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October 16, 2008
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Can any lightweight, freestanding tents hold up in foul weather?
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Nallo 2 Tent (courtesy, Hilleberg)
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Could you recommend a good freestanding, lightweight two-person tent? My husband
and I often take multi-day kayaking trips and camp on rocky islands (e.g., in
Sweden or Canada) where pegs can be difficult to use. We’d also like to take it
on hiking trips of up to a week. We tend to go places that aren't particularly
warm and can be wet.
— Katrina
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Do you have a question of your own?
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 There are lots of freestanding two-person tents out there. Trouble is, all of
them have to be pegged (or “staked” as we colonials say) to keep them secure in
high wind. But at least that way you can pick and choose your peg points, or even
use rocks and nearby trees. So it is easier to pitch a freestanding tent on rocky
sites.
Are you after an American or European tent? If the former, Marmot’s Aeolos 2P (US$335) offers
sturdy, lightweight (five pounds, 12 ounces) protection that would serve you well
kayaking or backpacking. Ventilation is good but no so much that you’ll freeze on
a chilly night. And it’s very weatherproof. I also like Black Diamond’s Lighthouse ($389),
a single-wall tent that uses a fabric called Epic, which has a silicon treatment
that makes it very water-repellent and just breathable enough to get interior
moisture out of the tent. I’ve heard reports from people who sat in one in the
pouring rain for days and kept dry. My own Lighthouse has done fine in light
rain. And I love its light weight (three pounds, 12 ounces).
European tents tend to put more of a premium on rain protection. A good example
is the Vaude Odyssee
(US$345), which has a very full rain fly and weighs just over four pounds. And, I
can’t resist recommending the Hilleberg Nallo 2 (US$495). It’s a tunnel tent, meaning you
need to find some way to secure the ends. But it’s super light (four pounds),
extremely sturdy, and impervious to moisture. Really a good foul-weather tent.
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