New TFS Stars 2 Pro Review: A Stronger Two-Person Tent
The new, upgraded Stars 2 Pro keeps the spacious, twin-vestibule layout that made the original appealing, then strengthens the structure and refines the details that matter when the weather turns.
This is a review of the new version; the earlier Stars 2 Pro is used only as useful context for showing where the upgrade goes further.
The new TFS Stars 2 Pro from TFS Tents is a meaningful upgrade, not a simple colour refresh. It takes a well-regarded two-person layout and concentrates on the parts of the shelter that determine how it behaves in poor weather: a more durable fly, stronger main poles, more pull-out points, improved reinforcement and a longer inner.
The earlier Stars 2 Pro earned attention for its room, practical ventilation and the sense that it was a genuine two-person backpacking tent rather than a cramped solo shelter with an optimistic label. The new version does not throw that useful formula away; it makes it more capable and more refined.
Figure: Previous version of the popular TFS Stars Pro
At a glance: the upgraded Stars 2 Pro
- Capacity: two people.
- Design: free-standing, sleeve-pitched cross-pole tent with two doors and two vestibules.
- Season intent: a solid-inner, cold-weather-capable design; use the four-season label with the usual judgement around truly severe mountain weather.
- New main poles: 9.6mm diameter, increased from 8.5mm; the lighter 8.5mm crossing pole remains.
- New inner length: 220cm, increased from 215cm.
- New fly: nylon made entirely from reinforced yarns for improved durability.
- New colours: brown, dark green and mist blue. The former coffee colour has been retired.
The upgrade is the story
The headline changes are deliberately practical. Main-pole diameter rises from 8.5mm to 9.6mm, the fly now uses nylon made entirely from reinforced yarns, each pole-sleeve edge gains double pull-out points and the inner grows to 220cm. There is also a new trekking-pole brace option for the vestibule, extra storage and revised fly geometry that sits closer to the ground. Those changes give the tent more of the reserve that wild campers want when a forecast deteriorates.
What the upgraded Stars 2 Pro retains
The appeal of the Stars 2 Pro starts with its shape. Two main poles build the body of the tent and a shorter crossing pole finishes the roof structure. The inner and fly pitch together, so there is no separate inner-first routine to manage when rain is approaching. Peg the corners, thread the poles through the sleeves, bring the tent up and add the crossing pole; it is a straightforward sequence once familiar.
It is free-standing too. That makes site selection less stressful and lets the tent be repositioned before the final peg-out. With the guylines tensioned, the structure has a low, settled feel rather than the high, exposed profile of many lightweight two-person shelters.
Inside, the Stars 2 Pro is designed to feel like a real two-person tent. The original 215cm-long inner was already broad enough for two full-length mats, with useful headroom and enough space at the foot end for the everyday clutter of camp. The two side vestibules keep packs, boots and wet layers out of the sleeping space, while also giving each occupant their own entrance.
For solo use, that same layout becomes particularly comfortable: one side can be kept clear for cooking or wet gear, while the inner remains a tidy sleeping and living space.
Ventilation without giving up the solid inner
The Stars 2 Pro’s solid-inner approach is a large part of its appeal for UK camping. The lower fabric helps take the edge off a breeze, while mesh sections in the doors can be opened when conditions are milder. Earlier versions used four vents in total, including door and side vents, and the side ventilation can be adjusted from inside the tent. That is exactly the sort of detail that matters when rain starts and you do not want to leave a warm sleeping bag simply to alter airflow.
It is a more versatile arrangement than an all-mesh summer inner, but it should not be mistaken for a guarantee against condensation or extreme-weather limitations. The original Stars 2 Pro was sold as a four-season tent, though experienced users sensibly placed it in the strong three-plus-season category rather than treating it as an automatic choice for the harshest winter conditions. The upgraded model improves its reserve, but good pitching, sensible site choice and full guying still matter.
What has changed on the upgraded Stars 2 Pro?
A tougher flysheet and stronger main poles
The two biggest changes are structural. The flysheet now uses nylon made entirely from reinforced yarns, chosen in response to feedback from users taking the tent into harsher conditions. The main poles have also increased from 8.5mm DAC NSL to 9.6mm. That is a meaningful change: larger-diameter main poles should offer a more confidence-inspiring frame when the tent is fully tensioned in wind.
The top crossing pole remains 8.5mm. Keeping that pole lighter is a sensible compromise, preserving the roof support and shape without adding unnecessary weight where it is less needed.
More guying, more reinforcement, a lower edge
The previous tent already had reinforced guy points, but the new version adds double pull-out points to every pole-sleeve edge. That gives all four edges two points rather than one, offering more ways to stabilise the structure. High-stress areas now receive Dyneema reinforcement fabric as well.
The side-fly arc has been extended lower so the fabric sits closer to the ground. This should reduce the open gap around the edge in poor weather while retaining the ability to pitch the tent taut. A new central vestibule pull-out is another useful addition: it gives the porch more support in wind and can make the sheltered cooking area feel more secure.
An optional trekking-pole brace for strong wind
TFS has also addressed the crossing-pole area with a supplied webbing pocket that accepts the handle of a trekking pole. When conditions are calm, there is no need to use it. In stronger wind, the pole can brace the vestibule and support the pressure around the crossing-pole zone. It is a practical, optional reinforcement rather than a complication built into every normal pitch.
Longer sleeping space and more useful storage
The inner is now 220cm long, a 5cm increase over the earlier 215cm layout. That may sound modest on paper, but it is the right place to add room: tall users and those using thick winter sleep systems will appreciate a little more clearance at the head and foot ends.
The side mesh pockets are now larger and wider, making them more useful for a phone, gloves or a scarf. Two hanging pockets have also been added at the roof, creating a simple place for hats, socks and small items that otherwise disappear into the bottom of a sleeping bag.
Pitching notes for the new version
The pole-sleeve design wraps the structure closely and is central to the Stars 2 Pro’s stable feel. Thread the poles slowly rather than forcing them through a sleeve, and make sure each pole meets its grommet at a right angle. The adjustable webbing straps need to be pulled properly tight: they are there to take up slack, particularly when cold weather causes the fabric to contract.
A taut pitch is not just cosmetic. It keeps the floor flat, gives the full 220cm inner length, supports airflow and allows the structure to work as intended. In wind, use the additional guy-out points and the optional trekking-pole brace where appropriate rather than relying on the basic corner peg-out alone.
Footprint choices
TFS has demonstrated three footprint options for the updated tent: a robust 70D version at approximately 362g, a lighter 20D option at approximately 260g, and a Tyvek option at approximately 250g. The choice is the familiar one between abrasion resistance and carried weight. The 20D option keeps the load lower but deserves careful site selection; the 70D version is the better match for repeated use on rough ground.
Verdict
The upgraded TFS Stars 2 Pro takes a tent that was already valued for its usable space, twin entrances, sizeable porches and solid-inner versatility, then makes the changes that serious users are likely to notice. The stronger main poles, reinforced-yarn fly, expanded guying and lower fly edge all point in the same direction: a more settled, more durable shelter for exposed three-season camping and cold-weather trips.
It remains important to be realistic. This is a light, capable tent, not a substitute for judgement in severe winter conditions. But for walkers and wild campers who want a genuine two-person tent that can be shared, or used solo as a very comfortable base, the new Stars 2 Pro looks like a well-judged upgrade.
The upgraded TFS Stars 2 Pro is now available to order from Tanwa Outdoor, with 5% discount your first order with us!