Wild Country Zephyros Compact 1 V3 £170

Superb price, weatherproofing, tried and tested design, sturdy construction Heavy, narrow porch, no internal pockets

If you love Terra Nova’s approach but can’t afford its prices, then its sub-brand Wild Country – which offers simple, good value products utilising Terra Nova’s own design and quality standards – is exactly what you’re looking for.

The Zephyros Compact 1 V3 (version 3) is almost like a budget reinvention of the high-end Laser Compact 1. It has a near-identical size and the same tunnel design as its more expensive sibling, but is made from heavier, lesspremium materials with lower hydrostatic head ratings. Even so, at £170 the Zephyros is a real bargain.

For this very affordable price, you get a 4000mmrated flysheet and 5000mm groundsheet, simple all-inone pitching, a good-sized inner, compact pack-away and a low-profile for ‘shedding’ wind. The inner’s door has a huge 180° opening for ease of entry and exit, and its mesh upper section improves ventilation alongside two further vents at each end.

The flysheet feels reassuringly thick and strong, unlike featherlight materials which feel worryingly rippable, and can be finetuned via tension adjusters to create a taut structure.

At 1570g it’s a little heavier than you’d perhaps like, and the narrow porch isn’t ideal, but all-in-all this is a total bargain.

Internal dimensions (LxWxH) 220x96x92cm Packed size 30x18cm Weight 1570g

Verdict

A great all-round tent at a bargain price – but it’s heavier than ideal.