User Review: Sierra Designs Stretch Prelude 4

Sierra Designs Stretch Prelude 4
Above: The current Stretch Prelude 4, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed October 8, 1996 by 08gilber@...

Rating:
Design: 4 season expedition tent
Sleeps: 4
Ease of Setup: Very easy set up, very taut!
Weight: 9 lbs, 6oz.
Price Paid: $650. Can, in Toronto

We really wanted to like this tent because it was comfortable, light and strong in the wind, but we were very disappointed in its performance in any rain. To make a long story short; the clips on the fly that hold it so well to the tent actually wick the water through the fly and onto the tent. The result is inevitable drips in about eight places and wet people and gear.

We tried two models that were both well seam sealed. In addition, the fabric of the floor where it rises to form the walls soon lets in horizontal rain. This tent didn't meet our standards for summer use, let alone fall, winter or spring use. In prolonged cold wet conditions this tent could contribute to serious hypothermia problems. We had one other minor complaint; in buggy conditions you must open the doors to the hoards in order to close the flys if rain comes in the night.

We feel that the Stretch Prelude has serious design and materials problems uncharacteristic to the Sierra Designs Company. I would really like to hear from other owners of Stretch Preludes, or tents of similar designs with or without these problems.