The Telos two-person freestanding tent will radically change your perception of what an ultralight backpacking tent can be. Sea to Summit’s engineers made it their mission to design a tent that is easy to set up and filled with clever functional features. Mission accomplished. 

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However – there are three additional reasons why Backpacker Magazine bestowed their Editor’s Choice Award on the Telos line of tents: Space, Ventilation and Versatility.

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Features

• Tension Ridge raises the tent’s shape upwards for more usable head-and-shoulder space and creates truly higher doors for easier entry and more vestibule storage.

• Color-coded ultra-strong lightweight DAC NSL two-hub poleset and quick connect pole feet make for easy setup.

• Made for longevity and superior waterproof performance by using premium materials including DAC poles, YKK zippers, 7-series aluminum hardware and seam-taped PeU-coated rainfly.

• Hangout Mode converts rainfly into semi-open shelter. Requires a pair of trekking poles or Hangout Mode Pole Set.

• FairShare storage system: tent packs into 3 stuff sacks to split the load. After set-up, stuff sacks transform into gear storage pockets.

• Lightbar: add a headlamp and secure the tent pole storage sack to the apex of the tent for soft even illumination.

• Rainfly can be set up first for a dry setup and takedown.

• Includes 8 Ground Control Light Tent Pegs

• 4 detachable guylines which can be quickly attached to loops on each tent corner.

• To extend the life of your tent floor we recommend using a Sea to Summit footprint - sold separately.

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Construction and materials

• The 6” deep 20D nylon tub floor is rated to 2500mm hydrostatic head – light, waterproof and durable.

• Ultra-lightweight 15D polyester mesh inner for maximum ventilation. Its dark grey color provides excellent visibility.

• Silicone / Polyether Polyurethane-coated 15D nylon rainfly fabric provides long-lasting waterproof performance.

• The poles of the Tension Ridge are swept upwards – not angled downwards as is common in tents. This raises the tent’s shape, providing significantly more livable space.

• Apex Vent - at the highest point of the tent, this oversized vent efficiently expels warm air to prevent condensation and can be easily zipped shut from inside the tent.

• Baseline Vents allow you to control airflow and effectively manage humidity and condensation in wet conditions without letting the rain in.

• Quick Connect Foot is a beautifully designed, machined aluminum clip that attaches the pole and the inner foot with ease and is stronger than plastic buckles that can break.

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Technical Features

DAC POLES

The gold standard in tent poles — our tents combine DAC Featherlite NFL, NSL and PRESSFIT sections.

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TENSION RIDGE

The poles of the Tension Ridge™ are swept upwards like the dihedral wing of an airplane – not angled downwards as is common in tents. This raises the tent’s shape, providing significantly more head and shoulder room, higher doors, easier access and more usable vestibule space.

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QUICK-CONNECT POLE FEET

Typical of Sea to Summit’s commitment to refining details to make gear frictionless and more functional, these machined aluminum clips make setting up the rainfly (either with the inner tent, or with a footprint in ultralight configuration) quick and easy. And they are far more durable than plastic buckles.

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FAIR-SHARE STORAGE / LIGHTBAR

Every Sea to Summit tent packs up into three stuff sacks to allow you to split the load easily. During setup, two stuff sacks transform into gear storage pockets, while the pole stuff sack (with a translucent diffuser) becomes a Lightbar™. Add a headlamp or two for soft illumination throughout the tent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to use a footprint with this tent?

The Telos has a relatively waterproof (2500mm) floor, so can be used in fairly wet (but not downright boggy) conditions without a footprint. However, a footprint will protect the floor from damage on abrasive surfaces.

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• What are the differences between regular and 'plus' models?

The Telos Plus has a nylon fabric inner (with unzippable vents) rather than mesh to prevent cold air getting into the inner tent. It also has a more waterproof floor (8000mm against 2500mm).

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• Why is the Telos heavier than some ultralight tents?

The Telos is made of more durable materials, offers much more internal space, and has better ventilation than some competing tents. The Alto shaves off a few ounces for weight-conscious users.

Roland Tyson started making outdoor gear on an old industrial sewing machine in his childhood bedroom in 1983 at the age of 17.

As a young outdoor enthusiast, Roland had a passion and a talent for creating cutting-edge outdoor equipment for his own adventurers, and soon for other Australian adventurers. By 1991, after outfitting an unusual first ascent of Mt. Everest (a 1126+ kilometre, 8848 metres in elevation trek from sea level to a solo summit), Sea to Summit was born.

Roland’s drive to design the best, lightest and most durable equipment would take him farther into the remote Australian outback and eventually into the Himalayas. In these wild places, he could put his inventions to the ultimate test.

In 1993, Roland was joined by Penny Sanderson, who had spent six years at Australian Geographic. Her passion for exploration and innovation was a perfect fit for Sea to Summit. Penny and Roland began travelling several months out of each year, spending time climbing, sailing, trekking, overlanding and biking. Everywhere they went, they tested products and iterated design.

In 2022, Sea to Summit successfully transitioned from an owner-modelled business to a solid private equity backed business. The certified B-Corporation and Australian investment firm, Five V Capital, signed an agreement with Sea to Summit to become the majority shareholder. This marks an important milestone in Sea to Summit’s history as the brand becomes a global player in the outdoor industry, continuing to grow and expand.

Roland and Penny’s fundamental love of travel and design will see them remain active in Sea to Summit designing perfect gear for customers to enjoy and experience worldwide. The partnership will allow Sea to Summit to execute its growth plans in areas such as e-commerce, supply chain and sustainability expertise.