NEMO Equipment, Inc. Obi Elite 2P

[two-door featherweight]



Like the idea of a two-pound tent for two, but want two doors as well? Instead of cutting such conveniences, NEMO designers exploited weight-saving fabrics: The three-season shelter uses wispy 10-denier nylon for the fly and 20-denier for the floor, but their high tensile strength makes these fabrics as tough as some heavier materials—testers had no durability concerns after months of use.

Setup is simple, using one Y-shaped, hubbed pole. The fly features deep cutouts that shave weight and improve ventilation. Meanwhile, the bathtub floor reaches higher than most to block windblown rain and sand. “No condensation accumulated, even on humid nights,” reports our Washington tester, who used it in North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness. Strong gusts never rocked the Obi, though rain does drip inside when the vestibule is fully unzipped for stormy exits.

With no brow pole*, two 5’9”, 190-pound testers found the 28-square-foot interior cramped. But this tent is for those who care more about weight. $480; 2 lbs. 3 oz.; nemoequipment.com

*BROW POLE A short segment at the tent’s apex, often running perpendicular to the main poles, that pulls the walls out, increasing stability and interior elbowroomThe Obi Elite series are the lightest poled tents made by NEMO. Using the latest in ultralight textile technology, they posses nothing inessential and have been refined to a minimalist state by devoted study. They share the unique overhead pole hub configuration with Obi tents, creating more interior volume without the need for an additional ridge pole. The foot end is tensioned by a single pole, creating a tripod for support and shaving precious ounces. A raised waterproof tub floor allows cutouts in the fly to save significant weight while improving ventilation, and the generous vestibule space can be rolled back for maximum ventilation on starry nights.