SNEAK PEEK: 2015 Sierra Designs TENSEGRITY ShelterS

Is there a video of the new Tensegrity shelters anywhere? Never saw it posted on the blog.

Michael, why not put up a video on 'zenbivy' as you did for the Flashlight 2 UL? That one said it all.
It appears there are are 3 tie-outs on the pull-out fly. Another 2 or 4 (1 extra each side, 2 more on bottom) would greatly enhance different configurations of said fly.You of all people know how creative hikers like to get. lol

I just saw the video today and it answered all the questions I had about the Elite 1P build. It will be a definite purchase when available. I will change the zipper on the netting at the head end to full length for a little more versatility rather than add a zipper for a second door. I would still like to see a dark grey/charcoal floor, minor nitpick but not a deal breaker. Kudos to the designer and his 'little helpers'.

> Try camping somewhere serious in a bright yellow tent…
Been there, done that … worked just great.
But blue does attract insects: they think it is UV.

Cheers

That comment does bring back a distant memory. Back in the 70's my Warmlite 2RS had a yellow body with blue end cones. Certain bugs seemed to prefer the blue over yellow. Never thought much about it, just one of those things.

A question for SD. The tent pictured here shows a darker floor. The video on the blog shows yellow floors. Is this one of the differences between the FL and ELITE builds or is it one of the prototypes?

Really don't like the new designs.There aren't enough mesh areas and space between fly and inner.It will be destroyed by moisture in my hometown.

Hi Michael,will there be new lightning UL 2 with the Elite Sil fabric? I really love the the structure ,but can't afford the 1.67KG weight.

Kai:

The lightening is getting a major weight reduction in 2015, and the new model will be coming in mid-January. It loses 10 ounces and goes from 3,7 to 2,13.

It does not use this ELITE fabric, but gets new PE coated and taped fabrics that are 20d/30d for fly/floor vs the 30d/40d fabrics from the current model.

The gear closets also get a lot bigger.

I really think the new Lightning is now the best lightest freestanding tent now made that will actually work for 2 people.

Michael
In the spirit of Christmas, how about posting a product sheet or some more pictures?

Ben

+1 – Give us some Stealth Colors.

BTW the Lightning UL2 is really nice and would be even better in Olive Drab etc.

Michael; The new Lightning FL2 has now caught my eye over the Tensegrity 2 due to the new lighter weight. It can now double as a 1P or 2P (with or without wife) which saves me another tent (really!). I would think it's pole structure and gear closet anchor points woul make it very stable in high winds. ( I have seen the wind tunnel video) for 31/2 season use. Pictures of the Tensegrity Elite on the SD Facebook page show a lot of wind deformation which is not a criticism considering its design. Am I right in this assumption? The weight difference is not a consideration for me. When I sell my Tarptent Scarp 1, I may pick up an Elite 1P (oops) to play around with. Exciting and innovative stuff from you guys.

Looks like you can pre-order the TENSEGRITY at REI. I would love to see a review of one when one of you buys it to test.

Everyone:

You can now view and purchase all the 2015 SD shelters at sierradesigns.com Note that the videos and detail photos are not yet up, but wanted to let you know that the rest of the information is now available.

Also, I do videos from the field when doing gear testing, and thought I would share them here. The first video shows testing of cagoule an chaps (amazing, especially the color of my test samples), and the Super-Secret SD Backpack in development. You can't tell that much from the video about the pack, especially its most ingenious feature which is mostly hidden (hint: no compression straps), and if you look carefully at the video when I unpack my gear at the end you can see why this pack is the lightest AND most comfortable pack ever made. The photo shown weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces and carries better than anything twice its weight. That video is kinda boring, but here: https://vimeo.com/108437971

You can also see more of "life" with the Tensegrity 1 ELITE up high in this video, though it is mostly just about my trip…..: https://vimeo.com/108435188

I am REALLY excited about Tensegrity!!

Troy:

Regarding Stealth Colors: More being added for 2015

Jim:

I routinely use "tarp" shelters in mountaineering conditions, and they do deform, but are often stronger than poled structures anyway. Tensegrity is certainly no exception. The large "tarp panel" in particular can get blown around and deform, but the beauty is that since it is outside the tent, the deformation does not reduce the interior space, which is protected "inside". You can see it pitched in the mountains in the two videos I posted earlier in this thread.

Ben:

The tents and specs are now LIVE on the SD site and more pictures and videos are coming,…..

Mr. Glavin- I respect you and the fact that you are on here and active.

But you know us well enough to know better than this:

"…you can see why this pack is the lightest AND most comfortable pack ever made. The photo shown weighs 2 pounds 3 ounces and carries better than anything twice its weight."

Come on, man!

Its not the lightest pack ever made, and comfort is subjective.

I know you're excited and all, but don't being that mess here. :)

Not trying to be an ass… BTW I'm glad to see SD coming back from… well, wherever it was…

Carry on

Hey – when are those rain chaps going to be available?

Dave: Should be here by February 1…….

I LOVE them. I had a hiker take them through Washington on their PCT through-hike and everyone agrees that, once you accept the fact that these are chaps and look like chaps, that they are superior to rain pants in really every way. I checked the fit on the production which is WAY less baggy than the test samples you saw in the video, so should work much better. they have 3L over the knee so they are comfortable when wearing shorts……

Thanks Michael.

Oh and the new tents look great….; )

Yes, agreed. I was honestly not trying to say that it was the lightest and most comfortable (though that is exactly what I did say), I was trying to suggest that it was the "best of both" (lightest comfortable pack and the most comfortable lightweight pack). It came out as silly rhetoric, I agree……