Sierra Designs High Route Tent

The High Route is a non-freestanding shelter designed specifically to be supported by your own trekking poles. You will need a pair of adjustable trekking poles to set it up, as no tent poles are included.

Yes, it is surprisingly roomy for an ultralight shelter. The offset pole design creates vertical walls that prevent the tent fabric from pressing against you, and the dedicated gear closet keeps your pack and boots out of your sleeping area.

The gear closet is a distinct vestibule area that allows you to store your pack and gear outside the main sleeping compartment but still fully protected from the elements. It is accessible via its own door, so you can grab your gear without opening the main tent door.

It is rated for 3-season use, meaning it handles standard backcountry weather well. However, because it relies on trekking poles and a specific pitch, you must ensure you have a taut setup and proper stake placement to maintain stability in gusty conditions.

There is a slight learning curve compared to a traditional freestanding tent. You will need to practice adjusting your pole heights and tensioning the guy lines to get a taut pitch, but once you understand the geometry, it becomes quick and intuitive.

It is exceptionally compact. When packed properly, the tent body and fly compress down to roughly the size of a standard Nalgene water bottle, making it an excellent choice for bikepacking or minimalist fastpacking setups where space is at a premium.