Articles (2020)

Overview

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 is a lightweight, two-person, three-season tent. It weighs 3 pounds 11 ounces (1.67 kg) and the all-mesh inner tent body allows for excellent ventilation, views, and bug protection. The main drawback with this tent is its small vestibule and the small usable floor space that can feel cramped with two larger hikers.

In Brief

• Three-season, freestanding
• Full mesh body with ripstop nylon floor and fly, and fully taped seams
• Single pole/hub system
• Stable in high winds and with snow load
• Extremely well ventilated
• Vestibule does not protect interior of tent when open

Specifications

Features

Usable Features / Ease of Use

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 is relatively quick and easy to set-up. The single pole is expanded with a three-way hub on either end. These hubs create asymmetrical triangles at the front and rear of the tent. The larger triangle is placed over the door and the smaller over the feet. The pole-ends are inserted into grommets on each corner and then the mesh body is connected to the pole using plastic hooks. The fly connects to the tent body using plastic clips at each corner and then must be staked out using at least five stakes (two in the front, one on either side, and one in the rear.) There are options for four more additional guy points. We found that even with gloves and mittens on the task of tent set up went smoothly.

At first glance the vestibule on the Seedhouse SL2 appears large and roomy. This idea is quickly dispelled as soon as the large door of the fly is opened. This D-shaped door extends from the ground to above and behind the mesh tent door. When opened, only small wings on either side of the vestibule remain protected from the elements. When closed there is space for two small packs, though this blocks the doorway.

A nice addition inside the tent is three small mesh pockets near the door, one on either side, and a slightly larger one above. My wife and I used these to store small items such as headlamps, glasses, gloves, etc. Also nice are the high-sided bathtub floor that covers the areas not covered by the rain-fly, and the loops for a clothesline.

Weight / Sizing

With an area to weight ratio of 0.50 ft²/oz, the Seedhouse SL2 is average when compared to other double wall tents we reviewed. However, it offers much more headroom than many other designs. The Seedhouse SL2 weighs about 3 1/2 pounds; not bad at all when you consider the usability of the space.

Usable Space

While it would be possible to rig a guy line to the tent’s O-rings and stake them out without the fly, the angle required would take some creativity. (Using small sticks to prop up the guylines would probably work, although I didn’t try this.)

Without the fly the mesh walls droop inwards a few inches on either side because of a lack of support and no way to tension them. Getting the most usable space from this tent requires you to use the rainfly (or use some creativity with guylines). This is because the fly attaches to the base of the large mesh walls where the bathtub floor meets the mesh. This is done using a “tether” with a locking hook that attaches to a D-ring on the tent (an attachment system that is very difficult to use with cold hands). When the sides of the fly are guyed-out it pulls the mesh body out creating more space inside.

There is more than enough room for both my wife and me and all of our gear while we are lying down. This is very important because the vestibule offers protection for little more than our shoes. We were even able to sleep with our heads at the rear of the tent when we discovered we had pitched it on an incline and didn’t want to get out in the snow and move the tent.

The steep sides and triangular ends created by the innovative hub pole system provide good headroom at both ends of the tent for sitting up and playing cards, though there is notably more room towards the door. In the rear of the tent I had to move a little forward to sit completely upright and my head and shoulders still touched the mesh walls. This was okay because any condensation was on the fly and I didn’t feel boxed in since the walls are mesh.

Performance

Storm protection/Wind Stability

On a spring trip to the Oregon Cascades we ended up in rougher weather than we had expected. The trail report had claimed that there was “some” snow above 4000 feet and the weather report put the snow level higher than that. With all of the ski areas closed my wife and I thought that trail conditions would be fine. At 4000 feet they were. At 4800 feet at the trailhead there was a thin layer of snow. By the time we reached 5500 feet we were rethinking our decision about leaving our snowshoes at home as we trudging our way through 2 feet of snow while using map and compass to follow the snow-obscured trail.

We were eventually able to find a bare patch of earth between two large firs and set up the tent. By that time snow and windy conditions set in and I was thinking what perfect weather to test a three-season, all-mesh tent in. My wife was wondering what she had gotten herself into.

Long-story short is that the Seedhouse SL2 held up amazingly to both snow load and moderate winds. The first night we only guyed out the necessary points: vestibule, rear, and the two lower side points. All night long we listened to the large, flat, sail-like walls flapping about and watched as snow accumulated, blocking out any exterior light. We awoke to approximately six new inches on the ground and only a slight dusting on the tent. The steepness of the walls had caused any excess build-up of snow to slough off.

For the next night we guyed out all available points: adding two more in the front and two higher up on the side panels. The tent was very stable in the wind, despite the fact that the large walls were place perpendicular to the largest gusts. It snowed another 10 to 12 inches that night with slightly more accumulation on the tent than on the previous night. Surprisingly, this just made the Seedhouse SL2 more stable.

On other trips where I experienced heavy, blowing rain, the Seedhouse SL2 remained entirely dry in the interior. That is, it remained dry inside as long as the vestibule door was closed. As mentioned above the vestibule door extends to above and behind the mesh door of the tent itself. When opened this allows rain or snow to fall directly into the tent and wet anything near the front.

Features that lend to the water-resistance of the tent include: fully taped seams all around, water-resistant zipper on the fly with a storm-flap to protect any possible gaps, and a bathtub silnylon floor that extends high up the sides. As long as the vestibule was closed we stayed perfectly dry and cozy inside, drinking hot chocolate and playing cards.

Ventilation / Condensation Resistance

While the Seedhouse SL2 did an outstanding job of sloughing snow, this led to the only ventilation/condensation concerns that we had while using the tent. However, this is to be expected when using a three-season tent in winter conditions. Digging out snow along the base of the fly to allow ventilation is necessary to create airflow.

In rainy conditions the tent worked exactly how it was supposed to. In normal three-season conditions, ventilation was never a problem. However, an additional high vent would be welcomed for more humid conditions and would have alleviated the condensation issues we experienced in the snow.

Durability

The Seedhouse SL2 showed no durability issues during our field testing. We never used a ground cloth but the floor never seemed in danger of tearing, even when pitched on snow or bare roots. The fly is reinforced with extra fabric at all guy points and held up well with even the tautest pitch. I was worried that the mesh pockets near the door would be a durability concern due to their lightweight construction but we stuffed them full of pocket knives, headlamps, dirty socks, a compass, gloves, forks, and so on with no damage done. This is a well built tent.

Value

At $299 the Seedhouse SL2 is middle of the road for value in lightweight tents. At about 3 1/2 pounds it is very lightweight for a three-season, double wall tent. All things considered, the Big Agnes SL2 is a solid value.

Recommendations for Improvement

The main issue that keeps the Seedhouse SL2 from taking a permanent place in my stable of tents is the poorly designed vestibule. I expect to be able to get in and out of a tent without my gear getting wet. A redesign of the vestibule that would protect the inner tent would be a major improvement.

A covered high vent on the fly above the door would also extend the usable range of the tent, allowing for more ventilation options.

Overview

At less than 4 pounds, the Vaude Taurus Ultralight tent is a lightweight double wall tent. Some of the savings in weight are at the cost of space, though. There is room enough to sleep, but lack of sitting and moving around space makes taking shelter from a storm an unpleasant experience. At the entrance, the silnylon rainfly forms a vestibule large enough for a medium sized pack and some gear; when sleeping two people, there is no interior space available for gear. High quality materials hold up well to abuse, and ventilation and rain shedding performance are impressive. However, it is expensive at $355.

In Brief

• Lightweight double wall tent
• Two-person
• Good ventilation
• Good performance in rain
• Narrow interior and low ceiling means limited moving/sitting room
• Partially freestanding design needs a minimum of three stakes for set up

Specifications

Features

Usable Features / Ease of Use

Because the Taurus Ultralight is not an entirely freestanding tent, a little more time is necessary to choose a good spot to pitch it and to tension it properly. After the poles have been inserted into the mesh sleeves on the rainfly, the tent stands up on its own like a tripod, but stakes are necessary to hold the floor and sides out and create sleeping space. I found that set up usually took about five minutes. The rainfly is attached at the ridge and the front by sliding plastic toggles on the canopy through plastic O-rings on the rainfly. The corners at the foot of the canopy and rainfly both have metal rings and small tension straps so the one stake can be used to tension both the fly and canopy. The detachability of the rainfly is nice when drying the tent, but otherwise of little use since the canopy and rainfly cannot be set up separately.

The minimum weight configuration of the tent includes only three stakes. Two of these stakes are used in the corners at the foot and one to hold the vestibule out. I found that without two extra stakes in the corners at the head of the tent it was hard to tighten the foot enough to pull the sag out of the walls. It was well worth the extra weight to get taut walls.

At the entrance of the tent, the rainfly makes a vestibule that is large enough for a medium sized backpack and a couple pairs of boots. There are four zippers on the vestibule allowing it to be opened on either side, or from the top down to both corners. There are three storage pockets inside the tent suitable for flashlights and other small items. Nylon mesh on the upper half of the canopy door gives visibility outside when the vestibule is down, and helps with ventilation.

Included with the tent are ten stakes, a pole repair kit, small stuff sacks for the poles and stakes, a large stuff sack for the tent, and two guylines with glow in the dark tensioners. An optional tent footprint is available from the manufacturer.

Weight / Sizing

The Taurus Ultralight is a lightweight double wall tent, at just under 4 pounds minimum weight. The area to weight ratio of about half a square foot per ounce is also good for a double wall shelter. When using a compression sack instead of the manufacturer supplied stuff sack I was able to get the size of the tent down to about a 7-inch diameter ball, making for not only a lightweight, but also a compact double wall shelter.

Usable Space

The interior gives enough room for two people to sleep, and not much more. Sloping walls and a narrow profile make it possible for only one person to sit up at a time, which makes waiting out a storm a rather unpleasant experience. The low ceiling and slanted walls at the foot of the tent make it impossible to sleep without having my feet pressed against the side of the tent (I’m 6 feet tall), causing colder feet and a damp sleeping bag if there is condensation (luckily condensation was minimal). Because of the low ceiling at the foot, only the front half of the tent is really usable when playing cards and such. The vestibule provides enough storage space for a medium backpack and a couple pairs of boots, and is ample enough for one person to sit in the tent and take off shoes out of the weather.

Performance

Wind stability

When staked out at all the corners and the guylines, the tent is stable in moderate winds. Because there are no poles connected to the outer corners of the foot of the tent, it is difficult to achieve a taut pitch on the large side panels. The guylines on the outside of the rainfly help to pull the sides out, but in strong winds they still show some deflection. Setting up with the foot of the tent facing into the wind works best, keeping the wind out of the vestibule and preventing things from blowing around the tent when entering or exiting.

Storm protection

The silicone-coated nylon rainfly and polyurethane-coated floor offer very good protection from rain. The seams in the floor are taped, and had no trouble keeping the inside of the tent dry when the ground was wet. In snow or rainstorms, I did not find any water on the inside of the tent, and a storm flap over the zipper kept rain from leaking onto the vestibule area. Although this tent is very waterproof, staying in it while waiting out a storm is not enjoyable because of its low, slanting walls and limited sitting-up space. Snowfall on the tent causes the sides to sag in on the sleeper, but is quickly remedied by giving the wall a kick once in a while to knock the snow off.

Ventilation / Condensation resistance

Ventilation in the Vaude Taurus Ultralight is very good. The polyester interior walls along with the mesh window on the interior door let small drafts through to move moisture out. The advantage of this and other double wall shelters is that storm protection is achieved by the rainfly, allowing the interior tent fabric to be made of a highly breathable material without worrying about water getting in. The door of the vestibule has four zippers on it so just the top can be opened a couple inches to let air flow through more easily. Even in subzero temperatures I awoke to find little or no condensation on the walls. When condensation did occur it was in small amounts and mainly at the head of the tent where breath vapor had collected during the night.

Insect protection

Since it has a floor, the Taurus Ultralight is completely protected from insects, except for those that sneak in when you have the door open. The only vent is located on the upper half of the door, and is made of no-see-um mesh to keep bugs out while still allowing some visibility and ventilation.

Durability

With taped seams and a 40 denier ripstop floor, the floor of this tent held up well even when camping on small rocks and twigs. The corners at the foot of the tent that are used for tensioning as well as the guyline attachments on the side are reinforced for added durability. During field testing I noticed nothing beyond minor abrasions on the floor.

As with other three-season tents, the Taurus Ultralight is not meant for heavy winter use. Because of its minimal support using only two poles, in heavy snowfall the sides collapse which could cause damage to the fabrics and poles.

Value

At $355, the Vaude Taurus Ultralight is at the expensive end of double wall tents. Although it is light weight, the lack of interior room and the fact that the canopy and rainfly cannot be used separately bring the value of this tent down a bit.

Tips

Since it is not entirely free standing, this tent is the tautest when nearly all the stakeout points are used. Staking all four corners and the guylines reduces the walls’ tendency to sag in on the sleeper. There is a stake point at the very foot of the tent where the pole sleeve ends that I found unnecessary. This point is kept taut by the pole, and an additional stake did not help pull the tent any tighter.

Recommendations for Improvement

It would be nice to have the option to set up the rainfly and the canopy separately as camping situations differ. Having to pack a rainfly on a summer trip when rain is not expected and bug protection is the only necessity only adds useless weight to the pack. Being able to set up the canopy without the rainfly would also increase ventilation on hot summer nights.

As mentioned in the above sections, I found that my feet pressed up against the side of the tent due to the low ceiling and slanting walls. This could be improved by adding more height at the foot of the tent, or by sacrificing a little more weight for a hoop type pole at the foot. However, if minimum weight is desired, bumping your feet against the side of the tent may be acceptable.

Where the center pole attaches to the rainfly above the entrance of the tent, a small clip attaches part of the rainfly to the pole. I found that the pole kept the tent tight enough that this clip served no purpose. A minute amount of weight could be saved by removing this clip altogether.

Overview

The Vaude Ferret 1 Ultralight is a two-person tent that is tunnel-type, double-wall, lightweight (not ultralight), and is not freestanding. Its use of lightweight fabrics to reduce weight is offset somewhat by the use of heavier than needed webbing and connectors. Still, at a little over 4 pounds (1.92 kg), the Ferret provides a lot of space plus a few extras (like three stow pockets and a clothesline) for its weight. Most of the interior space is usable because of the tunnel design and rectangular floor. Entering the Ferret is a crawling experience because of its small and low door, and is hard to do without some moisture transfer if the tent is wet. Its storm worthiness and bug protection are excellent. Ventilation is generally good, but could be improved with the addition of mesh panels inside and a second vent on the rear. Overall, the Ferret is a product of fine German design and craftsmanship, and is built to last.

In Brief

• Double-wall, two-person, single door tent with a small vestibule
• Lightweight fabrics reduce weight
• Easy to set up
• Adequate room for two people and some gear
• Good (but not excellent) ventilation
• Tight entry and exit

Specifications

Features

Usable Features/Ease of Use

The inner tent and fly are attached with ten elastic connectors plus four corner straps and the two are set up as a unit (similar to Hilleberg tents and the Exped Vela series). The user slides two 111-inch poles through exterior sleeves on the fly, then stakes it out. This design makes the tent very easy to set up, but is a disadvantage when drying it or packing it when wet because the pieces are attached.

Setting up the Ferret Ultralight is very simple: 1) lay the tent out on the ground, 2) slide the two poles through their sleeves and connect the ends, 3) stake the rear of the tent, 4) stretch and stake the front of the tent, 5) make adjustments and add additional stakes or guylines as needed. Four stakes are used for a minimum pitch, eight stakes for a more secure pitch, and two more stakes are needed if the wind guylines are used.

A fast and light setup (fly, poles, and stakes only) is possible with this tent, but the numerous and complex attachments between the fly and inner tent make this option very impractical.

Inside the tent, there are three pockets (10 inches wide x 9 inches deep) and a ceiling clothesline. The bathtub floor rises 4 inches up the sides.

Weight/Sizing

At 4+ pounds, the Ferret 1 is a lightweight tent, but not an ultralight tent as claimed. A truly ultralight double-wall two-person tent, like the Montbell Hexagon, weighs a pound less, has a little more floor area, but fewer features. The Ferret is a good balance of light weight, usable space, and features.

The area/weight ratio of 0.46 is good, but not the highest we have reviewed in this tent category. Vaude makes good use of lighter fabrics to reduce weight, but gains some of it back from using heavy webbing for the stake loops, along with ten elastic straps that attach the fly to the inner tent. The tunnel design efficiently uses two shorter (9 foot) hoop poles, rather than the long diagonal poles used in wedge designs.

Usable Space

I found the inside dimensions “adequate” for two people. With two sleeping pads side by side, there are 4-5 extra inches on each side. The length is sufficient for a 6-foot tall person, or a taller person if he/she doesn’t mind touching the ends. Headroom (34 inches) is adequate for a 6-foot person, although my head brushed the top.

Because of the nearly vertical sidewalls of the tunnel design, nearly all of the space along the sides is usable; this is a real benefit of the design.

The tent’s 8.3 square foot vestibule is minimal, but ample to accommodate two medium packs or a wet dog. Since the entry is through the right side of the vestibule, half of the space is not usable

Performance

Wind stability

With its sloping ends and rounded center section, the Ferret is aerodynamically shaped to withstand wind. There are a total of 11 staking loops around the base of the tent. Two provided guylines attach to loops on the front and rear pole sleeves to provide extra anchoring in very windy conditions. Although I did not encounter any significant winds during my field tests, in my opinion, the Ferret is well designed for wind stability. However, during high winds you will want to face the angled foot of the tent into the wind and use the additional guyline options; the steep sidewalls will deflect more than wedge design tents.

Storm Protection

I used the Ferret in mountain snowstorms and desert rains and found it to be very storm worthy. I had no problems whatsoever with leakage. Snow tended to accumulate on the top and ends of the tent, and required some slapping on the tent to make it slide off. Accumulated snow compressed the ends of the tent (especially the rear) because of the flatter slope, and blocked ventilation from the bottom of the fly.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

All of my testing was under winter conditions, with nighttime temperatures ranging from 20 to 35 °F. In above freezing/dryer conditions, the tent stayed completely dry inside. In sub-freezing/dry conditions, I had some frost on the inside of the tent. In sub-freezing/damp conditions, I had heavy frost on the inside of the tent. Finally, in above freezing/very wet snowy and rainy conditions, I had heavy condensation inside the tent and the top of my sleeping bag was very damp. The latter situation is not unexpected because there is no place for the moisture to go (unless it’s windy), so heavy condensation is inevitable.

The inner tent (including the door) is thin polyester ripstop, which allows some airflow, but not nearly as much as mesh. A mesh ceiling-panel and door, along with a rear vent, would significantly improve the tent’s ventilation.

Insect Protection

The inner tent is sealed completely and provides total bug protection. While the good usable space makes this a nice tent to hang out in, the lack of mesh limits your views in these conditions.

Durability

The Vaude Ferret is exceptionally well made. Fabrics used are a good balance of light weight and durability. The sewing shows excellent craftsmanship, and there is extra reinforcement in stress areas. I experienced no durability issues during extensive field testing.

When I used the Ferret in the desert, I found that dust and silt stick to the silnylon and do not easily wipe off. This grit is easily removed by rinsing the tent with plain water.

Value

The Ferret is well designed, exceptionally well made, easy to setup, and provides a lot of usable space for its weight. However, with a price tag over $500, it is only a fair value.

Recommendations for Improvement

Add mesh panels to the inner tent and a second vent to the back of the tent to increase ventilation.

Raise the vent on the vestibule to improve ease of entry.

Extend the tunnel section of the tent to make the back of the tent the same angle as the front.

Add a second slider to the zippered entry door.

Introduction

New for 2006, the MSR Lightning represents some serious innovation in snowshoe design. Instead of using aluminum alloy tubing, MSR uses bar stock aluminum to create a “blade” frame, and the frame itself has teeth on the bottom side for peripheral traction. The toothy frame in combination with a steel toe crampon and toothy steel cross members add up to unbelievable total traction. The design also cuts weight about a half pound per pair compared to conventional aluminum tubing snowshoes. Are the new MSR Lightning snowshoes the perfect balance of lightweight, traction, and durability? Or is it possible they have too much traction for their intended purpose?

What’s Good

• Unsurpassed traction
• Good balance of traction, lightweight, and durability
• Step in binding is easily attached and released
• Binding positions and aligns feet well
• Superb climbing ability and sidehill stability
• Flattens and nests well for packing

What’s not so Good

• Inside edges of frame grind on each other
• Frame is soft aluminum and not very durable
• Floatation is low for their length
• Clevis pin pivot system does not appear to be very strong

Specifications

Performance

The MSR Lightning snowshoes remind me of the Tasmanian Devil cartoons – they’re all teeth! These shoes represent some serious innovation in the snowshoe world. They are aluminum frame snowshoes, but instead of aluminum tubing they have a vertical “blade” frame made of aluminum alloy bar stock. The bottom of the frame is toothed from the pivot point back, adding loads of peripheral traction. The traction frame in combination with a steel toe crampon and teeth on the bottom side of three cross members add up to all the traction you could possibly want.

The MSR Lightning does not have the Televator heel lift found on the Lightning Ascent (so it weighs 5 ounces less per pair), and it is available in a 30-inch length while the Lightning Ascent is not. A heel lift reduces fatigue by providing a more natural ankle position when climbing. Overall, the Lightning Ascent is a good choice where long steady climbs are common, while the Lightning is better suited to highly variable conditions.

When I had a friend compare the MSR Lightning with the Northern Lites Elite (the lightest snowshoe we know of, but with more tame crampons), her reaction was “what good is lightweight if they don’t have enough traction?” That about sums it up, the MSR Lightning weighs about 1 pound more per pair than the Northern Lites Elite (comparison based on a 25 inch length), but the difference in traction is enormous. So, is the extra traction worth the extra weight? Decide for yourself as you read this review.

The step-in binding on the Lightning is amazingly simple and functional. It’s made of tough molded urethane plastic riveted to a steel foot plate to provide rigidity. There are two hook and hole straps over the toe area and one around the heel. Once you have the heel strap adjusted for a particular boot the rest is simple. After stepping into the binding, with your heel pushed back against the heel strap, slip the two front straps under the opposite side speed-hook buckles, and pull tight, locking the hook into one of the adjusting holes of the strap. It’s all done in one motion, and easily done with gloves on.

The binding adjusts to a wide range of shoe sizes, thanks to a simple design with long straps. The design also allows the binding to lay flat when not in use. The snowshoes nest very neatly together and pack well on the outside of a pack, making them ideal where skis will be used on the way back down.

The decking is a propriety urethane with a mesh fiber core. It’s very lightweight and stays pliable at cold temperatures. It’s attached to numerous metal clips anchored in slots around the frame. Unlike tubing framed snowshoes, the decking fabric does not wrap around the frame. This eliminates a common durability issue with tubing style snowshoes, where the tubing tends to wear through the decking where it wraps around the frame. This design places the deck about 0.25-inch lower than the top of the frame. I found that powder snow easily slides off when I raise a shoe to take a step, but wet snow sticks and I had to frequently flick or bump the snowshoes to knock it off.

The pivot system on the Lightning is classic MSR. The binding is attached to a flange on the front cross member with two hardened steel clevis pins. There is a stop on the foot plate that keeps the hinge from rotating beyond about 45 degrees (see photo), which is a good angle for unloading snow while maintaining a smooth forward glide. I found that the Lightning’s binding in combination with its hinge pivot system positions the foot properly for straight tracking. However, from my past experience with a pair of MSR Denali snowshoes with the same pivot system, I found that the clevis pin holes get enlarged from wear, which loosens up the binding, causing some pigeon toeing.

MSR offers their Lightning series in a 30-inch length, differing from their Lightning Ascent line, whose largest length is 25 inches. I decided to test the MSR Lightning in a 30-inch length to see how much additional floatation the extra length provides. Theoretically, the extra length should translate into more surface area, reducing the amount I sink into deep powder snow. In practice it didn’t work that way for me (6 feet, 170 pounds), I sank nearly as much as I would with a typical 25-inch snowshoe. Our Make Your Own Gear Section Editor, Jay Ham, solved the mystery by measuring the MRS Lightning snowshoes using a planimeter. He found the surface area to be only 208 square inches, just a fraction larger than the 25-inch Tubbs Elevation and Atlas 10 Series snowshoes (at 205 and 200 square inches, respectively) we previously reviewed. The 25-inch MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoe measured 176 square inches, so our surface area measurements reveal that the Lightning snowshoes are lower on floatation than their length would indicate.

For pure traction, the 30-inch MSR Lightning was unbeatable. On firm snow I can climb hills so steep that I need to use my hands (or some serious poling) to hold on. They had traction to spare. The same is true for descending steep hills or walking on a sidehill; the Lightnings grip like Super Glue. The frame has a fair amount of flex, allowing it to conform to irregular surfaces and improve traction. The 30-inch length makes backing up a little more difficult, so I don’t advise getting the extra length unless the extra floatation is really needed.

In my previous tests of aluminum tubing snowshoes, I found that leaning back on steep downhills shifted weight to the tails, causing the shoes to break loose and go into a controlled slide. That was not necessarily the case with the Lightning. They did slide in powder snow or when the snow had an internal sheer plane, but they stayed glued to firm snow. This is somewhat of a disadvantage if you enjoy the thrill of glissading down steep slopes on snowshoes. The Lightning has too much grip, which makes them unpredictable and awkward for glissading. However, in conditions where safety is more of a concern, like when carrying a full pack, the lost ability to glissade will not be missed.

The Lightning tracks fairly smoothly through soft snow. Its pivot angle is good to unload snow from the deck and position the shoes for stepping over obstacles. In gentle terrain I found that traveling on the Lightning is a little more laborious compared to tubing-framed snowshoes. There is extra resistance from the blade-type frame slicing into the snow and pulling it out, and the teeth in the tail section resist sliding when you drag the tails from step to step. Overall, the Lightning is not as smooth as a tubing-framed snowshoe for gliding along in gentle terrain.

Although the innovative blade-type frame of the Lightning provides more traction and saves weight, it also introduces a few issues. I found the inside edges conflict with each other more than with typical tubular framed shoes. While the inside edges of a tubing frame simply rub together, the edges of the Lightning claw at each other, occasionally grabbing the other shoe and affecting my balance. This also results in a fair collection of scratches in the paint after only a few outings. Another issue is the durability of the frame material. Although it is claimed to be “aerospace grade aluminum”, it seems to be fairly soft and easily damaged from rocks. Other than these concerns, the Lightning is strongly constructed and very durable.

Although the Lightning can’t be beaten for raw traction and its balance of light weight and traction, I have a few reservations about how smoothly it performs for recreational snowshoeing. In more gentle terrain, its toothy design actually impedes performance to some extent. The Lightning doesn’t glide as smoothly as tubing-framed snowshoes. Granted, tubing-framed snowshoes tend to slide more going downhill, but I like that because it’s predictable and controllable. However, for alpine-type use such as climbing up high to ski or snowboard down, the Lightning is the snowshoe of choice because of its superb traction, light weight, and packability.

What’s Unique

The MSR Lightning “total traction frame,” with teeth built into the bottom of the frame and cross members re-defines the meaning of traction in snowshoes.

Recommendations for Improvement

While I am really impressed with the Lightning’s innovations, there are a few opportunities for improvements:

• Increase the surface area to provide better floatation
• Beef up the clevis pin pivot system to make it more durable
• Use a harder aluminum alloy frame material
• Devise some means to prevent the shoes from damaging each other on the inside edges

Overview

The Lightwave t1 cylq (pronounced “silk”) is a well-built, double wall, hoop tunnel shelter suitable for three season usage and weighing right under 2 kilograms (around 4 pounds). The tent excels in condensation resistance due to large mesh panels on the inner tent and three well placed vents on the fly. It also performs well in storms with excellent wind stability and weather resistance. Taller hikers beware; the t1 cylq is on the small side with respect to length and height.

Specifications

Features

Ease of setup

To achieve a proper pitch, the Lightwave t1 cylq requires a minimum of eight stakes – four for the inner tent and four for the fly. The inner tent is a hoop-style design that requires four staked corners. When pitching the t1 on solid ground I found it easy to get a taut and sturdy pitch. Two poles, angled slightly away from each other, comprise the hoop design. The poles feed through mesh sleeves, and connect to the tent with eyelets on each side. Some snagging of the sleeves occurred while threading the poles, but we found this was somewhat alleviated by not allowing the sleeve’s mesh to bunch up in one area. After inserting the poles, two stakes are placed at the rear of the tent, the floor pulled taut, and finally two stakes are added to the front.

The fly is attached to the inner tent by connecting it at the points where the poles insert through the inner tent’s eyelets. The fly is then staked first in the rear and then the front. To reap the most stability, there is a final attachment underneath the vestibule that attaches the inner tent to the fly. With practice, setting up the tent can be done in under 2 minutes with no problem.

Usable Features / Options

Lightwave included quality aluminum V stakes with the t1 cylq that are easily inserted into the ground while also being comfortable to push. They are relatively lightweight at 0.35 ounce when compared to what many other manufacturers include with their tents. All of the stakes fit nicely into an integrated pocket sewn on the tent’s main stuff sack.

The vestibule on the t1 is opened by one zipper that splits the door into two panels that roll out of the way. The two main vents on the front, underneath the fly, are adjustable from inside the vestibule. A single vent on the back of the tent can only be adjusted while outside of the tent. Adjustability for the vents is achieved by a small stiffened brace that adequately holds the vents open. The vents can be fully shut with Velcro when conditions turn treacherous.

The t1 cylq inner tent has a D-shaped door that rolls to the side of the tent where it stays out of the way when entering and exiting the tent. Four mesh pockets near the door provide ample small storage. Two twisted shock cords are sewn inside the inner tent above the door for hanging wet clothing, headlamps, or other gear.

The Backpacking Light tested tent had the cylq inner tent and fly along with the aluminum poles. Typically the t1 cylq package comes with the carbon fiber poles, which saves 6 ounces (180 g) over aluminum poles.

Weight / Sizing

The t1 inner tent footprint is approximately 215 centimeters (7 ft) long and 120 centimeters (4 ft) wide, which fits all but the tallest person. The hoop style design provides efficient use of floor space due to vertical walls at the side of the tent. Maneuvering in and out of the tent proved to be a little tricky without waking up your neighbor. The sitting headroom in the tent is a little low. The narrow width of the t1 cylq can be a bit cozy for two people depending on how well they know each other.

The t1 cylq has an area to weight ratio of 0.39 ft²/oz with aluminum poles. When carbon fiber poles are considered the ratio improves to 0.42 ft²/oz.

Flexibility of Pitching

Not many options exist for altering the pitch of the t1, however one can choose to pitch only the inner tent when the weather is dry. Leaving the fly at home is an unwise option as the mesh panels on the inner tent offer little protection in a storm. The fly adds much to the tent’s stabilization and additional structural integrity. The t1 cylq fly is not designed to be pitched alone. Lack of eyelets and attachment of the fly fabric to the poles as well as a means to hold the poles in a hoop form prevents a fly only pitch. We would have liked the option of a fly only pitch, which may have been possible with a few additions and alterations to the fly.

Usable Space

The hoop design results in vertical walls where the floor meets the tent sides creating a large usable space. This contrasts to some shelters where more slanted walls eliminate some of the usable space. The rear wall, where it slants down to the stake out points, is the exception. While testing we found that our sleeping bags often brushed the rear wall, which could be a problem for condensation build up. One taller tester (6’3″) in particular noted a problem with hitting the rear wall with his sleeping bag.

Usable Vestibule/Porch

The t1 cylq vestibule provides 9.1 ft² (0.85 m²) of area, but is reduced by slanted walls going to the stake out points. A limited amount of gear can be placed in the vestibule due to the reduced height. The vestibule door is nicely designed in that is can be completely rolled out of the way and fastened to the sides.

Performance

Stability

The t1 cylq pitches best with the rear of the tent within 30 degrees of the prevailing wind direction. This pitching puts the lowest profile into the wind helping the tent shed wind. The barrel shape of the t1 cylq does not lend itself to stability when placed perpendicular to the wind. The steep walls near the ground provide a blunt surface for the wind to deflect the tent. Where greater stability is necessary, there are four guyout points sewn and reinforced to the outside of the fly. The use of guyout points requires an additional four stakes and included guy lines. Two additional tabs could serve as additional guyout points. We noticed little deflection using the t1 cylq in moderately windy conditions. (It should be noted that testing was performed using aluminum poles (Easton 7075) and not the carbon fiber (7.5 mm) pole set which may have affected field results.)

Additional stability is achieved through two hooks on the top of the inner tent that connect to the fly near the vestibule. These two hooks essentially allow the staked out vestibule to transfer tension to the inner tent to increase stability.

Storm Protection

The Lightwave t1 cylq provides adequate storm protection due to its silicone coated nylon fly, which sheds water and prevents seepage through the fabric. The seams on the fly are not sealed from the factory, yet provide adequate protection as is. The three vents are protected from rain under all but the most severe conditions (i.e. horizontal rain). If these types of conditions are present the vents can be completely shut with Velcro. A bathtub floor with sealed seams adds a level of protection from running water during heavy rain events. A storm flap protects the vestibule door from getting wet.

Waiting out a storm in the Lightwave t1 cylq is not comfortable. Add a second person, and the experience borders on excruciating. The highest point in the tent, near the door, is only 37.5 inches (95 cm). At this height we were bumping our heads against the top of the inner tent while seated. A saving feature of the t1 is the vestibule, which adds a small amount of room to extend out legs while sitting.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

The t1 cylq utilizes an innovative venting system that provides excellent airflow using three vents – two tunnel-shaped vents at the front and a third vent low in the rear. The front vents feed directly into strategically-placed mesh panels to enhance airflow and a large section of mesh at the rear ensures that moisture will not form in the inner tent. The system proved capable of effectively removing built-up condensation, with even a slight breeze. Airflow through the tent is best when the rear of the tent is placed into the prevailing wind direction, which allows wind to enter the rear vent and ventilate out the two front vents. In cases where the vents are not sufficient, the vestibule doors can be opened or one can even completely peel back the vestibule exposing the large meshed front door to the outside. Removing the vestibule takes away some of the tent’s stability and storm protection.

The Lightwave t1 cylq is short for tall occupants. One night, condensation on the fly wetted the inner tent’s fabric and created a small amount of moisture that the tester’s sleeping bag came in contact with. This could be a problem when using down sleeping bags on longer trips where keeping a dry bag is crucial.

Insect Protection

The full enclosure of the t1 cylq inner tent provides a complete barrier against insects. When using the rainfly, views are limited. However, the large panels of mesh on the inner tent allow nearly unobstructed views outside when the fly is removed.

Durability

The t1 cylq is a well built tent using quality materials. Lightwave reinforces high stress areas, but it is not done excessively. The use of 2.2 oz/yd² fabric for the tent floor ensures the floor will stand up well when used without a ground sheet. The other portion of the inner tent is made out of 1.0 oz/yd² fabric that is relatively delicate and requires attention to prevent rips. The interface between the floor and inner tent fabric is backed with extra fabric to beef up this connection. The 1.5 oz/yd² used for the fly provides a balance between durability and light weight. Guyout points on the fly are reinforced with sewn panels to distribute forces. Durable #5 YKK zippers are used on the vestibule and inner tent doors.

The aluminum poles were bent slightly during testing, possibly when inserting them into the pole sleeves. Some emergency aluminum pole sleeves are included with the tent but were not needed during testing.

Value

After the exchange rate is calculated from U.K. pounds to U.S. dollars the Lightwave t1 cylq is an expensive tent coming in at around $665 (£375). This price includes carbon fiber poles, which were not included in our review sample. To its credit, the t1 cylq is lightweight, well-conceived, and a quality built tent. This tent is well suited for three-season usage and could easily handle a winter storm, although its large amount of mesh would make it a little cold. The t1 provides great ventilation and good storm protection provided that it is pitched correctly.

Recommendations for Improvement

Provide an access to the rear vent from inside of the tent to allow ventilation adjustments to be made without having to be outside of the tent.

The length could be increased by a few inches to alleviate sleeping bags touching the tent walls. A height increase of a few inches would allow for a more comfortable place to wait out storms without brushing the ceiling while sitting.

The possibility of a fly-only pitch would be useful and would likely require a specially made ground sheet.