A good tent, but not perfect. Its weight to space ratio is excellent, and I've really come to appreciate that it's free-standing. In good weather there is no need to stake it, which saves all sorts of headaches on hard ground. The fly is fun because you can partially attach it and leave it ready to open or close quickly (without getting out!) if the weather changes, kind of like your own mini dome stadium. The top third of the tent near your head is all mesh, which I enjoy greatly when not using the fly because I like to feel connected to the outdoor environment. It is very comfortable for one person, and manages two average sized bodies fairly well. Anyone over 5'10 might find it tight, though.
The drawbacks are: Limited fly and interior gear space, especially if there are two of you in there. You'll need a tarp or good pack covers to protect your gear. All the little flies will do is keep your shoes dry. The other problem IS condesation/water penetration on the single wall portion. Any significant amount of rain will cause condesation build up inside. I haven't experienced any severe leakage or puddling of water, but anything making contact with the wall of the tent will get damp. Now, it's not going to create a dangerous hypothermic situation, or soak your down bag, but the tent isn't as water tight as most full-fly configurations. It's a little annoying, yes, but given its other strengths--light, free-standing, you can sit up and move around in it, two doors--it could be just the ticket for the weight concious traveller.

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Kelty, Woods, Peak 1

I just bought the Slickrock 2 weeks ago and love it. I have been looking at tents for the past year now, I knew I wanted someting light weight yet could fit 2 when needed. I had seen the Slickrock in TNF's catolog but didn't concider it because of it's half fly. I did some reasearch and found that this tent was exactly what I needed. As soon as I got home I set it up in my living room and whithin five minutes had the whole thing up fly and all. I found that continuas sleves and pole pockets made this possible. The fly clips in esaly and is color coded so you don't fumble around with it trying to findout what end goes where. I tried it out last weekend without even knowing it was on my back until I got to camp. The only problem I had was that I'm 6'1" and fit in it with almost no room to spare. I have not yet used it in rainy conditions so I can't say weater or not the waterproofness is good. I also as of now have not expieranced any moister build up on the wall but I did not use the fly when I tried it out. If you're looking for a light weight tent that you can set up quick by your self then this is the tent. I look forward to many nights in it.

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Mt. Hardwear room with a view

I recenlty purchased a Slickrock after finding it on sale at a price I couldn't refuse. I wasn't actively looking for a tent, but I'm sure glad I found this one. I first used it winter camping and was amazed by it's lightweight. It didn't feel like I was carrying a tent at all. It also staked out solidly and was reasonably warm if oriented correctly to the wind. I was also impressed with the ease of set-up. This is by far the quickest tent I've set-up and taken down.
The only problem I've had was some extra condensation inside when using it on warm nights near the ocean. This hasn't presented a huge problem but it's more than I was expecting for a tent such as this.
Overall, this is one of the best investments in outdoor equipment I have made.

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Sierra Designs Astro CD
TNF Expedition 25

I like this tent because it is lightweight, stood up well to strong winds in Canyonlands' Island in the Sky and and did well in the rain.

It is easy to set up, even if the poles do stick in the sleeves a little. I feel more secure with sleeves than clips. I have never had help setting up this tent and I can easily set it up alone. How quickly depends upon my strength at set up time, but I really have had no problems with the tent.

In Canyonlands, it did well in the wind (no place for stakes). In the Arizona mountains, it did well in the rain--no leaks.

I like the two doors and it's roomy for one. I've not shared it with anyone yet, but I tend to agree with the other reviewers who seem to think that it will work well with two.

In Canyonlands, I was able to use the tiny batwing vestibule on one side to help keep my stove lit so I could cook dinner one evening. Otherwise, only your boots are going to be sheltered in there. It's primarily for storm protection, which it does well.

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None

I have yet to use my Slickrock, so these are just observations from the front yard. First, it's a very roomy tent inside. I compared it to the SD Clip Flashlight, and the Slick has far more room inside...at least it feels that way. The double doors are great to have, and the setup is easy. Yet, having only sleeves instead of clips can be a little frustrating since the poles hang up in them some. I was very concerned with the half-fly design before I bought it, but it appears that the tent will be well protected in rain, especially if you guess the direction correctly.
Overall, seems like a well-made, roomy and COMPACT tent. Can't wait to use it! I recommend this for any and all who expect to experience only moderate periods of wet weather. Cyclists and canoeists/kayakers will love the weight and size.

Customer Service

I called TNF to ask them a question about setup, and the first two people I talked to had no idea what I was talking about it. I finally got transferred to the design dept. on my second try, and the guy I talked to was very helpful. Yet, it seems like the TNF bad customer service reputation is deserving.

I love this tent- light weight, tiny packing size, roomy (for one person), double doors, good ventilation, sturdy construction- it has it all. Haven't found another tent this size that even comes close to comparing to it. I have been fortunate enough not to share some of the other reviewers' condensation problems. I was about to give up and buy a bivy until finding this tent. It packs so small that it fits in one of the outside pockets of my Astralplane Overkill! I highly recommend this product for anyone who goes solo or double and needs a high-quality, weight-conscious tent. Buy the footprint!

Customer Service

By the way, with a little practice, you can set this tent up in three minutes flat- by yourself!

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various products which don't even get an honorable mention alongside my Slickrock

Frankly, I don't know if this tent is new or old, but I bought it a few months ago and am in love. The most important aspect is its weight and packablitly. It's downright teeny when packed in its compression bag and is a snap to set up and (surprisingly) to pack. You can fold and roll it up in a number of ways and it all fits easily into the bag which has three straps used to compress it to literally the size of a loaf of bread. It weighs about 5 pounds on my bathroom scale which make it totally ideal for long trips on my bike or back. OK, the negatives are that for all the weight benefits you lose some size comforts. It sleeps me and my girlfreind comfortably but I am 6 ft 170lb and she is 5'6 115 (neither of us is large) if you are 6 foot plus, then you will be uncomforably squeezed, IMO. Also, the rainfly is unique with the two batwing vestibules and can be guyed down to stop any harsh weather but will leave little to no space to cover your gear. But, the good side is that it provides awesome ventiallation, even whent he fly is snugged down, due to the bat wings and the two ventialltion ""windows"". On a nice day/night, I love this tent because fully 3/4 of the canopy are mesh and allows for sweet stargazing. Bottom line, if your not too big this tent is the best you can find for lightweight comfort and utilitarian design--if you thinkits gonna be wet where you're going, bring a tarp for your gear--otherswise this tent ROCKS.

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None

I used the SlickRock on a four day trip in the Sierras. It is an excellent tent- very lightweight and rugged. My only complaint is that in high winds you really have to be careful and tighten it up and face it into the wind, or it will tend to want to fold up. Good staking with stakes and heavy rocks solved this problem.

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Compared to Sierra Designs I like the fact that it has 2 doors, and the ventilation is excellent in hot weather.

Wonderfully light tent. Roomy enough for my wife and I. Very slick design, wiht the half/coverage rain fly that offers full protection. Mesh windows allow for great views of the sky. Set up is as easy as it gets, very nice stakes, these angled alu stakes cost like $8/each if you bought them seperately. Our last excursion was in hot temps (90+). With the rain fly on, it got a bit warm, but when open, it was breezy. It has 2 vestibules & 2 doors (a must for me). The vestibules are a bit small, I havent been forced to use them for anything more than my boots, yet, but I can imagine they fill up quick.

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None

The Slickrock is very light and roomy, for a freestander, although a little short and with virtually no vestibules. Plenty of room for one guy and internal storage though. I used it solo 3 times in good weather and considered it excellent, until noticing tremendous condensation on the single wall portion after a windless night, even though the fly was staked out and tent was oriented properly. I do not consider this kind of massive wetness soaking my down sleeping bag to be acceptable. Might as well sleep outside in the dew! Condensation buildup was negligable with a single person, provided there is a little wind. I dunno how it would do with 2 people in the rain with the vestibules pulled against the tent blocking some ventilation. The tent has excellent ventilation however, being about half mesh, with 2 high/low vents and the batwing vestibules (which can be buttoned down adequately for storms). Other single wall tents are breathable and have flocking to absorb droplets. I guess this is why double wall tents are the norm. For those who don't mind wiping down the inner walls occasionally and protecting the sleeping bag from wall condensation, this a very light (77 oz packaged weight), attractive, freestanding option. I'm currently looking at the Marmot Eclipse double wall, solo, freestanding tent due to favorable reviews in the May '99 Backpacker mag solo tent article. Good luck finding the perfect, lightwight tent though. See you on the trail!

Customer Service

TNF store in Seattle took the tent back with no problems.

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SD Meteor Light, SD Clip Flashlite 2, TNF Canyonlands, REI Solo Light, REI Cyclops Bivy Bag