Great Walks previews Exped’s Venus II Extreme ($1299/3.2kg) and Venus III Extreme ($1499/3.6kg) tents.
Exped’s Venus II and III tents follow a sort of hybrid tunnel/ridge design which provides a good combination of space and weight. The integral pitch should in theory be quick and easy to erect and feels like it would be relatively stable when properly pegged out with its 18 V-shaped stakes.
It also means you can set-up with only the inner, or only the fly, on more agreeable weather days. There’s no snow skirt, but instead an ingenious asymmetrical design that, when oriented correctly, provides protection on the windward side, where the flysheet reaches the ground, and ventilation on the leeward side, where it is four inches shorter.
For starfish-sleeping couples, the 160cm wide interior easily fits two Exped LW (Long Wide) mattresses, and you can even squeeze in two MegaMats if you’re using it for car camping. Headroom is ample, and the enormous doors make it easy to scramble in and out.
At the end of the day though, it is the thoughtful design touches that impressed me about the Venus – the cute little guy line pockets and tensioning buckles, the awesome tent bag, and the strap to prevent the loft from hanging too low. Oh, and the spare pole splint is always to hand as it doubles as the vent holder-opener – genius! Exped - Masters of attention to detail.
For sales phone (02) 9417 5755 or email sales@expeditionequipment.com.au
Review_Dan Slater