Kiwi Camping has a good reputation for solid family camping tents so I was interested to see how their smaller hiking tent performed.

With the great summer weather this year, the tent clocked up quite a range of trips. I took it mountain biking at Taupo, camping around the central North Island and used it along the Whanganui River on a kayaking tour.

I must admit, I’m impressed. The tent is easy to pitch and includes colour coding of the three poles and tags. With a $229 price tag, it is firmly placed in the budget category, but that doesn’t show in the manufacturing, which is excellent: I had no issues with quality of the material or workmanship and it has reinforcing at the places it’s likely to be needed.

At 2400g it’s a little more weighty and has a slightly more bulky packed volume than more expensive models, but I think this just reflects the robust materials used. For instance, we had no problems with rising damp, condensation or rain getting in – the latter no surprise with a 5000mm water-rated floor which meant a separate groundsheet wasn’t required.  

The fly is rated SPF50+ and is fire retardant. Inside, the insect-proof mesh is practically fine enough to use as a water filter.

The Weka 2 is spacious inside (2.7m², two vestibules total: 1.29m²) with plenty of headroom and double side entry.

It’s a no frills tent – what you need and nothing else. It uses good materials, is well built and represents excellent value for money.  

– Beth Masser