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Ultralight ‘Inflatable’ Backpacking Tent Unveiled By Vango | Gear News

Two interesting new releases for backpackers and bikepackers are in the pipeline for this June from Vango

Only 30g heavier than a tin of Heinz baked beans.

That’s the new Neon UL tent in Vango’s Force Ten Alpine range that we’re talking about, set to be one of the lightest tents you’ll find on the market and the second in a pair of highly innovative releases from the Scottish brand, the other one being their groundbreaking new Project Hydrogen.

Here’s what you need to know about them…

Vango Force Ten Neon UL

This new tent from Vango has the same single hoop design and two wall construction as their popular Helium backpacking tent. There’s a big difference in weight though. That original model weighed 1.2kg while this one comes in at just 465g (‘trail weight’ is 445g according to Vango). Phenomenally light, that.

It’s all down to the high-spec materials. The main pole and the single one at the foot of the tent are both carbon fibre, the pegs are made from titanium and the flysheet is a 7 denier silicone coated ProTex.

All packed up, it’ll take up less than a litre of space in your backpack.

Cost? £500. Not cheap unfortunately but, in fairness, there are more expensive solo tents out there.

Vango Force Ten Project Hydrogen

What we have here is the world’s lightest twin skin tent with AirBeam Technology. In other words, it’s the first ever inflatable backpacking tent, a groundbreaking design that has already managed to pick up a major industry award.

Like the Neon UL, it has a single hoop and two wall construction with one short pole that props it up at the foot end. To inflate the AirBeam you’ll need either a bike pump or a C02 canister. That might be an inconvenience to backpackers perhaps, but for cycle tourers and bikepackers, who’ll more often than not be carrying a pump anyway, it’s pretty smart.

It weighs a little more than the Neon UL but is still lighter than most tents out there – just 700g (‘trail weight’ is 680g).

World record-breaking cyclist and TV broadcaster Mark Beaumont managed to test the Project Hydrogen on his latest long-distance cycling endeavour in Patagonia.

“I’ve been a friend of Vango for many years and so I was delighted when they got in touch about the opportunity for me to test their brand-new, cutting-edge technology in the terrain,” said Mark. “On my cycling endeavours, I spend every night at a different location, therefore, I need a shelter that can protect me from the elements, is quick to pitch, and doesn’t add much to my travel weight – Project Hydrogen ticks all these boxes and is a superb bit of adventure kit.”

Cost for this one? £600.

Both the Neon UL and the Project Hydrogen will be on the market from June 2020. We’ll make sure to get them both for testing soon so we can give you our own verdict on them.