Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 2 Review

December 11, 2018
Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 2
SD18_Sweet Suite 2_Fly half 2
SD18_Sweet Suite 2_No Fly
SD18 Sweet Suite Lifestyle Inside
SD18_Sweet Suite 2_Detail 1
SD18_Sweet_Suite_2_Bag__41552.1526059923.1280.1280
IMG_5772
IMG_5774
IMG_5802
Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 2 SD18_Sweet Suite 2_Fly half 2 SD18_Sweet Suite 2_No Fly SD18 Sweet Suite Lifestyle Inside SD18_Sweet Suite 2_Detail 1 SD18_Sweet_Suite_2_Bag__41552.1526059923.1280.1280 IMG_5772 IMG_5774 IMG_5802
GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS
86
Shoulder Room
7
Packability
9
Set Up
7
Weatherproof
6
Features
7

The Good

  • Easy packing up & compact
  • Light weight
  • Versatile fly design
  • Tons of elbow room

The Bad

  • Lightweight build not good for harsher weather
  • Lacks durablity (fragile)
THE VERDICT
Sierra Designs has established itself as one of the most innovative tentmakers out there and the Sweet Suite 2 show’s they’ve still got it. Weight to volume ratio is hard to beat and there’s a host of innovative features that help make this tent easy and fun to use. It’s a great choice for anyone who values weight and packability but doesn’t want to sacrifice too much comfort.
FULL REVIEW

Shoulder Room

At just under 30 square feet, the Sierra Designs Sweet Suite 2 is not a huge tent by area, but it feels roomier. The tripod main pole lifts the tent to a max height of 41 inches. Add a “knee” in the pole near the head end of the tent and a cross-pole between the doors push all the walls to nearly vertical. A gentle bend in the poles at the foot adds extra elbow room down there too. Two vestibules, one at each door, created 8.9 square feet of additional storage, plenty for keeping pack, boots and more dry but out of the way. All in, while it didn’t feel roomy when we were lying down, it did when we were moving around or sitting up.

Packability

A minimalist pole structure, mostly mesh-paneled tent walls and lightweight fly and floor materials add up to a svelte 3.8-pound weight for the Sierra Designs Sweet Suite. For a two door, two vestibule tent, that’s excellent. The poles fold into short segments adding to its packability. And the burrito style stuff sack opens wide and closes with a cinch, making it easy to pack this thing away, no matter how poorly we folded, stuffed or rolled it.

Set Up

The hubbed tripod pole and cross-pole design of the Sierra Designs Sweet Suite are easy to maneuver and get into place. But the tent is not freestanding. Peg out the corners first and it would stay upright. Clips hook onto the poles to lift the tent. It goes up fast and easy.

Weatherproof

The Sierra Designs Sweet Suite fly extends right to the ground and the pole design creates plenty of pitch across most of the tent. Rain rushed off. Big vestibules helped keep it far from the tent itself. The vestibule fabric is pretty light, 20 Denier across most of the tent, so it needs to be treated with respect, but it felt plenty weatherproof for summer and light shoulder season use.

Features

The fly hooks onto the Sierra Designs Sweet Suite tent body with clips. When the weather is good it’s easy to unclip it and roll it back from both ends to the center, exposing the tent’s bug mesh for full ventilation and to watch the stars. It’s quick and easy to roll it back into place.

 

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