Bikepackers have long wrestled with one problem: how to fit a decent tent into a frame bag. Tents may have become lighter over the years, but bulk has always been the real enemy. Enter the APEX1, a new one-person bikepacking tent that has just smashed its Kickstarter target – and for good reason. Designed from the ground up by Swiss brand Aper, it’s built to be tougher, smaller, and smarter when it comes to life on two wheels.

A Tent Designed for the Road Less Travelled

The APEX1 is the first tent built specifically for bikepackers. OK it should suit hikers and fastpackers just fine too, but it’s premise is built around those who need something for pedalling through wild weather when every inch of storage space is at a premium. It’s a modular, single-pole, non-freestanding design that cleverly incorporates the bike itself into its structure. By doing so, Aper has created a shelter that offers 30% more interior space while using less fabric overall; a one person tent that packs smaller but still lets you sleep and shelter comfortably.

Built to Be Scrunched, Stuffed and Squeezed

One particularly interesting aspect of the APEX1 is its fabric. Aper’s designers, led by former Mammut Head of Equipment Design Fabian Furrer, developed a double-sided silicone-coated nylon that’s both highly compressible and incredibly durable. In fact, the team even created their own compression test method, because, as they discovered, “there’s no industry standard for fabric packability.”

The flysheet uses 20D ripstop nylon, while the floor steps up to a tougher 40D version, both finished with silicone coatings for UV and weather resistance. Importantly, Aper avoided zips on the vestibule (a common failure point) and opted for a fully repairable construction that’s free from PFAS and unnecessary glue.

Light, Smart, and Race-Proven

There are three potential set-ups. You can go for a minimalist shelter with just the flysheet – that weighs 490g. You can use the fly and a footprint – that’s 590g. Or there’s the full set-up, including a fly and inner tent – that weighs 790g.

It’s tiny packed size is what really makes it stand out, however. Poles and pegs are stored separately, and the tent comes with a compression bag built specifically to slot into bikepacking frame or handlebar bags. It looks like it could well be one of the most compact and packable one-person tents on the market.

The design has already been field-tested in extreme conditions, including the Silk Road Mountain Race, where riders faced –5°C nights at 3,500m. “It gave me a safe and reliable shelter, kept out the wind, and even held a little warmth inside,” says racer Alexander Kopp, who finished 9th in the 2025 event. “But the pack size was what impressed me most. It fits easily into any bike bag – simple to set up, roomy enough to sit upright, and incredibly convenient.”

A Crowdfunded Success Story

The APEX1’s Kickstarter campaign met its funding goal in no time, a clear enough signal that bikepackers have been waiting for a purpose-built shelter like this, and production is already lined up with Swiss paragliding specialists Advance.

Those who back Aper now with a £397 pledge will receive a tent in return. The first batch of orders are scheduled to be delivered in May 2026.

Furrer says the lessons learned here will inform a whole range of minimalist bikepacking gear to come from his brand, from more packable bivvies to freestanding tents. Consider us interested.

More info at kickstarter.com