Tested in the Roar: Why the Orson Alpha 2 is the Ultimate 4-Season Shelter
When you are deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the margin for error is razor-thin. The difference between a memorable expedition and a dangerous situation often comes down to one piece of gear. Often, this one critical piece of gear is your shelter.
At Orson, we design tents specifically for these unforgiving environments. But we don't just rely on lab specs; we rely on real-world tests to prove the performance of every tent in our range. That’s why we were stoked to see Glen from Mental Hunts take the Orson Alpha 2 for a hunt in the mountains, experiencing how it coped with wind, rain and freezing temperatures.
The Alpha 2 in the South Island's Southern Alps | @adventures_of_riko
The Mental Hunts Review: "Bombproof" Performance
If you follow Glen at Mental Hunts, you know he doesn’t go easy on his gear. For his recent Roar trip—the peak of the deer hunting season—he needed a shelter that could withstand the volatile weather typical of alpine environments.
Glen took the Orson Alpha 2 into the New Zealand backcountry, where he faced a mix of heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and high winds. His verdict? The tent didn't flinch.
"[It] stood up to the wind and did not leak. Easy and quick to put up with the external pole system... Great tent."
Watch Glen’s full review above to see how the Alpha 2 handles the elements in real-time
Why the Alpha 2 Could Be The Best 2-Person Alpine Tent For You
Whether you are planning a winter traverse or a remote hunting expedition, it's well worth finding a tent that balances weight with extreme durability. The Alpha 2, isn't just another tent 2 person tent - it's innovating the way that we can camp, especially through the winter months.
1. Designed for the "Worst Case Scenario"
The Alpha 2 is a true 4 season tent. Unlike standard 3-season hiking tents that might buckle under snow or flatten in moderate winds, the Alpha 2 utilizes a semi-geodesic tent structure. This geometry creates exceptional stability, allowing it to shed wind and snow loads more effectively. It is built to help keep you safe when the weather turns.
2. The External Pole Advantage
One of the features Glen highlights in the video linked above was the speed of the pitch. The Alpha 2 features an external pole tent design. This means the fly and inner are linked: you can either pitch them simultaneously or pitch fly first.
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Keeps the inner dry: If you are setting up in a downpour, your sleeping area never gets wet.
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Fast setup: Vital when you are cold, tired and losing daylight.
3. Waterproofing You Can Trust
Alpine environments can be moisture rich, whether it's rain, snow, hail, fog or morning dew. We used a 40D Ripstop Silnylon tent fly with a PU4000mm rating, paired with a heavy-duty PU6000mm floor. This makes it a highly waterproof camping tent, and with the optional groundsheet (sold separately), it's capable of sitting on sodden tussock or snow without moisture seeping through.
4. Liveability in the Cold
A winter camping tent needs to be more than just a survival bag. You need room to move. The Alpha 2 is a spacious 2 person alpine tent (215cm L x 130cm W) with dual vestibules for storing wet packs and boots. We also prioritised ventilation—roof vents are accessible from inside the tent, so you can manage condensation without braving the cold air.
The Alpha 2 in the New Zealand backcountry | @adventures_of_riko
Who is this Tent For?
We built the Alpha 2 to be the definitive piece of durable camping gear for:
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Hunters: It serves as a reliable lightweight hunting tent that won't weigh you down (3.25kg packed) but is tough enough for base camp.
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Mountaineers: Essential alpine hunting gear and climbing shelter for high-altitude pursuits.
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Hikers: Perfect for those needing a robust hiking tent NZ walkers trust on the Te Araroa or Great Walks during the shoulder seasons.
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Backcountry Explorers: Whether you are in the backcountry tent camping in British Columbia or Tasmania, this tent handles the isolation and the elements.
The Verdict
You can buy lighter tents, but you will struggle to find a stronger one at this weight class. As the Mental Hunts review proved, the Orson Alpha 2 is a cold weather tent that is ready to take on epic adventures.