The OEX Phoxx 1 II is a compact one-person tent aimed squarely at solo backpackers, bikepackers and wild campers who want a reliable shelter without spending a fortune or carrying excess weight. OEX sits in the value-focused, performance-conscious corner of the market, and the Phoxx range has become a bit of a go-to for budget-friendly wild camping in the UK.
With a low packed weight of 1.58 kg, a very small pack size and a serious waterproof rating, the Phoxx 1 II promises solid protection in a small footprint. It is not a luxury basecamp tent, but a practical, no-nonsense bivvy-style shelter for people who care more about miles covered than standing room.
Owner feedback is reassuringly strong, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating from dozens of reviews, suggesting that real-world users find it sturdy, weatherproof and good value for money for solo use.
The OEX Phoxx 1 II is best suited to solo campers who prioritise low weight and packability over generous living space. If you are backpacking, bikepacking or heading into the hills for a night of wild camping and simply need a secure, weatherproof place to sleep, it fits the brief very well.
It will appeal particularly to budget-conscious buyers. The specification offers a fully waterproof flysheet and groundsheet, aluminium-style Endura poles and sensible features like storage pockets and lantern hanging points, without creeping into premium pricing territory. That makes it a strong first tent for someone getting into wild camping, or a solid backup / fast-and-light option for more experienced hillwalkers.
If you are a festival camper or car camper who likes to sit up comfortably, get changed inside and spread out kit, you may find it too compact and low in height. Likewise, taller or broader users who dislike confined spaces might be better off with a slightly larger one- to two-person tent.
Overall, the Phoxx 1 II suits solo adventurers who travel light, are happy with a snug sleeping area, and want dependable weather protection without paying for features they do not need.
The standout strengths of the OEX Phoxx 1 II are its portability and weather protection. At just 1.58 kg and packing down to 31 x 14 x 14 cm, it is easy to strap to a rucksack or bike without dominating your load. For multi-day trips or steep ascents, that makes a real difference to comfort and stamina.
Weather performance is impressive for the money. A 5,000 mm hydrostatic head flysheet and a waterproof PE groundsheet give serious rain protection for typical British conditions. Combined with pre-angled OEX Endura poles, the tent creates a low, aerodynamic profile that copes better with wind than taller, more upright designs.
Practical details are well thought through for solo use. There is a small porch area created by the pole geometry where you can stash wet boots or a rucksack, keeping the sleeping area drier and more organised. Inside, storage pockets and a lantern hanging point make it easier to keep essentials to hand and the space usable at night.
Ventilation is another plus. The breathable polyester inner can be pitched on its own in hot weather, acting almost like a bug-proof bivvy, and the fabric is designed to reduce condensation build-up, which is a common gripe with many budget tents.
The main compromise with the OEX Phoxx 1 II is space. With a maximum height of around 75 cm and a tapered footprint, it is very much a lie-down shelter rather than somewhere you will comfortably sit upright for long periods. For entrants to wild camping who are used to more spacious car-camping tents, it can feel cramped.
The porch, while useful, is relatively modest. You can store boots and a medium pack, but cooking in the porch during bad weather will be tight and needs extra care, so some users may find themselves pushed outdoors to cook whenever possible.
At 1.58 kg it is reasonably light, but not ultralight by modern standards. Dedicated gram-counters and long-distance thru-hikers might prefer more expensive, lighter alternatives, especially if they are willing to invest significantly more. The materials and feature set are sensible rather than premium; you are not getting exotic fabrics or advanced pole systems here.
Finally, as a single-berth tent, it lacks flexibility. There is no option to squeeze in a second person in a pinch, and larger solo campers or those with a dog may find it restrictive.
Living with the OEX Phoxx 1 II is straightforward, which is exactly what you want from a wild camping tent. The quoted pitch time of around 10 minutes is realistic once you have practised a couple of times. The pre-angled pole design means the structure goes up in a logical sequence without feeling overly fiddly, even when you are tired at the end of a long day.
On the trail or strapped to a bike, the small pack size is a real advantage. At 31 x 14 x 14 cm it disappears neatly into or onto a rucksack, leaving room for a proper sleeping bag, mat and cooking gear. The weight feels manageable for most users, including newer backpackers.
Inside, the tent is cosy rather than spacious. You can stretch out fully to sleep, but sitting up straight will be difficult for most adults due to the 75 cm peak height. Organisation is decent, thanks to internal storage pockets that keep headtorch, phone and other small items off the floor, and the central lantern hanging point gives a practical spot for a light.
Ventilation and comfort are good for a small, fully enclosed shelter. The breathable inner fabric helps reduce that sticky, clammy feeling you can get in non-breathable tents, and the option to use the inner on its own in hot, dry conditions turns it into a well-ventilated bug shelter. Packing away is simple; the tent rolls down easily to fit the supplied bag without a wrestling match, which makes early starts less of a chore.
In terms of performance, the Phoxx 1 II punches above its price. The 5,000 mm hydrostatic head flysheet is more than adequate for heavy UK rain, helping the tent remain dependable in prolonged downpours where cheaper, less waterproof fabrics might begin to seep. The PE groundsheet is fully waterproof and robust enough for typical wild pitches, though as always, picking a decent pitch and clearing sharp debris is wise.
Stability comes from the low, compact shape and the pre-angled OEX Endura poles. This design keeps the centre of gravity low and presents less surface area to the wind. In blustery weather the tent feels reassuringly planted when well guyed out, making it suitable for exposed moorland or hillside pitches, within reason.
The layout is simple but functional. The single sleeping area comfortably accommodates one camper and a full-length sleeping mat, with just enough extra space for a bit of kit by your side. The small porch provides shelter for muddy boots and a rucksack, reducing the amount of dirt that makes its way into the sleeping area. For a one-person tent, that separation of clean and dirty gear is particularly welcome.
Additional features focus on practicality rather than flashiness. The internal pockets keep valuables organised, the lantern hanging point helps create a liveable space after dark, and the breathable inner lining tackles condensation, which is often a weak point in lower-priced tents. The ability to pitch the inner on its own adds versatility for hot summer nights or trips abroad, giving you a bug-proof mesh-style shelter without the full flysheet.
Overall, the Phoxx 1 II offers the essentials that matter most to solo backpackers: solid waterproofing, decent wind resistance, usable storage and versatile pitching options, all in a compact and relatively lightweight package.
For a dedicated one-person backpacking tent with a 5,000 mm flysheet and a sub-2 kg weight, the OEX Phoxx 1 II offers very strong value for money. Many comparably specced solo tents cost more, especially from premium brands, yet this model still delivers credible performance where it matters: weather protection, portability and ease of use.
The feature set is sensible for the price point. You get a proper inner and outer, reliable poles, a usable porch and small comfort touches like pockets and hang points, without being asked to pay for complex pole systems or huge living spaces you do not need on solo trips. When you factor in its positive user rating of 4.5 out of 5 from a healthy number of reviews, the impression is of a tent that meets or exceeds expectations for most buyers.
If you are on a tight budget and want a capable wild camping tent, it is a compelling option. More expensive alternatives might shave off a few hundred grams or add extra room, but for many solo hikers and occasional wild campers, the Phoxx 1 II strikes a very good balance between cost and real-world performance.
The OEX Phoxx 1 II is a well-judged solo tent for UK backpackers and wild campers who want something light, compact and genuinely weatherworthy without paying premium prices. It excels in its core roles: keeping weight down, standing up to rain and wind, and offering just enough space and features to be practical on multi-day trips.
Its biggest drawback is space. This is a snug, low-profile shelter rather than a tent you will lounge around in, and taller or more claustrophobic users may prefer a slightly larger one- to two-person model. It is also not the lightest option on the market, though you would need to spend considerably more to see major weight savings.
If you understand what you are buying – a compact, no-nonsense solo tent built for covering ground rather than glamping – the Phoxx 1 II is an easy recommendation. It is a dependable entry into wild camping and a solid, budget-friendly workhorse for experienced hikers who value function over frills.
