The Alto TR2 tent offers a compelling blend of ultralight weight and spacious comfort, making it an ideal choice for three-season backpacking adventures. Weighing in at a mere 1.3 kilos, this two-person tent defies expectations by providing ample interior volume, surpassing many competitors in its weight class. Its innovative design features, including a unique light bar system and cleverly integrated packing system, enhance both usability and convenience. This review delves into the performance and practicality of the Alto TR2, exploring its strengths and addressing minor drawbacks to provide a comprehensive assessment for prospective buyers.From its lightweight DAC poles to its thoughtfully designed vestibule, the Alto TR2 prioritizes both efficiency and comfort. This review examines the tent's setup, stability, ventilation, and overall build quality, offering detailed insights into its performance in various camping conditions. We'll analyze the included accessories, such as pegs and guy lines, and discuss the tent's suitability for different backpacking styles and preferences. Ultimately, we aim to determine whether the Alto TR2 truly lives up to its promise of lightweight luxury for three-season camping.
Read more: 5 Best Family Camping Tents for Your Next Adventure
Weight and Volume: A Perfect Balance
The Alto TR2, a two-person tent, boasts an impressively low weight of just 1.3 kilos. This featherlight design doesn't compromise on space; its architecture provides ample volume inside, a crucial feature for three-season camping where you appreciate extra room.
For three-season use, this generous interior is ideal for comfortable living on the trail. In contrast, four-season tents prioritize minimal volume to maximize the effectiveness of body heat for warmth.
The weight-to-volume ratio feels just right. It's lightweight enough for backpacking but spacious enough for comfortable camping.
Packability and Setup
The tent's ingenious packing system uses hooks for efficient compression. While these hooks are convenient, a single user might find them redundant and prefer to remove them.
Separate stuff sacks for the inner and outer tent are a welcome feature. I always use a separate, waterproof stuff sack for the flysheet. The included sack is slightly too large for my preference.
The pole sleeves are cleverly designed and can even be used as a light diffuser (light bar), a unique feature.
Pegs and Poles
The tent comes with ten lightweight DAC poles, connected by elastic cords, fitting easily into most backpacks.
The included pegs are standard aluminum, a decent quality but I personally find their color makes them difficult to spot in the ground. I prefer to use them for corner pegs and supplement with brighter-colored pegs from other tents.
The peg bag features a separate compartment for guy ropes and a repair kit - a practical inclusion.
Assembly and Features
The Alto TR2 is semi-freestanding, meaning you need to peg at least one end for stability. Pegging all four corners is recommended for optimal stability.
Color-coded poles and attachments simplify the assembly process. The innovative design of the pole system makes setup quick and intuitive.
The inner tent features mesh pockets on either side, although their placement isn't ideal in my view. There is plenty of room for a footprint and sleeping mat.
Flysheet and Ventilation
The flysheet is color-coded, but its orientation isn't immediately obvious, a minor inconvenience requiring a bit of trial-and-error. It clips onto the poles easily.
The tent has ample ventilation provided by two-way zipped vents accessible from both inside and out. Rain can sometimes collect at the top of the vents.
The flysheet uses a tension ridge design, easily adjusted from inside or out via the guy lines, with the flysheet itself clipping onto the poles for simplicity.
Vestibule and Overall Impression
The vestibule is remarkably spacious, easily accommodating two large backpacks and additional gear. It's also suitable for cooking.
The tent’s unique light bar design provides significant headroom and shoulder room, a significant upgrade from my previous full-season tent.
The overall build quality, lightweight design and spaciousness for its size make it a top contender for three-season camping.
Conclusion: Is the Alto TR2 Worth It?
The Alto TR2 excels in its lightweight yet spacious design, perfect for three-season adventures. The innovative features, like the light bar and easy setup, enhance the overall camping experience.
While minor issues like peg visibility and flysheet orientation require some adjustment, they don't detract significantly from the tent's positive attributes. The generous interior and impressive weight-to-volume ratio are major selling points.
Overall, the Alto TR2 is a high-quality, luxury lightweight tent, highly recommended for those prioritizing space and weight in their three-season camping setup. Despite some minor drawbacks, its strengths clearly outweigh its weaknesses.