Big Agnes String Ridge VST 2.5

The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 2.5 is an ultralight trekking-style shelter built with HyperBead fabric and a hybrid single/double-wall construction, sized for 2.5 people — the extra half-person sizing adds room for gear or a dog rather than a genuine third sleeper. At 850 g packaged weight, it's notably light for its floor space, in keeping with its ultralight billing. Unlike the freestanding Tiger Wall and Sarvis models, this is a trekking-style shelter, which typically means it pitches using trekking poles rather than dedicated tent poles — a further weight saving for hikers who already carry poles. A footprint isn't included but is sold separately, worth adding on abrasive ground since trekking-pole shelters put more strain on the floor fabric at pitch points. This suits ultralight solo hikers wanting extra buffer space, or duos hiking with a dog, on trips where minimising weight is the priority.