Sierra Designs Omeg Convertable Review

    When my backpacking tent finally gave up the ghost it was time for me to replace it with something substantial.  I wanted a light weight backpacking tent that I could use in any weather, here in New England we can get some pretty snowy weather even as late as late spring and early fall.  Weather can change pretty rapidly in our mountains so a good tent can make the difference between hearing the weather and being a part of it.

    There were many quality tents to choose from from many different manufacturers, price was one of my concerns and 4 season tents can get expensive quickly.  After comparing features and prices I settled on the Omega Convertable tent.  The vendor I purchased from was good enough to allow me to setup the tent in their store before making the purchase and after a good hard examination I was very satisfied with what I saw.  The poles were a tough light aluminum held together with shock cords.  The rip stop nylon of the tent was free of blemish and well sewn.  Setup was quick and easy with the grommet and clip system used by this tent and the rain fly we very protective.  Naturally I purchased it.

    In the field this is an excellent tent, it is light weight for its size, packs fairly small with everything in one bag, tent, poles, fly and footprint (purchased seperately) .  As for handling weather this tent is worth every cent.  I've used this in torrential downpours without so much as a drop of water getting inside.  Even when a puddle formed between the footprint and the floor it still resisted leacking.  While I've never done so, the tent has been designed so that you can leave parts of it behind to make for a lighter shelter.  When using it in temperate weather you can bring only 2 poles the fly and the footprint along for an ultralight shelter.

     Not everyone needs  a 4 season tent, but if you do the Omega Convertable is a great place to start.