The value of the FirstLight is not in the fabrics it’s made with but in its light weight and freestanding ease of setup. (In the interim, users can design a spreader to increase ventilation.). I have been able to manage the condensation fairly well and have yet to see any tent not have condensation during moist conditions (rain, snow, fog, camping near water, etc). Categories F Review Post navigation. 1 color available. The Firstlight’s vestibule adds 13 square feet of area. The Firstlight has an ‘alpine climbing fit’ as opposed to the ‘relaxed fit’ of trail tents which usually have about 3 to 5 square feet more floor area. When I pitch the FirstLight in winter, I simply locate a site that’s free of falling debris and underlying voids, insert the poles, and get inside. The Black Diamond Firstlight is a one-pitch tent. Black Diamond gave the Firstlight tent some new materials. Free Economy Shipping. Without the vestibule you’ll get rain and snow in the tent when you enter and leave. The Black Diamond supplied FeatherLite pole set was the most durable of the lot and the Fibraplex poles the least durable. $399.95. Make sure that you pitch the tent with its rear into the wind. At 27.3 square feet, the Firstlight is cozy for two. Marmot Tungsten 2P. 4.5 out of 5 stars 2. For interior organization, the FirstLight has interior mesh pockets. Black Diamond's solo Oneshot is an intriguing addition to the company's ultralight tent lineup. This is NOT a backpacking tent, this is a siege style two-man shelter for use during alpine climbing in high wind and snow. The walls and ceiling are made with a siliconized fabric that Black Diamond calls Nanoshield (more on this below), while the floor is made with polyester and is seam-taped, including the corners where the tent poles terminate. In addition, the sharp ends of the tent poles can puncture the floor if you aren’t careful. 1-800-953-5499 US and Canada 541-485-4007 International; Live Help Chat with an Outdoor Expert; Order status ... Black Diamond FirstLight 2P Ground Cloth. Note: the uncapped ends of the DAC FeatherLite poles were the most likely to damage the tent floor if one missed the reinforced pole pockets. It now features their proprietary NanoShield single wall fabric, and the floor is comprised of 70D polyester. If not used and stored with care, however, both the carbon fiber poles are more prone to damage than the DAC FeatherLite aluminum poles. 2 lb 11.6 oz (1.24 kg) (Black Diamond supplied DAC FeatherLite poles), 1 lb 2.4 oz (0.52 kg) (vestibule, poles, 3 manufacturer supplied stakes), Vestibule, Fitted Ground Cloth, Attic Storage Loft, Pocket Pal Organizer, Soft Stakes, Tent body: Epic fabric walls, 30d silnylon floor, 6 Stakes: triangular aluminum 0.5 oz (14 g) each, Body Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock, Pole Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock, Black Diamond Firstlight Vestibule Components, 3 Stakes: triangular aluminum 0.5 oz (14 g) each, Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock, Optional aftermarket carbon fiber pole sets, Easton Carbon Fiber Poles with aluminum ferrules, Fibraplex poles with carbon fiber ferrules, Easton carbon fiber poles with aluminum ferrules, Easton 7075 (estimated weight of tent length poles). Both the door and window have overhanging beaks, so you can still keep them open partially if it raining. The Black Diamond FirstLight Tent is a four-season, two-person tent that weighs 2 lbs 9 oz. In particular, Black Diamond says that the rear vestibule vent was designed to accommodate the I-Tent. We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock. We don't love it for extended storms or harsh four-season conditions as it isn't completely waterproof. Black Diamond claims that NanoShield is a breathable fabric that improves the performance of the tent but they have never provided any breathability metrics to justify that claim. the Firstlight vestibule uses this pole set). The Black Diamond Firstlight 3 Person Tent is a 4 season tent for the alpine. We also reviewed two aftermarket carbon fiber poles for the Firstlight from Easton and Fibraplex. This adds stability in strong winds, helps the tent from breaking loose in snow and soft ground, and adds some strength to … PACKED WEIGHT: 4lb 1oz. Make sure that the pole ends are in the rear reinforced corner pockets before applying pressure to bend the pole into place. In two days of wet snow the tent stayed dry and condensation free. Black Diamond’s Firstlight tent series, torchbearer of the venerable Bibler lineage, has been a mountain shelter staple for years. The DAC FeatherLite poles joints are delicate and require care. Our only gripe is that the large and vertical sidewalls deflected somewhat in strong crosswinds. A little heavier, but not by that much, but it lacks that netting. A compact two-person, four-season tent built for weight-conscious climbers, the Black Diamond Firstlight is based on the I-Tent's expedition-specific design with steep walls and a simple floor shape to optimize living space and increase headroom. While I have shared the FirstLight with others, I far prefer to use it as a single-person tent, so I can position my sleeping pad in the middle of the floor, away from the sidewalls. Given that you haven’t seam sealed it yet, maybe you can still trade it in with BD under warranty? This is quite useful for two people if you will be tent bound for a while in lousy weather. For instance, the Velcro loop about half way up on the edge of the vestibule where it meets the tent body looks exactly like a pole attachment, but there is no obvious pole to attach it to. Download the Backpacking Light Handbook to help you make intelligent decisions about gear, skills, ultralight philosophy, and reducing your pack weight. The Epic and no-see-um mesh door panels independently roll up and can be stowed using ties with adjustable cord-locks. $49.95 . If the tent’s front stake-out loops are already staked, you need to un-stake them, thread the tent’s stake-out loops through the vestibule’s lower stake-out loops and re-stake. A smaller-than-average 27-square-foot floor cuts weight, but the steep walls and 42-inch peak height make the cramped quarters passable (it fits two standard-size sleeping pads), even for our 6’3” tester and his 5’11” son. The new Flow Manifold (patent pending) allows interior heat convection and exterior airflow to draw moisture vapor and stale air out of the tent. 2017 Region 1 Level 7/Xcel Championships: Start: End: Host: Meet Website: Gymnasts: 2017-04-21: 2017-04-23: American Gymnastics Academy of Long Beach: 2405 Black Diamond Firstlight 2P Tent is no longer available. Use the four additional ties out points halfway up the tent walls for additional holding power for the tent and to stabilize the side walls in cross winds. Pitching a non-freestanding tent in winter is much more complicated. Epic is not 100% waterproof. Its small profile works great for small chopped out ledges, and it packs down small enough and is light enough to be taken in your alpine climbing pack. The instructions could be improved dramatically with more pictures and a complete discussion of all features of the Firstlight leaving out features of other tents. If you’re considering the Black Diamond Hilight 2, you’re probably also looking at the Black Diamond Firstlight 2 tent as well. Black Diamond HiLight Footprint. You can reduce the amount of condensation build-up by opening the front door and rear window to promote more airflow. MSRP: $399.95. For one person, the shelter is comfortable to wait out a storm with all his or her gear (though without a vestibule there is no place to cook). The Black Diamond Firstlight 2 Person Tent is a minimalist 4-season tent for up to 2 adventurers. Condition is "Used". They are located near the floor in diagonally opposed tent corners. There is a no-see-um mesh-only option for increased ventilation and views while maintaining bug protection. Sold Out. The Firstlight performs well in snow. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges ; Black Diamond Ultralight 2-person 4-season tent Two-person tent designed for mountaineers who want to wear light to the nearest gram. The GoLite Hex is 1 pound 4 ounce per person with one 7-ounce trekking pole, a pole extender and eleven titanium stakes. Subscribe here. Lastly, wrap the attached Velcro strap around the crossing ‘X’ of the poles at the tent ceiling. The almost vertical sidewalls on the Firstlight maximize usable space in the tent. Ships right to your Canadian address. Black Diamond Firstlight 3P 4-Season tent alpine tent 8-stakes, repair kit Fully seam sealed Disclosure: we camped in a burnt area, tent has some black lines from the ashes- but in amazing condition only used three times. Limestone 4P Tent Marmot $369.00. The DAC FeatherLite pole set shaves weight by skipping aluminum ferrule inserts and using larger but thinner walled tubing. However that Epic FirstLight also weighs 2 lbs 11 oz seam-sealed, or 6 oz less than the current model. Mine doesn’t have any…. The vertical walls and high peak create more usable area and make the Firstlight seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls and/or lower peak heights. $1,171.85 ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 2-Person Tent. The FeatherLites are almost as stiff as Easton 7075 poles but their non-ferruled joints are prone to damage if not fully mated. When solo, there’s plenty of space to sit up in the FirstLight, spread out your gear, or change your clothes, without giving someone else a black eye. The Fibraplex poles weigh almost half (6 ounces less) the weight of the Black Diamond DAC FeatherLite pole set and are almost as stiff. Its Epic fabric is lighter and more breathable than the PTFE laminated waterproof breathable fabrics (Gore-Tex or clones) used in most single walled shelters. People who bought this also bought. In our estimation all the pole sets tested provided adequate rigidity and stability for the Firstlight. Its purpose is to reduce flapping by better sealing the vestibule to the tent. The tent comes from Black Diamond with a DAC FeatherLite pole set that is approximately 2.1 ounces lighter than the standard Easton 7075 aluminum poles that many tents ship with (e.g. 1 color available. We found that it had adequate room for a multiple night trip with two dudes who didn’t want to get ‘all that close.’ Sleeping head to foot helped. Lightweight gear you can trust at a price you can afford! The author purchased the earlier model of the FirstLight mentioned herein, 10 years ago with his own funds. The tent pitches quickly from the inside out, and the freestanding structure and steep sidewalls resist snow build-up. Leave a Comment Cancel reply. The wire reinforced ‘eyebrow’ that shelters the tent’s front door had a tendency to flip upside down when bumped and shed snow and/or water into the tent. For the weight-conscious climber, the alpine Black Diamond Firstlight 3P tent features NanoShield fabric and a space-efficient design with enough room for 3. Marmot Catalyst 2P. The spacing is awesome for one person, Plenty of room to stretch out even with my gear inside. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. For very rainy and/or snowy conditions, some door cover, a tarp, or the Black Diamond vestibule would be a good idea. $439.95. As such, it has limited clearance at the top of the Firstlight’s tent body and constricts airflow. Built from the award-winning platform of the FirstLight 2P, the FirstLight 3P adds more width and headroom for an added climbing partner or a little more wiggle room for two-person trips. An alpine two-person tent, featuring a space-efficient design with NanoShield fabric for the weight minimalist. The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL 1 Person Tent is a very interesting product. Tungsten UL 1P Tent Marmot $319.00. Marmot Tungsten UL 1P Footprint. The tent comes from Black Diamond with a DAC FeatherLite pole set that is approximately 2.1 ounces lighter than the standard Easton 7075 aluminum poles that many tents ship with (the Firstlight vestibule uses this pole set). In Winter though, the Firstlight is my go to tent. At approximately 1 pound 6 ounces per person, the Black Diamond Firstlight may be the lightest freestanding two person tent on the market (it’s under 1 pound 3 ounces per person with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles). Black Diamond Firstlight Tent by Black Diamond. 4.7 out of 5 stars 485. Fortunately it was only a one night trip, but lesson learned. According to Black Diamond’s website, "EPIC by Nextec fabrics are highly water resistant. REI will take it back, or I can just slap a piece of tenacious tape on it, but now I’m torn between the Firstlight and maybe something a little burlier (and already seam sealed) like Rab Latok Mountain 2. Compared to $179.95. Like the Firstlight, the OneShot is a freestanding, single-wall shelter made from Epic fabric. 2 … The 3p version is nice for two regular sized humans with gear. The tent canopy fabric is Epic (see more on Epic in the Storm Protection Section below) and the bathtub tent floor fabric is 30 denier silicone-impregnated nylon. View at REI. Black Diamond FirstLight 2P Superlight Mountaineering tent. For durability, all seams are double sewn, and the stress points are reinforced. Buy Black Diamond Firstlight 2P Vestibule Canada for the best price online. Because the door of the tent slopes outwards, the eyebrow only shelters the very top of the front door for ventilation. We’d like to see an integrated stuff/storage system for tent/vestibule bodies and associated poles and stakes. Black Diamond Firstlight 2P Tent wasabi Lätt och litet tvåpersonerstält för kyliga förhållanden. The single-wall design is both lightweight and insanely packable, making it a great option for alpine climbing, ski touring, and winter camping. 5☆ stars. In its new redesigned version, the FirstLight is lighter, stronger, more breathable and offers better weather resistance. A compact two-person, four-season tent built for weight-conscious climbers, the Black Diamond FirstLight is based on the I-Tent's expedition-specific design with steep walls and a simple floor shape to optimize living space and increase headroom. Black Diamond Firstlight 3P Tent Best 4-season and mountaineering tent. With both bugs and rain, one could get frustrated with minimal ventilation, limited views and cramped space. The only accessory discussed in this review is the vestibule. The optional vestibule might be a good choice to store gear and cook in if you expect extended inclement conditions. GOSSAMER-GEAR.COM: Take 15% Off Gossamer Gear Ultralight Backpacks, Tents, Trekking Poles, and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER". Find out what gear our guides recommend if you want lightweight gear that is durable and versatile. Previous versions of the FirstLight used other breathable fabrics, called Epic, and before that ToddTex, when the FirstLight was made by Bibler Tents, which Black Diamond acquired. First, you have stomp out a platform the size of your tent’s base and rainfly with your snowshoes or skis and let the snow harden, a process called sintering. If you’re looking to buy a winter tent, I recommend the Black Diamond FirstLight. Unless you are experienced with keeping silnylon shelter floors free of punctures and abrasion, we recommend that you use Black Diamond’s optional fitted ground cloth or a lighter ground cloth of your own design (e.g. This is particularly troublesome since it’s attaches to a $300 tent. The Black Diamond Firstlight 2 Person Tent is a minimalist 4-season tent for up to 2 adventurers. Nonetheless, on a stiffness per weight basis the lighter Fibraplex poles significantly outperform both the FeatherLite and Easton carbon fiber poles. To pitch the tent, stake out the corners, assemble the shock-corded poles, and push them through the open front door of the tent. Black Diamond Firstlight 2 Comparison. I just purchased the new Blue version of The Hilight. In a four-day spring ski trip with 15 °F lows and two days of wet snow we had virtually no condensation in the tent. Without the vestibule you’ll get rain and snow in the tent when you enter and leave. Freestanding tents are worth their weight in gold in winter, especially when the ground is frozen and it’s too hard to pound in tent stakes. Sony Wg-C10 Review. But there are some compromises with the design, namely in terms of interior space. For two, you’ll need to be comfortable sleeping close to your tent partner and hope that you can tolerate some thrashing or snoring. There is not a dedicated vestible but the front door overhang provides enough cover for me to boil water outside for my meals. All Rights Reserved. The vestibule is too close to the tent body and constricts ventilation of the vestibule’s rear vent. This will likely add weight and cost to the tent. This is fine for experienced tenters. In dry conditions we had little condensation in the tent. The Black Diamond Firstlight 3 Person Vestibule is storage space for the Firstlight 3P Tent (2019). Black Diamond's Nano fabric is a breathable water … We noticed that the Epic fabric had water bleed-through, especially in places where something was in contact with the tent wall, like a sleeping pad or a person’s back. Sell Your Own Gear For Cash! Free shipping on orders over $49, and earn up to 10% back in Moosejaw Reward Dollars on every order. Black Diamond FirstLight 2P Superlight Mountaineering tent. The FeatherLites are almost as stiff as the Easton 7075 poles but their non-ferruled joints are prone to damage if not fully mated. 4.6 out of 5 stars 4 ratings. If sections are partially mated, you risk damaging the thin aluminum joints when you flex the pole into the tent body of the Firstlight. The almost vertical walls do maximize usable space in the tent making it seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls. There is a small rear window with a fixed non-see-um mesh panel and a zippered Epic panel to control ventilation and storm protection. On Orders Over $50 eGift Cards. GEARTRADE: Buy Gear Cheap. The Black Diamond Firstlight 2P Vestibule is constructed with lightweight, waterproof SilPoly fabric and adds 1.21 square meters (13 sq ft) of storage space to the Firstlight 2P tent. BACKPACKING LIGHT® and the FEATHER/MOUNTAIN icon are registered trademarks granted for exclusive use to Beartooth Media Group, Inc. Weighing in at 2 pounds 11.6 ounces (1.24 kilogram) for a complete setup, the Black Diamond Firstlight may be the lightest freestanding, two person, dome tent on the market. SEASONS: 4 season. Think of it as a little less waterproof but more breathable than a standard waterproof breathable fabric. Black Diamond HiLight 2-Person 4-Season Tent 5064-193. The Black Diamond Firstlight below used to be our go-to tent for fast-and-light pursuits, but after too many nights of dealing with wet walls and pesky drips, we turned to the Advance Pro 2 as a more waterproof option (it doesn’t hurt that it’s slightly lighter too). Fortunately the tent fabric is a cheerful yellow and transmits a lot of light. The optional vestibule may be a welcome relief for these situations, and also provides additional gear storage and a sheltered cooking area. The perfect gift for any outdoor enthusiast. Your email address will not be published. Things can get a bit tight to hold extra gear, cooking supplies and still leave enough room for entrance and exit. Make sure that all joints are fully mated. Testing the Black Diamond Firstlight Tent in high winds. (It’s very close to 1 kilogram with aftermarket Fibraplex carbon fiber poles.) The FirstLight comes with two collapsible aluminum poles that crisscross inside and can be inserted while you stand outside the tent. The only reason for our high value grade is the level of performance of the Firstlight. Condition: New. View at REI. For one person, the tent is spacious and has plenty of room for gear storage. This means they resist penetration by water under all but the most extreme conditions." Kestrel Ul 3p Combo Peregrine $369.99. Press to open modal with high resolution version of current image. Using the tent’s four additional tie outs will add tension to the side panels and reduce deflection but won’t completely eliminate side deflection in strong winds. Black Diamond Equipment - HiLight 2P Vestibule - Sky Blue. Daystar Solar Scout Ss60-Ds Review. It adds some additional structural stability as well as sheltering the front door from rain and wind and providing additional storage space and a sheltered cooking area. The small eyebrow covering the front door does not provide protection for entering and exiting the tent in rain. Once the poles are inserted, you need to crawl inside the tent and line the poles up with velcro tabs that position them relative to the tent seams and lock them in place. The ends of the shock-corded Easton 7075 pole fit into brass grommets at the bottom of the vestibule, and attach to the inside of the vestibule by the same style Velcro straps as the tent. We agree with this and found the Firstlight water resistant enough for brief and heavy thundershowers. 1 color available. Weighing 3 lbs 1.3 oz (after seam sealing), it has a wind-resistant wedge shape that sheds snow well and packs up small. Hilight 3P Tent. This included getting into the tent while very, very damp after hiking in wet snow all day. Adding side tie outs to the middle of the side walls will decrease deflection of wet tent walls and subsequent wetting of tent inhabitants and down sleeping bags. (FYI, I did not have a tent-specific footprint, so in the pix I just used a Kelty footprint I had lying around). The reinforced corner pockets that the poles insert into are bombproof. (The Carbon FX poles will be available only on existing models through Sierra Designs, Integral Designs, Black Diamond, Outdoor Designs and possibly a few other tent manufacturers.). When I use the FirstLight, I always try to keep the outer door open, since the inner screen door can still prevent snow from blowing into the tent. They are heavy, have poor penetration, and require a tremendous amount of force to place in all but the softest soils. The tent is plenty bug proof. The ends of the ‘Y’ stakes are small, sharp, and extremely uncomfortable to ‘palm.’ They are almost impossible to push in by hand and require that you bash them in using a rock or other heavy object. In general I like the tent, as it’s perfect for my use as a winter backpacking crash pad. We were pleased with virtually no condensation in the tent during subfreezing and damp weather on a spring ski trip to Yellowstone’s backcountry. In this case the vestibule is almost a must for additional gear storage, cooking and keeping the tent dry when entering and exiting. However, I do use the FirstLight when car camping, usually the night before a big hike in a far-flung place, because it’s so easy to set up in the dark and tear down the next morning. I agree on the lack of breathability but love this tent in the winter, for all the reasons you mention. Black Diamond thinks it’s designed for "… climbers and mountain travelers." Get a great deal with this online auction presented by PropertyRoom.com on behalf of a law enforcement or public agency client. The vestibule adds 13 square feet of area. Packed Weight 624 g (1 lb 6 oz) Packed Size 5 x 43 cm (2 x 17") Season 4; Series Superlight Series; Reviews. Shop with confidence. Black Diamond recommends putting a finger over the pole end near the doorway while sliding it over to the reinforced corner pocket. Select a row below to filter reviews. Weighing just 2 pounds 11 ounces, the Firstlight packs up very small and pitches with two collapsible poles. Firstly, black diamond strain, which is otherwise refer to as ‘Black Diamond OG’ and sometimes as ‘Black Diamond OG Kush’, is the medical marijuana strain which is bred in the Northern California region as clone-only strain. The FirstLight is a freestanding tent. View at REI. Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. Sleeping Pad, Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag, HydroBlu Versa Flow Water Filter w/CNOC Reservoir, Min Trail Weight: 2 lb 12 oz, Packaged Weight: 3 lbs 3 oz, Actual Weight: 3 lbs 1.3 oz (seam-sealed, no stuff sacks), Claimed Dimensions: 82″ x 48″; Actual interior dimensions (80″ x 42″), Materials: DAC Featherlite aluminum poles, polyester floor, Nanoshield walls. – water resistant to 4 lb/in2. You’ll need to be comfortable sleeping close to your tent partner and stowing most of your gear outside the tent. Both the carbon fiber poles are more prone to damage than the DAC FeatherLite aluminum poles. Sold Out. As supplied by manufacturer with stuff sacks, stakes, guylines, etc. Mountain Hardwear Trango 2. My old Firstlight has the Epic material. Find A Local Dealer. Tech Specs. The almost vertical sidewalls and the 42 inch peak maximize usable space and make the tent seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls, tight corners and/or lower peak heights. Studio 2 Sierra Designs $349.95. I missed a rear pocket once and the pole end punched a small hole in the silnylon tent floor. For its weight, the Firstlight has a lot of floor area for a freestanding tent – 0.63 ft2/oz with supplied DCA FeatherLite poles (0.72 ft2/oz with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles).