Robens Gets Rad For 2011...

Atmos uses four trekking poles to keep weight down.

Mythos with dual skin and external pole structure.

Stratos weighs around 1200g and sleeps four using a single trekking pole for support.

There's nothing particularly new about using trekking poles as part of a lightweight tent's structure, but Danish brand Robens has taken things to new levels with their 2011 Xtra Lite collection.

Four Trekking Poles, One Tent

The new Atmos tent has been designed as a two-person shelter that uses four trekking poles instead of conventional alloy or fibreglass poles. Two of them are used in fully extended mode to create a central arch, while two others are used at either end to 'create the overall shape of the tent'.

Two short pole sections are actually supplied in case you want to use the tent solo and baullk at the idea of carrying two sets of trekking poles... Weight is quoted at around 1550 grammes and we're expecting it to be priced at somewhere around £100 or so, so not insanely expensive either.

Other new tents in the range include the more conventional Mythos Solo and Duo models – claimed 1370g and 1740g minimum weight respectively – which feature external poles for rapid and easy pitching.

Four Person Shelter - 1160g

There's also a 1160g single-skin tent called the Stratos which relies on a single trekking pole for support. That's pretty light when you consider that it's claimed to be large enough to sleep no fewer than four people.