[pct-l] Tent Report -- First Look

[reynolds@ilan.com]

Stephenson 2RSB
I weighed the Stephenson 2RS in its stuff sack with three (3) titanium tent
stakes. The tent is seam sealed. The manufacturer says a ground cloth is
NOT necessary. In short, I weighed this tent ready to go. Weight 3 pounds
4.2 ounces.

Size/Space
The tent will easily sleep two (2). It will fit two (2) 20" by 72" sleeping
pads. In a pinch the tent would sleep three (3).  The tent had a "Big Door"
entry. The larger entry looks really useful for wrestling two (2) packs
inside the tent. For a casual overnight you would stack two packs on top of
each other near the entrance, enter the tent, then rotate the packs to gain
some room. This would take some of the premo space at the high end but
would be no big deal for a simple overnight. If a duo was riding out a
storm, however, the packs ought to be transferred to the foot of the tent
that is narrower and lower. This would allow two people to sit up, cook
etc.

Winter Camping\Storm Worthiness
Stephenson bills his tent as a 4 season mountain tent capable of handling
120 mile winds. It looks more than capable. The silouette is like a bullet
train. The double wall desigh creates sort of a thermal window pane
insulating effect that should keep the tent warmer. Both layers extend
clear to the ground [as in any 4 season tent]. One problem with setting up
tents in a storm is setting the tent pegs. Stephenson has provided huge
loops that will accomodate boulders or logs. The loops are adjustable from
the inside meaning that you can retension the tent from the inside. A nice
touch. The desigenrs obviously understand storms.

Warm Weather Camping\Ventilation\Star Gazing.
There are two huge windows that cover over half the sidewall area and
extend to within a few inches of the top centerline. When completely open
the tent is essentially a noseeum mesh tent with a 12" strip of fabric down
the middle. The sky is almost completely visable from either side.
Ventilation is obviously surpeb. It is also possible to open the big door
and have a wonderful view of the sky but that exposes you to mosquitoes. In
warm rain the windows are opened to promote ventalation but the outer flaps
are extended like wings to stop rain from entering the windows. Stephenson
provides a sack suitable for  holding small rocks. This provides the anchor
point to spread the wings.

Workmanship/Reliability/Durability
It is clear from looking at the tent that quality control is excellent. The
new material used is silicone coated nylon that is used for parachutes. It
is ultra durable. Nylon thread is used for stitching. Stephenson has a well
deserved reputation for quality. It looks like this newer material will
even surpass the older urethane fabric that would easily last 10 years.

Downside
The cost approachs $600 or double most tents.

Summary
It is hard to imagine a better, lighter tent for two persons.


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