User Review: Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2

Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2
Above: The current Clip Flashlight 2, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 19, 2000 by MB

Rating:
Design: 3 season non-freestanding
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Quick and easy, can be done solo
Weight: 3 lbs 4 oz min. weight
Price Paid: $189 typically

I work for a backpacking gear store (to remain unnamed), so I see a lot of different tent designs by Sierra Designs, TNF, Kelty, Outdoor Research (biveys), Marmot, etc. I set up every tent that I see come through the store and I see every tent that comes back and why it is defective (if it is). I would be more than happy to review any piece of gear for you and tell you the +/- 's of each model. All you have to do is ask (via E-Mail or AOL Instant Messanger SN: caad4)

With that said, I'll go through one of the most popular models I've seen:

SD Clip Flashlight:

This non-freestanding tent is a great 2-person, 3-season backpacker that is not only super lightweight, but packable and inexpensive as well. New for '00, you'll find the Easton DAC Featherlite poles (which sheds 15 percent of the original pole weight) and new clips that supposedly make the tent a great deal stronger. Not to discourage anyone from buying this tent (because it is really a GREAT tent), but in the short time they've been around, i've seen two different DAC Featherlite poles fail under heavy winds (60+ mph, properly staked, with guidelines). Appearently Easton didn't give its usual 110% on the DACs. If the tent is kept in winds less than or around 50 mph, the tent's weight and features will only be beneficial.

MINIMUM STAKE POINTS FOR TENT: 4

FLOOR AREA: 32 Sq Feet