Jump to: Our Verdict / Features / Specifications
Velocity (V) = Distance (S) / Time (T). VST tents are designed to help you reach your maximum velocity on the trail.
Pitchpine Trailhead is a portal to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness from the east, accessing classic peaks like Lost Ranger and Mount Ethel. Located just north of Big Agnes HQ, it's one of the more remote ways to access the mountains in our backyard.
Big Agnes says:
Set your FKT with VST. Our VST tents are inspired by you, combining innovative materials with user-first design to create the ideal ultralight shelter. Engineered to provide maximum usable space for you and your gear, these tents are ultralight, durable, and reliable. Hyperbead™ fabric with Hybrid Single/Double Wall construction and an integrated ventilation system promotes airflow while reducing condensation. Cut weight - without cutting corners - with the VST series.
No need for trekking poles - the Pitchpine VST utilizes simple design to create an extremely spacious shelter that sets up quickly and easily. Extra 0.5 sizing creates dedicated protected space for your gear, or a four legged friend. DAC Featherlite pole technology and ultralight Hyperbead™ fabric combine for compromise-free weight savings and protection from the elements.
Our Verdict
The Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent takes a different approach within the VST range. It uses a single-pole structure, which keeps overall weight down and simplifies the design. At around 845g excluding pegs and bags, it sits firmly in the lightweight category for a shelter offering 2 m² of floor area and a usable vestibule.
The pitch relies on good tension throughout, and that does take a little getting used to on the first setup. Once you understand how the tent needs to be tensioned, it becomes straightforward and quick to pitch. It is not freestanding, so careful staking is important, particularly on firmer ground.
For one person, there is plenty of room. The 1.5 sizing makes a real difference, giving space to keep gear inside without feeling cramped. Headroom is generous for a single pole design, and the layout feels practical rather than restrictive.
The innovative vent design stands out. Single-skin tents can be prone to condensation, and the integrated ventilation system goes a long way towards promoting airflow and reducing moisture buildup. Combined with mesh panels, it creates a shelter that feels open and well-ventilated.
This is not a high mountain shelter. It is better suited to campsite hopping and lower-level use, where weight, simplicity, and livable space matter most.
I also appreciate the smaller details, such as the magnetic door ties, which are easy to use in low light or with cold hands. Taken as a whole, the Pitchpine VST 1.5 offers a well-considered balance of low weight, internal space and practical three-season ventilation.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Featuring proprietary HyperBead™ fabric technology: The ideal balance of strength, durability, and weight. Optimized for those who don’t want to compromise on protection and weight.
- Hybrid Single/Double Wall design with integrated ventilation design drastically reduces condensation without requiring additonal setup
- Extra 0.5 sizing provides bonus room inside the tent for a backpack and/or furry friend
- Recycled, solution-dyed polyester fabric provides increased dimenstional stability compared to a traditional nylon tent fabric, making it especially ideal for semi-freestanding tents
- Single pole architecture creates a light and simple, yet stable structure that is easy to setup alone
- DAC Featherlite poles provide incredible strength in all conditions
- Comfort-first floorplan fits a 25" wide pad
- ErgoZip ergonomically designed fly zippers slide easily from any position
- YKK DynaPel™ fly zippers slide more easily and are more durable than traditional water-repellant zippers, keeping you dry using sustainable materials and no intentionally added PFAS
- Aluminum Tiplok buckles assist with easy setup
- To extend the life of your tent floor we recommend using a Big Agnes footprint - sold separately
Specifications
Our Specs -
- Flysheet & Inner weighs: 573g
- Poles weigh: 202g
- Total weight: 775g (excludes pegs & bags)
- Pegs x8 weigh: 73g
Big Agnes Specs -
- Trail Weight: 768.3g / 27.1oz
- Total Weight: 881.7oz / 31.1oz
- Packed Size: 43 x 9cm / 17" x 3.5"
- Floor Area: 2m² / 22ft²
- Vestibule Area: 0.8m² / 8ft²
- Head Height: 102 cm / 40"
- Footprint Weight: 73.7g / 2.6oz
Material & Construction
- Rainfly: Proprietary HyperBead™ fabric; 20D recycled solution-dyed polyester with 20D high tenacity ripstop fabric, 4000mm waterproof rating without intentionally added PFAS
- Floor: Proprietary HyperBead™ fabric technology; recycled 15D nylon ripstop with 1500mm waterproof rating without intentionally added PFAS
- Body Mesh: Polyester mesh
- Poles: DAC Featherlite NFL poleset
- 6” Dirt Dagger™ UL Stakes included: 8
