View Full Version : Info on Big Anges Seedhouse SL1 Tent
Just looking for input from anyone who has used a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 tent for a week or more in some wind and rain. The comments I have found were for the Seedhouse 1 and not the SL1... which indicated the older version had lousy poles but was otherwise a good tent. Comments suggested the SL1 with Easton poles. So comments on personal experience with such would be greatly apprecaite. Thanks
Of all my tents, this is my favorite. I used it on the PCT, and had some pretty rough weather in Washington, once in the High Sierras, and again in So. CA.
It held up great in high winds, and pretty torrential rains. I really appreciated the fact that condensation was never really an issue with the double wall tent. I sat out an ice storm near Laguna, in S.Cal, for about 16 hours, with great results.
The tent is easy to set up, and has a small enough footprint, that I could wedge it in most anywhere since it is also free standing. I also did not have to constantly hunt for rocks, anchors, etc., to hold it down.
I would definitely recommend this tent.
I havn't used it in a week of rain or high wind, but I have used it during rain that lasted most of the night and it did good. Its pretty big inside so it is very comfortable. Its a good tent.
Mayfly, thanks for the great feedback. Did your tent come with Easton poles? If not what kind did it come with or what did you use. Again appreciate the quick feedback.
I used the poles that came with the tent. I believe these were the same DAC poles offered currently on the Big Agnes web site.
Bucky Katt
12-29-2008, 12:02
when using this tent, what did you do with your pack and boots? WAs there room on the inside, or did you leave them just inside the vesibule area?
when using this tent, what did you do with your pack and boots? WAs there room on the inside, or did you leave them just inside the vesibule area?I leave my shoes in the vestibule and then put my pack inside with me. I use the pack as part of my pillow or throw it under my feet if they are feeling especially tired that night. The vestibule is kind of smallish.
Bucky Katt
12-29-2008, 12:09
Ahh, thank you. Is there enough headroom in the tent to sit up ?
Ahh, thank you. Is there enough headroom in the tent to sit up ?
I'm 5ft6in and I can sit up fine. I don't know how tall would be too tall, but I would think 5ft10in is about the limit. I guess it depends more on your torso size than height. I usually wear a medium torso backpack.
Bucky Katt
12-29-2008, 12:27
Okie. That helps. I change clothes in my tent so being able to sit up would be helpful. I'd prolly be fine then.
I love my SL1! I have had it in some pretty bad rain, strong, winter Mt. Rogers winds, and with up to 3" of snowfall and it has handled everything perfectly. I keep both my pack and my boots/trailrunners in the vestibule but there isn't much room for anything else. The inside of this tent is so much bigger than most solo tents such as the Hubba, which makes it perfect for a side sleeper like me. It also does this at a very low weight, but there are a few nitpicks I have about the tent (nothing that wouldn't make me buy one again.)
1. The door and vestibule are a little smallish
2. You need 10 stakes to fully set it up with the fly on
3. There is no fly vent (not that condensation has ever been a problem)
4. It is hard to reach the zipper on the end of the vestibule to open it (maybe it is just me)
My tent is a 2006 model and has DAC Featherlite poles.
Bucky Katt-if you want to check it out, I take it with me on every trip including Mt Rogers in Febuary. I upgraded from a REI Quarterdome a few years ago and have never regretted it. My SL1 is one of those peices of gear I own, that if somthing happened to it and I had to replace it, I would want to replace it with the exact same thing.
Bucky Katt
12-29-2008, 12:45
Hey Mocs, thanks for the reply. It held up under all that snow?!!! WOW, I thought the poles would start bending or something.
Tater gave me an REI giftcard for X-mas to go toward the purchase of this tent....thought I will admit, I've been looking at hammocks a lot lately. If I've not already purchased a Seedhouse SL1 by tFeb. (and if I can actually go on that trip) I'll take you up on your offer to check your tent out.
I've been very happy with my REI quarterdome, but I'd cut my shelter weight in half with the Seedhouse SL1 :)
The walls are so steep, that most of the snow slides off to the sides. I have had it however, with 1/4 of ice on the fly. That was nasty, the worst conditions I have ever backpacked in. It was raining when I went to bed, and when I woke up, everything was covered in snow with ice underneath.
Gator 65
01-07-2009, 16:47
I have one that I have only used for four nights and it worked fine. I still have not figured out the two longer tie downs on the side of the fly?
OldStormcrow
01-07-2009, 17:32
I'm 5ft6in and I can sit up fine. I don't know how tall would be too tall, but I would think 5ft10in is about the limit. I guess it depends more on your torso size than height. I usually wear a medium torso backpack.
I'm 6'2" and have plenty of room to sleep and sit up. I really hate the little dog-house door, but that's about the only "con" I see in the Seedhouse 1.
I have one that I have only used for four nights and it worked fine. I still have not figured out the two longer tie downs on the side of the fly?
They clip to the tent eliminating the need for two stakes (because the inside of the tent is held out by the fly)
The Will
01-08-2009, 05:00
I'm not a fan. On the CDT in southern Colorado last June I got blasted with wind. I was just using the footprint-fly combo and not the tent body--may make a difference. I spent most of the night holding onto the center portion of the pole. There is not attachment between the pole and fly and if I hadn't held onto the pole or the edge of the fly the tent would have collapsed.
The tent is broad-sided and there are only two places (on either side of the door) for extra guy-outs. Before this experience I liked the tent and used it without complaint (let me say again, these where HIGH winds, but I have other shelters that would have handled them) Now I'm hesitant to take it anywhere I would expect windy conditions.