Wanted a lightweight, 2-person, 3-season tent that sets up quickly. Although not free-standing (hoop design with 3 poles), the Nitelite goes up in 2 or 3 minutes. You can pack it with the fly on, in case it's raining when you stop to set up camp (an unexpected bonus). Great ventilation from a large mesh section that I cover with a space blanket when it's sub-30 degrees. Nice size vestibule (10ft) that's big enough for 2 packs. Have never had a problem keeping rain out. Can sit up in the Nitelite, but it would be cramped if I had to spend the whole day in it. Only complaint is the lack of any loops in the ceiling to hang wet stuff from. Goes on sale every once in a while for $100 bucks (a steal). Big fan.

Customer Service

No-hassle return policy

Well from reading the reviews it seems the main flaw of this tent is operator error. I work for one of REI's retail competitors and am surely not biased towards them. I have had the tent for over a year, in very extreme three season conditions. As with all tents and almost all trips you must plan and set up correctly. If you set the tent with the door facing on coming weather guess what you generally get wet. What I am trying to say is this tent is designed for general three season use, where packability is an issue. It does this job very well and at a price of 99 bucks on sale is a great deal. Set up is simple unless you have horrible reading skills (the instructions are on the bag). Get the three pole model and unless you are expecting a four season condo sized shelter you should be very happy. Persons who look at this tent should be those who want a tent for Spring thru Fall backpacking, kayaking, and bike touring. It would also fit very well with a person just starting to experience light camping and is a great value for kids who are just starting their outdoor adventures. As with most tents take a good look at your set-up location and determine the most likely avenue of approach of any storms, the foot of the tent should be in that direction. This is standard for all tunnel shaped tents.

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Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, Kelty, The North Face, Sierra Designs, Dana Designs, Bibler

I have had great satisfaction with this tent. I bought it because of REI repuation for good quality for reasonable money.

This tent has not let me down. I have been stuck in the rain and never got wet. I do wish the vestibule was a bit larger but it is a small tent by design.

I like that fact that it sets up easily and can be depended on.

Mine is several years old and I have always wondered why the door only has the screen. I wish it had a solid panel. Perhaps the newer ones do.

I have used it mostly backpacking and appreicate it's light weight.

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I've had this tent for about 5 or 6 years. I've used all over the sierras and a very WET trip up to Yellowstone. It has always kept me and my gear dry and comfortable. After using for 3 years a friend of mine bought one also. Now after a rainy trip to Yellowstone and a couple of wet trips in the Sierras the zippers are just starting to rust a little. A little silicon and I plan on using it one more season. A light, well put together tent for all but the most extreme 3 season conditions.

Customer Service

REI has always had great service.

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Sierra Designs orion, and bivy sacks.

Bought this tent at the beginning of 1999 for my hiking trips into Yosemite. It did just fine. A breeze to setup, espically when the instructions are sewn into the bag. It's compact and light The girl I was dating and I really appricated the ability to star gaze inside the tent. That's a way neat/cool feature. I haven't been stuck in the rain with this tent so can't tell you how it would perform. I have however been in windy on top of El Cap and it did just fine. My only grip is that the stakes bend easily. Doesn't really bother me though as long as it stays staked to the ground and it has.

Customer Service

REI has always treated me well, so 5 stars to you REI folks!!!!!

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My climbing friend's tent. Similar design, but more crammed. Don't remember the brand.

Disappointing. I fear that I wasted $100 on this tent, and it was on sale! It's a bit of a pain to set up, but that's okay, because it's exceptionally packable. But my gripes are regarding the poor resistance from rain and debris blowing in the door. No matter how well you anchor out the vestibule, the elements still get under it and all over you. REI decided not to put a storm flap on the door, a major mistake in my opinion. You have to barricade the inside of the vestible with your pack and belongings to try in vain for some protection. I got caught in a duststorm and the no-see-um netting on the door acted as a filter, leaving me, my sleeping bag, and the inside of the tent covered with a fine layer of dust. And strong rains will come in the door also, as well as the sides of the tent where the ""nitelite"" window isn't adequately covered by the rainfly. This could be the consummate backpacking tent, but as it stands, it's got some serious flaws. REI makes very good stuff, I just wish they'd make this one a better shelter. For now, I only use this one in predictably mild weather, like the cheap backup tent I got a Target for $20.

Customer Service

If anyone has any advice how to modify this tent, please email me. Thanks.

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Excellent tent for the money! I don't know what the people are doing that they don't like this tent. It sets up real quick and is light to carry! I would highly recommend this tent to the beginner! It is roomy and has good ventilation. I researched this purchase before making it and it was the best value in my opinion for the money ($100.00, on sale) for the weight! I highly recommend this tent. We took it on an overnighter (see the Noland Divide/Noland Creek review), and had absolutely no problems. I like the way the inside door hangs. You can open it in such a manner as to keep the bugs out. It has a neat little ventilation window built into the vestibule that will allow cross flow of air. Of course you will have to be careful not to poke the pre-bent poles throught the tent material, but you have to do that with all the tents. They aren't made from Kevlar are they? If you are thinking about getting one of these, go right ahead, you won't be sorry.

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As a Scout Leader, our troop has purchased around 10 of these tents over the last five years. It is an OK tent in terms of weight and durability (Scouts can be pretty rough on gear)and have endured a lot of use and abuse. A couple of the tents experienced zipper problems. My major complaints are that it takes some practice to set up correctly, is not free-standing, and the rain fly does not completely cover the back of the tent. I have noticed that REI added a middle hoop on the newest version, which should help the sagging problem. Overall, it is a value purchase, if you catch it on sale.

Customer Service

REI customer service is excellent.

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REI SoloLite
Walrus
Mountain Hardware

I like this tent very much. I am 6'5"" tall and there is plenty of lenght for me to stretch out. I also like the vestibule that's built into the tent and not the fly. This way I can have a semi protected place to stash my boots and pack and still look up at the stars at night. It packs small and has served me well. It's affordable too.

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I have had very good luck with this tent. I have had it out during some of the classic pacific northwest winter rainstorms and did not get at all wet. I can't say I'd take this tent out on a tough winter expedtion, but it was not designed for that. I got it from REI for $90 during a sale. Very good value. This tent was a rare oppurtunity to actually get some performance for under a hundered bucks.

Customer Service

REI's customer service has a great reputation for good reason

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