Man, please don't be offended by this, but you are pretty rough with those zippers. Just a suggestion - slow down and be a little more gentle with them. After all, it's an ultra-light tent so you do need to treat it with a little more care. Zippers in general are easier to open if you use two hands - one to stabilize the flap you're unzipping, the other to move the zipper. I've had this tent for 2 years and love it. I've had it in strong wind and non-stop overnight heavy rain, no issues with any leaks so far. Otherwise good review. Thank you for posting it.
Thanks for the comment Jerry. I'm not offended at all. I enjoy constructive feedback. I completely agree that you should use two hands for zippers normally, I was filming at the same time. I couldn't use two hands for that shot. I disagree with the strength of the zipper and equipment. If I have to baby a piece of camping gear in order to keep it functional, I don't want it. Its made for camping and the outdoors. If it can't survive some use and abuse, like I said, I don't want it. I hope you don't take any offense to my response. Thank You for the suggestion and feedback.
This tent has sheltered me through all 4 seasons of the PNW even 3” of snow overnight. It’s been home while on many bikepacking trips and remote job site work weeks. A bit small but much better than a bicycle sack. Good tent!!
I bought & owned this tent briefly. I found it extremely difficult to pitch in strong gusty windy conditions. I also learned the tent collapses onto itself in strong gusty windy conditions It's likely a combination of relatively steep walls & the 2pole hub where it becomes a single pole. Yes I'd pitched the tent into the wind, still, it's NOT what I want in my shelter during a strong gusty wind storm. I sold it along with the footprint & purchased a Hilleberg Enan which provides me with reliable shelter during any rain or wind storm I've overnighted in the high Sierra's. No condensation issues with my tent which is a double wall tent + when I pitch it, I'm pitching the footprint, inner, & fly, simultaneously. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
Condensation happens no matter what. When it rains the humidity is high and vapor collects on any cold surface. I have slept under a tarp 3 feet over my head with no rain and it still had condensation on the under side. That is why we have 2 wall tents, to keep the condensation under the fly and not the main tent body though some will collect there also.
Condensation is definitely a part of camping but some tents are simply more prone to it than others. I just wanted to highlight it since it was pretty significant. Thanks for watching.
Yeah, probably my #1 complaint with my Half Dome SL 2+ is the damn fly zipper. Happily that is a very minor thing to dislike, and that’s really my only complaint. Can’t fault it for its packed size or weight, because those are specifications, not features. I’ve ordered a Quarter Dome SL 1 for its lighter weight to use when motorcycle camping, since the overall design is pretty similar to my Half Dome, but at a much lighter weight and smaller packed size.
Awesome feedback Mike. I'd struggled with the zipper a little in the video because I was trying to do it with one hand however its interesting to know how others feel. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@MikeWilley I got my QDSL1 in a few days ago, and did a dining room pitch. I found the zipper pretty manageable on the QDSL1’s fly. But, possibly importantly, I have used the HDSL2 in left-hand door orientation, and the QDSL1 only has the one door, which is right-hand. I wonder if it’s something as simple as “handedness” regarding managing a zipper and its rain flap. Anyway, I really like the QDSL1 in my dining room, even with the foot not really staked properly. This weekend will be an actual pitch for an overnight, so 🤞.
Just completed a section hike on the Appalachian trail . (North Carolina) I got rained on the WHOLE trip and this tent kept me dry which surprised me considering the amount of rain . I also had some condensation and was worried the rain fly had a leak. Never woke up soaked . Just always worried I would!
Sounds like you put the tent to some extreme testing and its awesome to hear you had about the same results as I did. Thanks for the feedback and congrats on the section. I'm looking to start doing sections of the AT as well.
Great video, thank you. I'm looking to buy a one-person backpacking tent, this is one I've considered. It's the least expensive of all I've looked at. Ideally I'd like a 4-season tent, something very sturdy (I live in the mountains of northern CO, lots of wind here) and easy to set up. What would you recommend?
I don't have any experience backcountry camping in CO so I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry. Its a great 3 season tent, I don't think I'd take it on a winter trip.
That sounds really awesome. I'm interested to know if you have the same condensation issue. Let me know how it goes please. Thanks for watching and commenting.
this ammount of condensation is typical to 1 man tents of all price points.. big agnes, nemo, smd, zpacks etc.. this condensation is normal because a 1P tent is such a small space. this condensation is from you breathing. this is not a flaw..
I'd agree generally but I have several 1 man tents that don't produce as much condensation. I think it had something to do with how high the humidity was that night. Thanks for watching and contributing.
Prob condensation. Little ham fisted with those zippers, maybe? Just ordered one as well, 30% off $229. My worry is the sl1 is a bit small. Thanks for vid btw.
I think it was condensation. Zippers were a little struggle but I think it was mainly due to only using one hand although some others have mentioned they struggled with the zippers a little. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Man, please don't be offended by this, but you are pretty rough with those zippers. Just a suggestion - slow down and be a little more gentle with them. After all, it's an ultra-light tent so you do need to treat it with a little more care. Zippers in general are easier to open if you use two hands - one to stabilize the flap you're unzipping, the other to move the zipper. I've had this tent for 2 years and love it. I've had it in strong wind and non-stop overnight heavy rain, no issues with any leaks so far. Otherwise good review. Thank you for posting it.
Thanks for the comment Jerry. I'm not offended at all. I enjoy constructive feedback. I completely agree that you should use two hands for zippers normally, I was filming at the same time. I couldn't use two hands for that shot. I disagree with the strength of the zipper and equipment. If I have to baby a piece of camping gear in order to keep it functional, I don't want it. Its made for camping and the outdoors. If it can't survive some use and abuse, like I said, I don't want it. I hope you don't take any offense to my response. Thank You for the suggestion and feedback.
This tent has sheltered me through all 4 seasons of the PNW even 3” of snow overnight. It’s been home while on many bikepacking trips and remote job site work weeks. A bit small but much better than a bicycle sack. Good tent!!
Good to hear! Thanks for the comment Curt
I bought & owned this tent briefly. I found it extremely difficult to pitch in strong gusty windy conditions. I also learned the tent collapses onto itself in strong gusty windy conditions It's likely a combination of relatively steep walls & the 2pole hub where it becomes a single pole. Yes I'd pitched the tent into the wind, still, it's NOT what I want in my shelter during a strong gusty wind storm.
I sold it along with the footprint & purchased a Hilleberg Enan which provides me with reliable shelter during any rain or wind storm I've overnighted in the high Sierra's. No condensation issues with my tent which is a double wall tent + when I pitch it, I'm pitching the footprint, inner, & fly, simultaneously.
Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada
Awesome input AZ, I really appreciate your take on this tent. Thanks for watching.
Condensation happens no matter what. When it rains the humidity is high and vapor collects on any cold surface. I have slept under a tarp 3 feet over my head with no rain and it still had condensation on the under side. That is why we have 2 wall tents, to keep the condensation under the fly and not the main tent body though some will collect there also.
Condensation is definitely a part of camping but some tents are simply more prone to it than others. I just wanted to highlight it since it was pretty significant. Thanks for watching.
Great review. Thanks.
Thanks for watching! I really appreciate your support.
I have the same sleeping pad. Is there still room for your backpack in there?
I kept my bag and shoes in the vestibule area but there is room for a small bag. Thanks for watching.
Yeah, probably my #1 complaint with my Half Dome SL 2+ is the damn fly zipper. Happily that is a very minor thing to dislike, and that’s really my only complaint. Can’t fault it for its packed size or weight, because those are specifications, not features.
I’ve ordered a Quarter Dome SL 1 for its lighter weight to use when motorcycle camping, since the overall design is pretty similar to my Half Dome, but at a much lighter weight and smaller packed size.
Awesome feedback Mike. I'd struggled with the zipper a little in the video because I was trying to do it with one hand however its interesting to know how others feel. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@MikeWilley I got my QDSL1 in a few days ago, and did a dining room pitch. I found the zipper pretty manageable on the QDSL1’s fly. But, possibly importantly, I have used the HDSL2 in left-hand door orientation, and the QDSL1 only has the one door, which is right-hand. I wonder if it’s something as simple as “handedness” regarding managing a zipper and its rain flap. Anyway, I really like the QDSL1 in my dining room, even with the foot not really staked properly. This weekend will be an actual pitch for an overnight, so 🤞.
what sleeping pad was used in this video? love that is fits perfectly inside the tent.
Sea to Summit Ether XT. Absolutely perfect fit. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the question.
Nice review! I just ordered the SL 2 for backpacking with my dog. Stoked to test it out.
Thanks Liam, I think you'll love it. It's a great tent.
Let us know your thoughts after trying it out
I've been too spooked by the thin bathtub floor to let my 80lb, no body awareness dog in the tent. How is this going for you?
Just got this tent. There are 3 extra strings with clips. What are those for?
I would imagine they are extra parts. I had a couple in mine as well. Thanks for watching
They're guy out lines.
Just completed a section hike on the Appalachian trail . (North Carolina) I got rained on the WHOLE trip and this tent kept me dry which surprised me considering the amount of rain . I also had some condensation and was worried the rain fly had a leak. Never woke up soaked . Just always worried I would!
Sounds like you put the tent to some extreme testing and its awesome to hear you had about the same results as I did. Thanks for the feedback and congrats on the section. I'm looking to start doing sections of the AT as well.
Great video, thank you. I'm looking to buy a one-person backpacking tent, this is one I've considered. It's the least expensive of all I've looked at. Ideally I'd like a 4-season tent, something very sturdy (I live in the mountains of northern CO, lots of wind here) and easy to set up. What would you recommend?
I don't have any experience backcountry camping in CO so I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry. Its a great 3 season tent, I don't think I'd take it on a winter trip.
Good review! Just picked up the same one myself. Taking it out in about a week camping at 12K feet.
That sounds really awesome. I'm interested to know if you have the same condensation issue. Let me know how it goes please. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Weird question haha
How many of those gray pins does it have? I bought one and it only has 4 of them.
I want to check before going back to the store.
I don't know for sure but its a-lot more than 4. I'm sure they would get you some more if you only got 4. Thanks for watching.
this ammount of condensation is typical to 1 man tents of all price points.. big agnes, nemo, smd, zpacks etc.. this condensation is normal because a 1P tent is such a small space. this condensation is from you breathing. this is not a flaw..
I'd agree generally but I have several 1 man tents that don't produce as much condensation. I think it had something to do with how high the humidity was that night. Thanks for watching and contributing.
@@MikeWilley what are your one man’s that don’t produce much condensation?
Prob condensation. Little ham fisted with those zippers, maybe? Just ordered one as well, 30% off $229. My worry is the sl1 is a bit small. Thanks for vid btw.
I think it was condensation. Zippers were a little struggle but I think it was mainly due to only using one hand although some others have mentioned they struggled with the zippers a little. Thanks for watching and commenting.