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.
String Ridge is an area northeast of the town of Hahns Peak, specifically where J.W. Farwell of the Purdy Mining Company spent several seasons starting in 1875 mining, sifting, and sluicing for gold.
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.
The String Ridge VST gives you the best of both worlds: weight stats you can only get with a trekking pole shelter, combined with a stable, reliable design. Extra 0.5 sizing creates dedicated protected space for your gear, or a four legged friend. Innovative, externally supported asymmetrical architecture makes for a spacious shelter with plenty of room to lay out your gear and get ready for the next day's adventure.
Our Verdict
The String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent is a clear shift in direction for Big Agnes. It leans fully into a trekking pole-supported design, focusing on maximising internal space and headroom. As someone who prefers this style of shelter for its enormous headroom, generous vestibule, and open internal feel, I really appreciate how much room it offers for one person.
With 2 m² of floor space and a peak height of 119 cm, there is a vast amount of usable space for a solo camper. It feels noticeably larger than many one-person tents, with enough room to keep more gear inside rather than relying entirely on the vestibule.
The ventilation wing is the standout feature. Single skin shelters are prone to condensation, and this large integrated vent helps promote airflow. Combined with the mesh inner sections, it creates a more open feel and should help manage moisture in humid conditions.
At 555g excluding pegs and bags, the weight is very competitive for the space provided. The HyperBead fabric feels crisp and holds tension well once pitched, maintaining a neat structure. I also appreciate the smaller details, such as the magnetic door clips, which work well in the dark or when wearing gloves and make daily use easier.
The tent could benefit from a few more guy-out points for an optimal pitch. I would attach a couple of Gram-counter Gear Grip Clips to better tension the side panels. That would improve liveable space and add stability in stronger winds. I would have liked to see a couple more pegs included, as you need at least two additional stakes to pitch it optimally.
Even so, for those who value headroom, internal space, and trekking pole efficiency, the String Ridge VST 1.5 offers a spacious, thoughtfully designed take on the trekking pole tent.
- 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
- Trekking pole architecture with exterior support optimizes interior space and makes for easier setup
- Requires 2 trekking poles for complete setup
- 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
- Comfort-first floorplan fits a 25" wide pad
- To extend the life of your tent floor we recommend using a Big Agnes footprint - sold separately
Specifications
Our Specs -
- Flysheet & Inner weighs: 555g
- Total weight: 555g (excludes pegs & bags)
- Pegs x9 weigh: 82g
Big Agnes Specs -
- Trail Weight: 547g / 1lb 3oz
- Total Weight: 654g / 1lb 7oz
- Packed Size: 36 x 10cm / 14.25" x 3.75"
- Floor Area: 2m² / 22ft²
- Vestibule Area: 0.9m² / 9ft²
- Head Height: 119 cm / 47"
- Footprint Weight: 74g / 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
6” Dirt Dagger™ UL Stakes included: 9
