Four-Season Tents 2023 Update

If you have been looking around for a four-season tent, you have probably already discovered that lightweight versions, such as the MSR Advance Pro 2 costs around $800, and the Big Sky Chinook 1 cost around $600. The Chinook 1 is really the only light solo 4-season tent available on the US market that has a double-wall construction to mitigate condensation, but it has been out of stock since the pandemic.

The Leipen Air Raiz 1

I have long maintained that the 4-season tent most ideally suited for backpacking in PNW winter conditions is the Snow Peak Lago 1, once made by Snow Peak and originally designed for mountain climbers. The good news is that there are other companies in Japan making a similar tent, one of which, the Leipen Air Raiz 1, that can be shipped to the USA.

In Japan, the Leipen Air Raiz 1 sells new for ¥42,900 or $325 USD. Presently, no retailer is selling it in the USA, although a few are showing up on eBay for around twice the price ($450–650 range). However, it can be found on the Japanese Amazon site (orange and green) and on the websites of other Japanese retailers, some of whom may ship to the USA (you can use Google Translate to try to navigate their websites).

Remco, one of the hikers in our Winter Backpacking Meetup, bought the one shown here on its first tryout.

Leipen Air Rise 1 with fly — Leipen Air Raiz 1 tent with fly and vestibule.

Unlike the earlier Lago 1, this design has a side vent and a tent vestibule built into the fly. The fly also extends low to the ground on all sides providing more rain and wind protection.

Leipen Air Rise 1 without fly — Leipen Air Raiz 1 tent with the fly removed.

Leipen Air Riaz 1 Size and Weight

The Leipen Air Raiz 1 is short: L 80.3″ x W 39.4″ x H 41.3″ inches (205 x 100 x 105 cm) or 6′ 8″ inches long. Overall, the design and weight (3 lbs 5.6 oz) are nearly the same as the Snow Peak Lago 1 (3 lbs).

Leipen Air Raiz 1 weight according to my Ozeri scale.

If you are tall, six feet or above this tent may seem short. If you fit comfortably on a regular-size Thermarest NeoAir sleeping pad, the length is fine. It is a solo tent, but it is roomy enough to put two sleeping pads and air mattresses next to each other. If they wanted to make a true solo tent, they might be able to shave off a pound of weight.

Leipen Air Riaz 1 size — Although the Leipen Air Riaz 1 is a solo tent it is big enough for two people. That said, it is a tight fit for two. The tent will work best for one person because you can keep your sleeping bag away from wall condensation if your sleeping bag can be situated in the middle.

Tent pegs

Bear in mind that the tent weight given above (3 lbs 5.6 oz.) includes 13 aluminum tent pegs.

Unless there are really high winds, I’m only likely to pack 8 tent pegs and I would either take lighter titanium ones or, for snow, the Coghlan snow pegs.

Plastic Coghlan tent pegs and titanium tent pegs — I rarely need titanium tent pegs, but the larger plastic Coghlan pegs are very useful in snow.

IMPORTANT: The Riaz 1 does not come ready for deep snow. You need to add 2mm paracord or utility cord to each of the corners and main securing points in order to bury the pegs in deep snow.

Paracord extentions for snow pegs — I add looped paracord extensions for snow pegs in deep snow. These are loops that are three feet long There are lots of ways to add extensions. You can use single lines with adjustable buckles or loops with knot hitches, or a simple loop method like these which are attached at both ends with girth knots (simple and reliable). This eliminates the need to tie knots in cold weather.

Mosquito Netting

Differences between the Lago 1 and Riaz 1

There are a few differences to be aware of.

First, the Leipen Air Raiz 1 is short: L 80.3″ x W 39.4″ x H 41.3″ inches (205 x 100 x 105 cm) or 6′ 8″ inches long.

By comparison, the MSR Advance Pro 2 is L 82″ x W 42″ x H 44″ (208 x 107 x 112 cm). The older Snow Peak Lago 1 is L 89″ x W 36″ x H 40″ (226 x 91.4 x 102 cm according to an internet review). My own measurement is roughly 84 inches in length.

The Leipen Air Raiz 1 seems to be designed for shorter people, which is fine for me, but if you are 6 feet tall or above, the 6-feet 8-inch length is likely to leave your sleeping bag touching the back wall of the tent.

There is a another Japanese tent, the Mont-Bell StellaRidge 1 that is 82.6 inches long (210 cm). It also has a double wall with vestibule, but they don’t ship outside of Japan. The tent and fly are sold separately (with the fly not fitting models manufactured before 2019). A few show up on eBay, but at a much higher cost, around $815 complete (tent and fly sold separately)

The largest option is the Big Sky Chinook 1, 91″ x 24/36″ x 39″ (230 x 92/60 x 99 cm). The Chinook has more floor space but is not quite as tall for sitting up.

Second, although the fly has the vestibule and superior rain and wind protection, rain is usually not a problem and the added protection may cause more condensation. However, this may not be an issue, because all sides of the tent under the fly are breathable, whereas on the Lago, only the sides breath. More use is needed to determine the degree of condensation.

tent fly comparison — Notice how the fly on the Leipen Air Raiz 1 (green tent) extends over all sides, whereas the Snow Peak Lago 1 is only a one-wall construction on the ends. I’ve only had the Lago 1 in the rain once and wind blew water under the back of the fly where it leaked in from the top vent. I had to lay my rain jacket over the middle of my sleeping bag.

snow peak lago 1 four-season tent — My old Snow Peak Lago 1 is still in use after many years of hiking, but the seam taping is peeling off. That hasn’t been a major concern in snowy weather, but it indicates the tent is aging so I am happy to see alternatives available.

For more about winter tent options see “3-Season vs. 4-Season Tents.”

If you have any suggestions or questions, please comment below.

*Just so you know, there is no financial incentive behind any of the gear recommendations on this website. No company sponsors my reviews. In this case, I now have a Leipen Air Raiz 1 tent because I chose to buy it.

8 replies on “Four-Season Tents 2023 Update”

Hello Michael. Great job you do testing winter equipment. We live in Norway and some of your equipment is unknown for us. Just want to inform you about our wonderful tent from the tentmaker HUSKY in Cz. We got our Extreme Fighter 3-4 this winter and just love it. Heavy, yes, but good quality poles and fabric. Take a look at our pictures on insta @2fjellreker. All the best from Birthe and Kare

Thanks! Nice insta pics. I can see that a heavy tent is not as challenging where you are because you can use a pulk. A 10.5 lb tent would be hard going here in the Cascade Mountains. Our terrain is steep and the valleys full of trees. There’s not much flat terrain. We have to carry everything in backpacks so weight is a major consideration.

Thank you so much for the review! Is there any bug netting on the Leipen Air Raiz 1?

Excellent question. Yes, it has a double door, each with its own zipper. The inner door is a tight weave mosquito net. It will give you some visibility, but not as much as the type of loose mosquito netting that goes over a hat. I added a photo showing the mosquito netting.

Thank you Michael for the helpful information! I just ordered an ORANGE Leipen Air Raiz 1 on the Amazon JP site. Today’s price ¥50,600 + shipping, a Total ￥57,881. I paid $406 USD. I do need to register a new account to be able to check out.
I look forward to having Winter backpacking adventures with you all.

Thanks Lili! Countries everywhere have been raising interest rates so the dollar is loosing its import advantage. Still a reasonable deal compared to other options. I hope you get to enjoy the tent this winter.

I have Osteoarthritis both knees.
What tents would you recommend
for Me, I love camping? I’m 5’8″ Tall.
Please let me know what to purchase.
Sincerely, John

Hi John. Sorry about your Osteoarthritis problem. I’m not sure if any tent would ameliorate your difficulties with Osteoarthritis. That aside, if you are looking for a 4-season solo tent, I recommend the Samaya Radical 1, especially for climbers and anyone who needs to reduce pack weight. If you require a more all-weather tent, the double wall Leipen Air Raiz 1 is an excellent choice for the money. If you want more floor space consider the Big Sky Chinook 1. I hope that helps.