User Review: Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3

Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3
Above: The current Emerald Mountain SL3, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 18, 2008 by DaveSully

Rating:
Design: Three-season freestanding dome
Sleeps: 3
Ease of Setup: Easy
Weight: 3kg with large optional vestibule
Price Paid: $400 with vestibule and footprint

Really happy with this tent: build quality, ease of assembly, dryness (distance between inner and outer) and most of all space are second to none. I have a lighter tent by Hellsport but in the end, we always take this one.

The optional, zip-on, vestibule is great if you have a large, wriggly dog as we do. It provides a tonne of space for a nominal increase in weight - space for cooking and four people hanging out in bad weather. The ceiling height in the vestibule is however a little low and water drips when you open the door, not big gripes though. I like the way you can get in out of the rain and then take off your wet clothes and boots before you get in the inner tent.

The inner tent is long and wide - I am 6 ft tall and have tonnes of space at my feet. Have never used it with 3 people but it would work no problem. The inner tent doors are a little small - not sure why. It would be nice to be able to open the whole side of the inner tent on the side that faces the vestibule. The tent walls are near vertical so you can use all of the floor area. This is thanks to a rather unconventional pole set up. I set it up the first time without needing to look at the instructions and since then assembly has taken just a few minutes.

Oh yes, most importantly you can also pull open a corner of the fly for star watching.

So all in all, what you get (with vestibule) is a huge, well crafted tent that weighs a mere 3kg. I just love it.

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