Slingfin Crossbow 2 4-Season Tent Evaluation

Backside Line

The SlingFin CrossBow 2 is a brilliant versatile four-season tent that performs properly throughout most of our testing classes, together with consolation, sturdiness, and climate resistance. It’s roomy sufficient for 2 adults to sleep comfortably, and it has helpful options like twin vestibules, loads of pockets, and adjustable air flow for various situations. The distinctive WebTruss design makes it stable in heavy snow and powerful winds, so you’ll be able to depend on it in powerful climate.

At simply over 5 kilos, it’s surprisingly light-weight and packs down smaller than many three-season tents. You may also tweak the setup to avoid wasting weight or add further power, making it a stable selection for year-round adventures. Though the setup requires extra effort than some easier tents, the flexibility and weatherproofing make it price it. In case you’re on the lookout for a dependable, high-performing tent, this one’s laborious to beat. For extra choices, try our information to the most effective four-season tents.

How We Examined

We examined the SlingFin CrossBow 2 over two months of early winter situations, placing it by snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and gusty winds reaching as much as 40 mph. Whereas we’d have most popular testing it throughout epic 24-inch powder days (and snowboarding by them), the tent confronted mild snowstorms, biting chilly, and relentless excessive winds. Although not precisely our dream situations, they nonetheless supplied worthwhile insights into its efficiency in powerful winter eventualities.

consolation

We regularly discover that tent capability scores might be exaggerated, however the Crossbow actually delivers on area. There’s loads of room for 2 adults to sleep and sit comfortably, and there are pockets galore to scale back gear muddle on the tent flooring.

The Crossbow is designed with a number of methods to tailor the quantity of airflow to your current situations. The pinnacle wall has one giant vent with three choices: the totally closed nylon layer, the mesh venting layer to be used in buggy situations, or totally open without spending a dime airflow. The nylon on the doorways additionally zips away to disclose mesh home windows on all sides, and you may prop open the highest of the flysheet with Velcroed struts to chop down on condensation at evening.

Many 4-season tents are designed with a single entrance entry door or a back and front door, with the again door and vestibule being a lot smaller than the entrance. However the Crossbow has two giant aspect doorways with two giant vestibules very similar to a typical 3-season backpacking tent. This makes it a lot simpler for 2 folks to make use of the area and retailer their gear comfortably. 

Weight & Packed Measurement

At simply over 5 lbs., the load of the Crossbow is properly under common in comparison with different 4-season tents. And contemplating that the Crossbow holds up higher to wind and snow loading than some heavier tents just like the Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2, we’d say the load is exceptionally low. On high of that, you’ll be able to depart behind the WebTruss, fly struts, Outrigger system, further stakes, and further tensioners to avoid wasting about 14 oz. That is nice for when protecting weight low is a much bigger precedence than the necessity for max climate safety.

The Crossbow is likely one of the most packable tents on our Greatest 4-season Tents listing, crushed out solely by the HMG Ultamid 2 tarp (which finally ends up being bulkier for those who get the full insert to make it a whole tent). With a packed measurement of 14 x 6 in., the Crossbow even takes up much less backpack area than a lot of our favourite 3-season backpacking tents.

Climate Resistance

This tent stands out as a four-season tent constructed to deal with harsh climate with spectacular reliability. Its modern WebTruss design delivers distinctive structural stability, permitting the tent to resist winds as much as 70 mph when correctly secured. The fly, constructed from 20D nylon ripstop material with a 1500mm waterproof ranking, successfully shields occupants from heavy rain, whereas the 20D nylon ripstop PE flooring with an 1800mm ranking prevents floor moisture from seeping in.

The tent’s breathable but sturdy physique blocks wind, spindrift, and sand, making it appropriate for numerous environments, together with high-altitude and desert situations. For added resilience in heavy snow, SlingFin’s OutRigger attachment lets customers reinforce the construction with trekking poles. 

Whereas we didn’t get the prospect to check the CrossBow 2 in 70 mph winds, we did put it by its paces throughout a number of Colorado snowstorms with gusts reaching as much as 40 mph. All through our testing, the tent proved to be rock-solid and virtually windproof, dealing with the cruel situations with ease.

Ease of Setup

The Crossbow’s pole construction is straightforward to arrange and it may be tensioned from contained in the tent if winds begin to choose up. The distinctive WebTruss system allows you to totally assemble the bones of the tent with out having to struggle the wind to get your poles by pole sleeves.

The WebTruss attaches to the tent physique with buckles that we discovered simpler to function than the inflexible clips on many different 4-season tents we’ve used. For delicate climate journeys, you’ll be able to swap the WebTruss out with the included pole clips to make establishing as fast and simple as any customary 3-season backpacking tent.

Sturdiness

The Crossbow makes use of one of the distinctive pole constructions we’ve ever seen. The WebTruss design improves upon conventional pole sleeves and additional reduces flex in your poles – thereby decreasing the probabilities of a pole snapping in excessive wind. Slingfin’s Outrigger system can also be included. It means that you can connect your trekking poles to the tent cross pole so as to add much more power for snow masses and excessive wind. This design has a a lot better strength-to-weight than many different 4-season tents.

Versatility

The value of the Crossbow is common on our Greatest 4-season Tents listing, however it’s much more versatile than many others. In case you solely plan to personal a single tent that may deal with just about any situations all year long, that is your tent. The Crossbow design means that you can simply tailor the power of the construction to the situations you’re in. Connect your trekking poles to the crossbar to resist heavier snow and wind, or depart their particular tent pole and trekking pole attachments behind and use the included clips to avoid wasting 6.2 oz. on journeys with delicate situations. If it will get scorching out, open the massive vent on the head and zip the nylon on the doorways away for a superb cross-breeze.

Ought to You Purchase the SlingFin CrossBow 2?

The SlingFin CrossBow 2 is a wonderful selection for adventurers wanting a dependable, four-season tent that may deal with difficult situations whereas remaining light-weight and versatile. Its spectacular climate resistance, spacious inside, and adaptable air flow are perfect for these tackling high-altitude, winter, or year-round adventures the place sturdiness and efficiency are essential.

The CrossBow 2 stands out for its modern design, providing extra power and flexibility than many heavier four-season tents, making it an excellent possibility for backpackers who prioritize packability with out compromising on safety.

Whereas the setup can really feel barely extra concerned, particularly for brand new customers, the tent’s stability and luxury make the additional effort worthwhile. In case you’re an off-the-cuff camper sticking to delicate, fair-weather journeys, this degree of efficiency could also be overkill. Nonetheless, the CrossBow 2 is a high-value, rugged, adaptable, and light-weight shelter for many who commonly enterprise into harsh situations.

What Different 4-Season Tents Ought to You Contemplate?

In case you’re eyeing the SlingFin CrossBow 2, listed below are a number of different excellent four-season tents that may fit your wants. For extra nice suggestions, try our information to the most effective four-season tents.

MSR Entry 2 Evaluation: Good for shoulder-season and light-weight winter adventures, the Entry 2 is lighter than the CrossBow at 4 lbs. 1 oz. Whereas it’s not as rugged in excessive situations, it’s a wonderful selection for backcountry skiers and backpackers searching for a steadiness of weight and safety. The Entry provides good air flow and an intuitive setup, making it versatile for colder however much less extreme climate.

Samaya 2.0 Evaluation: For ultralight fans centered on fast-and-light alpine missions, the Samaya 2.0 has distinctive waterproofing and weight financial savings. Whereas it doesn’t fairly match the CrossBow’s sturdiness, its compact measurement and lack of vestibules make it finest suited to solo adventurers.

REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 Evaluation: In case you’re on the lookout for a extra budget-friendly possibility, the Arete ASL 2 is a stable four-season possibility. It’s heavier and fewer versatile than the CrossBow, however it is a wonderful choose for a reliable winter tent for below-treeline adventures.