Bergans of Norway Helium
If low weight is your prime tent priority, put this shelter at the top of your shopping list.
Brand: Bergans of Norway
Model: Helium
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If low weight is your prime tent priority, put this shelter at the top of your shopping list. It’s barely more than four pounds, but makes no compromises in terms of protection. When 30-mph winds in Colorado’s Park Range blasted the Skyledge with rain, this freestanding dome barely shuddered—and kept the interior dry during soggy entrances (the fly’s drip line prevents water from funneling inside the open doors).
This year’s model has key updates: Designers relocated the Jake’s Foot attachment from the tent body to the footprint, enabling campers to pitch the fly first, keeping the canopy dry in rain. A transparent fly porthole brightens the interior. And ventilation is good: On nights in the 30s in Tasmania’s Walls of Jerusalem National Park, condensation collected only inside the fly. The floor’s 70-denier fabric acts like armor against sharp pebbles, while the fly’s 20-denier nylon trims weight in less abrasion-prone areas. But size before you buy: While headroom is good with a 45-inch peak height, floor space is tight for three adults (three sleeping pads barely fit across the narrow floor). $550; 4 lbs. 2 oz.; mountainhardwear.com
Helium Dome is a dome tent for year round use and is made of solid Ripstop Nylon. This tent was Cecilie Skogâs first choice for crossing the Antarctic. The tent is self-supporting and has two doors. Good ventilation is secured by large ventilation openings in the top and along the ground on the bottom. Helium Dome has large storm flaps and with a great number of guylines. The inner tent is fitted with large storage pockets, drying loft and doors with mosquito nets.