Is the ProTrail Li fully waterproof?
Yes, it is fully seam-taped and fully waterproof. Dyneema® has a hydrostatic pressure rating of over 8,000 mm.
Which Dyneema fabric weights do you use?
The fly weight is 0.51 oz / yd 2
The floor weight is 1 oz / yd 2
Do I need trekking poles for general use?
Trekking poles are preferred but an 5.1 oz / 144 g pole set is available.
Can I use this for winter?
The structure will withstand light to moderate snow loading but is not intended for true winter.
Can I stuff the ProTrail Li to make it smaller?
We highly recommend rolling or folding, not stuffing, to extend the fabric lifespan. With careful rolling, the packed width can be made to fit horizontally into almost any pack.
Does the ProTrail Li accommodate tall people (over 6 ft 3 in / 190.5 cm)?
Lying down is no problem. The sloped design of the shelter makes sitting up harder. Boost your trekking pole to increase peak headroom.
What does my purchase include?
The ProTrail Li body, a stuff sack, aluminum stakes + stake bag and the necessary guyline cording. The ProTrail Li is designed for trekking poles to provide structure to the shelter. There are optional poles for non-trekking pole users that are available for purchase in the webstore.
Do I need a footprint?
Use of a groundsheet depends on the conditions you expect to encounter and your style of camping. The 1-oz Dyneema flooring is tough and does not usually require a separate groundsheet as long as the ground is clear of sharp objects. However, Dyneema, like all non-stretch fabrics, is subject to puncture under extreme pressure from sharp rocks or sticks. We sell optional Tyvek groundsheets which are very tough and great for sleeping out or taking a break, but generally heavier than you need for floor protection in most conditions. A groundsheet is recommended for use on very rocky ground and desert conditions.
David Huycke (verified owner) –
This is a wonderful tent. Having taken my new ProTrail Li on backpacks in the Cascades and Wallowas I am very happy with it and expect this is the last solo tent I’ll ever purchase. But a few things potential buyers should know:
The good: This tent is remarkably lightweight; it practically levitates. It rolls up into a compact bundle and easily straps onto the outside of my pack. For a one-person tent, there is plenty of head and foot room. If you have pitched it properly you’ll have no worries about rubbing up against walls or ceiling. It ventilates well and does fine in light/moderate wind (haven’t yet experienced strong winds in this tent).
The issues: Because it’s an A-frame design, the ProTrail is not free standing and you must maneuver in and out of a front entrance — which took me some getting used to after backpacking with side-entrance tents for decades. Entering and exiting isn’t a problem once you get in the habit of repositioning your front pole to the side.
While very easy to set up, you must practice. ProTrail’s sturdiness in wind and proper ventilation depend on near-perfect staking of the corners; if your geometry is off, even a bit, the sides won’t be taut. This is especially challenging when pitching on rocky ground where tent stakes don’t always go in where you want them to.
The DCF single wall is translucent enough to be almost transparent. Beware of full moons shining from without . . . and from within (!).
The overall footprint of the ProTrail is larger than other one-person tents (REI Quarter Dome, for example); when staked out it occupies more area.
There is adequate room in the vestibule for storing some gear; don’t expect to bring large items into the interior with you.
I recommend buying the custom-sized Tyvek ground sheet that is offered with the Protrail. (Wad it up and wrinkle it thoroughly when you first get it. A sheet of new, stiff Tyvek is as loud as rattling sheet metal.)
Would I recommend this tent? Absolutely: the ProTrail’s many positive qualities substantially outweigh its few inconveniences.
Robin Mayo –
Finally, the perfect tent for my needs (after 3 miss-steps). The door at the end is far more convenient for inflating my air mattress (try sitting in middle of a tent trying to inflate a 78″ mattress). The width at the doorway is ample for an old guy to make a 180 degree turn without leg cramps. Best of all is sleeping with my head and feet not rubbing against the ceiling. I’m 6′ 4″ and the room is perfect and the walls will not sag like my wet nylon tent. I had light wind blowing all night during my test run, so no condensation during cool rain. I could put my size 12’s in the vestibule and the rain did not touch the shoes or my pack and I still had room to exit. And much easier to setup than putting out 9 stakes, trying to find a spot without rocks or roots for each. I look forward my next AT section hiking with this tent.
alexpovh –
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Todd Bennett (verified owner) –
This tent is a complete game changer! Oh my goodness, THE SPACE!!! I’m now realizing what complete nonsense it is to have a wall mere inches from my face, not to mention having not sweating condensation on the footbox of my quilt. Perfect pitch the first time – so simple. If for some insane reason you ever decided to discontinue the Protrail Li, please please let me know because I’d go into debt to buy a couple more beforehand. I don’t ever want to sleep in another tent!
I took it out on an overnighter shakedown the other night in the Montana mountains before a multi-night trip next week in the Utah canyons. Held up perfectly to strong winds and 2″ of snow overnight. Magnet tie backs are a stroke of genius with frozen fingers. Thank you so much for designing and building this amazing shelter. Oh, and on a less important note, it’s architecturally elegant to boot :).
Galileo West –
Perfect tent. I’m an idiot and even I could put this gorgeous tent up. Well priced, easy on the eyes and strong in the wind.
I’m so stupid that when I started the AT I was carrying two sets of town clothes and a pair of trail runners tied to the outside of my pack. And for me it was an easy set up.
Furthermore, as a 220 lb, 6’3 dude I thought it wouldn’t fit. It does. I can sit up in it and sleep comfortably.
Philip Werner (verified owner) –
Packs up small and lite and is super comfortable inside. Pitch stays taut all night and ventilation is excellent. Really glad my mother-in-law treated me to this tent. I reach for it for all of my more extreme trips where I need a compact load for hiking and scrambling in really tough terrain.
James Bohannon –
Quite possibly the perfect solo shelter. I’m absolutely loving this thing.