Camping gear - Tent

I never camped before, so this is my first tent.

I will be using it alone. But I still needed it to be big enough so I can change my clothes and roll/unroll sleeping pad and sleeping bad in it, if it is raining. I have seen few one-man tents, and I found it too small for my needs. I could sleep in one man tent, but I am not sure if I could change my clothes in it. Also, I wanted more room under vestibules for clothes, helmet, boots etc. So I was going for 2-man tent. 

I will use this tent only for motor bike camping. So low weight and, more important, small packing size, were a must. Even if few cm's longer or shorter pack doesn't sound like it will make much difference, I learned to appreciate all volume savings when I pack my bike. 

Browsing internet, I have found reviews of many great tents, but either they were not available in this part of Europe (high shipping costs and import duty taxes) or they were too expensive (like tents available through Touratech). Locally, most outdoor shops sell Ferrino gear. I have some of their stuff (fleece, pants), and I am happy with it. 

Three Ferrino tents were interesting to me. All in 200 EUR range, 2-man, small packing. First was Lightent 2 - very light and small packing, but I didn't liked the construction and shape - I prefer self-standing tents. Next was Phantom 2 - just what I was looking for. I almost took it, but then Nemesi 2 caught my eye. Phantom 2 and Nemesi 2 are very similar, and according to Ferrino specifications, Phantom 2 packs a bit smaller 14x36 cm against Nemesi 2's 14x34. But when I compared those two tents at the shop, packed Nemesi 2 was smaller. That, and discount offered for Nemesi 2, made my mind.

So, Ferrino Nemesi 2 tent. It weights 2.1 kg, which really isn't much, if it will be carried on the motorcycle. It packs small - according to specifications 14x36 cm's, but it packs smaller. I am noob camper, but I manage to pack it in 14x34 very easily and on the field. I am sure it can be packed even smaller. Although, there is pocket for poles that sticks out of those 14x34 by 3 cm's - pictures below are self explanatory. 

Somehow I managed to pack tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, sleeping bag liner and cooking equipment in one Wolfman Expedition Dry Saddle bag, but I may change my packing setup. More details on how I pack here. But all in all, I am very happy with weight and packing size of this tent.

It has two layers. First layer, actually inner tent, is made of fire retardant mosquito net with floor in  fire retardant polyester, waterproof to 3000 mm. Mosquito layer proved its worth as it kept all bugs outside. Outer layer is made of Ripstop polyester, waterproof to 3000 mm, with fire retardant treatment. All seams on waterproof areas are taped. Both layers are thin and light, yet feels strong. All stitches and seams looks well made. Time will tell. I like having two layers - I usually find condensation on inside of outer layer in the morning. If I had only one layer, I would have to avoid touching inside of my tent to prevent that condensation dripping on me.   

It sets up very easily. Duraluminum poles are all connected with elastic band and they form "Y" shape. Inner tent is hooked to poles with cool little plastic hooks. Then this inner tent is covered by outer layer and fixed with aluminum pegs. For all of us not reading instructions on time, instructions are sewn to the inside of pack bag. Very convenient. But setting it up is really easy and straightforward, instructions are needed only first time. It actually takes just 5-7 minutes to set it up.

Ferrino boys and girls made nice video with assembly instruction.

Regarding sizing - I found it big enough for my needs. There are two entrances and two vestibules on each side. Entrances open fully, so it is easy to get in or out. Each side of vestibules can be rolled up and hooked. Under one vestibule I found enough room for enduro style boots, jacket, pants and chest guard. Inside there is plenty of room for one man to sleep. I kept my helmet inside, to keep it out of range of bugs and ants. I managed to get undressed and dressed inside. Here are dimensions from Ferrino.

Overall, I felt OK in it. So far, I spent only few nights in it, and weather was nice, so I can't say how it acts under heavy rain or strong winds. But its worth of mentioning that we camped on summits and it was a bit windy, but tent stood very secure. 

Outer layer has two ventilation outlets I found very useful on hot nights. Even with ventilation outlets close, it feels like tent is very breathable - I found that very important, as fresh air is one of main reasons I like back country and mountains. Ventilation outlet can be seen on picture below. 

What surprised me most was how it is easy to pack it. It takes more time to pack it then to set it up, but still that is in 10 minute range. Just remove outer layer, fold it. Remove poles. Fold inner layer and place it over outer layer. Place pegs in the middle. Then just roll it together. Packing bag is roomy enough, so rolled tent easily slips in. Then just place poles in pocket and compress it with straps sewn on outside of the bag and that's it. Even on first time I managed to do it without trouble. Picture bellow is taken when it was new, but it isn't hard to achieve this size of rolled tent even on the field. Pegs are inside rolled tent. 

As I said, I spent only few nights in it, but so far I am very happy with it - small packing size, light, very easy to set up and to pack, roomy enough so I can change my clothes in it, vestibules for storing gear, large openings, ventilation, mosquito net, waterproof, fire retardant. I don't see what else I could ask for. 

As I spend more time camping I will update this blog. I am looking forward to spent few rainy nights in it.

And picture for the end, camp site on Stara planina mountain.