Sierra Designs Lightning 2

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Reviewed by 11 Trailspace users

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Description

The Lightning 2 is a three-season tent made by Sierra Designs. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5), based on 11 user reviews.

Here's what other sites are saying:

From Sierra Trading Post:
"CLOSEOUTS . Winner of a Backpacker Editor's Choice award in 2004, the Sierra Designs Lightning tent is great for overnights in the backcountry, weighing just over four pounds including fly and poles. Highly ventilated and easy to pitch Color-coded webbing SwiftClips Fast pack footprint compatible SuperSeal Floor Tent Guard with Ultra Fresh treatment 2-person, 3-season Floor: 53x84 , 31 sq.ft. Vestibule: 9 sq.ft. Height: 40 Stuff size: 25x7 Weight: 4 lb. 10 oz. Material: Nylon with DAC Featherlight NSL poles CLOSEOUTS . Taiwan.3 Visit our Tent Guide Visit our Family Camping 101 Guide"

From Backcountry Outlet:
"You want it all in a tent-except the weight. At less than four pounds, the Sierra Designs Lightning Tent with Footprintis a scandalously lightweight, freestanding two-person, three-season tent-and it even includes a full-coverage fly. Winner of the Backpacker Editor's Choice Award, this shelter uses strong DAC Featherlight NSL poles, and the whole gig sets up in seconds. Special pre-bent pole sections add livable space, and lots of mesh promotes breathability. The Lightning 2 Tent includes the waterproof Super Seal floor and patented Stash Door, which tucks neatly into an internal mesh pocket. The vestibule provides an extra 9 square feet of space, so you don't have to sleep with your dirty gear. The Included footprint adds life to the floor of the Lightning 2, as well as a quick and light pitching option."

From GearX.com:
"This lightweight tent weighs almost the same as the bestselling Clip Flashlight, but the Lightning has ten square feet of vestibule space compared to the Clip's six square feet. One exceptionally clever innovation is that the Easton Graflite carbon poles feature pre-bent sections that add living space without creating extra pack weight or producing extra pole stress. Sierra Designs recently redesigned all of their tents with a new waterproof SuperSeal floor that combines the best elements of traditional bathtub floor construction with catenary cut durability. Throughout the Lightning you'll find an elevated perimeter seam that eliminates precautionary measures like waterproofing your tent with seam sealer, so you don't have to factor in additional weight. Specifications 3 Season Capacity: 2 Person Doors: 1 Floor Area: 31 ft 2 / 2.88 m 2 Vestibule Area: 10 ft 2 / .93 m 2 Interior Peak Height: 3.3 ft / 1.01 m Packaged Weight: 4 lb 6 oz / 1.97 kg Number of Poles: 2 Freestanding: Yes Features Clip-Locs Fast Pack Footprint compatible Reflective zipper pulls Super seal floor"

From REI:
"Sierra Designs has created this 2-person Lightning tent from the lightest materials available—trail weight is less than 2 lbs. per person. Whether backpacking, touring or traveling, Sierra Designs Lightning tent will feel like home. Light yet strong DAC Featherlite® NSL poles use no harsh acides in the anodization production process. Sierra Designs Lightning further shaves weight by using ultralight guyouts, stake loops and vestibule tensioners. 2-pole design with Swift Clips™ is easy to set up; Cam-Locs™ lock poles in place for increased strength without added weight. Mesh panels around the tent allow good ventilation to prevent interior condensation. Features an integrated vestibule for storing gear out of the weather. SuperSeal Floor™ combines the benefits of catenary and bathtub floors; raised side seams are taped for complete waterproofness. Seams are made watertight with PVC-free tape. Tent Guard with Ultra-Fresh™ treatment thwarts the growth of odor-causing mold, fungus and mildew, greatly extending your enjoyment and the tent's usable life. Color-coded webbing and locking pole tips make pitching this tent easier than making your bed! Reflective guyout loops enhance night visibility; reflective noiseless zipper pulls are easily seen in the dark and eliminate annoying jingling sounds when the wind blows. Dye-Free Optic White™ canopy brightens up the interior living environment. A multitude of gear pockets keep gear organized and up off the floor. Fastpack option lets you leave the tent body behind and create an ultralight shelter using only the footprint (sold separately), poles and rainfly. Fastpack weight: 2 lbs. 7 oz. Average minimum weight specification is based on tent, rainfly and poles only. Closeout."

User Reviews

Lightning 2
Reviewed by MichTech, May 05, 2009

"PROS:
lightweight (just over 4lbs)
packs small
can be pitched with only footprint and rainfly
includes footprint
fast pitch
good double-seam, waterproofing

CONS:
vestibule non-functional for anything but basic shoe storage without some innovative guy lines
no interior storage or hooks

EXPERIENCE:
Spent a couple days out on a fishing trip on some rapids in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Sjj, Dec 04, 2008

"had the SD cliplight for eight years and loved it, so was eager to try out this roomier "lightweight" option. big disappointment.

the vestibule is terribly designed. in poor weather, you cannot zip back the vestibule to vent while cooking because it extends over the inner tent and rain pours in."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Steve121, Feb 29, 2008

"Brilliant tent! Light, compact, sturdy, and roomy-enough. Wouldn't change anything - one door is all you need. We've been living out of it for five months in South America, NZ, Australia, and will be using it in Africa, EU, and Canada. Highly recommended!"

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Jacob Orin, Nov 13, 2007

"This tent is everything that it says it is: light, and waterproof with adequate headroom. There seems to be a lack of room lengthwise at the head and foot, however. This is a great tent, add another door and stretch it slightly and it would have no flaws."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Nathan V, Oct 19, 2007

"This tent is very easy to set up. Comfy for two, plus some small gear items. I'm 6'3" and can sit up in it comfortably. With the Granite Gear small size compression sack (the silnyl one), the fast pack foot print, tent, poles, supplied stakes and guy lines, the total weight is roughly 5lbs 6oz."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by High Guy, Jun 17, 2007

"I bought this tent on the strength of the reviews here. It sounded like a great tent. Maybe it is for 1-1/2 seasons - but not on Mt Hood. Hey it's mid June. I had it up on the side of Mt Hood with a little blowing light snow. The snow comes inside."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Cryan, Dec 28, 2006

"I was looking for a great lightweight backpacking tent and I found it with the Lightning. I was interested in the tent and checked the reviews here on Trailspace to make sure it had a good reputation. After buying the tent - which as a college student was even in my budget - I haven't been disappointed yet."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Andrew S., Sep 22, 2006

"Review Update: There is no longer a leaking problem after applying the silicone seam seal. This was their advice after contacting SD customer support.

If you are camping without a chance of rain, leave the fly at home, and this tent can pack the size of a softball just over 2 pounds."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Andrew S, Jun 12, 2006

"Two-person tent with good headroom and just enough room for gear at foot. Ultralight and packs very small. Not orange colored. Great ventilation even with fly attached. Used first time in mighty downpour. Floor stayed dry with footprint. Velcro straps on inside of fly that attach to poles had small slow drip as they were sewn in (eight places total)."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by Kris Kahl, Mar 28, 2006

"I am a Boy Scout Venture leader and have used this tent for several campouts over the last year+. It has been in high winds, pouring rain, extreme heat and winter camping, and it performed extremely well in each instance. It is so light that I also use it as a solo tent, with room for my pack, etc."

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Lightning 2
Reviewed by seahiker, Mar 05, 2006

"Outstanding tent, a most successful two-person three-season design. It is so light it can serve as the roomiest solo tent available. Vents well. Doesn't leak. Carbon fiber poles come with it. If you are doing 3-season one or two person camping and like to pack light, look no further.

I use it as a roomy solo tent in most cases."

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Have you owned or used a Sierra Designs Lightning 2? Share your thoughts with other hikers and backpackers.