User Review: Black Diamond Squall

Black Diamond Squall
Above: The current Squall, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 30, 2009 by Aaron Fredrick

Rating:
Design: four-season
Sleeps: 4
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: 8lbs 7oz
Price Paid: $513

Bought this tent and am returning it after setting it up in the yard. It seems to be a great tent, and would probably keep it, but it's not strong enough for my needs. Bought this tent for Aconcagua, but there is no way this tent would hold up in 80+ mph winds.

Was very roomy, easy to set up, good headroom, good venting in side, typically great construct found in all BD products, but when you get this thing anchored as tight as possible (guy lines too) it just doesn't seem that strong. The walls still flexed a lot when we had this thing strapped as tight as possible.

I previously had a Black Diamond Guiding Light tent, and I was able to get that tent to be more structurally sound than this one (really suprised me!). I would have trusted my Guiding Light in a storm more than this tent (and had to in a night of 80+ mph winds in Rocky Mtn National Park in Feb). I thought the partial pole sleeves would have really added to the integrity, but it didn't seem to at all.

I also have an MSR Fury, but this tent doesn't even come close. But the MSR is only 37 sq feet, and this tent was 48sq ft. I think the MSR might the strongest tent in the world (IMO). The MSR was stronger than the Squall without a single guy line or stake in the ground.

I think for 95% of people out there the Squall would be a great tent, but I wouldn't take this thing above tree line in the winter. Just way too much flex in the walls.

Save & Share