Description
The benefits of a single-wall tent with ventilation that will remind you of a double-wall.
- Freestanding, hybrid design saves weight by eliminating the need for separated canopy and fly; ideal for three-season trekking and climbing applications
- Breathable, abrasion-resistant, and highly packable NanoShield fabric features a Silicone NanoCell coating to protect against rain, snow, and wind
- Roll-back cover reveals a large mesh window when skies are clear; cover features a built-in gear vestibule for stormy weather
- Three internal DAC Featherlite poles provide freestanding structure without a back-breaking weight penalty
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Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Black Diamond Skylight Tent: 3-Person 3-Season
? Share a...
Not for wet weather!
cni4254088
Member since
I've used this tent for a total of 11 nights. It's a perfect pack size and weight, even better than I expected. Each time it has taken care of 2 adults and 1 medium sized dog very well. But...to put it up is a pain! (I have the 2007 model). One person has to crawl inside the 'envelope' while the other passes in one of the poles. It's not fun in bad weather. But my primary criticism is that it's just not dry. I spent a night in the Lost Creek Wilderness where we could actually watch the spray blow through the tent with our headlamps. Last year I spent 4 nights in the West Elk Wilderness. I don't know if it kept the rain out, but we could sit in the tent and watch the condensation roll off the inside walls...every night. It did work well a couple of nights in Grand Gulch...with no rain and a humidity of about 10%. It works great in the desert (if you can get it put up). Don't use it where it is wet!!!
chigman
Member since
I also strongly disagree... I live in Washington (a tad rainy up here) and love this tent... you need to vent it obvs since it's single wall and did you fail to seam seal it? Also, the fabric has changed since 2007 to a more breathable fabric (I too have the yellow version, btw).
Black Diamond Skylight
Backcountry Video
Member since
Works Well
Matt
Member since
Used for car camping, just used a tarp for footprint, cause I hadn't gotten the actually BD footprint for it. Thought the mesh was nice for ventilation, but the fly was really great and kept the rain off all night. This is a single layer tent, but the layer pulls on and off the mesh. Pretty easy to assemble ( I did it by myself in the dark) and light to pack in a pack. Got it for a deal on SAC. Mine is the yellow standard BD tent color, it looks more green in the pic.
Not what I was hoping for.
wss3354024
Member since
I just bought this tent recently and was a bit disappointed. I really liked the design and the concept, but it just doesn't seem to work out. The big issue with condensation in this tent is because this tent doesn't breathe! I've only camped in it once, but it wasn't raining, it was hot and sunny. The inside of the tent never cooled down. I slept with the door completely open and my head practically hanging out I was so hot. Another issue I had was the velcro for the poles. I set the tent up and took it down three or four times, and every time the velcro snagged the mesh and messed it up. My last complaint is with the footprint. It really is too small. The corners of the tent all hang off the footprint. I really wanted to like this tent so it's a shame I wasn't happy with it. All in all, not a bad tent, but for the price it should be a great tent.
Joe Uberty
Member since
How can you complain about heat while sleeping with the "door" open. This tent literally can shed the entire front half of it's "fly" to open up the sky to complete mesh.
Joe Uberty
Member since
And your footprint should/must be smaller than the tent, otherwise water collects under your tent. I own this tent in the earlier yellow version, which appears to be the same and love it for what and why I purchased it. Very roomy 2 person tent for long backpacking trips.
Great while it lasts, but it won't last long
Izzy
Member since
When I first got this tent I loved it!!! Lightweight, roomy and holds up in wind and heavy thunderstorms in the mountains. But now that I've had the tent for 5 years, I am disappointed. I'm an average user. I used the tent on summer/fall weekends and long backpacks 1x a year. The tent is falling apart now!!! Zipper doesn't work and holes are appearing in the fabric, especially where the tent fabric attaches to the bathtub floor. I have taken care of the tent - cleaned it out and never put it away wet. Washed it with a hose 3x. Durability on this tent stinks. With a price this high, a tent should last longer! Finally... I called Black Diamond asking if I could send it in for zipper repair and pay for it myself. NOPE Black Diamond doesn't repair it. Don't buy this tent if you want it to last 10 years.
kings canyon national park, ca
meg100307970
Member since
sabrina basin, ca
meg100307970
Member since
Is condensation a big problem in this tent?...
meg100307970
Member since
Is condensation a big problem in this tent? Anyone own it? Experiences?
Eli Hauschild
Member since
Meg, check out this link to trailspace.com. It has ten more reviews on this tent that will help you get a better opinion on the tent and condensation.
http://www.trailspace.com/gear/black-diamond/skylight/
As with all single wall tents, you will experience condensation. Whether it's a big problem or not will vary with each person. I own a 2 person single wall and whenever it rains or is cold and humid, I will have some condensation on the inside. When this happens, I use the MSR Packtowel to wipe down the condensation, or I just wait until it evaporates. If I'm expecting to spend several nights in the backcountry and expect more than 1-2 night of rain, I pack my double-wall tent.
If you are expecting to use your tent where it will be raining frequently and/or humid, you will be a lot more comfortable getting a double-wall tent.
How does everyone feel about this tent?...
meg100307970
Member since
How does everyone feel about this tent? It's between this tent and the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. I use my tent quite often and am looking to replace an older tent with something a little bit lighter for backpacking. It will be for 2 people and the occasional dog.
I spend a lot of time in my tent and I am ok with carrying extra weight for a GREAT tent. My priorities are Likability, ability to avoid condensation, durability, then space and weight. Although a lightweight tent is a pro I'm more concerned with likability, pockets, weather resistance, durability, etc.
I'm also open for other recommendations :)
Thanks for the advice. - Megan
Eli Hauschild
Member since
Hi Megan,, For your priorities of avoiding condensation and durability, I would lean towards the Copper Spur UL2. Any single wall tent will have condensation after a downpour or in high humidity & cooler temps.
As far as another recommendation, I think the perfect tent for you would be the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person tent, combined with the Gear Shed vestibule. The gear shed provides tons of extra room for outings when your bring the dog Especially when it's raining and you don't want a wet dog crawling around your sleeping bags and gear. It's going to be a little pricier, but I'm sure you can find a great deal online.
Simon Hatfield
Member since
Agreed with Eli - this tent will condense much worse than the copper spur. Go for the Copper spur 3 (barely any weight penalty over the 2) before the Hubba Hubba with Gear shed (read: pain to pitch) though.
Also, None of the above mentioned tents are exceptionally durable - the Skylight features THIN nanoshield that isn't waterproof. The Hubba Hubba and Copper Spur both feature the same pole system that doesn't do too well in wind, and ultralight fabric for the rainflies.
And now for my suggestion - I noticed you didn't mention "price", "availability on backcountry.com" or "freestanding" in your criteria. Have you considered a Hilleberg Nallo 3?
Likeability - These remain totally dry while being pitched in the rain, Pitch super fast, come in 2 colors, have multiple pockets plus attachment points for a clothesline or gear loft, and will garner you total respect from all who frequent the mountains. What's not to like?
No Condensation - Double walls and tunnel venting prevent condensation.
Durability - Proprietary fabric and tunnel design yield a tent that can withstand legitimate 4 season storms. Gusts to 60mph+, no kidding.
Space - 64"x88" + Vestibule
Weight - 4lb 10oz min/5lb 5oz trail. Compare to 4lb 2oz min 5lb trail for this tent.
The downsides? It isn't free standing (but pitches quickly), and its $625.
James Jenden
Member since
I would disagree. People assume that because the Nanoshield fabric is single wall, you'll have issues with condensation. I've used a Hilight (smaller, similar tent from BD with the same fabric) for backpacking in 30F as well as 70F, and never had to deal with condensation on the inside. Nanoshield is easily twice as breathable as eVent or a comparable waterproof fabric, and is fantastic. This will also deal with wind better than the copper spur, whose ultralight materials will get torn apart in high winds.
Sam
Member since
The MSR Hubba Hubba is a very small tent for two people and a dog. The Skylight is 36.6 square feet, almost ten square feet bigger than the MSR HUbba Hubba. It is also lighter than the Hubba Hubba with a gear shed vestibule. Comparing apples with apples (as much as is possible) would give Megan more assistance making an informed decision.
Megan are you wanting your dog inside your tent with you or outside in the vestibule? The MSR Hubba Hubba would be an extremely cosy fit with a dog inside so between the two the Skylight would be the better choice if you want the dog inside. Keep in mind though that you will need to seam seal the Skylight for it to be fully water proof which takes an hour or two's work.
I have read other websites that this is...
BoCoFoSho
Member since
I have read other websites that this is freestanding, but here it says differently. Can anyone say for sure if it is freestanding or not?
knanier
Member since
The tent itself is freestanding, but the convertible portion needs to be staked out with at least two stakes for the vestibule.
Joe Uberty
Member since
You should always secure (stakes or alternative) if you want your tent to be there when you return to camp. it is, however, freestanding with the noted vestibule portion requiring stakes.
Light up the Night
Sterling Hill
Member since
The single wall tent that rolls back for a view. best invention ever!
Does anyone know if you can completely...
Brian Biggs
Member since
Does anyone know if you can completely seal off the elements in this tent? In other words, does the vestibule zip to the insect mesh or is there a separate piece that does this? Hoping to push this tent to mellow'ish four season use.
knanier
Member since
You can't quite seal it all the way off. The vent at the back has no zipper but is pretty well protected. As for the vestibule...the front part comes down and buckles into place on either side and then has a hook on either side at the front pole as well. Staking it out brings everything very close to the ground, essentially sealing it off. You could pile just a bit of snow along the two edges to make it seal if you really needed to. This tent actually won Backpacker Magazine's lightest mountaineering tent award too so you should be set!
http://www.backpacker.com/gear-guide-april-2010-gear-review-black-diamond-skylight-mountaineering-tent/gear/13904
Pervious version - same size
knanier
Member since
This might help to give a better idea of the size. Roomy 2 man, tight 3 man.
does anyone have any knowledge on this new...
Jon Flagstaff,AZ
Member since
does anyone have any knowledge on this new fabric and how it compares in the field against the previous epic fabric generation?
YinYang
Member since
I am going to ask the same question. I liked this cool tent, but comparing materials I think a MSR hubba is better choice. Nanoshield only supports 900 mm column of water, hubba 1500 and the floor 2000 whereas the hubba 5000. Could anyone give his oppinion?
amya100071442
Member since
John, I have a Nanoshield Highlight and have yet to camp in it. I did however set it up in my driveway during a huge rain storm (un-seam sealed) and sprayed water from a hose on it at the same time. I too was curious about Nanoshield. After an hour or hard rain and 30 mins. of me squirting it, I found about three drops behind an interior pole. It was virtually floating in water. I was shocked! I will seal it and will have no problems taking it out on the trail.

Sam
Member since