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ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent vs Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF is the lighter option — 1,256 g lighter than the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent (85% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
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Spec ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF
Weight 1,474 g · 1.474 kg · 3.25 lb 218 g · 0.218 kg · 0.48 lb
Brand ALPS Mountaineering Mountain Laurel Designs
Category Shelter Shelter
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent
1,474 g

1-person freestanding ultralight backpacking tent with aluminum poles and ample ventilation, minimum trail weight 3 lbs 5 oz

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Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF
218 g

Ultra-lightweight DCF tarp shelter at 7.5 ounces.

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ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent vs Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Mountain Laurel Designs SuperTarp Flat Tarp .5 DCF wins — at 218 g it is 1,256 g (85%) lighter than the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 1 Tent (1,474 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest shelter page, or browse the full gear weight database.

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