How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
Sierra Designs Lightning 2 FL Tent
This product is not available.
One of the most livable and functional tents in the ultralight weight class, the Sierra Designs Lightning FL is a freestanding, full-featured shelter offering maximum comfort at a minimum of weight.
Shop similar products- Large single drop door saves weight, but is extra wide and large enough for 2 people to sit side by side
- Asymmetrical design tapers to the footbox to reduce weight; 42.5 in. peak height provides livable space and foot hoop creates a full-size footbox
- Hybrid double / single wall canopy reduces weight
- Integrated fly and tent body and hubbed pole pitch allow for speedy, dry setup
- 15-in. integrated awning replaces a traditional front vestibule, allowing maximum access to the full width of the door opening
- Side gear "closets" can be accessed from the outside or inside
- Covered foot vent creates an air tunnel between the foot-end and the door on the other end for ventilation and superior condensation management
- Freestanding tent can be pitched anywhere, no matter how impenetrable the surface
- Closeout
Imported.
View all Sierra Designs Backpacking Tents| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 2 lbs. 13 oz. |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | Unavailable |
| Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Packed Size | 19 x 4 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 86 x 56/46 (L x W head/foot) inches |
| Floor Area | 30.5 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 5.4 + 5.4 square feet |
| Peak Height | 42.5 inches |
| Number of Doors | 1 door |
| Number of Poles | 3 |
| Pole Material | Aluminum |
| Pole Diameter | 9.3 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | 15-denier nylon mesh |
| Floor Fabric | 30-denier ripstop nylon |
| Rainfly Fabric | 20-denier ripstop polyester |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Design Type | Freestanding |
Buying Advice
More expert advice
Review this Product
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
jchiker
Vancouver, WA, United States
Innovative Design, Too Flimsy
7 years ago
The best thing about this tent is that the rain fly is integral and the poles attach on the outside. This allows you to set it up in the rain without it getting wet inside. I like that rain fly design and vestibule access. The problem is that it is very flimsy. This is partly because it is lightweight and partly because some of the materials are just substandard quality. The zipper to the main door broke on the third trip out. There is no easy way to repair it, so this $200+ tent that I bought 3 months ago is basically toast. I'm going to take it back to our local store for a return and look for something a bit more durable.
No, I do not recommend this product
kJenn
Dayton, OH, United States
At first I loved then not so much....
8 years ago
I bought this tent a year and a half ago for a short 4 day section hike on the AT. It was fabulous! So easy to set up even in the rain, only took a couple minutes. After the trip I cleaned the tent stored it. A week ago I pulled out the tent so I could set it up with my son in the living room in preparation for a backpacking trip and went to set it up and the poles broke. I contacted Sierra Designs who told me that it would take at least 6-8 weeks to fix the poles and to contact whoever I bought it from and see if they would return it. Thankfully REI is awesome to deal with and even though it had been over a year since I had purchased it returned it for store credit so I could purchase a new tent.
No, I do not recommend this product
Michael
Austin, Texas
Outstanding Design
8 years ago
Used this on the coast in British Columbia in July 2016. One piece material allows setting up in rain without getting inside wet. Front entrance with side vestibules work great. Cozy but very functional.
Yes , I recommend this product
Miles27
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Nice tent!
8 years ago
I've had this tent for over a year and have used it in the Sawtooths, Wasatch, and recently for seven days in Canyonlands. Pros: Light, easy to set up, the gear vestibules are great and easy to access from the inside, and you can sit inside with the door open and watch storms as long as the wind isn't blowing too hard toward the door (this is why I love A-frame tents). At one campsite in Canyonlands the ground was impenetrable for staking, but the long tails on the staking points made it easy to secure the tent with rocks. There was a crazy canyon wind storm that night with powerful gusts that put the tent through all kinds of contortions, but it stayed put with just rocks and bounced back into shape every time. Cons: It is technically freestanding but its pretty useless unless you stake it down (or use large rocks!). And the gear vestibules are useless without staking. It is smaller inside than most domes, and the single front door makes maneuvering in and out tricky for two people, even if the other person is your significant other. Also, the lightweight material is great for packing, but I'm not sure how well it will stand up over time. The screening on the door has developed some minor irregularities, but they are not holes and I'm not sure they are a problem yet.
Yes , I recommend this product
mtboulder
Boulder, CO, United States
Great Design
8 years ago
I used this tent for a week last September in the Wind River Range. We got rain and snow on a few days with temps dropping into the mid 20's. Tent kept us dry the whole time. Very easy to set up and very functional for two adults.
Yes , I recommend this product
countrodrigo
San Francisco
Inner bones ripped the tent
7 years ago
I have used this tent three times. On the third trip I noticed one the upper inner bones broke through the fabric. While this tent is light and functional, the two inner bones in the roof are failure points and make packing the tent super awkward, as you must line them up when rolling it. The stuff sack is also of a very light material and easily broke in several places the first time I used it after setting it down on the ground. Will be returning this tent and going back to the trusted MSR Hubba Hubba.
No, I do not recommend this product
Hiking Man NC
Charlotte, NC, United States
Light and easy set up - horrible design
8 years ago
Just purchased this tent and set up yesterday to check it out. The 'covered foot tent' is not enclosed with mesh. The gaping hole is just an invitation for bugs and small critters. Hole is approximately (by memory) 5 inches high by 10 inches wide. Not comfortable with this - returning on my next trip to REI.
No, I do not recommend this product
BadBoy69
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Very excellent tent
8 years ago
Got this tent for my first camping experience since I was a little kid and gotta tell ya, it's great! Extremely easy set up, great size, good ventilation.
Yes , I recommend this product