Review: First Ascent Peak Tent

The First Ascent Peak is an extremely stable tent that can handle very strong winds. I had it pitched in near gale force winds where the rain was hitting the fly sheet so hard, it was deafening. The tent showed no signs of budging, with minimal flex in the main structure and only some movement along door panels. At R3499 (at time of writing), it offers amazing value for money for a proper 4-season tent.

Quick Specs

Size: Will work as a 3-person tent if necessary, but is very comfortable as a 2-person tent
Weight: 4067g (without stuff sack, i.e. trail weight)
Waterproof rating: Flysheet: 5000mm HH; Groundsheet: 5000mm HH
Structure: 4 poles; 9 intersections
Price: R3499 (at time of writing)

Weight

Advertised as 4.35kg, I found that by removing the stuff sack that the tent comes in, the total weight drops to 4067g. Definitely not light, but not ridiculous for a proper 4-season tent – when those high mountain winds start “nuking”, you’re going to be glad you carried that extra 500g of tent.

Fly sheet: 1170g
Tent (inner): 1600g
Poles: 1117g
Pegs: 180g

Ease of Pitching

The poles run through sleeves, which adds a lot of stability to the tent, but it’s definitely easier to set up if there’s another person to help guide the poles through the sleeves. When pitching the tent in wind, it helps pegging the corners of the tent down first, before inserting the poles.

Once the poles have been run through the sleeves and the inner tent is up, the rest is straightforward. The fly sheet attaches to the inner tent by means of clips that can be tensioned, and in high winds, the pegs can be secured to the tent with loops of cord. The tent is then further secured by means of six guy lines.

Inside the Tent

Width-wise this tent is a tight fit for three people, but very comfortable for two, with plenty of room to move and store essentials. Mesh storage pockets and a suspended mesh “attic” help keep gear organized and off the floor. It’s also a great place to hang a lamp.

The sleeping area is surprisingly long (2.5m). I am 1.86m tall and had loads of space at my feet to store clothes and food – definitely a key feature for taller hikers.

Ventilation

There are four vents in the fly sheet – two on either end – that can be opened or closed depending on preference. The vents, combined with half-height mesh panels in the doors, do an excellent job of reducing condensation and promoting airflow.

Entrances and Vestibules

The tent features entrances and vestibules on both sides, allowing easy entry and exit without disturbing others. The O-shaped doors operate smoothly with one hand and store neatly in side mesh pockets.

The vestibules are ideal for storing gear and boots, although they’re too small to cook under. Each hiker has access to their own vestibule, making organization easier.

One minor flaw: The vestibule zipper ends near a pole sleeve. If misaligned, water can seep through the zipper cover and into the sleeve, eventually reaching the tent corner. It’s a rare occurrence but worth noting for prolonged heavy rain.

Overall Construction

This tent is incredibly sturdy. The four poles intersect nine times, and the sleeve system distributes stress evenly across the structure. With guy lines secured, it’s rock solid in high winds.

All attachment points are reinforced, and both the flysheet and floor feature a 5000mm waterproof rating, built to handle years of rugged mountain use.

The tent was supplied for review by First Ascent and can be purchased directly from their website.