Finding the right Lanshan 2 can be a challenge. Lanshan 2 is the most popular ultralight tent from 3F UL gear, but their Lanshan Pro series has some solid advantages that make it worth considering.
The two Lanshan tents are very similar, but there are some key differences to remember when deciding. For example, the 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 Pro is a single-wall tent, whereas the 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 is a double-wall.
While there are many differences between the Lanshan 2 Pro vs Lanshan 2, the most significant difference is in the walls and the seam sealing.
This means you have more condensation issues but a lighter weight on the Lanshan 2 Pro tent, but you need to manually seal the Pro also.
This may be the most significant difference between the two tents, but there is a lot more where they vary, which we can discuss to ensure you choose the right backpacking tent for your long-distance or shorter needs.
Lanshan 2 vs Lanshan 2 Pro
There is a great debate from those who want to get that perfect budget but a very lightweight tent and who aren’t stressed that the company who makes them isn’t from the US. For those with the budget, I understand it, but I would instead get more people outdoors.
The Lanshan 2 has been a strong performer for multiple years, but when the Duplex and other single-wall tents became much more pronounced, they went to work to develop their version of a single-walled tent, the Lanshan 2P Pro.
The debate on which is better will rage on for years as each will have its cheerleaders. Let’s dive into both tents below and explain why each may be worth choosing.
| Feature | Lanshan 2 | Lanshan 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 3 | 3 |
| Inner Floorspace (L x W x H) | 210cm x 110cm x 120cm 82.6″ x 43.3″ x 47.2″ | 230cm x 120cm x 120cm 90.5″ x 47.2″ x 47.2″ |
| Tent Fly | 15D Nylon | 20D Nylon |
| Tent Floor | 20D Nylon | 20D Nylon |
| Tent Inner | Yes | No |
| Tent Fly Treatment | One-sided silicone teated | Double-sided silicone treated |
| Tent Inner Material | 20D high-density Nylon Mesh | On Doors and Lower Ventilation |
| Seam Sealing Required | Side Pull Outs Only (2 Total) | All Seams Required |
| Lanshan 2 Weight | 1155gr (2.54lbs) | 915gr (2.0lbs) |
The Pro is lighter than the standard and has more internal volume. Those that are taller may find it to be a better fit. Having said that, if you’ll be using it alone, you might as well sleep diagonally for extra length.
For those of you who don’t want to bother with seam sealing all of the seams on the Pro, the regular is a better option, but you should test them before heavy rainfall as most are not seam-sealed by the manufacturer.
Why Choose a Lanshan 2
There are many reasons to decide on purchasing a Lanshan 2. They are rock solid, and it was my first 2-person tent as it was a cheap, high-quality, lightweight tent. For most people looking to start backpacking, that is a perfect match for starting an outside hobby.
In fact, my daughter still uses this tent to this day which she inherited from me when I added a Dan Durston X-Mid 1P as my long-distance tent.
The Lanshan will always be a fantastic option as the cost for you to purchase it and the weight is so much better for a budget-conscious approach, let alone good enough gear to have survived thru-hikes on the PCT and AT that I am aware of.
If you winter camp or backpack frequently, this version allows you to purchase a replacement 4-season version of the inner tent over here on AliExpress (with a slight shipping delay).
An In-Depth Look at the Lanshan 2 from 3F UL Gear
I’ve taken the Lanshan 2 out on several trips alone and with family. We have taken on the cold and rain on the Ouachita Trail to the humid moisture of the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
It has stood strong and tall against strong winds, pelting rain, Texas-style storms, and some massive sweltering heat. This tent has yet to fail me or disappoint me in its performance. That doesn’t mean it is perfect, but it is as close as most budget tents reach.
Lanshan 2 Size and Weight
This tent allows you to fit two full-size adults in it pretty comfortably, though, after six feet, this may not work for two as one may want to use it at an angle.
If you’re hiking solo, it will provide you plenty of space for yourself and all your gear to layout and dry gear out or to layout and lounge to stretch out all those exhausted muscles and maybe roll them out with one of those nice cork massage balls.
As to the weight, in the same bracket for tents in the price range, the 2.5 lbs that this tent weighs is nearly a pound to a pound and a half less at a minimum than all other similar space tents!
Lanshan 2 Design
The Lanshan 2 is light and waterproof but isn’t the most durable tent. It’s constructed of a blend of thin 15D silnylon and a somewhat more robust 20D silnylon on the bathtub floor.
It’s in the same build-style as the Zpacks Duplex with a pyramid-style appearance, dropping the tent poles in favor of the trekking poles that backpackers will carry on longer duration treks.
It also follows that building style as it has two doors, one on each side, along with two vestibules, so if two people share the tent, they each have their storage, entrance, and exit.
The tent’s color options include brown, green, yellow, red, and white depending on the vendor. If you plan on blending into the wilderness and prefer a low profile, avoid my mistake and don’t select the white option.
I made this error when I picked the white option; the whole tent stands out in nearly any environment along with substantially glowing in the dark with ANY light source!
Does the Lanshan 2 need a footprint? While the tent does have a footprint you can purchase that is made specifically for this tent, you will be better off cutting a footprint from a sheet of Tyvek or Polycro to size.
This will ensure a much lighter weight layer for protection that takes up less space in your pack.
Pitching The Lanshan 2
Similar to other tents with this layout, the tent needs to be pitched like the Duplex or Gossamer Gears ‘The Two’ would you peg out the main four corners with the provided stakes (which look to be clones of MSI groundhogs).
Then you take your trekking poles and will need to set them to 120cm to get the right height on the peak, insert the handle up into the reinforced pad provided just above the door, and then peg out the guy line to hole the pole upright.
Repeat this process for the other pole, and then you can work to tighten up the main pitch. Note that Sil-Nylon tends to relax over time,, so expect to check again in 30 to 60 minutes to tighten up any slacking you find.
If you can’t get the stakes to bite firmly, or otherwise can’t peg any corner or guy lines, you’ll have a hard time pitching the Lanshan 2 tent.
The tension created by all the pegs and poles working together keeps the tent upright, but only when put together well, as spots like sand and hard-to-penetrate land will need rocks or other tricks.
Despite its face value complexity, it’s relatively simple to understand as assemble once you get the hang of it.
Even in abysmal weather, I’ve reduced it to four to seven minutes.
Lanshan 2 Overall
The tent can be set up on calm days with as little as six pegs to get the shape right and up, though the windier or if rain is expected, move to the full 10 to ensure it stands and there is no late-night collapse from outside pressure.
There isn’t much of a Lanshan 2 condensation issue if you don’t pitch close to water sources like a stream, river, or lake. If you do, you may look at leaving doors open to allow more airflow and reduce condensation.
For my trips, fitting the tent back into the nice compression bag they provide was pretty easy, but some have said that they replace the bag with a larger compression sack to speed up the process when you have cold hands and fingers.
I have been thrilled with this purchase and its longevity, and it has been good to bring on the family to spend time on the longer hikes or to travel sections with me instead of staying home or carrying a much heavier tent.
Why Choose a Lanshan 2 Pro
You can look at the 3F UL Lanshan 2 Pro current price here, but I would make sure that you pay careful attention to the information below as there are more differences between them than price alone.
For the taller hikers, the pro means a decent increase in floor space without necessarily having to sleep corner to corner. This fact alone gets some to choose the Pro version.
Additionally, on the Pro, you have some better quality materials. Most report that it is easier to pitch when you remove the inner from the overall setup than the standard tent.
An In-Depth Look at the Lanshan 2 Pro from 3F UL Gear
Very similar in overall size, function, and costs, the Pro version of the tent will be an excellent way to start experimenting with single-wall tents and the benefits, and sometimes drawbacks, that they can have for a backpacking trip.
I am not currently aware of anyone who brought a Pro through a triple crown hike, but I believe it is highly plausible since others have brought the double wall through, which uses a thicker material.
Lanshan 2 Pro Size and Weight
On the Pro version, you have a little more length and width, which makes fitting two full-size adults even easier than on the standard version above.
Again, you will want to lay corner to corner for the taller hikers to maximize head and toe space.
As with the other above, if you’re hiking solo, it will provide you plenty of space for yourself and all your gear to layout and dry gear out or layout and lounge to stretch out all those exhausted muscles and roll them out.
As to the Lanshan 2 Pro weight, this tent drops a solid 1/2 a pound on the Lanshan 2 while providing you the same protection.
If you want to cut weight while maintaining a budget build, this is the right pick to get your big three into that six-pound total much easier!
Lanshan 2 Pro Design
The Lanshan 2 Pro is light and uses waterproof materials, but it isn’t the most durable tent. It’s constructed from 20D sil nylon from the fly to the floor, making it more durable than the standard version.
It’s very close in setup and general build as the Zpacks Duplex with a pyramid-style appearance, dropping the tent poles in favor of the trekking poles that backpackers will carry on longer duration treks.
It also follows that style of the overall build as it has two doors, one on each side, and two vestibules, so if two people share the tent, they each have their storage, entrance, and exit.
Does the Lanshan 2 Pro need a footprint? While the tent does have a footprint you can purchase that is made specifically for this tent, you will be better off cutting a footprint from a sheet of Tyvek or Polycro to size.
This will ensure a much lighter weight layer for protection that also takes up less space in your pack.
Pitching The Lanshan 2 Pro
As with the original Lanshan 2 above, with this layout, the tent needs to be pitched like the Duplex or GG The Two would peg out the main four corners with the provided stakes (which look to be clones of MSI groundhogs).
Then you retake your trekking poles, set them to 120cm on the Pro to get the right height on the tent peak, insert the handle into the reinforced pad just above the door, and peg out the guy line to hole the pole upright.
Repeat this process for the other pole, and then you can work to tighten up the main pitch. Note that Sil-Nylon tends to relax over time so expect the need to check again in 30 to 60 minutes to tighten up any slacking you find.
The tension created by all the pegs and poles working together keeps the tent upright, but only when put together well, as spots like sand and hard-to-penetrate land will need rocks or other tricks.
Despite its face value complexity, it’s relatively simple to understand as assemble once you get the hang of it. Even in abysmal weather, I’ve reduced it to four to seven minutes.
Lanshan 2 Pro Overall
If you enjoy getting your pack as low in weight as possible and can’t burn $600+ on a Dyneema or DCF tent like the Duplex, then the Lanshan 2 Pro is a fantastic deal and well worth the purchase.
When you thru-hike, those pounds add up over time, adding to the abuse your body takes, and removing a full half-pound for the exact cost as the standard is a no-brainer.
Still, I would suggest a warmer sleep system rating due to airflow to keep you warmer, as there is no four-season inner to swap out.
The space in your pack is also at a premium, and having a smaller tent allows your backpack to be smaller in overall size and weight, which can also help you drop down more into the “ultralight” range if you so desire!
Final Thoughts On The Lanshan 2 vs Pro
This tent is frequently bought by other brands and listed for resale on sites like Amazon under these other brands, the most common being the MIER ultralight tent.
You can always check with these rebrands as they are the same tent and sometimes come at a significant deal price on this 3-season backpacking tent.
I believe that the choice for a budget or new backpacker is definitely to go with this tent as it is incredibly light and easy to pack and setup up while providing you a large amount of space to relax when done hiking for the day.
The choice between the standard or pro version will come down to your ability to survive Lanshan 2 Pro condensation and getting droplets hitting you at times on windy or rainy nights.
The only other reason why the standard 2-person may be more viable will be the need for four-season use, in which case having the option to purchase the four-season inner becomes vital to conserve heat on those freezing nights.
If you are looking to get the tent at an even more significant discount and are willing to wait for shipping, it is available over here for Lanshan 2, and over here for the Lanshan 2 Pro each of which is on AliExpress from multiple vendors.
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