AT first glance, the Robens Atmos looks like a throwback to a bygone era of backpacking, when state of the art lightweight tents were all ridge models, and a slope towards the tail signified reduced weight and improved efficiency in windy conditions. But then you look at the spec – 20D Ripstop Nylon, siliconised on the outside and PU coated on the underside, would have been but a dream in the 1970s or 80s.

In fact, what gives the Atmos its charm also provides a clue to its ridiculous light weight. Working on the basis that most backpackers tend to use trekking poles these days (if not, why not?), the tent has been designed to be supported by those self same poles.

You get the lightest configuration with two campers sharing, as you can then use two sets of poles. One pair adjusted to full length straddles the tent in the middle, while the collapsed other pair supports each end, giving you a trimmed-down tent weight of 1.56 kilos. Solo backpackers need not head off to the shops for an extra pair of trekking poles, however, as the Atmos comes equipped with two short conventional poles to use as alternative uprights at each end.

Pitching is straightforward. With your trekking poles at full stretch, the handles fit into pockets located on the top of the ridge, with clips to attach the tent lower down. There are Nylon straps with ferrules at ground level, but it will depend on what type of pole you have as to whether the tips actually locate in them. Not that this matters that much – just let your poles do what they’re good at, which is digging into the ground. With your uprights in place, pegging out each end provides the tension to keep it all standing. All the pegging loops are adjustable, with easy to grab pullers.

There’s just a single side entrance, zipped up the line of the adjacent pole. The toggles that tie the door back incorporate cord grips, which is just as well because siliconised Nylon has the tendency to unroll itself and sag through even the tiniest amount of free space. The big plus with the flysheet fabric is that the coating repels water better than the proverbial duck’s back, while the PU underside allows the seams to be tape sealed.

The porch runs the full length of the tent, with half of it not impeding access to the inner. If that isn’t enough storage space, you can also unzip panels at each end of the inner to access the under-fly spaces beyond.

Compared with tunnel or dome-shaped tents, there’s not so much space in the Atmos. But if you’re happy to compromise a little, the big advantage is a super-lightweight tent with a lot more packing flexibility than a model with a full set of poles.


MORE INFORMATION

Dimensions Outer 300cm x 170cm Inner 220cm x 110cm (95cm)
Packed size 40cm x 13cm
Materials Outer HydroTex XTL with sealed seams (20D Ripstop Nylon, siliconised outside, PU-coated inside) Hydrostatic Head: 1,500 mm Inner Ripstop breathable polyester Groundsheet 40D PU-coated polyester, 5,000 mm Poles Four trekking poles – not supplied (9.2 mm end pole sections provided for solo use)
Expect to pay £239.99 


Sleeps 2
Packed weight 1.65kg
Pitching time 5 minutes
Style Sloping ridge



CONTACT

Robens
Tel 0151 645 2278 for stockists • Web www.robens.de/en/products/tentstarpswindscreens/tents/xtralite/atmos.aspx


This review was published in the May 2011 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.