The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 is a two-person, semi-freestanding ultralight backpacking tent. It comes with nine stakes, but in fair conditions, only four to six are typically needed. The tent poles and rainfly attachment points are color-coded, making it easy to figure out where each piece connects, leading to a fast and simple setup.
Product Overview
✅ Two doors and two vestibules for easy access and extra storage space
✅ Spacious interior—comfortably fits two people
✅ Lightweight for a double-wall tent
✅ Quick and easy setup, even for solo campers
✅ Has unique features not commonly found in similar tents
❌ Limited interior pockets for gear (gear loft sold separately)
❌ Some comparable tents are lighter
❌ Ground sheet sold separately
❌ Seams may begin to leak during heavy rain over time (first noticed after 1700 miles ~140 days of consistent use)
KEY SPECS
- Capacity: 2 person
- Type: Double Wall, Semi-freestanding
- Seasons: 3 season
- Packed Weight: 2 lbs. 15.8 oz.
- Packed size: 4.7 x 20.5 inches
- Floor Space: 84.5 x 53/38 (L x W head/foot) inches, 27 square ft.
- Height: 42.5" high at peak
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Vestibule: 9 sq ft (x2)
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Materials:
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Tent: 15-denier polyester mesh canopy, 15-denier ripstop nylon bathtub floor
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Rain Fly: 15-denier ripstop nylon
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Poles: Aluminum DAC TH72M
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Stakes included: 9 Ground Control Light tent stakes, made from 7075-T6 hardened aluminum.
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With two doors, two large vestibules, and more headroom than comparable tents, it's an excellent choice for backpacking with a partner. The tent’s separate stuff sacks allow the weight to be split between two hikers—one can carry the rainfly and poles, while the other carries the tent and stakes. If hiking solo, this tent remains a lightweight option, weighing just 2 lbs 15.8 oz.
This tent has a few tricks up it’s rainfly! A unique tension ridge spans the width of the tent, providing enhanced ventilation at the peak. The rainfly can also be rolled up and secured to the tension ridge for stargazing or extra airflow, and it can quickly be released from inside the tent if weather changes unexpectedly. Additionally, the stuff sacks for the rainfly and inner layer double as storage pockets once the tent is set up. The storage sack for the poles can be fastened inside across the top of the tent and used as a light bar.
If you're looking for a reliable, easy-to-set-up, and spacious two-person backpacking tent, the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 is an excellent choice!
To see reviews on other trekking poles, check out our 14 Best Ultralight Tents post.
Similar Products: Nemo Hornet OSMO, Gossamer Gear The One , MSR Hubba Hubba
Performance Test Results
What I Tested:
How I Tested:
I've had this tent for about three years now. I first started using it on shorter backpacking trips with my husband and our 65 lb goldendoodle, exploring various trails across Oregon. Over those trips, I grew to appreciate its design and functionality, but it wasn’t until my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail that I was truly able to put it to the ultimate test.
For about five months, this tent was my home on the trail. Together, the Alto TR2 and I successfully navigated through every type of weather imaginable. From heavy rainstorms, to hot and unbelievably humid nights, this tent held up remarkably well. It provided quick and reliable shelter, despite mother nature's quick and merciless mood swings on the AT. It was during this thru-hike that I was able to really push the tent to its limits, and it performed beyond expectations.
Capacity
I brought this tent along on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, and it was the perfect size for me. At 5'4", I had ample room around my head, feet, and sides to store all my gear inside the tent. The compact footprint was also a huge bonus, especially when stealth camping or when tent space near shelters was tight—this tent fit just about anywhere!
I've also used it on shorter trips with my husband and our 65-pound dog. In these cases, our gear stayed in the vestibules overnight while the three of us snuggled up inside. My husband, who is 6' tall, still has enough space by his feet for our dog to sleep. While I wouldn't want to do this for more than a few nights, it’s perfect for shorter trips!
Set Up
Setting up the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 tent was one of the easiest parts of my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. I could have the whole tent set up in about five minutes thanks to its simple and intuitive design. The color-coded poles and attachment points make the process quick and foolproof. Whether I was at a designated shelter or stealth camping, the tent’s easy setup design allowed me to spend less time setting up and more time on other camp chores like cooking dinner and filtering water.
It was such a relief to know I could quickly get my shelter set up and settle in after a long day of hiking. Seriously, this is one of my favorite features of this tent, and a big part of why I decided on using it for my AT thru hike. In fact, it’s so easy to set up, even my husband can do it! If you’re married, you’ll know how impressive this is…
Packability
Packing up the tent is incredibly easy. The rainfly goes into one stuff sack, while the inner tent is packed into another. Then, you simply use the tent poles and a few clips to secure the two sacks together. I’ve mentioned this feature a few times because it’s one of my favorites, and I’m baffled why more tents aren’t designed this way.
One of the main reasons I love it is that when the rainfly is damp but the inner tent is dry, the separate stuff sacks keep them from touching and potentially transferring moisture. This means I only have to lay out the rainfly to dry the next time I stop in a sunny spot or in town. The packed size is 4.7 x 20.5 inches. I kept it in one of the side pockets of my pack while hiking the Appalachian Trail. When I backpack with my husband, he carries the poles and rainfly, while I take the inner tent and stakes.
Sea to Summit Alto TR2: Packs small, packs smart.
Unique Features
After taking this tent on the Appalachian Trail, I’ve really come to appreciate the unique features it has to offer. I especially love the Tension Ridge design because it creates so much extra headroom. I can sit up in the tent and not feel cramped. Stuff sacks for the tent and rainfly snap into the corners and become gear pockets, helping keep everything organized and within easy reach.
Another feature I can’t get enough of is the tent pole storage sack—it doubles as a lightbar. By sliding in a headlamp or two, the translucent material of the pole bag casts a soft, even light throughout the tent. Instead of having to point my headlamp where I want to see, the whole tent is comfortably illuminated, making it so much easier to find what I need.
After a few weeks on the trail, I discovered this made a nice close line to hang my damp socks overnight. It also acted as a reminder—if the smell of my socks became unbearable, I knew it was time to replace them when I next reached civilization. It’s little details like these that make this tent feel like a true home away from home.
From sock line to lightbar—Alto TR2 is packed with smart details.
Durability & Water Resistance
My Sea to Summit Alto TR2 backpacking tent held up incredibly well during my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The tent fly fabric and mesh inner showed no signs of rips or damage, and the zippers remained intact throughout the entire journey. The tent poles also stayed strong and didn’t break, even after countless setups and takedowns, which was a huge relief!
My only point of contention with this tent is that during a heavy rain storm in Vermont, around 1700 miles into the Appalachian Trail, I was woken up by a few droplets of water that had fallen directly on my face. After this night, I noticed a few small consistent leaks. Only after extended, and not particularly gentle use, did the seam sealing on the tent begin to fail.
For around 140 days of practically daily use, the tent was highly water-resistant, keeping me dry through heavy storms. Despite this, the overall durability and water resistance of the tent were impressive, making it a reliable companion for the majority of my trip.
Rain-tested and trail-proven—Alto TR2’s durability delivers.
Choosing the Right Tent
When I was researching tents, I found myself torn between the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 and the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2. I knew I wanted something spacious enough for both my husband and me (I didn’t know I was going to hike the Appalachian Trail at that point). The Tiger Wall is a few ounces lighter, but it doesn't offer the same unique features as the Alto TR2. The ability to roll the rainfly up to the tension ridge was a huge selling point for me. I love stargazing but also live in a place where rain can come at any moment, so that versatility was a must.
By the time I decided to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, I’d already had the Alto TR2 for a few years, and was a no-brainer that it would come with me. The tent performed great, but over time, I noticed the seam sealing starting to fail in a few spots. During heavy rains, a little water dripped from the ridgeline. Toward the end of my hike, after 1900 miles, I switched to a single-wall trekking pole tent to cut down on weight for the final stretch.
650-Calorie Fuel
