Sierra Designs has been making great, innovative products as of late, so when I had the chance to check out one of their 2016 tents, I couldn’t hesitate.
The Nightwatch 2 is a new take on a previous design, which I happened to like very much. What’s different is the new retractable rain fly. You can now roll back the fly into 3 different positions to allow sun to enter or a little star-gazing when the sky darkens. The gear closets, still conveniently located at the side of the tent, now double as exit and entry points when the weather is nice (fly retracted) and of course allow access to all of your stuff when it’s raining.
The large front door and awning (personal favorite) is still present, and the tent uses a hybrid single/double wall configuration to save weight. This paired with the added bonus of more mesh around the trouble spots for condensation.
Other new features include the new Night Glow, essentially an accessory that turns your headlamp into a soft diffused lamp that illuminates the entire tent. Made of feather light grade Polyester Taffeta, the accessory should be light weight, and easily attached to ceiling loops or other attachment points. It’s available in 2016 and retails for $14.95.
The nightwatch 2 is expected to launch Spring 2016, and retail for just $239.95 with a packed weight of 4 lbs 15oz.
For more information, check out SierraDesigns.com
TreeLineBackpacker 
Holy crap…this is incredible. Have you put your hands on it yet? Will there be a UL version?
I’ve not had a chance to touch it yet, but I’ve had the chance to see more photos and it’s looking pretty solid. I’m scheduled to receive one when they hit production, so expect a review in a couple of months. I’m very excited about this one.
Hey I was just wondering if you’ve had a chance to test this out yet?
I am considering either the FL version of this tent or the Kelty Traillogic TN2 that you also reviewed.
It looks like the Kelty is about half a pound heavier but $150 cheaper.
Which one do you like better?
Hey I was just wondering if you’ve had a chance to test this out yet?
I am brand new to backpacking and i’m considering either the FL version of this tent or the Kelty Traillogic TN2 that you also reviewed. It’s for me and my girlfriend.
It looks like the Kelty is about half a pound heavier but $150 cheaper.
Which one do you like better?
Hi there!
I’ve not had a chance to test this one yet, but I’m hoping to get ahold of one pretty soon. While I can’t vouch for the Nightwatch, it’s pretty similar to the Ligtning 2 FL that I really like minus the slight dampening of my sleeping bag. The Kelty is an exceptional value, with little to complain about other than it’s a bit chilly in the winter and heavier. Otherwise, It’s a real solid option. It really comes down to what you like out of a tent. Where are you camping primarily?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, and sorry for the double post…still figuring out how to use WordPress. My camping will primarily be Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma with the occasional adventure elsewhere in the country (not sure where!).
I was drawn to the retractable fly concept that the Kelty and Nightwatch use since much of my camping will be in humid midwest conditions and it seems like it would be nice for ventilation (and views of course). I love the idea of the awning on the SD tents, and the potential for more ventilation in rainy conditions… but I love the price of the Kelty.
The lightning 2fl is another i’m considering…I like how simple it seems to set up and the fact that it’s 12 ounces lighter than the nightwatch 2fl.
Another thing i’ve been thinking about…with the SD tents..since the fly is attached (to both the nightwatch and lightning)..you can’t split the weight as evenly between 2 people as you can with other tents.
With the nightwatch 2fl for example..the stated packaged weight is 4lbs..and the poles weigh 15oz…assuming the stakes weigh 5oz…that means one person carries 44oz. (2.75lb) and the other carries 20oz (1.25lb). With the Kelty TN2, the stated packaged weight is 77oz…i don’t know what the poles weigh…but since the fly is separate i would imagine you can get pretty close to a 50/50 split of weight between 2 people..so nobody is carrying more than 38.5 oz (2.4lbs).
No problem! If you take the time to read my site, the least I can do is provide a quick reply!
Based on your area, condensation shouldn’t be an issue with any of these tents, so I wouldn’t even worry about that.
You might consider the L.L.Bean Microlite FS 2. It’s lighter than the TN2, around the same price, and has a very similar design. It is,however, A bit smaller on the inside. I really liked the old model, and the new version appears to only be lighter.
Otherwise, I would say the TN2 would be your better option, as splitting it up equally, you’re likely to end up with the same pack weight as you can divy it up evenly. Unless you stick the other guy with the load of course 😉