A tent without poles is a tarp, right? Wrong. The gear gurus at New Hampshire-based Nemo have revolutionized the entire concept of tents with their pole-free shelter. Nemo tents ($325 to $675) use inflatable beams for support. Stomp a foot pump and the single-wall tents erect in seconds.
The Nemo designers say the beams are virtually pop-proof. The lauded air-support design is popular among adventure racers and ultralight backpackers who whittle their packs to bare bones.
The tents come with all the accoutrements of their poled-colleagues, with windows, vents and weather protection at a much lighter weight. The buzz is growing for Nemo, which launched it first design three months ago.
Look for the inflatable tent design to spread like wildfire throughout the tent world.
Get it — Pump up a Nemo at www.nemoequipment.com.
