ROBENS BOULDER 2
The Boulder 2 is squarely aimed at backpackers on a budget. In fact, it’s part of a range developed to meet the demand for simple entry-level tents. Manufacturing quality is excellent. Ease of pitching and pricing aimed at budget campers make this a great choice for beginners, DofE participants or youth groups.
It comes out of its stuff sack with fly and inner separate, as it pitches inner first. In warm dry conditions, this may be all you need – protection from marauding insects, and a tinge of modesty if you’re on a site.
The fact that it pitches inner first is actually the one issue I have with the
Boulder 2. It’s fine if the weather is dry, but in a downpour, the inside of your tent is inevitably going to get wet before you’ve had the chance to put the waterproof flysheet over the top.
When the wind gets up, you have four guys, each with two attachment points, so offering good stability even for a basic dome. Robens does wind tunnel tests for all its tents – this one comes out unscathed up to 105km/h (65 mph). That’s actually a Force 10 storm! Needless to say, you should always try to seek out a sheltered spot to pitch when you can.
Headroom inside is good – a metre at the highest point, which extends the full width of the inner, so two backpackers can sit up without feeling as though they have to compete for space. That said, as with most two-berth tents, you will need to be very comfortable in the presence of your companion, as there won’t be much in the way of personal space.
There are doors on both sides, so each camper has their own mini vestibule and access point, removing the need for clumsy clambering for night-time toilet trips. Those vestibules are perfect for stashing backpacks and boots, and provide an ideal sheltered space for cooking.