Comments about Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent (1 Person):

Recently, my backpack has been getting lighter and lighter. I wanted a minimal, ultralight 1-person tent for solo trips, but I didn't want to sleep in a bivy or a hammock, and in the humid, buggy Southeast I can't imagine just using a tarp like is common among the ultralight folks. That's when I decided to pick up the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1.

What a good choice! This is the perfect backpacking tent for ultralight types who want the comfort of having a real tent on the trail. It's just tall enough for a six-footer to sit up in, the fly covers the inner tent very thoroughly (note: zip your vestibule halfway shut to prevent drips), and it doesn't waste any weight on extra fabric or frivolous features. The construction quality is spectacular, and stands out with the high-end fly material and the bombproof seams. The mesh, specifically, is a higher quality mesh than I've seen in backpacking tents from other reputable manufacturers.

I wouldn't call any of these "cons," but you should know a few things before buying this tent: First, yes, it has several guy lines that basically have to be used; they call the tent free-standing but I wouldn't try it without the guyouts. I've seen places online where folks complain about the extra guyouts, but it's the price you pay for only having one pole! They come with tensioners anyway, so no knots are required. Second, the vestibule is pretty small. You can put a pair of boots in there and squeeze a few items into the tent with you, but don't expect a place to stow a backpack. Don't expect to cram your dog, your small child or your underweight girlfriend in here, either; when they call this a 1-person tent, they mean it.

Overall, this is a very good tent. Big Agnes really pushes the envelope with their tent designs, and at roughly 2.5 pounds you won't find a better one for fast, light solo hikes. I'd like to see a fly vent and maybe a different vestibule style, but these would add weight, and for the "SL" series the Big Agnes engineers are focusing on weight. Job well done, guys!