Fiona Russell took the freestanding Wechsel Exogen 2 tent on test and found it a sturdy shelter with good porch space.
The Wechsel Exogen 2 is a fully freestanding tent, with a cross pole offering porch support to the ground – great for cooking inside in windier weather.
Fiona Russell’s verdict
The fabric has a high Hydrostatic Head and feels very durable and the porch is great for cooking outside in bad weather.- waterproofing
- fabric strength
- door fasteners
- noisy fabric
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $594.95 | £550 (available from newheights.co.uk) Weight: 1980g Pitching: inner first Flysheet: Ripstop polyester 68D, PU coated, HH 5000mm Inner: Ripstop Nylon 20D Groundsheet: Polyester 75D, PU coated, HH 5000mm Poles: 8mm, aluminium 7001-T6 Pegs: 10, V-profile aluminium Porches: 2, with 1 way zip Inner Dimensions: 125cm, 225cm, 100cm wechsel-tents.de/en/ |
Pitching was a little more complex as a result and took an extra 5 minutes on my first try. The fly is PU coated with a high waterproof rating. There is some notable fabric rustling in stronger winds, perhaps to be expected with a PU coated material. The addition of reflective details externally is useful. The shape of the tent aids sturdiness although this does mean internal space is a little compromised. The length is great but it is narrower than many of the other tents in this selection, so much so that it was a squeeze to fit two inflatable mats side by side. The ceiling height is also relatively low, although I could still sit up inside.
The groundsheet is generously thick and should prove very durable. There are two side entrances with wide openings that lead to two smallish porches. I struggled to find a secure method of keeping the outer door open, while inside there were two clips for the inner door fabric, which came undone easily. The pegs are not as robust as other X-shaped stakes but are fine in softer ground.
The extra cord loop for removal is useful. The stuff sack has a small opening at one end of the tube, which doesn’t help with the repacking of the tent. It’s not the smallest packed tent at 48cm by 16cm.
The Exogen 2 is pricey and not the lightest, nor the most spacious tent on test. The pegs and poles feel adequate rather than high quality, yet the fabric has a high Hydrostatic Head and feels very durable.
How we tested
Fiona Russell tested across Scotland in a range of conditions. Weights are from her scales and include the stuff sack. In the interests of parity, she timed the debut set up each tent. This review was first published in our camping kit special. Compare it with others in our guide to the best 2-person tents.
