I purchased the 2XT as a solo-tent for myself based on 1) many years of great experiences with the regular Timberline 2, and 2) I found a GREAT clearance deal at Gander Mountain.

For the "extra" value of the 2XT... I'm a little disappointed. Having a door at each end IS handy, 'specially when packing up in a hurry, but ... The rainfly is still too short, considering the shallow angle of the sidewalls. If a sleeping bag touches the tent wall near the floor (well, of course!) during the rain.. it WILL get wet. (I use the tent solo, so my bag stays dry, but other goodies get edged to the outside.

The built-in vestible DOES save a little set-up time, but I discovered the crucial difference: In a regular Timberline 2/4, the add-on vestible starts down from the end of one of the fly extension poles, over either end. This gives the vestible more "head-room" and USEABLE sq. footage compared to the 2/4XT version, which has the vestible start down right from the junction tube (very clear if you look at photos of each). BOO!

I am now using the rainfly which came with my original Timberline 2, along with an add-on vestibule at one end and the "annex" on the other. The 2XT rainfly is serving as a sapre/back-up.

The Timberline is a great basic tent, but I'd think twice about spending a lot for the XT, 'cause you don't get that much more. Get a Timberline Outfitter rainfly, an annex and a vestibule instead. Oh, and a couple of spare junction tubes...

Customer Service

Mixed results with Customer Service over the years... either very good or very bad, no "middle ground".

Similar Products Used:

Kelty, REI