Sierra Designs Light Year CD Review

"I just bought this tent and just used it on an overnighter. It is very light (approx. 3lb.), folds up very small, sets up easily, and didn't leave me feeling claustrophobic. It's peak allows me to sit up, and the floor design affords a little extra space for gear and clothing. The vestibule is adequate to put my pack and boots, and kept them dry when a thunderstorm rolled in in the middle of the night. The tent seems well ventilated with a big mesh door and vent points at the corners. I look forward to using it more and think at the $129 price I found it at, it is a great deal for any soloists out there."

"Bought this tent for solo trips, when weight mattered. I've had it out for a total of about 3 weeks of trail-time, and in general have had a good experience. The peak allows you to sit up if necessary, which is a nice plus. However, the vestibule is pretty small if there's weather. Another issue is that while it is nice and light, this sometimes translates into a lack of durability in some areas. I've had some problems with the shock cords coming loose inside the poles; this translates to a bit less convenience during set-up. Sierra D. has fixed it for me though, so at least the service is there."

"This is a good tent. I have had it for about a year now and spent about 20 nights in good and bad weather, still looks good. It is easy to set up and durable. I'm 6'3" 220 and it's just big enough to work well for me, but that's what I wanted to keep things light. The best way to get in is to plop your rear in first, shuck the boots off and spin around to the right into the tent. Reverse to exit...The more I use the tent the more I like it. You can just barely sit up if necessary and my full-length Thermarest fits perfectly. Yes, you can go lighter with a 1-lb tarp (the tent weighs about 3.25 lb with everything) but for a full-featured tent this is a very good design in my opinion. I use the vestible for boots only, although you could cram your pack under there too I prefer to keep the pack away from the tent under a pack cover. I am very pleased with this tent."

"I've had this tent for 3 years or so. I go expedition kayaking with it. It packs small so I can load my boat with all the essential gear. Since I paddle well into the dark hours quite often, I wanted something super easy to set up. Finding a camp site in the dark is a gamble on what can be available. I just stake the two ends, often enough, and the one for the fly. Usually quite enough. When fully staked out it's a rock. Keeps all the uncertain critters out, unlike a tarp. The clips are well worth the weight. The odd triangle spaces around my sleep mat, of the floor, turn out to be great for bringing items in. I can put my smelly shoes at the very head of the tent in the narrow cone like space, then pile my fleece between my head and my shoes, creating a barrier and allowing the shoes to air through the the screen door. A neat feature(shoes inside to keep bugs out of them or have something chew on them). I've awakened in many undesireable spots, the footprint is great, because of the odd shape, and have had streams running under and around it with no significant disappointment. I don't really think they needed to have clips on the footprint since it's really much to small to set up just the fly and footprint and still be useful. You'll wake up with the foot of your sleeping bag sticking out, and it's not really easy to set up this way or useful for fly first then tent set up, either. I can sit up, with a Crazy Creek chair and can wriggle in and out of clothes, too. The fly can't be left open, if it's raining, because the screen door is fully exposed. When I'm tired and it's raining it requires no brain to create an enclosed haven of shelter. MSR licensed a simular design but the door runs along the side, instead and you have to nearly lay on the ground and roll into it, because the opening is so low. Ventilation is good when the fly is fully staked, too."

"A great product. A friend of mine bought the MSR Hubba which I was also looking at. I'm glad I went with the Light Year. I can pitch it in half the time as my buddy and the Hubba. I wake up mostly dry as he drowns in the condensation. I can actually have room to bring stuff into the tent with me as he has to leave it all outside. Oh, and it cost me waaay less."

"I used this on my 2004 thru hike of the AT and it was perfect. Roomy enough for me and my backpack (i'm only 5'4"), easy to set up and very light. If only it were free standing, it would be perfect."