Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Single-Ply Tent

Product detailed description

The iconic American brand Big Agnes has introduced its first ultralight model designed to be pitched using two trekking poles. This expands the Big Agnes VST tent series in our lineup and offers an alternative to the model  Pitchpine VST 1.5, which features a single-pole design. The chosen design solution achieves an excellent balance between space and weight.

Big Agnes VST

The new line reflects the feedback Big Agnes receives from its users. They are the lightest, most spacious, and best-ventilated of all BA products. The unique design utilizes what is typically dead space as storage for gear while also allowing for the use of rectangular footprints. 

HyperBead™

A new proprietary material treatment technology, HyperBead™, is used for both the tent and the floor. In addition to being free of harmful substances, it offers us a whole range of benefits. Thanks to this innovative waterproof treatment, the tents are lighter, stronger, and more durable. In short, exactly what we want and value in an ultralight tent.

Because the String Ridge VST and Pitchpine VST tents are not freestanding,tensioning the tentis crucial for stability.The HyperBead™ polyester fabric maintains minimal stretch even when wet and naturally repels water. Combined with guy lines made of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (one of the strongest fibers in the world), VST tents remain taut and stable even in extreme weather.  

In terms of numbers, according to the manufacturer, tents featuring HyperBead™ technology have the following parameters compared to conventional materials:

• 6% lighter 
• 25% higher water resistance
• 65% greater strength

HyperBead™ does not contain PFAS or other harmful substances.

Construction

The Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 is a single-wall tent featuring an expanded interior and a spacious vestibule. Big Agnes designers achieved this generous interior space by positioning one of the two support poles outside the tent. Thanks to this design, additional space is created inside the tent next to the sleeping pad, where you can comfortably fit a backpack up to 40 liters and most of your gear. The vestibule, with a maximum width of 64 cm, serves as storage for the rest of your gear or for a larger backpack.

The vestibule is separated from the interior by durable polyester mesh, which is also used around the perimeter of the tent and in the large ventilation window on the opposite long side. The ventilation window itself effectively minimizes condensation inside the tent, but if you want even more ventilation, simply roll up the vestibule and let air flow between the entrance and the ventilation window. To secure the rolled-up entrance, the designers at Big Agnes used small magnets instead of grommets. A small detail that adds a lot to the comfort.

Other features include loops at the top of the tent and two pockets in opposite corners. Also interesting is the rubber reinforcement at the corners, which keeps the floor raised enough to help improve ventilation.

Setting up the tent

Two trekking poles are required to set up the Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5. The longer pole at the entrance is adjusted to a length of 120 cm, and the shorter one on the opposite side to 100 cm. The pole handles are placed upward into the designated slots in the tent, with the tips pointing toward the ground, where they are secured into the designated loops. Trekking poles are essential for setting up the tent. If you don’t use trekking poles, you can try the Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 model. 

When setting up the tent, first stake down the corners, then the positions for the poles. Six stakes are sufficient to secure the tent itself. However, there are three additional guy lines on the short sides of the tent and at the entrance. In total, the tent can be secured with nine Big Agnes Dirt Dagger UL stakes, which are all included in the package.

To protect the floor, you can purchase the original Big Agnes footprint or use Tyvek. Although Big Agnes lists the floor length as 229 cm, we would recommend the String Ridge VST 1.5 model for people up to 185 cm tall. Taller people might touch the tent wall with their feet or head, especially when using a thicker sleeping pad.

Big Agnes String Ridge VST 1.5 Tent

• Easy setup using two trekking poles.
• Large ventilation opening.
• Plenty of space for gear.
• Option to purchase an original footprint.
• 9 Big Agnes Dirt Dagger UL stakes.

Technical Specifications

• Total weight: 654 g (tent, stakes, and stuff sack).
• Minimum weight: 547 g (tent without stakes and guy lines).
• Packed size: 36 x 10 cm.
• Sleeping area: 2.1 m².
• Floor width: 71 - 112 - 71 cm.
• Floor length: 229 cm.
• Internal height: 119 cm.
• Vestibule area: 0.9 m².
• Weight of pegs: 81 g.
• Weight of footprint: 74 g (sold separately).

Materials

• Flysheet: proprietary HyperBead™ fabric technology; recycled 20D solution-dyed polyester combined with durable 20D ripstop with a 4000 mm water-resistant coating without added PFAS.
• Floor: proprietary HyperBead™ fabric technology; recycled 15D nylon ripstop with a 1500 mm water-resistant coating free of added PFAS.