Portal 2

I recently returned from 2 months biking through Peru, Chile and Bolivia and used the Portal in conditions ranging from hot, humid jungle just above sea level to the side of a 6000m peak in blowing snow. I can say, without hesitation, I have not used, and honestly couldn't imagine a tent, that could handle this range of conditions as well as this tent does. The combination of storm worthiness and condensation management is unlike anything I've seen on any other tent, and it comes in such a small and relatively light package. I cannot stress enough how good the overall design and material choices are.

I'll start with some pros:

1: This is a very sturdy tent for its weight. For being technically sub 3lbs (1.3kg), it has strong materials and construction. The tensioning adjustments on the tent body and fly allow you to really synch it down, and the are a ton of guy line attachment points.

2: The nylon compound and coating of the fly sheds water very effectively and doesn't absorb much when compared to competing brands like BA or Nemo.

3: The pole arrangement and attachments are strong and easy to set up, which goes a long way after a tiring day.

4: The internal space is just right for 2 people roughly my size (5'10"/178cm). Enough space to lay all the way down and sit upright to change layers or whatnot.

5. This a seemingly minor detail, but is hugely important. On a flat surface, the fly does not quite touch down all the way down to the ground, even when synched all the way. This is massive because it allows a slight draft to come through which clears out almost all of the condensation. I never noticed it being drafty inside the tent, however, even in very strong winds.

6: I could keep going about the small details of how the door is latched open, or the large amount of pockets, but you get the idea.

This being said, obviously there are some minor nitpicks and limitations, no product is perfect and no review is honest without addressing some negatives. I emailed Tim at Slingfin with these critiques and he addressed each one with their decision making process, so even with these grievances, Slingfin is very thoughtful and aware of their products and are striving to make the best possible gear.

Just to be clear, although this tent stood up incredibly well to the windy and wet weather it has often faced while I've used it, it's not a proper winter tent and if you want something for climbing K2 you'll want a different tent. However, most people aren't practicing extreme alpinism and this tent definitely can stand up to a little winter weather.

1: Some of the pockets, particularly by the head, sag down when heavier objects (like a phone) are put in them and can get in the way, especially when lying down.

2: For taller folks (over 6ft), the internal guyline system can get in the way of your feet while sleeping (or your head if you have them at the head of the tent as well). They can be removed though, so small issue.

3: With the dark green version (which I have and love the stealth color), I found it hard to immediately identify the correct orientation of the fly, which was a bit of a pain in windy conditions with everything flapping around.

4: The groundsheet only comes in orange and you have to buy it separately. Tim explained to me this was to keep the overall cost of the tent down and the single color made ordering easier, which is totally understandable, but if you're like me and going to be putting the tent through the ringer, it'll necessitate the extra $80 purchase.

All that being said, I can't recommend this tent enough. I'm someone who is pretty neurotic with getting my gear right, and this is absolutely the tent I'd go for for anything short of a proper winter or high altitude expedition. It's confidence inspiring in almost all conditions and doesn't break the back for a free standing tent. If you want a bomber freestanding 3 season tent, this is undoubtedly the one.

I’m based in the UK, so had been looking for a lightweight, two-layered tent that could handle wet and windy conditions.

Growing up in the late 1990s, the options were often getting on for 3kg (Wild Country Quasar) , so this tent has had a profound impact for me.

- Incredibly lightweight
- Superb design - clearly by designers who are active outdoor themselves
- Excellent quality materials
- Good weather resistance - the Hydrostatic Head was a concern, being in the UK, but Slingfin’s advice was spot on
- Lots of pockets!

Couple of things to bear in mind:

- The head and tail of the tent are different sizes, so you need to match up the tabs to pitch it correctly
- It’s pitched inner first, so bear that in mind when conditions are wet
- Definitely recommend getting a ground sheet as it uses the same lightweight fabric for the floor - this will get trashed in no time on rocky ground
- Look out for deals and offers mid-winter (late-December, early January) as it is quite pricey

This is a great tent that gives me peace of mind when struggling through tough conditions in the New Mexico back country. Whether it's heavy hail and wind during a summer backpacking trip or a blizzard during an overnight ski tour I know I can count on the portal to keep me warm, dry, and safe. The ability to use ski/trekking poles to increase the stability of the tent is amazing; the tent feels bombproof when this is set up in conjunction with the included guy lines. Its also very easy to set up and take downin addition to being quite light and compact for how strong and durable it is. Overall, an amazing tent for just about any outdoor excursion.

The Portal 2 is amazing. I was torn between the BA Copper Spur UL2, Nemo Dragonfly, and this.. and I’m so happy with my choice. The setup is extremely intuitive and easy. The stuff sack is PERFECTLY sized. I love how you could set up the rainfly with the footprint standalone (without the inner) OR the inner by itself. No other tent offers that capability at this price point.

The build quality is hands down unparalleled, it is extremely sturdy and seems beyond capable in extreme conditions.

The customer service is excellent and the lifetime warranty makes this tent a no brainer.

If you’re looking for the best 1-2 person tent, look no further.

I stumbled upon Slingfin when researching ultra light, freestanding two man tents and received it as a gift last year. This one checks all the boxes and is such a joy to set up and take care of. Every detail feels thoughtful. Have tested in gale force Sierra Nevada winds, but till waiting for a rain storm. Setup is mostly intuitive once I realized that the rainfly is color coded to the correct corners. Loved it so much I bought the footprint to protect my perfect angel from scrapes and rocks. Picked it up locally in Berkeley and got to see the shop--cool space and cool folks.