
$469.95
Item qualifies for annual
REI Member Refund (typically 10%)
In order to save weight and preserve breathability, this tent is not treated with a fire retardant. Black Diamond, therefore, encourages the use of basic safety precautions and common sense when using any tent, treated or not.
Imported.
Item 735320
Specification | Description |
| Design type | Freestanding tent |
| Season | 3-season |
| Sleeping capacity | 3 |
| Average minimum weight | 4 lbs. 2 oz. |
| Average packaged weight | 5 pounds |
| Average weight - metric | 2.26 kilograms |
| Floor dimensions | 88 x 69 inches |
| Floor dimensions - metric | 224 x 175 centimeters |
| Peak height | 42 inches |
| Peak height - metric | 107 centimeters |
| Floor area | 36.5 square feet |
| Vestibule area | 10 square feet |
| Canopy fabric | Epic fabric |
| Floor fabric | Coated ripstop nylon |
| Doors | 1 |
| Number of poles | 3 |
| Pole material | DAC Featherlite aluminum |
| Pole diameter | 9 millimeters |
| Packed size | 7 x 12 inches |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
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Reviewed by 10 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
I used this ultra-lite, minimalist tent in a variety of situations (Sahara desert, High Atlas mountains, winter summer...) and absolutely LOVED it! Easy to set up, great view of the night sky, quiet and sturdy in high winds... I couldn't find a flaw in the design or build of this tent, until in sprinkled. Then a steady drip commenced and didn't let up all night (even after it stopped raining). If it doesn't work in the rain, then what is it good for?! I returned it the next time I was in country and am waiting for the same design with a different fabric (i don't trust Epic any more).
Service and delivery comments:
As always REI delivers the best service in the industry. They took it back with no hassle and promptly let me kick the tires on some other tents.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
I have used this tent for two years, and it hasn't let me down yet. Setup was awkward at first, but I quickly mastered it to the point where it goes up in just a couple of minutes when it starts to rain. In several severe thunderstorms exposed on a ridge with hail the size of golfballs the fabric remained waterproof, quiet, and rip-free. Attention to small details set this tent apart. It is a great two-person tent that will perform in almost any situation. I haven't had a condensation issue yet. Waterproofing the seams should have been done at the factory for the price, but thats about the only gripe I have.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
I would set up tent in store before buying. Awkward at first because set up is from the inside. The water seal is difficult to work with. At [$] should not have to water proof yourself.After hearing all the hipe and reading the reviews somewhat dissapointed. There are other tents out there that have very easy set up and are much cheaper.
Pros
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Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
When I initially looked to buy my 2nd tent, I wanted it to fit 3 people. This tent does fit 3, but it is a tight fit, and no gear inside it. When you only have 2 people, you have all the space you could possibly want.
This tent never had any condensation on the inside, even when I had the fly down.
Big positive is that the fly is attached to the tent, instead of it being separated. 100% water proof, I've been stuck in storms and completely stayed dry and confident in the tent's ability.
it is expensive, but its worth it if you have the money and need to light weight.
Pros
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Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
My girlfriend and I have used this tent numerous times in conditions ranging from cool, windy, rainy midwest to hot arid desert. The versatility is second to none and durability is decievingly good. It's light and compacts small. Setup is straight forward. It's no 3 person as advertized, but the best 2 person tent out there.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
Experience:Used it for seven nights in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mtns of Colorado. We went in at the ghost town of Carson and came out at Needleton.
The tent is quite roomy for two and when pitched is very sound - the pole system provides a very strong frame inside of the tent fabric. Very able to keep out hard rain once seam sealed. Seam sealing was a lengthy process and required 3 tubes of SilSeal, not the 1 provided with the tent.
Problems: This tent is NOT ACCEPTABLE, in my opinion. The main reason is MASSIVE CONDENSATION on the inside of the tent. Under very mild conditions (never below about 40F, clear sky some nights, cloudy sky other nights) there was always a thin film of water on the inside within 1 hour of entering the tent and by morning a thick layer of beads of water. This was difficult to avoid touching with two people in the tent and with three would have been impossible. Luckily I had a "Tent Sponge" and could sop up the water (1/4 to 1/2 cup) from the walls, but as it was my partner, having a nylon covered down bag, found her bag getting damper and damper. (My bag has the Epic Nextec fabric as the outer shell and so was not so susceptible to dampness.) This is an invitation to eventual hypothermia. Also, because the tent was so humid inside, it was hard to dry out wet clothes, which we had plenty of since it was a rainy trip. In addition, the tent is very finicky to set up, especially the "eyebrow" pole. The Velcro tabs used to guide the poles once they are in the tent are a pain to use and would be impossible to manipulate in cold weather. We had to set this tent up in a rainshower and it was a big pain.
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Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
My wife and I have used the tent on four backpacking trips so far.It is easy to set up and is sturdy with no condensation problems.The screened front is nice for star gazing and adds an openness to the tent.You do have to seal the seams with the porvided silicon.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
I am disappointed in this tent--I bought it because I love the floor plan, the single wall system, and the skylight feature. However it seems that Black Diamond missed with zipper design. First, the rain fly is constantly getting snagged in the zipper--which is frustrating when zippering in a rain storm--and drenching! Second. The zipper system on the main door has been a deal breaker. During the summer I am in the field for 10 weeks straight. Last summer, the zipper split during the last week and I was left as mosquito feed. I paid to have the zipper repaired even though Black Diamond offered a new tent. (I declined due to the fact that I did not want to seam seal another tent.:( ) This summer I am currently in the midst of a ten week camping trip and AGAIN the zipper has split and the gaping whole has rendered this tent useless. Plus, now I find myself in a lurch---I still have three weeks to go but how to get a new tent when I am hundreds of miles from an REI and without a car?
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
The 88" length is misleading. Because of sloping at either end, I think that 80" is more accurate. I'm 6'7", sleep in a 7'0" bag, and the tent is not long enough.
I listed as a "con" it is difficult to set up. "Fussy" might be more accurate. It is simple enough to insert the poles inside the tent, but it is kind of a pain to velcro them in place throughout the tent.
The tent is very light, and I enjoyed the open canopy. I think, however, that the mesh where the third tent pole is used is ripe to be ripped if one is not really careful.
The sil-nylon floor is very slippery, but I guess that is a sacrifice we make for weight savings.
I slept one night in a light rain and experienced condensation even though we had the fly unzipped and other ventilation open.
Pros
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Best Uses
Comments about Black Diamond Skylight Tent:
This is the best tent ever!!! We took it on our honeymoon and had no problems setting it up or being comfortable. And it has the added benefit of being able to look at the stars! How romantic!
Displaying reviews 1-10
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