Black Diamond Firstlight Tent: Gear Reviews on MountainZone.com

The Firstlight

The Black Diamond Firstlight tent ($299) represents minimalism at its finest. This scanty 2 lb. 9 oz. singlewall tent follows in the same design-vein as the legendary Bibler tents, except Black Diamond made a lighter, more breathable and less expensive version. As a package, this tent fits into two small bags, just like you'd pack it on the bike when touring or in the pack when heading into the backcountry.

The Freestanding Firstlight is almost laughably light in weight and it sets up in about two minutes because there are only two poles. The fabric looks and feels lightweight— it's definitely a specialized product, most suited to light and fast trips where you need shelter, but moving fast is important.

The tent's a bit snug for two large people or you tall folks out there, but if you need more room, Black Diamond sells a removable vestibule. This tent is also not suitable for areas with heavy rain. The Nextec fabric, which the tent is made of, is rated as "highly water resistant" and appropriate for everything "but the most extreme conditions." Read this as rain and slop. This isn't the tent for touring in rainy season in the tropics or camping next to a waterfall.

For everything else it works great— the Utah desert, the Rocky Mountains or the Tibetan Plateau. If you are pushing the edge of endurance, or just want to go as light as possible, this is the tent for you.

To get the skinny on Black Diamond tents, visit www.bdel.com or call 801-278-5533.

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— Reviewed & Written by Nathan Ward, MountainZone.com