Reviews You Can Rely On

Sierra Designs Convert 2 Review

It converts nicely in both 3-season and 4-season conditions, and has a huge vestibule and spacious dimensions
gearlab tested logo
Sierra Designs Convert 2 Review
Credit: Sierra Designs
Price:  $500 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Sierra Designs
By Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 1, 2019
72
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weight - 27% 8.0
  • Weather/Storm Resistance - 25% 6.0
  • Livability - 18% 5.0
  • Ease of Set-up - 10% 9.0
  • Durability - 10% 7.0
  • Versatility - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

The Sierra Designs Convert II is true to its name as it converts well between 3-season backpacking and moderate 4-season use. It's spacious and weighs just over four pounds if you leave the vestibule behind (or just over five if you don't). Its weight is reasonable enough to take backpacking, yet it's robust enough to take on lower elevation winter camping or multi-day ski trips or summertime mountaineering in mountain ranges throughout the lower 48. The Convert will particularly appeal to summertime mountaineers and ski tourers who want a bigger mountain tent but still want it to be lightweight.
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile
Handles moderate snow loads well
Giant vestibule
Roomy interior
Easy to set-up
The vestibule is removable and can be left behind to save weight
Handles condensation well
REASONS TO AVOID
Respectable size and weight for how spacious it is

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sierra Designs Convert isn't your classic 4-season tent for expedition climbing, but it will still work for several 4-season applications while offering a little lower weight than those traditional 4-season fortresses. Geared for more moderate 4-season uses like spring ski traverses, mid-winter snow camping, and summertime mountaineering, this tent will take a moderate snow load and fend off a fair amount of wind. It also offers enough versatility to make it a reasonable product to take on a purely backpacking type trip.

sierra designs convert 2 - a superb tent for those looking for something a little more spacious...
A superb tent for those looking for something a little more spacious but don't necessarily need the strongest of 4-season shelters for full-on expedition use.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Performance Comparison



Livability


The Convert boasts a spacious interior and is one of the widest and tallest models we reviewed. Its 43-inch interior peak height was nearly the highest we tested, and its 30.3 square feet of interior space ensured it would be one of the models we'd reach for if we were forced to spend much time in a tent.

sierra designs convert 2 - it offers some of the most interior space and peak height, making it...
It offers some of the most interior space and peak height, making it one of the most livable models we tested. It's a particularly good model for taller folks and even people who are six feet tall can sleep without their feet or heads touching the walls. You can see the inside of the Convert in this photo with two full sides sleeping pads.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Its vestibule (included and removable) weighs around a pound but adds significantly to the livability. The vestibule is massive and offers the ability to stow two large packs with enough room to still easily crawl past them, even if they are already stowed inside.

sierra designs convert 2 - one of the main reasons this tent is called the "convert" is because...
One of the main reasons this tent is called the “Convert” is because it has a removable vestibule that just zips on (or off) and can be left behind to save around a pound of weight.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Its fabric, rear ventilation, and double-wall design help deal with condensation during wet storms or lower elevation camping.

sierra designs convert 2 - this model's removable vestibule is huge and is one our favorites in...
This model's removable vestibule is HUGE and is one our favorites in our review. You can see it in this photo with one 70 liter pack tucked into the front. It is easily big enough to cook and fit two full-sized packs - with room to sneak by.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Weather Resistance


The Convert offers slightly lower-than-average storm resistance. It's still a 4-season tent and is appropriate for use in an alpine environment, but not anywhere where truly harsh weather is a possibility. It repels rain well as well as moderate snow loading but isn't ideal for higher alpine or expedition use. For example, it is a poor option for something like Denali or even lower elevation use in places like the Ruth Gorge.

sierra designs convert 2 - the convert is unquestionably a 4-season shelter; it just isn't on...
The Convert is unquestionably a 4-season shelter; it just isn't on the stronger end of these types of tents.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Instead, it's perfect for multi-day ski traverses and spring and summer mountaineering in places like the North Cascades, Sierra, and Colorado Rockies. It's 2-3 pounds lighter than a number tents that are for burlier use; for folks looking to save weight and planning to use it in mountains closer to home, you'll find it offers a fair amount of versatility.

sierra designs convert 2 - you can see the pole design on the convert is great for creating...
You can see the pole design on the Convert is great for creating livable space and offers respectable performance under moderate snow loading and 30-45 mph winds. However, strong winds and/or very heavy snow loads would dramatically increase the chances of breaking this tent; in a remote alpine environment, this is not ideal.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Durability


The Convert offers average durability. Part of how Sierra Designs is able to save weight is via lighter weight fabrics and lower gauge zippers. While these designs help save weight, they do sacrifice some durability.

It isn't designed to withstand being in the sun for a month at a time. For most people, this won't be a problem, especially if using in less extreme environments. If using for the applications recommended, we'd welcome the weight savings for subtle decreases in longevity.

sierra designs convert 2 - we did find this model on the easier end of shelters to pitch. it...
We did find this model on the easier end of shelters to pitch. It utilizes clips to hold the poles in place and several of the poles “hubbed together”, which made erecting this tent quick and easy.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Ease of Setup


This tent is slightly easier than average to pitch; it has one pole connecting the arch poles at each end, with rotating hubs and a second golden arch pole place in the middle. All of the poles attach at the base via an easy-to-use metal clasp and are held in place by basic but effective plastic clips.

sierra designs convert 2 - one of the biggest advantages of models like this one (which use...
One of the biggest advantages of models like this one (which use entirely clips to hold the poles in place) is they are a lot less susceptible to breaking while pitching the tent in the wind. This is because you can quickly clip the tent from the ground up, whereas models that use sleeves run the risk of a single pole turning the fly into a sail - while the pole is in an extremely vulnerable position.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

The fly pulls over the top and is attached to the same metal clips that attach the poles.

sierra designs convert 2 - the poles snapped into place with a simple but very secure system...
The poles snapped into place with a simple but very secure system, with the pole tab inserting into the metal buckle visible in the picture and essentially “locking itself” into place with pole tension.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Weight/Packed Size


This model has a packed weight of five pounds, 12 ounces (2.61 kg), a minimum weight of five pounds three ounces (2.35 kg). If you leave the vestibule behind, you'll find yourself carrying four pounds two ounces (1.87 kg). While this isn't ultra heavy, especially if you consider this model's overall versatility and that you can split up among two people, there are lots of lighter weight models, with several of them offering specific advantages.

sierra designs convert 2 - this tent sits in the middle of the road as far as weight goes. it...
This tent sits in the middle of the road as far as weight goes. It is heavier than nearly all of the weight-focused single wall tents but not by lots and offers a lot more space. It is lighter than many of the more expedition focused models but it isn't as strong. So, it sort of sits between these two typical genres of tents but fills a rather large niche of users nicely. In this photo, you can see the back vent, which allows a pretty significant amount of airflow.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Versatility


For versatility across moderate 4-season use and 3-season backpacking, there are only a handful of models that blend weight, adequate 4-season storm worthiness, and 3-season breathability as well as the Convert. In addition to using it for lower elevation snow camping, spring ski-touring, or spring and summertime mountaineering in the lower 48, you can bring it along for 3-season low elevation use while backpacking.

sierra designs convert 2 - this model lived up to its name and provided solid overall...
This model lived up to its name and provided solid overall versatility. It handles condensation and rain well enough that it can be used across three or four season conditions.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

This model isn't great for traditional expedition climbing or use in harsh alpine environments. It will handle moderate snow loads and offers respectable resilience against the wind, but isn't the tent you reach for to go to Antarctica or the Alaska Range. It's perfect for someone who wants a tent that they can take into the mountains while backpacking. It's breathable and well ventilated enough for mid-summer backpacking but strong enough for moderate snow camping and spring and summertime mountaineering in the lower-48 and Southern Canada. It also makes a superb spring ski mountaineering tent, as it balances weight and livability with its sweet vestibule (which allows you to store gear and cook in).

sierra designs convert 2 - the convert is perfect for most summertime mountaineering and spring...
The Convert is perfect for most summertime mountaineering and spring ski touring trips, particularly for those wanting a little more space for short-term basing camping it (AKA not carrying the tent up-and-over a route). For trips where weight is of the utmost importance, we'd recommend a lighter tent; however, it strikes a solid balance of weight, weather protection, and comfort.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Value


This tent is one of the better values in our review. It costs less than most of its direct competition and provides a fair amount of versatility. It was a strong contender for our overall best value but was barely edged out.

sierra designs convert 2 - the convert 2 isn't a do-everything 4-season shelter but it does...
The Convert 2 isn't a do-everything 4-season shelter but it does work well for the types of trips a majority of people going on. It's far from our first choice for extended trips in extreme conditions but is perfect for moderate mountain objectives, and for those wanting a little more space and versatility - and are willing to carry a bit extra weight to get it. This model features spacious interior dimensions and a gigantic vestibule that can be left behind to save a pound and a half.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Conclusion


The Sierra Designs Convert 2 is an exceptional, versatile tent that truly blurs the lines between three and four-season models. It fills a nice niche for the type of tent that many people are after and fills it well. It isn't strong enough for most expedition use but is more than adequate for summertime mountaineering, multi-day ski tours, and lower elevation snow camping, which is what the majority of folks will venture on. It's breathable and light enough to take on pure backpacking trips, and we certainly appreciate its price tag.

Ian Nicholson