The BEST Luxury Lightweight Tent...... ALTO TR2 Tent Review - (SEA TO SUMMIT)

ALTO TR2 is a two person semi-freestanding tent weighing only 1.3 kilos including all components, inner tent, fly sheet, poles, pegs, guy ropes, and all stuff sacks. Due to the unique design of the poles the volume of space to weight ration is an outstanding feature of this tent. it is the ridge poles above the tent that provides the additional head room. This overall tent is 4.3 square metres in volume with significant headroom.

[@mrmods7912]

I thought the fly was colour coded at the Clip ends? There shouldnt be a problem when attaching it to the cross pole the right way!

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes that's right, they are colour coded at the clip ends. However, when you first get the fly sheet out of the bag your mainly concentrating on getting it attached to the cross pole before attaching the fly at ground level, therefore I've found it easier in the manner I describe. But I have to say, I don't make that clear and on reflection maybe I should have also emphasised the point you're making as well. Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate the point you are making. Cheers, Nigel

[@cubgsan]

Good day to you ! I am an old man enjoying touring and camping with small HONDA Super cub bike. I watched your nice tent review ! It is so nice review ! I want to get light weight tent for bike touring . Thank you for sharing ! Have a nice day my friend !!

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks for the wonderful comment,, I really appreciate it. Hope you have great adventures 😁⛺️👍🏼

[@bamchaova]

Thank you for the review! I just bought this tent and this video really helps me a lot!

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad it was helpful! Really appreciate you sharing that piece of info. Hope you have great adventures with the tent, cheers Nigel

[@doblist]

Thank you for your great review - it made my decision easier. Yesterday I ordered the plus version of the Alto tr2. I'll do my first test next week

[@AmblingTrails]

Great decision, in some ways I wish I had ordered the plus version. Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. Cheers

[@andreamckay7085]

Great review, really like how you’ve used the set-up stages to dissect the qualities of the tent. Thanks

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joshuajcoates]

Thanks for the review of this! Great video

[@AmblingTrails]

Glad you appreciate the video, thanks for watching.

[@trytheoutdoors]

lovely job. Thank you.

[@AmblingTrails]

Thank you too! Appreciate the watch and comment, cheers

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thank you so much for your review.

[@AmblingTrails]

You’re welcome, hope it was helpful.

[@VadrouillesAttentives]

Seems very similar to the Big Agnes "Copper Spur HV UL2", which is a great tent (and 100% free standing). Thanks for the video 👍

[@AmblingTrails]

Totally agree, this just as a few more bells and whistles but basically the same. Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching 🏕👍🏼

[@sniffmatip3865]

Im going to get the plus version, it'll be used in Scottish Highlands interested if the plus is the rite version to get though as im concerned about condensation i use a down sleeping bag and don't want it to get damp.

[@AmblingTrails]

Totally understand your concerns, but I think the plus version is needed for the UK. I used the non plus version for a trip to Turkey and that was fine, but I do find it a bit chilly when I was testing it in the UK. Obviously, difficult for me to comment on condensation on the plus version, but I've not seen any negative notes anywhere regarding condensation on the plus. From memory, in the comments section of this video, I've had at least two viewers saying there were going to buy the plus version having seen this video. You could respond to their comment and ask if they have had any problems. Thanks for watching, if you do buy, please let me know how you get on, or if you buy an alternative, I would also be interested. Thanks for watching, have a great Christmas and great adventures in the New Year.

[@titanbengal]

Thanks for the review. I'm considering purchasing this myself but also like the berghaus grampian 2. Which one would you recommend?

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Shaun, thanks for the question. Really these two tents perform very different functions and this is mainly driven by weight. The Berghaus weights about 4k whilst the ALTO 2 is 1.3Kilos. If If it was just a choice between these two, I would go for the Berghaus for car camping and the Alto for lightweight camping. However, if given a choice for car camping I would probably explore the TELSO TR2 or 3 with the plus version. Just another point, if you do decide on the ALTO 2 and you only intend to use this in this country I would possible consider the plus version. I've bought the non plus version, as intend to use in hotter climates later on in the year. Cheers

[@titanbengal]

@@AmblingTrails many thanks for your detailed reply and very much appreciated . I will let you know what tent I purchase but at the moment I really do like the berghaus grampian 2.

[@nigelbowen206]

Thanks for a great review, I have been looking at the MSR Hubba Hubba but I have been put off with some of the material issues, I'm also looking at other options like walking pole tents such as the Lanshan pro, there so many options out there lol. To date what would be your two man options as I like a little bit of space. Nigel

[@AmblingTrails]

H Nigel, just in case you've not seen my Hubba Nx review, link is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6nTeX2Nh9ahpsk I think the material issues were sometime ago and as far as I could see these issues have been resolved. Obviously, time will tell, and I will do a long term review in the future but for now that possibly a year off. Also, they do give lifetime guarantee and again they do seem to have a good reputation is this respect. I've used the retailer Ultralight outdoor gear and their customer services department is pretty good at solving these kind of issues if they arise. In terms of which 2 person tent, I think for me the choice would be the ALTO TR2, I think the Hubba is little more stable in high winds being a full self standing tent but I prefer the lightweightness of this tent, if I'm doing a long distances trail. Interestingly, I'm starting to explore the world of trekking pole tents. If you go to my Community Tab, there is a few responses there from viewers about trekking pole tents as that was the specific question and there is some support for the Lanshan Pro. In the end, I've ordered a custom tent from a Scottish manufacture Trekker Tents. Also, for the first time ever, I'm entering the world of DCF material, but they do also use normal tent material as standard and the prices seem pretty reasonable. Apparently, the lead time on the tent is 4 - 5 weeks, so I have about another 3 - 4 weeks before it arrives. However, in the past they had a bit of reputation re promises on least time so interested to see what happens. Luckily, I have sufficient tents in reserve :) in case of delays. As you say there are too many options! Best of luck with your eventual choice, happy to help if you need any further info. Cheers Nigel

[@nigelbowen206]

@@AmblingTrails Thank you so much for all your help, I will continue watching your videos, looking forward to seeing the Trekker pole tent option. Nigel

[@johnnyontrails]

Great review ! Looking at this tent for bikepacking..curious on the actually length of poles when callapes?

[@AmblingTrails]

Good question, my difficulty is that I’m wild camping on the Lycian Way in Turkey. However, the measuring app on my iPhone (first time I’ve used it, so caution!) says 52cm, which feels about right. But happy to measure again when I get home in a few weeks time. Also, if thinking of getting this tent for UK use, best get the plus version, the non plus is more for hotter climes. Hope that helps and thanks for watching and I enjoyed the question 🏕👍🏼

[@johnnyontrails]

@@AmblingTrails good to know ! Thanks…have a good time! 👍

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi John, just thought I would mention I've seen that Sea to Summit have now created a tent specific to bike packing - Telos TR2 Bikepack Tent, packed pole length 30cm.

[@richardmbarrelmaker]

As always a good and useful video. BTW what shoes were you wearing in it?

[@AmblingTrails]

Must admit this was a while back so not totally sure but I would think I was wearing Topo’s (near zero drop shoe).

[@richardmbarrelmaker]

@@AmblingTrails Great , thanks

[@annika2437]

Thats the guide i was looking for😂

[@AmblingTrails]

I thought so!

[@xxMagicMike]

I know this is a big ask for an light tent. But do you think I would be able to squeeze in 2 people and a dog within this one

[@AmblingTrails]

As you say, a big ask for a lightweight tent, but there is a little depends in the answer. Because it is a two person tent it has two vestibules for the two door openings. If the dog is smallish I think it would be OK in one of the vestibules. If you check the seas to summit website they do have the measurements of the floor space for the inner and outer tent, so you would be better informed. Also, like the inside of the tent, there certainly would be enough head room for a dog! Hope that helps, and happy to answer further questions. BTW they do a similar tent for three people Telos TR3, obviously heavier and overall not as lightweight but in the circumstances you describe, I would certainly consider reviewing the tent.

[@vlcoates01]

I completely forgot about the fly sheet and thought it was a see through tent! Definitely much better with the fly sheet

[@AmblingTrails]

It could be the 'Emperors new clothes' or tent! Agree better with the fly, thanks for watching (....and commenting) Cheers

[@mrmods7912]

Apart from the weight, everything about this tent is just a gimmick! The HH of this tent is a complete joke for the UK climate. Great video!

[@AmblingTrails]

I tend to agree, ended up mainly using this tent for a trek on the Lycian Way in Turkey, where I needed volume and low weight. All the gimmicks were 'nice to have' but not necessarily needed and I did wonder a few times what the weight could have been without those. Thanks for the comment and watch. Cheers, Nigel

[@zoickn]

That pole holder easily break into pieces.

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Kenz, I've had the tent for over 18 months now and the pole holder has not been a problem, and I have used it very extensively durning that time. Just wondering if you are speaking from experience or have had a problem with similar set ups?

[@zoickn]

@@AmblingTrails good to know 👍

[@trytheoutdoors]

Hi Nigel I've been enjoying your videos. Thank you. I know you use the Lightwave sigma as your small, cosy winter tent. I thought you'd you appreciate a link to Snowy matrix's experience who suffered a broken strap. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZjEoqigprKsqNU Do you still use the sea to summit as your 3 season tent? I'm looking for a lightweight 3 season tent for thru hiking and mountain wild camping. I have a scarp 1 which is a great all rounder but a bit heavy at 1.4kg. I also have a Dan Durston xmid 1p which is an absolute joy to use at just under 1kg. But just having finished the Tour de Mont Blanc, we struggled to pitch non- self standing tents due to thin soil. It left me thinking that a light-weight, self-standing tent is worth exploring _ sometimes wild camping near the tops of mountains with thin soil means pegging in is tough. But could this self-standing alto tr2 sea to summit tent cope with high wind and rain or is it just for below the tree line in a sheltered pitch? Rgds Imran

[@AmblingTrails]

Hi Imran, thanks for sharing the interesting thoughts and link. As it happens, Snowy and I have have conversed about the Sigma's. His version in the video is the 1.5 whilst mine is the strictly 1 person tent. Snowy was now thinking of moving to the 1 version as he thinks the 'strap' that is the signature of the 1.5 is it's weak point. I nearly bought the 1.5 but knowing I was going to use it mainly for winter, I decided the smaller the better, but it was a very near thing but so glad I stuck to my desire to get the 1. Certainly, no regrets on this tent and I've used it extensively. However, from reading other reviews it does seem to be like marmite!! I love the Alto but with further extensive use I've decided that it's best as a below the tree line tent. But I do wonder if the one person version would cope better. As it happens I'm now on the look out for a one person mountain 3 season tent at about 1k to do some 'fast packing'. Also, I need a tent that does not use 'trekking poles' as these tend to complicate matters when I'm filming. So as it happens, I think we are looking for the same thing but for slightly different reasons! Cheers Nigel

[@trytheoutdoors]

Thanks. Yes, it seems we are hunting for the same thing: a strong, spacious lightweight mountain tent for thru hiking...for around 1kg. I guess the reason for you not settling with your sigma 1p is the lack of space (even though, as you explain, this becomes a plus point in winter by reducing the size of the micro climate to be heated up by the camper). Space is also important for me as during the thru hike you may be confined for long periods in the tent due to weather...and it's just easier to live and organise. Your desire not to use walking poles rules out the Dan Durston x mid ( which I repeat is a wonderful tent). Are you also looking for a free standing tent (I dread thin soil sites) or would a hooped ridge pole tent be ok for you? The Big Agnes 1p tents seem popular (Copper Spur, Tiger Wall and Fly Creek) but for me a disadvantage is that they are inner pitch first...although sometimes by using the footprint and fly it can become an outer pitch first tent. I would also question whether the Big Agnes tents are mountain tents having read some reviews. So where does his leave us? :)

[@AmblingTrails]

Yes that's correct, lack of space is the main reason. I actually, did own a Big Agnes 1 person, I think it was the Copper Spur and it will appear in some of my earlier videos. However, the only thing I liked about the tent was the weight. I don't think it's good for the UK weather, it's certainly not a mountain tent! Also, they don't seem to do green tents, which I certainly require. Yep, bit of a dilemma, but I'm sure we will find something in the end :)

[@trytheoutdoors]

Have you heard of the kuiu mountain star? It's a / 4 season self standing hunting tent which is around 1.4kg Pricey though!!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5TJi4F4ltWmi68 I'm not sure about roomy mountain tent exists at 1kg. Looking at the Ultralight Outdoors website, 1p mountain tents at or under 1 kg tend to be quite small. Then there is the vargo 2p no fly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJLWe59oeN19Y5o A robust self standing tent at 1.3kg The hunt continues...

[@AmblingTrails]

Thanks for the link to Kuiu in particular, as not come across those guys previously. Pity they don't do a roomy 1 person version of the tent, just to bring the weight down a bit. However, I am considering buying one of their warm weather hoodies. Also, I've been asked by my daughter to source a tent for her, broadly similar to our hunt but happy with one person configuration. Came across a tent named Bella, which is 1.5 size on the ultralight outdoor gear website. Interested in your thoughts on that. The Vango seems similar to the Sigma, other than the freestanding element, not convinced by the video, and there seems to be some unanswered questions against the review. Will be interested to see if you get a reply. The hunt continues...