Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2

I like this tent a lot. If you want to go light, but don't want to use a bivy, I think this tent is where it's at. It's been out 10 nights so far and no major complaints. Kept the water out completely for 2 consecutive nights of moderate rain. The mesh hasn't snagged or developed any runs in all those times going up and down and in and out of the stuff sack. Can be guyed out tight enough that wind isn't a huge issue, though it might rustle gently. No more than I'd expect though in 20 mph gusts. One person set up, fast and easy (no more than 10 minutes once you get the hang of it) and comes down the same. I like that in the rain I could put up the rain fly first and then put up the mesh body underneath, avoiding getting the inside wet. I sleep solo but went with the SL2 for the extra gear space, and I like to go light but I'm not an extremist. The SL1 had my sleeping bag touching the sides. If I camped with a partner, I'd go with the SL3. Vestibule space is just adequate for a backpack laying flat and a pair of hiking boots. I wish the vestibule door zipped on both sides, and so I could use trekking poles to make it an awning. Then I could've cooked under it in the rain. As it was, I could've, but it would've been really cramped, and possibly flammable. Also, it's possible I'm just a heavy breather, but I have had a decent amount of condensation on cool nights, unless I leave the vestibule flap open. The gear pockets could be a big bigger as well. I do love the headlamp pocket above the door. Very useful for reading.

A good balance between lightness and convenience.

The weight is a dream (3lb 13oz w/footprint). Setup is fast and easy, even for one person. A bit tight for two people, but doable if love or neccesity is involved, although, if you touch the side and make contact with the fly, you will end up damp, if not wet. For one person, the inside is more than ample and the ridge beats the snot out of a bivy. Using the rainfly definitely requires staking, so if granite is your thing, you need more tension lengthwise than the poles allow. If you want to stay dry, it has to stay taught, and if anything more than a light rain is expected, you better plan on setting all the guy lines to keep the separation between shell and fly. The x-peg stakes are both sturdy and light. My only complaint there is that the tops are devastatingly sharp and will shred your feet if you go barefoot or wear flip-flops around camp. Easily taken care of by heading to the hardware store and picking up some 1/2" rubber door stop caps (The R&D guys at Big Agnes are really appreciative and receptive to feedback). I do wish the gear pockets were a bit more ample, but they do hold the basics. Also, get the footprint, as the floor taped, but really thin. Just make sure you make note that you get the wider end toward the door, or it'll mess with the setup. Put an "F" in the front corners with a Sharpie so you can find it in the dark or so your dumber tentmate can get it right. All in all, a great tent that I would recommend to anyone looking for something well designed, light, and user friendly, assuming you take the time to become well versed in the idiosyncracies of adjustment before you head out.

With the Seedhouse SL2, I got everything as advertised. Number one, the weight: inlcuding ground cover and minimum stakes (6) this tent is under 4 lbs. Number two, is size. This is a two-person tent. I found it spacious for one person, but only slightly cramped for two. Nice vestibule size. I mean it's not big enough for a backpack, but there's plenty of room for boots, and then some--space for keeping boots dryer when it rains sideways.

Setup is better than the one-person version. The one-person relies on stakes to open up the foot of the tent, requiring an extra two stakes to setup. And, the one-person weight is *not* as advertised. I found only a 5-ounce difference between the one and two person models. Definitley not worth the loss of space and more difficult setup in my book.

The tent performed very well under adverse conditions. The factory-seam-sealing kept everything dry inside during a three-hour down-pour, and the tent was solid during windy conditions (gusts to 30 and several guy-out points I hadn't used yet).

Although the tent is well-ventilated (being an all mesh body), I did not find it too drafty (due to a well-engineered rain fly).

After ten years and having lead over 50 backpack trips, and having owned seven other backpacking tents (including Sierra Designs, Marmot, REI and Eureka) I reccomend this as the best 3-season, 2-man backpacking tent I have seen yet.

I just spent a week at 11,000 feet, south of Mt. Whitney at Cottonwood Lakes. I set up the tent with all its takes and bells and whistles for the first night, including fully extending the fly. I woke up to discover it had rained inside the tent--can we say condensation, boys and girls? This made little sense because along both lengths and the back width of the tent there is sufficient space for air to circulate. Further examination revealed that when the vestibule is CLOSED completely, there isn't enough circulation. For the rest of the week, I closed the vent 3/4 of the way. That kept dew and rain from coming through the no-see-um and allowed air to circulate through the tent and keep it dry. While it's certainly serviceable this way, Big Agnes needs to redesign the fly. If they shorten one side and lengthen the other and then stake the fly so the sides will be at 25 degree angle to the entrance (like the Kelty Vortex), then the air will flow through and condensation will be eliminated. One of the tent's best features that the fly fits perfectly. When staked out properly, no amount of tossing and turning puts the tent in contact with it. It's the size a solo tent should be. It's a little pricey, but worth it.

I've taken this tent on a few trips since I purchased it on your website earlier this year and I'm quite impressed with it. I bought it because I don't need the fly on most nights and it's far nicer looking at the stars than a tent ceiling. I use it primarily as a luxury lightweight solo tent. It weighs 9 ounces more than the Seedhouse SL1, but the extra square footage is nice to have. While the inner mesh tent is free-standing, the fly does require stakes and guylines (included) to function properly. If I don't plan on using the fly but think that there is a remote possibility of precipitation, I'll go ahead and stake out the fly and then remove it. That way, I can throw on my headlamp at 3:00 A.M. and have the fly installed and cinched down in a little over a minute if necessary. The fly fits very well and helps the tent withstand significant winds with ease. The vestibule isn't huge, but it will fit a few pairs of boots or a small pack. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the entry. It can be a little awkward getting in and out with the fly on, particularly if it's raining. That's a small flaw in such an otherwise excellent tent though.

I'm over 20 nights in this tent now and love it. The weight is great - 3 1/2lbs all in, and 1.75 if you run with the fly and footprint only. It's definitely tight for two people, but doable. I bought this thinking I would use it as a one man, but have only slept alone 2 nights. It's very easy setup. By the end of our 10 day trip this summer, we could put it up at night in under 5 minutes. I love the quality and hardiness of this tent. The x style stakes are great and really can't be bent.

My one complaint - It's a front loading tent - so you have to crawl in and out. Getting up at night (us old guys need to water a rock occasionaly) requires a lot of bending and twisting especially if the fly is on and vestibule is closed. My buddy with the Hubba Hubba seems to have an easier time of it with 2 side entrances. Also, when you sleep two people, the front entrance can be a pain. All in all - a very light, very nice tent.

I swapped my SL1 for the SL2 after finding it for the same price ($200). I'm very happy with the switch. The SL2, for being only a hand-full of ounces heavier has much more useable space, while being just as light as every other solo out there. I've camped at 20 degrees with this tent in a 20 degree bag with a reactor liner and was more than comfortable. Breathability on this tent is great. I have yet to have any condensation problems. Thus far I've mostly used it in a scrub/desert environment and the tent body and floor had held up well despite the spikey vegetation. On an interesting note, despite the tent color the light inside the tent is surprisingly natural, and not the sickly green you'd expect. A definite bonus. Buy the footprint though as the floor is thin. All in all a great buy if you can find it on sale. Otherwise, it's definitely a bit pricey.

Spent two months on the mississippi with this tent. I highly recommend this tent. It is light and easy to set up. It survived massive winds and kept me dry in some serious storms. Also, the company stands behind their stuff and they are friendly, attentive folks. Excellent size tent for one 6' guy with gear. more useable space than in similar lightweight tents. I did learn to use a titanium spork to prop open the top of the fly opening in a manner to allow air movement without letting rain in.
Lightweight materials don't take well to much abuse - there are always tradeoffs if you want the lightest... Maybe check out the non- SL version of this tent if you need something to take a beating. I love this tent-I am taking this tent on my next trip hiking sections of the PCT.