Alpkit Tarpstar 2 Review: A Lightweight Pyramid Tarp Tent for Wild Camping
Introduction: The Problem of balancing Lightweight and weather protection
The Alpkit Tarpstar 2 is designed to bridge the gap between a lightweight shelter and good reliable weather protection. Alot of ultralight tents make sacrifices on durability or space, while many heavier tents give all the bells and whistles but come at a heavy cost when it comes to trail weight. We think the Tarpstar 2 offers a nice blend of all the features you want in a shelter for the UK hills with not too much of a weight penalty to save your back and feet on the trails. A two person pyramid tarp tent with great lightweight packability, good weather protection, and durability at the reasonable price point we've come to take for granted from the kit offered by Alpkit. We're going to run through all the features, specs, and pro's/con's in this article and try to find out if the Tarpstar 2 is the tarp tent for you.
Full Specifications
In-Depth Breakdown of all the Spec's and Features of the Tarpstar 2
Pro's
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Lightweight Design - At only 1190 grams for fly, inner and pegs, its easily one of the lightest 2 person shelter on the market at this price point.
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Compact pack size - This thing packs down small, its an excellent choice weather its stuffed in you pannion bikepacking, strapped to an ultra-light backpack or in your wild camping pack leaving some extra space for a few creature comforts.
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Waterproof/Weather Protection - The 20D polyester flysheet with a 3000mm hydrostatic head offers solid rain protection, and pyramid shaped shelters are known for excellent wind shedding abilities for their weight.
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Modular Setup and Versatility - Can be setup with or without the inner tent when you want to go really fast and light, or take the optional extra footprint if your expecting rough ground.
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Value for Money - Compared to some of the more "premium" offerings on the market the Tarpstar 2 ticks all the boxes at a very nice price point.
Con's
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Single Trekking Pole Pitch - A single trekking pole or Alpkits Vertex Pole are required for setup, which is fine if you normally hike with poles but for those of us who don't means extra weight and one more thing to pack.
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Condensation - Like most tarp shelters good setup and ventilation are key to the condensation levels, on damp cold nights extra care needs to be taken to ensure a dry sleep.
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Cosy for two? - Two people and all your gear might get a little bit cosy in the Tarpstar, but would also feel like a palace if you took it out solo.
Performance in UK Conditions
The unpredictability of the UK weather can really test any lightweight shelter. The Tarpstar handles persistent rain quite well with its 3000mm hydrostatic head, taped seams and bathtub groundsheet but taking care over selecting the right pitch is still important. When the wind picks up the pyramid profile stands up well and when properly guyed out should stand up to all but the worst UK mountain conditions.
Comparison: Tarpstart 1 vs Tarpstar 2 vs Other Shelters
Alpkit Tarpstar 1 vs Tarpstar 2
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Tarpstart 1: A great tent for solo adventures, slightly lighter at apporximately 950g with the inner tent, but for an extra 240g the Tarpstar 2 may be worth the weight penalty even when going solo.
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Tarpstar 2: Offers more headroom and width, cosy for two but an absolute palace if you take it out on your own.
Tarpstar 2 vs Other Shelters
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Vs. A basic Square Tarp - The Tarpstar offers full enclosure bug protection with a bathtub groundsheet, as oppose to a lighter but much more exposed square tarp.
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Vs. Premium Ultralight Pyramids: Compared to offerings from Hyperlite Mountain Gear and Six Moon Designs the Tarpstar is heavier but far more budget friendly.
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Vs. A traditional double walled tent: Heavier tents like the MSR Hubba Hubba or some of the Terra Nova models provide more comfort and weather protection but weigh significantly more and cost sometimes double the price of the Tarpstar 2.
Buying Advice: Should You Buy the Alpkit Tarpstar 2?
If your after a lightweight 2-person shelter for Wild Camping, bikepacking or backpacking then the Tarpstar 2 is a good choice. This pyramid tent offers a nice blend of weather resistance, low weight, packability and affordability
Buying Advice: Should You Buy the Alpkit Tarpstar 2?
If your after a lightweight 2-person shelter for Wild Camping, bikepacking or backpacking then the Tarpstar 2 is a good choice. This pyramid tent offers a nice blend of weather resistance, low weight, packability and affordability. So its a definite yes from us at Feral Outdoors, as with alot of Alpkit's gear, you can just see the thought thats gone into the design from people with real mountain and outdoor experience.
Final Thoughts
For campers who want ultralight packability without making a sacrifice in weather protection and taking out a second mortgage the value in the Tarpstar 2 cannot be ignored. Add a good sleep system and maybe the footprint for added durability and this tent should see you through many a good night on hills, fells and mountains of the UK.