3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Review — Lightweight Trekking Tent for Wild Camping
I’ve spent dozens of nights under canvas, from rain-soaked ridges in the Cairngorms to summer camps beside lochs. Along the way I’ve tried many tents, and the 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 keeps coming up as a go-to tent for ultralight weekenders and thru-hikers. In this review I’ll cover why people rave about it, where it shines, its trade-offs, and whether it’s really suitable if you search for wild camping UK tents or just “budget lightweight tent Lanshan 2”.
Contents
Key Specifications & What You Get
My Field Experience — Where It Performs & What to Expect
Pros & Cons — What I Loved & What I Struggled With
How It Compares For Wild Camping & Ultralight Use
Feedback from the Wild Camping Community
Who This Tent Is Best For & When to Choose Something Else
Key Specifications & What You Get
Let’s start with what you get in the box and what the specs say — essential if you’re comparing tents or asking “is Lanshan 2 good enough for wild camping”.
Capacity - 2 persons (using trekking poles)
Weight (tent body + fly + bathtub floor + stakes etc) - 1.1-1.15 kg (1150-1200g) for the regular two-person model.
Fly fabrication - 15D silnylon (silicone-coated nylon)
Floor fabric - 20D nylon base (bathtub style)
Waterproof rating - Fly: ~5000 mm HH; floor ~8000 mm HH
Inner dimensions -210 × 110-125 cm; height ~100-125 cm depending on pole setup
Packed size - 34 × 15 cm in compression sack or similar stuff sack
Features - Double-layer, two vestibules, two doors, requires trekking poles (not included), mesh inner for ventilation, optional 4-season inner version, seam-sealed fly with care.
My Field Experience — Where It Performs & What to Expect
I’ve used the Lanshan 2 on several UK wild camps, including summer nights and shoulder season (when frost starts creeping in). Here's what I found:
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Ultralight feel: I didn’t notice much bulk in my pack when I carried it 15-20 km
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Ventilation vs condensation: On warm, still nights there’s quite a condensation buildup unless you position it in airflow. The mesh helps, but expect to have to manage it (open vents etc.).
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Wind & rain handling: In moderate weather, it holds well. I had a downpour one night and the 15D silnylon fly and taped seams kept me dry. In stronger wind (30-40 mph) it’s doable if you pitch well (lower poles, tension lines). In extreme storm or snow conditions, however, I’d want something with more structural rigidity.
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Space inside: Two people, side by side, is possible but feels cozy. If you or your partner move during sleep, you’ll bump into the inner walls. Great for solo or for two lightweight hikers who don’t mind intimate quarters.
Pros & Cons — What I Loved & What I Struggled With
Pros
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Very good weight-to-capacity ratio for a 2-person double-walled tent.
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Excellent value for money in the “budget lightweight tent” market. Many reviews say “quality/weight vs price can’t be beaten”.
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Solid waterproof fly, good fabric tech, waterproof bathtub floor.
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Dual vestibules and double doors help with gear storage and access.
Cons
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Requires trekking poles (not included), so add that to cost/weight.
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Setup has a learning curve — tensioning lines, proper pole heights matter. If you skimp, the interior can sag or flutter.
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Condensation on damp nights; needs ventilation.
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Interior width and wall slope mean tall folks may press up against walls if sleeping mats are thick or if tent isn’t pitched taut.
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Durability concerns: thin fabric, need care at guy-line points, and some users report wear from UV or rough ground.
How It Compares For Wild Camping & Ultralight Use
If you’re comparing the Lanshan 2 against similar tents (e.g. Zpacks Duplex, X-Mid designs etc.), here’s how it stacks up.
Ultralight two-person hiking tent - Good: lighter than many two-person tents with solid fly / vestibule design.
Budget lightweight tent Lanshan 2 - Excellent: strong specs for its low price tag.
Tent for wild camping UK - Good for 3-season use; size and waterproofing are enough for most UK conditions outside deep winter.
Gear for thru-hikers / long hikes - Attractive: low weight, compressible, decent durability. You’d need to carry poles + perhaps a footprint for protection.
Feedback from the Wild Camping Community
Here are some reviews and impressions from people who use Lanshan 2 regularly
“When it comes to quality/weight versus price, I don’t think this tent can be beaten. Great for one-person backpacking.” — Trailspace user reviewing Lanshan 2 after UK seasons.
“Prioritised its weight, durability and cost. After hundreds of miles and many nights under canvas, not once has the Lanshan 2 failed me.” — In-depth review from The Best Budget Lightweight Tent? article on Nomad Hiker.
“It held up during a huge thunderstorm. I stayed 100% dry.” — user on Trailspace about Lanshan 2 in bad weather.
Who This Tent Is Best For & When to Choose Something Else
Ideal users:
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Backpackers or wild campers who want maximum shelter per gram without going full ultralight custom.
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3-season adventurers who expect rain, wind, but not deep snow.
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Solo hikers or pairs who don’t mind close quarters.
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Budget-conscious gear users who want value for money.
When you may want a different tent:
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If you regularly camp in winter with snow load or freezing conditions: a tent with stronger poles, steeper walls, more rigid structure may be better.
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If you or your partner are tall (> 6′2″) or you have large mats — wall slope or width may feel restrictive.
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If you need ultra-fast setup in foul weather — trekking pole-tents typically take a bit more adjusting.
Who This Tent Is Best For & When to Choose Something Else
Ideal users:
-
Backpackers or wild campers who want maximum shelter per gram without going full ultralight custom.
-
3-season adventurers who expect rain, wind, but not deep snow.
-
Solo hikers or pairs who don’t mind close quarters.
-
Budget-conscious gear users who want value for money.
When you may want a different tent:
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If you regularly camp in winter with snow load or freezing conditions: a tent with stronger poles, steeper walls, more rigid structure may be better.
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If you or your partner are tall (> 6′2″) or you have large mats — wall slope or width may feel restrictive.
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If you need ultra-fast setup in foul weather — trekking pole-tents typically take a bit more adjusting.
FAQ — Lanshan 2 Tent Questions
Is Lanshan 2 good for heavy rain?
Yes — the Lanshan 2’s fly and floor material are quite waterproof (fly ~5000mm HH, floor ~8000mm HH in some units). With well-sealed seams, a properly tensioned fly, and good pitching, it kept me dry through serious downpours. But prolonged exposure and pooling water at vestibules can be a weak spot.
Can two people sleep comfortably in Lanshan 2?
Yes — two people can fit, but snugly. It’s more comfortable if you’re lean, gear is stored in vestibules or outside, and you use thinner mats. If spatial comfort matters (you move a lot in your sleep), it can feel tight.
Do I need to use trekking poles or can I buy poles?
You need trekking poles to pitch it—tent does not come with dedicated poles. That’s partly how the weight is kept down. If you don’t already have poles, add them into the gear cost. Setup depends heavily on good pole length and foot positioning.
How does Lanshan 2 handle condensation and ventilation?
Ventilation is quite well designed: mesh inner, fly vents, dual doors help. But condensation will happen on damp nights or when tent is packed in after sweating. My tip: camp with some airflow, open vents during the night, pitch fly as high as conditions allow.
Is it worth paying for the 4-season inner version?
If you plan to camp in colder shoulder seasons or somewhere with snow or near-freezing nights, yes. The 4-season inner gives more protection from wind, more warmth. But it adds weight, and for typical summer wild camping or mid-season, the standard 3-season version suffices.
Final Verdict — Is Lanshan 2 Right for You?
In my view, the Lanshan 2 is a standout budget lightweight tent. It offers a lot of value: good specs, solid waterproofing, enough room, decent durability — all for a price that undercuts many more “premium” ultralight tents. If your wild camping is mostly in spring-to-autumn in the UK, this tent is extremely capable. If you go into winter or extreme conditions often, you may outgrow it or need supplemental gear (footprint, careful pole choices, stronger anchor points).
If I had to advise a friend: if you want a lightweight, reasonably priced wild camping tent, this writes your ticket. Just be aware of its limits, treat it with respect, and pitch it properly — then nights under the stars will feel every bit as good as you hope.