Tents

Nordisk Telemark 2.2 LW Tent | Review

Nordisk have slightly adjusted their classic model, and it’s made a big difference

Why We Chose The Nordisk Telemark 2.2 LW: Very light and packable, excellent materials, an improved design

Those familiar with Nordisk’s popular Telemark 2 LW tent model will know that despite the 2 in its name, it’s not really been that much of a realistic option for comfortable two-person camping.

It should therefore be good news to many that Nordisk have now released a new adapted version of it, one that’s much, much more accommodating for that second person.

Who Is The Nordisk Telemark 2.2 For?

Despite being made for two people, at just 1010g, the Nordisk Telemark 2.2 LW, like the previous model, will still really appeal to any solo hikers. It offers bucket loads of space and all at a very light weight that’s almost as good as they get for a solo hiker.

The fly is made from a silicon coated fly. It has wire stiffened gaps for ventilation. Photo: Mike Brindley

For two people? Well, split in half that leaves each person with a meagre weight to carry and, now, a tolerable space to live and sleep in. That’s thanks to the addition of an extra door on this new model.

Lightweight backpackers and bikepackers are definitely the target market here. We can certainly see this coming in handy for any fast packers, orienteers or adventure racers as well.

Materials And Construction

We already mentioned that extra door. Well that’s pretty much the only big change that we can really see here. But it makes a massive difference in terms of two-person liveability. They haven’t added a second medium-sized porch however – just a space to stash a pair of walking boots.

It has a long, lengthways entrance on either side. Photo: Mike Brindley

It's a small stuff sack that does take some jamming. Photo: Mike Brindley

It's a two-layer, fly first design. Photo: Mike Brindley

Apart from that all the original stuff is there: the single pole (DAC Aluminium) tunnel design, the ultralight silicon coated flysheet, the hung inner mesh, the corner poles which add a bit of height to the lower walls of the inner and the internal organiser pocket.

One other change seems to be that the corner poles can now be removed and fixed together to form a long pole that can prop one door open up to form a canopy. That might’ve been present on the original design – if it was, we didn’t notice it!

Like that previous model, we’d say this is best suited to three-season camping. It’s sturdy, but you wouldn’t want to face any snow blizzards in it.

Four lightweight aluminium pegs come supplied. Photo: Mike Brindley

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“The original Telemark 2 LW is probably one of the best tents I’ve used. I’ve used mine in all kinds of scenarios, including on a two-week solo hike along Wales’s 300-mile Cambrian Way and with a friend on a very wet Original Mountain Marathon weekend in Scotland.

“It’s so much more accommodating than the previous design.”

“First things first, I’ve always seen this as a one person tent and have been very reluctant to use it with another person. The OMM was one of the very few times I tolerated it. I think it’s always needed that extra door, so it’s very good news that they’ve finally created a version that has one. And somehow it only weighs 60g more.

“Bear in mind, it’s still a pretty snug tent for two people. I’m not sure my girlfriend was too impressed by how tight a squeeze it was for us during our casual weekend camp a few weeks ago, but still, it’s so much more accommodating than that previous design.

Testing the Telemark 2.2 LW in the Brecon Beacons.

It's light enough for one person to carry and leaves bucket loads of space for the solo sleeper.

Plenty of space in the porch for cooking around your kit.

“The only real downside to this new update is that Nordisk didn’t add in an extra organiser pocket for the second person. That would’ve been handy. I would’ve also liked to see Nordisk toughen up the internal pole sleeve as I had big issues with that on my last Telemark 2 LW. In other words, I managed to put a couple of holes through it when trying to thread through the pole. Still, if they were to toughen that up then the tent might not have such an attractively light weight.

“Pitching is quick, easy and intuitive, the ventilation is excellent (you do get the inevitable condensation build up sometimes though) and the porch is big enough for two backpacks, though you might need to shift one in order to cook. The pegs it comes with are excellent quality, though there’s only four so you might want to add a few extra to your pack before heading out.

“As for the sturdiness, while my previous model did blow down on me due to a huge gust snapping one of the guy lines, I still think it’s a dependable design. I blame myself for that mishap as I hadn’t applied one of the extra guylines.

“It really is an excellent backpacking tent and one I could see myself using for long-distance solo backpacking trips. Now, I’d seriously consider it for any big trips I’ll have with a buddy as well.”