REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
High-tech materials
Completely waterproof single-wall
Removable mesh
Large side-entry door
Optional vestibule
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Snug fit for two
Samaya2.0 Review
This is the most waterproof, breathable, lightweight, single-wall 4-season tent we've ever tested
Credit: Brian Smith
RELATED: Best 4-Season Tents of 2024
Our Verdict
The Samaya 2.0 performed better than any other single-wall, 4-season tent in our review. The wait for completely waterproof, breathable, lightweight single-wall tents is over, and Samaya is leading the way. If you're a minimalist adventurer searching for a snug shelter for two and aren't deterred by the cost, the 2.0 might just be the tent you're looking for. That said, if you want a more roomy or less expensive tent where weight isn't as crucial, we recommend checking out some of the other options in our full 4-season tent review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Samaya2.0 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $1,100 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $1,125 List | $690 List Check Price at REI | $699 List $699.00 at Hyperlite Mountain Gear | $860 List $859.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This ultralight 4-season, single-wall tent will keep you warm and dry even in severe conditions | When you know you're in for crummy weather and want an exceptionally high performance model, choose this one | Not as expensive as some other models, this option is a popular choice to bring on climbing adventures | If you're looking for a simple, waterproof shelter, this one is ultralight and easy to pack | Equally at home on extended expeditions or on summertime mountain adventures, this all-around model is versatile |
| Rating Categories | Samaya2.0 | Hilleberg Jannu | The North Face Moun... | Hyperlite Mountain... | MSR Remote 2 |
| Weather and Storm Resistance (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Quality of Construction (10%) | |||||
| Versatility (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Samaya2.0 | Hilleberg Jannu | The North Face Moun... | Hyperlite Mountain... | MSR Remote 2 |
| Minimum Weight (only tent, fly, poles) | 2.94 lbs (no vestibule) | 6.17 lbs | 7.87 lbs | 1.20 lbs (fly only, Ultamid Insert would add 1.4 more lbs) | 6.97 lbs |
| Floor Dimensions | 87 x 43 in | 93 x 57 in | 86 x 54 in | 83 x 107 in | 87 x 55 in |
| Peak Height | 39 in | 40 in | 41 in | 64 in | 43 in |
| Measured weight (tent, stakes, guylines, pole bag, stuff sacks) | 3.61 lbs (without optional vestibule) | 6.87 lbs | 8.50 lbs | 1.49 lbs (without insert/tent body, stakes, or pole) | 7.13 lbs |
| Type | Single wall | Double wall | Double wall | Single wall | Double wall |
| Packed Size | 6 x 8 in | 6 x 20 in | 7 x 24 in | 8.5 x 6 x 5.5 in | 7 x 20 in |
| Floor Area | 26.9 sq ft | 34.5 sq ft | 32.0 sq ft | 63 sq ft | 33.0 sq ft |
| Vestibule Area | 20.5 sq ft (sold separately) | 13.0 sq ft | 11.0 sq ft | N/A | 22.0 sq ft |
| Number of Doors | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Number of Poles | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 (use own trekking poles strapped together or tent pole sold separately) | 2 (single spider takes place of two cross poles) |
| Pole Diameter | 8.7mm | 9 mm | 9.5 - 13 mm | N/A | 9.3 mm |
| Number of Pockets | Side: 1, ceiling 1 (removable) | Side: 4, ceiling: 0 | Side: 6, ceiling: 2 | 0 | Side: 2, ceiling: 0 |
| Pole Material | DAC Featherlite NFL | DAC Featherlite NSL Green | DAC Featherlite NSL | N/A | Easton Syclone |
| Rainfly Fabric | Nanovent 3-layer with removable Dyneema Composite roof cover | Kerlon 1200 | 40D PU coated polyester | Dyneema composite (DCF 8) | 68D ripstop polyester 1800mm polyurethane & DWR |
| Floor Fabric | Dyneema composite fabric | 70D PU coated nylon | 70D PU coated nylon | None | 40D ripstop nylon, 10,000mm Durashield polyurethane, DWR |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Samaya2.0 is at the forefront of a growing niche in the 4-season tent industry. Unlike some single-wall tents of the past, it is completely waterproof, using high-tech materials with an unparalleled quality of construction. It is extremely lightweight and comes with a removable mesh door and window if you want to travel in ultralight style. The large side door entry offers a room with a view in this simple, elegantly designed shelter.
Performance Comparison
You can't help but smile in this room with a view. Overall, the Samaya2.0 performed better than any other single-wall tent in this review. It is very lightweight and well-made, but also very expensive.
Credit: Brian Smith
Weather and Storm Resistance
We are absolutely amazed at how waterproof this lightweight 4-season tent is. During a vicious late autumn storm that started out as freezing cold rain and transitioned to snow, the interior of the Samaya2.0 stayed bone-dry. Those familiar with lightweight single-wall tents of the past know that they have historically struggled with being waterproof and breathable. Samaya is at the forefront of designing ultralight tents that perform wonderfully in gnarly alpine conditions without breaking your back on the approach.
Using a combination of a Dyneema composite and Nanovent 3-layer fabrics, the Dyneema sheds water where it should (off the rooftop), while the Nanovent fabric allows the tent to breathe through its sides. Two vents near the peak effectively ventilate to prevent condensation buildup. The burly floor is also made out of Dyneema and creeps up the sides just a bit, keeping the tent corners moisture-free.
Water beads up instantly on the Dyneema composite roof of the Samaya2.0.
Credit: Brian Smith
Ease of Use
Setting up a tent in inclement weather shouldn't take long. Fortunately, the Samaya2.0 is quick and easy to set up and even faster to take down.
The unique design has two pole sleeves (which increases strength) and a shorter pole, creating a suspended rooftop that sheds water onto two waterproof Dyneema eaves. Some ultralight stakes and cord anchor the tent, with reinforced attachment points and burly straps to tighten up the package.
Tightening the unique rooftop design of the Samaya2.0.
Credit: Brian Smith
Fast to assemble, we did find that the poles caught pretty easily on the sleeves, a common downfall of sleeves versus clips for tent poles. Lighter weight and stronger than clips, sleeves require a bit of patience and thoughtfulness. And while plenty long enough at 87 inches, the Samaya is a bit snug from side to side. Designed for the lightweight outdoor enthusiast or fast and light alpinist, this tent sacrifices some comfort for the important purpose of shaving weight.
The Samaya2.0 has a large side-entry door with a smooth zipper.
Credit: Brian Smith
Weight
When considering the weight of the Samaya2.0, we looked at similar tents in the vicinity of three pounds. All of the tents in that weight category were single-wall tents, and all of them seemingly struggled with two things: being waterproof and breathable. Except for the Samaya, that is. With a clever combination of Dyneema and Nanovent 3-layer fabrics, not to mention a suspended Dyneema rooftop design with vents, we now have a truly waterproof and well-ventilated single-wall 4-season tent. While there are other lightweight, waterproof tents in a similar weight range, they just don't perform as well as this one.
Let's dive into this lightweight tent just a bit deeper. We measured the packed weight of the 2.0 with its poles, stakes, guylines, mesh door and window, and stuff sacks at 3.61 pounds. However, when we removed the stakes, stuff sacks, and mesh door and window, that weight decreased to 2.94 pounds. If that still isn't quite light enough for you, the Samaya Assaut2, with more Dyneema incorporated into the tent walls, has a minimum weight of 2.19 pounds. Of course, it is also very, very expensive.
The Samaya2.0 is a very lightweight 4-season tent that doesn't take up much room in a pack.
Credit: Brian Smith
Quality of Construction
From the floor to the rooftop, the quality of the Samaya2.0 is apparent. The Dyneema floor is extremely resistant to abrasion and impenetrable to moisture from the ground. This strong floor fabric wraps upward a few inches and merges with the waterproof and breathable Nanovent fabric, which uses three layers to keep precipitation out while allowing interior moisture to leave. The large side entry door makes it a breeze to get into and out of this tent, while a window on the other side increases ventilation and adds to the cozy atmosphere. The zippers are smooth, the poles are sleek and solid, and even the stakes are crazy lightweight yet strong.
Quality is often noticed in the details of a product, and in the case of the Samaya, it is seen everywhere, from the beautiful stitching to the Dyneema-reinforced attachment points for the guylines. Everything about this tent is designed with the discerning user in mind, combining functionality with long-lasting materials and strong interfaces.
The Samaya2.0 is designed and constructed with functionality and solidarity in mind, with their team of mountain athletes helping to continually improve the products.
Credit: Brian Smith
Versatility
One might presume that the Samaya2.0 is only for the light and fast alpinist, but the truth is a lightweight 4-season tent caters to many outdoor adventurers. In addition to alpine climbing, this svelte, very packable waterproof tent is perfect for multi-day ski touring, overnight pack rafting, week-long wilderness fly fishing, and ultralight backpacking. It also comes with some interchangeable features. The mesh door and window can be removed to further shave weight, and Samaya sells an optional vestibule that adds valuable storage space or a place to cook during foul weather.
On the other hand, the Samaya2.0 isn't the best choice for longer expeditions when having extra space, more poles for increased strength, two doors, and two vestibules are desirable. So, we might recommend a heavier and burlier double-wall 4-season tent for multi-week trips in Alaska, Antarctica, and the Himalayas. Shorter, multi-day trips where you want to stay dry and travel light are where the Samaya truly shines.
The Samaya2.0 comes with a huge side entry door on one side and a window for cross-ventilation on the other side. Both openings have removable, zippered mesh panels to minimize weight.
Credit: Brian Smith
Should You Buy the Samaya2.0?
Are you looking for a really light tent that is indeed waterproof, with high-tech materials and very high-quality construction? If the high price is worth the high value of cutting-edge materials and craftsmanship, the Samaya might be worth its weight in gold.
This svelte tent is waterproof, ultralight, and sports features like a removable mesh window and door.
Credit: Brian Smith
What Other 4-Season Tents Should You Consider?
If you'd rather have a double-wall tent, the Hilleberg Jannu can't be beaten, and the The North Face Mountain 25 is excellent and will save you a bit of cash. If you like the single-wall design but need to go even lighter, the customizable Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 is absolutely worth a look. If you're planning for an expedition, the Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 is a classic for a reason and can't be overlooked.
We were able to shed this snow off the Samaya2.0 with just a quick shake. The inside remained completely dry.
Credit: Brian Smith
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Brian Smith
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