Sierra Designs Alpha CD Review

"SUPER!! My First tent since an A frame. Being an engineer I went for the practical/tech side. This tent is awesome on account of the convertible sides and the footprint option for light packing. Easy to set-up. First time 30 mintues, 10 the second, I'm sure that will dwindle as I get better."

"Two years later and I'm still a happy camper. My girl friend and I took a group white water rafting this week end to Occoee, TN. Got to camp after dark and had the tent up in 10 minutes. The temps were between 60 - 80 F and the tent was still well ventilated with rain fly in place for possible down pours.

Tent loft in place and we now have the footprint! Great investment!! Awesome tent.. Vicki called it our "little" home this weekend."

"This thing is alright, but is not so great in the rain. The rain fly leaks through where there are clips that hold the door. Also it is hard to zip the rainfly closed from inside the tent. The backside of the tent is crappy in the rain too. If it rains hard rain goes under the zipper cover and drips through the zipper. LAST THING SIERRA CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS!!! I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS STUFF AND THEY TOLD ME I COULD BUY A DIFFERENT TENT!! WHATEVER!!"

"I have mixed feelings after my first outing with this tent in February. The tent was warm and I had no problem with condensation buildup. There is also plenty of gear space (especially with the optional attic). I would recommend sealing all the spots with no tape (floor seams and velcro/clip attachments). I like how the doors unzip all the way around, but I wish you could completely detatch the outter door for weight reduction in the summer. I was very displeased with the detachable pole section. It doesn't fit well (extremely tight and even bent the pole a little) when the silver portions are removed. The tent fly was an awkward fit in some places. This is not a quick set-up tent either (typical of 4-season tents). I may grow to love it as I break it in though."

"We have owned this tent for four years now. No problems to speak of. It has done trips in all conditions, and weather. Not as light as I would like it, but for a three person-4-season tent it does not get much better. Plenty of room if you have to sit inside on bad days and airy enough to leave the fly off and enjoy the night sky in the middle of the summer. Love the two door option, my girlfriend uses the second door more than I do. The vestibule has plenty of space for two backpacks and cooking. Do not recomend cooking in the vestibule without opening the zipper at the top. We love it and will be using this for many more trips for years to come. Recomend Highly for people looking for space and weight is not an issue."