Page 38 - The Tent Handbook 2017

The story of the Kaitum
WE INTRODUCED THE ORIGINAL, two-person Kaitum in 2006. Our goal was to create an all-around, all-season tunnel tent that would offer a high level of comfort, and would suit a broad array of users. Two concepts drove the Kaitum’s development. “We wanted a lighter weight, two entrance, two vestibule tunnel tent,” recalls Bo Hilleberg. “The Kaitum was developed for those who want the comfort and exibility of the two entrance, two vestibule design, but don’t necessarily need the extra strength of our Black Label Keron models.” In addition, the popularity of the Nallo 2 and 3 GT had created a demand for a similar roomy, lightweight tent, but with two vestibules.
We used the same 9 mm poles and Kerlon 1200 outer tent fabric found in the Nallo models, since these and the other Red Label tents prioritize lighter weight over absolute strength. And, as we did with the Nallo, we used different length poles. While this certainly saves some weight, we found that different sized poles create a structure that’s more suited to the thinner, lighter Kerlon 1200 outer tent fabric.
With the Kaitum, there’s an added bene t: because of the different length poles, it is wider and a bit taller in the middle of the tent, and so feels bigger, as one of our staff discovered during the original Kaitum’s development “We were out on a ski tour in Jämtland, Sweden, and two of us were sleeping in the prototype of the original two-person Kaitum,” he recalls “In the morning, the other two on the trip gathered in the tent with us – one in the inner tent and one sitting in the vestibule. There was so much room, I was quite sure the tent was a three-person model!”
The Kaitum was an immediate success. In 2006 and 2007, it won back to back Gear of the Year awards from Outdoor, Germany’s largest outdoor magazine, and it took home the same magazine’s Editor’s Choice award in 2006. “The Kaitum concept offered an outstanding space to weight ratio and was very popular, especially with backpackers,” says Bo, “so we added other sizes.” We introduced the three-person Kaitum 3 in 2008, and followed that in 2009 with extended vestibule, GT versions of both the Kaitum 2 and 3. For 2017, we complete the family, with the introduction of the Kaitum 4 and Kaitum 4 GT.
And while the Kaitum models were conceived, at least in part, as a Red Label “version” of the Keron, and thus not meant for the most demand- ing adventures – polar expeditions, desert tours and the like – they are ideal for avid users who go out year ‘round, in all types of terrain. “For both exposed, over the tree line terrain and for forested areas,” says Bo. “the Kaitum models are great choices. They have a good amount of strength, plenty of all-season weather protection, and, because of their two vestibule construction, they offer better ventilation than the Nallo GTs, but at a similar weight.”
Little wonder, then, that when Bo and Renate Hilleberg go out into the mountains, they very often use a Kaitum 3. “It’s not too heavy, and it is very comfortable in any season,” says Bo. “With both vestibules rolled away, it has amazing ventilation for warm weather, and in the winter – or when a sudden summer snowstorm hits, as it often does in the Swedish mountains – then there is no problem!”
The new Kaitum models are outstanding choices for any trip in any season where space, low weight and comfort are all high priorities. Here a new four-person Kaitum 4 GT serves as a roomy – and mobile – backcountry lodge while ski touring in northern Sweden. Photo: Robin Johansson.
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