I just used this tent (Salt Creek 2 person) while it was around 35 degrees outside and I was freezing my balls off. I didn't have a really good sleeping bag either. I did have a nice Arcturis wool blanket and a goose down blanket to keep me a bit warmer. Was still absolutely freezing my balls off though.
@@OneDegreeLife It's big! I've clipped the fly into the groundsheet clips and it all seems to stay together now. But the groundsheet without the fly has nothing to clip into and tends to come apart from the tent grommets. I will need to find the correct size sticks to hold the big door flap open in summer because I won't be taking trekking poles kayaking! We'll see how that works out because the flap has a center attachment for some distant tree which may or may not be possible. The material seems quite light overall compared to my old tent so I hope it lasts as long (10+ years).
@@kathleenmckinnell2519 When I stake out the groundsheet corner points, I don't tend to have an issue with the poles popping out. Agreed! I only take poles on long, multi-day hikes, so using the "porch" feature isn't strait forward unless you find sticks the right length. The mid-door anchor in the "front"? That could be tied to a tree to keep it up for sure. I saw it as a "double opening". Anchor it to the ground and then you can roll/flip back each side if needed. I also hope it lasts a long time! I feel like it will if one doesn't abuse it, but you never know.
I've read almost every available review of this tent, and there are so many people who said the bag ripped. Shaking my head, at a $400 tent with a stuff sack that even the cheapest tent at Walmart would be ashamed to put out there. My main reason for being interested in this tent is the fact that the rain fly goes all the way to the ground (all the big agnes car camping tents have partial flies), and that big door in front, which will make putting a full air mattress in and out easier. I've always thought the tents that you can stand up in to be a bit gimmicky, since my over six foot tall husband can't stand up in them anyway, and they must get colder at night. Glad to hear this tent kept you cozy at near freezing fall temps, which is probably the worst that we will be experiencing in MN in October.
Ya, the stuff sack was surprisingly bad. Wildly enough, the bags for my BA pads, etc., are far superior. I don’t get it! I went with it for the same reasons: large front door with pole-up option, twin side openings, and a solid fly design. The net shelf is a nice touch too. Hopefully if you go with it it’ll satisfy all your needs!
It would be super helpful if you did a normal-time video on how to set it up for those of us who have never dealt with hubs and curved poles. The SL2 and SL3 appear to assemble the same way. Although this tent gets great reviews, which is why I bought one (SL2), I find there is literally zero information out there on tips and tricks to actually assemble for the first time. Otherwise, thanks for the review, great to see it in action.
Sorry about that. I cut it because most viewers don’t want to watch all of that because it takes a while. I was just trying to give my initial thoughts. I agree, it was challenging finding info in rigging the cross bar, the rest is pretty straight forward. If I get some time, I’ll try to add a short video on that specifically. I’m just not sure when I’ll have the tent out again. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for your review and diligent explanation. I'm used to having tents with the mesh coming all the way down close to the bathtub and this allows ventilation lower to the floor during warmer months. Leaving the vestibule doors closed still allows for good venting and assures rain protection with lower mesh. I don't understand why the fabric is so high up instead of mesh lower except to minimize drafting and water intrusion on extremely windy days. Did you have any uncomfortable venting issues with the Salt Creek ?
All great points. It’s higher on this tent than any other I have owned - with the excepation of the REI 6-person mansion I bought on mega sale for groups. No real issues for me, but I normally don’t camp much in warmer weather, at least not the last 4-5 years. Highs at night in the 60s at worst. One thing that helps with this one, for me, is when using it solo, there’s a lot more real estate, so condensation is kept at bay pretty well. If there were two larger people, maybe that would be different. That doesn’t mean it would/wouldn’t be an issue, I just can’t speak to it from experience. The fabric at the base is a bit “softer” than some of my other tub-based tents, esp my REI 2-man. Perhaps that’s contributing to better air flow was well. Sorry I can’t be more specific on it for you. Cheers
Mild/moderate wind is perfectly fine. Have not experienced heavy wind or rain in it yet. I have no reason, at this point, not to trust it if conditions got bad though.
I tested this tent on decent rain ( >3mm rain - 3 to 5 hours ) The top ventilation when its fully open, it works great ! However, the little stick that keeps the ventilation open will touch your inner tent mesh and will veerrryyyy slowly creates condensation on your tent top mesh - Suggested to close your top vent during heavy rain condition. The awning when its fully open during heavy rain. Sideways wind will blow some rain inside your inner tent. Suggesting to close down your awning and not fully open. A partial closure with awning facing down 45 degree works well but if you open your awning 90 degree, chances are some rain will get inside. BA didnt send enough stakes initially. Suggested bring extra stakes and also upgrade your BA stakes as they seemed inferior.
There are much much more comfortable sleeping pad, like the Big Agnes Rapide SL and the Sea to Summit EtherLight. They are almost as comfortable as home bed.
I just used this tent (Salt Creek 2 person) while it was around 35 degrees outside and I was freezing my balls off. I didn't have a really good sleeping bag either. I did have a nice Arcturis wool blanket and a goose down blanket to keep me a bit warmer.
Was still absolutely freezing my balls off though.
Hi, thanks for both your great videos on this tent. I just put it up in 2 minutes!
Hey! Wow, nice! I hope you love it!
@@OneDegreeLife It's big! I've clipped the fly into the groundsheet clips and it all seems to stay together now. But the groundsheet without the fly has nothing to clip into and tends to come apart from the tent grommets. I will need to find the correct size sticks to hold the big door flap open in summer because I won't be taking trekking poles kayaking! We'll see how that works out because the flap has a center attachment for some distant tree which may or may not be possible. The material seems quite light overall compared to my old tent so I hope it lasts as long (10+ years).
@@kathleenmckinnell2519 When I stake out the groundsheet corner points, I don't tend to have an issue with the poles popping out.
Agreed! I only take poles on long, multi-day hikes, so using the "porch" feature isn't strait forward unless you find sticks the right length.
The mid-door anchor in the "front"? That could be tied to a tree to keep it up for sure. I saw it as a "double opening". Anchor it to the ground and then you can roll/flip back each side if needed.
I also hope it lasts a long time! I feel like it will if one doesn't abuse it, but you never know.
I've read almost every available review of this tent, and there are so many people who said the bag ripped. Shaking my head, at a $400 tent with a stuff sack that even the cheapest tent at Walmart would be ashamed to put out there. My main reason for being interested in this tent is the fact that the rain fly goes all the way to the ground (all the big agnes car camping tents have partial flies), and that big door in front, which will make putting a full air mattress in and out easier. I've always thought the tents that you can stand up in to be a bit gimmicky, since my over six foot tall husband can't stand up in them anyway, and they must get colder at night. Glad to hear this tent kept you cozy at near freezing fall temps, which is probably the worst that we will be experiencing in MN in October.
Ya, the stuff sack was surprisingly bad. Wildly enough, the bags for my BA pads, etc., are far superior. I don’t get it!
I went with it for the same reasons: large front door with pole-up option, twin side openings, and a solid fly design. The net shelf is a nice touch too. Hopefully if you go with it it’ll satisfy all your needs!
It would be super helpful if you did a normal-time video on how to set it up for those of us who have never dealt with hubs and curved poles. The SL2 and SL3 appear to assemble the same way. Although this tent gets great reviews, which is why I bought one (SL2), I find there is literally zero information out there on tips and tricks to actually assemble for the first time. Otherwise, thanks for the review, great to see it in action.
Sorry about that. I cut it because most viewers don’t want to watch all of that because it takes a while. I was just trying to give my initial thoughts. I agree, it was challenging finding info in rigging the cross bar, the rest is pretty straight forward. If I get some time, I’ll try to add a short video on that specifically. I’m just not sure when I’ll have the tent out again. Thanks for the comment.
I would very much appreciate a video on that too. I'm a widow and taking my 5 year old son camping so I don't really have anybody else to ask.
I subbed just in case you make one...
I finally had time and some cooperative weather. Here's the pole assembly video: ruclips.net/video/DgDsE6xBWg8/видео.html
If you can't figure out how to assemble this, with the included instructions; you shouldn't be allowed to vote. Or drive.
Thanks for your review and diligent explanation. I'm used to having tents with the mesh coming all the way down close to the bathtub and this allows ventilation lower to the floor during warmer months. Leaving the vestibule doors closed still allows for good venting and assures rain protection with lower mesh. I don't understand why the fabric is so high up instead of mesh lower except to minimize drafting and water intrusion on extremely windy days. Did you have any uncomfortable venting issues with the Salt Creek ?
All great points. It’s higher on this tent than any other I have owned - with the excepation of the REI 6-person mansion I bought on mega sale for groups.
No real issues for me, but I normally don’t camp much in warmer weather, at least not the last 4-5 years. Highs at night in the 60s at worst. One thing that helps with this one, for me, is when using it solo, there’s a lot more real estate, so condensation is kept at bay pretty well. If there were two larger people, maybe that would be different. That doesn’t mean it would/wouldn’t be an issue, I just can’t speak to it from experience. The fabric at the base is a bit “softer” than some of my other tub-based tents, esp my REI 2-man. Perhaps that’s contributing to better air flow was well. Sorry I can’t be more specific on it for you. Cheers
Nice review, how does it hold up in rain and wind?
Mild/moderate wind is perfectly fine. Have not experienced heavy wind or rain in it yet. I have no reason, at this point, not to trust it if conditions got bad though.
@@OneDegreeLife Awesome, thank you!
@@oliverwright9 you bet!
I’ve had it in wind and downpour and it was perfect.
I tested this tent on decent rain ( >3mm rain - 3 to 5 hours )
The top ventilation when its fully open, it works great ! However, the little stick that keeps the ventilation open will touch your inner tent mesh and will veerrryyyy slowly creates condensation on your tent top mesh - Suggested to close your top vent during heavy rain condition.
The awning when its fully open during heavy rain.
Sideways wind will blow some rain inside your inner tent. Suggesting to close down your awning and not fully open. A partial closure with awning facing down 45 degree works well but if you open your awning 90 degree, chances are some rain will get inside.
BA didnt send enough stakes initially. Suggested bring extra stakes and also upgrade your BA stakes as they seemed inferior.
There are much much more comfortable sleeping pad, like the Big Agnes Rapide SL and the Sea to Summit EtherLight. They are almost as comfortable as home bed.
Thanks! Since I usually hammock camp, I pulled out what I already had. I’ll keep this recommendation in mind. Cheers