Backpacker 3/06 Alpinist 2P Tent

Best Buy

When you want a shelter that can stand up to mountain weather yet won’t weigh you down, pack this sub-5-pound single-wall. After a winter traverse of New Hampshire’s Presidential Range and a spring climb of California’s Mt. Shasta (see the full review, 2/05), our testers reported that the tent withstood strong winds and drifting snow, thanks to two crossed poles that thread through sleeves, a short bridge pole over the door, well-placed guyouts, and reinforcing straps connecting pole ends to stake loops. It collected no condensation on a calm, 20 degree F night with the door closed, thanks to three vents and Marmot’s waterproof/breathable MemBrain fabric. Good headroom and 88 inches of length made the Alpinist livable through a 15-hour storm. And the price is low for the category.