No matter where you are headed on your next backpacking trip, you’ll need some shelter. If you’re like me, then a trusty tent is the way to go. Considerations include weight, interior space, ease of setup and durability. Sierra Designs has completely revamped their lineup of packing shelters with all these things in mind. SD sent me the Flash 2 tent to see just how many of these boxes it is worthy of checking. From the Needles District to the Uinta Mountains, I put the Flash 2 through the ringer, and here’s what I found:
First things first: the tech within the tent. The Flash 2 floor is constructed with 70D Nylon Tafetta material; tough enough to stand up to my dog’s sharp nails as she scratched and pawed before bedding down for the night. The body is 20D Nylon No-See-Um Mesh, and the fly is a stout 75D Polyester Tafetta. I can attest to the quality of the fly thanks to all the rainstorms I encountered while camping this spring (more on that later). The poles are DAC Pressfit with an interesting design: 3 poles are joined by 2 swivel hubs which collapse down into one bundle. A small ridgepole completes the kit, which weighs in at 4 lbs 12 oz.
The pole design on the Flash 2 tent was foreign to me, and took a bit of getting used to. However, it got easier every time I set it up, and now it’s as simple as any of my two-pole models. This is a free standing shelter, so go ahead and set up shop in dirt, sand or slickrock…wherever you may roam. A few things jumped out to me once the tent was pitched. First of all, there is loads of interior space; 30 square feet to be exact. Plenty of room for a buddy and me to spread out. Thanks to the symmetrical dome shape you can sleep head to toe and avoid any late night awkwardness. There are two double drop doors with an awning hanging over each, a feature I love. With two points of entry you no longer have to step over your partner to get in and out, plus it gives you a place to kick your shoes off without disturbing said amigo.
The real glaring feature of the Flash 2 isn’t the space or doors, it’s the lack of a vestibule. Yes, Sierra Designs has eschewed the traditional tent layout and opted to keep weight low with no vesty. “But where will I keep my gear?” you ask. Not to worry: at each end of the Flash 2 is a gear closet accessible by a zippered door. Pretty handy. Each camper gets his/her own little spot to stash their goodies. I really like the concept, and I used the gear closets during every trip; however, I feel that they are too small for stashing a backpack under. I found myself leaning my bag up against the tent wall, which reduced some of the interior space.
So, how did the Flash 2 fair in the elements? Pretty darn good, I must say. This is a hybrid double/single wall tent, meaning that the fly is attached to the body permanently. The integrated fly proved its worth one night in Canyonlands NP. When a 2am rainstorm kicked up, some of my friends were scrambling to put their fly on and ended up with wet sleeping bags for their troubles. Meanwhile, I didn’t even bat an eyelash thanks to the fact that I was bone dry inside the Flash 2. I experienced a lot of rain during my trips with this tent, and even during an 8 hour downpour in Moab the little bugger never let in a drop. While I didn’t encounter any high winds, Sierra Designs did: they put the Flash tents inside a wind tunnel with impressive results:
Sierra Designs: DAC Wind Tunnel Tent Test from Sierra Designs on Vimeo.
I can confidently say that this tent will keep you safe from the worst stuff Mother Nature can dish out.
Now for the not so good stuff. While the pole design is efficient enough, I did experience some trouble snapping the swivel hubs into place. There is a lot of tension during setup, and my fingers payed the price (on more than one occasion) while I affixed the hubs. The integrated fly comes in handy when there is precipitation, but what about on a clear night? You won’t get much of a view of the cosmos out of the doors, which are your only vantage point. Personally I feel that the 5 lb weight is a bit heavy, but Sierra Designs also offers the Flash 2 in an ultralight model which will shave nearly 1 lb.
My overall impression of the Sierra Designs Flash 2 tent is positive. Once you dial in the setup, you will find yourself with a roomy 2-person backpacking tent that brims with convenience and thoughtful design. You sure as hell won’t get wet when the weather acts up, but I’d sure love a view of those stars that all my buddies keep telling me about.
The Good: Bomber construction, roomy interior and convenient 2-person functionality.
The Bad: Fly can’t be removed, gear closets are a bit on the small side for backpacking.
The Verdict: The Flash 2 has a great design, quality construction and plenty of space for any 2-person team, just be sure to get your fill of the outdoors before you seal yourself in for the night.