Outdoors

Tentsile Flite: A lightweight off-ground tree tent for two

Tentsile Flite: A lightweight off-ground tree tent for two
The Flite is priced at US$350 and is due to ship in January 2016
The Flite is priced at US$350 and is due to ship in January 2016
View 12 Images
The Flite is Tentsile's lightest and most affordable model to date
1/12
The Flite is Tentsile's lightest and most affordable model to date
The Flite can support two adults, plus their gear, safely off-ground
2/12
The Flite can support two adults, plus their gear, safely off-ground
According to Tentsile, the Flite can be assembled in about 10 minutes
3/12
According to Tentsile, the Flite can be assembled in about 10 minutes
The Flite comes in several colors, including camouflage
4/12
The Flite comes in several colors, including camouflage
The Flite is priced at US$350 and is due to ship in January 2016
5/12
The Flite is priced at US$350 and is due to ship in January 2016
The tent offers a total floorspace of 3.75 sq m (40 sq ft)
6/12
The tent offers a total floorspace of 3.75 sq m (40 sq ft)
According to Tentsile, the Flite can be assembled in about 10 minutes
7/12
According to Tentsile, the Flite can be assembled in about 10 minutes
When packed in its bag, the Flite measures 45 x 15 x 15 cm (18 x 6 x 6 in), which expands to 2.5 x 3.5 m (8 x 11 ft) while in use
8/12
When packed in its bag, the Flite measures 45 x 15 x 15 cm (18 x 6 x 6 in), which expands to 2.5 x 3.5 m (8 x 11 ft) while in use
The tent offers a total floorspace of 3.75 sq m (40 sq ft)
9/12
The tent offers a total floorspace of 3.75 sq m (40 sq ft)
The tree tent weighs in at 3.3 kg (7.3 lb)
10/12
The tree tent weighs in at 3.3 kg (7.3 lb)
By hanging a tent from a tree, campers can escape all the creepy-crawlies, dampness, and rocks that are found on terra firma
11/12
By hanging a tent from a tree, campers can escape all the creepy-crawlies, dampness, and rocks that are found on terra firma
When packed in its bag, the Flite measures 45 x 15 x 15 cm (18 x 6 x 6 in), which expands to 2.5 x 3.5 m (8 x 11 ft) while in use
12/12
When packed in its bag, the Flite measures 45 x 15 x 15 cm (18 x 6 x 6 in), which expands to 2.5 x 3.5 m (8 x 11 ft) while in use
View gallery - 12 images

Following its Stingray, Connect, and Vista hanging tree tents, British firm Tentsile continues to refine and expand its product line, and is readying for release of the Flite. This lightweight and affordable four season tree tent can be strapped to a backpack, assembles in 10 minutes, and can support two adults, plus their gear, safely off-ground.

The basic idea behind a tree tent is that by attaching your tent to some trees, and thus off the ground, campers can escape all the creepy-crawlies, dampness, and rocks that are found on terra firma. Think of a hammock crossed with a tent and you're not far off.

When packed in its bag, the Flite measures 45 x 15 x 15 cm (18 x 6 x 6 in), which expands to 2.5 x 3.5 m (8 x 11 ft) while in use. The tent offers a total floorspace of 3.75 sq m (40 sq ft) and weighs in at 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) including its single ratchet. The maximum load is 220 kg (485 lb), and access is gained via two zippable entry points.

By hanging a tent from a tree, campers can escape all the creepy-crawlies, dampness, and rocks that are found on terra firma
By hanging a tent from a tree, campers can escape all the creepy-crawlies, dampness, and rocks that are found on terra firma

The Flite is set up as follows ... You find yourself three roughly triangularly-arranged trees and attach the tent up to 1.2 m (4 ft) off the ground with straps, then use a ratchet to make it taut. A single aluminum support pole is threaded into the tent's fabric to create a roof section. Finally, a flysheet is attached.

The whole process is said to take around 10 minutes and, from the firm's demonstration video (via the product page link below), looks like it could be easy achievable after some practice runs.

Tentsile's Flite is due to start shipping in the first week of January, 2016, but pre-orders will be open from December 10. It will be available in camouflage, orange, a couple of shades of green and dark gray, and will set you back US$350.

Product Page: Tentsile Flite

View gallery - 12 images
4 comments
4 comments
mediabeing
A pinata for bears. Have fun.
socalboomer
quite ingenious and very very neat!
Keith Reeder
"A pinata for bears. Have fun."
Oh yeah - we have big problems with them. In the UK. Where this is from...
MishaCarr
Now all we need is a ladder.