BLACK DIAMOND SKYLIGHT TENT REVIEW

Laura Forster, Fiona McIntosh and Mark Johnston carried a Black Diamond Skylight tent on their recent Drakensberg traverse record attempt. Here’s what they thought of it:

Background: Our requirements were ambitious: a lightweight three-person tent that could hold its own in the teeth of a Drakensberg thunderstorm. After much deliberation we opted for the Skylight, since it is currently the lightest three-sleeper on the market.

Pros: The number-one advantage of this tent is the weight. Or lack thereof! It tips the scales at just 1,88 kg, including poles. This is due in part to the single-wall construction, and also the use of the latest lightweight materials. Another plus of the single layer is that it is a cinch to pitch. All you have to do is insert the poles and you’ve got shelter, and this proved to be a lifesaver on several occasions as storms descended on us so quickly that we found ourselves having to pitch the tent in the driving rain or hail. What a pleasure to simply open up the tent, slid in the poles and be huddling inside less than a minute later. Interior space was adequate for three, although we were carrying minimal gear. If you had a lot of kit with you it would be a tight squeeze. For two it would feel pretty palatial. The vestibule was big enough to cook comfortably in.

Cons: The Skylight is rated as a three-season tent, so it’s not really cut out for very serious weather conditions. In heavy downpours we found that moisture did sneak in, and after a full night of rain there was definitely some general wetness around. Still,we were never uncomfortably damp (and the storms were seriously strong at times!) so for its weight we believe it provided great shelter.

The bottom line: If you’re looking for a super lightweight tent for fast mountain adventures, this is an excellent choice.