Easton Mountain Kilo Tent

[frisbeefreek]

Was just flipping through one of the Popular Science mags and saw a paragraph on the Easton Mountain Kilo Tent. The specs are intriguing (you can visit their web site http://eastonmountainproducts.com/tent/kilo-tent) - but essentially:

2lbs
2 person
2 walls

Looks like you have to stake out the corners, but it does have 2 poles, so it has some freestanding features.

Anyone see one in person? I'm a committed TT Rainbow user, but the double-wall is appealing.

--Frisbee

[Mountain Wildman]

Looks interesting if you need a 2 person tent, A little heavy for one person since there are 1 pound options available in 1 person tents.
Not cheap either at MSRP of $399.

[DBRIGGS9]

and no vestibule?

[leaftye]

It has a vestibule

[brooklynkayak]

I might be wrtong, but it looks like the inner has to be assembled first and the fly laid over after. I know this is a common design flaw, but it doesn't have to be.

It is often pouring rain whenever I set up my shelter so I chose shelters that allow the outer be setup first.

[mister krabs]

It just was introduced at the summer outdoor retailer, I don't even know if it's available to buy yet, so I doubt that anyone has any experience. There are a few videos of it out there from the OR show and there was a bit of discussion on it at BPL.

[ChinMusic]

A buddy of mine just got his hands on one of these (pre release). He says it's sweet and a "bomb shelter".

I have a need for a 2-person tent (take daughter on trips). I have a need for a freestanding tent. I have a need for a more robust 3-season tent that can handle more wind/snow. I'm not a fan of 2-wall tents but want the option of visibility (think Yosemite) the mesh allows.

I think I found the solution in the Easton Kilo: http://eastonmountainproducts.com/tent/kilo-tent

http://eastonmountainproducts.com/img/tent/kilo.jpghttp://eastonmountainproducts.com/img/tent/kilo-no-fly.jpg

My concerns:
Front openings seem to allow rain in on exit/entrance (I like side entrance better).
Fly cannot be set up first (wetter set up in rain).
Small, but seemingly adequate vestibule.
No vent at peak.

Likes:
2 pounds? wow (way lighter than a Double Rainbow and it's a double-wall)
Free standing characteristics (not true free standing but can be picked up and moved, good enough for me)
profile looks great for wind/moderate snow.
most robust materials (they coulda gone even lighter with other materials)

I would assume that with what it lacks in ventilation, with fly in place, the steepness of the walls would allow for condensation to drip down the walls and safely out of living space. I don't require a large vestibule. The size of the vestibule seems adequate.

[Franco]

I would love to see a video of the DR and the Kilo set up side by side with two people in each,two packs and boots in the vestibule(s).
Then , have one of the two get out of the tent for the night time call..
(BTW, I already have that video playing in my head...)
Franco

[Tinker]

Reminds me of the Vaude Taurus II. Much lighter, though. I wonder when mainstream tent makers will figure out that a tent that is pitched with poles in the fly is more desirable than one where the inner tent pitches first (in the rain this means that you try to set it up under the fly, getting frustrated while the inside of your floor gets wet, forcing you to wipe it out before you put your gear inside (see the Vaude tent, as well as Hilleberg for the alternative).

[Tinker]

Here's another light tent:
http://www.altrec.com/terra-nova-equipment/laser-competition-1-tent?sku_id=778666&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Pricegrabber-_-TerraNovaEquipment-_-67913-778666&mr:referralID=c8e9d41a-21e4-11e0-b21a-001b2166c2c0