anyone heard any review on the big agnes seed house SL1… just curious. trying to make a last minute decision
bravefirend
Big agnes tent - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
The seedhouse 1 is a great tent with the features of the bigger heavier ones. I think you’ll like it just fine. A good lightweight hiker friend really enjoys his. I have a waypoint 1 by Mt Hdwre. It’s single walled and has no bug net on the door. Otherwise it’s a good second choice. I’m using a Hennessy hammock and sleep well once you get used to hammocking. Happy trails, Mike:)
mike
system
#3
I was trying to decide on this tent as well and a friend gave me the review he read from backpacker magazine. The only downside was the bug netting seemed fragile, the mag said that it would be better with a sturdier bug netting even considering the extra weight it would add. That didn’t dissuade me by the way. Big Agnes has very good customer service. I had a problem with an o-ring coming out of the air nozzle of an air mattress I bought from them, I called them from the next hotel and they sent another mattress second day air. They probably would have overnighted it but I didn’t need it until the next day. Actually, I did decide on another tent because I found one that was lighter and had good reviews.
Heather42kw
system
#4
A hiker friend of ours has one and loves it. However, check out Henry Shires new Rainbow.
It appears to be da-bomb. He says it also is coming in a Rainbow II in the spring. Plenty-o-mesh, super light, free standing, two doors, Henry quality.
Bushwhack
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#5
I have really enjoyed my Seedhouse SL-1. I am 6’1" tall and it is sufficiently long enough for me and it is wide enough at both ends that my down bag doesn’t bang against the sides. The full mesh is very nice in good weather. The rain fly is simple to attach and I actually plan to take mine on my PCT thru-hike in April. I am sure that I will use just the rain fly (as a tarp type shelter) at times, the mesh tent at times and also both the tent and rain fly at times. I have experienced no problems with the quality of the mesh inner tent.
My only concern is with setup in storm conditions. Given the full mesh, I am certain that I may get a bit of moisture inside once I get the mesh tent up and before I get the rain fly over the top. Shouldn’t be any problem to wipe this down though as there should be to much.
I had tried the Shires Tarp Tent Virga last summer and found it to be to short for my frame and too narrow in the foot end. In three days, it withstood a good rain storm, but on the two non-rain days I had significant condensation, even though I had followed the standard guidelines for setup to minimize condensation. I am selling it at this point given my view of the Seedhouse SL-1. I will take the extra weight.
Reality Check
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#6
i love my seedhouse. i slept in it most of the summer and had no problems, the fast and light set up does let a little water in but not horrible. i am definitely taking it on my thru-hike and i am sure i’ll see many others. only problem as with most light weight gear is that you have to be careful with it.
oh, i heard big agnes dropped an additional 5 ounces off the tent since i bought mine, so buy a new one. i have no idea how they did this but they did.
matt
system
#7
I used the Big Agnes SL2 last summer on the trail. As Matt indicated above they changed out the poles for lighter ones making the SL2 about 3.3oz. A two person tent that is lighter than most one person tents. You’ll love the extra space.
NedtheFed
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#9
I was on Whitetop Mt. in Virginia when the mother of all thunderstorms hit on June 7, 2005. The SL2 did just fine in all the wind and torrents of rain considering I did not have time to tie down the tent because the storm hit so quickly. It proved to be a wise investment!
NedtheFed