REI Dash 2 Tent Review

It’s the perfect shelter for couples who want a superlight tent with traditional freestanding, two-door performance.

Brand: REI Gear Reviews

Model: Dash 2


[two-door featherweight]

Why we like it It’s the perfect shelter for couples who want a superlight tent with traditional freestanding, two-door performance.

Packability 

Minimalists will love the Dash 2: Packed, it’s the size of a bottle of wine.

Livability 

Of course, there’s a tradeoff for such a light but full-featured shelter: Quarters are close. Among our testers, only couples called it “comfortable.” Everyone else felt cramped by its 29-square-foot floor and 40-inch peak height. Though the square footage sounds similar to other lightweight tents, the width tapers from 54 inches at the head to 42 inches at the foot, which takes a bite out of “personal space.” Dual vestibules (11 square feet apiece) offer plenty of room to stash wet gear and boots, and still have room for getting in and out. Three interior pockets—a luxury in a tent this light—offer just-right storage solutions.

Protection 

“Fully guyed, it did great in gusty, 30-mph winds,” said a tester after a weeklong trip in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park.

Durability 

The 15-denier nylon floor suffered no damage with cautious site choice, but you’ll want to be careful to ensure a long life.

bummer Despite the all-mesh walls, testers experienced condensation buildup along the perimeter of the bathtub floor* 

$349; 2 lbs. 7 oz.; rei.com

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