Let’s face it – when you’re out in the backcountry, few things are as important as a dependable tent. Tents keep you safe from the elements, and provide a base (literally) from which to adventure. Whether you’re out for the weekend or out for the long haul, a good tent should enable you to go beyond your limits, not set them. Now, we’re not going to deny that there are a lot of great tent options out there, but Sierra Designs has some defining features that set us apart from the rest.

Sierra Designs’ History:

We’ve been innovating since 1965, and have consistently pushed the boundaries of what makes a good shelter a good shelter. Swift clips, for example, first came from our team.

We’ve also been at the forefront of creating new and interesting pole designs that have optimized internal space while shaving overall weight. And those colors… nobody can say that we’ve made boring choices – We made a tent called the Pleasure Dome…we’re not afraid to think outside.

Lightweight on the Trail:

Your tent is probably the largest piece of gear you put into your pack, and arguably one of the heaviest as well. But it’s also not something you can skimp on, or discard entirely, in the interest of shaving ounces. Fortunately for you, Sierra Designs has spent countless years figuring out where and how to cut the number on the scale in a way that won’t cut performance out on the trail.

Some of our single person tents, like the upcoming High Side, come in at a packed weight of only 2lbs 6oz – to put that in perspective, about the weight of a can of soup. Even our more robust 4 Season tents like the Convert 2 are some of the lightest in their categories. That doesn’t mean we skimp on durability, though – some of our tents have been out for 20+ years and are still going strong. How do we know? People get in touch to tell us all the time.

Lightweight on your Wallet:

There’s a saying when it comes to outdoor gear: “Light, Durable, Cheap – Pick Two.” We have to say, there’s a certain truth to that logic. For example, while there are lots of tent choices outside of Sierra Designs with a smaller price tag, chances are none of those tents are going to last, say, 25 years. You’re not just getting a tent – you’re getting an investment that’s going to give you, and perhaps those who come after you, the security of being warm, dry, and safe out on the trail for as long as the adventure lasts.

On the flip side, if you want to get a more expensive tent, there’s no shortage of those options either. We could certainly go that route as well – but we don’t because we want to make sure that our gear is within reach for everyone who wants to be miles from ordinary.

After all, it’s one of the cornerstones of what we believe: We make gear that is Functional, Beautiful, and most importantly, Attainable.

How do we make all of this possible? Simple – we’re a small, dedicated team of outdoor enthusiasts who have a vested interest in having the best gear available. We’re headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, a mecca for getting out on the trail, and oftentimes that’s where you’ll find us on an extended lunch break. We love our tents as much as we hope you do – if you have any questions about them, feel free to hit us up.

And if you happen to have a Sierra Designs High School Graduation present that’s still going strong, we want to hear about that, too.