Best for a wide range of environments 

1660g / 2.62m²

At a glance
Plusses: Good in dusty conditions, steep-walled inner tent, well-ventilated, separate bags for the fly, inner and poles. 
Minuses: Very small pegs, small internal storage pockets, possible water ingress at roof vent. 

Features: The Telos is a free standing, twin vestibule tent with steep inner walls and a flattish roof offering good headroom. It has a generous roof vent and adjustable vents low on the fly, giving good condensation control. Versatile pitching modes. 

Pitching: If you’ve pitched a free-standing tent before, you’ll have this one figured out. It was simple to pitch and the components had a lightweight but reassuring feel. I like that the floor-level pole retainers are durable aluminium. Webbing straps here allow easy tuning of tension and peg placement. The fly can be adjusted for tautness during rain or wind. 

Comfort: The largish doors, steep walls and reasonable headroom in this tent were immediately noticeable. It’s asymmetric; meaning there is a correct end for ‘heads’, as the other end tapers slightly. Sitting up, changing clothes and packing sleeping bags with two people felt slightly less cramped than some other tents in this class. Internal storage pockets are lacking; there are only two small ones and I’d like to see more, although a clip-on ‘gear loft’ can be bought separately. The fly can be rolled up on the roof on warm, dry nights, but left ready for deployment. 

In use: This tent’s biggest point of difference for the three-season class is that the inner is breathable nylon and not mostly mesh. This is notable for three reasons: it makes the tent warmer in four-season temperatures, and it stops the ingress of dust if you are travelling in dry regions. It also provides more privacy when the inner is pitched alone. Two vents maintain airflow in hot weather, but it will still be warmer in hot conditions than a mostly mesh tent. The vent on the roof of the fly is well positioned for airflow, but its flattish profile and non-water resistant zips could be a leak point in severe wind-driven rain. The vestibules could be slightly larger; if you’re storing packs and cooking there’s not a lot of room. There is a ‘Hangout’ pitching mode possible (with the use of hiking poles) where the fly can be rigged as a standalone sunshade. 

Value: For its class, this tent is priced at the high end of the range, but you’re paying for a versatile shelter with some great features. For some users, it will be exactly the tent they need. 

Verdict: Well-engineered, it will suit users looking for a tent that can be used in a range of conditions. I immediately thought of trampers who travel overseas from time to time and cycle tourists needing a comfortable tent that can be pitched anywhere, as well as typical New Zealand bush and tops use.