I picked up a older Golite SL2 a few months ago and though I have used it a few times I haven't used it in anything but a light rain. I have heard that the thread was supposed to expand so they didn't need to be seam sealed but wanted to see how well that worked in practice. Anyone have any insight?

The older SL2's had the expanding thread, but the newer ones with the lighter fabric are seam taped?

Yes, the new ones are sil/pu coated and seam taped. I think they started using the new fabric in 2010. This is the older version with the expanding thread, I just dont know how well it works. I was hopeing some people had some experiance with it here.

There is a very long thread at Outdoors Magic that includes comments on that
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/gear/golite-shangri-la-3/hex-3-owners-thread/30212.html

Hi Brad,

I've been using a 2009 SL2 as my primary shelter since November of 09. Since then, the shelter has seen some pretty intense storms. So far, so good. No leaks.

I had an old hex 3 out in a very heavy storm one time in colorado and it didnt leak. It was not seam sealed and I think it was the same fabric as the old. Version SL3

Edited by bwortman on 12/19/2012 07:12:18 MST.

I've been using a Hut 1 in same fabric since probably 2007 and no leaks in several storms ; ) (never seam sealed).

Thank you guys this was just the kind of first hand info I was looking for. I probably won't use it above freezing much but its good to know if I do, it shouldn't leak.