Indus 2

I originally bought this tent for my Alaska motorcycle adventure, but I haven't gone as of yet. I've had the tent for a couple years now and have used it on a handfull of motorcycle trips. It's a very robust and sturdy tent that sets up so easily and quick. I love the fact that it's completely free standing and you can set it up first to get the perfect spot to set it in before pegging it out. The only thing I wish were different about it is that it had the poles on the outside for a fly first pitch with the interior attached to the inside of the fly for pitching in the nasty weather. But I love this tent. Very stable and roomy. One thing I did do extra to it is connect mini carabiners on the guy out lines and only attach the ones I need at the time, to the fly instead of having them hang all over the place when I don't need them, also makes packing the tent easier and a bit quicker. I have much lighter tents, but they are nowhere near as sturdy as this one and I don't have to pamper this tent like I do with others. So this year I am planning my Alaska trip by motorcycle and will have a bunch more to add about this tent when I get back. One thing I would love to stress about Slingfin is the customer service is outstanding. Slingfin Tim has answered all my calls, questions and responded right back if I left a message. And they are very knowledgeable which really helps with a lot better understanding in the end. Thanks Tim. You guys are a class act.

Update on the tent, I’m back from my Alaskan adventure. The tent was perfect for my journey. It held up perfectly and had no issues whatsoever. It didn’t sag at all when covered with wet snow, it held up with no issues in heavy winds and rain. When you’re in Alaska, there’s plenty of both. It’s endured 13,500 miles of motorcycle travel using it almost every night for 2 and a half months night after night. It was the proper tool for the environment it was in. No rips, tares, or even abrasions and it took a beating. I used only the inner tent on warmer nights with no rain in the forecast at night and put it on with the cooler nights, which was most of the nights in the northern area. I would highly recommend this tent for anyone looking for a robust tent in rough environments. It sets up in a couple of minutes and can be guyed out if needed for heavy winds. It made my journey worry free for shelter and not once had a concern about it failing. I’ve got many tents, but this is my go to tent for the harsher conditions and motorcycle travel.

I'm 70 years old and bought my first tent more than 50 years ago. I've owned tents made by many of the most popular brands since then, and a couple of bivys. This tent is my favorite. The fly and footprint can be clipped to the tent, making one integral structure. Staked out, it is bomber. I know I'm going to be warm and dry wherever. And it is light enough to get it there.

I needed to replace my tent that I use for work and read about SlingFin. I am a wildland firefighter and spend a bit of time sleeping outside and when I set up a tent it's for rain/ bugs or warmth. Last summer I spent some time in AK in July and August and had all of it. Rain, temps in the 20's and endless bugs. The Indus worked great. Even after 4 days of non stop rain, the fly did not wet out, and the tent was warm and dry. The vestibule worked well in wind and kept all my stuff dry. I spent 38 days using the tent last summer and it's a solid, very useful part of my kit and I will be keeping it for a while.

In a complicated, busy market of tents, this one stands out and I am a loyal customer now. While it is not a backpacking tent, it is a solid tool and works very well.

I rented an Indus from Mountain Shop in Portland, OR because I was curious whether the Slingfin brand would live up to the hype (spoiler: I ordered my own Slingfin afterwards).

The Indus pitched taught the first time, gave loads of interior space, and was fairly intuitive to use. Despite cold winter temperatures, we experienced barely any condensation, and everything operated well (zippers, tensioners, etc). I'd have confidence pitching the Indus in some pretty austere environments.

I own a handful of other tents from the big names in commercial backpacking gear, and I've used mountaineering/expedition tents made by one of Mr. Zemetis' previous employers. The "burliness" of the Indus is much more on par with the expedition tents, albeit at a lower weight. I felt like I could wrench on the tensioners and guyout points during setup without fear, which is not something I'd say of the lighter backpacking tents where a wrong glance might tear the material. The build quality is also exceptional: perfect stitching, every panel tightened flat without ripples, and bar tacks that exude confidence. This tent set a new standard for how good a tent can be, and as an occasional hobbyist gear maker myself, I can only aspire to do work as nice as the craftsmanship coming out of the Slingfin factory.

The Indus is very much as advertised: "rock-solid gear that doesn't have to be babied," which means it isn't the lightest or smallest possible tent. That understood, and wanting lower weight/smaller footprint/smaller packed size, I did buy a Hotbox after my experience with the Indus. Weather and work have meant I haven't taken that tent out yet, but setting it up once tells me Slingfin has the same standards across their product line. I'm typically averse to endorsing a particular brand, but Slingfin has me excited - a rare upstream swimmer in the raging torrent of encrapified gear.

Alpine Ascents has been using this tent for a whole season in our rental fleet, and they have held up amazing. All over the Cascade volcanoes, up and down North Cascades National Park, and even a stint at the Gorge Amphitheater. They haven't been thrashed by clients or guides. The easy setup and versatility is incredible, especially for new folks with minimal tenting experience. Slingfin's attention to detail and willingness to include optional features (rather than making it a "pay for extras" type of system) really makes this and all of their tents a great value.
Highly recommend one or a fleet of forty for anyone looking for a do-it-all, 2-person tent.

I purchased the tent primarily for motorcycle camping where size matters more than weight. The tent/fly, ground sheet, sleeping mattress, and sleeping bag all easily fit inside one pannier of my BMW. I really like the fact that there are no mesh panels since I frequently camp in the desert where fine, wind blown sand easily passes through mesh and makes for an uncomfortable situation. I have had zero issues with condensation, however, I camp in the west where humidity is typically low. It has been through some heavy rain and wind with no problems. My only gripe, and it is very minor, is I wish there was clip, strap, or some device to secure the poles together at the peak. Overall a great tent.