23Zero’s LST integrated into the new Breezeway 62 roof top tent and Peregrine 270 awning are an evolution for vehicle-based adventurers

I rolled over and flipped on my watch’s backlight. It read 8:02. What? Confused and not able to see what I was doing, I unzipped the window. Immediately I saw the glorious California Mojave Desert. The sun was already high in the sky and beckoning us to enjoy its warm rays.

“What’s going on dad?” My daughter, Lilly, asked.
“It’s time to get up.” I replied.

Yes, the new Breezeway 62 with Light Suppression Technology (LST) allowed us to sleep soundly and get an awesome night’s rest. It’s dark!

Roof top tents are nothing new to the overlanding market. However, when Justin Dowey from 23Zero told me about some new technology they were using with their tents and awnings, I had to find out for myself. Lucky for me, I was preparing for my next trip to Death Valley and the Mojave Preserve with my daughter and wife, Louise.

Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, 23Zero’s U.S. office is minutes from my house. I stopped by, and we mounted the new Breezeway 62 and the Peregrine Awning to my Front Runner Slimline II roof rack. It took us roughly two hours to complete the mounting of tent and awning. California here we come….

The next morning, outside Tecopa, California, on the outskirts of Death Valley National Park, we found ourselves with camp set next to a beautiful, natural hot spring. The Breezeway 62’s (named as such because of its 62 inches in width) mattress is supportive and comfortable. The three-inch mattress rebounds quickly and offers continued support during the night. But, the stand out feature was the Light Suppression Technology fabric (featured previously on the OutdoorX4 website HERE) that created a pitch-black interior. The only traceable light coming into the tent was from the small condensation vents on the side of the tent. Otherwise, we slept in complete dark. I turned on my headlamp to unzip the tent’s door. The three of us woke up feeling rested and revived. It was February. The warmth of the Mojave Desert felt terrific.

LST is trademarked by 23Zero. Justin noted companies have tried to copy this technology; however, he was proud of what 23Zero had developed and stoked that he could offer it to customers. He didn’t share many “secrets” with me, but he told me that LST was part of the 280 GSM rip stop canvas fabric. It isn’t painted onto the fabric. It’s part of it. It allows the tent’s fabric to block all outside light from penetrating the tent. LST allows for cooler, more comfortable temperatures inside, resulting in a better sleeping environment. The combination of a more supportive mattress, darkness in the tent, and cooler inside temperature creates a comfortable night’s rest.

The tent’s hardware is constructed from stainless steel and aluminum and allowed for smooth opening and closing. Small features including reinforced stitching, extra fabric covering the pivoting yoke of the tent, and extra clips to fasten the rainfly to the tent during windy conditions is evident and thoughtful. The Breezeway 62 is a well-designed and thought out tent that’s a joy to sleep in. The tent’s ladder rungs are smooth and comfortable as I made my way down to the desert floor in my bare feet.

Also part of our basecamp setup was the new Peregrine 270 Degree awning. The awning deployed in less than a minute and provided plenty of protection from the intense desert sun. The awning also features LST fabric, which helps to block all harmful UV light. The other notable attribute is the awning is specifically designed for vehicles that have hatchbacks. My Land Cruiser 200 is a perfect example. The upper hatch swings up; however, the awning’s supports miss it entirely. The awning itself is free standing. However, supports and guy lines are included for when it gets windy.

A short rain shower ensued as I made coffee on my Jetboil; however, the awning redirected all the water. The awning does provide an enormous amount of shade, approximately 280 square feet of coverage. My wife cooked breakfast underneath it on a small table while Lilly and I enjoyed the pleasant sound of the raindrops hitting the fabric.

With our appetites satisfied and the rain suspended, it was time to explore. The Peregrine awning’s five arms folded into one another nicely, and the fabric rolled up neatly. I quickly zipped the awning into its roomy bag. Done. The Breezeway’s tent folded effectively. The tent’s cinch straps made quick work of storing all our bedding inside the tent along with the tent fabric itself. It closed nice and tight. I zipped the tent cover, and off we went.

Roof top tents and awnings continue to evolve, and these two offerings from 23Zero are no doubt an excellent option and catalysts in this evolution.

Key Features
-LST literally blocks all light
-Rebound mattress provides ample support throughout the night
-Ladder provides more comfort when climbing up and down
-Peregrine Awning with LST fabric blocks all harmful UV light
-Peregrine Awning works on vehicles with rear hatch
-Optional Wall Kit works with awning to create an enormous room

Likes
-The LST Fabric creates a great sleeping environment.
-Rebound mattress is comfortable and supportive
-Peregrine awing deploys quickly and promotes the use of it
-Free standing Peregrine Awning is a one-person job to deploy
-Appealing fabric color of both tent and awning

Dislikes
-The cinch straps on the tent should be longer
-So dark you might miss the sunrise or sunset

Learn more by visiting www.23zero.com or call at 1-855-875-7755

OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible vehicle-based adventure travel and outdoors adventure