I’ve got the panacea 2(the cheap version of yours 😂), I’ve found it to be absolutely bombproof in very strong winds I’ve had it in 40mph gusts 550m up in the mountains. The trekking poles are the major factor when in strong wind that’s a fact I agree with. Without poles in I’ve found it absolutely fine if pitched correctly. It must be pitched into the wind. The sides where the main poles connect to the inner. Check my shorts clip for a glimpse of what it went through. All the best 👍🏻

Hi, I just watched your video. Thanks for sharing, there are so few reviews of this tent, and it does have a few quirks that are worth knowing about, whether you're considering buying one, or already own one. I too have the Northern Lite 2, so thought I'd share my thoughts... It does need trekking poles in strong winds, I've measured gusts of over 55mph and my NL2 stood firm (I'm sure it was actually gusting stronger than this when my anemometer was in my pocket, but 55mph is what I measured). You're right, it is bomb-proof. However, it'll cope quite happily in moderate winds without trekking poles. The trick is to make sure the vestibule fly is nice and taut. I noticed your peg-straps were about as short as they can be, and that could be one of the main causes of your issue. Slacken the straps right off, peg them out tight, then if the fly slackens off in the wind (or rain) you can take up much of the slack by tightening the straps. Using this method I've had the fly pretty tight up to 35mph, and just popped in the trekking poles to reduce the buffeting from the wind. Incidentally, I found that putting the trekking poles at a sloped angle, slightly steeper than the pitch of the vestibule fly, makes it a lot easier to get into and out of the tent, without really affecting its stability.

I was literally about to buy this tent after saving for a while, need to replace my vango banshee 200. Now i'm having seconds thoughts. I appreciate your video as the others i have watched raised none of these issues, cheers

Hi. Thanks for the comment. Have watched your clips. I think my last outing was getting up to that windy - I didn’t have the anemometer then but just had a look at some vids from that day and I’m getting knocked about when stood up. 30mph maybe. Video of inside of tent in the night very similar to yours. In this video tent is pitched nearly into wind - its coming from about 11 o’clock position. I bought a Voyager yesterday and also an Ultra Quasar today whilst at it (both SH) so will give them both a good go before deciding which to keep (all of them probably…😂). Used to use a Quasar when I was younger. My NL2 replaced a Robens Boulder 2 which didn’t see any extreme weather but was really sturdy and never any frustration. Also have a Vango Cullin which is a fantastic tent but 4.3kg. Chris.

Thanks for posting, really useful 'real life' demonstration. I was considering this as a potential option but having seen the point you have mad will avoid it....its not a lightweight tent if a) you have to carry poles all the time, and b) you are 'stuffed' if you just happen to brak your walking poles whilst out on a multi-day camp.

Here's a tip for pitching without the poles: locate the poles into the inner holes on the blue tags. Adds more tension to the frame, pushes the roof higher, and means you can pitch it taught. It's a fabulous tent, if a little expensive. The thing is, the option to add poles or not makes it versatile, it's light without them, and if its stormy then they make in unbreakable, as strong, if not stronger than anything for the money. Also, you should pitch with the tail into the wind, you can easily add another guy line using a carabiner to help secure the frame even more.

Great video review! Interesting point you've raised especially the vestibules weakness to winds. Worth noting that the hubbed pole design (which causes this instability) is a very very well tested and highly used design, although almost always on american backpacking tents (Hubba Hubba is probably most well known), almost never on UK designs. These tents are optimised for weight to volume ratio for weeks long trips rather than wind resistance, and are normally designed to be used below the tree line in a very much not UK climate, indeed the only above treeline tent of this deisgn, the MSR Access 2, has effectively got in built trekking poles in the structure. I've owned and used tents of these designs for a number of years (almost always with two people in them) and they all require trekking poles for vestibule stability in high winds (you can find many vids about msr tents on youtube), and I think the trade off (for me) is worth it, no more tiny cramped tunnel tents getting in and out one at a time, however I think they're probably not really the best design for a 'wild camper' who typically spends a night or two on exposed fells, more for through hikers using them for weeks at a time in generally more sheltered locations. That being said I have added extra guylines to the middle of the large side panels (Near the doors) using GCG Grip Clips (ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/grip-clips/) which I found helps an enormous amount in high winds, really stopping it caving in and adding so much resistance to snow loading. You could probably get away with just carrying one in the tent bag 'just in case' to take the pressure off the leading edge, also very useful redundancy on longer trips if any existing pegging points are damaged. Sounds like the other TN tents you have may be more well suited to moorland camping, hope that you manage to find the tent thats great for you! ATB

It sounds like you have plenty of camping and tent experience . And i understand your concerns about the nl2. I think all these similarly designed tents suffer in the same way with that top pole collapsing in high winds . Ive just bought my first tent with similar design .the vango krypton ul2 . Though this is an inner pitch first .😅 i too can add trecking poles for strength in the same location .but i always walk with a single pole anyway (i will fit it on the windy side and exit the other .) I guess its the price we pay for light weight and large internal space . I have loads of tents i just take the most appropriate for the walk /conditions . You cant blame terra nova for designing a tent that suits some one other than you .

😂😂😂😂