Bikepacking Life Tent (Emergency Shelter) Review

In recent years, bikepacking has become incredibly popular. More and more riders are hitting the trails and roads for adventures, and many enter bikepacking events to test and challenge themselves against others.

If you want the most out of bikepacking, having the correct kit goes a long way and can make or break an adventure. A fairly new piece of equipment that many bikepackers use is a life tent, and in this article, we’ll tell you all about it.

What Is A Bikepacking Life Tent?

The bikepacking life tent is an emergency shelter that can help protect you from the elements and ensure a safe place to stay semi-out of the elements. It’s mostly used by bikepackers who are traveling light or ultra cyclists, so it’s a good option to add to the kit list.

What’s important to understand is this is not a full blown tent, it’s a small shelter. You pin the shelter up between two trees or solid objects, and then you can hide under it, protecting yourself from the elements. This is often referred to as a tube tent.

What Is The Design Like?

The first point to mention is the design. This is unlike many other products you find on the market and is very inventive. It’s not a full blown tent which needs lots of pegs and poles, it’s minimal and just works.

You have a piece of tarp-style material, a rope, and some string to suspend it. It packs away into a very small package, smaller than the size of a can of soda, and comes in a small, convenient carry bag.

It’s made of NASA-designed Mylar, reflects 99% of body heat, and can fit two people at a squeeze. It’s important to understand that this is not a replacement for a tent but an add-on to your kit to help you bivvy comfortably.

Is It Easy To Use?

The Life Tent is very easy to use and doesn’t take long to set up, making it very convenient to get set up quickly when the weather could be turning fast. All you need to do is lay it out with the string going through it.

Then, you need to tie the string across two points and finally pin the corners down to ensure it doesn’t move. There’s no messing around, especially if you are in a forest and have lots of points to pin to.

If not, I have seen many bikepackers use their bike to attach it to a door handle or a wall if they are in an urban setting. It’s very versatile, and you will almost always find a way to make it work.

Is It Effective?

The Life Tent is effective in providing basic shelter. It will stop water from getting in, provide a cover for the floor, and be amazing in a storm if you are just using a bivvy.

It’s important to remember that although it can provide shelter and keep you away from the elements to an extent, it’s still got two open points where wind can get in, and it doesn’t provide warmth internally as you would get in a tent.

In What Situations Would You Use The Life Tent?

Some people choose to use it most nights when they are traveling, combined with a bivvy bag for warmth. This is a great way of keeping your bikepacking setup incredibly light while also providing some comfort and protection.

Others choose to only use it in an emergency when storms or poor weather come along or if they are in a situation where they need shelter or visibility. Being a bright orange sheet, it makes you very visible.

How Much Does It Cost?

The bikepacking life tent is amazing value for money, coming in at around $12. This is something that will not only add to safety but comfort, too. For only $12, you are getting a lot of value for money.

Extra Features

Another great feature you get with the life tent is that it has a whistle attached. If you do end up in a situation where you might need a whistle, such as being stuck in a place where you cannot be seen, this will tick that box.

What Else Can I Use It For?

We have also seen many riders use it to keep themselves off dirty ground, like a groundsheet, We have seen the rope used to hang clothes in hotel rooms or at campsites, and even to keep goods dry while in heavy rain.

Bikepacking Life Tent: A Final Note

The bikepacking life tent isn’t like many other products you will find available on the market, and after many years of bikepacking, I only recently came across some other riders using it. I am seeing it more and more in time though.

If you are looking for some extra support in case of an emergency or just want some extra protection and are bikepacking with a bivvy, then we couldn’t recommend the bikepacking life tent highly enough. At as little as around $12 and taking up minimal room and weight, it is an ideal solution for many.

Robbie Ferri

Robbie Ferri has spent years working in a bike shop, has worked with industry leading brands on product creation, has been a semi pro athlete, and is a fully qualified strength and conditioning coach. He has broken World Records, bikepacked all over the World and raced ultra distance at a top-level.