The Saor is a completely freestanding lightweight dome tent, handmade by Marc at Trekkertent. It’s the only Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) tent in this test, a material which is very light and strong and absorbs almost no water. This is the new, easier to pitch iteration of the Saor.
After pegging out the 4 corners, 2 poles cross in the centre and slot into corner pockets. The fly is then clipped onto the frame. There are a further 6 guying points – 2 on the longer sides, and 4 more at the corners which can either be wrapped around the poles for rigidity at half height, or (more conventionally) tied to the corner loops at ground level. Either way, once fully guyed out, this is a four-season shelter and very weather worthy.
David Lintern’s Best in Test
This is a superb shelter for nearly every eventuality. Just remember to buy some pegs to go with it.- Weight
- Space
- Weather resistance
- Price
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £732 Weight: 1163 (not including pegs) Pitching: fly first, or as a unit Flysheet: 0.8 oz DCF, 20,000mm Hydrostatic head (silnylon also available) Inner: solid with mesh door, breathable ripstop nylon with DWR (mesh also available) Groundsheet: Silpoly PU 4000, a silicone/PU blend, 4,000mm Hydrostatic head Poles: 2x 8mm DAC Pegs: none supplied Porches: 1 Inner Dimensions: length 265cm, height 90cm, width 85cm www.trekkertent.com |
The inner hangs in the rear of the shelter via simple bungee attachments points. It’s solid nylon with a mesh door, 2 small pockets and a hang loop, and offers ample room to sit up and move around. The vestibule runs the whole length of one side and is enormous. The dome structure means high walls so it’s easy to set up a stove safely. A large beak and a 2-way, weather resistant zip conspire to provide plentiful ventilation even in the wet. The door can be opened fully or halfway, or zipped in the other direction altogether to create a ‘window’.
It’s a simple and very effective design that is light, strong and packs down small yet provides real comfort at camp. It’s ideal for gravel bars, coastal camping, and snowy camps where pegging points can be of variable quality. Outside of bug season, it would easily sleep two people without an inner.
I’d change only 1 minor thing. My inner was also a little baggy at the rear, something easily fixed with a single extra bungee tie. The maker tells me he’s changed the inner fabric since for one with more stretch and less sag. Regardless of such a small detail, this is a superb shelter for nearly every eventuality. Just remember to buy some pegs to go with it.
