Head to head
Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel vs Sea to Summit Ikos Evo
The Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel gives each person more floor — 16.5 sq ft against 15.6, which is the difference between standard and standard. The Sea to Summit Ikos Evo is the lighter carry at 5 lb 6 oz, and the Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel is the cheaper of the two at ~$350.
 Big Agnes Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel |  Sea to Summit Sea to Summit Ikos Evo | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Backpacking | Backpacking |
| Rated capacity | 2-person | 2-person |
| Floor area per personestimated | 16.5 sq ft (standard) | 15.6 sq ft (standard) |
| Floor area | 33 sq ft | 31.2 sq ft |
| Vestibule area | 37 sq ft | 18.8 sq ft |
| Peak height | 42 in | 41.3 in |
| Minimum trail weight | 5 lb 9 oz | 5 lb 6 oz |
| Packed weight | 6 lb 10 oz | 5 lb 9 oz |
| Weight per personestimated | 44.5 oz (trail weight) | 43.1 oz (trail weight) |
| Pad fitestimated | 2 × 25 in pads fit | — |
| Fits sleepers up toestimated | 7ft tall | — |
| Doors | 2 | 2 |
| Freestanding | freestanding | freestanding |
| Poles | aluminum | aluminum |
| Wall type | double wall | double wall |
| Season rating | 3-season | 3-season |
| Floor hydrostatic head | 1,500 mm | — |
| Packed size | 21 x 7 in | 19.7 x 7.1 x 7.1 in |
| Approx. price | ~$350 | ~$350 |
Big Agnes Blacktail Hotel
Same tent as the Blacktail, with one side's vestibule blown out to 28 square feet on an extra pole — a covered porch you can put two camp chairs under and sit out a rain shower in. That is 37 square feet of vestibule against the plain Blacktail's 18, for nine ounces and $50. If you camp anywhere that rains for a full day, it is the single most useful $50 in this catalog; if you are counting grams it is the wrong tent entirely.
Best for
Rainy-region camping where you need somewhere dry to sit that is not inside the tent.
Sea to Summit Ikos Evo
The Ikos is the Telos idea at half the price: same Tension Ridge geometry, same multi-mode pitching, heavier polyester fabrics and plain anodised aluminium poles instead of DAC. Thirty-one square feet, 18.8 of vestibule, footprint included, $350 — and 86 ounces, which is a full two pounds more than the Telos. Sea to Summit is explicit that the low peak height is deliberate: the tent is shaped for wind stability, and you will not stand up in it.
Best for
Someone who wants the Telos layout and vestibule at half the price and does not mind carrying the difference.
Rows where the two differ are tinted. Specs are the makers’ own; floor area per person, weight per person and pad fit are our arithmetic on them.