Mountain Hardwear Skyview 2 Tents

Mountain Hardwear Skyview 2 Tents 

DESCRIPTION

2-3-person, convertible

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 29  
[Aug 24, 2021]
pondskater


Strength:

A couple of things I want to make mention about the design...first, once the body is staked down, the fly doesn''t completely come down to the ground to meet the tiny included stakes, and a longer one is needed to pull it away from the tent body. Second, and this is very minor, the tie-backs for the doors are too small, especially if using gloves. -- Roofing Company

Weakness:

none so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 02, 2003]
johnkulcsar
Backpacker

This tent is an absolutly superb 2+ person tent. Bombproof, all top quality materials and construction. MH has always made top shelf quality gear and the Skyview 2 is a testamonial to them. Very large vestibule with a window, nice head & side room, great ventilation. Although heavy (8+ lbs), if split between 2 people, it's ok for backpacking.

Similar Products Used:

Eureka Apex 2XT North Face Talon

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 28, 2003]
thebodhimind
Backpacker

I just purchased this tent at a big sale at REI for $245 with foot print and I am very happy with it so far. In my opinion, to wake up warm and dry is worth putting up the extra bucks for this tent. Origionally I looked at the Northface mountain 25 and the Mountain hardware trango 2 for cold weather mountainering, but they were too heavy for solo use, and they limit the user from using them in warmer months. I liked the fact that this weighed less (not much less), and had a large zip-out section that can be taken out for added ventilation during warm season hikes. I dont like the way the vestibule shoots off to the side, or the little flat spot on the top that is looking to collect precipitation, but the vestibule is roomy, and the only real reason i dont like it is from prefrence. This tent has performed very well in down pours and winds 30-35 mph. It's ideal for a person who is looking to have one tent during summer backpacking with two people (with the vent zipped out), and is also going to go out in fair winter weather. A good all around tent, but it definetly falls short if your looking for a expedition tent (conditions which very few of us really experience anyway).

Similar Products Used:

mountain hardware trango 2, various eureka tents

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 30, 2001]
Chris in VA
Paddler

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

This is a follow-up to a previous post. I''ve had the tent for the season, and have really enjoyed it. I have complete confidence in a hard rain, and am looking forward to camping in the winter. With a little practice, setting up is straight-forward and takes about 5 minutes for the tent body. I highly recommend getting the footprint, by the way (hence the 415+40). I had 2 adults, 2 kids and a german shepherd in it one night, and no one really complained. It''s fantastic with 2 adults, with plenty of spare room for whatever. A couple of things I want to make mention about the design...first, once the body is staked down, the fly doesn''t completely come down to the ground to meet the tiny included stakes, and a longer one is needed to pull it away from the tent body. Second, and this is very minor, the tie-backs for the doors are too small, especially if using gloves. Overall however, the tent has been great with plenty of ventilation, and zipping the doors will keep you nice and warm during chilly nights.

Customer Service

As before, Mountain Hardwear just told me to send in the fly for adjustments, for free. I''m just waiting until after fall to do that.

Similar Products Used:

Eureka, various cheap tents

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 20, 2001]
prinflex
Backpacker

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

I got married and suddenly my clip flashlight was too small. A friend offered me his Skyview 2 that he had used once for $100 and 8 hours of helping him move and I jumped at it. It turned out to be a good purchase, but not a great one. First the positives: 1. Sets up easy - 3 minutes and you are inside. 2. Lots of room - three can sleep in it it shoulder to shoulder. 3. Will protect you in any rainstorm - mine sometimes pools water where the three poles cross, but I think they fixed that about two years ago. 4. Nice sized vestibule. It''s a good tent - Now the downsides that keep it from being great: 1. Poor Ventilation - while it has lots of no-see-um the lack of vents in the fly prevents the air from circulating unless there is a stiff breeze - To keep my wife happy in the North Dakota Summer nights (Which can''t be the worst in the nation) I had to use a battery powered fan to move the air - If it''s hot, humid and rains at night where you will be sleeping dont use this tent. 2. Strength - while is has not broken or collapsed on me this tent does shimmy and shake when it blows - also if used in a heavy snowfall the poles act like limp noodles and the fly will compress into the tent body. 3. Weight 10#''s is borderline accepible for a sturdy 3-4 season tent, but a tent this flimsey should weigh at least a pound less - I only hope this means it will last longer. 4: Boken Zipper - after less than 20 nights with no sand. Don''t get me wrong this is not a bad tent - it just has some limitations that prevent it from being great. I purchases a Moss Superdome last year that while still not perfect, (It also weighs a hefty 10#''s) it does show the limitations of the Mountain Hardware. The Skywiew is now the tent I loan out to friends.

Customer Service

Haven''t used it.....yet.

Similar Products Used:

Moss Superdome - SD clip flashlight - Bibler Big Wall Bivy

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 17, 2001]
Manny E.
Backpacker

BEST tent I've used...and I've pitched many a tent!
SKYVIEW 2- 1997 model(No Archway pole;only one UVX window -at the vestibule).
This is an awesome tent! It is really versatile;extremely well built; user friendly; almost BOMBPROOF.
Multi-functional plan: With the optional Skyview 2 footprint,you can use the rainfly and the tent poles to make a 'summer hut'!The poles attach to the rainfly,and the poles go into the footprint holes. Voila!! It's perfect for hot summers,summer thunderstorms,and lighter carry weight.
Plus- Mountain Hardwear warranties their Easton Aluminum poles,for life!!! That's good,if one of your poles bends due to use -not abuse.
I like the vestibule space;Two entry doorways;Ventilation;and zip-out skyview panel. It's awesome!!

These tents are made to last. As
far as I'm concerned,I'll never buy another manufacturer's tent!!

Customer Service

I was hesitant to go with Mountain Hardwear --especially after owning a great NorthFace tent. And Mountain Hardwear was a newer company. But after seeing "Everest" at the IMAX theater,I noticed that all of the other tents,after a severe blizzard,were all broken,and torn-up! ....EXCEPT the Mountain Hardwear tents. That made a difference when it came time to buy a reppacement for my beloved (stolen) North Face 'Cicada'.

It was the best choice.

Similar Products Used:

NorthFace Cicada. Too bad;it was one of the coolest designs!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 20, 2001]
Jeff
Climber

What a great tent! More like a home away from home. It's perfect for two but could easily fit three. I'm totally hooked on vestibules now, especially when they are as spacious as this one is.
It's easy to set up and take down, but it helps to have two people to get it back in the bag. Even then it's a bit hard to get packed tight while out on the dirt. I usually wait until I get home and repack it nicely for the next trip.
I should mention that I only use this tent for car camping as it is rather heavy(9+lbs) If you split it up between two people it'd be a fine backpacking tent, though.
It really feels durable when you are inside and the wind is blowing. There are enough tie-down points, it could survive a tornado.
It is expensive, but I looked around and found it for $100 off but I think it's worth every penny of the retail price if you are anywhere where you want the best protection!

Customer Service

I've only dealt with them once and they were great!

Similar Products Used:

A few friend's tents of various quality, but none of them compare with the Skyview!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 11, 2001]
chris
Paddler

What an amazing tent! I'm severely impressed with all the toys. The zip-out roof panel is a godsend for ventilation, and the fact that MH purposely uses BLACK mesh for vision is a nice touch. The vestibule is huge, big enough in fact to sit up in with headroom to spare. Nice windows as well, but I noticed fogging/condensation is a problem. Is this hotel really listed as a 2 person? More like 2 plus 2 dogs and gear. Definitely not a tent for light backpacking being close to 10 pounds, but throw it in the wagon and head for the hills!

A couple of hints...remember this is a LARGE tent which takes up a lot of floor space, so plan accordingly when pitching. The footprint is recommended too to save the floor from holes. Plan to spend about 20 minutes setting up at first until you get the hang of all those poles and where they go in the dark.

Customer Service

I emailed a question about the fly, and I got a prompt reply that I could send it in for free modification. Wow!

Similar Products Used:

Eureka, cheapo Wal-Mart tents

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 19, 2001]
Dan
Backpacker

Great buy. Have had very good luck in good and bad weather. I pack alone and love the space and ability to stay dry and still cook a full meal under the huge vestibule. Plenty of circulation with all the windows. Have not been caught in a huge storm but have confidence that it will handle it well, even heavy snow. Only thing is the weight, but it is worth the trade to have my own hotel on my back and know I will be confortable if i am hold up for a day or two. Recomend it to anyone who can carry it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 26, 2001]
Jeff
Mountaineer

Although I haven't used this tent for anything other than light backbacking it will be my tent of choice on Mt Shasta in May. I do have to say something about their customer service though. Here's the story:
I put up the tent in the Emmigrant Wilderness and realized that they had only put in 4 guy line tensioners and about 30 peices of guy line. I came home shopped around for just the tensioners with no luck. Nobody carried them. I called MH and told my story to them. They asked me for my Name, address, and the store that I bought it from. He replied that he was sending 8 to my house that day!! I couldn't believe it.

Customer Service

It was GREAT!!!!

Similar Products Used:

North Face VE-25
Sierra Designs Stretch

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 29  

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