Sierra Designs Hercules AST 2 person tent Review

"This is a first-rate tent for its intended use, which is low temperatures and high winds. It has double mesh doors, so you could use it in warmer weather, but it’s probably overkill for that unless you’re going someplace VERY windy. The attention to detail in the tent is remarkable – almost every feature of the tent makes me think “Oh, that’s a better way to do it!” The size of the tent is perfectly adequate for two people, and the vestibule is very good sized. One of the best features (which the Sierra Designs website doesn’t even seem to mention) is that mesh pockets run the full length of the interior walls, so there’s plenty of storage space. The tent is absolutely rock solid in the wind. Here are the traditional nitpicks on an otherwise fantastic tent (listening, Sierra Designs?): The tent sets up easily but not quickly, and although Sierra Designs advertises the Jake’s Corners as “fully removable” this would almost double set-up and take-down times. A small fastex buckle just above the corner-tightening strap buckle would eliminate the hassle, and I wonder why they haven’t done that, since it would add only about an ounce and a quarter to the tent. There should also be an additional Velcro loop at the apex of the vestibule pole. For the weight of an additional zipper, a door on the side of the vestibule could be added. (The current setup requires the user to virtually exit the tent to extend the vestibule door zipper to its bottommost position. While this can’t be avoided if you want a large opening in the center, which I do, a second door would allow more flexibility.) The only other issue is weight, and that’s only an issue if you are concerned with absolute weight (I like to use a sled) and not strength-to-weight ratio. I’m pretty sure that only the Bibler Fitzroy would beat this tent for STW ratio, and the drawbacks of the Bibler are numerous."