Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2

[lightweight]

Sometimes the worst trips make for the best testing. Case in point: Our tester planned three days of ski touring in the Canadian Rockies, but ended up socked in the entire time. Just him (6’), his friend (5’8”), two 0°F sleeping bags, and lots of livability testing. “We logged long consecutive hours in this tent,” he says, “and I never felt that we were extremely cramped.” The 35.5-square-foot area isn’t extravagant for two, but the steep walls and 39.9-inch maximum height (sitting up is no problem) make it seem even larger.

The duo put the two vestibules to good use, digging out a snow shelf and designating the smaller rear vestibule for cooking, while using the larger (12.9-square-foot) front vestibule to keep all their gear under wraps. Snow flaps at both ends kept blowing snow from sneaking inside. The color-coded pitch proved simple and fast, and our tester raved about the lightweight Easton carbon poles, which use monofilament connectors rather than cold-sensitive elastic cord. Two long top vents, which are adjustable from the warmth of your sleeping bag, proved adequate to keep condensation from building up, even after many, many hours of accumulated breath. $725; $575 (aluminum poles); 8 lbs. 6 oz.; eastonmountainproducts.com