The Alpkit Tarpstar 2 is pyramid tarp tent with inner – a long-established design that excels in terms of weather resistance for the weight. It pitches with a single pole in the centre. You either need to use your own trekking pole or Alpkit’s carbon Vertex Tarp Pole (not included). One downside is that, if using the tent with the inner, the bottom of the pole has to rest on the groundsheet floor with minimal reinforcement – and it’s a bit awkward to pitch, because the pole has to go inside the inner.
Alex Roddie’s verdict
This tent’s strengths are unbeatable inner space, very low weight and pack size. It would be ideal for backpacking in sheltered valley sites if you know you’ll never need to cook inside your tent.- Living space
- Simple design
- Lightweight
- Small pack size
- No porch
- Flappy in high winds
- Awkward to pitch
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £179.99 Weight: 1.19kg Pitching: fly first Flysheet: 20D polyester ripstop sil/PU 3,000mm HH Inner: 20D nylon ripstop Groundsheet: 20D nylon ripstop sil/PU 3,000mm HH Poles: trekking pole or 13.5mm carbon Vertex Tarp Pole (not included) Pegs: 12x alloy V angle pegs Porches: none Inner dimensions: 200x250x130cm alpkit.com |
The flysheet, which can be easily pitched alone as a tarp, offers massive interior coverage. Wind resistance is, unfortunately, not as good as other pyramids I’ve used, because the edges of the tarp are cut flat – no catenary curve to take in slack. It can be flappy in high winds.
The mesh inner has a good bathtub groundsheet but sits very close to the flysheet, which means that condensation can drip through. There is no porch. The inner extends all the way to the edge of the door.
This tent’s strengths are unbeatable inner space, very low weight and pack size. It would be ideal for backpacking in sheltered valley sites if you know you’ll never need to cook inside your tent. But there are better options for mountain use.
