Tester Information

Backpacking Bio

I learned camping and hiking in Boy Scouts, tramping Washington’s lowland forests, and eventually took up backpacking as a singular pursuit and found a home away from home in the Cascades and Olympics. Now living in northern California, most of my hiking is in the Sierra Nevada with trips ranging from overnight to weeklong excursions. I favor high, alpine settings. My total pack weight for three-day summer trips, including food and water, is roughly 25 pounds (12 kg); longer trips see pack weights ranging into the mid to upper 30s (17 kg).

Product Information

Product Description

The Baku 2 is a relatively lightweight two-person, single-wall, three-season shelter with an external three-pole frame and two vestibule–protected entrances. The tent’s small footprint allows pitching in tight locations where larger tents wouldn’t fit, and the relatively low and smooth profile should shed rain and wind well.

 

Caption: The Baku 2 is a two-person tent with dual doors and vestibules.

Product Packaging

The Baku 2 ships in a stuffsack containing tent, poles, stakes, guylines, stake and pole sacks, a descriptive hangtag and instructions. No repair parts are provided, such as patches or a pole splint.

Design, Materials and Construction

While the Baku 2 is described as a single-wall tent, I think of it as a hybrid design because everything except the gray triangular end walls is effectively double-walled. Two permanently attached vestibules require staking out in the same fashion as a fly would and a mesh ceiling is suspended beneath a portion of the main canopy. The Baku 2’s main living space is essentially a self-supporting wedge tent. While it can be pitched with just two stakes for the vestibules, the tent’s much more stable with all six corners pegged. Conversely by rolling up and clipping the vestibules completely out of the way, the Baku becomes a wedge shelter with large, netting sidewalls and doors.

 

Caption: Baku 2 with furled vestibule.

The living area is nearly rectangular but the entire footprint, including vestibules is roughly hexagonal. Maximum width, measured from the vestibule ends, is 94 in. (239 cm); an additional few inches are needed on either side for the adjustable webbing and stakes.

The zippered vestibules and end walls are fashioned of 40D silicone and polyurethane-coated rip-stop nylon and the floor is of 70D urethane taffeta nylon, treated for mildew-resistance. The floor is a single piece of fabric (no seams) with “bathtub” sides, and is robust enough that I’m comfortable using it without a protective “footprint” in the ground conditions I typically experience.

Two vents--one near the roof peak and the other halfway up the opposite end wall--add ventilation when the vestibules are zipped closed.

 

 

Caption: The small top vent allows hot, moist air to escape and the side vent allows fresh air inside.

Interestingly, the doors and vestibule openings are cattycorner from one another so typically, one sleeper will have their door near the head and the other, near the foot. The round inner Stash Doors are paired with adjacent pockets as Sierra Designs answer to the question: what do you do with an open door so you don’t keep walking on it? In the Baku 2 they tuck completely away. The doors zip a full 360 degrees but don’t detach; however, they do stuff into their respective pockets. On the right-hand side is an additional small pocket.

As with many wedge tents, two identical crisscross main poles clip to the canopy from above. In a unique twist, the Baku 2’s small perpendicular third pole enhances peak support, keeps the shape smooth to shed precipitation and prevents the inner mesh from contacting the outer fabric.

Poles are DAC brand NSL, thin-walled aluminum tubes with machined aluminum locking tips and reinforced ferrules. Except for the single-section third pole, they’re shock-corded using elastic that Sierra Designs claims stretches in extreme cold. All joints fit together smoothly and come apart easily and there are no burrs or sharp edges, and the main poles have prebent sections. The pole tips unscrew easily and the poles might accommodate field-servicing if the need arises. The short pole tips could conceivably be lost, as they’re not also anchored by a cord and are easy to unscrew.

The pole tips fit into brass grommets, “locking” the notched tips into place. Tough, waterproof Hypalon straps are used to anchor the four corner grommets, with nylon webbing for the stake loops. Webbing loops with tension adjusters anchor the two vestibule stakes.

The six shepherds hook skewer-type stakes are of thick aluminum and so far, tolerate pounding in with a rock.

Stuffsacks are fashioned from the yellow canopy fabric.

That portion of the quarter-mile or so of stitching I’ve examined appears even and accurate. Stitching is double-run in some high-stress areas, but I don’t see bar-tacking. Key seams are sealed from the inside with clear heat tape. I’ve not spotted any taping “misses.” Exterior fabric edges are bias-taped and the corner pole anchors are made of tough waterproof material, probably Hypalon, that won’t wick water into the tent. Pole clips are connected to the canopy with nylon webbing and appear to be of delrin plastic. Grommets are brass.

 

Caption: Stash Doors solve the problem of walking on opened tent doors.

Initial Prep

The Baku 2 is ready to go, fresh from the package. The four supplied guylines are optional so needn’t be attached except in foul weather. Despite its compact dimensions the Baku 2 is a complex design with a lot of seams, so count me among those hugely relieved at not having to spend a couple of days sealing them all, then three more picking sealant out of my hair. Sierra Designs’ use of urethane-silicone canopy fabrics allows heat-taping, which is not possible with all-silicone fabric.

Setup

Baku 2 setup is straightforward. A rectangular area at least as large as the 83 x 51-45 in. (211x132-114x cm) tent floor is required. The vestibule areas needn’t be level but at a minimum the floorspace should be mostly level and debris-free.

Though external poles mean the Baku 2 isn’t set up from inside in foul weather, the tent’s pole system allows fast setup because it’s simple and eschews pole sleeves. Following the Sierra Designs guidelines, unroll the canopy and stake out the four corners using the webbing loops. The head end door’s corner can be identified by its contrasting blue webbing stake loop, meaning the head end can be sited correctly on the first try (usually the uphill end). Unfold the two long main poles, clip one pole end into a corner grommet then the other end into the diagonal opposite grommet. Repeat this process with the other main pole then clip the two pole centers into the apex Clip-Loc at the point they cross. Going around the tent in either direction, clip the Swift Clips (twelve in all) onto their corresponding poles.

 

Caption: Swift Clips speed setup.

Slide the short, third pole either through the top loop or through the Clip-Loc beneath the two main poles, and clip the tips into two tabbed grommets. Wrap the Clip-Loc bungee cord around the main poles two to four times (the more wraps, the stiffer the pole tension) and anchor the cord end into the slot provided in the Clip-Loc. The main canopy is fully pitched.

Lastly, stake out the two vestibules using the webbing loops and tighten. If it’s windy, attach and stake out as many as four guylines to the provided guy-out loops. The Baku 2 is open for occupancy.

It never took me more than five minutes to pitch, including the first time when I eschewed the instructions as required by my guy status. Breakdown and packing takes about the same time as setup.

The tent can be moved after assembly by unstaking and plopping it down in the new location, since the tent holds its shape when carried (except the vestibules). It can also be shaken clean.

Bureau of Weights and Measures

I measured key dimensions with the tent pitched. I weighed the maximum trail weight, including the tent, poles, stakes, guylines and all provided sacks. Removing the pole and stake sacks and the guylines, I also weighed minimum trail weight. Of course, the main stuffsack can also be left behind but I always take it, myself. (Gram-counters are hereby encouraged to omit or replace this 34 g [1.2 oz] sack as desired.)

Key Measurements at a Glance

* Canopy, poles, stakes, main stuffsack.

** Distance between vestibules, tip to tip. Additional space required on each side for staking.

The test Baku 2 is heavier than stated either on the Website or the hangtag. Depending on the point of comparison, “trail weight” is up by either 4 or 6 ounces (113 or 170 g) over spec.

Packing and Carrying

The canopy rolls down to approximately 5 x 18 inches (12 x 46 cm) when packing separately. The main poles collapse down to about 15-inch (38 cm) segments, but the single-section cross pole is 19.5 inches (49 cm), reducing the pack spots I might stash it. The entire bagged tent is about 6 x 19.5 inches (15 x 49 cm).

Entry and Exit, Living Space

Entry is easiest with the vestibule unzipped, rolled and secured and the netting door completely opened and stashed. I can stand in the vestibule area, remove my shoes and step inside without bringing any debris with me. There’s adequate overhang to keep rain from coming inside, at least so long as it’s not windy.

The two-way, vertical vestibule zippers can be operated one-handed and occasionally hang up in the storm flaps. The circular mesh inner doors also have two-way zips and can be operated one-handed. They need not be opened all the way for entry. Zipper pulls are different colors inside and out, and are fashioned from slender nylon cord. The outside vestibule pulls are reflective for finding them with a flashlight.

Floorspace is a relatively snug 83 inches (211 cm) long, tapering inward from a maximum width of 51 inches (130 cm) at the head end to 45 inches (114 cm) at the foot end. Total area calculates to 27.6 sq ft (2.6 sq m). Two sleepers, two pads, two sleeping bags and a scattering of clothing is about all the Baku 2 will accommodate. Avoiding contact with the head and foot-end walls will be important in heavy condensation conditions. Sleepers can either both use the head end or sleep head to toe, so that each has their head next to a door. The narrower foot end is still wide enough to allow this. The stash pockets accept some gear in addition to the doors themselves, and one lucky occupant gets the small third pocket.

The 40.5-inch (103 cm) peak height allows me to sit upright in the tent center and as far out as the 28 x 16 inch (71 x 41 cm) rectangular ceiling segment defined by four hang loops is 37 inches (94 cm) high. Two can sit upright at once. Sidewalls are steep, helping maximize interior space.

 

Caption: Two sleeping bags take up most of the floorspace.

Two vents can be left closed or propped open with small sewn-in rods. They’re mesh-backed, bug and weatherproof and rather small.

The doors on either side allow two occupants to enter and exit unimpeded, and the vestibules shelter shoes and some gear, even small packs. Vestibules zip open from the bottom for entry or the top for ventilation. They snap closed at the bottom for strength and can be rolled open half way and secured, maximizing cross-ventilation and offering views. Unstaking the vestibules, I can also roll them completely out of the way but a clip is required to keep them in place. Doing so offers the best views and ventilation, and minimizes the space required to pitch.

 

Caption: Center height is more than adequate for the preschool set!

The yellow and warm gray canopy is bright and cheery inside. This yellow isn’t the super-bright yellow used in some mountain tents, but can still be seen from a distance. Hungry hummingbirds and bees find it too. In addition to the reflective zipper tabs the guyline anchors are also reflective, making the tent easier to find from a distance with a flashlight.

Environmental Tests

I practiced pitching the Baku 2 on a breezy day. Staking down the corners first as Sierra Designs recommends is the way to go, otherwise the long, long main poles are tough to wrestle into place on the flapping canopy. The little third pole proved its worth by reducing fabric flapping and could make the difference in being able to sleep on a windy night. Sprinkler testing shows the canopy to be waterproof, including the sealed seams. Direct blasting with a hose seems to force a few drops through the ripstop walls, but I won’t draw any conclusions as to whether rain can be driven through by a strong wind. I’ve used tents and tarps that wet through much more easily than this one. Overall, water beads and rolls off easily, and the canopy dries fast.

Initial Conclusions

The Sierra Designs Baku 2 is as clever in hand as it is in the product description—providing a cozy living space that’s very easy to set up. It’s lighter than many tents I’d consider to be its direct competition, and offers nice features. Backing up the clever design is flawless construction and quality materials, as well as the welcome taped seams. I’m disappointed by the Baku 2’s weight gain though, and tall prospective buyers are encouraged to test it out in person to decide whether the interior dimensions are adequate.

Test Plan

Field Test Area: California’s Sierra Nevada (and possibly the northern California coast).

Test Area Description: California Sierra Nevada, mountainous, 7k-11k feet/2.5k-3.3k meters elevation, heavy forest to treeless alpine. Tent sites will likely range from woodland duff to alpine gravel and decomposed granite. Anticipated nighttime low temperatures: +50 to 20 deg F (+10 to –8 C). Weather conditions should range from late spring stormy to mid-summer clear and hot and could include wind-driven rain or snow. Peak mosquito and blackfly seasons will regrettably fall within the test period.

I hope to answer the following questions:

* Packing--How does the Baku 2 fit into various backpacks, both as a whole package and separated into its components?

* Real Estate--How easy is it to find a site for the Baku 2? Can anchors substitute for some or all the stakes in rocky settings?

* Setup--It’s easy enough to set the Baku 2 up in the backyard, how about in the real world and in bad weather? How effective are the tensionsers in tightening down the canopy and vestibules? How effective are the extra guylines?

* Living space and environment--How easy is the Baku 2 to enter and exit, especially in bad weather and at night? Is one side easier than the other? How are the vestibule and door zips to operate? What’s it like inside the 40-inch tall tent for long stretches? Is it better to both sleep in the same direction, or head to toe? Can two sleep comfortably without running into each other or touching wet walls? How much gear can come inside and how much fits in the vestibules? Do sleep pads slide around the floor? Can I safely and conveniently cook in the vestibule? Can I hang a flashlight or wet laundry overhead? What’s the outward visibility with and without the vestibules closed? Do the yellow and gray fabrics cast a pleasant and cheery light inside? Can I keep loose dirt out of the tent and is it easy to clean out?

* Condensation--In what conditions does condensation form on the canopy? What happens to it: does it run off harmlessly or does it drip onto the occupants? Does the roof vent help and what happens when it’s closed?

* Weather--How well does the Baku 2 shed wind, rain or snow? Does the canopy stretch and droop when wet, requiring retightening? Will the waterproof fabric ever wet through? Does it dry quickly? Are seams watertight? Do the vestibules offer adequate foul weather protection and gear storage in windy, rainy conditions? Can the vestibule zips be opened in the rain for additional ventilation? Can the tent be shut tight when it’s very windy and cold without condensation overwhelming the occupants? Will snow accumulate on the canopy? Does it ventilate well for comfort on hot nights?

* Wear, Tear, Repair--Is the floor adequately strong, puncture-resistant and waterproof? Will I ever need an additional groundsheet? How easy is the Baku 2 to clean and maintain and how will it hold up against a season’s use? As required, how difficult is in-field repair?

My sincere thanks to Sierra Designs and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to participate in this test!

Rick Dreher