SlingFin Portal 1 Tent Review - The Best 1-Person Tent?

After using the SlingFin Portal 1 throughout a handful of trips over the last few months, Neil found it was not only a cozy home away from home but also comes with a few unique features that sets this one-person tent apart from others. In our latest video, shares his thoughts on the tent, shares how to set it up, and how it stacks up agains others.
Full written review: bikepacking.com/gear/slingfin...
This video was supported by 1UP USA, learn more about one up and their bike carriers here: 1up-usa.com?YT&Q1
Outline:
intro - 0:00
Who is SlingFin - 0:31
Specs - 2:00
Setup and take down - 4:34
Outside features - 6:33
Inside features - 7:30
Size - 9:12
In use - 10:28
Comps - 12:34
Final Thoughts - 13:50
Mentioned Links:
Portal 1 Tent - www.slingfin.com/products/por...
Tent Fabrics and Sun Damage - www.slingfin.com/blogs/the-be...
Tents on BIKEPACKING.COM - bikepacking.com/?s=tents
Do you enjoy our videos, routes, and articles? Help sustain this resource by joining the Bikepacking Collective: bikepacking.com/join/?...
#bikepacking #pedalfurther #slingfin
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::About The Host::
Neil Beltchenko ( / neil_beltchenko )
Geometry: 150lbs, 5'9.5", 32" inseam, +2.5" Ape index

[@GregMcCahon]

So excited to see you review this! I’ve been using the Portal 2 for over a year now and it’s my dream tent. Such thoughtful design and attention to detail, and has held up incredibly well over that time. The 2 person comes in stealthy green which has been amazing for Mexico - hopefully they bring that to the 1P + 3P versions too

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

They plan on brining more stealth colors, just not sure when that will be.

[@shaunphillips6468]

I've been following you and Victoria's journey on you tube - its an awesome watch

[@nacnud2323]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom I'll look out for the green colour, no camping allowed here so green is essential. As is the ability to cope with wind and rain.

[@SlingFin1]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom This summer! Looking like July, probably.

[@matthewchristensen8901]

I've been using the Portal 2 as well for about three years now. It is probably the best double walled tent I have ever used (that's 40+ years in the outdoors).

[@SlingFin1]

So stoked you enjoyed the tent!! The stealthy version will be available this summer- probably sometime in July.

[@BackpackingTrip]

what is the stealth version like?

[@GunSheppard]

@@BackpackingTrip It uses dark green and brown fabrics, you can see the stealth version in the Slingfin Portal 2

[@maxinemead8918]

I've had the Portal 2P for a while, for bike camping and kayak camping, and I really like that tent. I've had Big Agnes, Sea to Summit, and MSR tents in the past, and the SlingFin Portal is far and away the best I've used. Somewhat reluctantly, for weight reasons, I decided to get the 1P for backpacking -- reluctantly, because I've used other 1P tents and have never been happy about the coffin-like claustrophobic feel they all seemed to have. I was very happy to discover that the Portal 1P has a very spacious feel to it. I would have no qualms about having to hole up in it for a 1/2 day to wait out a heavy rainstorm.

[@davidbaker518]

Best review out there. I ordered my Portal 1 yesterday. The ability to set up the tent under the fly on rainy days and getting away only using two pegs at a squeeze on hard ground is a huge improvement on my previous bikepacking tent. I'm looking forward to testing it out in the Southern Alps of New Zealand this summer.

[@thecma3]

Slingfin's 4-season tents have been really popular with alpine climbers/mountaineers, too. It seems like the classic pattern of, "outdoor gear company is bought out by corporate overlord and redirected for mass appeal, so the designers leave and start a company focused on actually making great products."

[@SlingFin1]

Nailed it! Better get a tent soon before we merge with Unilever or something 😂

[@albert85b]

You really do get what you pay for. This seems like a truly premium tent! If I was spending 10-20 plus nights a year outdoors, I would totally splurge and enjoy the comfort and quality.

[@murph6730]

My Portal 2 arrives Monday. Stoked!

[@themindunset]

I love this tent. Love everything they make.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Another well done and informational video. Like the sandals too! Take care, Al

[@Incorruptus1]

Thank you for this review. I think I finally found a tent I do appreciate and like. Being near 6.9 Ft...I need a spacey one. Now I hope it can be delivered throughout EU as well. Let's see. Good luck!

[@milesarbour2210]

Great review, Neil. Looks like a well-designed tent. You definitely seemed happy to have it during that wild storm in Arizona this winter!!!!

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I was very pleased with how it handled that rain, what a wild experience.

[@obikedog]

It's a great tent and a really great review covering everything we need to know! I really appreciated the round-up comparison to the competition. The details of this tent set it apart and perhaps they are worth the extra price for those camping in extreme conditions regularly. That said, practically the Portal is nearly indistinguishable from the Copper Spur HV UL1 which is, according to the REI specs, actually the same length (88") and has slightly more floor space (20 sq ft vs Portal's 19.25). As noted the weights are similar but the CS is ounces lighter for 60$ less. (Admittedly a fraction of these tent's high prices but still.) While I like the cross frame attachment system better on the Portal, I've camped at the beach with the Copper spur and wind/rain gusts to 20mph haven't phased it -- as long as I batten all the hatches and tension it down. Both can be setup the same way with just a fly on poles. No doubt - I'd be happy if they sent me one or if I had it instead. It is a solid offering and I'll be interested to follow them in the future! But otherwise I'm happy to stick with my UL2 (bikepacking version) which (tent/poles/fly) weighs just over 3lbs (1.4kg) but has nine more sq ft and TWO doors. All of which really helps here in the rainy, muggy and buggy East! (I have got to move back West!

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

I'm a big fan of +1 to any tent. If you are solo get a 2p, if you are duo get a 3p. If you have to be locked in that tent all day due to heavy rain you will appreciate the extra space.

[@JakeLuke308]

This kills me. I bought a new tent 2 years ago after all our canoe gear was stolen at the put in. Thought I had my dream tent...till I saw this video. Soul searching for the next few days.

[@hectormiranda9712]

Great review as always! Did you pack it mostly in panniers or frame bag or handlebar bag? Ty

[@teddgram]

I think if I were looking for a free standing tent, it would definitely be on the list. Looks pretty nice.

[@dtbrooks7325]

Looks like a great tent. Would you think less of me if I were to cart around a 3lb 5oz REI 2-person Quarter Dome? That's a trade-off that that I made.

[@tiger2too18]

The cross member can be used with trekking poles or carbon fibre poles to stabalize the tent in high winds as required. Really like the roomy Portal 2.

[@jeffabrams-je2ep]

Very similar to my Big Agnes Copper Spur. Even similar colors.

[@ploegdbq]

1UP USA, Direct From Dickeyville! Good stuff.

[@omare_biketonature]

What about the Alpkit Ultra? 900 grams, carbon poles at $300?

[@paulverweij6348]

my Big agnes cupper spur is running on its last leggs this looks like a good upgrade for that :) especialy the extra lines placements, the days in Iceland where I had to plan my tentplacement with the wind direction over the night.. and still wake up ad 4 in the morning to find the tent flat on top of myself.... are not funny

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

Oh man, did you camp out at the Schnebly Hill overlook? I've always wanted to do that.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

I did, it’s been on the list for a while, a pretty special spot.

[@mtb4you382]

Sling Fin Portal 2 First impression a great tent, but not the easiest to use and for me personal not worth the price. The material of the tent bag is way to slippery so a compression sack or dry bag is highly recommended Got several small holes after just a few nights outdoors. Seems like the nylon is not holding up strong. After only 2 months of use, I'm happy to move on to another brand.

[@SlingFin1]

We use the most durable nylon for the weight available- most other tents in this category also use 20D or less durable 15D nylon for the floor. You won't find another tent in this weight range with more durable fabrics. Like all lightweight gear, our tents need to be treated with care to maximize their lifespan. We've seen our tents last full 5 month thru hikes without fabric damage. If you have fabric damage after only a couple nights out, it's an indication of extremely rough handling and you probably would be better off with a tent that sacrifices some weight for the sake of durability- no freestanding tent under 3lbs will hold up to that kind of abuse. That being said, we'd be happy to repair the holes if you send it in so you can keep your tent going!

[@mtb4you382]

@@SlingFin1 I've been biking around the world for over a year and I definitely know how to take care of a tent and I've never had a problem - not with my NX Hubba, not with my Tigerwall 1. I'm very comfortable saying that especially in this price range, an MSR Hubba Nx will hold up much better than your tent. This video is just another paid review of a product that, in my opinion, is definitely not the best 1-person tent on the market.

[@mizzougrad001]

Link doesn't go to the tent, and its missing from their website.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

www.slingfin.com/products/portal-1

[@BRAINpl]

Came for the tent, stayed for the sandals. What are those??

[@stanleyibarra1566]

Is there a 2 person tent available? 4:23

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Yep! i guess I should have mentioned, but there is a 2 and 3 person available.

[@br5380]

3 Season and inner pitch first? It rains here (Scotland) in all 4 Seasons…

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

No, you can pitch the fly first. They have video on their website.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

Also, lies, I saw it just snowed there. 🤣

[@br5380]

@@BIKEPACKINGcom last Thursday it started wet, went to sleet, then sunshine, and while out on my MTB we had hail 🙂

[@DavidDanenfelzer]

Are your jeans really special? Why did you sit on a puffy jacket? They seem kind of expensive.

[@BIKEPACKINGcom]

more for padding to be honest, but, why do you care about this to comment about it?

[@Min3cr4ck]

Why does this look way too MSR for me?

[@SlingFin1]

Not sure! It's a totally different pole architecture, with different fabrics, coatings, and features. But... it's also kinda orangey-red-ish. So maybe that's it?

[@Min3cr4ck]

@SlingFin1 At first look, it was really reminding me of my MSR Zoic 1 (which is apparently not sold anymore) But with all the features it is like a way more advanced version of that! Might upgrade to this If my Zoic fails, as spec and size wise it seems as a good replacement option.

[@SlingFin1]

@@Min3cr4ck Ah yes, the zoic! That seemed like a good value for a solid tent. Yep, definitely similar pole structure. I wonder why they discontinued it- it seemed like a good option for a lot of people.

[@bobbys7330]

Small fly toggles and aging 🙌… 😩

[@jrother]

Yes, for a cool, easy $500...