Summer camping trips are made infinitely better with a purpose-built three-season tent featuring plenty of ventilation, mesh canopies and multiple pitching options.
Access and vestibules
Double entrance tents typically have two vestibules for storing gear and allowing users to enter and exit without disturbing their companions. They also provide better airflow and ventilation than single entrance tents.
Inner
Mesh is used liberally to promote airflow and provide a bright, breezy environment.
Guy points
Guylines provide added support, particularly in strong winds. They will help the tent maintain its shape and prevent poles from snapping. There should be multiple guy points spaced around the tent, although in order to keep weight down, many manufacturers supply an insufficient number of guylines and spares need to be purchased.
Floor
Tub floors will keep water and snow out of the tent. Waterhead ratings are usually between 1200mm and 12,000mm. Lower rated floors will be lighter, but less durable and can allow seepage in very damp conditions. It’s advisable to carry a separate footprint (which adds to the weight) for these models.
Poles
Most tents have one to three poles. Poles are flexible and designed to bend, though can break if used incorrectly or if inadequately supported with guylines.
Livability
The tent’s floor area and vestibule space indicate how much floor space there is, but just as important is the ceiling height and angle of the walls. Vertical walls, created through clever pole geometry, provide a more livable interior by creating more space and headroom.
Fly
The fly creates an insulating air layer between it and the inner. It will be made from ripstop nylon or polyester fabric with some fly fabric weights being as light as 20 denier. Hydrostatic waterhead ratings range from 1200mm to 5000mm. All flys are treated with silicone or polyurethane coatings to increase water-resistance and improve waterhead ratings.
Pegs
Aluminium pegs are shaped to hold in soil. As with guylines, the manufacturer will supply the bare minimum and it may pay to buy extras.
Storage
Interior pockets can be found at the ends or sides, while loops on the ceiling
can be used to attach a gear loft.
Weight
The weights shown in this feature are for the ‘packed weight’ of the tent when purchased and includes everything that comes with the tent. Manufacturers often list a ‘trail weight’, which includes the weight of the tent essentials only: tent, fly and poles.
Pitching
Tents are often referred to as multi-pitch and freestanding. Freestanding means the tent supports itself once the poles are inserted (it still needs to be pegged out). Multi-pitch refers to the ways the tent can be used: with or without the fly, or fly only.
Hilleberg Anaris $1145
Two person
Pitched using hiking poles, two doors and vestibules, multi-pitch design, mesh end walls, tub floor, footprint included. Fly 20D ripstop nylon, 5000mm Inner 10D ripstop nylon, micromesh Floor 50D nylon, 12,000mm Poles 0 (two hiking poles required) Ceiling height 105cm Area 2.6m², vestibules 1.8m² Weight 1400g. www.motomox.co.nz.
Mont Dragonfly $1099.95
Two person
Freestanding, tub floor, factory-taped seams, symmetrical design, two doors and vestibules, internal-access roof vents, six pockets, three carabiner ceiling clips. Fly 30D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 15D ripstop nylon, micromesh Floor 70D nylon, 20,000mm+ Poles 3, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 107cm Area 3.18m², vestibules 1.72m² Weight 2500g. www.mont.com.au
MSR Hubba Hubba NX $999.99
Two person
Two full vestibules and stay-dry entrances, unified pole and hub system for maximum interior space, multi-pitch design, colour-coded adjustable stakeout loops, adjustable vestibule for ventilation, rainfly vent. Fly 20D ripstop nylon Xtreme Shield coated, 1200mm Inner 15D nylon micromesh, 20D ripstop nylon Floor 30D ripstop nylon, Xtreme Shield coated, 3000mm Poles 1, Easton Syclone Ceiling height 100cm Area 2.7m², vestibules 1.62m² Weight 1760g. e.ampro.co.nz
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 $949.99
Two person
Freestanding, multi-pitch, two doors and vestibules, awning-style vestibule, privacy mesh, multiple pockets, fly vent, taped seams, reflective guylines. Fly Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Inner Nylon, polyester mesh Floor Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Poles 2, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 102cm Area 2.69m², vestibules 1.68m² Weight 1400g. www.gearshop.co.nz
Mont Moondance 2FN $949.95
Two person
Freestanding, multi-pitch, tub floor, factory-taped seams, symmetrical design, two doors and vestibules, six pockets, carabiner ceiling clip, roof vent. Fly 30D ripstop nylon, 2000mm Inner 15D ripstop nylon, micromesh Floor 40D nylon, 20,000mm+ Poles 2, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 100cm Area 2.76m², vestibules 0.61m² Weight 2200g. www.mont.com.au
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 2 $929.99
Two-person
Dual doors and vestibules, multi-pitch, dry entry door design, oversized ceiling pocket, low vent on vestibule doors, pre-cut guy lines and tensioners attached to fly. Fly Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Inner Nylon, polyester mesh Floor Nylon ripstop, 1200mm Poles 1, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 99cm Area 2.6m², vestibules 0.7m² Weight 1130g. www.gearshop.co.nz
Exped Outer Space II $899
Two person
Multi-pitch, large pole-supported front vestibule, exoskeleton construction, fly and canopy pitch together, two doors and vestibules, mesh pockets, mesh lamp pocket. Fly 40D ripstop nylon Inner 40D ripstop nylon, mesh Floor 68D polyester taffeta, 5000mm Poles 3, 9mm 7001-T6 aluminium Ceiling height 110cm Area 2.8m², vestibule, 3.7m² Weight 2900g. www.bivouac.co.nz
Macpac Minaret $899.99
Two person
Tunnel design, multi-pitch, tub floor, internal double doors, mesh stash pockets, four-vent airflow system, retractable vestibule floor for cooking and gear storage. Fly UV30 SI, 30D nylon ripstop, 3000mm Inner 40D nylon ripstop, micromesh Floor Torrentwear XP 70D nylon, 10,000 mm Poles 2, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 100cm Area 2.35m², vestibule 0.57m² Total Weight 2400g. www.macpac.co.nz
Big Agnes Salt Creek SL 2 $699
Two-person
Multi-pitch, three doors, two vestibules, vertical sidewalls, front entry drop-down door with awning, dual-zipper doors, single fly vent, pre-cut guylines and tensioners attached to fly. Three-person model available. Fly Polyester rip-stop, 1500mm Inner Polyester ripstop, micromesh Floor Polyester ripstop, 1500mm Poles 1, DAC hub Ceiling height 112cm Area 2.6m², vestibules 0.93m² Weight 1840g. www.gearshop.co.nz
Macpac Sololight $599.99
One person
Multi-Pitch, seam-sealed fly, internal stash pocket, airflow vents. Fly UV20 PE, 20D polyester ripstop, 1200mm Inner 40D nylon ripstop, micromesh Floor 40D nylon ripstop, 10,000mm Poles 3, DAC Featherlite NSL Ceiling height 93cm Area 1.68m², vestibule 0.59m² Weight 1290g. www.macpac.co.nz
MSR Elixir 2 $599.99
Two person
Two doors and vestibules, freestanding, colour-coded poles, skylight, dual rainfly vents, multiple pockets, vertical sidewalls, footprint included. Fly 68D ripstop polyester, 1500mm Inner 40D ripstop nylon, 20D micromesh Floor 70D taffeta nylon, 3000mm Poles 2, 7000 Series Aluminum Ceiling height 102cm Area 2.69m², vestibules 2.22m² Weight 2770g. e.ampro.co.nz
Marmot Tungsten 3P $599
Three person
Vertical walls, D-shaped doors, two vestibules, free-standing, lampshade pocket, seam taped vented fly, seam-taped catenary cut floor, colour-coded poles, interior pockets, jingle-free zipper pulls. Fly 20D ripstop polyester, 1200mm Floor 30D nylon, 2000mm Poles 3, DAC Press-Fit Ceiling height 117cm Area 3m², vestibules 1.39m² Weight 2850g. www.marmotnz.co.nz
Aarn AT2 $579
Two person
Two doors and vestibules, multi-pitch, seam-taped, triple-height vents, storage pockets and hang loops, dyneema guy lines, pegs not included. Fly 30D double ripstop nylon, 2000mm. Inner 15D ripstop nylon Floor 70D 210T Taffeta nylon, 5000mm Poles 3, 7001 T6 aluminium Ceiling height 105cm Area 2.7m² Weight 1950g. www.furtherfaster.co.nz
The North Face Eco Trail 2P $550
Two person
Fully recycled materials, two doors and vestibules, wide-opening circular doors, high-low ventilation, symmetrical rainfly for multidirectional set-up. Fly 75D recycled polyester, 1500mm Inner 75D recycled polyester, mesh Floor 75D recycled polyester, 1500mm Poles 2, DAC Ceiling height 109cm Area 2.97m², vestibules 1.58m² Weight 2800g. www.thenorthface.co.nz
Kiwi Camping Morepork 1 Deluxe Swag $499
One person
Double entrances with vestibules and doors that porch out, 5cm high density foam mat, ventilation port with storm flap for all weather. Three year warranty. Fabric 320g polycotton ripstop Floor 400g PVC Poles 3, 11.5mm aluminium Ceiling height 87cm Area 1.9m², vestibules 3m² Weight 7700g. www.kiwicamping.co.nz
Kiwi Camping Ruru 4 $399
Four person
Double entrances and vestibules, tri-pegging system, roof loft door storage, tri-tensioners, speed clips, accessory pockets, fire retardant and SPF50 UV coating. Three year warranty. Fly 75D, 185T polyester, 4000mm Floor Poly-Oxford, 4000mm Poles Colour-coded aluminium Ceiling height 115cm Area Floor 5.3m2, vestibules 2.4m² each Weight 5200g. www.kiwicamping.co.nz
Kiwi Camping Weka 3 $349
Three person
Double entrances and vestibules, tri-pegging system, roof loft door storage, tri-tensioners, speed clips, accessory pockets, fire retardant and SPF50 UV coating. Three year warranty. Fly 75D, 185T polyester, 4000mm Floor Poly-Oxford, 4000mm. Poles Colour-coded aluminium Ceiling height 105cm Area Floor 3.8m², vestibules 3m² Weight 2900g. www.kiwicamping.co.nz
Kiwi Camping Weka 2 $299
Two person
Double entrances and vestibules, tri-pegging system, roof loft door storage, tri-tensioners, speed clips, accessory pockets, fire retardant and SPF50 UV coating. Three year warranty. Fly 75D, 185T polyester, 4000mm Floor Poly-Oxford, 4000mm. Poles Colour-coded aluminium Ceiling height 105cm Area 2.7m2 Weight 2400g. www.kiwicamping.co.nz
Marmot Catalyst 2P $399.95
Two person
Seam-taped catenary cut floor, colour-coded poles, D-shaped doors, two vestibules, seam-taped, vented fly, interior pockets, lampshade pocket, footprint included. Fly 68D polyester taffeta 190T, 1500mm Floor 68D
polyester taffeta 190T, 2000mm Poles 3, Velocity 8mm Ceiling height 109cm Area 3m², vestibules 0.88m², 0.62m² Weight 2360g. www.marmotnz.co.nz
Intents Outdoors Titan 2 $299
Two-person
Taped seams, double entry and vestibules, solid fabric inner with mesh panels, double-layered doors with mesh inners, fly air vents, storage pockets, gear loft Fly 68D ripstop polyester, 3000mm Inner 68D polyester
and mesh Floor 150D Oxford polyester, 10,000mm Poles 4,8.5mm aluminium Ceiling height 115cm Area 3.37m², vestibules 1.8m² Weight 3250g. www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz
Kiwi Camping Pukeko $229
One person
Single entrance with vestibule, tri-pegging system, dual pitch with or without inner, tri-tensioners, storage pockets, fire retardant and SPF50 UV coating. Three-year warranty. Fly 75D, 185T polyester, 4000mm Inner mesh Floor Poly-Oxford, 4000mm Pole Aluminium (singular pole) Area 2.6m², vestibule 1.2m² Weight 2100g. www.kiwicamping.co.nz
Intents Outdoors Raider XL1 $229
One-person
Freestanding, 230cm length, crossover pole structure, single vestibule, extra storage area can be accessed from inside, rear ventilation. Fly 68D ripstop polyester, 3000mm Inner 68D polyester and mesh Floor 68D riptsop polyester, 5000mm Poles 2, 8.5mm aluminium Ceiling height 85cm Area 1.67m², vestibule 1.2m² Weight 1600g. www.intentsoutdoors.co.nz
