Tunnel tents available on the market are generally too low, too heavy, poorly ventilated, or uncomfortable. There is always something wrong with them. Among the various tunnel tents available, the Borgefjell 2 Ultralight deserves special attention. This is a tent where everything is refined and simply clever. Using this tent, I feel that it was designed by people who use tents themselves and understand my needs.
Ease of Setup
The Borgefjell Ultralight 2 has two poles of the same length, so there is no risk of making a mistake during assembly. The poles are inserted into sleeves whose inlets are marked with reflective tape. It is impossible to miss them, and they are easy to find with a headlamp. Once inserted into the sleeves, the poles are simply locked with plastic end caps. That’s it. There are no tension straps you need to remember.
The inner tent is permanently attached to the rainfly, and the poles are mounted from the outside. Thanks to this, even when pitching the tent in the rain, the interior remains dry. Furthermore, the setup time is shorter because, unlike American tents, you don’t have to set up the poles and attach the inner tent first before putting on the rainfly. In this tent, you have a two-in-one system.
It is worth adding that even in thick gloves, setting up this tent is no problem, which is particularly important in winter.
Liveability and Dimensions
The height inside the bedroom is 100 cm. Even a tall man can sit upright here. The bedroom is 125 cm wide, and the side walls go straight up, allowing for two very wide sleeping mats. The bedroom is also long. At 230 cm, it allows even very tall individuals to sleep comfortably without pushing the end wall of the tent with the foot of their sleeping bag. The inner tent offers a lot of comfortable space, making it pleasant to spend even a long period of bad weather inside. The bedroom has side pockets for light items, and you can install a drying line along the ceiling or purchase a very useful ceiling shelf (60 g).
Vestibule Borgefjell 2
The Borgefjell 2 also offers a large vestibule. Standing 110 cm high, 145 cm wide, and 115 cm deep, it allows not only for luggage storage but also for comfortable cooking in case of very bad weather. The vestibule has two entrances, one for each occupant on the left and right sides. This allows everyone to enter and exit freely according to their needs. It is also significant during strong winds, as you can use the entrance that is more sheltered from the wind. The designers also included additional zippers that allow the entrances to be opened from the top, creating extra airflow during hot weather or while cooking in the vestibule. Of course, it is also possible to open both entrances and roll up the fabric so it does not interfere with entering and exiting.
Ventilation Borgefjell 2
The tent features two massive „Open Air” vents located on opposite sides in the upper part of the rainfly, protected by a dense mesh. They create a very efficient system for transporting moist air from the inside to the outside. Crucially, the vents are well-protected against rain and snow, and their design ensures that even the strongest wind cannot close them.
But that’s not all. The designers also considered the possibility of lifting the side walls of the rainfly to create extra airflow during hot weather. There is a large gap of about 10 cm between the outer and inner layers, allowing for additional air exchange. This distance is further increased in the rear part of the tent by a guy point for a peg in the center at the end of the structure.
The inner tent has a mesh panel at the top of the rear section, opposite the external vent, which increases the flow of fresh air. At the bedroom entrance, there is an additional zippered door made entirely of this mesh. This allows the entire entrance wall to be turned into a very large ventilation opening.
Bug Barrier
The tent is very carefully crafted. When the inner tent zippers are closed, not even the smallest gap remains through which bugs could enter. In regions of the world where one can contract Lyme disease from ticks or various other diseases from mosquitoes, this is a major asset.
Color
The rainfly (outer tent) comes in a wonderful navy blue color. Importantly, the fabric lets in a good amount of sunlight; on cold but sunny days, the interior warms up pleasantly, allowing clothes and equipment to dry. From the outside, the tent blends beautifully into the background of forests or rocks and is not very conspicuous, which I consider a significant advantage. The inner tent is a light gray. The lighting inside the tent is pleasant, which cannot be said for yellow or red tents.
Minimum Setup
Just 5 pegs and 2 poles are enough for the tent to be fully functional in good weather. In total, the tent comes with 17 Y-shaped pegs, each weighing 14 g and measuring 15 cm in length. The tent has 9 pegging points for setup and 6 guy lines for stability in the wind.
Wind Stability
Wind along the main axis of this tent cannot damage it, even if it blows with hurricane force. As with all tunnel tents, it performs slightly worse in side winds. In such cases, the guy points and lines help secure the stability of the structure. It is worth noting that the guy lines, which run on round rings, distribute the forces acting on the tent fantastically during wind. Very importantly—the manufacturer has placed elastic bands by the guy lines, allowing you to secure the rolled-up lines so they don’t get in the way. If needed, they can be quickly pulled out and deployed.
Materials Borgefjell 2
The rainfly is made of 15D RipStop nylon (a grid structure that prevents tearing) with a waterproof rating of 3000 mm (more than twice as much as popular US tents).
The inner tent is made of 15D Nylon.
The floor is made of 40D RipStop Nylon with a waterproof rating of 5000 mm. As with the rainfly, this is significantly higher waterproofing than in American tents.
Note
Like most modern tents, the Borgefjell has an ultralight floor that provides protection against dirt and moisture but is mechanically delicate. A footprint should be used every time the tent is used.
Poles
Barents Outdoor uses Yunan Pressfit poles from South Korea, which are less known in Europe but of excellent quality, with a diameter of 9 mm. The segments are 47 cm long, and the poles total 290 cm each. The poles, along with the bag, a spare segment, and a repair tube, weigh 420 g. The poles are very flexible and perform well in the wind.
Weight
Inner tent + rainfly + bag + ceiling shelf: 1665 g
Poles (with bag, spare segment, and repair tube): 420 g
Pegs (17 pegs with bag): 160 g
Repair kit (materials): 5 g
Total: 2250 g
Packed Size
The Borgefjell Ultralight 2 fits into a bag with a diameter of 20 cm and a length of 50 cm. The bag is slightly loose, allowing the tent to be packed even when the fabric is wet or stiff from snow and ice. The tent fits well inside a backpack; the poles should be packed separately along the back.
Which season is the Borgefjell 2 Ultralight suitab r?
It is definitely a 4-season, year-round tent. Since the rainfly le fo reaches the ground on all sides, this tent can handle winter, though for winter expeditions, something else should be chosen. Thanks to its efficient ventilation system and bug protection, this tent can also be successfully used in summer and in all climate zones.
Who is the Borgefjell 2 Ultralight for?
It is an ideal tent for people who value comfort and safety. For two people, or for one person who needs more space. This tent is very easy to set up, provides safety and protection even in very bad weather conditions, and allows for rest. There are likely lighter constructions on the market, but I don’t think any other tunnel tent provides such great comfort and safety at such a low weight as the Borgefjell 2 Ultralight. If you travel far from civilization and need a reliable tent you can count on – keep an eye on this model. Most importantly, this tent will serve you for many years.
