Gear Guide 2009: Sierra Designs Zeta 3 Tent Review
Space and price align in the Zeta 3.
Bargain!
If you’re more concerned with space (big) and price (small) than anything else, get the Zeta 3. There’s no cutting corners on interior dimensions: One tester squeezed a family of four into the 43-square-foot Zeta and reported no fights. Two vestibules–one a cavernous 18.5 square feet–store gear away from the doors.
Puzzling together the hubbed-pole structure takes a practice run, and it’s a tad heavy, but the extra ounces are justified by the extra space. Biggest drawback: Despite large mesh panels on the tent body and a vent on the fly, condensation accumulated in humid conditions, and the sides lack enough guy loops to keep the fly from flapping in the wind. $249; 6 lbs. 9 oz. Sierradesigns.com/