SLEEP EASY
All-new tents made for comfort—and withstanding the rigours of the wilds
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IKOS LIGHTWEIGHT ($569/$695)
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Key features: Designed for maximum livable space; polyester floor with mesh walls; wide roof vent; multiple fly configurations; comes in two- and three-person sizes.
The promise: “Spacious, versatile comfort-backpacking tent”
Learn more: Sea to Summit, www.seatosummit.com
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GIMMER SHELTER
To ensure you choose just the right tent for your needs, first consider where and how you plan to use it—and how comfy you want to be.
SIZE Minimal weight and a small packed size is desirable for backpacking or portaging, but less important when vehicle camping. The official “person” rating for tents is based on adults lying shoulder to shoulder across the entire floor, with no space for gear. Unless you prefer such extreme coziness, the practical capacity is typically two-thirds of what’s stated.
SHAPE Tents designed with low ceilings offer more warmth, as well as better stability in high winds. They also pack down small, but their sloped walls mean less liveable interior space. Tents with near-vertical walls, on the other hand, offer enough room to sit or even stand up. Features such as windows, vestibules and multiple doors also add to the comfort level, but they also increase the weight and bulk.