How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

With nearly vertical walls that deliver expansive views and extensive livability, the two-person Sea to Summit Alto TR 2 tent is a highly ventilated, 2-door wonder weighing under 3 lbs.
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View all Sea to Summit Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 2 lbs. 8.7 oz. |
Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 2 lbs. 1.6 oz. |
Packaged Weight | 2 lbs. 15.3 oz. |
Packed Size | 4.7 x 20.5 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 84.5 x 53/38 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 27 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 18 square feet |
Peak Height | 42.5 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 1 |
Pole Material | Aluminum DAC TH72M |
Pole Diameter | 8.7/9.5 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | 15-denier polyester mesh |
Floor Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon |
Rainfly Fabric | 15-denier ripstop nylon |
Footprint Included | No |
Ultralight | Yes |
Design Type | Semifreestanding |
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Bought this for a multi day backpacking trip with my partner. The design is well thought out. They made it easy to split the weight for carry or keep together if needed. Really quick to put up and had plenty of space for two people with pads. The vaulted roof really is nice for sitting up or waiting out the rain. The light-bar thing is a bit gimmicky and takes up space. I don’t use it but could see it being nice for certain situations. I’ve only done the traditional setup with the rain fly, haven’t tried all the other configurations advertised. Not sure I’d pay the premium of this over some of the other ultralight 2p tents, but grabbed it with a 20% off coupon. (I have a 1p Nemo Hornet and would have got another Nemo if it weren’t for the 20% off on this one)
Our first trek with this tent was to Spruce Knob, WV with an easy 4 mi. hike with our son and shih tzu. We pitched the tent for the first time after helping our son with his 1 person tent and got the TR2 set up very quickly without referencing the instructions and just before the rain started. We pitched a kamook tarp over the front for extra room to hang out and cook. It rained very hard at times with a steady downpour for over three hours. The uphill side I failed to stake out properly so some water caught between the tent floor and footprint but nothing leaked. The tent stayed dry inside and was roomy enough for two adults and a 14lb dog. The materials are tough and I really like the way it’s so easy to pitch perfectly. With the tarp we didn’t have to cook in the rain fly but used it as a backstop to the rain. The fly breathes well, the zippers operate very smoothly without snagging (plenty of tension in the walls), the fly-clips are brilliant, the tent stakes are lightweight and stronger than what most other manufacturers provide. The footprint I feel is worthwhile - very tough. Doors are large and when open, they stay out of the way and can be rolled back and lashed. Using the stuff sack as ditty-bags inside the tent is brilliant. Each sack snaps into a corner at the head of the tent in two spots keeping them open and easy to use. I started using Sea to Summit stuff sacks years ago and every product of theirs is just brilliant. This tent was no exception and did not let me down. The light bar is a fantastic idea and I love that every part of the tent and sacks get used - it’ll help less organized backpackers keep everything ready to hand when packing up and just makes so much sense. I always use my tent stuff sacks to hold bits from the tent and keep them inside but this just takes it one step farther. I also love that the tent can be parceled out between two hikers and even a dog with a pack! The fly stakes out well and though we didn’t have strong winds, it feels like the tent would be stable if guyed-out and it comes with sufficient cord to do so. With so much mesh, the tent breathes well and the next morning, despite a wet night, the tent was dry and with no condensation inside or dripping off the fly.
1) should have made it freestanding for 2 more ounces, having to stake out the two edges for a 1P tent considering the target audience is 100% no buy. 2) for the cost the nemo the NEMO Dragonfly 1p is currently top dog. even the bikepack version is better then this one. 3) how difficult would it have been to add interior mesh pockets of various types. 4) to setup this thing is pain in the butt...1P target audience is typically hiking long days and looking for quick efficient no mess no fuss setup. Anyways lot more things that make this 1P tent at its price point a pretty bad buy. Sorry sea to summit I do like your other products but I would suggest get a lot of feedback work on multiple iterations ...you can do way better.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love the tent. So well thought out. Genius really!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] As an adventure guide I work with LOTS of equipment - from rock, tree and ice climbing, to caving, mountain biking, wilderness survival - I am constantly looking for the best gear to make my outdoor adventures enjoyable, both for my clients and for myself. When it comes to overnight and multi-day programming, I have gone through nearly a dozen tents over the past 20 years. Generally my go to brand for personal use has been Big Agnes. Until I tried the Sea to Summit Alto TR2. The Alto TR2 is easy to set up, works great for star gazing on clear nights, and provides plenty of weather proofing for rain and wind. As a semi-free standing tent, it is easy to move around when trying to find the optimal footprint, and set-up and take down is a breeze. The double-door vestibules mean I can store things outside of the tent and still keep them dry, or even cook over a stove if it is really pouring out. The light tube is a bonus for diffusing my headlamp light when getting ready for bed, and the unique 3 bag storage system allows me to stow gear in multiple packs or multiple places in my own backpack. This is a great help when I have to make room in my pack for carrying equipment for a tired client on a long hike. Although I currently have 6 other tents to choose from, I find myself reaching for the Alto TR2 every time.
This is a great tent for anyone looking to cut pack weight and free up space. The compartmentalized stuff sack allows you to divide the tent up to utilize smaller spaces in your pack, freeing up more space in your main compartment. The tent poles and grommets are all color-coded, making the setup really easy. The unique shape of the footprint provides extra room inside for personal items that you want to keep with you over night. This is an all-around awesome tent, especially for those that are trying to achieve minimum possible pack weight.
Excellent design, packing in short bags nice for backpacking. Got lots of complements when backpacking in Yosemite this past month. Tent would be even better if poles could be shorter to match the length of the tent bag (similar to bikepacking pole length). Also a rectangle footprint for a bit more inside room would be worth the couple extra ounces. The light bar is a great idea but poor snaps to hold in place, fall off ceiling easily, Velcro would have been better. Finally, wish it was freestanding rather than semi-freestanding.
I finally took this tent out on its first trip last weekend. Pros: it is very lightweight and packs down tiny, can be set up quickly (once you practice it, it is not the most intuitive tent I've set up), and reflectors on the rainfly make it easy to see at night. Cons: it is so small - my significant other and I both have regular-width sleeping pads (20") and they take up the entire tent floor. You would not be able to fit anything wider than that. I would only plan on using this as a 1 person tent unless you are very friendly with your tent partner. We could not fit any gear inside the tent which was a big drawback for us. Because the tent is so light, it also feels kind of flimsy. I'm hoping that durability won't be an issue going forward. I'm neutral on the light bar. It's an interesting idea and it does work but I wouldn't say that is a necessity by any means.
I purchased the Alto TR1 after having a disastrous experience with the MSR Freelite 1. The Alto provides superior shoulder and headroom, with a well placed door. Its super easy to pitch, and the little triangular space that pops out on the otherwise rectangular floor space makes the tent feel roomier, and provides space for my dog or gear. The vestibule is large and the ventilation, overall, with the fly closed, is pretty good. I bikepacked in below freezing overnight temperatures, and there was a bit of condensation at the foot of the tent, and overhead - even with the peak vents open and the cover unzipped. However, somecondensation is always expected when there is ice on the outside of the fly. 🥶 I highly recommend this tent for anyone looking to lighten their load backpacking or bikepacking. The tubular storage pack strapped down nicely on top of my handlebar dry bag. Well done, S2S!
Camped twice in this amazing tent. Once in a rainstorm. Kept me completely dry. The setup video on the Sea to Summit site is awesome on how to pitch it properly and once you've watched it a few times, setup is super easy. Only grip is the ties for the fly door opening are not elastic like they are for tent doors. Please please please make that change