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Big Agnes Slater UL2+ Tent -
The Big Agnes Slater UL2+ tent gets its inspiration from the Fly Creek UL tents. The Slater is light and fast like the Fly Creek, but comes with extra floor space and less mesh in the canopy.
Imported.
Fit:
- Lightweight and strong DAC Featherlite® NSL poles with press-fit connectors and a lightweight hub use an anodization process with fewer chemicals than other processes
Fabric:
- Woven nylon mesh in upper tent provides ventilation; ripstop nylon walls are especially effective at keeping the sand and wind out of the tent when you head to the desert
- Extra space comes at little cost in terms of weight, and the lightweight, breathable ripstop nylon walls offer an extra bit of warmth, privacy and protection
Frame:
- DAC Twist clips attach tent body to the pole frame for quick and easy set up
Ventilation:
- Fly vent improves ventilation to reduce condensation; reflective guyout and reflective webbing on tent corners increase visibility at night
Weather and Wind:
- Rainfly and seamless floor are polyurethane- and silicone-coated high-tenacity ripstop nylon; seams are taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape
Webbing:
- Color-coded pole ends, webbing and buckles make setting up the Big Agnes Slater UL2+ effortless
Zippers:
- Stormflap over vestibule zipper prevents water drips
Pockets:
- Includes interior mesh pockets and gear loft loops for storage; 11 superlight aluminum stakes and stuff sacks also included
Features:
- For a lightweight setup during nice weather leave tent body behind; use the rainfly and footprint (sold separately) with the poles and stakes
| Activity: | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Canopy fabric: | Ripstop nylon/polyester mesh |
| Design type: | Freestanding tent |
| Floor area: | 37 square feet |
| Floor dimensions: | 96 x 59 inches |
| Floor dimensions - metric: | 244 x 150 centimeters |
| Floor fabric: | Coated ripstop nylon |
| Fly / footprint pitch weight: | 1 lb. 4 oz. |
| Minimum trail weight: | 2 lbs. 9 oz. |
| Minimum trail weight - metric: | 1.16 kilograms |
| Number of doors: | 1 door |
| Number of poles: | 1 hubbed poleset |
| Packaged weight: | 2 lbs. 15 oz. |
| Packed size: | 5 x 19 inches |
| Peak height: | 40 inches |
| Peak height - metric: | 102 centimeters |
| Pole diameter: | 9 millimeters |
| Pole material: | Aluminum DAC Featherlite NSL |
| Rainfly fabric: | Coated ripstop nylon |
| Seasons: | 3-season |
| Sleeping capacity: | 2-person |
| Vestibule area: | 8 square feet |
Big Agnes Slater UL2+ Tent Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Great for the weight.
I ordered this tent because I am tall and it is one of the few Big Agnes tents that will fit two of the NeoAir Xtherm size large pads (25" wide) width wise. I am so used to touching both ends of a tent that it was nice to get in this one and have room at both ends.
The vestibule is only large enough for a pair of boots or maybe a day pack, nothing really larger.
Mine arrived at 3lbs 2oz (not 2lb 15) but I think this is because of the included repair kit and the stuff sacks for the poles/stakes. The footprint fits in the bag with the rest of the tent so that was nice. Easy to set up and though I haven't used it yet looks to be sturdy in a strong wind. Small in the pack, lightweight, and will be a warm tent on cold nights.
The vestibule is only large enough for a pair of boots or maybe a day pack, nothing really larger.
Mine arrived at 3lbs 2oz (not 2lb 15) but I think this is because of the included repair kit and the stuff sacks for the poles/stakes. The footprint fits in the bag with the rest of the tent so that was nice. Easy to set up and though I haven't used it yet looks to be sturdy in a strong wind. Small in the pack, lightweight, and will be a warm tent on cold nights.
Slater UL2 Big/Long UL Alternative
96 inches long! No more down bag touching/pushed up against end of tent and getting wet. For only 5 more ounces, you get a REAL 2 person tent. 2 lbs 15 oz packaged weight (means stakes and sacks and cordage). I also own the UL2 Fly Creek which is the same design but really only fits people who are 5' 8" with short bags and very cramped for 2 (ok for 1).
The Slater is also 7 inches wider by 10 inches longer. Great large design improvement over the Fly Creel UL2. This is a palace for 1, great for 2 or 1 + dog! Best large Ultra Light for under 3 pounds!
The Slater is also 7 inches wider by 10 inches longer. Great large design improvement over the Fly Creel UL2. This is a palace for 1, great for 2 or 1 + dog! Best large Ultra Light for under 3 pounds!
Slater is upgrade to Fly Creek UL2
This is the tent that the Fly Creek UL2 wants to be when it grows up! The extra length and width is perfect for those with long bag/pad combos, plus it works much better when you have two people than standard ultra light two person tents. I own the Fly Creek UL2 also, and this tent seems to have a cleaner interface (more vent room) with the inner/outer walls. The semi-mesh material makes the tent a 3.5 season tent. The rear is aalmost square across the back, utilizing the sq footage better for two people or what ever. This is a great UL tent for 1 person and a dog, like a palace!
Generous size, light weight, packs small
I'm going backpacking in the Rockies for a week this summer, after a number of years away from it. I decided to replace my old (circa 1990) tent with a lighter one and did a lot of research. The BA Slater 2+ fit all my criteria - plenty big for two adults, freestanding (more or less), sturdy, quick and easy to set up, very lightweight, and packs small. When compared to the packed size of comparable 2-person tents, the Slater is remarkably compact. The material is quite thin, naturally, but I have confidence it will hold up when I'm camping in a few months.
A few caveats
I like the room this tent gives, head to toe. Not so much shoulder to shoulder. Head room is adequate but not exceptional. Didn't have condensation issues but never reached dew point on the thermometer. A little tricky to set up. I left the pegs behind and used rocks to anchor but regretted it. Lots of guy lines! Can't really use the tent without the rain fly without the sides falling in. Wished for a true freestanding tent
Neutral Reviews:
Small and Light
On paper, this tent looked really good. However, when set up, you realize that the tent roof is really low and gets really low at the foot. When you "pull out" the tent walls to get the proper fly placement, the roofline gets a little bit lower. I couldn't sit upright without brushing my head on the tent sides/roof. The "foot" of the tent is really low and narrow (I didn't find it very easy to store anything down there). If you go into the tent headfirst AND your partner is already in there, it is a challenge to turn around (to get your head facing the door) without jostling your tentmate (midnight nature calls are a problem trying to get back into the tent). When we set up the tent (with the foot facing the wind and all the guylines properly placed), strong wind gusts would still "flatten" the tent (long ridge pole pushed the hoop end forward). To stop this "flattening," I had to add several more guylines to brace this tent.
I'm not sure that this tent truly classifies as a "free standing tent." Unless you add guylines to the tent sides, the tent sides just "droop" inward. You need to attach the fly to pull out the tent walls.
I think that this tent would be good for 2 children or 1 adult or 1 adult and a dog. But for 2 adults, I found it really tight. I would trade the 96" length for more lateral space and more headroom. I have returned mine for a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3.
I'm not sure that this tent truly classifies as a "free standing tent." Unless you add guylines to the tent sides, the tent sides just "droop" inward. You need to attach the fly to pull out the tent walls.
I think that this tent would be good for 2 children or 1 adult or 1 adult and a dog. But for 2 adults, I found it really tight. I would trade the 96" length for more lateral space and more headroom. I have returned mine for a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3.
Not Free Standing
Was looking for a lightweight tent that had more space than my small 1 man tarp tents. Read reviews and specifications and the Slater UL2 seemed perfect. Had to order as the local REI store did not have in stock. Delivery was timely. My disappointment was when I set it up and realized that there was no way to use this tent as a free standing tent. With the single pole down the ridge of the tent, the sides drooped in on the tent severly. There is no way to make the sides even a little taunt.
You have to put on the fly, attach the tent body to the fly and then guy out the fly on both sides to get even the slightest tauntness to the tent sides. There are at least 8 guys or corner stakes required to spread the inside of the tent and this does not include the vestibule.
It is large inside and appears to have a lot of space for a 2 person tent. It is easy to set up if you don't include the time and effort to guy the whole thing off.
On a sandy beach, rocky area on on real wet soil it would be almost impossible to stake this tent out sufficiently. I am going to return the tent and look for something else. I am too use to my free standing tarptents to deal with this tent.
You have to put on the fly, attach the tent body to the fly and then guy out the fly on both sides to get even the slightest tauntness to the tent sides. There are at least 8 guys or corner stakes required to spread the inside of the tent and this does not include the vestibule.
It is large inside and appears to have a lot of space for a 2 person tent. It is easy to set up if you don't include the time and effort to guy the whole thing off.
On a sandy beach, rocky area on on real wet soil it would be almost impossible to stake this tent out sufficiently. I am going to return the tent and look for something else. I am too use to my free standing tarptents to deal with this tent.