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.

Overview

The MontBell Monoframe Diamond is a double wall tent with excellent storm resistance at only 2.5 pounds. MontBell has designed the tent so that it can be pitched with just the fly and pole, which MontBell calls "Fast and Lite" mode. This drops the weight below 1.5 pounds and results in a stable, weather resistant, tarp-like shelter. The diamond design is stable in winds and sheds weather well, but creates the tent’s biggest drawback – limited headroom as the shelter tapers towards the user’s head. Good quality construction, good performance for the weight, and dual mode set-up make the Diamond a nice addition to the MontBell line of double wall tents.

In Brief

• A light double wall shelter at 2.5 pounds
• Diamond shape is stable in wind and sheds weather well
• Innovative design allows fly to be pitched alone
• Limited headroom, especially for those over 6 feet tall

Specifications

Features

Usable Features / Ease of Use

The Diamond is a simple tent and hence is easy to set up and use. The molded single pole fits through a sleeve on the tent body. Simply slide in the pole, stake out one end of the tent, then stake out the other end. Throw the fly over and stake it down separately. With very little practice, I could pitch this tent in a minute or two. The ease of pitching is a pleasure in windy conditions. Wind guys attached to the inner tent slide through the fly, and significantly improve wind stability. There are no internal pockets, and no vestibule (however, there is sufficient area inside for storing gear). The Diamond includes a stuff sack, pole stuff sack and ten stakes.

The Diamond can be pitched using only the fly, poles, stakes and a tension strap. This "Light and Fast" mode offered by MontBell is very useful and quickly became my preferred pitch. In this mode, the Diamond is essentially a full coverage tarp that is very easy to pitch, very stable, and offers much better protection than more lightweight tarps. I really enjoyed this feature and found myself pitching the tent this way whenever possible. If you carry just the fly, pole and stakes, the total weight of the shelter is reduced by over a pound, to less than 1.5 pounds.

Entry into the Diamond is through a zippered door in the fly and one or two zippered doors in the tent (one door is the Ballistic Airlight material and the other is bug netting); either one or both can be used. The tent has one prominent vent above the door, which vents the tent unimpeded, or through bug netting. The amount of venting is adjustable.

There are a total of ten 7-inch (18 cm) long angled 7075 aluminum alloy stakes for securing the tent. They have a notch at the top to hold the tieout cords. They do not easily bend, but usually require cleaning when they are pulled out. The tent’s single pole is made of DAC Featherlite 8.8 millimeter aluminum base alloy 7001. There are two optional guylines that attach to a loop on the pole sleeve at each end for windy conditions. An aluminum pole repair sleeve is also included.

The tent packs into four stuff sacks: one for the pole, one for the stakes, one for the guylines and pole repair sleeve, and one for the entire tent.

The Diamond does not have any options available, like a footprint, mesh loft, or vestibule.

Weight / Sizing

The Diamond is exceptionally light for a full double wall shelter. This is primarily due to the simple diamond design, which reduces the poles and total fabric used in the system. The unusual diamond shaped floor may cut down on weight, but is also a tight squeeze for occupant and gear.

Usable Space

The biggest drawback in this tent design is the limited headroom created by the diamond shape. I am well over 6 feet tall, and the headroom is quite cramped, especially when the tent is damp and sagging. For those under 6 feet tall, this will be less of a problem. The tent is widest at the midpoint, so it is necessary to store gear at the door, or on the opposite side. The pointed narrow spaces at either end also make convenient spots to stow small items, such as a headlamp.

Performance

Wind stability

The Diamond is exceptionally stable in wind for such a light tent. The diamond shape sheds wind quite well, and a taut pitch is easy to set up. MontBell provides elastic loops for pitching the fly which aid in creating a tight pitch, and keeping it taut in high winds. I used the Diamond in a couple of violent summer thunderstorms and it held up very well in strong wind gusts estimated at 40 miles per hour. Stability will be optimal with either end of the tent pointed directly into the wind.

Storm protection

The close fitting fly goes all the way to the ground and can be staked down for stability. This nearly eliminates the problems of rain splash. The Diamond kept me totally dry in heavy driven wind and rain, and the floor surface stayed dry even with rivulets running underneath. The lack of a vestibule makes it challenging to cook in storm conditions, or to enter or exit without exposing the interior to weather conditions.

In the Light and Fast mode, pitching only the fly, I stayed very dry in light rain. In heavy rain it is advisable to have a bivy sack when using the fly without the tent body.

Ventilation / Condensation resistance

The fly is equipped with a wire vent at its peak to help reduce condensation. Even so, with the full fly coverage on the Diamond, condensation will be an issue on many nights. The doors can be rolled up easily, which I recommend if weather and bugs allow it.

Insect protection

The door has a separate bug net, so it can be closed completely, or left with just the bug net closed to improve ventilation. As a completely enclosed tent, the Diamond is essentially bug proof when fully closed.

Durability

I had absolutely no problems with zippers or fabric durability during my testing. Seam quality, poles, stuff sacks, stakes, and guy lines were all of good quality and had no problems during testing.

Value

At $220, the MontBell Monoframe Diamond is a reasonable value for a full double wall tent at this weight. Value is enhanced by the quality of the construction and materials used by MontBell.

Tips

In Light, and Fast mode, without the main tent body, the space issues created by the diamond design are significantly reduced.

Recommendations for Improvement

The diamond design is both a blessing and a curse. It is the diamond shape that makes this tent so light and an excellent performer in windy and wet weather. But it is also the diamond shape that cramps the headroom, especially for those of us on the tall side. Perhaps MontBell could modify the diamond shape to create a little more headroom, and provide features that expand headroom as part of the pitch (such as guylines designed for this purpose).

Introduction

At just over 4 pounds, the Sierra Designs Lightning is a freestanding, two-person tent with large mesh panels, a huge single door, and strong, lightweight Easton FX Carbon poles. It strikes a solid compromise between light weight, storm protection, usable space, and wind stability. However, it has a minimal vestibule and a small door on the rainfly. Does the Lightning offer the best set of features in a double wall tent?

What’s Good

• Easton Carbon Fiber FX poles are very strong for their weight
• Vestibule offers space for two small packs and access to entry door
• Mesh inner tent offers views and ventilation
• Lower 16 inches of the inner tent at the back and sides is rip stop nylon which protects against splashing rain
• Erects quickly with easy-to-use Swift Clips
• Good wind stability for a three-season tent

What’s Not So Good

• Door on rainfly doesn’t open fully, making entry difficult
• Not the lightest at just over 4 pounds
• Two pole design isn’t the best for usable space and headroom
• Rear fly doesn’t come to ground level – good for ventilation but bad for windblown sand and spindrift
• Floor absorbs some water in extremely wet conditions

Specifications

Performance

The Sierra Designs Lightning is a classic wedge design tent, with two poles that cross in the middle. The Easton Carbon FX poles are stronger and lighter than their aluminum counterparts (and increase the "cool factor" dramatically); they easily extend with shock cords. Once inserted into the grommets at the corners of the tent, the top pole intersection is secured by a "Clip-Loc," a single plastic clip with an elastic cord which wraps around the poles and attaches to the clip – a secure and elegant design. "Swift Clip" plastic clip attachments on the rest of the tent allow for rapid set up. The rainfly attaches to the corners with plastic snap buckles and has adjustable straps to tighten the fly. Eight Velcro pole attachment loops are sewn into the fly to increase wind stability. The rainfly requires a minimum of three stakes – two in the front and one in the rear. A total of eleven guyout points are available on the tent (four at the bottom corners, seven on the fly).

The nylon tent has the large mesh panels at the sides and rear and a very large mesh-only door. The door has dual sliders that allow it to be virtually removed. A single interior pocket is just large enough to stash the door, getting it completely out of your way. When using the tent with the rainfly removed, the front entrance is nearly as large as the front wall, allowing easy entry and exit. The fly, on the other hand, has a zipper on only one side of the entrance and doesn’t zip along the top. This creates a small, angled entry when the rainfly is attached, which is cramped. Opening the door also exposes most of the small vestibule to precipitation, although the tent remains fully covered.

Stuff sacks are included with the Sierra Designs Lightning for the tent (1.9 ounce), poles (0.8 ounce) and stakes (0.4 ounce). Several nylon cord guylines are included as well as six aluminum alloy peg stakes. After reviewing many tents with the hard-on-the-hands Y, V, and needle stakes, the 0.6-ounce aluminum pegs were nice on the hands and easy to insert into rocky ground. While they did bend more easily than titanium models, they proved to be tough for their weight.

At just over 4 pounds and with a floor area to weight ratio of 0.48 ft²/oz the Sierra Designs Lightning is in the ballpark with other freestanding, lightweight, double wall tents. Floor space of 31 square feet is sufficient for two hikers and some gear. The bottom pole section at each corner is pre-bent aluminum. This makes the bottom 2 feet of the tent walls nearly vertical, adding to the overall usable space. The sloping upper walls of the dual-pole design and a moderate peak height of 40 inches make it a bit more cramped to move around in; two hikers can sit up comfortably as long as they move toward the center of the tent.

An optional footprint is also available (not reviewed) that allows for a Fast Pack pitch in which only the fly and footprint are used; this option creates a freestanding tarp that weighs less than 2 1/2 pounds.

Dual-pole "wedge" tent designs are good at spilling winds due to their sloping walls. With the seven stakeout points on the fly engaged, the Lightning was able to handle moderate winds with ease. Attaching the fly to the poles with the Velcro straps helps with stability during windy conditions. The pitch was taut during storms, with only minor flapping on the smaller side panels of the fly. The rear of the fly doesn’t come to ground level. While this helped with ventilation, it did funnel some gusts and windblown snow into the backside of the tent. This tendency was especially bad during high winds in a Utah storm when wind-blown dust blew up the back of the tent and through the mesh rear panel, covering everything inside the tent. When pitching during rough weather, it is best to protect this back section, either aiming it into the trees or away from the wind. With the upper guy lines rigged and the backside of these points directly attached to the strong Easton poles, the main tent structure remained very stiff during side gusts.

The Sierra Designs Lightning kept us consistently dry during downpours. While the fly is 6 inches above the ground on the sides and about 15 inches above ground in the rear, the lower 21 inches on the mostly mesh inner tent are water-resistant nylon. This is an excellent compromise for a three-season tent because it allows for more ventilation but also repels splashing rains during total downpours. While the front door is mesh nearly to ground level, the front of the rain fly pitches to ground level, keeping items in the vestibule very dry. When using the Lightning during the worst of Washington rainstorms, no water ever entered the inner tent. However, the floor did show minor seeping after sitting in a very wet area for more than a day, especially in areas that had been slept on; 1800 mm hydrostatic head pressure is low for a tent floor and waterproofing should be improved.

Despite the absence of vent options in the fly, the large mesh panels of the inner tent allow for moisture to easily transfer to outside of the living area. The raised fly at the sides and back allow for good ventilation, even during small breezes. However, an upper vent would allow for low/high venting that would increase airflow. Because of the lack of outside vents, I don’t recommend cooking inside the Lightning.

With only one inner door and a cramped outer door, two hikers have to do some negotiating when getting in and out of the tent. It is a comfortable place to sit out a storm, but not exceptionally roomy and you have to leave the tent to cook. However, it is a good compromise for a lightweight double wall tent.

Because of the large mesh panels and huge mesh door, the Lightning is a joy to use during clear weather. When bugs are swarming, this tent is a wonderful refuge, offering sweeping views.

After months of field testing, the Sierra Designs Lightning has shown no durability issues. All seams of the floor and fly are taped, and stressed seams such as those at the corners and guyout points are reinforced. The Easton FX poles have proven extremely durable in this and other tests. After using several Sierra Designs tents through the years, the Swift Clips have proven to be extremely durable and reliable. My only issue was seepage through the floor during very wet conditions; perhaps a better waterproof coating would improve this minor issue.

At $249, the Sierra Designs Lightning is an excellent value in a lightweight double wall tent. It is a good compromise between weight, usable space, wind stability, ventilation, and storm protection.

What’s Unique

The Sierra Designs Lightning tent has a combination of features that make it unique. The huge front door that zips almost completely off and large mesh panels offer outstanding views and tent access during clear weather; with the exception of wind-blown sand and spindrift, the raised fly and higher inner-tent mesh panels are an excellent design that gives good ventilation and storm protection; and Swift Clips allow for very fast set up and excellent airflow. Easton FX carbon poles are an excellent addition to the tent, adding strength (and cool factor) while reducing tent weight.

Recommendations for Improvement

• A more waterproof coating on the floor would eliminate seepage.
• The Lightning could lose weight by using lighter silicone-coated fabrics, especially in the rainfly.
• A rainfly door that zips across the top would improve tent access when using the rainfly.
• A couple of interior pockets would improve interior organization at minimal weight gain.
• An upper vent in the vestibule would increase low/high airflow.
• Reducing the distance of the rear fly from the tent and the ground might be a better balance between ventilation and protection from windblown snow and sand.

Overview

The Vela II Extreme is a three-season tent that offers good protection against rain and wind. Instead of a zipper to open the rainfly, simply slide it up the center pole for entry. When closed, this makes a large vestibule for gear and the lack of a zipper increases storm resistance and means less moving parts to break. The interior has plenty of headroom but the width is cozy for two big people. This tent is not freestanding. At a minimum, two stakes are necessary at the ends to hold it up. At about 6 pounds the Vela II Extreme is heavy for a non-freestanding tent, but does offer large storage areas and good storm resistance.

In Brief

• Zipperless rainfly increases durability and storm resistance
• Large vestibules on both sides for gear storage
• Four zip-open mesh windows for many venting options
• Heavy for a non-freestanding tent

Specifications

Features

Usable Features / Ease of Use

Like the Hilleberg tents, the Vela has poles that attach directly to the rainfly and an inner tent that is attached to the fly, but is removable. This configuration means that you pitch the tent as a unit, keeping the inner tent dry in foul weather. What’s more, the inner tent can be set up on its own without additional hardware, making the Vela a very versatile package.

Tent setup takes a little practice because there are many strings and tension adjusters to learn; but, once familiar with the tent, I was able to set it up in about three minutes. To pitch, first install the three poles, then pull and stake the metal rings on both ends. At the head of the tent, both the rainfly and canopy have separate metal rings secured with a single stake. At the foot end, the rainfly clips to the canopy’s metal ring with a small carabineer. Once the tent is standing, it’s time for tension adjustment. I found that I could make the tent and rainfly much tighter if I staked each of the tent’s four corners to keep the ends from sliding in when the tent and fly were tensioned. However, it is possible to pitch the tent using just two stakes in milder weather.

In warm weather, the tent can be set up without the rainfly by threading the center pole through the elastic loops on the top of the canopy. If rain is possible, the fly can be detached at the head and foot ends, then rolled up and furled to the center pole to maximize ventilation while keeping it at the ready.

The Vela II has entries on both sides. To enter, unclip the rainfly and pull the string on the inside to slide the zipper-free rainfly up the center pole, then enter through one of two main canopy doors. Each door features a zip-open mesh vent and there is an additional vent at the tent’s head and foot. Also, there is a permanent vent in the top of the canopy with a corresponding supported opening in the fly to aid airflow. At the head, an additional door can be zipped open to allow for some small storage or for emergency exit (exit by sliding under the fly). Two mesh pockets on each side keep things organized inside the tent for a total of four internal pockets. A vestibule on each side provides lots of extra, protected storage.

Included with the tent are twelve stakes (six sturdy ‘V’ pegs and six lightweight ‘U’ pegs), four guylines, stuff sacks for the poles, stakes and tent, and repair items – replacement zippers sliders and an aluminum tubing pole splint. The guylines come in stuff sacks that remain attached when in use, and plastic tensioners mean no slipknots are necessary.

Optional Exped accessories include a tent footprint, snow and sand anchors, extra guylines, and extra stakes.

Weight / Sizing

With a minimum weight of 5 pounds 14 ounces, this tent is a little heavy for a two-person, non-freestanding tent, but it makes up for its weight with extra storage space and excellent storm protection. The width is ample for two, though a little cozy for two big people. There’s about 1.5 feet of room at either the head or foot end for storage. The dual side vestibules offer additional storage for backpacks, boots, a dog (or two), and whatever else needs protection from the weather.

The 0.36 ft²/oz area-to-weight ratio is low compared to other double-wall tents we’ve reviewed, but does not take the vestibule area into account. If the vestibules are included, the usable area-to-weight ratio is 0.62 square feet per ounce. Still lower than most lightweight single-wall tents but competitive in the double-wall category.

Usable Space

The Vela II Extreme vestibules provide 24 square feet of storage space and the canopy provides 34 square feet of sleeping space. Because of the low canopy height at the head and foot, the usable living space in the canopy reduces to about 20 square feet when sitting up. This is still plenty of room for two people to face each other and talk or play cards while waiting out a storm.

Performance

Wind Stability

The Vela II Extreme performs well in windy conditions because of its low, tapered profile. Even without using the included guy lines, wind had little effect on the tent. I found that the best way to set up the Vela in the wind was to orient it crosswise so one of the vestibules faces into the wind. This way the wind runs the same direction as the main pole instead of hitting the rib formed by it. When setting up the tent in high winds, it is helpful to stake the metal rings on one end of the tent before putting the poles in to keep it from blowing away.

Because the rainfly goes all the way to the ground, I felt little to no breeze inside the tent on windy nights. It is important in the wind to stretch the rainfly tight using the string tighteners at the head and foot and the clip closure on the two sides. This will help keep wind from blowing the fly against the canopy.

Three guylines attached to loops on the rainfly center pole sleeve can help support the tent’s apex. During this test the wind was seldom strong enough to make extra guying necessary, as the tent is already very stable. However, in very high winds, attaching guylines to these three loops and staking them in opposite directions helps keep the center pole from moving and keeps the rainfly taut.

Storm Protection

The Vela II performs very well in pouring rain. During the test, the silicone-coated nylon rainfly kept out virtually all moisture, although some condensation formed inside the fly on cold, humid nights

Sitting up in the tent during a rainstorm was no problem. There is plenty of room for two people to face each other and play cards and plenty of dry storage room in the two vestibules to keep backpacks dry or stow wet raingear away from sleeping bags.

Floor seams are taped, and though seams in the silnylon rainfly are not taped, I found no water leakage. Because the rainfly is zipper-free, rain protection is further increased. When pitched on wet ground, the polyurethane-coated nylon floor kept the tent nice and dry inside.

The fly had a tendency to sag with the extra weight of snow, and I had to knock the snow off several times during the night. This was expected based on the tent’s design: no support pole between the ends and the center; a wide, low profile; and shallow wall angles. The clips attaching the rainfly opening to the ground got buried in the snow, making them hard to get to and open.

Ventilation / Condensation resistance

Ventilation options are numerous. There are zip-open mesh vents on both doors, at the head and foot, and in the ceiling. All five vents can still be used in foul weather because they are covered by the rainfly. I found that with the foot and door vents open halfway, there was condensation on the inside of the head end of the tent in the morning. This is partially due to the canopy being low at the head and foot ends of the tent, so your breath is close to the tent wall. By opening the vents on the doors farther, and opening the head end vent, condensation was reduced considerably, but so was warmth. On cold nights when most of the vents were closed to reduce drafts and keep heat in, I awoke to find a moderate amount of frost lining the canopy. While the fly vent helped, a second vent would help alleviate some of this condensation.

On warm clear nights, the rainfly can be rolled up on both sides to let the breathable nylon canopy vent even better. With the rainfly rolled up or removed, there is no longer any condensation due to breath vapor.

Because the rainfly doesn’t breathe, condensation – liquid or frost – formed inside the fly every time it was used. This isn’t a problem unless the fly sags and touches the canopy, so it’s important to make sure the fly is tight enough to stay off the canopy when it gets heavy from morning dew.

Insect Protection

The Exped Vela II offers full protection from insects. When the doors are closed, bugs are left "out in the cold." The zip-open mesh windows on both doors provide good ventilation while keeping bugs out, but even with the fly pulled up there is very little view out of the tent.

Durability

The Vela II has held up well to abuse thus far. The floor is seam taped, and all seams are double stitched, and I have seen no problems with tearing or separation, even when pitching it on rocky, rough ground. Overall, the quality is excellent.

The only questionable area is the point where the tightening strings attach to the rainfly. These points take a large amount of stress when tightening the rainfly enough to keep it from touching the canopy. Because the tent is not free-standing, these points also take the brunt of holding the tent up. I have seen no tearing or problems with these areas and they are reinforced, but this area does have the greatest potential for damage.

Three of the lightweight "U" shaped stakes bent when trying to use them in hard or frozen ground. This can be avoided by using sturdier stakes such as titanium skewers.

Value

At $299 this tent is in the average price range of other double wall tents we’ve reviewed. Materials used are lightweight, durable and weatherproof, and contribute positively to the value. Weight is the biggest factor against this tent. Because it uses three poles, the Vela II Extreme is similar in weight to many freestanding double-wall tents.

Recommendations for Improvement

When only using one stake in each end to hold the tent up, I found that the bottom corners tended to pull toward each other, affecting total floor area. To eliminate the need to pack extra stakes for the corners, sliding adjusters could be added on the tensioning strings so that when the strings are tightened, the bottom corners can be pulled out without moving the top of the pole sleeve.

I found the side-opening stuff sacks to be more cumbersome than regular top-opening sacks. The stake bag was much too large for the stakes and stakes fell out easily. With the large opening in the stuff sack for the tent it was hard to hold the tent in with one hand while trying to pull the closure string with the other. Also, the side opening made the tent an odd shape when packed. I would recommend top-opening drawstring stuff sacks for the stakes, poles, and tent.

Overview

At 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg), the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 is among the lightest freestanding double wall tents currently available. It has full mesh inner walls and an innovative Y-pole design that provide exceptional head room without excess weight. It is spacious for one person but has a small vestibule. The full mesh inner walls are good…and bad.

Specifications

Features

Ease of Set up

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 sets up easily with a single Y-shaped pole. The longest pole section slips into several pole sleeves along the ridgeline of the body and finally into the grommet at the foot of the tent. The two shorter legs of the Y fit into grommets at either side of the entry. Quick clips complete the connections between body and poles creating the freestanding setup (though, like most freestanding tents, the Seedhouse requires several stakes to achieve maximum floor space and extend the vestibule). The fly attaches to a grommet tab at each corner, with a side release buckle to provide tension adjustment. Although the Seedhouse is freestanding, it is essential to stake the tent down to reap the full benefit of interior space and the vestibule. Refer to "Flexibility of Pitching" to learn ways to reduce the number of necessary stakes.

Usable Features / Options

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 has a small interior pocket above the door for stashing a flashlight or other essentials needed during the night. The Seedhouse uses a water resistant YKK #5 double tab zipper on the outer fly door. Because water resistant zippers are just that, water resistant, a short storm flap covers the upper portion of the zipper to prevent water from dripping on the occupant. The remainder of the water-resistant zipper is exposed; but follows such a steep angle that water entry is not a problem. The interior zipper (YKK #5 double tab coil) seals the inner bug door. As an optional accessory, a footprint is available ($45) to convert this tent into a freestanding, non-bug resistant shelter. The footprint weighs 5.5 ounces, according to Big Agnes, and with fly, six titanium stakes, and pole set, the entire package would weigh approximately 33.4 ounces. This option was not tested.

Weight / Sizing

Simply put, this is the one of the lightest, one-person, freestanding, double walled tents currently on the market, period! What makes the Seedhouse SL1 standout is the achievement of such a light weight without it feeling like a bivy sack on the inside; it’s not too small and has excellent ventilation.

Usable Space

The Y-pole design offers a good compromise between weight and usable space. The center ridge section of the pole creates a narrow space with very poor headroom in the back of the tent. Thankfully, that’s not where your head goes. There is ample headroom at the entryway where the pole hub has split the tips of the Y to provide steep sidewalls and a wider profile. This is an excellent design for a minimalist freestanding tent.

Usable Vestibule / Porch

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 has an appropriately sized vestibule (5 square feet) for a lightweight solo tent. The space is sufficient to hold a few items of gear, although an unloaded pack and unused gear quickly fills this space making entry and exit more difficult. In addition, the vestibule does not protect gear from rain when open. Thankfully, there is enough room on the inside to cram gear and leave the entryway open.

Flexibility of Pitching

There is generally not much flexibility in pitching a freestanding tent, although the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 has one exception. As mentioned previously, one can set up the tent fly without the body using the optional footprint ($45, 5.5 ounces) in place for the floor. The vestibule is easily propped open, and when not staked, can be opened to completely expose the entryway. One can also leave off the fly entirely in good weather to greatly increase airflow while still thwarting insects.

Big Agnes supplies 13 stakes with the Seedhouse to match the 13 attachment points on the body and fly (actually there are 15 attachment points if one includes the two upper tieouts on either side of the entryway). I found that thirteen stakes are far more than necessary. A minimalist setup requires only four stakes, two at the vestibule corners, and two at the foot end corners. This will support the vestibule and spread the foot section of the tent providing maximum interior space. However, six stakes are ideal, adding increased ventilation by pulling the sides of the fly outward. This also stabilizes the fly, reducing wind noise. In order to accomplish proper setup with only six stakes, I had to apply a little ingenuity.

The four stakes used in the minimal setup for the foot section and sides of the fly, are actually taking the place of eight as designed by the manufacturer. This is because the body and fly require separate tension (four for the body and four for the fly). Thus, each stake must independently adjust tension for two separate tie outs. To eliminate half of these stakes (and to have each stake do twice the work), first attach a 3-foot length of cord to each foot corner and a 9-foot length to each side attachment of the body. These should have a small loop, suitable to attach to a tent stake, tied to the end. Run these around the stake and back through the corresponding tab on the fly. Then, back down to attach to the head of the stake. Pulling the guy tight before inserting the stake into the ground will tighten both the body and fly tie outs simultaneously (see photo below).

Performance

Wind Stability

Whether pitched with the six-stake method described above or with the manufacturer’s suggested 13 stakes, the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 pitches tautly and remains relatively stable in high winds. That is, as long as it is pitched lengthwise, parallel to wind direction, preferably with the foot end into the wind. Pitched in this manner, the Seedhouse smoothly deflects wind like a formula one racecar. Pitched perpendicular to the wind, however, the Seedhouse center ridgeline and steep wall profile responds more like a kite under the influence of high winds. During my testing of the Seedhouse, I often suffered from Acute Tent Collapse Anxiety (ATCA) when I pitched it above tree line in high wind conditions. Moreover, Ryan Jordan experienced durability problems with his Seedhouse resulting in damage from 35 to 40 mph gusts (discussed under Durability Field Observations).

Storm Protection

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 excels in storm resistance. The silicone impregnated and polyurethane coated nylon ripstop fly arrives fully factory seam sealed, and is highly effective at shedding water, enhanced by the steep sidewalls. The bathtub floor completes the protection.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

With a full mesh tent body, the Big Agnes is a very well ventilated tent. Opening the entry in good weather increases ventilation further (though not an option in stormy weather). Good ventilation equates to good condensation control, a performance highpoint of the Seedhouse SL1.

Insect Protection

Usable insect protection in warm or humid climates must consist of sealable bug protection and ventilation; the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 has both. During bad bug conditions, the Big Agnes comes to the rescue with 360 degrees of mesh for an excellent view. Even in sweltering temperatures with the phrase "Oops, I forgot to bring repellent," still fresh off my tongue, I was comfortably able to read in the sanctuary of the Seedhouse and enjoy my surroundings.

Durability

Through our testing, we discovered some serious durability issues with the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1, specifically with the bug netting. Ryan Jordan, Publisher of Backpacking Light, experienced a total fabric failure when camped on an exposed ridge in 35 to 40 mph wind gusts. Wind direction hit his tent broadside, which accentuated wind stress. The bug netting failed along the seam adjacent to two of the ridgepole sleeves.

Another concern with the bug netting is the ease at which it snags. Velcro is the worse culprit. Fortunately, most snags are cosmetic and will have no effect on the bug netting’s integrity. Other than the bug netting, there are really no other durability issues with the Seedhouse SL1. The 1.94 oz/yd² (66 g/m²) high-tenacity nylon rip-stop used in the fly and floor is thin and light, but not overly so. It held up well to a week on the Continental Divide Trail in the South San Juan Wilderness, pitched on rough ground without a ground sheet.

Value

The perceived value of the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 will greatly depend on the user’s expectations of its performance. On the one side, the SL1 is an exceptionally well-designed, full-featured tent. It is very well ventilated and roomy on the inside, thanks to the innovative Y-shaped pole design. On the other, the lightweight bug netting, prone to snags and potentially fabric failure, may be too fragile for many users’ comfort. Overall, I rate this tent slightly better than average and would increase this assessment for users who are more cautious when selecting a site to pitch their shelter.

Recommendations for Improvement

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 is an exceptional solo freestanding shelter. The one crucial design flaw is the durability issue noted in the tent body bug netting. The bug netting used is certainly lightweight, but suffers from low tear strength and snags easily. At the very least, Big Agnes should consider reinforcing the bug netting along the ridgeline pole sleeves. This might be accomplished by adding a 4 to 6 inch wide strip of fly material down the ridgeline to better distribute load forces along this critical seam.

The bug netting snags easily. While it is a compromise to use a lighter fabric, if Big Agnes could source a material with greater resistance to snags at a minimal increase in weight, it should be considered.

Introduction

At 8.2 ounces the Oware Cattarp 1.1 is not as light as some other ultralight tarps and poncho/tarps on the market, but provides excellent weather protection and an easy setup because of its extra width and catenary ridgeline.

What’s Good

• Good weather protection
• Catenary cut ridgeline
• Quick and easy to set up
• Reinforced tieouts and 1.1 oz/yd² silnylon construction
• Compacts down small
• Many color choices

What’s Not So Good

• Limited setup options
• Large footprint limits site choices

Specifications

Performance

The Oware Cattarp 1.1 is 8.5 feet long and tapers from 5.4 feet at the head end to 4.4 feet wide. It provides amazing weather protection for a tarp even during a stereotypical Oregon Cascades deluge. A bivy isn’t even needed to stay dry during wet weather if the winds aren’t blowing too hard.

The Cattarp is simple to pitch. Stake out the corners, slip clove hitches onto two trekking poles and stake them out, then readjust the corners for a taut pitch. The eight tieout points are reinforced making it worry free to tighten down the pitch. Adjust the height for more headroom or batten down the hatches for storms. The catenary cut ridgeline makes a taut pitch almost foolproof.

The only negative that I found with the Cattarp 1.1 is its large footprint. This tarp needs a relatively large area to set up. Hiking in an area above Marion Lake in the Oregon Cascades after a recent windstorm that had caused major amounts of blown down debris, I couldn’t find a clear area large enough to pitch the tarp properly. I finally had to make do with a sub-optimal pitch that allowed the Cattarp to flap noisily in the wind.

The Oware Cattarp 1.1 is a well-constructed tarp that offers a good coverage to weight ratio; a foolproof, quick and easy pitch; and durable construction.

What’s Unique

Commercially available silnylon, catenary ridgeline tarps as light as the Oware Cattarp 1.1 are rare. (Mountain Laurel Designs offers a very similar tarp that is a foot longer but costs about $30 more.) The Cattarp is sized nicely for solo use with extra width and lighter weight compared to most poncho/tarps. Construction quality is excellent and it comes in eight colors.

Recommendations for Improvement

The Cattarp 1.1 is the smallest catenary tarp Oware carries. I would like to see a smaller version offered to save weight and to allow for a smaller footprint. An option for lighter fabrics would also be nice.

Introduction

At 4600 cubic inches, the Galaxy is the largest pack in the GoLite Unlimited Series, which is focused on using advanced materials to provide full suspension weight-carrying capacity with maximum comfort and minimum weight. This lightweight pack is like a Lexus truck – it carries the load with elegance, comfort, and convenience.

What’s Good

• Great suspension system
• Comfortably carries heavy loads
• Full-featured
• Shower-proof
• Very durable

What’s Not So Good

• Hipbelt is a little too stiff
• Lacks hipbelt pockets
• Side water bottle pockets do not allow easy access with the pack on

Specifications

Performance

When I backpack with my wife, we go lightweight and take a few luxuries, and I’m the pack mule. The heavier load requires an internal frame pack. Before I started testing the GoLite Galaxy pack, the Osprey Aether 60 was my favorite pack for that purpose, as well as through-hikes and winter camping. The Galaxy has eclipsed the Aether 60 in my pack arsenal. The Galaxy at 4600 cubic inches and 58.2 ounces is the largest pack in the GoLite Unlimited Series, which is focused on using advanced materials to provide full suspension weight-carrying capacity with maximum comfort and minimum weight. If you are looking for a larger-volume internal frame pack, the Galaxy merits your consideration for its high volume and weight-carrying capacity, good organizational features, and comfort.

The backbone of the Galaxy is its innovative corrugated polystyrene framesheet that extends the full height of the pack (see photo below). It has several imbedded 7075 aluminum rods plus two attached 0.5-inch wide aluminum stays. The framesheet slides into a tight, zippered pocket against the pack’s molded foam backpanel. The tops of the stays line up with the load lifter straps, solidly anchoring the pack’s frame with its suspension.

The framesheet comes with a generic contour to fit your back. The initial fit felt good, but on my first couple of trips with the Galaxy, I experienced some pain and numbness in my lower back after carrying the pack all day. At home, my wife and I pulled out the framesheet and went to work tailoring it to my back curvature. We found it a little challenging, but doable. With the aluminum stays removed, it was fairly easy to shape the plastic framesheet by bending it on the edge of a counter (warming it with a heat gun helped). Once the framesheet was molded to my back, we bent the stays to match. With the extra curvature, it was a bit hard to get the stays back into their sleeves. When it was all done, we had dialed in a perfect fit, and the Galaxy has been a pleasure to carry since then.

The harness system includes load-lifter straps to pull the top of the pack against your back, contoured shoulder straps, and a sternum strap that is very easy to adjust and connect. Shoulder straps are padded with Brock foam (a non-absorptive polyethylene closed-cell foam). The contact surface is Schoeller Dryskin Extreme stretch-woven fabric for wicking away moisture.

The backpanel is padded with thermo-molded closed-cell foam with ergonomic curvatures to conform to your back. The Galaxy has GoLite’s Ergo-Flex hipbelt, which is claimed to flex and rotate three-dimensionally with hip movements. The hipbelt and lumbar region are well padded with Brock foam surfaced with Schoeller Dryskin fabric for wicking away moisture. I found that the hipbelt supported a fully loaded pack well, but it is a little too stiff to conform to the hips.

To determine the pack’s comfortable load-carrying capacity I assessed the pack’s structural load capacity and suspension comfort (see related article on Quantitative Analysis of Backpack Suspension Performance by Ryan Jordan). I tested the Galaxy with up to 50 pounds and found no pack torso collapse (and only a small amount of hipbelt slippage). Suspension comfort was subjectively determined by carrying the pack all day with a range of loads. From these tests, I determined the Galaxy’s comfortable load carrying capacity (for me) to be 40 pounds. It easily carried my normal lightweight backpacking loads of 24-30 pounds.

The Galaxy is very user-friendly for packing. It has a roomy top compartment with top access and drawcord closure, and a lower sleeping bag compartment with a wrap-around water-resistant zipper (with double sliders). The baffle between the top and bottom compartments has an opening on one side to allow taller items to pass through, so a fishing rod or tent poles can be carried inside the pack. The upper compartment will hold a 9-inch x 10-inch bear canister and a lot more, overflowing into a 10-inch high extension collar.

On the outside there is a 9-inch x 12-inch front pocket with a wrap-around water-resistant zipper (with double sliders). It’s bellowed out about 2 inches, and provides a good amount of convenient storage, but twice as much capacity would be useful. The side mesh pockets are wide enough to carry two, 1-quart water bottles or a 2-liter bladder. A nice arrangement is to carry water in one side pocket and a fuel bottle or other gear in the other. The pockets are angled some, but not enough to easily reach and replace a water bottle. On the bottom front of the pack there are two accessory straps for lashing a tent or other gear to the pack (see photo). The pocket in the top lid is very handy to store rainwear or other frequently used items.

The Galaxy provides a full set of features for stabilizing the load: four side compression straps, a drawcord closure plus top compression strap, load lifters, and hipbelt stabilizers. With the pack properly adjusted, I find it to be very stable on the trail, staying glued to my body and not shifting when I lean to the side or bend over.

With the Galaxy, GoLite has achieved its goal to utilize advanced materials to provide full suspension weight-carrying capacity with maximum comfort and minimum weight. For a little over 3.5 pounds, you get a lot of volume and weight carrying capacity and most every feature you would want.

What’s Unique

The GoLite Galaxy’s innovative corrugated plastic framesheet with integrated and attached aluminum stays is lightweight and really transfers weight from shoulders to hips for more comfort. The framesheet can be molded to your back for a custom fit.

Recommendations for Improvement

Overall, the Galaxy did not leave me wanting for much. I would like to see the front pocket doubled in size so it will hold more frequently used items. The padding on the hipbelt could be a little softer so it better conforms to the hips. Roomy hipbelt pockets would be a nice addition. Finally, if GoLite really wants to impress, including a padded case on the shoulder harness for a digital camera or MP3 player would be way cool!