by Alicia MacLeay
The Rocket Tent, Brooks-Range Mountaineering’s minimalist two-person winter mountaineering tent, weighs an amazing 1 pound 6 ounces for winter set-up.
The 1 pound 6 ounce Rocket Tent from Brooks-Range Mountaineering
Brooks-Range achieves this astonishingly low weight through its “theme of redundancy.” If you’re already carrying two ski poles and an avalanche probe, why not use them for your tent’s structure, instead of carrying additional tent poles?
The Rocket Tent uses your avalanche probe as a ridge pole (a probe extender is included, if needed), and two adjustable ski or trekking poles cross at the front to finish the frame.
Ski poles, along with an avalanche probe, support the Rocket Tent.
The tent is made from extremely lightweight and strong CTF3 fabric, with a metallized color to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Originally used as sailcloth, CTF3 is very UV- and tear-resistant and exceeds the standards of sailcloth testing. It’s also 5,000+mm waterproof, “absolutely waterproof,” said Mark Kelly of Brooks-Range. “The fabric will burst before water penetrates it.”
Conversely, this means the tent is not breathable, so three zippered vents are needed for ventilation.
The Rocket Tent has an aerodynamic shape, and one door and one vestibule. Summer poles are provided for year-round use, and a floor footprint is available.
Brooks-Range designs professional-level backcountry gear for mountain and ski guides. The Rocket Tent was designed by mountain guide Dick Jackson and will be available in several weeks.
The author tries out the Rocket Tent.
Rocket Tent Specs:
Winter weight (without poles): 1 lb 5.9 oz (620 g)
Summer weight (with included poles): 2 lbs 0.4 oz (920 g)
Floor area: 21.5 ft2
Vestibule area: 7.0 ft2
Peak height: 38"
Packed size: 6" x 10" x 2"
MSRP: $600
