Mountaineering tents. Tents for winter and mountaineering base camps

All tent manufacturers divide their products into several groups, which may have different designations. As a rule, they are divided into:
Camping tents... These are the most comfortable tents, with a large interior volume and high ceilings. However, due to their heavy weight, it is convenient to use them only when it is possible to enter the camp by car - otherwise, the backpack of one of the participants will be completely occupied by such a tent.
Ultra light tents. With them, the opposite is true: with their low weight and packaging volume, they provide a minimum of comfort and protection from bad weather. In this series, only the most "low-profile" models with such low ceilings that it is impossible to even sit in them can be sufficiently wind-resistant.
Trekking or 3-season tents is a compromise option that combines relatively low weight, acceptable level of weather protection and comfort of living.
Extreme series tents(they can also be called "four-season", or mountaineering tents). These tents come in a wide variety of designs and specifications. Some of them are designed to create ultra-safe cover at the base camp. Others are best suited for multi-day climbing. However, all of these tents are designed in such a way as to provide the best possible protection for their "weight class" from the harsh climatic conditions of the highlands and in the cold season. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right "top" tent of the extreme series. It is very difficult to recommend any "best" models. As a rule, manufacturers use the highest quality materials and proven designs for such tents. Some models offer the greatest comfort, with more weight and packaging volume. Others are quite comfortable and do not weigh so much, but are less durable and wear-resistant. Therefore, when choosing a four-season tent, you need to know exactly in what conditions it will be used, and only then look for suitable options.

"Can trekking tents be used in the mountains and in winter?"
We'll start by answering this popular question. After all, trekking tents can be seen in alpine camps, at altitudes of 2-3 thousand meters. Moreover, their four-season counterparts are one and a half to two times more expensive. So why overpay? Of course, 9 times out of 10, a simple trekking tent does its job well. But it's worth remembering that this 1 in 10 case may be worth the climb at best. Let's say in bad weather you went down to the houses, leaving the tent with all the equipment under the mountain. During the absence, wet snow may fall or a hurricane wind may blow. Personally, I have come back to the broken tents a couple of times ... Of course, if you are inside, the chances that the tent will break are much less, since you have the opportunity to pull up the stretch marks and shake off the snow in time. But if this does happen, the situation will be very unpleasant. In addition, snow constantly blows through the net in the inner tent (trekking models often differ in this) in winter, and because of the weak frame, the walls of the tent flap in the wind, interfering with normal rest. In addition, the four-season tents are more suitable for setting up in difficult weather conditions.

Factors Affecting Choosing a Four Season Mountaineering Tent

What factors to consider when choosing a four season tent. As already mentioned, there are no tents that surpass the rest in all respects. Therefore, you need to understand what characteristics are absolutely necessary for the upcoming trips, and what can be sacrificed for this.

Possible wind strength and rainfall in the proposed tent sites... Here you need to take into account not only the climate of the area during your trip, but also know exactly where the tent will be set up.

So, for example, at Lenin Peak, in the camp at 5400, the wind is usually quite moderate, but for the same reason, tents are often broken by freshly fallen snow. At 900 meters higher, in the camp on Razdelnaya (6100), everything is just the opposite - the wind accelerates on the ridge, and here the wind resistance and strength of the tent fabric are especially important. For example, the MSR Fury tent is very comfortable with a lot of living space. Unfortunately, a large area of ​​the sidewalls is left unsupported. This model is great for use at the 5400 camp, but you need to be very careful when setting it on an open ridge.

Will the tent be left unattended... Another factor that determines how strong the tent needs to be against the weight of the snow and winds. Obviously, if you live in a tent, then it costs nothing to shake off the snow 2-3 times a day and pull up the stretch marks loosened by the wind. If you are setting up a high-altitude camp, the tent can be left unattended for a week or longer - therefore, it should be much more durable.
Drop length and climbing style are very important for understanding whether it is worth giving importance to the weight and packing volume of the tent. Obviously, the longer the transfer to the camp under the mountain, the more careful you have to be about the weight of the equipment. It's the same with the climbing tent. It's one thing to set up an assault camp and run lightly from it to the top. And a completely different thing is the traverse of the massif, when you need to drag the entire bivouac through the top. Meanwhile, the higher weight of the tent can benefit from greater comfort, strength and durability.
Length of stay... If you are saving on weight, you can take a double tent for three or even four for one night on the mountain. There are special designs that can reduce the weight of the tent to 1kg - these models are specially designed for short outings in style. However, if you have to live in camping conditions for a longer time, or if you are simply not ready to sacrifice comfort, you need to choose a tent with a higher ceiling, area, large vestibule and good ventilation.
Installation system... Think about whether you may need to set up your tent in bad weather, alone? There are several systems for attaching a tent to arcs, and it is this parameter that primarily determines how easy it is to set up a tent in adverse conditions.
The size of the sites. That is, how much flat surface is needed in order to set up the tent. This parameter is important for assault tents (those that are convenient to use on the ascent), since both laying out the site with stones and cutting it down in the ice are usually very laborious. In order for the products to best suit these operational features, tent manufacturers use a variety of materials and frame designs, making them single-layer or double-layer. We will now take a closer look at these basic characteristics in relation to the above requirements.

Types of climbing tents

Single or double layer tent Most of the tents have two layers. The outer layer is an awning made of waterproof, sufficiently strong fabric, which provides protection from the elements. However, in the process of breathing, warm moist air is formed, which collects on the walls of the awning in the form of condensation or frost. After a few hours of being in the tent, this moisture could begin to be absorbed into sleeping bags and warm clothes. The main task of the inner layer of the tent is to prevent this phenomenon. It is made of breathable moisture-repellent material, as a result frost and condensation remain between it and the tent, leaving the inside of the tent dry. The bottom of the inner tent is connected to the waterproof bottom, which creates an obstacle to free air circulation - as a result, it can be several degrees warmer in it than outside. Base camp tents, with rare exceptions, have two layers, since reduced weight and the ability to install in small areas are not so important for them. Comfort and reliable protection from bad weather are essential, therefore they have a large living space and often have a large vestibule.


For example, the Marmot Thor 3P tent has an increased living space due to its special design - bent arches, and a comfortable vestibule with a window. With the proliferation of membrane fabrics, single-layer tents appeared, in which the fight against condensation occurs due to the vapor permeability of a single layer. This solution has a number of advantages that are relevant for an assault tent, which you will take with you on your ascent. First of all, this is weight: on average, single-layer tents weigh 40-50% less than two-layer models of the same volume and strength. In addition, even the smallest pitches are suitable for setting up single-layer tents, and they better withstand wind loads in cases where it is not possible to stretch the tent properly. On the other hand, even the best single layer tents are very sensitive to weather conditions. The ventilation provided by the membrane fabric is often insufficient and ventilation openings have to be opened through which snow and rain can enter the tent. And in severe frost, the membrane tissue stops breathing altogether. Most of these tents are delivered without a vestibule, and when you climb into it in heavy rain, the inner space is under open air... Thus, a single layer tent is an excellent solution, but only for short trips to the mountains and for climbing. Recently, the leading equipment manufacturers have been producing assault tents (intended for use during climbing) on ​​a single-layer structure. However, there are still plenty of excellent, reasonably lightweight, proven double-layer assault tents at an affordable price.
Climbing tent frame construction
The wind resistance of the tent and its ability to withstand vertical loads (snow pressure) greatly depend on the number of arcs and their location. If we compare trekking tents with tents of an extreme series of similar designs, you will notice that the latter have much more metal per unit of awning area. That is, there are many extreme models made according to the classical scheme of a dome formed by two intersecting arcs, but they are much lower and more compact than trekking models. If a four-season tent is large enough, additional arches are required.


Example - The North Face VE 25 extreme tent has become the standard for expedition tents in the most extreme corners of the planet. Pay attention to the number of stakes, each row is duplicated.

Classic dome with two arches The most common construction of two arcs intersecting at the top of the dome. This is a compromise that offers moderate levels of comfort, wind resistance and weight.

Half roll The frame of this design consists of two or more arcs parallel to each other. For many years, half-roll tents were considered the most the best option for high-altitude ascents due to the good strength-to-weight ratio. However, they are inferior in comfort to other modern structures due to their lower rigidity - the walls of such a tent sag strongly in a crosswind. As a result, the tent does not break, but it may not be very pleasant to sleep in it.


For this reason, they are recommended to be installed with their end to the wind, but in the mountains its direction often changes. In addition, tents of this design need to be stretched very carefully, while the various forms of dome tents remain rigid even with minimal fixation. Another drawback is that the snow on the top of the half roll lingers more than on the dome. POLOBOCHKI.jpg Tents are often made of this design and are intended for use as a wardroom or a kitchen in the base camp. Such models usually have one layer. This is quite justified, since the ceiling is very high in them, and the condensation rolls down the fabric directly to the floor.

Dome with additional arches To give the domed tent more strength, manufacturers can add additional load-bearing arcs to the structure. If this solution is used in a small two-person tent, it becomes a real fortress, capable of withstanding any winds and very heavy weight of snow.


Almost all tents of the extreme series, designed for comfortable living in the base camp, have this design. Of course, you cannot call them light, but large half rolls can weigh no less, since in them manufacturers are forced to use a much thicker awning fabric, or also add additional arcs. An illustrative example of a canopy tent with additional arcs is the MSR Stormking.

Original designs - variations on the theme of the classic dome Looking through the catalogs of tent manufacturers, you soon start to get confused in various designs. The most common among them are classic domes with a short transverse arc at the top and domes in which two arcs intersect twice, forming a horizontal ceiling, like the MSR Fury (see above). The same category includes a classic dome with an additional arc for the vestibule. We consider it possible to consider tents of such different designs in one group, since all these variations have a common goal: to increase the living space.


The problem with classic dome tents is that they turn out to be quite high only in a small spot in the center of the tent. A short transverse arch expands this space. Constructions with double intersecting arcs serve the same purpose. An additional vestibule arch significantly increases the vestibule space. All of these improvements add some weight to the tent and can also significantly impair its resistance to heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Method of attaching the tent to the arches Some four-season tent designs allow you to set them up in high winds, with thick gloves, or even alone. In addition, when installed in rain or snow, the inner layer of the tent will remain dry. Some tents set up especially quickly, others take a little longer. The latter compensate for the inconvenience of installation with lower weight and additional strength. The main factor that affects the ease of setting up the tent is the way it is connected to the arches.
External "sleeves" for arcs They are special fabric compartments on the outside of the awning, into which arcs are inserted. The advantages of this design include maximum strength and reliability. However, setting up such a tent alone requires a lot of skill, and in strong winds this task becomes even more difficult. It is worth mentioning that the outer "sleeves" can prevent snow from rolling off the awning. This does not happen with successful models of tents, but there are also annoying exceptions (for example, Husky Flame - "sleeves" frame the ceiling of the tent from all sides).
Not the best version of the tent - Husky Flame, "sleeves" for arches prevent snow from rolling off the roof Suspension system with clips
The most advanced suspension system that allows you to attach a tent previously fixed to the ground to the arcs. This allows the installation to be carried out alone in the harshest weather conditions. Its disadvantages include more weight and less strength, since the individual clips provide a less rigid link between the arches and the tent. Therefore, if you decide to buy a climbing tent of this design, you should choose time-tested models from the best manufacturers (for example, MSR Stormking, Marmot Alpinist 2). Tents with arches above the awning are set up much faster, since the inner tent is suspended from the awning and does not need to be set up separately.

Arches under the awning The lightest construction for extreme tents, but also the least comfortable to set up in difficult conditions. In single and double layer tents, these designs are different. In single layer tents (eg Black Diamond Eldorado), the arches are inserted into the nests from the inside of the tent. In two-layer arches, they are attached to the inner tent (with fabric sleeves or clips), and an awning is thrown over and fixed on top. In fact, this is the construction used in trekking tents. Installation in bad weather can be quite troublesome. And yet, such designs have great advantages - they allow you to reduce the weight of the tent and throw off the awning from the inner tent for recreation in hot weather.

Ventilation system in a climbing tent Both single-layer and double-layer tents have special ventilation windows located in the upper part of the tent. In tents of the extreme series, they are made in such a way that they can be used even in bad weather, and in a hurricane wind and when leaving the camp, they can be tightly closed.

Double layer tents with a windproof "skirt" Choosing double layer tent, it should be remembered that many European and domestic manufacturers produce extreme models with windproof skirts. Such a skirt is a narrow piece of dense fabric sewn around the perimeter of the awning, it covers the space between the edge of the awning and the ground. The advantages of this design include better wind protection and thermal insulation. However, its main drawback is that it is always very damp in a tent with a skirt - the ventilation holes alone cannot provide sufficient ventilation. Often, to prevent excessive condensation in such tents, you have to sleep with the entrance ajar.

Evaluation of the comfort of a climbing tent
At training mountaineering camps, and even more so at high-altitude ascents, it may be necessary to "sit out" in a tent for several days, or even weeks. Therefore, a tent for a base camp should be comfortable enough, and we will separately list the characteristics that affect the convenience of living in a tent. The volume of living space. Here, not only the area where you can sleep is important, but also the area of ​​the site where you can sit without resting your head on the ceiling. The design of the arches of the tent is very important. The height of the ceiling is also important, as this space can be used for hanging lamps and storing things. The presence of a vestibule and its functionality. The smallest vestibules only allow you to climb into the tent in the rain and leave a small backpack there. Tambours with an additional arc are very convenient for cooking and storing backpacks. An additional entrance allows you to leave a large vestibule solely for household purposes and significantly speed up the morning gatherings of those living in the tent. The quality of ventilation and the ability to adjust it. Living in a sleeping bag soaked with condensation is not very pleasant even in a spacious tent. Therefore, the tent for the base camp must have the most thoughtful ventilation system that can be adapted to the most varied weather conditions.

Features of setting up an assault tent

The quality of the stretching of the guy ropes determines whether the tent will provide sufficient shelter in the harsh high altitude conditions. Some tents are less demanding in this matter (single-layer "domes"), others need to be properly stretched even in not very bad weather (half-rolls, two-layer domes with an arc for the vestibule). Therefore, when choosing a suitable extreme series tent, it is worth remembering the peculiarities of its installation in the mountains. Preparing for departure. In the mountains, it is very rare to find soft soil into which you can drive regular pegs. Therefore, as a rule, they can be left at home. Instead, it makes sense to tie the loops of a thin cord to all the points for which there were not enough stretch marks included in the kit. They can be used to stretch the tent with stones.

Of course, it is also better to tie up the standard braces in advance at home, and not during the installation process. A tent with a half-roll-like structure is set on a large inclined stone. The attachment points are stones, each kilogram for 10-15. I had to tinker with the installation. Installation in the snow. Setting up a tent in the snow, especially for a long time, is not an easy task. Of course, regular pegs are not suitable for this purpose either. Here you can advise the use of special snow stakes for setting up tents. A more budgetary option is to bury heavy bags full of snow in the snow. When properly installed, they hold even better than stakes, but organizing several such points can take a lot of time and effort. In addition, it is important to take into account that in good weather, any points in the snow will gradually melt, and the quickdraws will relax. Installation during the ascent. When you take your tent with you to the ascent, it makes sense to think about what equipment you can use to secure it to the mountainous terrain. Buried sleeping bags and jackets stuffed with snow, a cover from cats and from the tent itself can work great on the snow. On the firn, you can use trekking poles (if you disassemble them in sections, three attachment points are obtained from one rod) and ice axes.

Alexey Tyulyupo About the author: Alexey Tyulyupo is one of the most sporting mountaineering instructors in the country. He works a lot as an instructor, and in between runs routes of the highest categories of difficulty "for myself". He tries to pass on his own experience, gained by trial and error, to his clients and readers. We hope it turns out to be intelligible and interesting. Winner of "Crystal Peak 2015".

How to choose extreme tent and mountain climbing:

For any travel and hiking associated with difficult or particularly difficult conditions, are designed extreme tents... Their design is characterized by maximum reliability and durability, so such tents are not afraid of the harsh climate of the highlands (snow, wind and cold).

For overnight stays in the winter in the forest, mountain hikes, mountaineering, it is best suited tents for extreme conditions. The most durable materials are used for their manufacture. The frame is made of reinforced arcs, and the fabric of the tent has the maximum degree of moisture resistance.

Extreme tourism tents can be divided into assault and basic. The basic ones are distinguished by a large number of arcs, the crosshairs are mostly reinforced to the maximum. Consequently, such models can withstand even the strongest winds. The disadvantages include the fact that they cannot be delivered quickly, as well as considerable weight. Extreme tents storm names, on the contrary, weigh very little (sometimes about 1.5 kg.), they can be quickly delivered in any conditions.

Buy an extreme tent you can in our online store. All models are of high quality, practicality and convenience and have long established themselves as high-quality and reliable products in a harsh climate. Tents were made using modern technologies by world brands such as Alexika, Tatonka, Tengu and others. In some versions, there is a fixed vestibule. We also have climbing tents asymmetrical shape for extreme tourism . Thanks to the asymmetric shape, the tent can be placed close to the rock. Tents for especially difficult ascents provide, in addition to a strong frame, the water resistance of the awning with an indicator of 5000 mm, and the bottom - 10,000 mm of water column.

Extreme tent for winter also has mosquito nets, adjustable ventilation windows, and a special “skirt” around the perimeter to keep out the wind. For the convenience of tourists, hanging shelves and mesh pockets for small items are provided inside.

Best extreme tents- these are those that protect reliably even in the most severe conditions; made of moisture-resistant materials of bright color, clearly visible from afar or in poor visibility conditions, with a lightweight frame, thanks to which you can assemble a tent even in the most difficult conditions. This leads to the main selection criteria - resistance to gusts of wind, quick assembly, degree of moisture resistance of the material, strength of seams and frame, low weight.

Buy an extreme tent you can in the corresponding section of our online store.

A tent is a camping house. Not only comfort, but also safety depends on its reliability and design convenience. It is for this reason that my first branded foreign item from my tourist equipment back in 1997 was the Italian Ferrino tent, which, thanks to its classic universal design, optimal dimensions and the highest quality of production (then still made in Italy!) Served 15 years (! !!).

On this moment I have five tourist tents! Doubles weighing 4.1 kg for mountaineering, 2.2 kg for mountain hikes, light 1.3 kg for trekking, as well as an ultra-light triple weighing 1.8 kg for family hikes and a single egoisk tent weighing 800 grams. I'll try to tell you about each one.

THE NORTH FACE Mountain 25

Purpose: 2-seater 4-seasons assault tent. My most serious tent!

Strengths : incredibly strong, warm and comfortable. Strength is achieved due to the construction of four (!) Arcs made of durable but lightweight aluminum and a large number of conveniently adjustable guy wires. The tent is warm due to the very dense fabric of the "inner" tent. But the main thing in this tent is the convenience and comfort of living. It is provided thanks to a large number of pockets in the inner tent, two entrances, two vestibules (one of which is full, and the second is very small), as well as the presence of a fantastic ventilation system (a comfortable temperature inside the tent can be provided in almost any weather and in any situation. It's hot - you can open through ventilation windows located under the tent dome and duplicated with a net, it's cold - you can completely close everything. I think this is very important and I use this opportunity all the time, because good ventilation is the key to good sleep and rest. In general, the tent is really very comfortable It is really possible to live in it for a week and not bathe! It is also great that the structure allows you to set up only an inner tent if the weather is good. This is exactly what we did on Elbrus on days when there was no precipitation!

Weak sides : in a tent of an "expeditionary", assault class, a skirt would be useful, at least on the vestibule, so that the snow would not blow out, as in Kamchatka (in later versions this flaw was fixed!). I would also like the second vestibule to be a little more spacious, and not just "exit + 30 cm of space for shoes." Then it was possible to cook and arrange the kitchen in one, and walk / go out through the second. And of course the weight of a tent of 4 kilos is a lot for a kopeck piece. But, on the other hand, miracles do not happen - after all, it is very spacious and functional, and not "minimalist".

Characteristics of the tent THE NORTH FACE Mountain 25 sample 2007:

• Purchase year: 2007
• Capacity: 2 people (Jack enters 3 !!)
• Frame: aluminum
• Number of entrances / vestibules: 2
• Weight: 4.1kg
• Manufacturer website: thenorthface.com
• Tent THE NORTH FACE Mountain 25 in the Sport-Marathon store

The North Face Mountain 25 tent is so "harsh" and powerful that I went with it only three times - to the traverse of Elbrus with an overnight stay on the saddle, to a hike on the volcanoes of Kamchatka and to a family hike to the Bzerpinsky cornice, when I just needed all three of my tents to accommodate six adults and two children. Below are some photos from these hikes and ascents:

Camp "3700"
Elbrus North

We remove the camp
Kamchatka, Tolbachik volcano

In the glade of Emanuel
Elbrus, July 2012

At the top of the Ploskiy Tolbachik volcano,
Kamchatka

Camp on the Bzerpinsky cornice
Krasnaya Polyana

Imprisonment!
Elbrus North

General view with and without awning

Tent dimensions

As you probably already understood, tents of this class are not cheap. Professional brands cost from 40 to 80 thousand rubles today! In addition to THE NORTH FACE Mountain 25, among other two-seater two-layer assault climbing tents, you should pay attention to the American MARMOT Thor 2, the Swedish HILLEBERG Tarra or the Italian FERRINO Snowbound 2. If you need a 3-seater, check out THE NORTH FACE VE 25, the Norwegian BERGANS Helium 3, the Italian FERRINO Snowbound 3, the Swedish HILLEBERG Saivo or the domestic ALEXIKA Matrix 3. Among the 4-seaters are the domestic ALEXIKA Mirage 4, TNF Bastion 4. For five people, the best option would be the American MSR Stormking tent. For those who are seriously concerned about weight reduction, manufacturers also make single-layer assault tents. In addition to the well-known "Bibler" there is a "one-and-a-half-layer" kopeck piece with a removable vestibule MARMOT Hammer 2p weighing 2.2 kg and approximately the same design for THE NORTH FACE Assault 2!

BIG AGNES Blacktail 2

Purpose: classic double tourist tent. The most versatile of all my tents. If I didn’t have the opportunity to have many tents, I would buy one of just such a plan.

While hiking in Switzerland in the summer of 2015, my favorite Ferrino Movin 2000 tent "died" (description on the page "Equipment used before"), which has served faithfully for more than 15 years, since 1998. The tent lasted 24 hikes and 154 hiking days! Choosing a replacement for this tent, I came to the conclusion that I want to replace it with two tents: a lighter "three-ruble note" for family hikes and a "two-room" for full-fledged mountain hikes. I had the following requirements for a kopeck piece:

• Strong frame... The frame of a tent for mountain hikes must be with a full-fledged classic crosshair of two arcs in the center of the tent (the so-called X-frame), and not the now-fashionable Z-frame, which is lighter, but holds the wind worse.
• Strong fabrics... The wind and rain in the mountains is much stronger than on the plain. The requirements for the materials of the fabrics of the mountain tent are increased. In my opinion, the density of the awning should be at least 30-40D, the bottom - at least 70D.
• Two vestibules... Believe me, two vestibules are convenient. Very comfortably! And in the end - comfortable. And we go to the mountains to rest, not suffer. Those who deny the need for two vestibules for double tent usually refer to weight gain. But damn it, I'm ready to sacrifice an additional two to three hundred grams (100-150 grams per brother) of weight for the sake of convenience!
• Discreet color... Specific requirement! In fact, I've always said that the mountain tent should be as bright as possible, ideally orange. This is an element of the so-called "passive safety". A bright tent is much easier to find. It doesn't matter who - you, returning to fog and bad weather from a radial or, God forbid, rescuers. But there is one BUT: the bright tent is also noticeable to other people, including the rangers of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, on which I like to go hiking. And although there are a number of absolutely legal routes in the reserve (my guide to Krasnaya Polyana), sometimes you really want to break it! In general, I realized that I needed NOT a bright tent.

After buying a three-person tent for hiking with the whole family, I realized that I would like to take a second tent from the same company. By design, the BIG AGNES Blacktail 2 tent is a classic! Reliable and stable classic frame with a cross, materials optimal in terms of weight / reliability / durability, two vestibules on the sides, strong fabrics, eco-friendly color, good weight / price ratio. Someone will say that the weight - almost 2 kg - is a lot for a kopeck piece. But pay attention to what kind of strong materials are used in it? I think the tent will live for a very long time!

With closed vestibules

Inner tent

Separate installation of tarpaulin only

Tent floor dimensions

Height of the tent

Specifications:

• Year of purchase: 2015
• Capacity: 2 people (three will come in with a jack !!)
• Frame: aluminum
• Number of entrances / vestibules: 2
• Full weight: 2.2 kg
• Price in 2016 - 19,000 rubles

The tent is still completely new and has been used so far only in three campaigns: in two campaigns in Abkhazia (a campaign to Malaya Ritsa and a hike on the Arabica plateau, as well as in a hike. More detailed review I'll do it later. Now I can note two small drawbacks - the absence of a double zipper on the vestibule (and this is very convenient, if there is one, for additional ventilation you can open the zipper in the upper part of the vestibule, which very well removes condensation from under the awning). Well, the second point - the inner pockets are not as big as we would like and only at the top. But again, the “Blacktail” series is not the top, but the “classic” series from BIG AGNES, and it is not true to demand all the “chips” and gadgets from this tent. If this were all, the price for a tent would be significantly higher.

• Manufacturer website: bigagnes.com
• Big Agnes tents in Sport-Marathon store

BIG AGNES Slater UL2 +

Purpose: Ultra-light two-person three-season tent for spring / autumn hikes

I bought this tent as a very light but roomy tent for fast & light hikes in spring or autumn, when it can be cold and windy. One moment bribed me - with the actual three-season nature (the inside of the tent is not made of mesh, but of dense material), the weight of the tent in a complete set is only 1.3 kg. The tent is planned to be used primarily in spring-autumn hikes with an outboard night temperature of about zero and below.

Pros:

• Low weight... Only 1.33 kg for a THREE! -Seasonal double tent.
• Large internal length... The length of the inner tent is as much as 244 cm (that is why the name contains the prefix "+"). This was done specifically so that in bad weather (snow, blizzard, cold wind) you could store things (backpacks) right in the tent. They really fit in the legs without any problems. And of course, such a tent is perfect for tourists of high and VERY HIGH GROWTH!

Peculiarities:

As in everything in our life, the disadvantages of this tent are a direct consequence of its advantages. To reduce weight, the designers had to sacrifice some points.

• The tent is not a free-standing structure. For its installation, the fastening of the guy wires is required. For "seasoned" tourists, this, of course, is not a problem, because ten years ago we did not know any other tents at all). However, it can be annoying at times, like our very first overnight stay with this tent in the Bavarian Alps. Then we were standing right on a dirt-gravel road (the road went along a traverse of a steep slope and there were simply no other flat areas) and no pegs entered the ground. I had to climb the forest in the dark and look for stones in order to somehow pull back the guys.
• Entrance to one and from the end (from the head), and not two on the sides, as I like. It is, of course, much less convenient.
• Despite the large area of ​​the bottom of the tent, due to the design features, the internal volume is not so large. The side walls in it are inclined, and not vertical as in the now classic "hub-hub" designs.
• Well, and the last nuance, which directly follows from the three-season purpose of this tent - in hot weather it is stuffy and hot, since the inner tent is made not of mesh, but of windproof fabric.

So far, the tent has only been hike in the Bavarian Alps. A more detailed review will be in a year or two, when more statistics are collected.

• Manufacturer website: bigagnes.com
• Big Agnes tents in Sport-Marathon store

BIG AGNES Copper Spur UL3

Purpose: ultralight triple tent

Last year, our son turned two years old and I realized that we need a lightweight, but the most comfortable three-person tent for our family hikes in the Krasnaya Polyana mountains. My old "treshka" FERRINO Movin 2000 of 1997 was still alive then, but fundamentally did not suit me for at least three reasons. Firstly, it was heavy - almost 3 kilos per three rubles for dad, who is too much to carry equipment for three in our time! Secondly, with fig ventilation - in the heat it was unrealistic, but in Krasnaya Polyana, where we live now, in the mountains, in general, it is usually quite warm. And thirdly, she had only one vestibule, which is extremely inconvenient for family trips with a small child!

Choosing a tent for a long time and slowly, and having studied, among other things, the popular MSR scarves, I settled on the Copper Spur UL 3 model of the legendary American company BIG AGNES, famous for its ultralight tents. In this tent, I liked the following points:

• Incredibly low weight... On our family hikes, I have to (and already have to) carry a lot of equipment for the three of us, so every gram is now more important than ever. And the BIG AGNES Cupper Spur UL3 is one of the lightest free-standing three-person tents with two vestibules to date. Here's an overview in our Blog. Basic weight - 1.9 kg. The total weight, including pegs, guy wires and even an extra bottom (not included) is just over two kilograms!
• Space and internal dimensions... Family hikes are not the tin and hardcore "sport hikes". On a hike with your wife and child, you want maximum comfort, and if with you Small child and girl, believe me, you will have just a bunch of clothes, and it would be good to place all this inside the tent. BIG AGNES Cupper Spur is simply huge and spacious! You climb into it, and you can't even believe it! The bottom of the tent is 229 cm long (!!), the width is 178 cm, and it also has practical vertical side walls. Thanks to all this, the tent is very spacious. Subjectively, compared to the old Ferrino, there is twice as much space inside it !! If we now calculate such an indicator of the tent as the ratio of the useful internal volume of the tent to its weight, then according to this indicator this shawl of mine is almost three (!!!) times better than my old Ferrino! That's what progress means!
• The presence of two vestibules... When the whole family is with you on a hike, and even with a small child - two vestibules are not a luxury, but practically a necessity! "Logistics" in a tent with two vestibules is incomparably more convenient and simpler: one vestibule is used for the “kitchen” and storage of things, and the second for entering / exiting the tent. It is not only very convenient, but also safe.
• Inner tent top made of mesh rather than thick fabric. Thanks to this, you can admire nature without even getting out of the tent (through the vestibule or even throwing half of the upper awning open (an unrealistically cool feature of such tent designs !!). Of course, the use of “retina” in the inner tent, and not dense fabric, makes it much less warm. But living in Sochi, we can afford to go on family hikes around Krasnaya Polyana, choosing days with good weather, so I don’t need a “warm” tent for these purposes. which you plan to spend the night in freezing temperatures - this tent is not for you.
• Positive design... Subjectively, I really liked her positive appearance. The tent is sunny, joyful, light! It's very cool in her. In many tents, unfortunately, the sensations are completely different ...

I would like to point out the following important features BIG AGNES Copper Spur UL3 tents:

• Low wind resistance... The type of tent construction - Z-frame with four guys from the ends - does not imply use in the highlands. The wind resistance of the tent is not very high, and it is necessary to take great care in hiking with the installation of camps above the forest zone. This is especially true for the two-seater version - Copper Spur UL2. But I took it for family trips (when I have to carry everything for three), and with my family we go to the mountains only with a good forecast, so I think that my choice is justified. If you are planning long autonomous hikes in the highlands and or in areas with a high probability of prolonged bad weather (Kamchatka, Polar Ural, Sayany), this tent is not for you.
• Very thin materials... The lightening of the tent is achieved, among other things, due to the use of very thin awning materials in its construction, and especially of the day. So the tent is not designed for those tourists who are "better served", because everything is always torn and broken for them. and do it carefully. If your hands are out of w ..., BIG AGNES Cupper Spur UL3 is not for you.
• Extra pegs required... The pegs in the basic configuration of the tent are not enough to stretch all the guy wires there are in the tent. I purchased four extra end guy pegs.
• The tent requires daily drying... The third feature is also related to the general property of modern ultralight tents. To ensure waterproofness, the awning of the tent is siliconized. Because of this, the tent "breathes" relatively badly, and in the morning it collects condensation on the inside of the tent. This feature of tents with siliconized awnings requires them to wiretap the tent every morning before packing them into a backpack. The matter, in general, is not at all difficult, and requires an additional ten to fifteen minutes of time (to lay out the tent in the sun, dry it, collect) and, in fact, the sun itself (which, unfortunately, is not always in the mountains). In this case, in principle, it is enough, as always, just to shake the awning well in order to shake off the moisture drops on the inner surface of the awning.

With that said, I want to warn against buying this tent for tourists with minimal hiking experience. To fully enjoy the advantages of this tent in terms of the weight and comfort of the interior space, you need to know a lot and be able ... do not break. If you are an experienced tourist, then this is possible for you. best tent from what is now on the market, because a three-person tent with two vestibules weighing only 1.8 kg is not a miracle! And for me, as expected when buying, it is a very light, spacious and comfortable tent for easy trekking and hiking without spending the night at heights or on the passes.

Against the background of the four-thousanders of the Alps
Switzerland, July 2015

On the Bzerpinsky cornice
Krasnaya Polyana, July 2015

Inside the tent
Krasnaya Polyana, July 2015

Inner tent

Installing tarpaulin only
("bedding" is purchased separately!)

Tent dimensions

Specifications:

• Year of purchase: 2015
• Capacity: 3 people (jack includes 4)
• Frame: aluminum
• Number of entrances / vestibules: 2
• Weight: 1.8 kg (!!!)
• Price in 2016 - 34 900 rubles

P.S. Immediately after the purchase, I invested a little money so that the tent would please me more and longer. Namely:

• I made an additional bottom from an aluminized rescue blanket (ripped at the seams, it turned out 1: 1). It only seems that the additional, second bottom in the tent is some kind of unreal crap. This is actually very smart! For besides additional protection the bottom of the tent from cuts, you get a complete absence of condensation on the bottom of the tent in the morning. And it's worth a lot! As a result, only the awning of the tent requires drying.
• Bought four extra end guy pegs.
• Replaced end braces with smart ones from NiteIze. Now it is very convenient to adjust the tension of the guards without bothering with knots and / or "tapping" the pegs after, after or during the rain, the tent awning naturally stretches and sags a little.
• After all these manipulations, the total weight increased by 150 grams, the tent began to weigh 2 kg.

The tent is still quite new, it is not yet three years old. To date, the BIG AGNES Copper Spur UL3 tent has been used in a hike in the Swiss Alps, as well as in several hikes in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana, for example, in family hikes on the Bzerpinsky Karniz and. After a few years of hiking, I will definitely rewrite this text taking into account more substantial use experience.

• Manufacturer website: bigagnes.com
• Big Agnes tents in Sport-Marathon store

NEMO GoGo Elite

Purpose: single-person ultra-light ultra-compact tent

Market analysis showed that the global outdoor industry offers a lot of models for freaks (geeks?) Like me. Of course, the English TerraNova Laser Comp with a carbon arc and a weightless cloth and a total weight of 450 grams is a miracle, but the price of $ 1500 stopped me. In the end, I settled on the Nemo GoGo Elite with a unique "inflatable arc" technology for serious tourism. I liked its compactness (less than 2 liters in a complete set), bright yellow color and ideal price-weight-quality ratio. 17 thousand for a tent weighing less than 800 grams seems to me to be the "golden mean" in this endless race to reduce the weight of equipment!

In Austria

Tent with things inside

My feet and a rug in the tent

Tent in its own cover

Tent dimensions

Sectional design

Specifications:

• Purchase year: 2014
• Capacity: 1 person
• Frame: one arc with air chamber
• Awning: membrane 10D OSMO ™ Elite W / B
• Bottom: 20D PU Nylon Ripstop
• Number of entrances / vestibules: 1
• Full weight: 800g
• Price: $ 430

Weaknesses: It's too early to tell. You can, of course, say - there is no space, small, low, cramped, to get into a sleeping bag, you need to undress in advance, "on the street", because you only get into the tent with your feet forward (not for the superstitious, in short). But ultra-light is not about "sleeping comfortably", but about "walking a lot on the route";) Although, to be honest, there are no problems in a dream - you sleep stretched out to your full height, there is also a place on the sides. So sleep is full, no problem!

So far, the Nemo GoGo Elite tent has been on two hikes - my third hike through the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve and a weekend hike in the vicinity of Innsbruck. Here are some photos from these hikes:

• Manufacturer website: nemoequipment.com
• Nemo equipment in the Sport-Marathon store

SEA TO SUMMIT UltraSil 15D Tarp Poncho

"In battle" since 2014

Purpose: 3-in-1 ultralight tent poncho

A camping tent, with the help of which you can quickly build yourself a shelter from the rain and wind, is actually an indispensable element of camp equipment for serious hikes. By stretching it in the camp, you can get an additional area protected from wind and rain, ideal, for example, to equip a kitchen. The second purpose is a quick shelter from rain and wind right on the route, when you want to quickly and comfortably wait out the bad weather, and not sit in a tent>. There is a third, more original use of a camping tent - in case of rain, you can easily collect drinking clean water with its help. Once, while spending the night on the crest of a wooded Altai ridge, we did just that!

I lost the previous large Bask tent measuring 3 by 4 meters after hiking in Kamchatka and decided that the new camping tent should not weigh 2 kg, but 200-300 grams;)

But the permanent awning is the last century! The modern solution is an awning in which you can walk (!!!). Yes, walking in the rain, with a backpack, using it instead of a waterproof jacket. Such a miracle is called - a poncho tent. The poncho tent is a 3-in-1 solution - an awning, a raincoat and even a replacement tent (shelter from the rain + a rug and a sleeping bag, here's a den for you to sleep!). In general, consider yourself. But I will say - the weight savings are fantastic !! So it is not at all surprising that in our Sport-Marathon this model is wildly popular among participants of all kinds of marches and adventure races!

Specifications:

• Purchase year: 2014
• Size: 145 x 280 cm.
• Weight: 230 g
• Price - 7300 rubles in yellow-green or seatosummit.com
• Poncho Sea to Summit in store

Extreme tents

Basic requirements for extreme tents:

1. Reliability of the structure as a whole. This is the most important parameter for an extreme tent. What is the use of the strength of the arcs if the awning is torn? And a bursting arc with a sharp edge will spread even a very durable awning. If serious mistakes are made in the design of an extreme tent or in the selection of materials, then you will not receive proper protection from hurricane wind, ultra-low temperatures and snowfall, which inevitably leads to the death of people in a snowstorm. It is very important to buy an extreme assault tent, time-tested and a large number of expeditions. In Alexika, these are the legendary extreme tents Mirage 4 and Matrix 3.

2. Details that can seriously change the microclimate in the tent. Pay particular attention to the ventilation system. It should be and, preferably, at the highest point of the extreme tent's canopy. In a heavy snowfall, snow can fill up the tent so tightly that the air supply around the perimeter of the tent canopy will completely stop, and if there is no air supply through the ventilation windows, you may not wake up. Unfortunately, this has happened more than once in my life.

3. Skirt (canopy) around the perimeter of the tent. This detail is controversial, but Alexika considers it imperative to produce all extreme assault tents with a skirt. The only serious drawback of the skirt is the deterioration of ventilation, but the skirt has a quick fix system, thanks to which it can be tucked up in a couple of moments. But the disadvantages of an extreme tent without a skirt are enormous: in a strong hurricane, snow sweeps between the outer and inner tent and blows out valuable heat; there is no way to load the skirt with snow or stones to increase stability; the wind streamlining of the entire structure deteriorates.

4. Wind guards on an extreme tent. There are no extra wind guards on an extreme tent. On Alexika tents there are two-point guards with a dynamic stabilization system. If you do not need this, then just untie them.

5. Weight and volume in the case. Everyone who has been in the mountains knows that every step can be given with tremendous effort of all forces, and every gram pulls down. Alexika does a lot to reduce the weight of adventure travel and mountaineering equipment, but never at the expense of reliability or comfort. This is much more important than buying a tent that is 500 grams lighter and suffering from cold and snow. Pay particular attention to the material of the awning. It is desirable that it is a nylon awning with a silicone coating. It is durable, elastic, UV-resistant and lightweight. And it is desirable that from the inside it is covered with polyurethane to be able to glue the seams. If the seams are not glued, then the weight will be less, and the awning will leak in showers.

6. Price. As is the case with rope, climbing iron and good shoes, the tent goes in the first echelon by necessity and the savings on it can end up tragically.

You can buy an extreme tourist tent in the online store website.

Today, the overwhelming majority of the models of tents on the world market are focused on use in the warm season. The reason for this is prosaic. Most tourists tend to travel in favorable weather conditions - in good weather and at relatively low altitudes, where there are no hurricane winds.

However, many travelers are not limited to summer hikes, overcoming planned routes in winter and during the cold off-season. In addition, there are many wonderful and beautiful regions for outdoor activities on our planet, characterized by very unstable weather, where snow can fall or a severe cold snap can occur even in the summer months. These are, for example, the Khibiny, Karelia, the Sayano-Altai mountains, the Baikal region and the Urals, as well as the territories of the Scandinavian countries. Add to these the high-altitude areas, where climbers encounter hurricane wind, snow, ice and frost during their ascents, regardless of the season.

In all situations described, the classic "3-season" tourist tent it will not be enough - it will be either very uncomfortable or simply dangerous to use it! Here, all-season tents enter the arena, ready for the most extreme shocks of the elements - cold, snow, hurricane winds and lingering rains.

What makes a tent all season?

What design features should a tent have so that it can be used comfortably and safely all year round?

The edge of the awning is located as close to the ground as possible

The awning of the tent is designed to provide protection from precipitation and piercing winds. In 3-season models, the edge is set relatively high for better ventilation and weight reduction. In all-season tents, the edge of the awning is lowered by the developers as low as possible - to the ground level, as this solves a number of tasks:

Gusts of wind blow under the awning much less often, without cooling the living space inside the tent. Snow does not get inside along with the wind, which melts and leads to dampness in the tent. The low edge of the awning reduces the intensity of air circulation inside the tent, which has a positive effect on its thermal insulation and the formation of a comfortable microclimate inside the tent in cold weather conditions.

The edge of the awning at the Hilleberg Staika tent is lowered to ground level. Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia © foto-tilmann-graner.de

In the modern environment of tourists and climbers, controversy continues - does a 4-season tent need a "skirt"?

It is a strip of fabric that is sewn along the bottom edge of the awning. The “skirt” additionally insulates the tent, prevents the wind from blowing under the awning, prevents snow and dust from falling on the walls of the sleeping canopy, and in some cases also increases the wind resistance of the structure. However, there are a number of significant disadvantages behind these advantages:

"Skirt" noticeably adds to the weight of the already difficult 4-season tents. The ventilation of the tent when using the "skirt" suffers greatly, since there is practically no air flow. This inevitably leads to a significant increase in humidity under the awning and a gradual dampness of clothing and equipment. It is worth noting that the developers are actively fighting this problem. Typically, when using a "skirt", they try to improve air circulation by adding ventilation windows. But this leads to an increase in the final weight. Also, the designers provide for the possibility of tucking the "skirt" to improve ventilation. In unfavorable weather conditions, for example, with a combination of wet snow and frost, the stretched "skirt" can freeze, which greatly complicates the assembly of the tent. Due to close contact with the ground and rocky rocks, the "skirt" quickly deteriorates - it breaks and wipes, requiring replacement.

On the left - the Bergans Helium 3 tent with an extended "skirt" along the contour of the awning. On the right is the Hilleberg Keron 3 GT tent with an awning lowered to ground level © expemag.com

An awning, the edge of which is lowered to ground level, performs the same functions as the "skirt", but without its inherent disadvantages, the key of which is weight. The required wind resistance is achieved through the use of a rigid frame and an adequate number of storm guy anchorage points. Today, most manufacturers of all-season tents demonstrate either a complete rejection of the "skirt", or limit its use to the tambours of tents in order to maximally protect the equipment in them from being swept away by snow. Models in which the "skirt" is used along the entire perimeter, as a rule, are focused exclusively on winter operation or use only in the snow-glacial zone of the mountains.

Life hack from Cluttermusen! To insulate a tent without a "skirt", but with the edge of the awning lowered to ground level, it is enough just to sprinkle it along the contour with snow or even fallen leaves. By the way, they often do the same with tents with a "skirt".

Minimum mosquito net on the inner tent

The difference in the number of mosquito nets on the inner tents of the 3-season MSR Hubba Hubba NX (right) and its all-season modification MSR Access 2 (left)

In 3-season models, the inner sleeping canopy is most often sewn either entirely from a mosquito net, or using its large fragments, which are not duplicated by fabric flaps. This allows for excellent ventilation and significant weight savings. But in cold weather, the thick fabric on the inner tent serves as an additional barrier to air cooling and allows you to better retain precious heat. At the same time, fragments of a mosquito net are almost always duplicated by a fabric flap or are negligible, since snow can easily get into the tent through them, along with the wind.

Sophisticated ventilation

3-season tents can sometimes do without ventilation windows. Often, the raised edge of the awning and the abundance of mosquito nets on the inner tent are enough for them to provide adequate ventilation. As we have already seen, such constructive solutions are contraindicated when using our mobile home in the cold season. Reducing the area of ​​the mosquito net on the inner sleeping canopy, lowering the edge of the awning to ground level, and sometimes adding a "skirt" inevitably lead to a deterioration in air circulation and an increase in humidity inside the tent. With varying degrees of success, manufacturers are trying to solve this problem by trying to make ventilation adjustable over a wide range and at the same time keep within fairly rigid weight limits. With rare exceptions, all-season tents have at least two ventilation windows, which are located as high as possible - to provide a "fireplace" effect in the air circulation.

Layout of ventilation windows in the Hilleberg Staika tent

Rigid frame

All-season tents must not only be highly wind-resistant, but also ready to withstand high snow loads. To do this, the developers use the most rigid frames, carefully considering their design and selecting strong full-size arcs. With very few exceptions, manufacturers abandon design solutions that reduce the weight of the frame to the detriment of its resistance to external loads. For example, from the use of "hubs" - splitters at the points of convergence of arcs.

The intersection of full-size arcs at multiple points allows you to create a rigid free-standing frame without drastically increasing the weight of the tent. Pictured is The North Face Mountain 25 tent © switchbacktravel.com

Increased living space and vestibules

It's no secret that hiking in winter and in the off-season requires warmer and, therefore, larger equipment, which will need to be somehow stored in a bivouac. In addition, in the tent you will have to change clothes regularly, taking off or putting on bulky warm clothes. All this requires more living space than 3-season tent models. In addition, in contrast to the warm season, in winter and in the off-season, tourists and climbers often have to wait in their mobile home for a "window" with good weather in order to continue along the route. And a large living space in this case is one of the key factors in the comfortable living of the group and a favorable psychological climate within it.

The North Face Mountain 25 tent has plenty of living space for two mountaineers with plenty of gear © switchbacktravel.com

Application of membrane tissues

A whole class of 4-season tents is based on the use of membrane laminates for their production, which solve a number of problems inherent in "classic" models, sewn from more traditional materials:

The membrane provides 100% protection against wind and moisture. Due to its vapor permeability, it partially solves the ventilation problem. Provides the necessary thermal insulation. Allows you to create lightweight single-layer tents that noticeably gain in weight without losing strength and comfort compared to their 2-layer counterparts.

The Bibler i-Tent 2-seater membrane tent is one of the world's most famous single-layer assault models. Today it is sold under the brand name Black Diamond © cascadeclimbers.com

But this barrel of honey contains a couple of tar spoons:

Membrane laminates are not insignificant in their own right and require an increase in the cost of the production process, which is reflected in high price tents, given their small size and rather narrow specialization. Despite the rather long history of using membrane materials in sewing tents (since the early 1970s), no laminate has yet been developed that would have sufficient vapor permeability to effectively use the tent in a wide range of weather conditions. For this reason, membrane models are used primarily in mountaineering, where the best possible balance of weight and weather resistance is extremely important.

Assault tents

Assault tents are used in mountaineering in two ways:

When climbing in the "alpine" style, when the climbers carry all the camping equipment on themselves from the approaches and up to the ascent of the summit. To organize an "assault" camp in front of the very top.

In both cases, climbers need extremely lightweight and compact tents that can provide reasonable protection from inclement weather. At the same time, they must have a minimum installation area in order to make it easier for mountain climbers to find and prepare a site suitable for a bivouac.

The most well-demanded properties are expressed in single-layer membrane "hemispherical tents", therefore, in recent years, this is the structure and materials used by leading manufacturers to create their assault models.

Model	Weight, g	Materials (edit)	Frame	Advantages	disadvantages
Rab Latok Mountain 2	1 850/2 100, vestibule - 570	Awning - eVent DVStorm 3-layer membrane laminate (10,000 mm / 30,000 g / cm² / 24h). Bottom - Wear resistant 70D Pu coated nylon	Scheme - 2 full-size arcs - one crosshair. 9.6mm DAC Featherlite NSL Aluminum Bars	Very high wind resistance, easy installation, well thought-out ventilation. Original and useful design solutions	Narrow specialization - the tent can only be used in the highlands in the snow-glacier zone or as part of winter expeditions
Sivera Az Audrina	1 595/1 750	Awning - eVent 3-layer membrane laminate (30,000 mm / 17,000 g / cm² / 24h), 15D nylon. Bottom - 40D Si / Pu RipStop Nylon with 10,000mm water resistance	Scheme - 2 full-size arcs - one crosshair. Aluminum bows Yunan Ultra Light 9.6 mm	Light weight, high versatility in its class (can be used in sports "Fast & Light" mountain hikes)	The internal location of the arches forces you to set up a tent with an open entrance, which is undesirable in rain or snow storm conditions
The north face assault 2	1470/ With a removable vestibule	Awning - DryWall fabric, 50D RipStop-polyester with a water resistance of 1200 mm. Bottom - 40D Pu RipStop nylon with 3000mm water resistance	Scheme - 2 full-size arcs + 1 cantilever - one crosshair. DAC Featherlight 9 mm aluminum bows	Extremely low weight for this class of tents. External frame makes installation easier in bad weather	Narrow specialization - the tent can only be used in the highlands and is poorly suited for other forms of use - mountain tourism high categories and ascents outside the snow-glacial zone

Assault membrane tent Rab Latok 2

Rab Latok Mountain 2 tent, complete and with installed removable vestibule

In the industry of clothing and equipment for mountaineering, the British company Rab is one of the most famous and reputable. The brand has earned its reputation by creating mountain climbing equipment for 40 years. Rab's developers are actively collaborating with leading climbers in the UK and the world, adapting their products to the harshest conditions of use.

The Latok Mountain 2 is a prime example of this approach to work. The shelter for two mountain climbers is extremely reliable and thought out to the smallest detail. In addition to using classic solutions - a rigid inner frame made of two arcs and eVent membrane fabric - a number of original ideas have been implemented in the tent:

The bottom of the Rab Latok Mountain is made from a very hard-wearing 70D nylon, which is usually not found in other assault tents due to its weight savings. The color of the material was deliberately chosen black so that it dries as quickly as possible in the sun through short “windows” of good weather. The anchoring points of the arches are additionally reinforced with layers of durable fabric. Together, this makes the structure of the tent very durable. Along the bottom there are six oversized loops from a strong sling at once. Their width allows using not only pegs to fix the tent, but also skis, trekking poles and ice axes. In addition, large loops are easier to work with mittens or gloves. A unique feature of Rab assault tents are the so-called Donut-loops... These are special fabric sleeves through which you can pass a rope or re-cord to organize self-belay during the night. Latok Mountain 2 has three of these sleeves. One on the dome and two on the sides of the bottom. The ventilation hole is made in the form of a tightening sleeve-tube on the opposite wall of the awning from the entrance. It provides the necessary air circulation in any weather and can be opened / closed without leaving the tent. At the bottom there is one more hole-tube, into which you can throw off the snow that has got into the tent.

Left - tube at the bottom of Rab Latok Mountain for snow removal © naver.com. On the right is a ventilation tube on the wall of the Rab Latok Summit tent (a light version of the Mountain model) © outdoorgearlab.com

The high wind resistance of the tent is ensured by the classic structure of the frame and a large number of attachment points for storm guards. The internal arrangement of the arches makes the Rab Latok Mountain more streamlined - less snow accumulates on it, as well as further increases resistance to wind.

Despite the tendency to reduce the weight and dimensions of the tent, characteristic of this class of models, Rab Latok is distinguished by a relatively spacious living space. This makes it very convenient for tall climbers and mountain hikers.

The Rab Latok Mountain 2 version presented at Sport-Marathon is immediately equipped with a removable vestibule with a snow-protective skirt. The process of its installation is remarkable - in addition to the guy wires, it is attached to the tent with a separate zipper.

Membrane tent Sivera Az Odrina

Tent Sivera Az Odrina assembled and with installed removable vestibule

Russian company Sivera has long established itself as a manufacturer of reliable and technically advanced equipment that takes into account the latest global trends. The collection of Sivera tents is small, all models are produced in small series and are constantly being improved, confidently competing with the world's leading counterparts.

The Sivera Odrina tent is a classic “2 arcs - one intersection” frame scheme for assault models, which gives it the necessary rigidity with a minimum installation area in combination with good aerodynamics and high snow resistance. To ensure adequate wind resistance for high mountains, it is equipped with 12 storm guards (6 on the awning, 6 on the bottom). At the same time, on each side wall, three points of fixation of the braces are fixed on one stitched sling and can be combined into a compensating system that will distribute the load from one guy over a larger area. Such measures gave their results - the tent copes well even with hurricane winds. The model has undergone serious testing in various mountainous regions even at the stage of its testing, having visited the Caucasus, winter Kamchatka and South America. Guy cords are made of CBM fiber in a wear-resistant nylon braid and have high tensile strength with minimal weight.

Left - a prototype of the Sivera Odrina tent being tested in the mountains of the Central Caucasus, 2009. On the right - the serial version of Az Odrin in "combat conditions" © Photo courtesy of Sivera

Az Odrina tents use a durable 3-layer pore membrane laminate eVent with a very high vapor permeability, which distributes moisture well along the inner walls and reduces the risk of condensation. In combination with two ventilation windows under the dome itself, this allows Audrina to be used not only in the framework of fast ascents in the snow and glacier zone. The tent can also be successfully used in sports mountain tourism "Fast & Light" hikes with a high degree of autonomy.

Considering the minimum weight (Az Odrina is the lightest on our list), the tent has a very good living volume. First of all, due to the length and height sufficient for tall climbers.

Nice little things and features. To save weight, the mosquito net at the entrance, as well as the equipment pockets and hanging shelf can be removed when not needed. For the Az Odrina tent, a removable vestibule is sold, equipped with a snow-protective skirt and a viewing window.

The lightest The North Face tent in the Summit Series - apparel and equipment designed specifically for the needs of climbers. Key hallmark Assault model from all models on the market is the application of DryWall fabric. This material was created by a Japanese concern Mitsui and is characterized by high vapor permeability, low weight and very high tensile strength. Such fabric could be an ideal material for sewing tents, if not for one "but" - DryWall is not designed to protect against prolonged rains and is focused on use in cold climates.

Nevertheless, its use made it possible to create a surprisingly light assault tent - less than 1.5 kilograms without a vestibule! At the same time, the developers did not cut its dimensions, functionality and equipment - Assault 2 is spacious enough, equipped with four ventilation windows that can be closed from the inside and is immediately equipped with everything necessary for installation. A removable vestibule is immediately supplied with the tent, which is equipped with a snow-protective skirt and a viewing window made of frost-resistant polyurethane.

The frame of the tent is formed by two full-size arches and one cantilever, which slightly increases the living space and covers the ventilation holes from the snow with fabric "curtains". All arcs fit into outer fabric sleeves for easy assembly in inclement weather.

Nice little things and features. The tent is equipped with twelve ground V-pegs and four nylon snow anchors. The packing case is equipped with compression straps, so if you carry the arcs and pegs separately (as, most often, it happens), then the tent itself can be compressed very compactly, saving space in the backpack.

"Classic" mountaineering tents

As soon as they do not name the tents, which we attributed to this category. And assault, and mountaineering, and extreme, and, laconically - "4-season". However, all models included in this list share a number of common properties:

They are light enough for a team of climbers to climb with them in the "alpine" style, or safely carry them during a long cast to the mountain. At the same time, tents of this category have the necessary margin of safety, wind and snow resistance, in order to leave them unattended in the intermediate camp, without worrying that the shelter will fold under the blows of the elements in their absence. There is enough living space in such tents for the climbers to rest in the base camp or wait out the bad weather for 2-3 days.

Key trend recent years is the desire of manufacturers to expand the scope of "classic" climbing tents, not limiting it only to ascents in the snow-glacial zone of the mountains. The design is being adjusted to be used as part of summer and winter mountain tours in the forest area.

Model	Weight, g	Materials (edit)	Frame	Advantages	disadvantages
The North Face Mountain 25	3 850/4 250	Awning - 75D Si / Pu polyester with water resistance 1,500 mm. Bottom - 70D Pu nylon with 10,000mm water resistance	Scheme - 5 full-size arcs - 7 crosshairs. 1 arc forms a vestibule. Aluminum bars DAC Featherlite NSL 9.5 / 9.6 / 10.25 / 13.2 mm	Large living space. High wind and snow resistance. "Skirt" on the vestibule. Excellent ventilation that is widely adjustable	Large total weight, small second vestibule
Ferrino pilier 2	2 800/3 200	Awning - 50D Pu polyester with water resistance of 4000 mm. Bottom - 70D Pu polyester with 8,000mm water resistance	Scheme - 4 full-size arcs - 3 crosshairs. 1 arc forms a vestibule. Aluminum bows 7001 T6	Affordable price, relatively low weight. Good wind and snow resistance	Low-set ventilation windows reduce ventilation efficiency. Small vestibule. The tarpaulin treated with polyurethane is less resistant to UV radiation than siliconized counterparts
Hilleberg Jannu	2 800/3 200	Awning - Kerlon 1200 30D high strength RipStop nylon with double sided siliconization and 5000mm water resistance.... Bottom - 100D Pu nylon with 10,000mm water resistance	Scheme - 3 full-size arcs - 3 crosshairs. 1 arc forms a vestibule. Aluminum bars DAC Featherlite NSL 10 mm	Quick and easy to install by one person. Very high snow and wind resistance with low weight. The frame provides excellent support for the sidewalls. Good ventilation	Small living space in comparison with analogues. The absence of a second vestibule somewhat reduces the comfort from using the tent
Hilleberg Staika	3 400/4 000		Scheme - 3 full size arcs - 1 crosshair. 1 arc forms vestibules. Aluminum bars DAC Featherlite NSL 10 mm	Very high versatility in use - the tent is suitable for mountaineering, mountaineering, hunting, as well as water, cycling and hiking of various categories of complexity. Very reliable and easy to assemble	Comparatively high total weight for a 2 person tent. Just two pockets to organize your gear inside

One of The North Face's most famous tents. Mountain 25 has been continuously released and improved since 1995. The only thing that remains unchanged is the very good arrangement of the frame arcs, which intersect at 7 different points, giving it the necessary rigidity. It is complemented by a large number of tie-down points. Wind and snow resistance Mountain 25 has been tested many times on many expeditions on the most high peaks planets.

The "habitability" of the tent deserves a separate mention - there is more than enough space for two climbers. With some restrictions, even three people with equipment can be accommodated inside, but then there is no talk of a comfortable "day" in bad weather. Additional points for comfort are added by the large number of pockets for organizing equipment and the presence of loops to thread the cord for drying clothes.

The North Face Mountain 25 in " natural environment»© switchbacktravel.com

Widely adjustable ventilation also deserves the highest praise. Under the very dome of the tent, there are two ventilation windows, which are duplicated with a mosquito net. Thanks to them and the absence of a snow-protective skirt around the perimeter of the living compartment, a "fireplace" effect is created and the air circulates well in almost any weather. This significantly reduces the risk of condensation forming on the inner walls of the tent and allows you to regulate the temperature inside the tent.

Mountain 25 has an impressive living space for its class of tents © switchbacktravel.com (left) and outdoorgearlab.com

When assembling the Mountain 25, an inner tent is initially set up. This, of course, complicates the assembly process somewhat in inclement weather, but also allows the sleeping canopy to be used separately. In addition, the developers have tried to simplify the process of setting up the tent by color-coded arcs and a combination of fabric sleeves with plastic clips.

Mountain 25 has gone through another redesign recently. The tent has acquired a contrasting black and yellow coloring, a “skirt” on the vestibule and an awning with fully taped seams. All this made it much more versatile. Now it has become more comfortable to use not only in winter and in the snow-glacier zone, but also in warm weather in mountain valleys.

Since its introduction, the Mountain 25 has been a lighter alternative to The North Face VE 25, which has been in production since 1974. The model belongs to the "Summit Series" collection, which includes clothing and equipment designed specifically for the needs of climbers.

The renowned resource "OutdoorGearLab" named the tent Mountain 25 " Best Buy"(" Best Value ") for the successful combination of its functionality and price.

Nice little things and features. In the vestibule there is a window made of transparent frost-resistant polyurethane, which allows you to observe the weather without leaving the tent. The Mountain 25 is equipped with four nylon snow anchors, 16 durable aluminum DAC pegs and 16 storm guards with a Kevlar core and reflective braid.

The Ferrino Pilier 2 is part of the High Lab equipment collection, designed specifically for mountaineering and extreme conditions. The Italians are constantly testing their products on their own site, located at an altitude of 3,385 meters near the Quintino Sella alpine mountain shelter. It also houses the headquarters of the High Lab team of testers and equipment developers. The series was created in 1994 and recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. The tents included in it are constantly being improved, and after that they are tested in the base camps of Everest and Aconcagua. Therefore, most of the materials and designs in Ferrino Pilier 2 have stood the test of time.

The tent frame is formed by three aluminum arches, which intersect at three points to form a rigid and rather spacious dome. The wind resistance of the tent was tested at the design stage in a wind tunnel. At a wind speed of 150 km / h (41.6 m / s), the Pilier frame folds down, but regains its original shape as soon as the load is released. Later, the wind and snow resistance of the tent was repeatedly confirmed in "combat" conditions.

The inner tent is set up first. Arcs are threaded through continuous fabric sleeves. This is a classic solution that allows you to stretch the tent well, as well as to ensure an even distribution of the load over the entire length of the arches. For ease of assembly, the frame elements are marked in different colors, and the longest fabric sleeves are tightly sewn on one side. Just insert the bow, bend it and thread one end through the eyelet!

Despite the rather stringent weight requirements, the designers did not abandon the use of wear-resistant fabrics for the awning, bottom and inner tent. Instead, they changed its shape and abandoned the addition of a second vestibule. In terms of the tent is a polyhedron, tapering in the head and legs, which allowed the developers to reduce the final weight. This undoubtedly reduced the habitability of the model, but for connoisseurs of more living space, Ferrino has another tent - the Snowbound 2, which is a close analogue of The North Face Mountain 25.

The use of durable, reliable and at the same time relatively inexpensive materials made it possible to achieve a very affordable price. On our list of "classic" climbing tents, the Ferrino Pilier 2 is the most affordable.

Nice little things and features. In good weather, the tambour of the tent can be completely rolled up.

Hilleberg Jannu tents belong to the Red label series, which includes models with the most optimal balance of weight and strength. Jannu was designed as a 2 person tent for mountaineering ascents and technically challenging mountain tours.

It requires a small footprint, making it easy to find a suitable camp site. As with all Hilleberg tents, the Jannu design allows it to be assembled alone, even in inclement weather. Mainly due to the external frame, which makes it possible to quickly install the awning with the sleeping canopy already fastened to it. Also worth to thank the developers for the color coding of the arches and the successful combination of small fabric sleeves with plastic clips.

Hilleberg Jannu tent. In the background is the Khan-Tengri peak (7,010 m). Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan © Anders Odman, hilleberg.com

The Jannu framework is characterized by high rigidity due to its "Geodetic" construction ... The tent copes well with wind and snow loads and has proven itself in many high-altitude climbs. In many climbing tents the arc forming the vestibule breaks first, due to the high windage of the awning and the lack of proper support. But in Hilleberg Jannu, no part of the awning was left without frame support, including the vestibule and side walls.

On the left is a large adjustable ventilation window under the dome of the tent. Right - Jannu frame construction (arcs inserted into short fabric sleeves) © outdoorgearlab.com

Jannu tents are not only reliable, but also adaptable to various weather conditions. This is expressed in a well-thought-out ventilation system. A large ventilation window is provided in the upper part of the dome, the size of which can be adjusted by the user without leaving the tent. At the same time, on the counter part of the sleeping canopy, there is a window with a mosquito net, duplicated by a fabric valve. Combined with a closing mesh at the inlet, it allows air to circulate in almost all weather conditions. This endowed Hilleberg Jannu with enviable versatility - the tent is popular with climbers, hunters, kayakers, as well as hikers and cyclists.

The high durability of Jannu is combined with a low weight, which is below average among tents in this class. The price paid for this was the absence of a second vestibule, which can create some inconvenience during the "days", as well as a slightly smaller living space than the analogs.

According to the OutdoorGearLab resource, the Hilleberg Jannu tent has become best 4 season tent among 20 tested models.

Nice little things and features. Thanks to the external arrangement of the arches, the Jannu awning can be used on its own, for example, as a temporary shelter. The tent is equipped with 16 massive DAC pegs, which are suitable for fixing the guy ropes on the most different types soil. Avoiding their use, which is almost inevitable in the snow and ice zone, allows you to significantly reduce the weight of Jannu on the route. The tent frame can be additionally reinforced with a second set of arches (purchased separately) - probably in case of a real Apocalypse! :) Finally, Jannu tents are available in three different colors!

The Staika has a well-deserved cult status and is one of the most popular models in the assortment of the Swedish company Hilleberg. The tent is extremely durable and adaptable to a wide range of weather conditions. This endowed it with enviable versatility. Staika is in demand among kayakers, hunters, climbers and mountain tourists.

The secret of its properties lies in the successful application of a number of technical solutions. Staika became the first hemisphere tent in the Hilleberg catalog, and its development and testing was approached very responsibly - the prototype was tested not just anywhere, but on an Antarctic expedition! The frame of the tent is formed by three full-size DAC Featherlite NSL 10 mm arcs, which intersect at one point. This design is able to withstand a high snow load and provides excellent wind resistance against gusts from any direction. The frame is made external, which allows you to use the tent awning on your own, and also simplifies its assembly in bad weather, because the awning and sleeping canopy can be installed at the same time.

Hilleberg Staika on a winter ski trip in the Norwegian mountains © Martin Böhm, outdoorhighlights.de

Two side entrances / vestibules allow you to always position one of them on the side protected from the wind. Also, this design provides a wide range of options for organizing equipment, economic zone and the entrance to the tent. Staika requires relatively little installation space, which makes it easier to find a suitable site, especially in mountainous areas... At the same time, it provides sufficient living space for two users with a lot of equipment.

Two wide ventilation windows are located under the very dome of the tent and can be closed / opened from the inside, allowing you to regulate ventilation over a wide range and in any weather.

Nice little things and features. The tent is equipped with 16 massive DAC pegs, which are suitable for fixing the guy ropes on a wide variety of ground types. The rejection of their use, which is almost inevitable in the snow and ice zone, allows you to significantly reduce the weight of the Staika on the route. The tent comes in three colors!

Tents for winter and mountaineering base camps

When the route is covered by a relatively large team, the use of one large tent provides significant weight savings per participant. This is especially evident when organizing mountaineering base camps from which mountain climbers make acclimatization hikes, as well as in the framework of long ski trips.

The key difference between such tents and classic mountaineering models is the significantly increased living and utility volumes. This allows the members of the group to comfortably sit inside, as well as to allocate an area for convenient storage of equipment. The 4-season group tents provide the maximum living space among the "sport" models, second only to the camping versions. This parameter is critically important for a healthy psychological climate in the group, since the expectation of favorable weather conditions can drag on for long term and not be limited to a couple of days.

Model	Weight, g	Materials (edit)	Frame	Advantages	disadvantages
MSR StormKing	5 560/6 000	Awning - 68D Si / Pu RipStop polyester with a water resistance of 1,800 mm. Bottom - 40D Pu RipStop nylon with 10,000mm water resistance	Scheme - 6 full-size arcs - 12 crosshairs. 1 arc forms a vestibule. Composite bows Easton Syclone	The rigid frame has high wind and snow resistance. Easy to install. Large living space. Lightweight for a 5-person all-season tent	A relatively small second vestibule. Insufficient ventilation on warm days
Hilleberg tarra	3 800/4800	Awning - Kerlon 40D high strength RipStop nylon with double sided siliconization and 5500mm water resistance. 1,800. Bottom - 100D Pu nylon with water resistance 10,000 mm	Scheme - 4 full size arcs - 5 crosshairs. 2 arcs form vestibules. Aluminum bars DAC Featherlite NSL 10 mm	Easy to install. Very large living space. Two spacious vestibules allow you to organize a utility area and a "pantry" for equipment. Very high snow and wind resistance. The frame provides excellent support for the sidewalls. Excellent ventilation	Large total weight and not small packing volume even for a very spacious 2-person tent
Hilleberg Keron 3 GT	4 100/4 900	Awning - Kerlon 1 800. Bottom - 100D Pu nylon with water resistance 10,000 mm	Scheme - 4 full-size arcs without crosshairs. Two vestibules. Aluminum bars DAC Featherlite NSL 10 mm	Very large living space. Excellent ventilation. Huge space for organizing equipment and utility area. Universal - successfully used not only in tourism, but also in family active rest	Relatively low lateral wind resistance. It is difficult to install on some sites, as it requires mandatory stretching during assembly. Less snow resistance compared to other models in the list