Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 tent review: A solo tent we trust year-round (and why you should too)
The Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is one of the most popular backpacking tents on the market today. A constant feature of the British hills, it’s beloved by wildcampers, thru-hikers and 4-season adventurers of all styles — all thanks to its durable, reliable yet lightweight design. But is it worth the hype? And is this truly one of the best all-round shelters out there today?
Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1
Ideal for: Four-season backpacking, wildcamping and hiking in cold, wet weather, as well as fastpacking, bikepacking and more
Not suitable for: N/A
The Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is a four-season, ultra-lightweight one-person backpacking tent that promises reliable protection in challenging conditions. Weighing in at 1,600 grams and packing down to about the size of a rugby ball, it’s an excellent option for anyone looking for a tiny solo tent that doesn’t compromise on strength or usability. Its tunnel design ensures stability in strong winds, and with a roomy vestibule, there’s ample space for kit storage. All in, we think this might just be one of the best-performing 1-person tents on the market today — just be aware that such a reputation doesn’t come cheap!
The Good
Very lightweight
Tiny pack size
Delivers amazing performance for its pack size and weight
Comes with a delightfully considered feature set
Easy to pitch
Easy to pack away
Great in the wind
The Bad
Expensive for a single-person shelter
Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 tent review
ParaFjallraven is a brand synonymous with quality and durability. Founded in Sweden, the company has long been a favourite among outdoor enthusiasts, known for producing high-performance gear that excels in the harshest conditions. Their product lineup includes the iconic Kånken backpack, the rugged Keb trousers, and a variety of top-tier tents designed for year-round use. We’ve previously reviewed other Fjallraven products here at Great British Adventure Club, and they rarely disappoint.
The Abisko Lite 1 is positioned as a premium solo backpacking tent for those who need lightweight yet capable protection in remote and unpredictable places. Straight out of the stuff sack, it promises a lot: four-season performance, packability, and the kind of build quality that Fjallraven has built its name on. From the moment you handle it, it feels like a tent designed to be relied on. The materials are confidence-inspiring, the design looks purpose-built, and the tunnel structure suggests strength without over-complication.
Pitching it for the first time only reinforces those early impressions. It goes up quickly and without fuss — the kind of tent that feels like second nature even if you’ve never used it before. For solo adventurers looking for something that balances simplicity, sturdiness and comfort, the Abisko Lite 1 immediately feels like it could be the right tool for the job. It’s understated but quietly impressive — exactly what you want when you’re heading off the beaten track on your own.
When compared to similar products, the Abisko Lite 1 holds its ground well. The Hilleberg Akto, one of the most respected one-person tents available, weighs in at 1.7 kg and is widely regarded as a benchmark for solo shelters. However, it’s also £180 more expensive. The Nordisk Telemark is another solid alternative, coming in at just 830 grams and slightly cheaper at £580. While lighter, it doesn’t perform quite as well in high winds. At the budget end of the spectrum, the Robens Starlight 1 offers a more affordable alternative at just £165, though it’s heavier and lacks the premium materials found in the Abisko Lite 1. All this is to say that, despite costing a hefty £600 when bought directly from Fjallraven, the Abisko Lite 1 is actually reasonably priced for the durability, quality and incredible versatility this tent delivers. Granted, if you’re on a budget, you’ll find lines that deliver on some of the long list of benefits the Abisko gives you — but we think you’ll struggle to find a shelter this is as good an all-rounder as the Abisko Lite, even if you increase your budget above this Fjallraven tent’s £600 RRP.graph
Our experience using the Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1
We took the Abisko Lite 1 on multiple trips to put the tent through its paces. Over a period of around 4 months, we were lucky enough to use it in 3 different national parks, on a variety of different trips, and put it up against the full gambit of weather any UK adventure might throw at this shelter. First up was a three-night wild camping trip on Dartmoor, where we faced relentless rain and strong winds. The tent proved easy to pitch even in poor conditions and remained sturdy throughout. Despite the howling winds, the tunnel design helped to keep it grounded, with no excessive flapping or buffeting that can make sleeping a nightmare in lesser tents.
We also took it to the Lake District for a winter overnight, camping in temperatures down to around -6°C overnight. The nylon-paneled interior did a great job of retaining warmth, keeping things comfortable inside. Paired with a decent winter sleeping bag and pad (in this case the Simonds Makalu II and the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm), the tent provided a snug and secure refuge against the freezing temperatures outside. The relative lack of internal condensation was a pleasant surprise the morning after, given the still air inside and the biting Lake District cold outside. Don’t read that to mean that it was dry inside, however; physics hasn’t solved this tricky little problem yet. But, in our experience, it performed better than many other shelters we’ve tried in this class.
Finally, a couple of tests out in the Chiltern Hills are with a note, wherein we used the Abisko Lite 1 on a group woodland camp and as part of a fastpacking trip. On the latter trip, the compact pack size meant it fit easily into a 20-litre running pack, which makes it a versatile option for lightweight adventures. And on more relaxed group camps, the relatively generous space for a one-person tent really came into its own.
All in, we’d sum this tent in two words: Confidence inducing. Unlike some tents that feel flimsy when pushed into more extreme conditions, the Abisko Lite 1 always feels up to the task. And whether we found ourselves dealing with the damp, the cold, or simply the need to pack and pitch quickly, this tent never let us down on any of our testing trips.
Image credit: @the_horseback_adventurer
Features and performance
Pitching and packing away
The first thing we particularly appreciate about the Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is how easy it is to pitch. After a long day on the trail or when setting up camp in driving rain, that’s something you come to appreciate very quickly. Thanks to its tunnel design, the tent can be set up in just a few minutes using as few as six pegs. You simply roll it out, slot in the DAC Featherlite pole, and peg out the corners. That’s it. When it's time to move on, packing the tent away is just as simple. The stuff sack it comes with includes a clever compression cover, helping to reduce the overall pack size even further, and a grab handle makes it easy to whip out the tent when you're ready to pitch again. For those looking to shave off a little bulk, the corner poles can be removed between trips, or left in place for quicker setups down the line. Unlike other tents that make this a bit painful, however, like the Robens Starlight line, these poles are mounted in between two external eyelets (not via a pole-sleeve system), which makes them easy to add and remove — perfect for packing down or setting up quickly on the go.
Once pitched, the layout of the Abisko Lite 1 is equally impressive The vestibule, for instance, offers ample space for your pack, boots, and cooking kit, and the whole front section can be expanded or reduced using a simple slide system. This kind of versatility is a real boon when you’re trying to cook in a storm or just want to stretch out before bed. It’s thoughtful touches like this that elevate the user experience from merely functional to genuinely enjoyable.
The materials used throughout the tent are as rugged as they are refined. The 20D TripleRip silnylon flysheet is silky smooth to the touch but tough enough to take a battering from both wind and rain. Like many silnylon tents, it does tend to sag a bit overnight if it’s been raining hard, but that’s par for the course with this kind of fabric and never affected the performance or comfort during our testing.
Inside the tent, Fjallraven’s attention to detail becomes even more apparent. Storage pockets line the interior, offering plenty of space for stashing essentials, and there’s even a handy internal line for hanging wet gear or a lantern. The ventilation system also deserves praise. With adjustable vents located at both the head and foot ends, airflow through the tent is excellent — a crucial detail when you’re camping in damp or humid conditions. Crucially, these vents can be opened and closed from inside the tent, a feature that outperforms many rivals, including the Robens Starlight 1 and even the Hilleberg Akto, which both require you to step outside to adjust airflow. It’s a small usability win, but one that makes a big difference when the weather is less than forgiving.
Image credit: @tomoutdoors__
The Abisko Lite 1 in the wind
With a sturdy DAC Featherlite aluminium pole and a total of eight peg-out points, the Abisko Lite 1 stands up exceptionally well to high winds. For a tent of its size, weight and how quickly it pitches, its wind performance is nothing short of outstanding. In fact, during testing we found it to outperform practically every other tent in this category, including the well-respected Nordisk Telemark 2, which despite being lighter, simply doesn’t offer the same level of structural stability in rough weather. The Abisko Lite 1 feels glued to the ground once properly pitched, giving genuine peace of mind when the weather turns grim. The zips are high-quality and operate smoothly, even in wet conditions, and the main entrance zipper moves in both directions, allowing for venting while cooking inside.
Finally, the internal space is worth mentioning. For a solo tent, it feels surprisingly roomy. Most people can comfortably sit up inside, even when using a thick winter sleeping pad. This makes a huge difference to overall comfort and usability, especially during multi-day trips when you might be spending more time inside the tent due to bad weather.
Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 tent FAQs
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It performs well in warm conditions thanks to its ventilation system. The adjustable vents at both the head and foot of the tent allow for good airflow, and the dual-direction zips on the entrance provide additional venting if needed. It can get a little warm inside due to the solid nylon interior panels, but this helps in colder conditions.
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The Abisko Lite 1 is a solid choice for winter camping. The nylon-panelled interior helps retain warmth, and the sturdy tunnel design stands up well to heavy snow and high winds. We tested it at -6°C, and it kept us warm and protected throughout the night.
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For a tent this light, the Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is surprisingly stable in strong winds. The tunnel design helps reduce buffeting, and the eight peg-out points—including two guy lines—keep it well anchored. It’s more stable than some of its closest competitors, making it a solid option for windy conditions.
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Very easy. It can be pitched with as few as six pegs and takes just a few minutes to set up. The tunnel design simplifies the process, and packing it away is just as quick.
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At £600, it’s definitely a premium tent, but given its performance, durability, and ease of use, we think it’s worth it. There are cheaper alternatives, but few that offer the same level of all-season reliability in such a lightweight
Final verdict
All in, we think the Fjallraven Abisko Lite 1 is one of the best four-season one-person tents on the market today. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel — and that’s exactly what makes it so good. This is a shelter built on simplicity and reliability, where every detail is carefully thought through and nothing is included unless it serves a genuine purpose. It’s astonishingly easy to pitch, packs down to a compact size, and at just 1.6kg, it’s light enough for long-distance treks yet tough enough to ride out punishing British weather.
Features like the adjustable, internal-access vents, expandable vestibule, and thoughtful storage options all combine to create a tent that genuinely works with you, not against you. The high-quality silnylon fly, rock-solid DAC Featherlite pole, and eight secure peg-out points give it the kind of wind resistance that outclasses many heavier competitors. Yes, it comes with a premium price tag, but what you get in return is a shelter you can trust, time and time again, no matter what the hills throw at you. For solo adventures in the UK and beyond, the Abisko Lite 1 sets a very high bar — and is certainly a tent that we look forward to continuing to use on wet and windy 4-season adventures across the UK.
