Marmot Swallow

Review Date
July 20, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Thomas Anderson(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $239.00 at REI

Summary:
I see that Marmot has discontinued the Swallow, too bad. The tent is a very good tent for the cost and has served me well in both overnight fishing trips and long use on hikes with others. I own several quality tents and rate this one right up there in construction and design with Hilleberg and such. I hope I can find another tent to fill this nech when this one gives out.

Customer Service:
Never used it.

Similar Products Used:
Hilleberg Soulo, Armadillo Casa Verde (car camping), Bibler tents and bivey.

Review Date
February 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by: shadowman ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $250.00 at REI

Summary:
I bought this tent a couple of years ago on sale at REI. I have used many tents and this one has become my favorite. It is so versatile and ready for just about anything mother nature can throw at it. I have done alot of backpacking all over colorado and especially at altitude and this tent has kept me both warm and dry. Staked out this tent has survived some pretty windy assaults above the tree line. It is very roomy and has lots of places to stow gear away. The burrito stuff sack that clips and hangs and the inside is a nice touch for stowing gear. If you completely unzip the front door and roll it up and pop up the awning and you can just sit back inside and watch the beutiful colorado sunsets. The awning also works well for cooking meals. I have set up this tent alone in some pretty adverse weather and it is extremely easy to pitch single handed. Whether it was raining...(3 to 4 days at a time) or snowing and windy we had no problems staying dry. I have had this tent up to 12,300 feet and it performed perfectly. Very very little condensation on the inside due to the great ventilation. The ceiling height is just right so on rainy days or inclement weather you can easily sit up and plays cards or whatever to pass the time. On the downside it is a bit heavy but no worries at all as long as you have someone to split the weight with. The front awning also tends to snag when trying to open it from the inside. But this is a minor inconvenience. I was worried the the roof was a little flat and would catch snow but it has held up nicely through several big snow storms....one several feet deep. The windows on the front vestibule are fantastic for looking out and cheking the weather. The colors are soft and inviting to the eye when couped up in bad weather. The model I have has two doors which seems to be one of the big gripes here with earlier models made. I must say it does make it nicer not to have to climb over someone to get out so I have no gripes there. This tent has become my best friend. I would recommend this tent to anyone who is looking for a good all around tent and not afraid to spend the money for the best. This tent has been well worth every penny I spent for it!!! I also have a North Face Mountain 25....which can be a nightmare to pitch I might add....and a Mountain Hardware tent and this tent has become my favorite on trips all year round. Happy Camping.

Customer Service:
Have not has to use it...but hear they are the best in the business

Similar Products Used:
North Face Mountain 25
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2

Review Date
February 2, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by: Banjo ,  Paddler

Price Paid:  $259.00 at Campmor

Summary:
Just purchsed and very impressed without even setting it up. The burito bag is great. Will be out kayack camping in the spring and will write a full review.

Customer Service:
not used yet

Similar Products Used:
This tent replaces the NF Talus 23 that was return because it does not vent well at all in the humidity of the midwest

Review Date
September 1, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: mountainbum ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $280.00 at Oregon Mountain Comm

Summary:
We have used the Swallow as high as 10,600' on exposed mountain ridges for two seasons. On three occasions it survived winds that would have shredded a lesser tent (attach all four guy lines to the windward side of the tent). The only damage was a snap that pulled apart. The snap was easily repaired by me once I had access to tools at home. And then there was the day we decided to forego the summit and stay in the tent all day due to rain. We remained warm and dry and on that day appreciated the windows. But what I really love about the Swallow is using it without the fly for the hot approach, using it fully hunkered down for the freezing, wind-blown heights and using it for everything in between. Comfortable and easy versatility is what endears the Swallow. On the negative side, we never used the stakes that came with it but use larger stakes that are harder to pull out. The adjustable fly straps are made of a smooth fabric that slides too easily. We tied knots in the straps to fix that. Our plans for the next tent? We will probably go for the larger Swallow 3P when the kids get bigger, need more space, and can carry more weight.

Customer Service:
Never used.

Similar Products Used:
REI Mountain Dome (too fragile).

Review Date
December 16, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: glock4u(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $250.00 at REI Anniversary Sale

Summary:
I bought the Marmot Swallow a few months ago from REI using my year-end dividend check. I simply wanted a 3-4 season convertible tent that was bombproof to weather, reasonable in weight and had top notch ease of use and setup time. I found all of this in the Marmot Swallow. This past weekend, a friend and I went backpacking in the Smokies for the weekend and used this tent 2 nights in the snow at a pretty high elevation. The Swallow is fully functional and accomodates two adults very comfortably. The thing I love most about this tent is that it ventilates better than any other tent I've ever been in...and I've been in a lot of the major brand tents. There was no condensation at all and it was quite warm in the tent with the temperature around 10 degrees on the other side of the two doors. I have nothing but praise for this tent as it has keep me dry, warm and cool on hot summer nights. Whatever environment you're facing...the Swallow can easily adapt. This tent has two zip D-doors, 2 windows and a zip down ceiling panel for hot weather. In cold weather...it seals tight like Fort Knox. You can also adjust two vents in the rainfly to provide cross ventilation above the tent without getting wet if it's raining. Some say the tent is too expensive but I don't agree. Those who pay little and skimp get what they pay for sometimes. To me, the tent is your home away from home when in the backcountry...and when it rains for 8 hrs straight I don't want to have to worry about the tent leaking...do you?

Similar Products Used:
Sierra Designs Alpha CD
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight