You feel free and secure in this tent: Telos TR2 from Sea to Summit

When the Australians announce a new tent, one can be curious. A feature of the Telos TR2 from Sea to Summit lives up to the company name: the tent can also be set up as a shade to provide shade - it can be used from the beach to the summit. But one after the other. In this article we take a closer look at the tent and test the Telos for you in the mountains over the next few days (second article follows).

We grabbed the tent and first of all did the dummy test: How well can the tent be set up without any prior knowledge and without studying the operating instructions? We just get started in an evening clearing in the forest. Dusk falls, without a headlamp you can soon see nothing and the Bise winds up. We want to make it as early as possible. Building instructions are ideally printed on the bag in which the tent is stowed - but just: we deliberately look the other way, want to get it done without.

Construction made easy

That works very well. When putting together the rods (all in one piece) you can't go wrong. Then the intuition follows the color markings on the flaps and the inner tent is up and running in no time. The clip fasteners with which the inner tent is attached are just as self-explanatory as the alignment of the outer shell (again color markings). But then we notice our first and only mistake: The frame is upside down, which prevents us from hanging the outer shell in the center. We also notice that the crossbar is not building up enough tension. It is quickly turned the right way round and now the tent is stretched with its pretty shoulders.

Dummy test passed: the Telos can be set up intuitively.

Just in time for dark, the tent offers the longed-for protection from the now cool wind. The tent passed the dummy test excellently, even if we wouldn't call ourselves the absolute beginners. Nevertheless: if you have already set up one or the other tent, you will get the Telos right away.

Spacious awning area on both sides

Inside, it's not too spacious for two people at first. But you quickly recognize the advantage: you are automatically directed to an order and a strategy that is necessary anyway. Anything that does not need to go into the inner tent for peaceful relaxation stays outside. The entrance areas, which are spacious on both sides, offer enough space for this. You can comfortably take off your dirty shoes while you are already sitting in the inner tent. All you need inside are a mat, sleeping bag, pillow and a book for the bedtime story.

No traffic jams thanks to the large openings on both sides.

The generous openings on both sides are not only a big plus for getting in and out. They also give you the feeling of being quick and close to the fresh air, which arouses a feeling of security and freedom at the same time. Practically while lying down, the cloth can be opened, tied up at the side and thus has a clear view of the surroundings on both sides. A bit like a car with double doors. In a few simple steps, the bulkheads are tight again and convey the pleasant feeling of total isolation from the outside world.

It all comes down to air circulation

But not in such a way that you have to worry about not getting enough air or drowning in condensation. STS promises up to 70% more efficient air circulation thanks to the tent architecture. Since the outer shell does not reach the floor, fresh air is drawn in when the heated indoor air rises (baseline vent). The circulation can be controlled comfortably lying down by defining the opening (apex vent) via a zipper on the gable.

The interaction between the large openings, baseline vent and apex vent results in a very sophisticated air circulation that efficiently removes moisture. If you like it even more airy or move into quarters on hot summer nights, you can tie up the outer shell as desired or just set up the inner tent, for example as a mosquito protection.

As soon as the tent is up, you might ask yourself: where to put the bags, in which inner tent, outer tent and poles were stowed? First of all, you have to say: all individual parts come in a separate bag, which makes it possible to distribute the tent over several backpacks. You can also conveniently tie the three individual packages into one.

True to maximum recovery, the bags do not need to be cleared away, they can be converted inside to store materials and lamps. The frame comes with a milky plastic film that you should never throw away as supposed packaging! The film can be hung in the gibel together with the bag, now just insert the headlamp and the ceiling lamp is ready.

Our Conclusion

The Telos is a very versatile, lightweight tent that has been well thought out in every detail and is ideally suited for two people. The interior may be a bit cozy, but there is enough storage space in the awning. The architecture is clever, tension comes onto the canvas without having to knock in a lot of pegs or unfasten cords.

The assembly is intuitive and requires a few simple steps. Great importance is attached to air circulation, which gives a feeling of being close to the open sky. On the other hand, the Telos shouldn't be the first choice for too stormy nights. The possibility of building the outer shell into a beach shelter with the help of hiking sticks suggests that the Telos comes into its own on a rather leisurely leisure excursion. It is advertised as a 3-season tent.

Technical details

  • 3-season tent for 2 people (there is also the TR3 for 3 people)
  • Outer and inner tent can be set up individually or in combination
  • Y-shaped pole end in the head and foot area for vertical tent walls and maximum volume
  • Outer tent: silicone / polyurethane-coated 15D Ultra-Sil-Nylon, inner tent: 15D nylon mesh, water column: 1mm
  • Tent floor: 20D nylon, water column: 2mm
  • Dimensions: 134 x 109 x 215 cm
  • Maximum interior height: 102 cm

You might be interested in:

News

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.

Elias Iagnemma climbs Burden of Dreams (9A)

Elias Iagnemma repeats Burden of Dreams in Lappnor and secures the fourth ascent of the world's first 9A boulder.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter now and stay up to date.

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.