The Zephyros 2 is a great tent for those who are getting more serious about their camping and hiking pursuits. This tent offers a light-weight, affordable option, for both backpackers and hikers, and can stand up to most weather conditions.
Having owned a Wild Country Zephyros 2 for over 8 months I have finally got around to reviewing its performance. The Wild Country Zephyros 2 is based on the Terra Nova Laser Competition design and is very similar, which is no surprise when you take into consideration the fact that Wild Country tents are the little sister company of Terra Nova.
Marketed at lightweight hikers or backpackers, the tent weighs in at a very light 1.79 kilograms (3lbs 9oz). Wild Country advertise the Zephyros 2 as a two man tent, but personally, I found it fitted me perfect as a “one camper with his kit” tent. Even though I am not lightweight myself, I find it hard to imagine two campers and their camping gear fitting in the tent and porch comfortably – it can be done, but it may involve compromising sleeping bag loft, particularly if using down bags.
Pitching time
The Zephyros 2 specifications boast a 5 minute pitching time, which I found possible after practicing pitching the tent a number of times. In terms of pitching the tent, I found it isn’t quite as easy as others, but once mastered, can be done easily.
I recommend practicing putting the tent up in your garden a number of times until you are confident you can pitch the tent in bad weather.
As a tunnel tent, it is aerodynamic when pitched properly and offers great protection against the elements.
Recently when camping in the Mourne Mountains, we encountered heavy winds and rain. I was using the Zephyros 2 that night and it provided with me with a comfortable dry nights sleep. Although I could hear the wind howling outside, I felt very secure under its protection.
I have heard some advice from another Zephyros 2 owner, that suggests pitching the tent with the porch facing into the wind. The theory behind this idea is that the space of the porch has the greatest distance between the outer and inner flysheet and therefore the least chance of the rain coming through if the two fabrics do touch.
Tent structure
The tents gets its structure from its main alloy pole which bends over the central tent, giving it its headroom. It also has two smaller black fiber glass poles at each end, which create tension when pegged down, and gives the tent its shape. I found the porch to be quite spacious: ideal for boots, backpacks and wet gear, although I personally felt it was a little bit small for cooking in.
Pitching
The tent pitches all in one, or in other terms fly sheet and inner together. I feel that this is the best way to pitch a tent, as it saves time and ensures that your inner will not get wet if setting up in the rain. The inner is attached by a number of clips running down from the fly sheet, which are easy to connect, but can be left connected to save time and effort when pitching the next time.
There are set up instructions printed onto the stuff sac of the tent, but I found myself scratching my head at them, as I found them a bit confusing. This can be quickly fixed simply by practicing the set-up. Once pegged down at either end using the two main secure straps, you simply slide the main alloy pole along the guide sleeve on the flysheet and into the metal ringed loop, pegging down the other metal ring to fix into place.
The Zephyros 2 is provided with 10 v- angle pegs which I binned after the first use, I found them to to be very sore on my hands when pushing them into the ground. I replaced them with 14 longer alloy pegs as needed to secure the storm guides as well.
The Zephyros 2 has a two way large zipper on both the inner and flysheet which are both robust and easy to use. The tent inner has a number of handy pocket allowing for storage for such things as mobiles or a head torch, which I think is a great feature.
Sleeping space
The inner of the tent is around 230 cm in length x 100 cm high x 92 cm tall which as I’ve previously mentioned I found it too be a bit cramped for me.
From the outside the Zephyros 2 looks very spacious from the outside but the inner sleeping compartment can be up to 10 inches apart from the flysheet in places. For me, this is a good feature as the distance between the inner and outer minimizes the chance of the two fabrics touching, and transferring moisture. On the other hand it can also be seen as a bad feature, as this reduces the room you have to sleep in inside the tent.
I found the tents stuff sack to be too long and awkward to attach to either the bottom of my rucksack or to the side. A a result I now use a stuff sack for the tent while the poles and pegs get strapped to the side of my pack.
Weather conditions
I have not yet used the tent in extreme winter conditions, but I have used the it in different weather conditions in varied terrains over the last 8 months and I must say how pleased I was with it performance. It’s stood up to strong winds and torrential rain, it’s poles have been shook and held their own. I have summit camped with the Zephyros 2 but ideally would prefer to use a more suited geodetic style design tent as it offers the maximum chance of protection under it canopy.
What I like:
- Simple design
- Good sized porch
- Weatherproof
What I don’t like:
- The sharp pegs supplied
- Tent pack size
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON
If you like the look of this gear, please consider purchasing from Amazon via the link below. We receive a small referral fee at no cost to you if you do. Please also be assured that this in no way affects the content of our reviews, you’ll see these purchase links in the products we hated too, just in case you disagree with us!
Find a bargain on eBay
The Zephyros II is frequently available at low prices on eBay.
Terra Nova official site has these in their sale section at £75 for grade B.
Picked one up already, think a few are still available.
🙂
Thanks for the review, I am probably going get one of these! 🙂
I’ve had one for about 15 months now and I’m quite pleased with it. My only quibble is that I don’t like to have things hanging off my rucksack, so my practice is to put my tent in the sack, at the very bottom. Unfortunately, the end poles are too long to fit transversely, so they have to be removed every time I pack up.
Hello Harry,Thanks for the input.I’ve also found the tent bag an awkward shape and now pack my Zephyros in a compression dry bag.As you mentioned the poles are also a bit long to strap to the side of the pack so what i do is place them in the rucksacks main inner space down along the back of pack.After use i let it air on the washing line or in the shed.
As far as i understand, there is no place for second person. Am i right?
Pretty much Alex. For the two person status of this tent to stack up they would need to be two very slim people who were very good friends. I’d count this as a one person tent with a little wiggle room.
Yes, definitely a 1 person tent, no way 2 people. Cannot see how Terra Nova think they can get away by classing it as a 2 person tent unless the occupants are 5 years old or midgets. The 1 person version is basically a body bag.
Pity they haven’t made the two long poles foldable with a break in them. But I guess it is only £125.00. The MSR Hubba Hubba is a far better albeit more expensive option.
Thanks for the input Andy.The Zephyros 2 is certainly an affordable backpacking tent but it’s no two man tent.Since purchasing the Vango Mirage 200 I’ve only used the Zephyros 2 once,although the Mirage 200 does weigh more it’s packed with lots of great features.
Hi I’m 6’5″ would this be long enough?
Hi Alistair,
The Zephyros 2 really wouldn’t be long enough for you, but the XL version might be. Unfortunately we haven’t tested it. One of our authors, Eamonn is 6ft 2 and is very comfortable in the Vango Spirit if a tunnel tent is an option for you:
http://www.hikersblog.co.uk/vango-spirit-200-gear-review/
Hi there, Great review. I’m about to buy this tent however on the official website there are different grades for tents such as A or B. Do you know what those grades mean?
Cheers,
Kris
Thank’s for the input Kris.Having researched this issue it appears the grading system is used to determine the quality of the product,such as Grade A- These items will not have been used outdoors but may show some signs of indoor use such as creasing or scuff marks. In the case of sleeping bags and tents they will not have been slept in.
Grade B-There will be signs of use and the item may have been used outdoors, but if so only for short periods of no more than a few days.
Grade C- They are typically loan products that have been used for extended periods, warranty returns that have been repaired or ex-sample models that we no longer require.
Hope this help Kris.
Any tips on packing it away, I found it easy to erect but a pain to put away
I agree with you that the sack provided is far too small and nearly impossible to pack the tent back into.I personally use a compression sack to store my tents.
One of these would work wonders David
Hi, i am second away from getting this tent but my only concern is the floor. Is it a bathtub design? I have been in an impression that always buy tent with bathtub design (if there even are tents with different designs) and everything else is no-no. Other way you will get wet from streaming water coming over the sides. Nobody i found have mentioned this thing which i am very surprised of and the pictures found give me almost zero info regarding this matter. Can you help me please?
Hi Jani,
I’m afraid it doesn’t. It wraps up a little on one side, but not nearly enough to be considered “bathtub” style.
If this is a dealbreaker for you, I’d suggest considering the Vango Mirage 200. Review here
Good luck!
Ed
Ok, that is good to know. I’ll go for another brand/model then. Thank You!
I have used my Zephyros 2 for bike packing. My girlfriend and I fitted snugly inside but still plan to use it again (I’m 6’2″). I have cut the two outer black supports in half to enable a small pack size, rejoined with a small piece of aluminum tube. A long guy added to the porch door has enabled me to cook under it in bad weather with my bike used to support it.
Inventive approach there GJ. John has made a few modifications to his tent over the years also, mainly around making it more stable.
I have had a shocking experience with Terra Nova, especially the customer service (or lack of it). I bought a Terra Nova tent and the second time i used it it ripped. Sent it off for inspection and they said it was my fault and it must have got snagged on something. It ripped in the middle of the night when i was asleep, so this is not possible. I had to have it fixed at my cost. On its return it was not returned with the tent bag i sent it in. This time they (Terra Nova) said it was not in a tent bag when they received it. Now I have a repaired tent and no tent bag that has been used twice! Keep Away!
Sorry to hear that David 🙁
A member of our team had a very unlucky incident a few weeks back, a fox ripped his tent to shreds looking for food. Not Terra Nova’s fault in our case, but we know the heartbreak of a damaged tent!
Great review. Thanks. I’ve only used mine a couple of times so far, but your review seems spot on. Your sizing analysis is correct, I bought it to use with my 11yo son; haven’t as yet, but I think it would be ok, but most of our gear would have to be stashed outside in a bin bag or under a tarp. It’s a great size for one plus gear.
My main criticism is the lack of any sort of loop or fixing in the centre to suspend a lamp or headtorch. It seems a bit of an oversight, for a cheap nylon loop.
Those little tent lamps make all the difference don’t they. Soft light!
A really helpful review and I’m erring to this now, although still a bit uncertain about it accommodating my 6’3″ frame. Neither the XL version or the Vango Spirit mentioned above seem to be available any more.
Hi Ryan
I think you could be right buddy, I’m 5 foot 7 and its fine for me. At 6’3′ you’re maybe too large. I currently use my Vango Mirage 200 which allows me loads of room for all my kit.
just pitched my Zephyros 2 for the 1st time in the garden. There is a small silver tube in with the poles any ideas what it is for ?
Hi Kevin,
That’s for field repair of poles, allowing you to hold two broken pieces of pole together.
Ed
What size compression sack would you recommend for this tent? Thanks!
It appears they they also a ‘compact’ model which packs smaller.