Description
Terra Nova Wild Country Zephyros Compact 2 Tent
The Zephyros Compact 2 is a classic 2 person lightweight tent. Its compact pack size and easy pitch design makes it a versatile tent for more than just solo backpacking.
The Zephyros Compact 2 combines low weight, practical compact pack size and a weather proof construction, making it a favourite for backpacking, bikepacking and mountain marathons. Updated for 2021 with a new colour and end pole adjusters to help with pitching.
The previous version of this tent was WINNER OF THE T3 TENT AWARDS 2020.
It’s a good choice for short to medium length trips - for longer treks for two or where you have a lot of gear, you might find a larger tent more comfortable. If you’re heading off solo and want more space then this 2 person tent is worth considering.
The Zephyros Compact 2 has been designed for 3 season use and it’s great for wild camping as well as campsite stays. For those looking for a tent that’s quick to pitch, this goes up with the flysheet and inner together and with connected flysheet and inner peg points it’s easy to peg out too.
Main and end poles are Superflex alloy and the pole set folds down to 30cm long. Pegs are alloy ‘v’ angle to give a good anchor. The flysheet and groundsheet are seam sealed and made from high performance polyester to keep out the wet.
Several ventilation options are possible to manage air flow and help reduce condensation – there’s a mesh panel on the inner door and a further mesh panel (with covers) at each end of the inner tent and flysheet.
for convenience there are 2 doors plus one porch so no waking your companion if you need to get out of the tent in the night.
To help with visibility in the dark or low light, the main pole sleeve has reflective trim and the yellow guylines are reflective.
When it’s time to leave the tent rolls up into its generous side opening tarp style bag and secured with the drawcord.
Sleeps: 2
Season Rating Spec: 3 season backpacking
Free standing?: No (tent requires guy lines to be pitched)
Packed Weight: 1.85Kg (4lb 1oz)
Number of Porches: 1
Number of Doors: 2
Pitch Type: Fly and Inner pitch together
Flysheet: Stormetx P4000 FR - Fire retardant Polyester 4000mm Hydrostatic Head
Groundsheet: Aquastop P5000 - Polyester 5000mmm Hydrostatic Head
Main Pole: 8.5mm WC Superflex Alloy
End Pole: 8mm wC Superflex Alloy
Pegs: 10 Alloy 'V' angle
Guylines: 4 x yellow reflective
Inner door: Half mesh
Suitable for 3 season backpacking
UV Degradation:
Be aware that (UV) ultraviolet rays will damage your tent if you expose it to direct sunlight for longer periods of time.
Polyester Awnings & Tents regardless of quality of denier material are made for camping use which is normally 2-5 weeks usage a year.
They are not designed for permanent usage and should only be used as camping products.
Camping near the sea or lake can further enhance the effect of UV radiation.
The same applies to poles and metal parts
"UV light will cause the fabric to fade, lose strength, and eventually disintegrate. The amount of UV damage is directly related to the fabric's exposure to the sun and the altitude at which the tent is pitched.
If it is left pitched during the day, high-altitude exposure can damage a tent beyond use within a month."
What is UV Degradation?
UV degradation refers to the breaking down of fabrics and materials, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, due to exposure to the sun. Long term exposure to sunlight, can cause fabric such as polyester to degrade, beginning to rip, tear and become very brittle.
Why Do Manufacturers not cover UV Degradation Under Warranty?
UV degradation is a sign the product has reached a natural end to it's lifetime. There are different fabrics, different thicknesses of fabric, and treatments to help protect against exposure to sunlight.
However, given time, the sun will do it's job in breaking down those materials, to the point where they become unstable.
If a polyester tent or awning has suffered UV degradation, chances are it has been used to the point where its lifetime is ending, or it has been permanently pitched.
Polyester Tents & Awnings are a temporary shelter, and they are not designed to be left long-term pitched, unless they are specifically designed for residential pitches, and use harder wearing fabrics such as 100% cottons, which can take exposure to UV light on a longer-term basis.
Polyester Tents & Awnings have it pretty rough. Their purpose is to keep you protected from the elements, so by definition, they’re exposed to nature’s fury. Season after season, your trusty tent or tarp is subjected to wind, rain, dust, snow, hail, animals, and (sometimes) careless users.
But for a shelter that has been treated well over the years, the thing that will eventually kill it is something you might not expect: the sun.
In addition to visible light, the sun emits a massive amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which has a shorter wavelength than visible light and is present wherever there is sunlight.
While inorganic materials (like silicone and metal) are largely unaffected by UV radiation, organic compounds (i.e., anything containing carbon, not just your fancy kale) can be damaged by exposure to UV.
This includes all organic polymers, whether synthetic (like nylon and polyester) or naturally occurring (like cotton and wool).
