ϳԹ

Hilleberg Nallo 2 Tent
Nallo 2 Tent

Can any lightweight, freestanding tents hold up in foul weather?

Could you recommend a good freestanding, lightweight two-person tent? My husband and I often take multi-day kayaking trips and cp 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 Cbridge, United Kingdom

Published:  Updated: 
Douglas Gantenbein
Hilleberg Nallo 2 Tent

New perk: Easily find new routes and hidden gems, upcoming running events, and more near you. Your weekly Local Running Newsletter has everything you need to lace up! .

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.

Hilleberg Nallo 2 Tent

Hilleberg Nallo 2 Tent Nallo 2 Tent

Are you after an American or European tent? If the former, ’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 ’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 Odyssee (US$345), which has a very full rain fly and weighs just over four pounds. And, I can’t resist recommending the 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.

The 2008 Summer ϳԹ Buyer’s Guide is now online. From riding to trail-running to camping, get reviews of nearly 400 gear must-haves.

Filed to:

Popular on ϳԹ Online