Open main menu

Mountain Hardwear Waypoint 1

rated 3.0 of 5 stars

The Waypoint 1 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best three-season tents for 2024.

photo: Mountain Hardwear Waypoint 1 three-season tent

I wanted a lightweight shelter to get away from the weather, and most important the mosquitoes, on my 2003 PCT hike. I found the solution in the Waypoint 1 tent. The tent is fantastically light and well designed for lots of space. I had lots of room for my backpack and gear inside with space to get dressed sitting up. On some rainy evenings I even cooked inside. I had the opportunity to see what a lot of other thru hikers chose for their shelters, from tarps to other brands of tents, and I was pleased with how my choice held up (I think the Waypoint 1 was the best).

There was a learning curve to setting the tent up. It is not a freestanding tent, so a little more care on location was needed. On my first few days on the PCT, I also learned that the tent can have a condensation problem if not properly setup. It was an easy solution of using the tent lines at the different tie points around the tent to draw the edge flaps away from the perimeter vent screens, and to make sure the roof vents were fully open. Once this was done the condensation problem all but disappeared. I could set up the Waypoint 1 tent quicker than the thru hikers could with their tarp tents.

The tent was a delight in Northern California, where in some locations the mosquitoes were vicious at night, and the temperature was warm. I hop into the tent and sleep on top of the bag. The tarp hikers had to wear nets and long sleeve shirts. They didn’t sleep as well. I have used the Waypoint 1 tent many times since my four-month PCT hike. It is still in great shape. I plan on using it for my upcoming CDT hike in 2008. There are trade offs between weight and function for backpacking gear. Mountain Hardwear found a good balance between the two in the Waypoint 1 tent.

Design: lightweight
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: Not free standing, but easy
Price Paid: $225

On the plus side the Waypoint 1 is very light (less than 3.25 pounds pack weight including ground cloth) and easy to set up. I like the reflective material on the top of the tent. This is a great idea to find your tent after dark when at an outback site. All manufacturers ought to note this detail.

On the downside the condensation build up is unacceptable. I camp in the Porcupine Mountains in the UP of Michigan twice a year on four day trips. For the past four years I have woke up in the morning to find water on top of my sleeping bag from condensation, especially down toward my feet. All vents are open and this even occurs on some nights when there is a breeze. If the weather is dry and sunny you can leave the tent open for an hour in the morning to get rid of the condensation before the next night. If you are going to use the tent in an arid climate the condensation problem may be acceptable.

I think Mountain Hardwear could add a substantial side vent creating a small open vestibule area to solve the problem. This would be a welcome additional storage area as the tent is tight quarters for one with clothing and other essential gear. I love the concept of a tent pack weight under 3.25 pounds but the condensation has me looking for another tent in the next season or two.

Design: three-season freestanding
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: very easy
Weight: 3.25 pounds or less including ground cloth
Price Paid: $200

Bought my Waypoint 1 four years ago, and used it about 4 times in that year. Haven't used it since and just stored it inside my closet. I set it up in my yard last night in preparation for a four-day backpack nearby in Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

The smell of some fabric chemical (silicone? polyurethane?) was awful inside the tent, something I had not noticed before. I thought that airing it out for about 24 hours might do the trick. I just went to check on it now, and about 50% of the welded seams on the tent have completely separated. Looks like they were never welded together. It's just useless and flapping in the breeze.

Needless to say, I'm more than mad and disappointed, after what I paid for this tent. Today's high temp. was about 96 degrees, but that shouldn't melt all the seams of this tent! It's a 3-season tent, which includes the heat of the summer!

Since I bought it 4 years ago at REI, it's doubtful that either Mountain Hardwear or REI will do anything to replace or refund the tent, so I guess I'm just out all that money and forced to buy a new tent over the next few days. Extremely upset...

I find it to be be about as good as it is possible for a tent of that size to be. It has plenty of room for myself and all my gear and I have on multiple occasions gotten two people in it comfortably (yes, I do have a Waypoint one not 2) and I admit that the first time the other person was a atractive female so I had no problem with the close quarters but the second time it was another guy and we didn't have to spoon the whole night.

The only time I have had problems with it was the first time I used it I was canoeing with a friend (the above mentioned female) and and it was pretty stuffy inside. If it hadn't been raining we probably would have slept under the stars but I attribute the stuffiness to it being August in Virginia and right next to a river. Every other time I've used it it has performed outstandingly. I'm considering purchasing another while they're still on the market because its replacment, the Skypoint, is as far as I can tell inferior in every respect.

Design: 3-season, not free standing
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: a blind guy with one arm could do it
Weight: less then 3 pounds
Price Paid: $124.95+ 20 for foot print

This tent is a one wall system that also acts as the rain fly. But it is not freestanding, so you have to hold it up with stakes, guy lines, one hoop support pole and a foot-long mystery post (that is just supposed to somehow freestand at the foot of the tent).

Problem is, above timber line in the Sierras the ground on which to set up is often filled with rock, so set up becomes difficult.

The worse problem, however, is that the tent does not vent well at all. Moisture condensed very heavily inside the tent both nights that I used it. Since the feet end of the tent is only held up by the "mystery post," whenever I moved in my sleep, the condensation transferred to my bag. The second morning, the bottom of my bag was covered in frost!

I like Mountain Hardwear and have enjoyed their products, but for my needs, this tent was a disappointment. It may be a tent that is great for lower elevations or different conditions.

Design: three season non freestanding
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: fair
Weight: 2 lbs. 2 oz
Price Paid: $155 (after 20% discount)

After a few years of use, the floor seam completely separated from the tent sides. Not likely to buy another Mountain Hardwear product.

Pros

  • Light weight
  • Easy up unless strong winds

Cons

  • Poor quality
  • Seams failed
  • Tent fabric deteriorated

Although I would give the tent high marks on its design: setup, stability, packability, ease of use. This is completely overshadowed by the fabric integrity, which severely breaks down over time, and the welded/glued floor pan seam. This failed entirely, rendering tent useless.

Yes, a sewn seam is said to weaken the seam, but this is a highly stressed portion of the tent and the glued seam just doesn't cut it.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $150

I used this tent extensively, from overnight light packing trips in the Sierras to the Rockies and the Cascades. Even used it on a 14day through hike of the John Muir Trail. The weight to space ratio is really nice with the single wall system.

How the door opens straight into the tent causes issues when it's raining, as you have to be careful not to get anything wet.

The bigger issue is condensation. Even in the drier climates of the Sierras and Rockies condensation from body moisture and my breath would collect inside the tent and sometimes freeze at night. Quite often I'd have to wipe down the walls at night. Also, after several years of use the "welded" seams completely delaminated.

Mountain Hardwear was great with the warranty, and gave me full credit toward a new tent. I won't be buying their single wall tents anymore, but will continue to do business with them, as they've been very easy and usually make good gear.

Design: Three-season non-freestanding hoop
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: Requiers stakes, but sets up very quickly.
Weight: 3.4 pounds
Price Paid: $110

I took this tent on the JMT in August. Above 10,000 feet I found the condensation to be unacceptable, as it built to the point of falling on my bag even with all the vents open.

That said, it proved its worth the nights it rained on us. The incredibly light weight it quite an accomplishment, and I have had friends like it much better than I did. Still, I met another hiker with this tent and he also hated it because of the condensation. I will not be using this tent again, and likewise Mountain Hardwear has stopped making this tent, possibly for the same reason.

If you are going to get a single-wall tent, try for something with a vestibule or at least a screen door option, and fabric that breathes better.

Design: Three-season Non-freestanding Single Wall
Price Paid: $200

I am a big fan of this tent. I have owned it for 3 yrs and have used it all over even in a wind storm in Moab last year where everybody's tent was blown over and mine was still there. I would still be using it too. I was setting it up for cleaning and my 85 lb American bulldog decided to jump through the door. So it is at Mountain Hardwear getting the whole panel replaced for 40$, not bad if you ask me.

P.S for all the people bitching about condensation, you need at least a dozen stakes and properly guyed lines. I have never had a problem in the rain but I also use a tarp in high humidity.

I've had the Waypoint 1 for about a year now. It replaced a single wall Sierra Designs Flash Magic. Condensation can be a problem, but it's no worse than the Flash Magic. For drier areas, like the Sierras, this is a great choice.

I just got back from Big Sur where the humidity is higher and it rained through the night. Condensation was there, but me and my sleeping bag were dry and comfortable, so I'd give it a thumbs up if you mostly hike in drier areas. It's water tight and roomy for a one-person tent.

Design: One-person, single wall, non-freestanding
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: 2lbs 2oz
Price Paid: $180

i have found that if the vents are set up properly this tent outperforms all other single wall tents I have used, at a fraction of the cost of the others. Example, the Garuda Jalan Jalan at $395 is a joke compared to the performance of the Waypoint One. I have used this tent at high and low elevations and in warm and cool weather with no problems with condensation. Before people bash this tent they should learn how to set it up properly.

Design: Waypoint 1
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: less than 5 minutes
Weight: 2.2- 2.13lbs
Price Paid: $80 on ebay

The first time i got it, it was priced at $275 perfect price as I thought and still think. The first time I used it I was amazed to see that it was compatible with both packs I had and ultralight so it didn't bother me at all with hiking this item is hot and the price should not have gone down because it's worth every cent. It's a great opportunity for everyone.

Design: three season non free standing dome
Sleeps: 1
Ease of Setup: very easy
Weight: 1.52 pounds
Price Paid: $275

the chemical residue smell in the tent,probably would have caused me some brain damage had i slept in it more than once. but maybe luckily for me it self destructed during its fist full day of being setup. when i returned at the end of the day the tent looked like it had been repeatedly slashed, but in fact the seams at all separated.

Price Paid: $150

Your Review

You May Like

Specs

Price Historic Range: $124.93-$194.99
Reviewers Paid: $80.00-$275.00

Recently on Trailspace

Call for Reviews: Your Favorite Spring Gear