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Despite my fondness for extended week-long treks and cross-country journeys, I still cherish the simplicity of brief overnight adventures close to home. For me, the allure of minimalist camping, carrying only the necessities, is just as exhilarating as a week-long hike. So, I was thrilled when Lifesystems approached me to try out their innovative Venture Solo Hooped Bivi, which promised …

It was an exciting day when the new MSR Hubba Hubba 1P Bikepacking tent arrived at the Ultralight Outdoor Gear HQ prior to its 2024 launch. Yes, it is a single occupancy Hubba Hubba, moving away from MSR’s historic names where the Hubba Hubba was a 2-person, Mutha Hubba, 3-person etc. This bikepacking tent will also be available in a 2-person version, which has 2 entrances, but it …

Big Agnes Copper Spur tents have been bestsellers at Ultralight since their introduction in 2008 and with good reason. For 2022, the Copper Spur received some new updates and the TGO Challenge was a great opportunity to put them to the test. The Copper Spur has evolved from the original design over the years with improvements and new features. Big Agnes works closely with Jake La …

After using a pyramid tent for the first time a few years ago this style of shelter quickly became a favoured choice of ours. Great for use with groups due to the abundance of headroom and space whilst keeping compact and fast to pitch. Used as simply a tarp over a bivy bag in bad weather, or a communal base for food prep and a chat of an evening. A walking pole can be used instead of a …

This is a tent we are certainly familiar with, having been one of the first pieces of kit we tested and  reviewed for UOG back in 2017. The Orion II UL is back with us again with a few updates for added strength and more liveable space internally. Previously we commented on how impressed we had been with the weather resistance of the  Orion II UL. The new DAC poles have b …

January 2023 graced us in the north east of England with a drop to sub-zero temperatures, a scattering of snow and a calm northerly wind blowing through. We can normally camp here year-round with 3-season kit, however when a wintry blast coincides with the arrival at Basecamp Gear of MSR’s new  Tindheim 2, 2 person, 3 season tunnel tent it seemed only right to take it for a n …

Combining the packability and lightweight design of a trekking pole tent with the durability and shear polish of a Hilleberg, the Anaris is a dream tent to some, myself included. I was an early adopter of the Anaris when it launched in 2020, and already familiar with  Hilleberg tents as, at the time, I was using a Soulo, so I could already attest to their craftsmanship. I had als …

I used the 2p version of this tent on a recent trip to Scotland, camping on the Kintail ridge in some wet and windy weather. The Hornet Elite tents are Nemo’s lightest series and as such have been designed with every aspect examined for weight and function. The first thing that strikes you about the  Hornet Elite is the high cut flysheet at one end, and in fact the flysheet is …

There was a lot of excitement in the office when this tent was first seen on a computer screen. There are many 2 person tents on the market that boast the same qualities that differentiate a bikepacking tent from a regular backpacking tent. The main differences being shorter poles and the ability to attach the tent to the bike. What distinguishes the  Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Bike …

The Hilleberg Soulo is well known for being a tough dependable tent able to withstand harsh weather conditions throughout all seasons. Although the Soulo has been around for quite a while now this is our first time using this shelter. Weight and the obviously high price tag have always been a reason for us to choose elsewhere. Although, from what we have been told from those who o …

I was off on a quick one-night visit to the lakes, my plan was to pitch late, leave early, bag a summit, then back home to feed the cats. So, I was travelling fast and light, I wanted to enjoy my time at camp, so wanted a roomie tent with some liveable features. We had just got the new  Dagger OSMO 2P Tent in stock, so it was perfect timing to try out this brand-new tent! I arriv …

When we first saw the specifications for the  Wechsel Bella tent we couldn’t wait to try one. There are so few freestanding tents with external poles that are also lightweight. On paper, the Bella looked like a perfect 3 season tent for the UK. The advantage with the use of external poles for the UK is the ability to pitch the tent as one. It’s often wet when camping in Northern …