I have had this tent since I was 13, it survived boyscouts, abuse, and everything that goes along with it and it is still around and now used as my loaner (unless its winter camping). I honestly don't have enough room to go through all its been through but its held up amazingly well. tough construction and holds up to being thrown around. Originally were purchased as emergency shelter for my parents airplane, then they were handed down to me and my brother, when you buy a tent in the 90's and its still good over 20 years later you really can't argue with it. It is cozy with two people but we have had 4 in it as it was the only tent still standing after a snow camping trip which ended up in a blizzard. Its a little heavy for backpacking which is why I have a second sierra designs tent for that. The only down side is that after 20+ and a not so decent friend of mine bringing it to Burning man I am now in search of a new pole and tips, basically the aluminim became brittle with age which has nothing to do with the original construction.

Heavy for backpacking and occasionally too warm (even in snow).

The Lookout had been advertised, and touted, as a lightweight 3-person tent; however, it will not accommodate 3 people. It is in fact a rather heavy 2-person tent. My wife and I are not large people, and we just fit in the Lookout, with all our gear outside, our sleeping pads touching, and our arms and heads in contact with the tent’s walls. A baby or a small dog, let alone a third person, would be unable to fit in without being on top of one of us. Condensation collects on the walls and roof of the tent. In cold weather we’ve experienced incessant dripping on our heads and sleeping bags.

I've had the lookout 2.0 for 3 or so years now and I love it. Just don't even think about trying to fit three people in it. I'm 6'5" and I can streach my hands out over my head with room to spare. My wife and I have even let our 2 dogs stay dry in a storm with out it being to cramped. Always stayed dry and had plenty of ventlation. It is a bit heavy if you are trying to drop weight in your pack but if you use the avalable fast pack option and split it between 2 people it isn't bad. You can't beat it for car camping.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

several from TNF, sierra designs and the 60 sec. tent.

Most of the reviews on the Lookout 2.0 cd tent are spot on. I've been in 50+mph winds with hard driving rain and had no trouble. It's solid as a rock and the top window didnt leak a drop. I did get some drops on my back that at first I could'nt locate, it turned out to be wind driven rain from under the vestabule area bouncing off the ground and back up 2 feet high and through the mesh, so I raised the solid door to that hight. After looking at 2 man tents, my wife said there was no way she would spend a week in a tent that small and to tell the truth I could'nt see myself and her or one of my buddies suffed in one for more than a night. So I looked for something bigger. They may call the lookout a 3 man tent but 2 1/2 is more like it. True with most makes. But for two it's great. Lots of room to store stuff out of the way and tall enoff to sit or even neal in. The vestabules are big enoff for shoes and some gear, but I would'nt cook in them. The top window opens so you can stand up to put your pants on or gaze at the stars, it also vents out the hot air well. I've had good circulation and no condensation from 25 to 85 degrees. Below or above that I cant say right now. It goes up fast and easy with practice, the fly being the only thing that takes much thought. It's about a pound heavier than the newest light weight tents in its class, but at least a pound or two less than most others of its quality. I think this tent has been discontinued from Sierra Designs model line, so If you think it sounds good, make up you mind soon before they are all gone. I like mine and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Great Tent!

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Many

This review is for the Lookout CD 2.0 which has an additional door & vestibule (vs. the old Lookout CD). The new tent weighs ~7lbs and sleeps two large adults comfortably (three would be tight). There is plenty of head and foot room in this tent... you can even unzip the top of the fly & stand up in the tent. I was initially concerned about this 'feature' so I hosed down the zipper & couldn't get it to leak.
I've used this tent ~8 times, the most recent being at the foot of Mt. Adams. We experienced heavy winds during our entire stay and the Lookout performed wonderfully (most of the other tents blew down). It was easy to set up and take down in the wind and was rock solid once I attached the internal guy lines.
Although this is not an expedition tent it will perform well during all seasons and keep you dry. Highly recommended...

Similar Products Used:

Eureka Timberline, Black Ice, other 3 season Sierra Designs tents...

2001 Lookout 2cd

This tent is awesome has many features that make this tent a 5 star hotel compared to other tents that I wouldn't even give the rating of a dog house. The tent is very dry and does not have a problem with condesation since it has the Sol Air ventalation. Its got alot of room and I love the night veiw window. I recommend this tent to anyone looking for a tent that can standing upto most conditions and still has luxuries but at the cost of weight.

Customer Service

Great company they really make good equipment but its changed since their move across seas.

Similar Products Used:

Bibler
North Face
Eureka
Mountain Hardwear
Marmot
Black Diamond
and more

I did a lot of looking around at convertible 3 person tents. At $250 I felt I couldn't go wrong with the Lookout CD. My first test was some CA coastline camping this last week.

The vestibules are small but compare any tent out there that has this much square footage . . . what it lacks it vestibule space it makes up in being relatively light-wieght. At least compared to the Mountain Hardware tents I was also considering. I'd rather give up vestibule space and keep the it lightweight.

I was camped out in some heavy rain and winds and this baby is bombproof and leakproof (although I did additional seam sealing in addition to factory seals). I stayed nice and dry.

Ventalation is excellent. The double doors are great. But like any three person it is more like 2.5. I'm 6'3" and I can't imagine sleeping 3 guys my size in this thing. Two definately. Three . . . no way. A man, woman and child (dog?) would be nice. But still close quarters. But again, what three person tent isn't like this?

If you haven't used hooks it might take some getting used to (make sure to set up at home before taking out). But this is a quick set up once you get the hang of it. Very quick. Even with one person.

The zippers are great. My only real problem is that I can't zip both top covers at once. Seems strange to me and I'm wondering if it's just my tent? Also was suprsied that one of my poles bent slightly. But don't imagine I'll have any problems replacing with Sierra Designs.

Great tent. For a three person, convertible, if you can score under $300 . . . grab it.

Similar Products Used:

None

When I finally decided my 1978 North Face VE-24 fly wasn't cutting it anymore and NF wanted >$200 for a replacement fly,I looked and looked and looked at options, and was pretty confused. After finally accepting that an Awahnee was out of my price range I looked at a couple of SD tents and really was intrigued. Being cheap, I couldn't see paying full retail so I watched the closeouts. By dumb luck, a local specialty store was going under, and I found the Lookout CD 2.0 for under $200! I've used it a half-dozen times so far.

Likes:
spacious
great height
double doors
relective guy points and logo on fly (if you replace the black guy lines with reflective cord you won't have an excuse for tripping over a line at night!)
Seems to vent quite well

OK:
floor plan (great for 2, tight for 3 big guys)
roof ventilation
pole system; still adjusting from sleeves, but getting used to it.

Could be better:
double vestibules are nice, but small
vestibule zippers have to be handled carefully or they might snag
A little heavy, but based on what I read in the other reviews it should be bombproof....
Wish the interior colors were a little warmer (Dk blue and light grey)
Plastic guy line tightners are worthless (picky, picky, picky)

Overall I'm quite pleased with it.

Similar Products Used:

NF VE-24, various domes

Great Tent! I have owned it for 3 years now and it has never leaked or shown signs of wear. I have had troble with the roof vents zipper though. Great two person tent, cramped with three 6ft guys.

Customer Service

I have never had problems with my tent so i never called. However when I was searching for a solo tent i found sierra designs webpage very helpful.

Similar Products Used:

None

This tent is the best tent that I have ever had. Its completely water proof and works in all weather conditions. Its a breeze to set-up and holds all my gear with no problem. I love it and never want to give it up!

Customer Service

One thing that I have found very useful is the Sierra-Designs gear loft, awesome add-on!!!

Similar Products Used:

None