User Review: Sierra Designs Omega

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

Reviewed August 16, 2006 by Rex

Rating:
Design: Convertible freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Very easy
Weight: Packed weight 7 lbs. 9 oz.
Price Paid: $239

This tent has changed very little in years. It is one awesome tent! If you want a great ALL AROUND tent for ALL seasons, this is one is very hard to beat, I promise. I call it my "tank tent". I own eight tents and watch manufacturers models all the time. When something is made well and performs well, they just don't change it! Such is the case with the Sierra Designs Omega.

A friend of mine has had one for nine plus years and loves it. I have the 2004 model. I purchase mine after talking to him. If you find yourself camping in snow occasionaly and also in the fall, spring, and even summer, and you don't want to buy a separate tent to match the season you are camping in, then look no further.

The top inside of the tent features a zip-out ceiling that converts it to a 3-season tent and allows great venting. The door also features a zip-out section to reveal an all mesh door for even more venting. Sierra Designs also allows dropping a section of the poles and leave them at home for 3-season camping, but the weight loss is so minimal that I have not found anyone that does that.

I have been in mine on one trip in the wilderness of northern Georgia where the temperature literally went from 70 degrees to the upper 20s in 24 hours. That included extremely heavy rain, sleet, and concluded with a half inch of snow by morning. It sounded like the sleet was going to slice a hole in my tent, but the Omega has a very strong thick fly and is one tough tent!

I seam sealed my tent with McNett Seam Seal and I think the tent would take on anything mother nature can dish out. My friend who also has one was in 50 mph winds on an island out in the Gulf of Mexico and the tent held up great. He won't leave home without it now!

The only cons I can think of are very minor. You have to climb over your gear in the vestibule to get out and the tent is very heavy for backpacking...but heh, it's a 4-season tent as well, so what do you expect!

BOTTOM LINE-If you want an all around tent made to battle the roughest weather and camp in during all seasons, this tent gets 5 stars from me!...RFree