Gear Review: EMS Velocity 2 Tent

Even if you never camp for more than a night or two at a time, your tent is still a key product when it comes to saving weight—and staying comfortable. So if you’re going to spend a little extra, do it here. This two-person, double-wall shelter delivers a weight-to-space ratio that’s competitive with more expensive models, with no compromise in protection or ease of use.

My partner and I (both under six feet) comfortably waited out a deluge at the foot of Mt. Rainier, thanks to ample elbow- (29.8 square feet) and headroom (39-inch peak height). And when the wind kicked up to 25 mph, the Velocity didn’t budge or flap. The color-coded hubbed pole system makes setup a snap (I never even glanced at the instructions), and the ball-and-socket corner pieces let you instantly snap the pole ends securely into place.

Condensation was a nonissue, thanks to the all-mesh canopy and closable vents placed high in the vestibules. And two vestibules are spacious enough to store gear (stacked) with enough room left over for cooking on the Eta Solo (above). Nitpick: From inside the tent, it’s a stretch to reach the zipper on the vestibule door. $299; 4 lbs. 8 oz.; ems.com.