Article by Markus Zinkl
Gossamer Gear The Two (€417,44 / $320)
Introduction
In the world of ultralight shelters, it’s often assumed that lightweight and high-quality tents come with a steep price tag. Gossamer Gear’s The Two challenges this notion by delivering a high-value, sub-two-pound two-person shelter that meets the demands of backpackers, thru-hikers, and bikepackers alike. Whether you’re looking for a roomy tent for couples or a slightly roomier shelter for solo trips, The Two is designed to offer comfort, weather resistance, and durability at a price significantly lower than other ultralight options.
Key Features and Options
The Two offers impressive specs, and its features prioritize both weight savings and durability. It was available in two material options: a full nylon construction and a hybrid nylon/Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) version. The nylon version, reviewed here, is about 3 ounces heavier than the DCF option but significantly more affordable. The DCF option is not produced any more and I have no information if it will be launched again in the future. For hikers looking for an ultralight option without compromising on durability or space, The Two is a strong competitor among three-season backpacking tents.
Specifications:
Weight:
Tent body only: 24.5 oz / 700 g
Fully packed with stakes: 28 oz / 796 g
Interior Dimensions: L x W x H = 84 x 48/42 x 43 in / 213 x 122/107 x 109 cm
Packed Size: 11 x 5 in / 28 x 12.7 cm
Material: 10D Nylon Ripstop
The tent’s structure is supported by trekking poles, although Gossamer Gear offers a separate set of tent poles for those who hike without trekking poles or use the tent for pole-free activities like bikepacking. This flexibility, combined with the tent’s spacious interior, makes it versatile and suitable for various outdoor pursuits.
Pros
Exceptional Value: In terms of cost and quality, The Two delivers outstanding value. Compared to other two-person ultralight tents, it’s priced significantly lower without sacrificing comfort or durability.
Roomy Interior: The tent’s interior is spacious, comfortably fitting two people. Dual vestibules add further livability, providing generous storage and space for gear, which is especially useful on wet or stormy nights.
Quality Build: The nylon body is resilient, and taped seams enhance waterproofing, making the tent suitable for a range of three-season conditions.
Cons
Condensation and Sagging: The single-wall nylon design can accumulate condensation, especially in humid or damp environments. When wet, nylon tends to sag, which can create water-collecting pockets if not properly tensioned.
Setup Requirements: Unlike freestanding tents, The Two requires trekking poles or the separately sold tent poles for setup, which can make pitching challenging on rocky or frozen ground.
Limited Ventilation Options: The tent’s fly and door design restrict ventilation customization. The two vestibules each have one flap with a clip for half-opening, which limits airflow direction choices based on wind or rain.
Performance Review
Setup
Setting up The Two is quick and intuitive, provided you’re on soft, level ground. Like other non-freestanding tents, setup can be more complicated on uneven or rocky terrain. To pitch the tent, simply stake out the four corners, place trekking pole tips into the grommets on the ceiling ends, and adjust the guylines for a taut pitch. The catenary cut of the tent allows it to maintain a taut shape, reducing sagging when properly staked out. Lineloc adjusters on each corner aid in tensioning, making it possible to fine-tune the setup even in tricky conditions.
Weight and Packability
Weighing in at 24.5 oz/ 700 g for the tent body alone, The Two lives up to ultralight expectations. Even with stakes and the stuff sack included, the packed weight is at just 28 oz / 800 g. This lightweight build, combined with its compact 11 x 5-inch packed size, makes The Two easy to stash in any backpack.
Quality
The 10D ripstop nylon fabric strikes a balance between weight and durability, providing protection for most three-season use. The tent’s bathtub floor design shields against wet ground, and the taped seams reinforce its waterproofing capabilities. Gossamer Gear’s attention to build quality is evident in the sturdy stitching and reinforced seams, giving The Two a level of durability uncommon in other ultralight models. Overall, the tent is built to withstand typical three-season conditions and can outlast many lighter, more expensive models on the market.
Ventilation
The tent’s single-wall design means condensation can accumulate, especially in damp or cold conditions. The two vestibules, however, help mitigate this by allowing airflow from both sides. Each vestibule has a single clip for partial opening. I found ventilation good if I was able to open both doors.
However there are no vents, in case you keep the doors closed. This minor drawback might impact comfort on particularly humid nights or in challenging weather, as it’s difficult to fully control ventilation based on wind direction.
Weather Resistance
With taped seams and a waterproof 1800mm UTS coating, The Two is built to handle rain, wind, and even light snow. Its catenary-cut ridgeline and sharply angled walls help shed water efficiently, while the nylon’s inherent waterproofing ensures adequate protection in a variety of conditions. However, when wet, the nylon may sag, which can be remedied with regular retensioning. Proper staking and tension adjustments will help prevent water-collecting pockets during rainfall.
Livability
For a two-person ultralight shelter, The Two provides a comfortable amount of space, with massive dual vestibules that increase liveability by freeing up interior room. Though snug when shared, the tent’s dimensions and vestibules provide ample storage for gear, which makes it a good fit for couples or solo hikers desiring extra space. Weighing in at under 2 pounds, The Two is lightweight enough for solo use by hikers who prioritize interior space.
Notable Features
Waterproofing: The 1800mm UTS coating, combined with seam taping, reinforces the tent’s ability to withstand sustained rainfall.
Interior Storage: The Two includes two mesh pockets, one on either side of the tent near the doors, large enough to hold small essentials like a Nalgene bottle.
Screen Doors: Bug liners integrated into the nylon body and screen doors on each side zip along the floor and up the sidewall. Though not as easy to access as half-moon doors, they’re functional for keeping insects out.
Vestibules: The tent’s two large vestibules add a combined 20 square feet of covered space, providing valuable storage and ventilation options.
Height Adjustability: It accommodates trekking poles between 120 cm and 150 cm, creating impressive headspace when set at maximum height.
Optional Accessories
Groundsheet: A polyolefin film groundsheet from Gossamer Gear offers extra floor protection.
Tent Pole Set: A separate pole set is available for those who don’t use trekking poles. Adding only 5.7 ounces, these poles work for both The One and The Two.
Top Shelf Storage: A “top shelf” storage option attaches to the clothesline for convenient access to small items.
Final Verdict
Gossamer Gear’s The Two is an exceptionally well-rounded tent, providing a balance of weight, durability, and cost-effectiveness. It may not be the lightest shelter on the market, nor does it match the ease of setup of freestanding tents, but it performs reliably in multiple categories at a fraction of the price of similar ultralight options. With features that cater to both beginner and experienced ultralight enthusiasts, The Two is a solid choice for anyone in need of a dependable three-season shelter that won’t break the bank.
The Gossamer Gear The Two Tent is available now:
Europe at Nalehko
US at Gossamer Gear
The products that are the basis of this test were provided to us free of charge by Nalehko. Nalehko is the main distributor of GossamerGear in Europe. The opinions presented are our own.
Tester Profile
Markus Zinkl: I’m 34 years old and live in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I started hiking and backpacking 5-6 years ago. Coming from trail running and with light and fast in mind, I started hiking and fast packing with ultralight gear. Over the years I tried and tested a lot of gear, always in search of weight savings. Although still trying to stay out of the ultralight rabbit hole. I spend most of my days off from work on the trail, with at least one 2-3 week thru-hike. Among the more well known trails I have hiked over the last few years are the GR221, WHR (Walker’s Haute Route), TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), TC (Tour du Cervin-Matterhorn) and Via Alpina Switzerland. As you probably notice by now, I’m at home in the mountains. So if I’m not running or thru-hiking a longer trail, I’m probably somewhere in the Alps checking out some shorter trails.
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