Are Rei Tents Worth The Money?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Our Verdict.

The REI Passage 2 is an excellent choice in the world of budget backpacking tents

. It wins our award for best overall, thanks to its comfort and ease of setup. Its two large side doors give each sleeper their own entry and exit point.

Is a backpacking tent worth it?


Backpacking tents are worth the high price when you consider the quality that you’re getting for your money

. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars, but with higher prices usually comes more durable materials, simple setup, and usually better protection against the elements too.

Are ultralight tents worth it?

The Verdict

And we’re generally in agreement when it comes to backpacking tents:

our lightweight and ultralight categories offer the best compromise in terms of weight savings, feature sets, weather protection, and cost

.

How much does a decent tent cost?

Tent Type Price Range
Car Camping


$35-$200
Backpacking $100-$200+ Ultralight $50-600 Long-Term (Canvas) $200-$1500+

Why are Coleman tents so cheap?

Why are Coleman tents so cheap? They are cheaper because

they use polyester which is an inexpensive material compared to nylon

and cheaper Coleman tents are not entirely waterproof to further cut the price which means their customers need to do some level of waterproofing by themselves.

What is minimum Trail weight for a tent?

Trail weight — or minimum weight — is

how much the tent weighs without the non-essential components

. At a minimum, this should include the poles, tent body, and rain fly. Some manufacturers include stakes and guy lines when calculating trail weight.

What is a tent footprint for?

A tent footprint

protects the underside of the tent from abrasion and moisture

, helping to extend the lifespan of the tent and keep it drier on the inside.

What is a base camp tent?

The Basecamp is

designed for taller campers and those that want more interior space in a packable tent for hunting and ice fishing trips

. This tent is designed on the same footprint as our Shortwall, but 6” taller. There is more head room, more room for cots and a taller door. All tents have 2 zipper pulls on the door.

Do you really need a tent?


You don’t need a tent, specifically, for backpacking

but you do need some form of rain protection and/or insect protection in most climates when camping out along a trail. It can be a tent, hammock with a tarp, a waterproof bivy sack, a bug shelter, or some combination of these to provide the protection you need.

Why are hilleberg tents so expensive?


The materials used in a Hilleberg tent are of the highest quality

, therefore they are also more expensive than many others.

Why is backpacking so expensive?

Why Are Backpacking Tents So Expensive? Backpacking tents are made of a combination of materials which allow them to be waterproof, breathable, lightweight and sturdy all at once.

It is a difficult combination to perfect, and as each of those categories improves – so the price increases

.

What is a good weight for a backpacking tent?

A lighter tent will most likely be constructed of more delicate materials, whereas a heavier tent will be more durable. Generally speaking, a tent should weigh approximately

2.5 pounds per person

. Remember that when backpacking with multiple people, you can split the weight by dividing the tent, rain fly, and poles.

Is 5 lbs heavy for a backpacking tent?

An ultralight backpacking tent usually weighs between 1 and 2 pounds. A lightweight backpacking tent typically weighs between 3 and 4 pounds.

A standard/traditional backpacking tent weighs around 5 to 7 pounds

.

How durable are Dyneema tents?

The Dyneema® fiber is up to 15 times stronger than steel on a weight for weight basis. Dyneema® floats on water and is

extremely durable

and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. Dyneema® fiber has an extremely high tensile strength, and very low stretch making it ideal for our tents, tarps, and backpacks.

How much does a good camping tent cost?

In most cases, spending

$60 – $180

on a camping tent would give you the best balance of quality, space, and affordability. However, tents can cost anywhere between $20 to more than $1,000. Expect to spend more on a tent if you want to go backpacking, camp in colder weather, or camp in large groups. Let’s jump right in.

How much does a good 2 person tent cost?

You can purchase a satisfactory two-person camping tent at the lower price end,

between $40 and $50

. These tents have standard features such as guylines, waterproofed seams, vents, and a rainfly.

How many times can you use a tent?


Some tents will last a lifetime.


Other tents may only last for a few years

. The quality of a tent is going to have a direct impact on the lifespan of that tent. If you want the kind of tent that will last for decades or more, you’re going to want to make sure you buy one of the top tents on the market.

Are Coleman tents made in China?

Global Manufacturing


Many of Coleman’s products are made in Asia

. But its domestic manufacturing is significant, and the company is making a push to “re-shore” more of its manufacturing to the U.S. The company has three domestic plants and employs about 1,000 people who make gear.

Does Coleman make a good tent?

It’s no secret that

Coleman is one of the best camping tent brands out there

. There are many reasons for that, including their affordability, wide variety of tents, and superior weather protection technology. If you’re a first-time camper, you can’t go wrong by choosing almost any Coleman tent.

How long does a Coleman tent last?

According to sources, on average, Coleman tents last

longer than five years

if they have been appropriately maintained, are only used a few times a year, and are used during fair conditions or extreme conditions only occasionally.

What is the heaviest part of a tent?


Bathtub floor

. The floor of a tent needs to be waterproof and have protection from running water outside the inner tent. The bathtub floor wraps up the sides, usually to the height of the door. This tends to be heavier material than the rest of the tent to resist abrasion and puncture from you moving around in the tent …

What is the difference between trail weight and packed weight?

Packed weight refers to how much the entire tent package weighs when you purchase it, including tent body, fly, poles, stakes, guy lines, stuff sacks, and other accessories such as pole repair sleeves or patch kits. Trail weight usually refers to the weight of only the tent body, rain fly, and poles.

What is the difference between copper spur and tiger wall?

Although Tiger Wall is %22.5 lighter and %28.9 smaller (when packed) compared to Copper Spur, It is less roomy, its vestibule area and floor area are smaller than Copper Spur, and it is 1′′ shorter than the Copper Spur.

Should you put a tarp under a tent?


Putting some sort of ground cover or tarp under your tent is essential for the durability of your tent and to keep it warm and dry

.

Do I need a ground sheet under my tent?

While

a ground sheet is not required

, a ground sheet under your tent, whether it is built-in or external, will provide extra comfort, protection, and warmth from the elements while extending the life of your tent.

Which side of tent footprint goes up?

Footprints typically have a shiny (coated) side and dull (uncoated) side. You should place the

dull side on the ground (shiny side facing up)

in order to minimize abrasion on the coating. A tent uses waterproof fabric in 2 places: the floor and rainfly.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.