Should ultralighters embrace the cheapest stuff that works or “buy once, cry once”?
3F UL Lanshan is the go-to cheap tent, AONIJIE offers a compelling vest-style frameless pack for $75 and cheap Aegismax and Naturehike sleeping bags and quilts have hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon. Even DeputySean is bullish on the Aricxi patrol tarp.
I tend to buy a cheap version to try it out, then invest in the good version. Sometimes things don’t work out as expected, and I’d rather not learn that with the costly item.
I did get a Lanshan 2p this year after years of self-supporting tents. It is a good foray into learning trekking pole tents without too much cost. I suspect a Durston XMid 2p is in my future next year-ish so that the dog will fit with us in the tent.