Portal 2
Description
- Named "Editor's Choice" of 2024 by Outdoor Gear Lab
- Top pick two years running for "Best Bomber Tent" in Adventure Alan's Best Backpacking Tents list! (Full review here).
- CleverHiker Tent Guide Top Pick 2020 (Portal Review Here)
- Named one of the "Best four-season tents of 2019-2020" by Section Hiker!
- Outside Magazine named the Portal one of the 3 Best Tents of 2019: "the only tent we’d want on a stormy trek." The Portal was also declared "strongest tent" in Backpacker Magazine's Summer 2019 Gear Guide.
The Portal is our lightest freestanding tent at 2lbs 14oz. It's our statement piece saying you don't need to sacrifice strength, features, or durability to make an ultralight freestanding tent.
If there's a stronger sub three-pound tent out there, we have yet to find it. By incorporating several technologies from our Expedition Series tents, we were able to give the Portal a degree of stability and weather resistance previously reserved for dedicated "four-season", or more accurately, "one season" tents.
We designed the Portal with an eye for long-term durability. This means using premium fabrics with excellent UV and mildew resistance, eliminating PU coatings that break down over time, and adding extra zipper sliders to double the zippers' lifespan.
The Portal can be set up fly-first to keep the inner tent dry in rainy conditions. Instructions are found in the bottom video below.
Heading to Patagonia? Spending some time in the desert? Pick up our Heavy Duty Portal 2 pole set. This replaces the stock 8.7mm poles with extra sturdy 10.65mm poles to provide additional wind and snow loading resistance.
To prolong the life of your Portal's floor, pick up a Portal footprint. For ultralight weather protection in non-buggy conditions, check out the Portal Tub Floor. Additional stakes and guylines can be purchased here.
The Portal is now available in a muted green/brown colorway without reflective trim for those who like to keep a lower profile.
Features
- Two doors and two vestibules increase livability for two.
- Two pre-installed internal guylines give the Portal great lateral stability for almost no weight increase. Click here for step-by-step instructions to install a second set of internal guylines. Click here to learn how internal guylines work.
- Our new KickStand vents make ventilation a breeze. Opposing struts on the vestibule doors provide unrestricted cross-tent airflow for excellent condensation management without sacrificing weather protection.
- Short pole package is perfect for bikepacking
- High-volume pole structure with a swivel provides well-distributed headroom without the weakness of hubs.
- Pole swivel connects long poles for easy setup
- All the pockets you could ever want (two ceiling, two head, two side, one foot).
- Offset vestibule design eases entry and exit.
- 10 external guy points and 2 perimeter pull-outs provide ample reinforcement.
- External guy points are matched to toggles to attach the fly directly to the poles, increasing stability.
- Matching reflective tabs on fly and tent body simplify setup.
- Color coordinated stake loops for easy flysheet orientation
- Can be pitched with footprint (not included) and fly for a minimalist weather shelter.
- 2-Side silicone impregnated flysheet and PE floor fabric are mildew-resistant and have excellent hydrolytic stability, and will last significantly longer than traditional PU-coated fabrics.
- Pre-installed spare zipper sliders on every zipper double your zippers' lifespan.
- Includes 10 DAC J-Stakes and 6 additional external guylines (not including 2 pre-installed internal guylines)
Specs
| Minimum Weight | 2lbs 14oz (1.3kg) |
| Packaged Weight | 3lbs 5oz (1.5kg) |
| Capacity | 2 |
| Floor Area | 27.45 sq ft (2.55 sq m) |
|
Interior Height
|
44" (111cm) |
|
Packed Size
|
14" x 5" (35cm x 13cm) |
|
Pole Package Length
|
13.5" (34cm) |
| Floor Dimensions |
85" x 51" (head) / 42" (foot) (216cm x 129cm / 107cm) |
| Vestibule Area | 2 x 8.4 sq ft (2 x 0.78 sq m) |
| Number of poles | 3 |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| Guy out loops | 10 |
| Perimeter pull out loops | 2 |
| Guylines | 6 (+2 pre-installed internal guylines) |
| Stakes | 10 |
Materials
| Tent Body Fabric |
15D Nylon no-see-um mesh
|
| Floor Fabric | 20D Nylon Ripstop SIL/PE 1800mm |
| Fly Fabric | 10D Nylon 66 Ripstop Sil/Sil 1200mm |
| Poles | 2 DAC Featherlite NFL 8.7mm, 1 NFL 9.3mm |
Seam Sealing Note: The seams on your Portal's flysheet are highly water-resistant and will handle light rain just fine without being seam sealed. However, the three seams directly above the tent poles should be seam sealed for maximum waterproofness in extended, heavy rains.
Sewn in Vietnam.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: Customer is responsible for all import duties and taxes. We strongly suggest looking up duty rates in your region before ordering, especially if you live in Canada. We recommend against "UPS STANDARD" shipping because they charge very high brokerage fees. To avoid brokerage fees, select either USPS shipping or UPS Worldwide Express/Expedited service. Note that UPS brokerage fees and import tax & duty are separate. Canadian customers can estimate duty here. Please note this is just an estimate and actual rates may vary.
Features
Specs and Dimensions
| Minimum Weight | 2lbs 14oz (1.3kg) |
|---|---|
| Packaged Weight | 3lbs 5oz (1.5kg) |
| Capacity | 2 |
| Floor Area | 27.45 sq ft (2.55 sq m) |
| Interior Height | 44" (111cm) |
| Packed Size | 14" x 5" (35cm x 13cm) |
| Pole Package Length | 13.5" (34cm) |
| Floor Dimensions | 85" x 51" (head) / 42" (foot) (216cm x 129cm / 107cm) |
| Vestibule Area | 2 x 8.4 sq ft (2 x 0.78 sq m) |
| Number of poles | 3 |
| Number of doors | 2 |
| Guy out loops | 10 |
| Perimeter pull out loops | 2 |
| Guylines | 6 (+2 pre-installed internal guylines) |
| Stakes | 10 |
Materials
| Tent Body Fabric | 15D Nylon no-see-um mesh |
|---|---|
| Floor Fabric | 20D Nylon Ripstop SIL/PE 1800mm |
| Fly Fabric | 10D Nylon 66 Ripstop Sil/Sil 1200mm |
| Poles | 2 DAC Featherlite NFL 8.7mm, 1 NFL 9.3mm |
SlingFin Portal 2 — Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SlingFin Portal 2 a 3-season or 4-season tent?
The Portal is a strong 3-season tent, although it’s possible to push it into mild 4-season conditions. It is stronger than other sub-3lb backpacking tents, but it relies on proper use of the tent’s strength features to maximize its weather performance. It can give many 4-season tents a run for their money when properly set up, especially when set up with the heavy duty poles, but because it has a mesh interior, it’s not a true 4-season tent.
What makes the Portal 2 stronger than other sub-3lb tents?
The Portal can utilize your trekking poles or ski poles to reinforce the top pole for additional snow loading capacity and wind resistance. The Portal’s fly has 10 guy points and secure o-ring and toggle attachments to lock the fly down to the poles. The tent body has pre-installed internal guylines for lateral stability, with the option to add more for increased strength. The Portal also has the ability to upgrade the poles to our heavy duty pole set, which is the same type of pole we use on many of our 4-season tents. With the heavy duty poles added and the strength features used, the Portal has wind and snow loading resistance on par with many lightweight 4-season tents. You can learn about the Portal’s strength features here:
How does the OutRigger system work on the Portal 2?
The OutRiggers allow you to brace the top cross pole of the Portal using your trekking or ski poles. Simply wrap the velcro straps around your trekking pole handles and extend the trekking pole tips to the ground. This will provide improved stability in wind and greatly increased snow loading capacity. To see the OutRigger system in action, click here
Does the Portal 2 come pre-seam sealed?
We offer seam sealing as an option. Just select “yes” under “seam sealed” and your tent will come sealed. Our sealing goes on thin and dries almost invisible so even if you don’t see it, rest assured- if you ordered a seam sealed tent that’s what you got!
How does the Portal 2 handle heavy snow loads?
The slick silicone-coated flysheet fabric sheds snow well, and with the OutRigger system engaged, the Portal can handle substantial snow loading, and even more with the heavy duty pole set. Pay attention in heavy, wet snow- a couple inches of wet snow can weigh more than a foot of dry powder!
What is the difference between sil/sil flysheet fabric and traditional fabrics?
"Sil/sil” means the fabric is coated with silicone on both sides. Silicone-coated fabrics are functionally superior to traditional PU coated fabrics in pretty much every way. They are stronger for the weight, more durable, more UV-resistant, more resistant to mold, absorb less water, pack down smaller, dry out faster, and don’t smell or get sticky over time. They also don’t require DWR treatments. To learn more about fabric coatings and why our flysheets are all sil/sil, click here. Since seam tape doesn’t stick to silicone, some silicone coated flysheets should be sealed before use in very wet conditions, depending on the construction methods, tent design, and fabric itself.
Is the Portal 2 freestanding?
Yes, the Portal 2 is freestanding.
Is the Portal 2 suitable for bikepacking?
Yes! The Portal 2 is a great bikepacking tent. The short pole package fits easily on handlebars or in a frame bag, and the sil/sil fly is extremely compressible to stow in a frame or seat bag. Bikepackers tend to prefer the stealthy, non-reflective green version to blend in with their surroundings when camping near a road.
Can the Portal 2 be pitched fly-first or in a minimalist fly-and-footprint mode?
Yes, the Portal can be pitched fly-first (video instructions here). The footprint makes this process easier. The Portal can also be set up with just the fly and footprint. We also offer a tub floor accessory for a lightweight fly+footprint pitch with additional splash protection.
What is the packed size of the Portal 2?
The Portal 2 easily packs down to 14” x 5” (36cm x 13cm) and can compress much more if you store the poles separately. The pole package is a short 13.5” when packed, making the Portal a great option for bikepacking, kayak trips (sea kayaking, flatwater, or whitewater), motorcycle camping, or anything else where packed size is a priority.
How spacious is the interior of the Portal 2 for two people and extra gear?
The Portal 2 has tons of pockets for the best in-tent gear organization out there. The interior space is on par with most 2-person backpacking tents, with especially roomy vestibules. It comfortably accommodates two people with plenty of room in the vestibules and pockets for gear. If you’re hiking with a partner and want to store gear on the tent floor, you may want to size up to the Portal 3.
How do the KickStand vents prevent condensation inside the Portal 2?
The KickStand vents provide a crossbreeze that’s unimpeded by mesh, which blocks more airflow than most people realize. The KickStand vent struts hold open the tops of the vestibule zippers on the fly to allow air to flow through. Using the vents on both sides creates a draft that circulates moist air out from inside the tent and replaces it with drier air from outside, and the zipper flaps prevent rain from falling into the tent when the vents are open.
Can I get repair supplies and spare parts for the Portal?
Yes! We are passionate about keeping our tents in the field as long as possible and have spare pole sections, repair fabric, and repair adhesive available on our website. Even if a specific part isn’t listed on our spare parts page we can almost always find the part you need. Just reach out to us and we’ll get you sorted out. Depending on inventory levels we are often able to sell individual components of the tent if you manage to wear something out or damage it beyond repair.
