Nemo Asashi — Gear storage is the name of the game with the Asashi, a 63-square-foot shelter that sleeps four and has an optional “garage” vestibule attachment big enough to set up beach chairs inside or store bicycles standing upright. While the garage is optional — it costs an extra $139 — Nemo includes a standard vestibule and four large interior pockets. A gear loft, which hooks to the ceiling and adds a mesh shelf inside the tent, is an extra $18. For dog owners, the Asashi can be fitted with Nemo’s Pawprint floor, a polyester covering that snaps on and protects the fabric from dog claws running in and out of the nylon den. Price: $399 (tent only). Contact: www.nemoequipment.com
Eureka N!ergy 9 — Light up the backcountry with this two-pole dome tent. The Eureka N!ergy 9, touted as a “powered home away from home,” is compatible with the company’s E! Power Pack batteries. Charge up the pack at home. Then at your campsite pick from a fan, lights, vacuum cleaner, and other accessories. Further, a 12v DC (cigarette-lighter type) outlet lets campers power items such as laptops, iPods, cell phones or air-mattress pumps with the appropriate plugs and adaptors. The tent weighs about 15 pounds and sets up to a nine by nine foot shelter to sleep four to five people. Price: $209 (tent only; accessories extra). Contact: www.eurekatent.com
Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4 — Backpackers take note: This mesh tent weighs less than seven pounds but can accommodate four campers and their gear. With 57 square feet of floor space the Lightning XT 4 — which comes with a rain fly for bad weather — is an ultimate big tent for use on the trail. Divvy up its contents — stakes to one hiker, poles to another — and each person only has to add two pounds of weight to his or her pack. (Exact total tent weight is 6 pounds, 13 ounces.) Two doors and two vestibules add easy access to gear stowed outside. Price: $449. Contact: www.sierradesigns.com
