ActiveOutdoorsCampingSea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: beginner-friendly tent for two happy campersRoomy and easy-to-use dome tent, offering lovely quality and comfort for two campers on casual nights in the wildWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sian Lewis)T3 VerdictLovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for twoReasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three peopleWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsCampingSea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: beginner-friendly tent for two happy campersRoomy and easy-to-use dome tent, offering lovely quality and comfort for two campers on casual nights in the wildWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Sian Lewis)T3 VerdictLovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for twoReasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three peopleWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Roomy and easy-to-use dome tent, offering lovely quality and comfort for two campers on casual nights in the wild
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)T3 VerdictLovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for twoReasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three people
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
T3 VerdictLovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for twoReasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three people
T3 VerdictLovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.
T3 Verdict
Lovely quality, super-simple pitching and lots of added height and width make the Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 stand out among dome tents aimed at more casual camping adventures. Ideal for two people who want a comfy night’s sleep, this is a tent to invest in that will likely last you for years.
Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for twoReasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three people
Reasons to buy+Excellent build quality+Waterproof and breathable materials+Roomy interior for two
Excellent build quality
Waterproof and breathable materials
Roomy interior for two
Reasons to avoid-Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking-A snug fit for three people
Too heavy to work for lightweight backpacking
A snug fit for three people
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 deals
$69.99$51.99View$69.95View$529View
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99
$51.99
$69.95View
$69.95View
$69.95View
$69.95
$69.95
$529View
$529View
$529View
$529
$529
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review in a sentence: spacious, easy-to-pitch two-person tent made from quality materials disguised as a 3-person tent. Slightly heavy for backpacking, but if inside space is your top priority, this is the tent for you.
Aussie brand Sea to Summit, as featured in T3’sbest backpacking tentguide, haveadded to their rangeof adventurous camping equipment with two tents aimed at car campers and beginner backpackers – the Ikos TR 2, sleeping two people, and the Ikos TR 3, sleeping three.
While these models are simply new takes on the ever-popular cross-pole dome tent design – the ‘TR’ in the tents’ name stands for ‘Tension Ridge’ – with an added third inverted pole that offers extra head height and breathability to the final structure. I tested out the larger of these two models to see if the Ikos TR 3 was, as Sea to Summit suggest, ideal ‘comfort-oriented backpacking and vehicle-supported camping’.
(First reviewed June 2023)
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: price and availbility
The Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 was released in March 2023 and is available to buy now atSea to Summit UK,Sea to Summit USandSea to Summit AUfor a recommended retail price of £525/ $529/ AU$ 850. The smaller 2-person version is lighter and cheaper at £425/ $429/ AU$ 700. TheIkos TR3 Bigfoot Footprintis sold separately for $70.
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: specifications
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: design and features
The Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 doesn’t reinvent the wheel – this dome tent takes a mesh-lined inner tent, adds two crossed poles and pops a waterproof fly on top for a roomy and sturdy backpacking-style tent that’s easy to use and transport. What Sea to Summit do add to the classic dome design is an inverted pole over the top of the tent called a ‘Tension Ridge’, which adds extra internal height – while you can’t stand up in the Ikos 3, it’s definitely taller than your average dome tent, which comes in very handy for sorting kit or getting changed without feeling claustrophobic.
Plenty of vents and that extra height also keep condensation to a minimum inside the Ikos 3 and make the tent feel pleasingly breathable even on hot summer days. The inner tent, which can be used alone, is mesh-lined and lets in additional airflow but keeps mosquitos and midges firmly on the outside of the living space.
Step inside the tent through one of two roomy porches (there are two doors on the inner tent for easy sharing), and you’ll find lots of well-placed pockets, ideal for storing bits and bobs of kit. The ceiling of the tent has a clip for holding a camping lantern but other than that; the interior is a simple square space that will take three sleeping bags sardine-style or two bags with room for a kit.
We also liked the looks of the Ikos on test – the dark red inner tent looks very smart (and makes a nice change from garishly bright tent designs), and the forest green outer fly is ideal for wild camping, where it’s always a good idea to blend into your surroundings.
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: pitching and performance
The Ikos 3 comes in a stuff sack that’s a little too bulky and heavy at 3kg once packed to be suitable for proper backpacking trips – you’ll need to either split the tent between two people or pick something more lightweight if you’re going to be carrying it over long distances. For more casual car camping and pack camping, though, the Ikos is not prohibitively heavy and doesn’t take up much room in storage or in the boot of a car.
Pitching this tent is a cinch – lay out the inner tent and peg out the four corners, then clip in the two main poles. The Tension Ridge pole pops on top, and the outer flysheet is pegged out and ready all in a matter of minutes. The whole thing is easy and innovative to erect, even on your first go. You can also leave the inner mesh-lined tent pitched as a standalone tent on hot nights or for a spot of stargazing.
We tested out the Ikos TR 3 on a hot summer’s evening and found it breathable enough to keep us cool and comfortable, and we loved the roomy interior and insect-proof mesh lining. While we couldn’t test out this tent in really heavy rain, the flysheet’s waterproofing technology (which doesn’t use PFC - perfluorinated compounds, harmful chemicals for the environment) kept a light shower at bay brilliantly. What stood out while pitching, dismantling and using this tent was how solid and good-quality all the separate components of the Ikos 3 felt – unlike some dome tents we’ve tested, this solid structure feels like it should last for years.
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: verdict
The Sea to Summit Ikos TR3 ticks lots of boxes – it’s easy to pitch and use, very comfortable to sleep in, is weatherproof and bugproof and isn’t prohibitively bulky when you’re on the go. It’s a pity it’s a shade too heavy to be a true backpacking tent, but if you already own a small featherweight backpacking tent and want something roomier to share with a buddy on more relaxed camps, this would be an excellent choice. Certainly one of thebest tentsfor those wanting extra space in the tent without too much extra heft.
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3 review: also consider
If you’re after an actual 2-person tent with plenty of room, check out The North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent. It’s an impressive lightweight backpacking tent with plenty of room for two people. It’s also easy to assemble and dismantle, weatherproof and quick to dry. If you like the outdoors and prefer to travel light, buying this tent isn’t an expense – it’s an investment. And a good one at that. Read Matt’s fullThe North Face Trail Lite 2-Person Tent review.
More expensive but much lighter and more suited for backpacking, the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 packs and is pitched easily and offers lots of space and ventilation. It’s super lightweight, but it might be a bit of a squeeze for two people. Read my fullSea to Summit Alto TR2 tent review.
Want even less weight? Sierra Designs has done away with the added weight and faff of metal poles and designed a clever tent that stands up to the elements using just two trekking poles and some pegs. This is a niche design that won’t suit everyone, but hardy hikers who value lightweight kits and who are heading out to tackle long distances will love it. Read my fullSierra Designs High Route 1 3000 1P tent review.
Sea to Summit Ikos TR 3: Price Comparison
$69.99$51.99View$69.95View$428.95View$529ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99View
$69.99$51.99
$51.99
$69.95View
$69.95View
$69.95View
$69.95
$69.95
$428.95View
$428.95View
$428.95View
$428.95
$428.95
$529View
$529View
$529View
$529
$529
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price informationCheck Amazon
No price information
No price information
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Amazon upgrades Kindle Colorsoft already – new model addresses customer complaintsAmazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Amazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Disney+’s most eagerly-awaited new Marvel series also looks to be its most brutalDaredevil: Born Again clearly won’t be for the faint of heart
Daredevil: Born Again clearly won’t be for the faint of heart
