Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 Tent

I just wrapped up six weeks of climbing and camping throughout the western states, and the Vapor Light 2 tent by Sierra Designs was my shelter every night. I couldn't have been happier with it - it's sturdy, well ventilated, easy to set up, and light as air.

An absolutely key concern for anyone interested in fast and light backpacking is weight. I have a pack on my back almost daily, and a heavy one takes its toll as the days and weeks pass by. The Vapor Light weighs a scant three pounds four ounces (without stakes or stuff sack), making it one of the lightest two person shelters in production. That's about as much as a liter of water and a couple of apples.

I try to keep my pack as light as possible because I have a lot to carry besides my camping gear, like climbing and photography equipment. A light tent is also a huge bonus for flying. Now that I'm on stage two of my journey, an adventure travel circuit through New Zealand and Australia, I appreciate all the light gear I can get.

Since I've been using the Vapor Light, the worst weather I've experienced was a ferocious wind and rain storm in California's Sierra Nevada mountains The tent held its own despite its feathery weight. My last two person tent tended to literally collapse in winds around 30 miles an hour. I actually remember one night when the tent ceiling kept slapping me in the face with each gust, so I eventually took it down and slept under the stars (thankfully there was no rain that night). I've had the Vapor Light in winds up to 40 miles an hour, and it's been super solid. This tent has fully taped seams so I haven't had to gum it up with an amateur waterproofing job. Nice.

In use, I've found the tent comfortable for one person and reasonable for two, despite my 6'3" tall frame. It's got a high ceiling, so it's nice to sit up in, and its walls are relatively steep, which keeps them off my toes and forehead while I sleep. Other tents have the same 83" long footprint, but the fabric tends to drape in my face due to the low-angled walls. At any rate, the tent is available in an extra-long version (Vapor Light 2 XL) available only at REI. It's six ounces heavier and a full 10 inches longer. For tall people, that's a dream come true.

Like many modern tents, the Vapor Light doesn't have a huge jumble of poles to contend with - just one main pole, connected at the joints with a hub. This means I set up the one big pole, attach it to the corners of the tent, and then attach the tent to the exoskeleton. I've found this ease of use to be priceless when setting up the tent in wind. Two additional short, one-section poles hold the ceiling out and increase headroom.

I'm pretty thrilled to be traveling with the Vapor Light, since it's truly a three-season tent. Already it's protected me in the rain and wind, and now it's my shelter in the hot, arid landscape of Australia. Without the fly, it's completely mesh, so it gives great protection from the bugs but still lets me feel like I'm sleeping outside. No poisonous monster Aussie bugs in my bed!

Bottom Line: A marvel in tent design. Nearly weightless three-season tent for two people.--N.W. (Dec. 09)

BUY ONLINE : $329; $349 for the XL, click here to shop at REI

Manufacturer's Site: www.sierradesigns.com

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