REI NiteLite Tents

REI NiteLite Tents 

DESCRIPTION

2-person, 3-season

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 31  
[May 07, 2021]
togolese273


Strength:

It performed very well in the windy conditions (it got a little dusty inside, but the dust was unavoidable, I think). A great choice I made! Whittier Tree Service Company

Weakness:

Absolutely nothing to worry.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Aug 16, 2002]
rstone
Backpacker

Bought this on clearance a couple of years ago not knowing much about tents. I'm still pleased with my purchase as it makes a great pack tent. Relatively light and not too hard to set up, especially if you leave the rainfly attached. Roomy enough for two mid size persons who are comfortable with each other or two large persons who "really" like each other... Bottom line it's a two person backpacking tent, enough room for two just not the RitzCarlton. The one feature I really like is the great view of the stars with the rainfly peeled back. I just love falling asleep watching the stars! I have not had it in severe weather. The Sierras just haven't cooperated to give the tent a real test. Pretty good ventilation, I get a little condensation on the inside with two people in cold weather. As with others, my only real complaint is that it's not freestanding (my next tent will be a freestanding packable 3 person - have to have room for the new arrival who will no doubt want to go packing with his brother and dad!) No longer made but a great tent for the money I paid.

Customer Service

Not needed but nice peace of mind knowing REI will stand behind it.

Similar Products Used:

Lots of no-name dome tents...

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 24, 2001]
Alfred Wang
Backpacker

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

I have had this tent for about 4 years now, using it about 5 times a year on backpacking trips. It has held up very well, and has kept out all the elements that the Sierra Nevadas can throw at you (rain, hail, wind). Its light weight is a big plus. I don''t mind at all carrying the whole thing myself, and use it solo most of the time (despite it being a 2P tent). My only complaints are that it is not freestanding, and that the vestibule is pretty small, but for one person, its great. Also, the mesh door is kind of iffy...wind can get under the vestibule and blow right into the tent. Other than that, its a great tent for the price.

Customer Service

REI customer service rocks. Nuff said.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 16, 2001]
kctuo
Backpacker

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

Overall this is a good, but not great tent. I can''t quite understand some of these rave reviews. I have owned mine for about 4 years. I have used it for everything from car camping to week long backpacking. The tent is compact and weighs very little. It is relativily easy to set up once you get it down. The real drawback is its weather protection. The rain fly does not cover the bottom of the tent, so your feet get quite wet. Also, the rain fly does not always stay off the sides. I recomend this tent for far weather hikers who are willing to comprise sturdiness and weather protection for low weight and cost.

Customer Service

REI is great

Similar Products Used:

TNF, Seirra Design, and generic brands

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jul 10, 2001]
Smasher
Car Camper

I bought this tent a few years ago for the Burning Man festival; I didn't know too much about tents (I hadn't bought one in years, the last one a crappy two-pole pup-tent), but this one looked like it'd withstand the high winds on the playa. It performed very well in the windy conditions (it got a little dusty inside, but the dust was unavoidable, I think), and has performed quite well since. I've taken it across country and on vacations; it's always easy to set up, always keeps out the weather (though the underside of the fly gets wet if it's dewy; discovered it's often better to keep the fly rolled up and attached to the foot-pole, and unfurl it if you need to). Very dependible, though the pegs are cheap aluminum. Get better pegs and the optional Footprint, and you're good to go.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 19, 2000]
J. Magnuson
Backpacker

This is a great tent for the money. It is light, sturdy and easy to set up. I can't understand why anyone had trouble staking it out. My only complaint after a season of use in both cold/wet conditions and hot/muggy summer weather was that the venting was not quite adequate. I didn't wake up soaked but there was occasionally a layer of moisture on the inside. The bottom line is a tent that costs twice as much cannot perform twice as well as this tent.

Customer Service

I haven't had to deal with them on the tent, but everything I have dealt with was handled quickly and without question in favor of the customer.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 01, 2000]
DJ MACEDONAS
Mountaineer

I was a bit skeptical about this tent, due to the fact that it wasn't a freestanding design... Once I got it up in the Wasatch, however, what's not to like? Weighing in at slightly over 5 pounds it is a perfect backpacking tent, and the ventilation is amazing. Once it is staked out well, and the guy lines are tightened, it is a suprisingly stable structure. It's aerodynamic design seems to ignore wind (experienced a few strong gusts in it). My one complaint is the lack of anywhere to hang stuff from inside. I can also see how in bad weather, you would be hurting if you set this tent up with the door facing the wind (don't do it!)

Customer Service

REI customer service is the best I've ever experienced.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 31, 2000]
Monkey
Backpacker

My brother purchased this tent about 3 years ago and we have shared it on our various endeavors through those years. We both have put it through the ringer. Heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, and the tent is still performing above average. It was seam sealed before it was ever used just for precautionary measure. But literally nothing has been done to it since except brushing it off and drying it out when we get home. I love the vestubule being attached directly to the tent and not the fly and the compression strap at the back of the tent keeps the fly tight. You'll want to tighten it once the fly gets wet. Every fly I've ever used stretch and sag when wet. It's just expected. No biggie.

Scott in Chicago hit it right when he said most of the complaints are due to operator error. Bottom line is pay attention to what you are really using the tent for before you buy. That's why tents have so many different designs. No tent is going to perform perfect in all weather conditions 100% of the time.

I feel bad for Kelly in Seattle. She must have gotten a defective product. Good thing REI's cust. Svc is so amazing. Remember that the cheap price is also due to the fact that REI designs & sells the tent. In most cases there's one less company who needs to get paid. Good tip from Dave in Indy. Pack it with the fly attached!! Nice. I never thought of that and that would be really nice if it's raining when I put the tent up.

If you're looking for a tent with an amazing value this is your tent. Easy to put up, cheap, great quality backed with some of the best customer service you will find!! Sorry about the long review. Happy trails.

m

Customer Service

One of the best I've ever seen!! REI is the greatest.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 04, 1999]
Jeff Cox
Backpacker

I have had this tent for a year now and have had very good luck with it. It is extremely compact and, in my opinion, a snap to set up. the tent is very weatherproof if handled properly. Anytime you buy a hoop design, not free-standing tent you also have to accept the limitations of slight headroom and a tendancy to sag in downpours. That's one of the reasons why I believe REI added a third pole to the new model. every tent is going to have its drawbacks. Personally, I enjoy this tent. I have been in many a rainstorm and not gotten wet due to solid anchoring. I would recommend this tent to anyone as long as they understand potential shortcomings.

Customer Service

Rei is second to none. A no-hassle customer service policy.

Similar Products Used:

Eureka backcountry 2 Kelty vortex rei halfdome TNF corolius

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 10, 1999]
Matt Owen
Backpacker

I love this tent. I've tried Sierra Designs and TNF and laugh at my friends who paid hundreds of dollars more for there tents. This is such a great little tent. Easy to pack and sets up nice. Make sure you keep the fly secure enough that it doesn't touch the tent body. You have to watch that in any tunnel tent. I love the ventilation window. The vestibule has enough room for your boots and other things. It's foomy for one but two wouldn't leave much room for your packs.

Customer Service

Excellent service

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 31  

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