Tent Review: Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2–ultralight, full weather protection

Chris Weiss August 4, 2008

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2 Tent

The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 is a very lightweight, compact backpacking tent (3 lbs. 6oz., 16 in long packed). It is a freestanding tent and does not require trees or other structure for pitching. In researching this purchase, I found that the tent received great reviews across the board, unlike many high-end backpacking tents that seemed to have a common flaw or two.

After having the chance to test the tent out, I am glad to say that I can offer a very positive review of my own. As noted, the light weight and small packed size of the tent allow very easy packing, whether in a backpack or car.

Setup

The Seedhouse SL2 could literally not be easier to set up. There is double Y shaped pole, that practically puts itself together. Laying the tent body flat, the pole hooks into 4 rivets at each corner, and then onto a number of plastic hooks up and down the tent’s exterior. The tent comes with a number of small, lightweight aluminum stakes that I didn’t even need a mallet to slap into the ground. Overall, setup took less than 5 minutes.

Interior space

As an ultralight 2 person tent, the Seedhouse SL2 has a somewhat limited interior, and may not be the best option for larger persons. However, I found the fit plenty roomy for my wife and I who are both average height/weight. It was definitely a comfortable fit for the two of us, but became decidedly cramped and uncomfortable when our dog decided to come in for a visit. The tent offers a small pocket over the door for storing items such as books, glasses, etc and we also had enough room to store shoes/pack/etc. at the foot.

Build/Exterior

One great aspect of the SL2 is that it is essentially a tub floor with a mesh body, providing plenty of ventilation and great views of the stars. For colder, or inclement weather the tent comes with a full rain fly that covers the entire tent, providing plenty of protection. Although, I have yet to face any harsh weather during this beautiful summer, I am confident that so long as the fly is staked out and taught it will fully protect from the elements.

Cons

The only real drawback of this tent that I’ve experienced thus far is the door is slightly difficult to use, particularly with the fly on, as there are two separate doors in which the zippers did not align. The door is also angled upward, which could allow rain to seep in, if opened during a storm. However, I’d prefer not to be heading outside in a storm anyway, so I’m not that concerned about this small flaw.

One final note—the SL2 is a backpacking tent and I would not recommend using it as an everyday camping tent. Designed to be as light as possible, the tent felt rather flimpsy and susceptible to quicker wear and tear. I would definitely worry about the all-mesh exterior, particularly with a dog that didn’t quite understand and thought he could walk right in and out. At over $300, the SL2 is decent investment that I plan to use strictly for what it was made for –backpacking and other ultralight applications. I will be using a cheaper, larger, more heavy-duty tent for car camping. I’d also recommend purchasing the footprint that retails around $50, to protect the tent floor from quick wear and tear.

Big Agnes is a local Colorado company, located in Steamboat Springs. They offer a limited lifetime guarantee of their products. The Seedhouse SL2 retails around $319, but be sure to shop for sales; I found it on sale at Backcountry.com for $225.

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