Lightwave is dedicated to the design and development of high-quality lightweight tents and rucksacks.
You can find Lightwave products in specialist outdoor shops in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland,
the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK.
adventure travel
spring/summer backpacking
3-season camping
Lightwave ion tents are designed for three-season camping. In broad terms, this means they will cope with all but the strong winds, driving rain and snow that we typically associate with winter. Hence they make an ideal companion for lightweight adventure travel, especially in warmer, drier climes. Rain is rain anywhere in the world, however, which is why the ion flysheet uses the same tough fabric as Lightwave’s four-season trek tents.
Three distinct design features distinguish the ion range from our four-season trek and ultra tents. Firstly, the inner tent incorporates large mesh panels that allow heat to escape and so make the tent cooler in summer. Secondly, the front of the flysheet has no vents. In a warm climate, the day/night temperature differential that gives rise to condensation is less pronounced, reducing the need for ventilation. (Realistically, too, you are likely to spend more time outside the tent and leave the door open for longer.) No vents also means a weight saving of 250 g and a reduction in costs. Finally – and to offset the absence of vents – the ion flysheet is high-cut. In other words, it does not entirely hug the ground, but traces a low arch between pegging points, encouraging air to circulate between the inner and the fly and optimising comfort in warmer conditions.
Very light and relatively inexpensive, the ion is a versatile tent for most seasons and most destinations.
The ion flysheet is made of the same 40-denier nylon 6.6 as our four-season trek tents. This fabric strikes an optimum balance between strength and low weight. As in our trek tents, the ion flysheet is also coated on both sides with silicone, but to a lower hydrostatic head of 3000 mm (the minimum level we consider necessary required for long-term water-resistance).
The ion groundsheet is made from a light but still reasonably tough 70-denier nylon with a hydrostatic head of 3000 mm. It is recommended that anyone intending to use any ion/ioniX tent intensively uses a footprint as often as possible to ensure an extended life.
Ion poles are made of the 7001-T6 alloy employed in probably 90% of all backpacking tents in the world. Like all our poles, they are supplied by DAC, who have the most stringent quality control of all the pole manufacturers we have dealt with.
Ion tents use our Lightning peg – similar in weight to most standard pegs, but substantially stronger. Costing four times more than normal wire pegs, these are seldom seen on all but the most expensive and highly specified tents.
Ion guylines are made of standard 3.0 mm nylon. They work, and with the Linelok adjusters they work very well.
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