I have used the tent for winter camping mostly and have never had any problems with it. I love this tent. it has been through some 50 plus winds and held up just fine. The reason I'm writing this review is that I'm hopping someone out there might know where I could find a vestibule rain fly for it. If so please contact me at precisionproductsllc@gmail.com

I bought my Stretch Dome from one of those mass merchanidise stores now out of business for $125 in the late '80's. I had used various models of Eureka and Kelty tents as a scoutmaster conducting numerous backpacking trips with Boy Scouts.
After setting up one tent with sleeves @34 degrees and then having temp drop to 20 and poles frozen in sleeves I wanted a tent with clips. SD was the way to go.
I love this tent!
I also noticed some things that I wanted to change and took it to Newman-Adlers in Cleveland to have it modified. Had a top vent screen added as well as adding a rear door. Also had the vestibule (the original small one) modified to have it permanately attached to the fly.
Made a big difference.
Later bought the expedition fly and have used that in the winter, helps a lot.
Never a leak and it has been through some big storms. Once in Assateage(sp)a big storm came through, many tents were totally flattened. We heard the storm but didn't pay that much attention. The next morning, many campsites were vacant with destroyed tents still on the ground in tatters with water everywhere.
We've used this in winter with 3 adults (ugh!), but we kept warm. Added the loft and it helps a lot.
Love this tent! We can set it up in less than 5 minutes.

Similar Products Used:

SD Clip Flashlight, Jeep copy of Quest Preying Mantis, Walrus one-man (forget name), various Kelty and Eureka (Timberline and others)

What can I say! I've had the tent almost ten years backpacking and camping in MT,AK, and OR in hot sun, thunderstorms, days of drizzle, wind (anybody from MT knows what I mean), sleet and about a foot of snow. I probably spend about 20 days or more a year in it. There has been no leakage after initially seam-sealing it. I think the tent is light considering it's function. Definitely roomy with 2 and gear. Big vestibule. Only wish there was another door. Easy to set up. Tent stakes were all bent and re-bent to loops a long time ago, but just bought some new ones. Door zipper is finally starting to weaken and I just patched a hole in the floor from my own stupidity. Have re-seam sealed everything this year for another season in AK-----I'm not worried. Great tent-----definitely worth my $299.00!

Customer Service

Never needed them

Similar Products Used:

Eureka tent, kelty tent, north face and marmot.

I bought this tent 10+ years ago while working at Sierra Designs. I have never been disappointed in my purchase. It's quick to set us, spacious, and lightweight for its size. The 3-season rain fly is somewhat brittle from UV damage (to be expected given total exposure), but otherwise the tent has held up well after many years of loyal service under sun, rain, and snow.

Customer Service

No hassle pole repairs thru the warranty dept, but the replacement rain fly has been been on backorder for 6 months+.

Similar Products Used:

Walrus Microswift Sierra Designs Meteor Light

I bought the last year''s floor model of this tent (2000 model in 2001) for less than $200, so it was a great deal. Extremely easy to set up, even w/out directions. More than enough room for 2 people to stretch out plus gear. The tallest person who has been in my tent is 5''10", but plenty of foot room for taller people. Kind of heavy for backpacking, even split up between 2 people, but not unbearable. Haven''t used it in too adverse of conditions, but it did make it through a fairly heavy rainstorm w/out a drop of water coming in. Lots of ventilation, no condensation at all. Vestibule is nice and roomy, plenty of room for boots + gear.

Customer Service

The fly pole was missing when I bought it (they must have misplaced it since it was the floor model). Sun & Ski called Sierra Designs, who promptly custom built a new fly pole for me using new 2001 p

I've used this tent at 15,000 ft in the Altiplano of Bolivia, in the desert of Moab, up in the High Uintas, and on many other great trips. I've never had a problem with this tent. I love the vestibule because it's big enough to pile in three people's gear. I've also never had problems with water in the tent despite some pretty severe rainstorms. Despite the high price of the tent I'm confident it'll last me a decade or more. I'm in love with this tent!

Similar Products Used:

None

Wind Warning! This tent is a fine, lightweight, 3 1/2 season backpacking tent... but mine was destroyed in a high wind storm along the Bering Sea coast. My partner's 10 year old NorthFace Westwind did not budge during the storm, his tent saved my hide after my Stretch Dome exploded into shreds. Even before it was torn to shreds we could not configure it settle down in the wind... the design is too flimsy. I've since spoken with others who spend time in bad weather in Alaska and a common theme is that Sierra Designs makes great tents if light-weight is the most important consideration. But they are not very sturdy and solid in heavy weather situations. Ask around before you buy.

Similar Products Used:

North Face VE25, North Face Westwind, Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight

I've had this tent for over 5 years now - it has been my do-it-all tent. Not too many 4-season tents out there that are light enough for backpacking.
My model includes the lightweight blue fly (not the expedition fly).

It's been a great tent in terms of liveable space and durability. I've used it in winter a few times (albiet not in extreme mountaineering conditions).

My only complaint regards the fly. Getting in and out is a huge pain, especially if yer on the larger size - a two-zipper door would help.

As well, the fly doesn't fit well. No matter how hard you pull the straps, the bottom of the fly sits against the side of the tent, soaking through and flapping in the wind. I lust after the condom-like fit that North Face flies have.

Bottom line, however, is that this tent meets all of my needs and shows no signs of packing it in.

Similar Products Used:

Small Eureka a-frame (like being buried alive in a coffin), various North Face and Moss tents.

All I have to say is bomb proof. This tent has spent time is subzero temperatures and huricane conditions within the Adirondack Mountains.
At one point I was awoken by the splashing sound of water. To my suprise, the tent was dry and there was an inch of water under the tent floor. I was dry.

Customer Service

Shut the customer service down...it's not needed. =]

I have used the tent for 5 years on backpack and canoe trips. With little routine maintenance, the tent has held up wonderfully. I enjoy a little ""roomier"" tent at the cost of the additional space and weight in my pack. The tent may not be ideal for those obsessed with weight, and/or those not requiring a 4-seasons tent.

Similar Products Used:

None