Sierra Designs Cosmos CD

Summary

I have owned this tent for about 15 years, having spent approx 350 nights backpacking and thru hiking with it. The greatest feature is the giant side door that zips all the way to the ground. This allows you to have a large "room" when you drop the door and zip the fly closed. The perfect design to me would be same tent with two doors, two vest, and use lighter materials.

It's funny to review a product 15 years after purchasing it. It just shows how well I feel this product is designed. Many tents are now designed like the Cosmos, improving the design year after year. Tent designers take note of the tent zipper placement. It allows you to make the most of the dry space under the fly. 

I give the Cosmos a 4.5 rating mainly because it was well before its time...simple is the best word to decribe it. If a couple is looking for a tent with room, this is the type of design for you. Two doors will improve the tent.

The Cosmos is generally a very user-friendly tent that does most things right. I got this tent from Sierra Designs after some components of my tent were stolen. (Sierra Designs hasn't got a clue when it comes to replacing parts for the tents that they make. It took them THREE tries to get the poles right for my Tiros I, and they couldn't match the fly to my previous Sierra Designs three-season tent, which was almost identical to the Cosmos, only better.)

At any rate, this tent has an excellent, roomy vestibule and sets up quickly. It's very spacious for one, and fits two without discomfort. My only complaint is that it is hot in summer. Why? They should have put mesh vents on TOP of the roof instead of the sides. That way, hot air would rise out of the tent when the fly is off instead of being held inside by the nylon roof. I'd recommend custom-installing some mesh on top, as well as a pull-away panel on the fly. That will violate the warranty, but improve the performance, providing you are handy with a sewing machine. Don't hestitate to buy this tent it you can get it cheap. It's a good all-around performer, and holds up well in wind and rain.

I've only used this tent a couple times and it's kept me dry with its full coverage rainfly and also has great ventalation. It has plenty of stakeout points and guy lines so it stays put even in the worse conditions. Its vestibule is big enough to hold two packs and other misc. gear (boots). It has plenty of internal room for two people to sleep comfortably. The only thing I can see wrong with this tent is that REI or Campmor (or any other magazine I've looked at) doesn't sell it. I had to get it at a local hiking store. But other than that it's a great tent!

I got this tent a couple of years ago and it has been a life saver. This tent has a quick set up and break down and if you can get your hands on one I think you'll agree that this thing is great.