We took the Vango F10 Hydrogen Air for a summit camp last week up Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh to put it to the test. An ultralight twin skin 1-person tent with airbeam technology make this an ideal choice on paper but how did it fare in real world conditions? Read on to find out!
Related: Top 10 Tents for Wild Camping
Design and Build Quality
As mentioned, the F10 Hydrogen Air is a twin skinned one-person tent; it features a classic tunnel design, which is formed by the single airbeam rather than a pole. At only 700g, it is extremely lightweight and packs down to just 20x 12 cm.
Material Quality
- Flysheet: Vango’s Protex 7D double silicone reinforced nylon flysheet fabric with 2,000mm HH rating
- Groundsheet: 10D Ripstop nylon groundsheet with a PU backing
- Inner Tent: Lightweight inner made from breathable mesh to increase ventilation and reduce condensation
The materials are comparable to other models at a similar or higher price tag and exactly what you need from a backpacking tent - lightweight yet robust, and designed to keep you dry even in heavy UK downpours.
Poles and Pegs
The main "pole" is an air filled beam instead of traditional alloy pole that is quick and easy to pitch. There is a tiny single pole to fit at the foot of the tent and a combination of alloy Y-pegs for pegging key points and ultralight titanium pegs that weigh in at just 1 gram per peg. I was pretty sceptical when I first took them out but hey performed much better than expected (a couple bent and only one had worked loose by morning). I would probably swap them out for more of the alloy Y-pegs next time though.
Setup and Pitching
We'd recommend familiarising yourself with the process before heading out but the pitch is pretty straightforward. I was too tired too try and get to grips with the pump sack and had a brought a bike pump so it only took a couple of minutes to inflate.
Space and Comfort
- Sleeping area dimensions: 220cm (L) x 90cm (W) x 90cm (H)
- Porch/Vestibule: Single entrance with enough room for my pack, boots, Trangia stove, and walking poles
Space inside is tight, especially with your gear, but that’s the trade-off with a tent this light. For solo summit camps and long mountain days, we’d happily carry it again.. At under 1kg, it genuinely changes how the climb feels when you’re carrying a full pack uphill for hours.
Sleeping Area
The sleeping area is pretty snug and just fit the sleeping mat I had packed (Highlander Arctic R11), however, there are a couple of sleeve pockets on one side to store and organise your essentials.
Vestibules and Storage
There is a single porch at the entrance of the tent, which was a tight fit for my pack but . It’s not a massive area by any means but provided ample space to store both our packs, our hiking boots, walking poles, and Trangia camping stove. And there are a couple of mesh pockets, one on each side of the entrance for storing your essentials.
Ventilation and Condensation Management
Thanks to its mesh panels and vented doors, the tent handles condensation well. I experienced no issues despite fluctuating temperatures. For spring and early summer conditions, the airflow was excellent.
Will try to take it out again later in the year and will update the review to reflect its performance in varying weather conditions.
Weather Resistance
Rain Performance
I didn’t encounter any rainfall during my camp but previous experience with similar Vango materials in heavy showers showed solid waterproof performance. Consider adding a footprint or groundsheet to protect the base when packing down on wet terrain.
Wind Performance
Wind picked overnight and the tent handled it well. No leaks, no issues, and this wasn’t the reason for my lack of sleep. I was impressed by how stable the tent's structure was despite some pretty strong winds.
Weight and Packability
- Packed weight: 700g
- Packed size: 20 x 12cm
This isn’t an ultralight tent, but it’s highly manageable especially when split between two hikers. I strapped it to the front of my pack comfortably and the weight to strength ratio is pretty decent all told.
Pros and Cons of the Vango F10 Hydrogen Air:
✅ Ultra lightweight and compact
✅ Good ventilation and no condensation.
✅ Tunnel tent design makes it versatile for different terrains.
✅ Easy to pitch with airbeam technology
❌ Space inside is tight
❌ Only one vestibule porch entrance.
Final verdict: Is the Vango F10 Hydrogen Air worth it?
The Vango F10 Hydrogen Air is a fantastic tent for wild campers looking for a lightweight and compact option. Whether you're planning on a summit camp or multi-day expedition this tent delivers great value and performance.
Final Rating: 4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
