Big Agnes Frying Pan SL 2 Person Dome Tent Review

While preparing this review of the Frying Pan SL 2, we examined the data from two hundred and fifty-four two person dome tents, evaluating more than 60 different data points. We also looked at the cost including shipping & discounts from thirteen various retailers sites, to find the best bargain for you.

The Frying Pan SL Fly Open
Big Agnes's Frying Pan SL 2 With the Fly Open
In the report, we will present to you:
  • A look at the customer reviews we read.
  • A detailed overview of the features, materials and dimensions.
  • The Pros and Cons of the shelter.
  • The Best Value that we Found!

At optimumtents.com our reviews are produced with the aid of our individual database of more than one thousand shelters, that are found in the USA. Our goal is to give you an honest review and our own exclusive rating based on the data, along with the best value and lowest price we could find. At this moment in time, this tent is no longer listed on the manufactures website or in the other thirteen stores we check daily.

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  • Big Agnes Logo
  • Manufacturer: Big Agnes
  • Model: Frying Pan SL
  • MPN: TFPSL2PKG18
  • Sleeping Capacity: 2 Persons
  • Designed For: 3 Seasons
  • Best Use: Backpacking
  • Type: Dome Tent
  • Available in: Other Sizes
  • MSRP: $249.95
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Frying Pan SL 2 Pictures and Videos

Click on an image or video to enlarge them!


The Frying Pan SL With the Fly Off

Big Agnes Frying Pan SL 2 With the Fly Off
Fly Closed on the on the Frying Pan SL 2

Fly Closed on the Frying Pan SL 2

A video about the Frying Pan SL 2 tent.

Another video about Big Agnes's tents.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Logo Representing the Features Section

Features


  • Freestanding: Yes
  • Color: Orange, Gray
  • Number of Rooms: 1
  • Number of Windows: None
  • Number of Doors: 2
  • Zippers: Easy grip zipper pulls
  • Storage Pockets & Gear Loft: Yes, Sold separately
  • Mesh Roof & Walls: Yes, Half
  • Footprint: Included
Logo Representing the Materials Section

Materials and Extras


  • Inner Walls: Breathable Polyester/Polyester Mesh
  • Full Fly: Ripstop Nylon
    Fly Waterproof Ratings: 1200 mm
  • Floor Materials: Polyester Taffeta
    Floor Waterproof Ratings: 1500 mm
  • Pole Material: Aluminum DAC Pressfit
  • Number Of Poles: 2
  • Pole Dimensions: 8.7mm
  • Guy Lines & Guy Outs: Yes, Yes
  • Stakes: Aluminum Hook Stakes
Logo Representing the Dimensions Section

Dimensions


  • Floor Area: 28 sq. ft.
  • Center Height: 3 foot. 4 inches.
  • Packed Weight: 5 Lbs 5 Oz
    Trail Weight: 4 Lbs. 5 Oz.
  • Packed Size: 18 x 7 inches.
  • Number of Vestibules: 2
    Total Vestibule Area: 16.00 sq. ft.
    (2 x 8 sq. ft.)
  • Screened Areas: None
  • Awnings: None

Tent Set Up

Easy to pitch, with a generous living space.

Green Thumbs Up Logo

Summary: Favorable Reviews

I absolutely enjoyed this one during my multiple trips. I loved the durability, easiness of setting it up, and the waterproofness ability that it has.


Teal Thumbs Down Logo

Summary: Unfavorable Reviews

I hope the tent got roomier. It's pretty small compared to other shelters in its class. The tent floor-length is a bit too short.


  • READ OTHER CUSTOMER REVIEWS

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SPECS AND CONFIGURATIONS

The Frying Pan SL 2 has two doors and a maximum center height of 3' 4, which is 11 inches less than the average height of the 211 other 2 person tents we have studied. With 28 square feet of space inside, it is significantly smaller than some other 2-person tents, and it would be quite tight for you and, another camper during the 3-seasons, this tent is approved for use in, smaller tents like this one generally make a really good choice for people that welcome spending plenty of time outside exploring the great outdoors.

Many of the cool things about dome tents are, that they are under normal circumstances not too heavy, making them easy to carry around. In most all cases, tents used for backpacking are of the dome type. They are generally speaking, freestanding and very straightforward to set up. In good weather, you can do without guy lines and stakes, not that this is recommended.

Dome tents are the most common of all the various types of tents you will find when camping. They tend to fair better in the rain than other types, allowing water to roll off the sloped sides, unlike cabin tents that have flat roofs, resulting in the water pooling on the top of the tent. The most straightforward dome tent should have a rectangular floor, sloped walls two or more poles which cross in the middle of the roof. Due to their construction, it is typically thought of that they are best suited for up to a maximum of 6 campers.

Below you can check out an account of the tent's strongest and weakest points.

Click or Tap on the Tab you Want to See!

PROS

  1. Freestanding. The Frying Pan SL can support its own weight on any terrain. It does not need to be staked down in most cases. But in case of strong winds, it is always best to secure it to the ground with the included steel stakes and guylines.
  2. Vestibules. Having two vestibules. Gives you a place to store shoes and other items that can get dirty, muddy, this is a huge plus.
  3. Internal storage. It is nice to see Big Agnes has added a gear loft and pockets in the interior to store some of your stuff.
  4. More than one door. With 2 doors, it is easier to get in and out of the tent, in the middle of the night if needed.
  5. Includes FootPrint. It is not often we see a footprint included with a tent. It is strongly suggested to always use a footprint, so not having to pay extra for one is a plus.
  6. Breathable. The Frying Pan SL's interior uses a mesh fabric on the inside of the tent, and this helps maximize the flow of air. With the extra ventilation, and this tent is great for use in the warmer months.
  7. The rainfly completely covers the tent body. The rainfly covers the entire body of the tent from the top to the bottom and has a waterproof rating of 1200mm. Meaning it will easily protect you against heavy rain.
  8. Other sizes are available. Big Agnes has also made this model available in Other Sizes.
  9. Low price. It is a great deal for a 2 person dome tent providing this much space. Not many tents available on the market give this level of quality for only $249.95

CONS

  1. Not spacious. With a floor area of 28 square feet, the Frying Pan SL 2 is smaller than quite a few of the 211 other 2 person tents we have looked at.
  2. Lacking in Headroom. With 11% less headroom than similar sized tents, one can see how this could be a negative thing for some campers.
  3. Out of Stock. Unfortunately this particular tent is not currently in stock. It is still on the manufactures site the last time we checked.
  4. Sloping walls. Even though Dome tents have lots of things to be positive about. The sloping sides do tend to make it all the more smaller inside.

CONCLUSION

4.3 Stars Logo

Our Ratings: 4.3 STARS

Big Agnes's Frying Pan SL 2 tent is suitable for backpacking. There are a few other nice points not already mentioned above which, we found and liked, while reviewing the model: All seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape (No PVC or VOC's), Quick Stash door keeper on tent body door makes stowing unzipped door quick and easy and Light enough for the backcountry, strong enough for the front country.

With good ratings, and headroom of 3' and 28 square feet of space to play with, this tent is like your very own small home away from home. It will allow you to spend some delightful moments hanging out with nature. We found a decent amount of pros about the tent that you can study above.

If you found this page looking for suggestions about this particular tent, our view is, it will make for a great buy. If you simply happened to arrive on this website while looking for a brand new tent having not heard of this manufacurer or this tent previously, it is possibly a good thing to check out some other similar tents also.

Value for money: In so much as value for your money, this tent is a cheaper than the normal price of all the two hundred and ninety-two, two-person tents we have taken a look at, this alone by itself does not make it good value for money. One should also take into account other things in-depth, as we do with each tent.

When we calculate the ratings of a single tent, we consider a good deal of data points, searching for things where the tent could outperform other comparable tents and where it is coming up short. On this occasion, with a total rating of 4.3 and the price details above, one can conclude that with a price of $249.95 The Frying Pan SL 2 is a very good purchase and fabulously competitively priced when compared with comparable tents.

Its ratings show that the quality and space the tent provides were not compromised to get a price tag unquestionably under the standard price for similar tents. It will make a very good choice for nearly all campers looking for an appropriate three-season backpacking tent to go camping with, that will serve you well for years to come.

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COMPARE WITH OTHER SIMILAR TENTS

BIG AGNES TENT MODELS

BACKPACKING TENTS || DOME TENTS

Other Sizes and Variations of the Big Agnes Frying Pan SL Model

Model Headroom Sleeping Area

Big Agnes Frying Pan SL 2
Frying Pan SL 2

3' 4"28 sq ft

Big Agnes Frying Pan SL 3
Frying Pan SL 3

3' 7"38 sq ft
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