Backcountry shelters are one of those things that I try and constantly pay attention to in terms of what’s available year after year. It’s one of the main items we carry on hunts and one of the biggest/heaviest in our packs. So, if I can find something that gives me a slight edge without compromising performance, I’m all ears. The new Rincon 2p tent from Argali had my attention since the day I found out about it and after a few hunts under my belt with it, I’m happy to say my assumptions were correct.
This is not a full review, but more of an overview of the new Argali Rincon 2p. You can expect a full review later this year after I’ve spent much more time with this tent.
The Rincon 2p is a modular tipi style tent made to handle a variety of situations. It can be used in floorless mode or with an insert(sold separately) to keep the bugs away. Being a tipi style shelter, it only requires one pole in the center. This can be either the carbon fiber pole that Argali sells or a trekking pole. It takes 8 stakes total to set up the Rincon. Each staking point has a line-loc adjuster giving the user the ability to really get the right pitch even in uneven terrain.
On the surface, this just looks like another basic tipi style tent. Underneath that though there are some different features that really separate the Rincon from others on the market.
First off, the Rincon, as well as the Argali Absaroka(4p) are made of SilPoly. Most backcountry shelters are made of nylon. Nylon is a great fabric, but it absorbs water, and when it does it stretches. This is why after it rains, you’ll notice your shelter has a sort of sag to it. And in order to get everything taught again, you’ve gotta go around and re-stake the tent. Polyester doesn’t absorb water and has virtually no stretch. So when the Rincon gets wet, you won’t have to make your go around re-staking, as it doesn’t sag when wet.
Another cool feature of the Rincon is being able to pitch it elevated for early season air flow or right up against the ground to help hold in heat and keep weather out. This is all possible by the lin-loc adjusters. For elevated mode you’d run your stake right through the loop on the paracord and set your desired height. To cinch things close to the ground, run the stake through the loop that the black lin-loc adjuster is being held in place by. This will allow one to stake the tent right down to the ground.
Having the ability to run a stove inside of a shelter is a GAME CHANGER for later season hunts. It could be 20 degrees outside and you’ll be in a t-shirt in your tent. To add to the versatility of the Rincon, it has a removeable stove jack. So, when it’s warmer and a stove isn’t needed, you’ll save a little weight by just replacing the stove jack with a SilPoly attachment. When it’s time to bring the stove along, this just unzips out of the shelter and you’ll zip the stove jack right into its place. And boom you’re ready to rock.
I want to point out a few things about the stove here before moving on. First, you CANNOT run the stove with the insert. This is a fire hazard. There isn’t even a hole cut out in the insert for a stove pipe, so don’t try and make one. Secondly, when you add a stove, this 2 person tent becomes a 1 person tent.
So far so good. The Rincon is super easy to pitch and fast at that. I was able to get this set up in a hurry right before a snow storm hit on my Idaho bear hunt. Also, I love how roomy this shelter is. It is actually a 2 person tent that can fit 2 people and gear. The space to weight ratio is fantastic. And in the weather it held up great. Just make sure that you seam seal this tent before bringing it out so it is fully waterproof.
Being that I’ve only got a hunt or two under my belt with Rincon, I didn’t want to do a full review just yet. There are many more nights I’ll be spending in it this Fall and I’ll be using it in all of its glory. I plan on running the insert, running it floorless, and in elevated/non-elevated mode in a variety of different environments across the west. So, stay tuned for my full review later in the year after all of my adventures with the Argali Rincon 2p.
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