Haven 2P

“The incredible space-to-weight ratio and a sturdy weatherproof design makes this one of the best tents I’ve ever used,” declares our Idaho tester. Consider the numbers: It weighs less than four pounds yet offers a whopping 56 square feet of space. A family of four slept comfortably in the Haven and still had space inside for stashing packs and boots. The design is a tarp/tent mash-up, with one arching central pole, a clip-in floor, and minimal bug protection (there’s an open, four-inch gap along the perimeter between the fly and floor). The latter makes this three-season shelter best for deserts and other trips (like fall in the mountains) when insects don’t swarm. Setup requires a few tries to learn the best staking arrangement (tip: first stake the four corners that are perpendicular to the crest pole, to form a “square,” then tack down the rest). The central pole curves from the head and foot ends, and is tensioned by eight stakes. Removing the floor creates an even more minimalist shelter and saves 15 ounces. Ventilation is outstanding, thanks to two zippered vents and the ground-level gap. Testers in Utah and in Montana’s Rattlesnake Wilderness experienced zero condensation – even during constant rainfall. Strong 30-mph gusts nudged (but didn’t collapse) the central pole, and the Haven held firm enough to let our tester sleep soundly through the storm. The large door at the head allowed testers to exit without crawling over their tentmates, and the generous peak height (45 inches) made this a comfy retreat when we sat out 12 hours of rain. There’s no vestibule, but no one complained.