Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

After already going through 3 tents, the 4th one seems to be our last one. We bought this test last year and the mesh Big Agnes was using was horrible. The first 3 tents all had places where the mesh had been stretched and after a few uses would start to fray. I called Big Agnes and they said this was normal since the mesh was lightweight and it would not hinder the tent's performance. They said they would stand behind their tent if there was any failures. I called after a long weekend trip and the mesh was starting to fray once again and they said they switched the mesh they were using and there shouldn't be anymore problems. Also when I was stuffing my tent one morning the stuff sac that comes with the tent blew out at the seams. It was replaced and all is well now but this was more hassle then I expected considering the price and reviews of this tent. The times I have taken the tent out it has been rock solid. We used this tent on nights with sleet, snow, rain and winds and never so much as worried our tent was done for. The other really nice feature is the optional compressions strap that you can purchase. The tent packs to almost nothing. This tent is a great product I just question the craftsmanship on some of the older versions.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

After owning a long line of shelters that were satisfactory, but not superlative, I acquired the "Emerald Mountain" in the spring of '09, and put it to immediate use on a nine day hike with my son on Isle Royale. After our initial field test, and other back yard jaunts, I can heartily endorse this tent, despite its one, small drawback – diminutive doors.

The first thing that strikes the user about this tent is its generous interior space. At a little over six feet, my son and I both fall on the taller end of those charts depicting the "normal" distribution of American height. Our previous three-man tent, though otherwise capacious, was challenged by our stature. While it easily accommodated our modest girth and gear, our heads or feet would be pressed against the wall, and if it was raining, or there was heavy condensation, our bags would be damp by morning. Even sleeping diagonally did little to resolve this problem. The Emerald Mountain, by comparison, is fully 90 inches long (7.5 feet), as advertised. The tent walls at the head and foot rise almost vertically from the floor, so that little of this length is lost, leaving plenty of room for outstretched feet, an arm over your head, and the storage of gear and doodads. Further, at more than five feet wide, there is room to spread out and play cards.

Although the tent's interior volume seems to invite two or three large adults, the doors suggest that those who enter be of more modest beam and flexible at the waste. They are adequate for me and my son; though tall, we are angular and trim. Some have complained the openings are too cramped and small, and other tents in the Big Agnes line offer a larger door. Nevertheless, they are generally adequate and only slightly smaller (if at all) that the openings on other, comparable tents with similar specifications. In some instances the smaller doors are even an advantage. When clouds of mosquitoes and black flies are humming impatiently just beyond reach, I would prefer not to open an entire side of the tent when making my escape.

The Emerald Mountain offers only two small interior storage compartments, suitable for light items. Some may consider this an inconvenience. I find such compartments useless and over-rated. The vestibules created by the fly generously shelter boots and other gear, even a mid-sized pack, and significantly expand the tent's overall footprint. For those requiring warehouse like storage, an extended vestibule is available that nearly doubles the size of the structure, although I have been unable to conjure any likely scenario in which I would require such space on a backpacking trip, or in which I would want to carry the added weight.

The fly, constructed of silnylon (as are the floor and footprint), extends to within three or four inches of the ground, and performs admirably. It is utterly waterproof and easily sheds heavy rain, dispersing it away from the tent. It is virtually impermeable and, as a consequence, readily collects condensation. Fortunately, the fly is suspended approximately three inches from all sides of the tent and never in our experience did even heavy condensation "rain" inside the tent. The accumulated condensation easily shook off when packing up.

The fly forms a vestibule outside each of the side doors. One of the vestibules opens on only one side, since it provides tension to the structure necessary to maintain its shape. The vestibule on the opposite side of the tent can be opened entirely, since it is not a structural component. There are vents on each end of the fly, at the top of the side walls, which in our experience provided only modest additional ventilation.

This is rated as a three season tent. While that may be true in the southern states, some hikers in Minnesota might consider it an "extended summer" tent, since the tent itself is constructed entirely of mesh. In my opinion, however, the complete cover provided by the fly provides more than adequate shelter for cold temperatures (we found it perfect for nights in the low '40's, or high 30's), and my impression (from its wind resistance when properly staked) is that it would withstand modest snow accumulation.

Reviews of an earlier version of this model noted that the screen mesh (which forms the entire body of the tent, other than the tub floor) had a tendency to fray or degrade after use. This has evidently been remedied by the good people at Big Agnes, since nearly one month of repeated use has not produced this effect in our tent.

Overall, this is an excellent product. It is designed to be an "ultralight" structure and, considering the limitations imposed by that purpose, is competent and durable.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

Bought this tent to take to Philmont. Great weight, and the three person model is LOTS of room for 2! Every detail of the tent works. The color-coded clips that match the footprint to the tent...the poles...the ease of setup. Big Agnes proved that you can have great weight and great space. Best tent I've ever owned.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

I bought this tent for a large tent and vestibule area without an increase in weight from my other 2 person tent. The first time I set it up I was not disappointed. There is a lot of floor space and very good head room. The optional fly extension adds a lot of room for storage. When the storm clouds open up and there is no where to go it’s nice to have the extra room to keep rain from splashing on your gear and keep everything nice and dry.

Another reason I bought this tent was ventilation. During the summer months with the humidity is high it is nice to have two door for a cross breeze. The side vents are also well designed with a little pole built in that can be velcroed open for warm nights or velcroed shut when the rain is pounding and the temperature drops. The fly over the front door, where the optional fly attaches, can be unzipped and taken off for even more ventilation.

One of the things I love about the tent is the separate stuff sacks for tent poles and tent it makes it easier to split the gear up among your friends. When you add the extra fly and foot print there is something for everyone to carry and no one gets stuck with the whole load. Big Agnes was nice enough to provide enough stakes and tie downs to allow for many staking options. If the wind is blowing and the rain is pouring you might want to use all the stakes and cords provide to pull the edges of the rain fly away from your tent the little bit of extra room to stop the rain from splashing onto the base of your tent and footprint. Overall I could not be happier with a tent

If you are planning on spending a good deal of time backpacking and you and your buddy do not mind a little extra weight this is the perfect tent to deal with whatever weather you may face during the spring, summer and fall.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

I just purchased this tent for a trip to the Everglades & Canaveral Nat'l Seashore. Wow - it was everything I hoped it would be. We had 25mph winds on the beach at canaveral, but the SL3 held its own w/ no trouble. The footprint extends beyond the front door and into the vestibule area, which made for an awesome sand-free area to sit on at mealtime and store gear on at night.

Next we canoed the Florida Bay for a few days w/ more beach camping. It was so easy to setup and take down that we had time to watch the sunrise before pushing off each morning.

The humidity in the everglades is unreal - each night so much condensation formed that we literally had racoons coming out to lick it off our canoe. No worries in this tent though - we were completely dry. The fly repelled all of the water even when we slept w/ the fly doors tied open. The fine mesh panels were perfectly effective at keeping the no-see-ums and mosquitoes outside, which made for two very happy campers.

The stakes did a fine job in the sand in winds up to 15mph. Higher winds called for more creative tie downs, but considering we were anchoring on the beach, I was impressed w/ these stakes. The reflective lines were also helpful.

I can't think of anything negative to say about this item. It's light, comfortable, durable, crazy-easy to put up and take down, and I even like the color. You cannot go wrong w/ this tent.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

I'm a tall guy - 6' 3" - so it can be hard to find a light backpacking tent that fits. The EM3 has plenty of room for me to stretch out without pushing out the ends of the tent. Lots of space for two with gear, but would be cramped for three normal size folks. It has excellent ventilation - the fly vents are great.

The tent stood up well in a driving thunderstorm with lots of wind, but some rain did blow under the fly on the end. (Note to Big Agnes: if the floor fabric extended a little higher up the side it would prevent that.) You just have to remember to stake the fly straight down (staking through the fly loop, not using the guy line) if rain with wind is expected.

Set-up is easy, clever and quick after you have done it once or twice. Definitely set this up at home the first time, as it is a little different from the typical cross-pole system common with dome tents.

Just a few words about packing the tent: this is my first sil-nylon tent and was surprised at how very slippery the fabric is making it difficult to roll up and stuff back in the sack. I've always rolled my tents, but the first time I used it, being in a hurry decided to just stuff it back in the sack as some folks advocate. When I took it out (later that day to dry it) it looked like a shirt that had been at the bottom of the laundry hamper for a week. Hopefully all the wrinkles will come out eventually. Maybe I'm just being picky, but I'll never 'stuff' a tent again. The best way I found to pack this one is to stretch out the body, lay the fly on top (folding fly as needed to fit), fold the tent length-wise in thirds and then again in half (or vice-versa), bring the ends together and roll snugly.

I can't say how the EM3 will hold up in the long run. Being a light weight tent, obviously the materials are very thin. Maybe this is not the case, but it seems like it could be pretty fragile so I'm going to baby it. Be sure to use the footprint or a plastic or tyvek groundcloth.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

Best tent I have ever owned. Perfect for the little lady, me and our mutt. It is light even when you add the vestibule to the mix. Easy to set up. Only gripe is the smaller doors (I am 6'1'') and the lack of a interior zipper pull on one side, but with a little modification to the zipper problem solved. I even bring the EM3 out when it is just me and my dog on 2-3 nighters because of the weight savings. Also it is big enough for three.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

Great weight savings for 3 people. Lives up to the mfctr's and user reviews I researched ahead of time. No condensation, even in huge, all-night downpours. Fly stays taught. Usuable, expansive vestibules. Gear loft is a little weak..I prefer the ones that hang across the top of the tent for drying clothes, etc...this one has a few too many pockets and not enough square inches to make it really useful, but the dity bag it comes in is super cute. From inside the tent the vestibule zipper is slightly awkward to open. 3 weeks of constant use in Sierras netted many minor snags in mesh tent body, so treat with care. Minor drawbacks to a great tent/fly/pole system. I have had many tents, this one is my fav so far. Stable in wind and rain. Watertight, light, bright...outta sight!

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

I read a ton of reviews concerning this tent before I bought it and I am totally happy with my purchase. It is super easy to set up (took 2 min. total) because of the two pole design and offers great ventilation. I like that it has a bunch of headroom and two doors. The fly pulls nice and taught (didn't billow in 35 mph winds on a ridge line) and even without the optional gear area, offers ample room to store gear outside. If I had to do it again, I would get this tent.

Comments about Big Agnes Emerald Mountain SL3 Tent:

Thought I would wait to add my review until after I have used this tent many times in many different condition types.

I did purchase the optional vestibule as we like to take our dogs with us backpacking and for sure don't want to sleep with wet, smelly dogs. The vestibule is huge but lightweight. The inside of this tent is so comfortable. I am 6'2" tall and weigh 230 pounds so there are many tents that I simply cannot fit it in. An 84" tent simply does not work for me. This tent is large enough for both of us, but still manages to keep the weight to a minimum.

It's not the simplest tent to set up, but after a few times it is less difficult. I simply cannot imagine a better tent for the weight and size!!!