THIS two-pole tunnel has additional uprights to create extended bedrooms vis-à-vis style each side of the central living area. Entry is via a large side door that rolls up out of the way. At each end is an apex vent under a guy-out cowl. Below this sits a zipped door to the underfly storage area located behind each inner tent. These can also be accessed from the inner tents through a small mesh door panel backed by a fabric ‘curtain’.

The outer seams have not been factory sealed as the fabric has a silicon coating. You can do this yourself or leave – there should be little leakage through the needle holes once the thread swells.

The tent comes with a cap for each pole. These cover the pole tunnel seams to keep water out and provide an extra guy point. Of course,  you can proof the seams and leave the caps behind.

Inside, there is no living area groundsheet. There is a surprising amount of headroom but this tapers off sharply in each inner tent. One inner extends into the living area to create the additional space for three people.

Inner tent space is tight and capacity appears to be based on a self-inflating mattress. The camper sleeping at the back may find things slightly claustrophobic...

Camping says The high price tag reflects the use of some very up-market materials to achieve a large, three-season tent that can be used in more ‘extreme’ conditions than those normally encountered by the average family. It also proves that there is a weighty cost to be paid when you apply technology to lightweight camping.

I am not too sure of the Space 5’s appeal. The brand name will undoubtedly attract new families from an outdoor pursuits background looking to maintain their image, but the tent is probably more suitable for groups taking part in activities.

I realise that this is a lightweight and low bulk tent but heavier options are often better when it comes to coping with the demands of family camping. And for the same price you can pick up three good two-man tents that may well prove better and more versatile for a group’s outdoor pursuits.

Should everthing be commercially viable? Sometimes it is nice to have a glorious celebration of design that uses top materials – and this could be one such tent. However, I would supplement those ultra-light titanium Vs and skewers with something that bites in bad conditions – after all, I want to keep my tent firmly down to earth.

FACTFILE

Price £750
Packed size 55cm x 25cm
Materials Outer Silicon-coated Watershed SL Ripstop nylon, 4,000mm hydrostatic head; Inner Breathable nylon; Groundsheet Waterbloc SL nylon; Poles DAC Featherlite 7001 aluminium alloy
Dimensions Outer 440cm x 260cm; Inner 150cm x 190cm; Height 190cm

Sleeps 5
Packed weight 5.39kg
Pitching time 10 minutes
Style Tunnel

CONTACT

Terra Nova
Tel 01773 837373
Web www.terra-nova.co.uk


This review was published in the June 2009 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.

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