with this tent.
Once you actually read the directions and get those exact 120cm and 100cm heights engraved in your memory, set-up speed is pretty quick. It’s a standard stake out the corners, set up the ridgeline kind of ultralight tent. Insert the tall trekking pole handle up into the fabric pocket by the front door and put the tip in the cord loop toward the floor. Then stake that out the guyline attached to the zipper part of the door. Do the same with the shorter trekking pole in the back.
If you haven’t set up this kind of tent before or have only used Big Agnes or other backpacking tents with trekking poles, it takes some practice. As with all tents, set up at home or a park under low-pressure conditions when you have lots of time before you head out on your first trip with this tent.
Here are a couple things make the Big Agnes String Ridge VST unique as far as setup.
One thing I liked (but could be controversial) about the setup is the minimalist cord loops to insert your poles to keep them in place relative to the bathtub floor. At first I was skeptical. Most ultralight manufacturers use metal hoop brackets here. This seemed like a place not to skimp on hardware. I’m pretty gentle on my gear and it didn’t rip in 15 nights, but I could see the seams giving out for someone who really cinched down and wanted a super tight pitch.
Whether I put the trekking pole handle up or tip up (the official directions say do handle up), I couldn't quite fit the pole into the pocket as well as I can on other tents.
One thing I didn’t like was the fabric pocket on the underside of the awning that holds the handle of your trekking pole up. The fabric pocket on the underside of the rainfly by the front door was fine and held in place OK. But the fabric pocket on the awning was so small, I was really tempted to go tip up instead of handle up.
It’s also got the footprint (sold separately) that has sewn in loops to insert your guylines and stakes. The footprint is exactly shaped to the tent and getting the tent to line up perfectly on it is tricky. That’s not unique to this ultralight tent, though, but is something to be aware of.
Interior space and livability
Close-up on everything that can fit in the vestibule of the Big Agnes Ridge VST including my pack, foodbag, shoes, stove, and water bottles taken on a backpacking trip in Joshua Tree.
The back wall of the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 is vertical and that straight sidewall gives more usable space than a sloped backwall tent like the Zpacks Plex Solo. Sitting up in the tent is much more pleasant because of that design and the added headroom and sitting space. The String Ridge VST 1.5 has 47 inches of peak height, which is among the best of the ultralight solo tents we tested.
On other two-pole trekking pole tents like the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker (which is also a one-person tent), you get two vestibules. I missed having a double vestibule.
The one vestibule you get on this tent is generous at 9 sq. ft., which is on the larger end for an ultralight tent. I could store my 60L backpacking backpack here.
While certainly not the most minimalist tent, the 1.5-person rating on the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 really is just that. I could fit a regular width 6-foot sleeping pad and just squeeze in my 60L backpacking backpack. But it was tight and I preferred to keep my pack in the vestibule. So if you were hoping to find love on the trail and fit two people in this tent, all I can say is “good luck.”
I loved the magnetic toggle that holds the vestibule door. This feature is becoming more common in ultralight tents these days, notably with Zpacks tents. I really appreciated that Big Agnes uses this design feature because it makes one camp chore that much easier.
There is a hook to hang a lantern and a pocket that can hold a headlamp.
As with most trekking pole tents, like the Zpacks Plex Solo, the head and feet of the shelter are sloped. That makes this tent less ideal for taller people, who could wake up with the shelter roof inches from their nose. This is especially annoying if there is condensation as this means a wet head. Most people use inflatable sleeping pads or backpacking pillows. This extra height means you are more likely to end up with your head touching the sloping walls.
Hyperbead Fabric
The Hyperbead fabric that makes the body of the Big Agnes VST 1.5 tent is fantastic. It’s extremely waterproof, doesn’t absorb water, and dries quickly. In testing, it was surprisingly windproof and didn’t have much condensation. This tent is lightweight and quite compact, yet has a generous vestibule, bug netting, and even two pockets, keeping in line with Big Agnes’ reputation as a feature-rich tent maker.
Weather protection
The Hyperbead fabric was great in the rain on a thru-hike of the Ouachita Trail.
We go deep into explaining and testing the Hyperbead fabric in our Big Agnes Hyperbead Copper Spur Tent Review and Big Agnes Hyperbead Tiger Wall tent review. Big Agnes first put in their new waterproof material on their two most popular tents. We are big fans and are thrilled that Big Agnes uses this same fabric on their new trekking pole tent.
In our testing, the Hyperbead fabric held up in all-night rain. It has a hydrostatic head rating of 4,000 mm/24hr. That makes it among the best in the industry for three-season tents.
We tested this tent camping in wind gusts of up to 30 mph. This, I’d like to note, is not the type of wind you want to be camped in while anywhere close to a tree with loose limbs. The whole night I barely slept as I was worried about widowmakers: I kept thinking, “Huh, this tent is doing surprisingly well in this wind.” Still, windproofness has a lot to do with site selection and which direction you set up your head, foot, and front door (conventional wisdom says foot end facing the wind and door facing away from the wind).
Ventilation and condensation
Plentiful mesh and the ability to roll back both doors mean the Big Agnes String Ridge VST tent ventilates well.
Like any single-walled ultralight tent, you can expect to get condensation. But I was pretty impressed by the ventilation and (lack of) condensation on the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent.
Full caveat that I tested this tent in December through March, not the most humid parts of the year. That being said, when I was hiking the Ouachita Trail in Arkansas, there was unseasonably warm and humid weather. It was actually quite unpleasant. On the bright side, it gave me the chance to test how this tent performed in muggy conditions like I’ve experienced on the Appalachian Trail.
Excellent ventilation in the front and the back of the Big Agnes String Ridge VST was useful for airflow on a warm backpacking trip in Joshua Tree.
A design feature I really liked is the ability to open up the front door completely with no rainfly over the front. The result is the front door is all mesh. This helped a ton with ventilation.
On a humid night in the South, when I woke up in the morning, I expected to have to wipe down a bunch of condensation from the walls like with most ultralight tents. It was surprisingly dry and I packed up without needing to do the morning wipe.
At first, I wondered why the back side wall isn’t all mesh (like you see on the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker, which also has a vestibule on the back side). The reason is because the rainfly in the back doesn’t go all the way down, so there would be no privacy. The Hyperbead material going up part way in the back also helps with backsplash and wind-resistance (given that the rainfly doesn’t go down all the way in the back). Still, there’s enough mesh on the upper parts to get a cross-breeze going.
Aside from the Ouachita Trail, I tested in the West in semi-arid and desert climates. As expected, the String Ridge VST 1.5 had no condensation.
Durability
The rainfly, bathtub floor, and tent footprint (sold separately) all hook into the sturdy Big Agnes tent stakes. The footprint adds extra protection for the thin floor.
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 has a 15-denier recycled ripstop nylon floor that is noticeably thicker than the 10-denier floor on the Gossamer Gear The One. It’s not as thick as the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo or Skyscape Trekker though.
I used the footprint with the String Ridge VST 1.5 and found I was less worried about tearing the tent floor fabric. It’s quite minimalist and shaped just to the size of the tent with handy guylines for the corners so it doesn’t slip or slide.
While the 20-denier, high-tenacity ripstop fabric on the Hyperbead fabric on the rainfly feels light, I think it is a good balance of lightweight and durable. I didn’t have durability issues, even though most of my nights in this tent were set up in areas with a lot of underbrush, pine needles, and spiky plants nearby.
As mentioned above, the cord loops to secure trekking pole tips to the bathtub floor are one area where I’m concerned. Too-thin cord with no stretch that holds a high-tension area has been known to tear out seams in other pieces of gear. I’m tentatively optimistic, but if you are hard on your gear, take care when you’re tightening up your pitch.
Weight and packability
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST tent fully packed up with stake bag (far left) and footprint (middle).
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 is pretty packable at 3.75 inches by 14.25 inches or about 2.6 L. I could fit it into the side water bottle pocket or front mesh of my backpacking backpack without a problem. This was handy after it rained when I didn’t want to store the wet tent directly inside my pack.
The Hyperbead fabric is among the best for weight and packability. I found it far more compact than tents I’ve tested made of Dyneema Cuben Fiber (DCF), another popular tent material.
Although I didn’t test it bikepacking, at 2.6 L it can also fit inside bike bags well, especially if you take it out of its 14.25 inch-long stuff sack. I wouldn’t be surprised if Big Agnes came out with a bikepacking version with a stuff sack with daisy chains. Bikepackers will need to pick up separate poles (since cyclists don’t use trekking poles).
The fly uses a YKK DynaPel zipper, essentially a two-way zipper that gives you more flexibility in deciding how much venting you need. Big Agnes says it is more durable than traditional water-repellent zippers.
Versatility
Car camping in Anza Borrego with the Big Agnes String Ridge VST tent.
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent works well for shorter trips or longer trips. It’s more comfortable than many ultralight solo tents, so you could use it for a more casual backpacking trip and not feel like you missed out. But it is designed to shine in fast and light endeavors. I could also see it being great for bikepacking.
Features
Vertical sidewall architecture means fewer sloping walls that you can bump your shoulders and back into.
Single-door entry is pretty typical for solo ultralight tents. I wish the zippered door was open-able on both sides, so make sure you position your head by the part of the mesh door that opens.
Vestibule storage is a generous 9 SF for one vestibule, which is on the bigger end for backpacking tents. It could fit our shoes, water bottles, stove, and backpacking backpack.
Multiple interior pockets in the mesh door. This was a surprise as minimalist tents often don’t have pockets. They are sideways pockets but fit a headlamp or sunglasses.
Reflective guylines are thin and minimalist, but come with reflective yarn so you or your camp mates can avoid tripping on them at night.
Should you buy the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent?
Buy it if:
You are backpacking or thru-hiking and already carry trekking poles and are looking to save weight by not using a tent with traditional tent poles
You primarily camp solo and want more interior space than many ultralight 1-person tents out there
You value livability—headroom, full bathtub floor, complete bug netting, usable floor space, and comfort—over cutting every possible ounce (but still want to travel light)
You love the reliability of Big Agnes, from their customer support, features, and quality
You’re bikepacking or backpacking and don’t mind a slightly heavier ultralight shelter in exchange for comfort and excellent packability
Skip it if:
You are willing to carry a little more weight to save some money
You want a Dyneema Cuben Fiber (DCF) tent and the associated weight savings and are willing to pay for it
You prefer more minimalist shelters with the smallest possible packed size and weight
You are over 6 feet tall
You need a tent designed for severe weather or high-alpine conditions
Where to buy
The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent is a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
In general for gear, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like, REI.
Similar tents
ZPacks Plex Solo
Weight: 12.6 oz
Floor area: 20.6 SF
Vestibule space: Not stated
Peak height: 52 inches
Packed size: 4.5 x 11 inches
The Zpacks Plex Solo is an ultralight shelter that is set up with one trekking pole. Like the String Ridge VST 1.5, it has a bath tub floor, peaked ridge (i.e., not a true pyramid design), and one generous front vestibule. It weighs less than the String Ridge VST 1.5 at 12 oz, but is bulkier and has a higher volume because it is made of Dyneema Cuben Fiber (DCF), which doesn’t squish down as well as the Hyperbead fabric on the String Ridge VST.
As with the String Ridge, the sloping walls at the head and foot can be an issue for taller people or backpackers with thicker sleeping pads. However, at 52”, the peak height on the Plex Solo is taller than the Big Agnes String Ridge VST.
The Plex Solo has a similar 1.5-person design but the String Ridge VST is wider. The String Ridge VST has 48” width (and 22 SF interior space) compared to the Plex Solo’s 38” width and (20.6 SF interior space). The String Ridge VST 1.5 also feels roomier because the vertical sidewall creates more usable space.
Like the String Ridge VST, it needs a lot of stakes to set up (at least 6). The Plex Solo costs $50 more than the String Ridge VST 1.5.
ZPacks Plex Solo
Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
Floor area: 26.3 SF
Vestibule space: 8.5 SF
Peak height: 49 inches
Packed size: 11 x 4.5 inches
The SMD Lunar Solo is a generously sized 1-person ultralight tent that won awards in our Best Backpacking Tents, Best Ultralight Tents, and Best Bikepacking Tents guides. We also wrote an in-depth review of the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Tent.
At about half the price of the String Ridge VST 1.5, it is an excellent deal. It is made of silpoly, which is a material that is quite compact and affordable. The Lunar Solo has a very durable 40-denier bathtub floor, compared to the String Ridge VST’s 20 denier. The Lunar Solo is considered very waterproof for an ultralight tent with a respectable 3000mm hydrostatic head, though it still isn’t as good as the 4000mm hydrostatic head of Hyperbead fabric.
The Lunar Solo packs down to 11” x 4.5” or 2.3L, which is smaller than the String Ridge VST. The Lunar Solo has more usable space in the back than other solo tents, but doesn’t have the vertical side wall on the String Ridge VST 1.5, so you’re more likely to bump against the wall in the back.
The single vestibule on the Lunar Solo is generous, though at 8.5 SF, it isn’t quite as big as on the String Ridge VST 1.5. However, the interior space is more generous at 26.2 SF and even with a sloping back wall, it’s a high angle slope, so that space is quite usable.
The downside to the Lunar Solo is it weighs 26 oz compared to the 19 oz of the String Ridge VST 1.5. If you’re ok carrying extra weight, it is a good option for the price.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
Weight: 1 lb 9.4 oz
Floor area: 21.3 SF
Vestibule space: 20.4 SF
Peak height: 47 inches
Packed size: 12 x 5 inches
The Durston Gear X-Mid 1 is a double-wall trekking pole shelter that is available in polyester or Dyneema Cuben Fiber. It’s a winner in our Best Ultralight Tents guide.
The polyester version is quite affordable at $269, but it weighs 25.4 oz. One benefit is that it only requires four stakes, and the asymmetric geometry is surprisingly easy and fast to set up. It has separate inner and outer tent pieces, so you can opt not to have the bug protection and just use it as a tarp if the conditions are right.
It has a narrow interior space (and is smaller at 21.3 sq. ft.), but vertical mesh sidewalls on both sides allow for plenty of ventilation. It also has steeper walls at the head and foot than the Big Agnes String Ridge VST, so it can accommodate hikers up to 6 '4". Unlike the String Ridge VST 1.5, it has two vestibules for more storage space. The two trekking poles are set to the same height and offset to form a diagonal ridgeline. The peak height is the same as the Ridge VST 1.5 at 47 inches, but with fewer side sloping walls, which means lots of usable space.
Aside from the weight, one downside is its large footprint, which can make it difficult to squeeze into tight campsites.
Durston Gear X-Mid 1
Why you should trust us / About the author
Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.
Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside.
To test the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 tent, she thru-hiked the Ouachita Trail, a 223-mile trail from Arkansas to Oklahoma. Additionally, she's backpacked with this tent on the Boy Scout Trail in Joshua Tree National Park and in the Big Cone Douglas Fir forest of the San Gabriel mountains and Anza Borrego Desert.
You can read more about Liz at her wikipedia page here or on her website. See all her Treeline Review articles on her author page.
