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Sierra Designs Tiros 1

rated 5.0 of 5 stars

The Tiros 1 has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best four-season tents for 2024.

photo: Sierra Designs Tiros 1 four-season tent

Amazing tent. I've had it for almost four years and exposed it to everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Rectangular floor (very usable space) and a long, low profile. You basically have three layers of doors front and back (fly, then no-see-um mesh, then rip-stop nylon).

In the winter, snowstorms and high winds don't bother it a bit. Apparently, the crazy internal-external guy system will stabilize this tent in 100mph+ winds, though I've never actually rigged it up myself.

This tent laughs at rain (full coverage fly with tons of room between fly and tent walls). One morning, me and my partner woke up (on low ground) with the tent nearly floating in 3-4" of water. Bone dry. (Seam seal the floor!) You can actually dismantle 95% of the tent underneath the free-standing pole and fly system—I've done this a couple of times in the rain.

Buy the accessory gear loft (or make your own) for inside. Or use the internal guy points inside for a clothesline and candle-lantern hanger. There are handy storage pockets inside along the lower walls, too.

Two compaints:

  1. It's heavy and big for solo use. This isn't the tent's fault—I camp a lot solo, but it's light when split between two people. When I go solo, the extra couple of pounds buy me a whole lot of peace of mind though.
  2. It's a very hot tent for summer use. I use it in summer a lot and prefer to keep the fly on (to protect the tent walls from UV). Even with both fly doors open and the mesh letting air through, it's hotter than hell. Waking up and getting out before the sun hits it is a good idea with this tent.

Design: 4-season, 4-pole, 2-door w/vestibule
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: very easy, considering the strong architecture
Weight: 6.75 lbs (?)
Price Paid: CDN $425

Incredibly durable tent!

Excellent tent, especially for the moment when I bought at 1996.

This tent is really easy to set up even when snowing.

The structure is very strong and makes me never worry in heavy rain or high winds conditions.

The inner space is big for a two person, so it is comfortable if takes bad weather and you have to be inside tent. I can say that is well insulated, so in cold weather the inside temperature keeps you warm from outside. The secundary door is too small, in following models it was enlarged.

Actually, at 2013, continued using this tent.

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Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $275

Floor area of 37+7.5 sq. ft. Vestibule is small but enough to put boots+backpacks if it's raining. Can cook there also with lots of care.

I like the tent a lot mainly for its easiness to set up, weight, quality of material, and feeling of sturdiness. However, I have't been yet with it under strong winds.

The pegs that come with it aren't great, as well as the guy lines aren't enough—need to buy a few extra more.

The joints of the poles froze the last time I camped, as they had got water when I set the tent which froze hard during night. The solution will be to lubricate with thin oil or silicone type product, which will avoid that parts can freeze.

Two doors allow plenty of ventilation and help avoid moisture condensation inside. At 10·F (-13°C) I still had some ice inside the tent at sunrise, even though I left the mesh liners a bit open during the night. Either you open the liners all the way and gets colder inside the tent, or you deal with a little of condensation. I prefer the latter.

Design: 4 season, alpine expedition
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy to set-up, less than 5min
Weight: 6lbs.15oz (3.15Kg)
Price Paid: ~ $380

Great tent! Comfortable in spring and fall and bombproof in winter.

Held up great in 8" of wet snow and 60 mph winds this winter.

Design: 4-season expedition dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: Easy, but takes a little practice
Weight: 6lbs 8ozs
Price Paid: $420

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Price Historic Range: $331.95
Reviewers Paid: $275.00-$420.00

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