Lucy Wallace finds some issues in the Sierra Designs High Side 1-3000, a compact solo tent model.
For this model, American brand Sierra Designs have adapted their well-established High Side one person tent, improving the weatherproofing and durability of the materials to suit a European market, where people are more likely to camp in poor weather.
Lucy Wallace’s verdict
Although well suited to three-season use, it’s closer to a hooped bivvy in terms of comfort and would suit smaller people best.- compact
- lightweight
- small living space
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $299.95 / £300 (available from Valley and Peak) Weight: 1186g Pitching: inner first Flysheet Materials: 20D nylon Ripstop, Silicone and Polyurethane coated with H/H of 1200mm Inner Materials: 15D nylon No-See-Um mesh Groundsheet Materials: 30D nylon Ripstop, Silicone and Polyurethane coated with H/H of 1200mm Poles: 8.7mm diameter, aluminium Pegs: 12 Y-shaped pegs Porches: 1 Inner Dimensions: 224cm long x 86cm wide (head)/66cm wide (foot); max height 81cm sierradesigns.com |
The colour has been changed to a more neutral green to suit tastes on this side of the Atlantic. The tent is lightweight, with a neat pack size that suits bike-packers for whom packed space is at a premium. It’s a simple tunnel design, with two lightweight poles forming hoops that stand under tension.
It’s called the High Side because one side is noticeably higher than the other, although the overall shape is low and sheds wind well. I tested the tent in torrential rain and gusty winds and was grateful that although it pitches inner first, it is simple and quick to put up. I was pleased to have a dry night, particularly as the fly doesn’t extend fully over the inner at the foot end. Thankfully, there’s a generous, weatherproof bathtub groundsheet that kept the rain out.
The upper part of the inner is mesh. Despite the cramped living conditions, I suffered no condensation, although this may have been due to the intense winds.
The porch is reasonably proportioned for the small size of the tent, and the doorway can be raised and extended to form a sheltered entrance using a collapsed trekking pole and an additional guy (not supplied).
Whilst the tent scores highly for weatherproofing, weight, pack size, and ease of pitching, it falls short on liveable space. At 5’8″, I couldn’t sit up inside with my sleeping mat inflated, and even getting dressed or entering and exiting the tent was awkward. It’s not a space I’d want to spend much time in.
Although well suited to three-season use, it’s closer to a hooped bivvy in terms of comfort and would suit smaller people best.
Testing conditions
The tents were tested over several wild camps in mixed springtime conditions. This included some rough, wet and windy nights out. Weights supplied were measured on Lucy’s home digital scales, and include the entire tent, poles, pegs and stuff sacks as packed.
This review was first published in the September 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare this with other one-person tents in our buyer’s guide.
