Clip Flashlight 2 Camping Tent

by Sierra Designs

Product Features

• 2 Person / 3-Season
• Trail Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
• Packed Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz
• Packed Size: 19" x 5"
• Number of Doors: 1

Product Description

The Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight 2 has updated the DAC poles this season, with stronger clips, more interior living space, and a burlier, non-rotating elbow.

Product Details

• ASIN: B0055QG0BW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great value in tents!, January 28, 2010

By 

Scott Burgess (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Clip Flashlight 2 Camping Tent (Apparel)

First the bad news: this tent is a tunnel design, so it is not free-standing. This means that you have to pull stakes to move it. In all my backpacking I have *never* had to move a tent before I was ready to leave (though my companion and I awoke one morning to find our Clip-3 had been in the middle of a storm-started stream all night--the seals held, and we both slept through it!). Also, I have only occasionally camped where the ground was so rocky I had trouble putting the primary stakes down. I camp mostly in the Pacific Northwest--your mileage may vary, so ask friends who camp in your area. My conclusion: "free standing" means little to me.

So why buy a tunnel design instead of a geodesic? Because tunnel designs offer the best interior space to weight ratio. In human speak, you get more space and less pack weight. You can reduce the ~4 pound pack weight further by purchasing some premium titanium stakes from aftermarket manufacturers. Many newer "ultralight" tents from Sierra Designs and others cost twice as much and weigh over 6 pounds.

Some tunnel tents from Stephenson's offer even lower weight, but are custom made--cost is very high, you may wait several weeks to receive it, and I would worry about availability of replacement parts. Sierra Designs is common enough that most outdoor chains can quickly sell you spare poles or parts should accidents occur while traveling.

This tent is a breeze to set up--takes only a few minutes, and regularly garners compliments and amazement from other campers who watch.

I only wish that Sierra Designs would offer the very similar but larger Clip-3 tent again. Mine packed under 5.5 pounds (with spare stakes), and had 42 square feet of interior space. That's less weight than most two-person geodesics and more space than most three-person tents! And I find the three person version a lot less claustrophobic.

Before purchasing a tent, I suggest you consider carefully how you will use it. This piece of gear is one of the most expensive and heavy you'll take into the wilderness. Each feature adds weight, and you may decide some are not worth carrying. Backpacker Magazine has excellent annual reports on tents--compare features there (it is often available in public libraries).

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nine years old and still the best, April 8, 2010

By 

John Locke (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clip Flashlight 2 Camping Tent (Apparel)

I own an earlier model of this tent and bought it in 2001. First of all this tent is very well made, as evidenced by the fact that I have owned it for over nine years and that my tent has easily seen over 100 nights of use. The thing does not leak, period. The outer tent (only the inner is shown, it comes in two pieces) is completely water proof and keeps water vapor and condensation from entering the inner tent, where you sleep. Mine came with a bottle of seam sealer, which I applied nine years ago and have never had a problem with. I have used this tent in snow over a foot deep with no problems and have also slept in it during 12 plus hours of downpour with no leaking. I'm an Eagle Scout: I have seen A LOT of tents and believe me when I say half the tents out there cannot make it through a typical rainstorm without leaking, let alone a downpour or snowfall. This tent is on par with the best out there and is worth every penny. Only complaint I have is that it is difficult to put up in the rain, I would recommended practicing erecting the inner tent under the outer one so it can be deployed in a storm.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 14 Years and Still Going Strong, December 22, 2010

By 

Saskatoonster - See all my reviews

This review is from: Clip Flashlight 2 Camping Tent (Apparel)

I've owned by clip 2 since 1996 - my typical use: three season with occasional overnighters in the winter; extended (4-5 nights) summer camping in Utah's high uintah wilderness area (lots of rain). I usually use as one-man with gear. In all, it gets 8-12 nights of use/year.

What I love: 1) this has got to be the lightest tent around - I love it for long and short backpacking trips. 2) it still sets up very tight - no sagging on the tent itself. 3) It never leaks - even with 24-hours or more of continuous rain. 4) super easy to setup and take down. 5) absolutely no mechanical problems with the fabric, poles, grommets, zippers, etc. 6) on nice nights I can leave the fly off and enjoy a great view. 7) very roomy for one man with plenty of room for gear.

What I don't like: 1) the rainfly has always felt a little loose compared to the tent - though it easily clips into place and always keeps the rain out.

That's it. I'm a regular camper with lots of nice gear, but this is my best investment yet!

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