Trekking: Cozy up next to your neighbor with the Pod Tent

For the bulk of us, camping is a solitary experience. You spend your day outdoors — kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, etc. — and return to your tent at the end of the night often alongside one or two other companions you can manage to put up with for a night of rest. Space inside the tent is typically limited and there’s usually a single exit separating you from the outside elements. Friends, though still a stone’s throw away, aren’t directly within your peripheral. MC2 Innovation is looking to change that.

The U.K.-based company, manufacturer of the aptly-titled Pod Tents, is one with a knack for simple innovation. The Pod Tent Maxi ($755) and smaller Mini ($450) allow you to quickly create a modular compound that interconnects via a series of like-minded tunnels, thus letting you erect a camping community as large — or small — as you see fit. The Mini measures nearly 12½ feet across and accommodates up to four people, while the behemoth Maxi measures more than 16 feet in diameter, rendering the latter a eight-person sleeping quarters or the perfect communal space for large groups to gather and socialize at the end of a long day.

Assembly and durability doesn’t seem to be an issue, either. Each tent is composed of 210T ripstop polyester and PVC windows, with taped seems and identical poles that are the same shapes and size — meaning there’s no need to fuss over which pole is slightly longer when you’re setting up camp. It may not be the best system for week-long backpacking excursions, but hey, your kids will probably love it as much as you will.

Check out Pod Tents online to make a purchase, or for a closer look at the system.