Bacciagalupe

At the moment, I've got a Kelty Teton 2, which is a pretty good tent overall: moderately roomy, easy to set up, solid, has a gear loft etc. I can fit myself and two small panniers inside, no problems.

However, I'm considering getting something smaller and lighter. Most likely candidate is a Big Agnes SL-1, option two is a Mountain Hardwear Halcyon 1 Tent. A Big Agnes SL-2 is a distant third, mostly due to cost.

I prefer the extra room of a 2-person tent in general, but the idea of a smaller pack size & weight is growing on me - especially for hiking.

So, any thoughts on the SL-1 and solo tents? If you're using a solo tent with a small vestibule and using state parks or other campgrounds with other campers, do you just leave your panniers on the bike? If so, do you do anything extra to secure it, or just take the more valuable stuff inside the tent?

jaypee

I'm 6' and I was able to fit all four of my panniers inside my SL-1. It was tight, but it worked, and I actually preferred the "snug" feeling. I played around with different configurations and found I could stack the panniers inside the vestibule or line them up inside, alongside my bag. The panniers I use aren't huge, just Jandd Mini-mountains in the front and Large Mountains in the rear.

As for the SL-1 itself, I love it.

gregw

I had and sold the BA SL-1 tent for the following reasons;

1. It was just too darn small, which was made worst by the entry from the end instead of the side that my replacement MRS Hubba Bubba has. The entry from the end is a pain, you have to either back-in or go in head first and turn around, try that in the rain.

2. The vestibule is very small and relies on waterproof zippers.

3. The tent is only semi-freestanding, the foot portion needs to be staked out to give you the full amount of available space. Even the sides need staking out to maximize space.

Having said that, the tent is very light, well made and packs really small.

But.......... I would recommend either the 1 or 2 person version of the MSR Hubba Bubba tent instead. The one person tent is no bigger on the inside, but is a side entry and the vestibule is bigger and better designed. Better designed in that you can leave the vestibule open in a light rain and have no water come in. The center cross member holds the rain fly out which keeps the water out. They are both completely freestanding and don't need any stakes unless it's supposed to rain and you want to stake out the rain fly.

I got the 2 person version that has 2 doors and 2 vestibules and could not be happier, it's the best tent that I have ever had. The penalty is more bulk than weight, it's very light.

vik 

I've been using the BA Seedhouse SL2 as my main bike camping tent for a few years now. I like the lightness and compact size. For one person it's very roomy and it fits two adults without drama. It doesn't need to be staked out if you aren't using the fly - I rarely use the fly unless rain is imminent as I like looking around and getting loads of ventilation. If you deploy the fly you need to stake it out - just like every other tent I've owned.

So far it's holding up well to all the use it's getting even though the materials are all very lightweight.

gregw

"It doesn't need to be staked out if you aren't using the fly"

Correct the SL-2 has the extra tent pole extensions that hold the foot section apart. The SL-1 does not have this. (Unless a newer model changed this?)

Bacciagalupe

OK, I gotta know. How do you fit two people inside a 2-person tent?

vik 

No idea about the SL1...for the extra 8 oz the SL2 seems like a much better weight to space ratio given it can hold 2 adults so I never bothered with the SL1.

I would note that I traveled with a friend whose single pole tent needed to be staked out or it would simply fall over. She had no issue making that happen in weeks of traveling so I wouldn't be worried about having to stake out a tent - if in all other respects you were happy with it.

I had a Tarptent that required staking. That was not an issue, but I wasn't happy with how the tent performed in wind....too bad as it was by far the lightest & most compact tent I'd ever used - especially give the loads of room inside.

vik 

With the right tour partner I've never had any issues finding the motivation to crack this tough problem...

NeezyDeezy

I barely fit in my seedhouse sl2, but I'm 6'3.5"

I do love it though.

thebarerider

I have the regular Seedhouse 1, not the SL version. I got it pretty cheap on eBay, and I like it well enough. I can fit inside of it with all the gear I want in my tent with me. It also has plenty of room for me! For reference, I am 6'3".

It hasn't been tested in foul weather yet, though. I hope it will hold up.