If you’ve been in the ultralight scene for more than a minute, chances are you’ve heard about the Durston X-Mid Pro 2. This unique tent gets a lot of hype in UL circles, but does it live up to the praise? Read on to see our honest thoughts and analysis from field-testing the X-Mid Pro.

Update:Durston Gear contacted us to let us know that there are some changes coming to the X-Mid line of tents in October 2023. They’re planning to reduce the price of the X-Mid Pro 2, and they’re releasing a larger version with more space for two hikers. We’ll update our review with changes when the new X-Mid hits the market.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $679

LISTED WEIGHT: 19.6 oz.*

MEASURED WEIGHT: 20.7 oz.*

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 90 x 48 x 48 in.

*Listed weight doesn’t include the stuff sack, our measured weight does. Poles & stakes aren’t included for either measurement.

Pros

Ultralight – Durston Gear lists the weight of the X-Mid Pro 2 at 19.6 oz. without the stuff sack, and we clocked it at 20.7 with the stuff sack. No matter which number you go with, the Xmid Pro 2 is lighter than all but two of the 2-person shelters on our list of the Best Ultralight Tents – the Zpacks Duplex and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2.

We’ve found that keeping our pack weight down helps us enjoy backpacking adventures more. And one of the items that makes a big impact on your pack weight is your shelter. Using an ultralight tent like the X-Mid Pro 2 will make a huge difference in your comfort when covering long distances or tackling big elevation gains.

Excellent ventilation – One of the biggest things we think the X-Mid Pro 2 gets right over other single-wall shelters is the ventilation. All too often tent makers look to shave ounces by excluding a proper way to hold peak vents open or dropping peak vents altogether. The X-Mid has a peak vent on both vestibules and includes small struts to hold them open. Having these open vents up high will give warm air (like from your breath) a way to escape, ultimately lessening the amount of condensation you experience on the inside.

The X-Mid also makes use of the tried-and-true mesh perimeter design seen on tents like the Zpacks Duplex and Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo. We think the X-Mid does it slightly better than the Duplex but not quite as well as the Lunar Duo. The Lunar Duo has a large vertical area of mesh at the head and foot that provides excellent ventilation, while the Duplex perimeter mesh runs more horizontally to the ground. The mesh perimeter on the X-Mid blends the two styles nicely by having a decent amount of mesh at the head and foot that is continuous with the mesh sidewalls (read as: no breaks in the mesh to disrupt airflow), and it sits horizontally to let any condensation drip out.

Easy to pack & packs smaller than other Dyneema tents – Silnylon and silpoly tents pack down much smaller than Dyneema tents since they can be stuffed down tight into a stuff sack or the bottom of your pack. The main material of the X-Mid Pro is Dyneema, but the floor is made of silnylon. This greatly reduces the bulk of the tent when it’s packed away compared to other Dyneema shelters.

While you still shouldn’t use the stuff method of packing with this tent because of the Dyneema canopy, we’re impressed with how small it packs down – especially for a tent of this size.

Excellent protection in wet weather – The shape of the X-Mid Pro doesn’t leave any horizontal areas where rain/snow could pile up. Tents that shed moisture readily are less likely to have bad condensation issues inside when wet weather hits. The shape and vestibule design also keep the doors protected from drips – even when the vestibules are open – which is particularly nice when you have to take a 2 a.m. bathroom break in the rain. We’ll talk a bit more about the weather benefits of the vestibules later in this review.

Another very handy design feature (that most other UL shelters are decent at, but not quite at the level of the X-Mid Pro) is the fact that you can pitch this tent in the rain without getting the interior mesh walls and floor wet. Because you lay the tent out flat in a square with the vestibules zipped up, stake from there, then place the poles through the peak vents, rain never has a chance to enter your living space in the X-Mid Pro 2.

Durable fabrics – The canopy of the X-Mid Pro 2 is made with .55 oz. Dyneema which is extremely strong for its weight. While the X-Mid Pro hasn’t been on the market long enough for us to speak to its longevity, we can say that we’ve used other tents constructed from .55 oz. Dyneema – like the Zpacks Duplex – for years without issue.

One thing that sets the construction of the X-Mid Pro 2 apart from many other DCF shelters is that the seams are hot-bonded. The panels of most other shelters are sewn or bonded together and then taped. If a seam is sewn, each needle hole is – in theory – creating little weak spots. Seam tape is then used to cover the needle holes so the panels are completely waterproof, and it reinforces the seams to regain most of the original strength of the fabric. You can see an example of this type of seam on the Zpacks Duplex.

When two Dyneema panels are bonded, it’s usually done with a special bonding tape that can create a seamless transition through strong adhesive and pressure. Then the bond is reinforced with Dyneema tape. This type of bonding can become weak in extreme hot or cold temperatures. But it’s unlikely that the average backpacker will run into such conditions. You can see examples of this type of seam on many flat tarps, like the HMG Flat Tarp.

Hot-bonding – what’s used on the X-Mid Pro 2 – is a process that creates stronger bonds that won’t lose their integrity in harsh conditions. Is this likely to make a difference to the average user? Probably not. Is it more durable? Yes.

Excellent vestibule design – Many ultralight Dyneema shelters pitch with the vestibules raised fairly high off the ground. This can leave the tent occupant vulnerable to splashback from rain and chilly gusts. While we’ve rarely found ourselves in conditions that make the raised vestibules on other ultralight tents a big issue, we know many hikers aren’t fond of this design.

The X-Mid Pro vestibules, in contrast, can be pitched all the way to the ground and offer full protection from the elements when needed. Or you can stake them a bit higher to increase ventilation.

The vestibules are also incredibly spacious. The squared off corner provides much more usable space than the typical triangle vestibule. There’s plenty of room to store all of your gear out of the way of the door, so you’re not having to shuffle things around every time you want to go in or out.

Spacious interior – We found the interior floor space of the X-Mid Pro 2 to be more than adequate for two hikers and exceptionally spacious for one person. The dual pyramid peaks also provide a good amount of headroom at either end and along the diagonal ridgeline in the center. So if hikers sit at opposite ends of the tent facing each other – say, to wait out a storm – both people have a ton of headroom. That said, we don’t generally recommend sleeping on opposite ends as that’s likely to result in one person’s head on a downhill. This can cause blood to rush to the head and make it difficult to sleep.

This pro comes with a bit of an asterisk – we’ll talk a bit more about the issues we have with the distribution of interior volume a little later in this review.

Comes fully waterproof – It’s not uncommon for ultralight tent makers to charge more for in-house seam-sealing or to require the user to do it themselves. We’ve never really been a fan of this since we feel a tent should arrive fully waterproof and ready to hit the trail.

The X-Mid Pro 2 seams are bonded and fully waterproof from the factory. There’s no need for additional seam-sealing.

High pockets create less sag – Many tents are constructed with pockets that sit low on the interior wall so they can be easily reached while you’re laying down. While we like the convenience of having small items close at hand, it tends to cause the mesh wall on non-freestanding tents to sag inward. This usually isn’t a big enough gripe to be a dealbreaker, but we definitely appreciate that the higher pockets on the X-Mid Pro 2 don’t encroach on our sleeping area.

Cons

Interior shape makes usable space less convenient – If you’re looking at the X-Mid Pro 2 as a single-person shelter, this point won’t apply to you. We’ve seen many a happy solo hiker living their best life in the X-Mid, and we agree that it’s an exceptional tent for one.

But for those who will be sharing this tent with another hiker – this is our biggest gripe with the X-Mid and the main reason why it won’t be among our top recommendations for backcountry shelters.

The unique shape of the X-Mid does undeniably provide a lot of headroom, but not where we really want it. The interior of this tent is a parallelogram and the poles are offset from one another to create two opposing peaks at either end. This will work well if you want to sleep head-to-foot so that each hiker gets their own end with ample headspace. But that’s not how most people prefer to share a tent, and it’s not how Durston intends the X-Mid to be used.

Sleeping side-by-side, as most hikers do, results in one person having plenty of room to sit up while the other gets a face full of tent wall in the morning. On top of that, the X-Mid is designed so that the person who got the short end of the stick on headroom also sacrifices some convenience when it comes to storage. Their interior pocket is situated at the opposite end of the tent near the other peak.

Shape makes it tough to get a perfect pitch – The X-Mid is often praised for its very simple pitch. While the basics of pitching the X-Mid are quite easy – we found getting a taut pitch with no sag or surfaces for water to pool up to be a bit difficult.

To start, you lay the tent out flat and stake the corners out in a rectangle. The trouble starts if you don’t stake the corners at almost precisely 90 degrees. You’ll get the trekking poles set only to realize the floor isn’t sitting quite right or the ridgeline is bowed or a wall is billowing in the wind. Sure you can move the stakes around and improve the pitch, but we find this is often easier said than done. Backcountry campsites are usually hiding rocks that impede tent stakes just under the dirt’s surface, and even more often the ground isn’t going to be level.

In our experience, A-frame shaped tents are more forgiving when it comes to unideal pitching conditions. Especially thanks to their more compact footprint, which leads us to our next point.

Large footprint & non-freestanding design can make campsite selection difficult – Non-freestanding tents can pose a bit of a challenge when it comes to campsite selection because you need to be able to get stakes in the ground to give the tent structure. This is a potential issue with all non-freestanding tents, not just the X-Mid. But where the X-Mid adds an extra layer of difficulty is in its large rectangular footprint.

When looking at its overall dimensions, you’ll see that the X-Mid Pro 2 is an 8.3 x 6.7 ft. rectangle. That means you have to find a campsite large enough to accommodate over 55 sq. ft. For comparison, the area occupied by the footprint of the Zpacks Duplex is about 49 sq. ft. That’s about 13.6% smaller, and yet the interior floor space of the X-Mid is less than 2 sq. ft. larger than that of the Duplex.

We have also found that tents with a hexagonal footprint, like the Duplex, are easier to pitch in imperfectly shaped spaces than the rectangular footprint of the X-Mid. And when you factor in our previous point about the need to pitch the X-Mid with its corners as close to 90° as possible, campsite selection can become a bit challenging.

During testing, we sometimes had to pass up epic campsites because the tent wouldn’t fit. We’re not saying this is the only tent that we’ve experienced that with, but we did find it happened more often with the X-Mid.

Expensive – Dyneema shelters always come with a hefty price tag because DCF is an expensive fabric. The X-Mid Pro 2 costs a bit less than the Tarptent Stratospire Li and a bit more than the Zpacks Duplex, but they’re all within a $40 range of each other. We were surprised that their prices were so close because the X-Mid uses a cheaper floor material (silnylon); we were hoping to see some cost savings there. The Duplex and Stratospire are both made with Dyneema canopies and floors.

So why does the X-Mid have a similar price point to tents that are made with more Dyneema? Because the hot-bonding process used on the seams is more costly and time consuming. As we mentioned previously, this process probably won’t make much of a difference to the average user, so we’d rather have the monetary savings from the cheaper material.

You could always get the standard sil-nylon X-Mid 2 for quite a bit less money, but it does weigh almost a pound more (35.4 oz.). That’s still lighter than half of the tents on our Best Ultralight Tents list though, so it could be well worth the monetary savings if you’re willing to carry some extra weight.

90-degree zippers aren’t everyone’s favorite – This is a very small gripe, but one thing some users don’t like about zippers that meet at a corner is the inability to choose where they sit. On a round door, the zippers move together and you can place the exit point wherever you want. Sometimes hikers want both zippers to be up top so they can close the roof vent if rain or wind is really whipping up, sometimes they want the zippers at the bottom so they can easily reach out and grab a water bottle in the middle of the night.

The other side of this argument is that with the X-Mid’s zipper design you’ll never have to fumble around in the dark to find where the pulls are. They’ll always be in the same place at the bottom corner, which makes them consistent and easy to find. Some members of the CH team prefer tent zippers like the ones on the X-Mid and others don’t. In the end, this one gets chalked up to personal preference.

BOTTOM LINE

The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is a popular tent in ultralight circles, and we can see why. It’s lightweight, spacious, provides excellent weather protection, and has great ventilation. But for us the X-Mid missed the mark in a few key areas. We still think it’s a great shelter for solo hikers who want a luxurious amount of space without much weight gain over an ultralight single-person tent, but we’re not quite as keen on this shelter when shared with a partner.

Where we seem to differ in opinion the most from other accounts we’ve read is on the matter of spaciousness. For us, the parallelogram floor shape and the offset poles make the interior a bit awkward to occupy with a partner, as one person will get the short end of the stick when it comes to headroom.

The other key issue we found with this tent is that getting a nice, taut pitch with no sag was harder than we wanted. The large footprint and rectangular shape can also make campsite selection a bit more tedious than with other tents, and we’re not fond of having to struggle with a perfect pitch after a hard day on the trail.

Durston nails many of the details that make for a truly great tent experience, like well-designed vestibules, smart pockets, and outstanding ventilation. But for our two-person adventures, we found that the X-Mid fell a bit short of our high expectations.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions. And come check us out on Facebook and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is revered in the ultralight backpacking world for its palace-like spaciousness, low weight, and affordable price tag.

We were first intrigued by the Lunar Duo over a decade ago when we saw it while thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Since then, we’ve pitched it hundreds of times on trips throughout the Rockies and all over the Pacific Northwest. Read on to see how the Duo stacks up against dozens of other backpacking tent designs we’ve tested over the years.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $395

LISTED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 13 oz.

MEASURED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 14.4 oz.

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 90 x 54 x 45 in.

Pros

EXCEPTIONALLY SPACIOUS – One of the standout attributes of the Lunar Duo is its exceptionally spacious interior. With a 45-inch peak height that’s well-distributed by the arched brow poles, a 7 ½-foot length, and generous 54-inch width (big enough for two wide sleeping pads), this tent is roomier than most 2-person tents by a fair amount. So, if you’re tall or want plenty of elbow room to make sharing space with a partner more comfortable, this may be the perfect tent for you.

AFFORDABLE – With an MSRP less than $400, the Lunar Duo is among the least expensive ultralight backpacking tents on the market. Comparable tents from big brands and cottage companies often retail for $100-400 more. We’ve gotten a ton of use out of our Lunar Duo and it’s still going strong after thousands of miles on tough trails. Needless to say, we think it’s an excellent value, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lighter and more comfortable tent for the money.

The Lunar Duo is offered in an Explorer model ($395, 45 oz.) as well as an Outfitter model ($210, 57 oz.). We’re partial to the Explorer model for the weight and bulk savings, and we think it’s worth the extra cost over the long run. That said, we’ve used both models extensively and we think they’re both excellent backpacking tents.

ULTRALIGHT – The Lunar Duo weighs 2 lbs. 13 oz. (45 oz.), which is very light for a 2-person 2-door tent – especially one with this much interior space. This weight doesn’t include tent stakes or poles, though, so be sure to take that into account when comparing it to freestanding or semi-freestanding tents.

The Lunar Duo is ultralight, but it isn’t the lightest or most compact tent out there. If you’re really serious about minimizing pack weight, you may want to consider even lighter options. We’ll touch on this a bit more later.

EXCELLENT VENTILATION – There are hooded vents at the top of each door in the Lunar Duo’s rainfly, as well as plenty of airflow around the entire lower perimeter. The canopy is floating, so you can also raise or lower it to adjust how much of a gap you want between the bottom of the fly and the ground.

In clear conditions, the Duo’s vestibules can be rolled back completely for wide views and a cross breeze. Hooks on the guylines allow you to secure one, both, or no sides of the vestibules. This design gives you a lot of control over your tent’s ventilation, and allows you to quickly adapt to changing weather conditions.

TWO DOORS & XL VESTIBULES – Two doors and vestibules are practically essential in our book, especially when traveling as a pair. The Lunar Duo has a large door on each side, so there’s no waiting in line to get out of the weather or crawling over your partner when nature calls at night.

There’s also plenty of room in the oversized vestibules for hikers to store and access their gear. In fact, the vestibules on the Duo are some of the largest we’ve seen on a backpacking tent.

DURABLE – The Lunar Duo is one of the few ultralight backpacking tents on the market made with 30-denier floor and canopy material. Thicker individual threads in the fabric make this tent tougher than a lot of backpacking tents which are often constructed with 20, 15, or even 10-denier material to save weight.

That’s great news for hikers with dogs or anyone who wants to be a bit more carefree with their gear. Since the floor is 30D, we usually don’t feel the need to use a footprint to protect this tent, which keeps more weight and bulk out of our packs.

EXCELLENT WEATHER PROTECTION – We’ve waited out countless downpours and hailstorms in the notoriously stormy Rocky Mountains in the Lunar Duo, and it’s always done an excellent job of keeping us comfortable and dry. Once it’s seam sealed (more on that below), the silnylon rainfly is fully waterproof and trustworthy in even the harshest summer storms.

The Lunar Duo is non-freestanding, so it’s critical to pitch it taught, making sure the stakes have good purchase and you’re using all the guyout points when high winds are expected. We’ve been through some extremely turbulent winds in this tent, and though the experience wasn’t entirely stress-free, it gave us full confidence in the Lunar Duo for weather protection.

FULL INSECT PROTECTION – Unlike some ultralight tarp shelters, the Duo is fully enclosed to keep insects and critters at bay. It has a built-in bathtub floor and an attached mesh inner tent that zips shut, so you can rest easy knowing you aren’t going to wake up with a spider on your face. A single-wall tent like the Lunar Duo is a good happy medium for those who want their shelter to be light, but also bug-free.

RE-TENSIONABLE FROM INSIDE – Another feature that makes the Lunar Duo unique is that the main guylines can be re-tensioned from inside the tent. This comes in really handy – especially when it rains – because silnylon tends to sag when cold and wet, leaving you with a floppy shelter blowing in the wind. With the Duo, you can re-tighten your guylines without having to get out of your sleeping bag.

Cons

HEAVIER THAN SOME – The Lunar Duo (45 oz.) is very lightweight, but it’s significantly heavier than some of the lightest ultralight non-freestanding tents. You could save 1-2 pounds by choosing a tent like the Zpacks Duplex (18.5 oz.), Triplex (21.6 oz.), or HMG Unbound 2 (24 oz.). These tents are all made with Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) though, which almost doubles the cost. If saving weight is a top priority for you, it could be well worth the investment to buy one of these top-of-the-line ultralight tents. If you’d rather carry a little more weight and save a bunch of money, the Lunar Duo is an excellent choice.

The Gossamer Gear The Two ($320) is a solid option for ultralight backpackers on a budget. It costs less than the Lunar Duo, and it’s quite a bit lighter at 23.5 oz., but it’s made with thin 10-denier fabric and isn’t nearly as roomy as the Duo. Another budget option for ultralight backpackers is the SMD Haven ($375). It weighs 38.1 oz., so it’s a little lighter than the Lunar Duo, and it comes with a tarp and inner net that can be used together or separately. It’s not as spacious, but it’s a good alternative for hikers that want the versatility of a tarp for fast and light trips.

STAKES & POLES NOT INCLUDED – Tent stakes and poles are not included with the Lunar Duo, so you’ll need to consider the added cost and weight of these to complete your setup. Most hikers use a pair of adjustable trekking poles to support the Lunar Duo. If you don’t use trekking poles, you’ll need to pack two carbon fiber poles ($40, 1.8 oz. each) or aluminum tent poles ($15, 3 oz. each) to pitch this tent.

We almost always use eight tent stakes to pitch the Lunar Duo; four for the corners, two for the vestibules, and one each at the head and foot of the tent. It’s critical to choose stakes with solid holding power for this tent. These All One Tech Aluminum Stakes are affordable and have worked well for us in most terrain.

NOT FACTORY SEAM-SEALED – The Lunar Duo needs to be seam sealed to be fully waterproof, and we think it’s a bit unfortunate that it doesn’t automatically come that way. You can pay Six Moon Designs $35 for their seam sealing service, or you can do it yourself with a product like Seam Grip. If you like DIY projects, seam sealing isn’t too bad to do yourself, but we generally recommend paying for the manufacturer to seam seal so your tent will be ready to go when it arrives.

LEARNING CURVE TO PITCH – There’s a bit of a learning curve to setting up a non-freestanding tent like the Lunar Duo. We recommend following SMD’s Lunar Duo Setup Instructions and practicing before your first trip to learn how to get the pole height and spacing just right. After a couple practice pitches, it’ll only take you 5-10 minutes to set up the Lunar Duo. That said, it will never be quite as quick and easy as pitching a typical freestanding tent.

Non-freestanding tents like the Duo can also be trickier to set up when the ground is too hard for tent stakes or is so soft (think sand) that tent stakes won’t hold. In situations like this you’ll need to get creative with logs, rocks, or other objects to help tie down your shelter. In the end, with a non-freestanding tent like the Lunar Duo you’ll often spend a bit more time in camp perfecting the pitch of your tent, but your pack will feel lighter all day long on the trail.

CONDENSATION – A general con of single-wall tents is that they don’t have a mesh barrier to separate the hikers inside from the rain fly. That means you could potentially have condensation droplets on the inside of the tent in chilly, humid conditions. When this happens, it’s uncomfortable to rub against the interior of the rainfly, which will feel cold and wet. On the rare occasion it’s necessary, we use a small PackTowl to carefully wipe down the inside of the fly.

In our experience, the Lunar Duo performs better than most single-wall tents as far as interior condensation goes because of its excellent ventilation. It also has more headspace than your average tent, so it’s less likely that your head or the foot of your sleeping bag will make contact with the rainfly.

REQUIRES BIGGER CAMPSITES – We love the Lunar Duo’s spacious interior and oversized vestibules, but the downside is that you’ll need a bigger area to pitch the tent. Occasionally, we’ve had to pass up smaller campsites in search of a suitable place to pitch the Lunar Duo, but that’s rarely an issue.

BOTTOM LINE

If you’re looking for a roomy, ultralight shelter at an exceptionally affordable price, there are few tents that compare to the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo.

Though there are inherent downsides with any non-freestanding tent – a bit harder to pitch and condensation management – we generally feel that the benefits of the Duo heavily outweigh the cons.

It’s tough to find backpacking tents that strike such a great balance between weight, interior space, and price like the Lunar Duo. In addition, this tent is more durable than many ultralight tents, so you can count on it to last for years of adventure.

We think the Lunar Duo is an excellent choice for backpacking pairs, which is why it’s featured on our lists of the Best Backpacking Tents and Best Ultralight Tents.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide, where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Soto Windmaster is touted as one of the absolute best backpacking stoves for its superior wind performance. But does it really outperform other canister stoves when the wind starts whipping?

We put the Soto Windmaster to the test against the other top backpacking stoves on the market to find out if it truly lives up to its name.

QUICK SPECS

MSRP: $70

LISTED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Support)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 3.1 oz. (with 4Flex Support)

FUEL TYPE:Isobutane/propane canister

PROS

Excellent wind performance – We’ve used the Windmaster in some pretty windy conditions – exposed washes in the Sonoran desert, high-elevation ridges in the Cascades, and sprawling lava flows in Central Oregon. And we have to say, we’ve been very impressed with the performance of this stove every time.

The reason many stoves struggle to work efficiently in the wind is because there’s too much open space between the burner and the pot. The Windmaster is designed with a lip around the burner to block some wind at the source of the flame, and the pot sits relatively close to the burner head compared to other leading stoves.

The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is very similar in design with its recessed burner, but the arms of Pocket Rocket aren’t attached to the burner head like the arms on the Windmaster are. The Pocket Rocket design leaves more space for wind to cut the efficiency of your flame.

While the performance of all stoves will be affected by the wind in some capacity, we have found the Windmaster to be noticeably better in the wind than other canister stoves.

Lightweight – With the included 4Flex Pot Support, the Windmaster weighs only 3.1 oz. And hikers who were previously carrying a windscreen with a different stove can save some weight by ditching it for the superior wind performance of the Windmaster.

Compared to other stoves on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves, the Windmaster is the fourth lightest. That said, the top five lightest stoves on the list range from 1 oz. to 3.2 oz. – not a dramatic difference. The Pocket Rocket Deluxe is probably the closest in design to the Windmaster – it weighs 2.9 oz., or 0.2 oz. less than the Windmaster.

Hikers who are really looking to shave every bit of weight and bulk without sacrificing the great wind performance can save around 20 grams (0.7 oz.) by getting the TriFlex Pot Support. We’ll dive a little deeper into the TriFlex later in this review.

Good simmer control/efficient boiling – The Windmaster allows for a good range of control over your flame, so you can boil quickly or simmer slowly for the perfect backcountry meal. We think there are too many factors that go into boil times to make that a truly accurate comparative measurement. But SOTO claims the Windmaster can boil 2 cups of water in less than 2.5 minutes, which we find to be generally accurate under normal conditions.

Stable 4-prong pot support – One of our favorite things about the Windmaster is the strong and stable 4Flex Pot Support that comes with it. This support allows you to use larger pots with the Windmaster, without the stove struggling under the weight or your pot becoming unbalanced.

The outstanding pot support is especially great for couples who prefer to share a single large pot for boiling water.

Interchangeable pot supports – A unique feature of the Windmaster is the ability to swap between the sturdy 4Flex Support (included with the Windmaster) and the ultralight TriFlex Support (sold separately).

We typically always prefer to take the 4Flex Support since it adds a lot of stability for a very small amount of weight over the TriFlex. But hikers who are counting every gram and use a smaller pot may prefer the 0.7 oz. weight savings of the TriFlex.

With the 4Flex, the Windmaster weighs 3.1 oz. – the fourth lightest stove on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves. With the TriFlex, the stove about 2.4 oz. – the third lightest on our list.

Durable – This little stove is very durable for the weight. We’ve tested it on over 500 miles of trail with two hikers using it, and we expect it to last for several more years.

Piezo ignitor – This is a somewhat small perk, since we often find that the Piezo (push-button ignitor) is the first thing to fail on stoves. But it’s a convenient feature – especially in windy areas where it can be difficult to use a lighter.

As we mentioned above, though, the Windmaster is very well-made. And after 500+ miles of consistent use, the Piezo is still working beautifully and generally ignites on the first or second push. Either way, we always bring a Mini Bic as a backup fire source – even if our stove has a Piezo.

CONS

Expensive – The Windmaster is one of the most expensive canister stoves on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves (not including integrated stove systems, like the Jetboil Flash). That said, it’s only $10 more than two of our other top picks -the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 and the Snow Peak LiteMax.

We think the Windmaster is worth the cost for hikers who often hike in windy areas – above treeline, in open deserts, or in coastal regions – since it will boil a lot more efficiently than many of the other top stoves.

Bulkier than some – The Soto Windmaster is a bit longer than many other stoves, and the removable pot support – especially the 4Flex – is bulkier than the more common foldable arms on other stoves. It can be a bit tough to pack the Windmaster into smaller pots because of this. Even larger pots may not be able to accommodate the stove and a small fuel canister at the same time.

We usually just store the Windmaster separate from our cookpot in our food bag. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does require you to be a bit mindful of how things are packed so you don’t bend the arms on the pot support.

A bit easier to burn food if you’re not paying attention – One thing to keep in mind is that since your pot sits closer to the flame on the Windmaster than it does on many other canister stoves, you should keep a closer eye on the contents of your pot while you’re cooking/boiling. The more concentrated flame can overheat any food at the bottom of your pot a little more quickly than other stoves.

BOTTOM LINE

We’re big fans of the Soto Windmaster, and we highly recommend it to hikers who are over struggling against the wind to get a quick boil. Though it’s a bit on the expensive side for a canister stove, we think the Windmaster is worth every penny for its durability, stable pot supports, and efficiency. The Windmaster is one of our go-to stoves for exposed, windy areas and for hikes where we’re sharing a cookset with a partner. We’ve been whipping up delicious backcountry meals over hundreds of trail miles with this stove, and it’s one of our all-time favorites.

See how the Windmaster compares to our other favorites on our list of the Best Backpacking Stoves.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Soto Windmaster is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is one of the lightest double-wall 2-door tents on the market. This makes it ultralight, convenient, and easy to pitch. It also has more headroom than much of the competition due to its long brow pole that pulls out the sidewalls. 

But is the Tiger Wall worth its spendy price tag? And will its thinner materials hold up to the rigors of the trail over time? We put the Tiger Wall UL2 to the test in rugged conditions to see how it would hold up compared to the leading tents in this popular category.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $450

MEASURED WEIGHT: 2 lbs. 8 oz. (all components)

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 86 x 52/42 x 39 in. (wider at head, narrower at foot)

SIZES:1-Person, 2-Person, 3-Person

PROS

VERY LIGHTWEIGHT – Your shelter will be one of the heaviest items you’ll carry while backpacking, so choosing an ultralight tent like the Tiger Wall UL2 will go a long way in reducing your overall pack weight. This tent weighs only 40 oz. (2 lbs. 8 oz.), which is exceptionally lightweight for a double-wall semi-freestanding tent.

The other leading tents in this category (2-person, 2 door, semi-freestanding) are the MSR FreeLite 2 (37 oz.) and the NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 (40 oz.). All three of these tents match up similarly on the scale, but the Tiger Wall has the most headroom by far.

COMPACT PACKED SIZE – The components of the Tiger Wall UL2 pack down small, so your tent won’t take up too much space in your backpack. The tent body and fly are very compact and easy to find a place for inside your pack, while the pole assembly folds into a narrow shape that’s easy to slide into an exterior pocket.

SEMI-FREESTANDING – The Tiger Wall is a semi-freestanding tent, meaning it’s supported by a simple pole structure, but requires a couple of stakes to complete the pitch. We normally stake out our tents anyway, so that’s not usually a big deal. The simple pole structure also makes setup/takedown easy, adds rigidity in foul weather, and makes it convenient to move the tent around camp or shake out debris from the interior.There are also some downsides associated with semi-freestanding tent designs, so we’ll cover those in the con section below.

You could save even more weight by going with a non-freestanding tent or tarp, but these shelters have some trade-offs, including a steeper learning curve, the need for trekking poles to set up, and usually more interior condensation management.

The Tiger Wall combines the best of both worlds for those who want a tent that’s easy to use as well as ultralight.

NEAR-VERTICAL WALLS – As mentioned before, the brow pole on top of the Tiger Wall disperses the peak height across the width of the tent. The sidewalls of the tent body are pulled nearly verticle and the tent has an open and spacious feel inside. The Tiger Wall has the same 39-inch peak height and similar floor dimensions to some of the leading competition (MSR FreeLite 2 and NEMO Hornet OSMO 2), but its interior feels roomier thanks to its wide brow pole.

TWO DOORS & TWO VESTIBULES – The Tiger Wall has double doors and generous vestibules on each side. After testing dozens of tent designs over the years, we strongly prefer backpacking tents with two doors and two vestibules for easy access, gear storage, and views. These features are especially important to us when traveling as a pair, but even when we’re solo it’s nice to have options.

QUICK & EASY SETUP – The single-pole structure makes setting the Tiger Wall up a breeze. The pole ends and corresponding tent grommets are color-coded, so you can orient the components with a quick glance and have your tent set up in minutes. We appreciate that the brow pole is attached to the rest of the pole assembly as well, so there’s a much lower chance of misplacing this piece.

As mentioned before, the Tiger Wall is semi-freestanding, so you’ll need to secure at least two tent stakes to hold out the corners of the foot. This isn’t quite as convenient as a fully freestanding shelter, but we normally stake out our tents anyway, so this task doesn’t usually make much of a difference. At a minimum, you’ll need six stakes for a basic pitch of the Tiger Wall; four for the corners, and two for the rainfly vestibules. Carrying eight stakes will give you a more complete pitch, securing both ends of the rainfly. And if you encounter harsh weather, you’ll want an additional three tent stakes (a total of 11) to utilize the additional tiedown points on the exterior of the rainfly. Nine high-quality Dirt Dagger stakes are included.

GOOD WEATHER PROTECTION – The Tiger Wall UL2 is a fully waterproof, double-wall shelter, with all seams taped for protection. Because the Tiger Wall is an ultralight tent made with fairly thin materials, we usually try to find campsites with limited wind exposure, but we pretty much do this with every tent.

EXCELLENT POCKETS – One of our favorite features of the Tiger Wall is the large interior pocket that keeps gear organized and off the floor. This ‘gear loft’ is at eye level and is in a perfect position to easily reach when you’re sitting up in the tent.

The gear loft pocket is even bigger on the current version of this tent than it was in previous models – so big that we can practically unload our entire pack into it when getting settled in camp. It’s excellent for storing clothing, electronics, stuff sacks, and much more.

Aside from the super handy loft pocket, the Tiger Wall also has small yet functional pockets on the sides and head of the tent.

EXCELLENT VALUE – Ultralight tents are made with high-tech materials and take a lot of engineering to design, so they tend to be pretty expensive. A 2-person backpacking tent in the 2-3 lb. weight range will generally cost somewhere between $400 and $600. The Tiger Wall currently retails for $450, which is competitive with the similarly equipped Nemo Hornet ($430) and MSR Freelite ($450). Given its quality construction and considering its upsides, we think the Tiger Wall is an excellent value in this category. Check out our list of the Best Backpacking Tents for a deeper dive into tent prices.

SPACIOUS FOR ONE – The Tiger Wall UL2 really shines as a spacious tent for a single hiker and their gear. It doesn’t weigh much more than some one-person tents (MSR Hubba Hubba 1 – 39 oz., Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1 – 38 oz.), but it has a much more luxurious interior. For two people, the Tiger Wall is a bit of a tighter fit, so we cover that in the con section below.

LIGHT & BRIGHT – The white rainfly on the Tiger Wall lets natural light in so you can see clearly inside the tent while you’re relaxing, reading, or looking at maps on long summer evenings. We prefer this soft, white light over a gloomy, dark tent interior with a red, blue, or green tint. The fly color generally wouldn’t make or break our tent buying decision, but it’s worth considering what kind of atmosphere you’ll enjoy most when you’re hanging out in your shelter.

It’s also worth noting that the Tiger Wall’s thin, light-colored fly might not be for everyone. It’s almost translucent in very bright conditions, which could be annoying if there’s a full moon or you like to sleep in. If your circadian rhythm is sensitive to light, you might want to consider a tent with a darker rainfly.

FAST FLY MODE – If you purchase the footprint that’s made for the Tiger Wall UL2, you can quickly set up the rainfly, get inside, then continue to pitch the tent body while under cover if it’s raining when you arrive at camp. This helps keep you and your gear dry and gives you the option to use the fly and footprint alone if you want to travel even lighter. This is a nice option to have, but we don’t use this feature very often, and would generally prefer to use a footprint that’s lighter than 6 oz.

UNIQUE DOOR TOGGLES – Another cool feature of the Tiger Wall is the door toggles, which are designed to allow you to roll back both sides of the vestibule for ventilation or wide views. The toggles are large and easy to slip into the keeper loops with one hand. We’ve also found that it’s easy to flap the rainfly back over the head or foot of this tent for partial shade and maximum ventilation. This kind of versatility is great for those that prefer using a tent with the fly off in clear weather but want to be ready if rain showers crop up.

SOLUTION-DYED FABRIC – The newest model of the Tiger Wall is made with solution-dyed fabric that’s highly resistant to fading with UV exposure and more eco-friendly to manufacture. Essentially, the color dye is added to the nylon fibers while they’re being produced, versus dip-dyeing the woven material. Solution-dyeing is said to save up to 60-90 percent in water usage and offers a significant reduction in CO2 emissions by eliminating repeated rinsing in large vats of hot water and machine drying.

CONS

NOT AS DURABLE AS SOME – One of the reasons the Tiger Wall is so light is because the floor and fly are both constructed with thin, 15-denier silnylon. If you tend to be rough on gear and prize durability, we would suggest looking elsewhere. That said, if you treat this tent with care it will hold up well. Also, it’s worth remembering that if small rips occur, they can always be fixed with a little Tenacious Tape. Additionally, you could pick up the Tiger Wall footprint or another lightweight footprint to increase tent floor durability.

TIGHT FOR TWO – Though the Tiger Wall was built to maximize interior space, it’s still a fairly tight-fitting tent for two average-sized people. To give you a better feel for the size, the Tiger Wall UL2 is 52 inches wide at the head and narrows to 42 inches at the foot. A regular sleeping pad is about 20 inches wide, so two pads will take up nearly the entire tent floor. If you and your partner prefer a bit more interior space or use wide sleeping pads (about 25 inches), we recommend bumping up to the UL3 (66/60 inches head/foot) for increased comfort.

RAINFLY SAG – The Tiger Wall’s rainfly provides ample protection in stormy conditions, but the thin, 15-denier fabric tends to sag when it gets wet and cold. For a taught pitch, you’ll want to re-tighten your guylines after setting up your tent and giving it 10-15 minutes to settle. You may have to re-tighten guylines when rainy weather blows in as well. This is pretty typical for backpacking tents, but the semi-freestanding design of the Tiger Wall makes re-tightening a bit more important.

NO VENTS IN FLY – There are no built-in ventilation ports on the rainfly of the Tiger Wall, which limits its ability to control condensation. The doors of the rainfly do unzip from the top on each side and have small hoods to block rain, so that helps to provide some ventilation. That said, vents like that are unideal when it’s really pouring hard outside.

OK ZIPPERS – The zippers on the Tiger Wall are just okay in our opinion. They’re not our favorite, but not terrible either. On the main tent body, each door has two zippers, one that goes along the top and one along the bottom. The main body zippers function well and rarely snag in our experience. The zippers on the rainfly often require the use of two hands to prevent snags, especially when wet. We consider the tent fly zippers to be a bit of a downside, though we often find this drawback in other tents as well.

SEMI-FREESTANDING DESIGN – Semi-freestanding tents are generally lighter than fully freestanding tents, but they need to be staked down, which can be tough in some circumstances. In the rare situation that we’re camping on solid rock or sand that won’t hold tent stakes, we’ll get creative by using rocks as weights or tying guylines off to objects. We always stake out our tents though – freestanding or non-freestanding, so we’re used to this kind of problem solving. If you frequently camp in places with bedrock, loose ground, and high winds, you might be better off with a fully freestanding tent.

Bottom Line

The Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 offers an excellent balance for backpackers who want their shelter to be ultralight, but still convenient, livable, and easy to pitch. It’s one of the lightest double-wall 2-door tents on the market, and the longer brow pole on top provides more headroom than the competition.

We think the Tiger Wall UL2 is generally best for solo, ultralight backpackers looking for a roomy, convenient shelter. The UL2 can definitely fit two hikers, but it’s a fairly tight space to share. We recommend the Tiger Wall UL3 for pairs that want a more roomy interior.

Overall, we think the Tiger Wall is a well-rounded tent that most people will be very happy using on the trail. Big Agnes continues to do an excellent job of pushing the limits of ultralight backpacking tents while keeping comfort and user experience in mind.

More Photos

More information

We hope this review helps you determine if the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this review, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any sleeping pad on the market, but is it worth the spendy price tag? We put the new XTherm NXT to the test to see how it holds up to real-world conditions.

QUICK SPECS

MSRP: $240

MEASURED WEIGHT: 15.5 oz. (pad only)

LISTED WEIGHT: 16 oz. (pad only)

R-VALUE: 7.3

DIMENSIONS: 72 x 20 x 3 in.

PROS

Very warm – Backpacking sleeping pads really don’t get much warmer than the Xtherm NXT – especially not in this weight class. To put it in perspective, the second warmest pad on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads is the REI Helix Insulated. The Helix has an R-value that’s 2.4 points below that of the XTherm, and it weighs 5 oz. more. 

The Xtherm NXT will keep you insulated in temperatures well below what the vast majority of us are likely to ever encounter on trail. But it certainly doesn’t hurt to have some extra insulation on nights where temperatures dip below freezing – especially if you’re a cold sleeper.

Ultralight, especially for the warmth – Sixteen ounces is right on the edge of what we would normally consider ultralight for a sleeping pad (usually under one pound). But when you factor in how warm the XTherm NXT is, it would be silly to exclude it from the category.

Looking at other popular pads in the same weight class as the Xtherm, we have the NEMO Tensor Insulated with an R-value of 4.3 at 15 oz. and the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated with an R-value of 3.1 at 16.9 oz. Neither of these pads even come close to the warmth-to-weight ratio of the Xtherm, and nor does anything else from our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads for that matter.

Quiet – You’ve likely heard the infamous crinkle sound made by the past versions of Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir line of sleeping pads. If you’ve never used one yourself, you’ve almost certainly shared a campsite with someone who sounded like they were sleeping on a potato chip bag. This was the plight of the older NeoAir Xlite and XTherm.

While we were never bothered much by the far more tolerable crinkling of the XTherm (compared to the XLite), we’re happy to report that the XTherm NXT is nearly silent.

Comfortable – Another very noticeable improvement the XTherm NXT has over its predecessor is an extra half inch of thickness. At 3 in. thick, there’s plenty of room to make adjustments to the firmness of the pad (by letting some air out) without bottoming out on the ground.

This is especially good news for side-sleepers, as it can be tricky to keep your hips from hitting the ground if you don’t like an ultra-firm pad.

We’ve been getting comfortable and restful nights of sleep in the backcountry on NeoAir pads for years, and we think most hikers will find the XTherm plenty comfy.

Available in regular/wide size – As sleeping pads get lighter and lighter, more hikers are finding the additional comfort provided by a wide pad worth the small bump up in weight. But so many pads on the market only offer wide sizes for the long length. Most people are under 5’ 9”, and have no need for a long pad (regular pads are typically 72 in./6 ft.).

So why aren’t more pads offered in regular/wide? We have no idea. But the Xtherm NXT (along with the other NeoAir NXT pads) comes in this somewhat elusive configuration, so it’s possible we’re going to be seeing this size combo more regularly.

Compact – When packed, the XTherm is about the size of a 32 oz. Nalgene. It’s around the same packed size as most of the other ultralight pads on our list of the Best Sleeping Pads, which is really impressive considering how much more insulative the XTherm is. 

We also love that the stuff sack is slightly oversized so you don’t have to fight to get the pad packed up.

Durable – We’ve always been very impressed with the durability of the Xtherm, and this newest iteration doesn’t disappoint either. A key to its longevity is the ultra-thick bottom layer which is constructed with a 70D nylon fabric. We’ve taken the Xtherm over hundreds of miles through the Sonoran Desert where cacti abound, and we’ve slept directly on a bed of lava rocks with it in the Central Oregon Cascades. And we can say with confidence that this pad is built to last.

But of course, all air pads have their limits, and – whether by bad luck or hard use – eventually you’ll likely need to repair your pad. Luckily, it’s easy and cheap to replace the WingLock Valve on the XTherm should it fail to work at some point down the line, and this pad also comes with a patch kit for repairing unexpected punctures in the field.

Pump sack included – Most pads come with pump sacks nowadays, and – basic as its pump sack may be – the XTherm NXT is no exception.

We far prefer the pump sacks included with some of our other favorite pads, like the Vortex that comes with the NEMO Tensor, but this one still gets the job done quicker than inflating your pad by mouth.

CONS

Expensive – The XTherm NXT is the most expensive pad on our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads list, but it’s a worthwhile investment if you backpack a lot and aren’t staying warm on less insulated pads. 

Most other pads on our list sit between $150 and $200, but it might help you justify the price of the XTherm NXT if you look at a few other numbers. Most notably, the XTherm NXT is 1.5-2+ times warmer than any of the pads in the sub-$200 category. The bottom fabric of the XTherm NXT is 1.5 times thicker than the thickest fabric (usually the bottom) of nearly all of the more affordable pads, so it’s likely to last you longer. And finally, it’s much lighter than the majority of the more affordable pads on our list.

A little slower to deflate than some other pads – We like the relatively new WingLock Valves that were added to Therm-a-Rest’s NeoAir line of pads a few years ago, and we consider them a big improvement over their old valves. But the XTherm NXT still isn’t nearly as quick and easy to deflate as sleeping pads with dump valves.

While we find Therm-a-Rest’s valve designs to be a little less prone to failure than flat valves with dumps, we’re still holding out hope for the day they design one that combines the two styles in an effective and durable package.

Included pump sack isn’t the best – We briefly mentioned this earlier, but to give more context on why we don’t love the NeoAir pump sack – it’s heavier than others, the opening is too wide, and it doesn’t serve multiple purposes.

Our current favorite pump sack is the Vortex that comes with the NEMO Tensor. It has a narrow opening that’s easy to close off after you’ve blown air into it, and it makes pad inflation super quick and easy. We also really like pump sacks that serve multiple purposes, like the Airstream that comes with Sea to Summit pads. The Airstream acts as both a pump sack and waterproof stuff sack.

BOTTOM LINE

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT is hands down the best choice for cold sleepers and adventurous hikers who don’t let snowfall signal the end of backpacking season.This sleeping pad has an impressive R-value of 7.3, which will even keep most users warm down into the negatives – colder than most backpackers will ever encounter in the backcountry.

This pad is spendy for sure, but it’s well-worth the cost for its warmth and weight. Plus it’s super durable, so it’ll last for many seasons of backpacking if treated with care. The XTherm earned the number two spot on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Therm-a-Rest XTherm NXT is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Backpacks

• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Squeeze filters have quickly become one of the most popular filtration methods among hikers and ultralight backpackers. It isn’t any wonder why; they’re small, lightweight, and super convenient for quick water grabs on trips with plentiful water sources along the way.

The Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter System is similar to other popular squeeze filters on the market but stands out for its fast flow rate, durable build, and easy maintenance.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $50

WEIGHT: 3.6 oz. (including 1 L reservoir)

Pros

ULTRALIGHT – The QuickDraw system is incredibly lightweight compared to traditional pumps and filters. The dry microfilter weighs a mere 2.3 oz. (or 3.6 including the 1 L reservoir), so it’s perfect for anyone looking to minimize pack weight. That’s a tad lighter than the Sawyer Squeeze (2.5 oz. without reservoir) and a bit heavier than the Katadyn BeFree (1.2 oz. without reservoir), but the difference is pretty negligible.

On our scale, the saturated QuickDraw cartridge with both caps weighed 3.1 ounces. If you keep your filter attached to the squeeze reservoir like we do on the trail, you may choose not to carry the additional caps, which will shave off about 0.4 oz. from the total weight.

COMPACT – The QuickDraw filter cartridge fits easily in a hip belt pocket or fanny pack, and the reservoir folds completely flat when not in use. We love how small and space-saving this system is. In fact, it’s so minimal, we often bring it in a pocket on trail runs so we don’t have to carry a water bottle.

FAST & CONVENIENT – There’s no wait time when using the QuickDraw like there is with chemical or UV treatments. Simply scoop water from a natural source, squeeze it through the filter into a bottle, and it’s immediately safe to drink. We can easily filter multiple liters in a minute or two, which helps keep breaks short. Sometimes, we don’t even bother stopping. If you keep the QuickDraw accessible, and there are frequent water sources along the route, it’s easy to grab a liter on the fly. We often filter while walking or simply drink straight from the cartridge.

EXCELLENT FLOW RATE – Hundreds of tiny, hollow fibers allow the QuickDraw to filter water rapidly. Platypus claims that it can filter up to 3 L per minute with normal squeeze pressure. We don’t often backpack with a 3 L reservoir, so we haven’t tested that theory, but 3 L per minute seems like a stretch to us. That said, we’re more than happy with the QuickDraws ability to process 1 L of water in less than a minute (about 40 seconds).

In a water filter race we recently conducted (see video below), we found the flow rates of popular squeeze filters to be pretty similar. That said, the QuickDraw proved to be slightly faster than the Katadyn BeFree and LifeStraw Peak Squeeze in multiple trials. We have yet to speed trial the QuickDraw against a fresh Sawyer Squeeze, but we expect the two to perform similarly.

REMOVES BACTERIA, PROTOZOA & DIRT – Drinking bad water can quickly ruin a trip and wreak havoc on your body for weeks or months following. Needless to say, it’s best to filter all water in the backcountry to avoid the possibility of contracting a gnarly stomach parasite. The QuickDraws hollow-fiber filter cartridge removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9% of protozoa. It’s effective against giardia, salmonella, and cryptosporidium – the most common things you’ll encounter on the trails in North America. It also does a great job of clarifying water by removing small debris particles.

QUALITY RESERVOIR – We’ve been using Platy Bottles on backpacking trips for ages, and we trust them to be durable and taste-free. We’ve had good experiences using the 1 L QuickDraw reservoir that’s included with the filter, and far prefer it over the bags that come with the Sawyer Squeeze. The QuickDraw reservoir has a wide mouth that makes it easy to fill at water sources. And it has a great little handle that makes it easy to carry in your hand if you’re drinking right out of the bottle on the go. It’s also nice to be able to scoop water from a cold source without having to submerge our hands on chilly trips.

EXTERNAL FILTER CARTRIDGE – We like that the QuickDraws microfilter attaches to the outside of bottles and reservoirs. Some filter designs, like the Katadyn BeFree and LifeStraw Peak Squeeze, nest the cartridge inside the reservoir, which makes it a) difficult to squeeze every last drop, and b) impossible to fit in a whole liter of water. It’s helpful to be able to store a full liter in the ‘dirty’ reservoir and know that you’re filtering exactly 1 L of water into an empty water bottle of your choice.

COMPATIBLE WITH VARIOUS BOTTLES & RESERVOIRS – The QuickDraw filter cartridge has dual inside and outside threads, so it can be attached to a variety of bottles and reservoirs. We almost always use the 1 L reservoir that comes with the filter, but we appreciate that it’s compatible with smartwater bottles and a variety of other beverage containers. Versatility is always good, and if the reservoir had a blowout, we’d have a backup.

DURABLE HOUSING – One of the biggest upsides of QuickDraw is how durable it is. The flip-open sports cap is much stouter than those on the BeFree and Sawyer, and won’t threaten to break off after repeated opening and closing. The whole filter cartridge feels solid in your hand. And even the caps are made with a thick material. The QuickDraw is probably the most durable squeeze filter on the market, so it’s great for thru-hiking or anyone who’s tough on gear.

EASY TO BACKFLUSH – All water filters slow down over time as they’re exposed to particulates in water, and backflushing can help restore their flow rate. Some filters require a syringe to force water back through them, but you can flush the QuickDraw with nothing more than a clean water bottle. A vigorous shake will also work well to maintain the flow rate in the field in our experience. But, if the QuickDraw needs a more thorough flushing, you can simply invert a bottle full of clean water over the drink spout and squeeze water back through the cartridge.

INTEGRITY CHECK – If a squeeze filter is dropped or frozen, the hollow fibers in the cartridge can be compromised. There’s no way to tell for sure if this has occurred on many squeeze filters, so you’d have to discard them if you were worried. Thankfully, there is a way to check the integrity of the QuickDraw. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine whether your filter is safe to use.

GOOD VALUE – The QuickDraw has an MSRP of $50, which is slightly more than the comparable Sawyer Squeeze (currently $41). That said, it’s still an excellent value, and we don’t mind paying a few dollars more to get the high-quality reservoir that comes with it. For reference, the Katadyn BeFree also costs $50.

Platypus claims you should be able to filter 1,000 L of water with a QuickDraw cartridge, which pencils out to about $0.05 per liter. Compare that to the cost per liter of treating with chlorine dioxide drops and pills; Katadyn Micropur Water Tabs cost about $0.50 per liter, and Aquamira Drops roughly $0.13 per 1 L.

In the grand scheme, this system is quite affordable, especially compared to a heavy-duty purifier, like the MSR Guardian. If you’re willing to properly maintain the QuickDraw to get many trips out of it, the price is well worth it.

Cons

HEAVIER & BULKIER THAN SOME – As mentioned above, the QuickDraw (2.3 oz. without reservoir) is a bit heavier than the Katadyn BeFree (1.2 oz. without reservoir). The weight difference is fairly miniscule though, and the QuickDraw’s streamlined and durable housing may be worth the slight increase in weight for some. The Sawyer Squeeze is slightly heavier than the QuickDraw (2.5 oz. without reservoir).

The QuickDraw is, however, significantly heavier and bulkier than a chemical treatment like Katadyn Micropur Water Tabs (1.2 oz. for 30 tabs). If you’re looking for the most ultralight and minimal option, a treatment like this might be a better fit for you.

SLOWS DOWN OVER TIME – The QuickDraw is really fast when it’s new, with the ability to filter 1-2 L per minute. Unfortunately, as is the case with all squeeze filters, the hollow fibers that make up the membrane can get clogged and the flow rate will eventually slow down over time. We recommend choosing water sources carefully and, if you have to, pre-filtering water that’s super silty or full of debris to increase the lifespan of your filter and maintain a good flow rate.

If you know the area where you’re hiking has silty or highly-contaminated water sources, the QuickDraw (or any squeeze filter) might not be the best choice. Those types of conditions will slow your filter down and treating water could become quite a chore by the end of your trip.

TEDIOUS FOR OVER 2 L – Squeeze filters, like the QuickDraw, are generally best for trips that have frequent, clear water sources along the route. Squeezing 1 or 2 L with the QuickDraw in a session is a snap, but squeezing can become tedious if you frequently need to ‘camel up’ with more than a few liters at a time for long carries or dry camping. In that case (or if you’re traveling with a group), you might want to consider something that requires less physical effort, like the Platypus GravityWorks.

NEEDS PROTECTION FROM FREEZING – If temperatures dip below freezing, you’ll need to keep the QuickDraw close to your body while hiking, and in your sleeping bag at night. If water freezes inside the filter, the pores will permanently enlarge, and the filter will be unreliable against protozoa and bacteria. At home, don’t store squeeze filters in a garage, basement, or shed that’s subject to sub-freezing temperatures.

DOESN’T KILL VIRUSES – The QuickDraw Filter does an excellent job of removing the most common bacteria and protozoans you’ll encounter while backpacking in the US, but it doesn’t kill viruses. If you’re hiking in an area where water-borne viruses are a concern, you may want to pair it with a chemical treatment, like Katadyn Micropur Tablets, or consider a purifier like the Katadyn Steripen or MSR Guardian.

CAPS TO KEEP TRACK OF – As we mentioned before, we usually keep the QuickDraw filter attached to the squeeze reservoir at all times, only taking it off to refill. If you prefer to carry the parts separately for better packability, you’ll need to carry a couple of additional caps (included) – one for the dirty side of the filter cartridge, and another for the reservoir.

It’s a small gripe, but it can be a bit of a chore to keep track of these loose caps (both on the trail and in the drying rack/gear storage box at home). It would be handy if Platypus designed the caps with some holes and tethers to keep them attached for the people who choose to use them. Until then, we recommend keeping the caps in a Ziploc when not in use. Remember, they’re contaminated, so don’t let them come into contact with clean bottles or water.

Bottom Line

The Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter System is an extremely straightforward and convenient way to make water from natural sources safe to drink. The build quality is among the best of any squeeze filter on the market, and we love how easy it is to backflush and check its integrity.

The jury is still out on which filter is the best between Platypus, Sawyer, and Katadyn. The truth is, they’re all great and very similar. We recommend the QuickDraw for those who are willing to pay a few bucks more for excellent durability and a high-quality reservoir. Overall, we think the QuickDraw is a great filtration option.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the Platypus QuickDraw compares to other water filters on the market, head over to our Best Water Filters Gear Guide.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine ifthe Platypus QuickDraw MicroFilter System is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:

• Best Hiking Footwear
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags & Quilts
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
• Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

Spoiler alert: we really dig the REI Co-op Flash 2. This tent is ultralight, has a convenient design, and is very well-priced for the specs and quality. 

While some may be lamenting the loss of the crowd favorite REI Quarter Dome SL 2 from REI’s lineup of lightweight offerings, we say the Flash 2 is the big improvement we didn’t know we needed.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $399

LISTED WEIGHT: 3 lbs. 4.2 oz. (all components)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 3 lbs. 6.7 oz. (all components)

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 88 x 52/42 x 40 in. (wider at head, narrower at foot)

Pros

Affordable for the specs & quality – Compared to other backpacking tents with similar specs and quality, the REI Flash 2 is much more affordable. The closest comparison would be the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2. We’ll get into some more spec comparisons a bit later in this review, but probably the most important thing to note is that the Flash 2 costs $150 less yet weighs only 2.2 oz. more.

Ultralight – The Flash 2 may sit a little over the weight cut-off for ultralight if you’re really counting every gram. But at barely over 1.5 lbs. when split between two hikers, we consider this tent to be well within the UL territory. The only two-person tents from our list of the Best Backpacking Tents that beat out the Flash’s weight in any significant way are non-freestanding – like the ZPacks Duplex – or have less usable interior space – like the MSR Freelite 2.

Even for solo hikers looking for a little extra space to sprawl in a two-person tent, the Flash’s full packaged weight (3 lbs. 4.2 oz.) is perfectly reasonable for a shelter.

Roomy interior/excellent headroom – The Flash 2 feels much roomier than its specs suggest. It has the exact same floor dimensions and peak height as the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2, but the pole structure of the Flash pulls out a lot more headroom where you need it most. 

The Flash has a crosspole at the apex that extends its peak height out to the sidewalls for more headroom in the center of the tent. Additionally, it features an arch pole at the head that pulls the walls away from you and extends the headroom created by the crosspole. This gives more usable interior volume than the single crosspole at the peak of many backpacking tents.

Excellent weather protection – The Flash 2 comes fully seam-sealed and ready to go in rainy weather. The scooped design of the rainfly cuts out a lot of weight without sacrificing weather protection, since the headwall and foot of the tent are waterproof.

The arch pole at the head of the Flash provides a good amount of structure for keeping the tent upright in high winds. There are additional guyout points you can use for extra stability if you’re in for some particularly nasty weather, but you’ll need to tie them on yourself. It’s a simple task, though, and the extra included guylines come with pre-attached tensioners to make life easy.

While we find the Flash to be plenty sturdy for your typical rainstorm or windy night, it’s important to note that this is still a piece of ultralight gear and all tents have their breaking points. As such, it will have its limits and isn’t going to be as bomber as some heavier models, like the REI Half Dome 2.

Freestanding/easy to set up – The freestanding design of the Flash 2 means it can be pitched just about anywhere, since the structure doesn’t rely on the ability to get stakes in the ground. Of course, even freestanding tents will perform better when fully staked out, but it’s nice knowing that you’ll still have a proper shelter in areas where stakes refuse to go in.

Freestanding tents are also generally a little quicker and more intuitive to set up. The Flash 2 throws you a slight curveball in the setup with its unique arch pole. But once you know how to place it, you can have the tent standing in just a couple minutes. Even those without much experience setting tents up will find the process simple thanks to the color-coded poles and clips.

Good ventilation – The Flash 2 has a pretty unique ventilation design that sits right above your head when you sleep – AKA the area where condensation buildup is most likely to occur from your breath. 

When the rainfly is staked out, the vestibules sit about six inches off the ground. This allows air to flow underneath and create a cross-breeze to further mitigate interior moisture and help with temperature regulation on hot nights.

When you aren’t expecting precipitation, both sides of the rainfly can be rolled back fully to allow maximum airflow through the mesh walls.

Smooth zippers – As tents evolve and it becomes harder and harder to decide on a true winner in a sea of greats, little details really start to add up. And let us just say – being able to operate your tent door zipper with one hand is really nice. 

Got your whole stove setup in your right hand cause you’re about to cook an epic dinner? Use your left to open the door. Left hand occupied with a spider you rescued from your tent ceiling? Open up the door with your right to set that thing free. Luxury.

Nice tent stakes included – This may be a minor detail to some, because tent stakes can easily be swapped out for something you like more. But tent stake costs add up when you’re getting replacements for a whole tent – some of our favorites from our Best Tent Stakes list will run you over $4 each. 

We really like the stakes that come with the Flash 2 – they’re sturdy, ultralight V-shaped stakes with loops attached. We’ve seen many tent makers get it wrong in this department by omitting the pull loop at the top of the stake. It can be downright painful to try to pull a V-stake out of stubborn ground without that loop.

We know what you’re thinking, it’s so easy to just add a loop yourself if you want one. And sure, that’s true, but you shouldn’t have to.

Good pockets – The pocket setup on the Flash 2 is a little different from most other tents. There are four pockets lining the headwall above where you sleep that keep stored items neatly organized and out of the way. 

While we typically prefer each occupant to have one pocket down low for easy access while laying down, we appreciate that items stored in the pockets of the Flash don’t cause the walls to sag as is common with pockets situated low next to the tent door.

Two doors/vestibules – Most two-person tents nowadays have a dedicated door and vestibule for each occupant, but we still think it’s worth noting. No one wants to be crawling over their tentmate in the wee hours for a late night bathroom break or shuffling over two sets of gear in the vestibule to get inside.

Cons

Thin materials – The 20-denier nylon floor of the Flash is thin enough to see through, and – as is the case with pretty much any piece of ultralight gear – it requires some care to ensure it lasts as long as possible. 

In the early stages of testing, we had a pine needle work its way through the floor. There isn’t any major damage to speak of, but it reinforced our view that carrying a bit of Tenacious Tape is a must when using UL gear. 

We find that making sure to clear your campsite of as many sticks, rocks, and other pokies as possible will go a long way in helping to keep your tent floor in good shape. But you can always opt to use a footprint with the Flash for extra protection in rugged areas or if you’re particularly hard on gear.

A bit heavier/bulkier than other ultralight tents – We mentioned this earlier in the review, but the Flash 2 isn’t the lightest of ultralight tents. You can go far lighter if you opt for a single-wall Dyneema shelter, but you’ll be losing out on the convenience and condensation mitigation that comes with a double-wall freestanding design. You’ll also pay a considerably larger amount of money.

The Flash 2 also doesn’t pack down quite as small as those lighter weight tents, but overall we find the packed dimensions to be reasonable for storage inside your pack with some good spatial planning. If you’re splitting the load between two hikers, you’ll actually save pack space versus many single-wall tents that can’t be pieced out between two backpacks.

We prefer to have one pocket that sits lower – This is a minor point, but we like the convenience of a pocket that sits near your head when lying down for easily grabbing items – like a headlamp – in the dark. All of the pockets on the Flash sit up high on the headwall and are most conveniently accessed when sitting up.

BOTTOM LINE

With a low weight, convenient freestanding design, and all the details dialed in, the REI Flash 2 is a definite winner for hikers looking to save a considerable amount of money over the leading ultralight competition. The Flash’s unique pole structure provides more room than the average two-person tent for two hikers, and the innovative ventilation system will keep the interior comfy and condensation free on all but the wettest nights. If you’ve drooled over ultralight freestanding tents in the past, but your wallet said no – the Flash 2 is the solution.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the REI Co-op Flash 2 is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this review, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite has been one of our favorite backpacking sleeping pads for years, and the best just got better with the introduction of the new XLite NXT version. This pad is still made with the high-quality construction that Therm-a-Rest is known for, but it’s warmer and much quieter than its predecessor. And if that wasn’t enough, It’s also even more comfy with an extra half inch of thickness.

The XLite NXT is a tad spendy, but we say it’s worth every penny for its durability, excellent performance, and standout specs.

We ranked the Therm-a-Rest XLite NXT number one on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads.

QUICK SPECS

(Size: regular)

MSRP: $210

LISTED WEIGHT: 13 oz. (pad only)

MEASURED WEIGHT: 13.1 oz. (pad only)

R-VALUE: 4.5

DIMENSIONS: 72 x 20 x 3 in.

PROS

Great value – While the XLite NXT is one of the more expensive pads on our list of the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads, we say it’s definitely worth the cost. This pad is unrivaled with its blend of weight, comfort, and warmth. You can find a more affordable pad, but you’re going to make a sacrifice in one of those key areas.

When looking at some of the other most popular pads on the market, you’ll find the NEMO Tensor costs a little less but is two ounces heavier and not as warm/durable. The Big Agnes Rapide SL costs less, but weighs six ounces more and is a bit less warm and packable. And finally, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT costs a little less, but it’s 4.3 ounces heavier and significantly less warm.

The new Big Agnes Zoom UL pad is the closest competition to the XLite on specs – it costs a bit less but weighs a bit more and isn’t quite as warm. It’s a close call, but in the end we think the XLite will hold up a little better to hard use and has a better valve.

Quiet –The biggest complaint we heard about the XLite in the past is how noisy it is. Though the previous iteration improved the crinkle sound nuisance, it didn’t entirely solve the problem. But the XLite NXT has finally gotten rid of the dreaded potato chip bag sound! 

Therm-a-Rest tested the noise reduction in a lab and found that the NXT version is 83% quieter. We tested it on a thru-hike with two people in a tent, and we can confirm that both hikers slept great and this pad is exceptionally quiet.

Ultralight – Compared to other pads on our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads list, the Xlite NXT is the second lightest – beaten out only by the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite. The XLite is far more versatile than the UberLite though, since it’s much more durable and has an R-value of 4.5 versus the UberLite’s R-Value of 2.3.

Comfortable – We’ve always found the XLite to be very comfortable, but the latest NXT version is half an inch thicker. This allows you more room to adjust the firmness to your liking, and it reduces the chances that side sleepers will bottom-out when the inflation isn’t maxed out.

The R-value of 4.5 is also plenty warm enough to keep most hikers comfortable on pretty much any three-season adventure.

Warm – The XLite NXT has an R-value of 4.5 which will be warm enough to keep most hikers comfortable down to freezing (or a little below for warm-sleepers). We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again – the XLite NXT is impressively light for how warm it is.

Durable – One of the most impressive things about the XLite NXT is that Therm-a-Rest achieved such a low weight without sacrificing durability. We’ve trusted Therm-a-Rest products for years and the XLite NXT is another standout in their long history of producing top-quality craftsmanship.

We’ve tested the durability of the Xlite NXT on some incredibly rugged trails, including the Arizona Trail and the CDT through Glacier National Park, and it’s held up wonderfully.

Compact – The XLite NXT packs down to about the size of a 1L Nalgene – smaller than many of the other top sleeping pads available today. We always opt for more compact gear when we can, because it allows us to have more room for fun stuff like a plush pillow, a lightweight backpacking chair, and/or – of course – more snacks.

Pump sack included – The XLite NXT comes with a pump sack, so it can be inflated quickly and easily without having to blow your moist tuna wrap/Mountain House meal breath into the pad. Not only does this save you energy, it also helps to preserve the inner workings of your sleeping pad.

Moisture from your breath can collect inside to form droplets. With no real way for that moisture to escape efficiently, mold and mildew can build up inside your pad over time and degrade the insulation film.

While the design of the included pump sack is a little lackluster compared to some others (we’ll talk more about that in the CONS section), it gets the job done.

CONS

A bit expensive – We hesitate to even call this pad expensive, since we think it’s worth every penny. But we have to concede that over $200 for a sleeping pad is a little spendy. Still, we think the longevity, field repairability, and awesome manufacturer warranty on the XLite NXT make this pad more affordable than replacing lower quality pads in the future.

A little slower to inflate/deflate than some pads – The previous redesign of the XLite introduced the WingLock Valve – a much needed modernization of Therm-a-Rest’s old valves. The WingLock is included on the NXT pad as well, and it features a little tab that you can turn to make the airflow one-way (in only, not out) or two-way (out and in, used for deflation).

While we think the WingLock engineering is solid and it functions well, we find that dump valves on pads like the NEMO Tensor are quicker and a bit easier to use.

Included pump sack isn’t our favorite – The included pump sack is designed with thick material and a wide opening that makes it a little tougher to keep air from escaping before you can roll it up. It still works, but it’s a little heavier and bulkier than thinner sacks, a bit less efficient than those with more narrow openings – like the Vortex pump sack included with the NEMO Tensor, and not as useful as pump sacks that can double as a stuff sack – like the Airstream included with Sea to Summit pads. 

Because of this, we sometimes opt to just leave the pump sack at home and inflate the XLite by mouth.

BOTTOM LINE

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT has an unbeatable blend of weight, warmth, and comfort that has kept it at the top of our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads list for years. If the crinkle sound that NeoAir pads are infamous for has kept you away in the past, fear not – the XLite NXT is the quietest NeoAir pad to date and will not disturb camp neighbors or tent mates. We’ve put hundreds of miles on our XLite NXT, and we expect it to continue providing a comfy night’s rest for many hundreds more.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXTsleeping pad is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The REI Co-op Trailmade 2 replaced one of REI’s best-selling tents, the Passage 2, earlier this year. With a similar design, a very affordable price point, and exceptional durability, we decided to put the new Trailmade to the test to see how it stacks up against the competition.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $179

WEIGHT: 5 lbs. 7 oz. (including footprint)

DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 88 x 52 x 40 in.

SIZES:1-Person & 2-Person

Pros

Affordable – The Trailmade 2’s price point is one of its most outstanding features. This is the most affordable tent on our Best Backpacking Tents list by a longshot, and – unlike cheaply made tents with fiberglass poles and untaped seams – the Trailmade will last a long time and keep you dry. If you’re looking for solid quality at an unbeatable price, the Trailmade is a great choice.

Easy to use – The Trailmade has a classic design that’s very simple to pitch – you won’t even need directions for setting it up. With two identical tent poles and a fully rectangular design, there’s no need for color coding or tricky pole placements. Simply secure the poles into the corner grommets, cross them over the middle, and clip the tent body to the poles. Voilà. You’re done. The rainfly is just as easy to attach with simple buckle clips on the corners.

Durable materials – The Trailmade is built with durable polyester fabrics that will last a long time if treated with minimal care. This tent is built tougher than the typical backpacking tent and should withstand fairly hard use. Every tent will have its breaking point, but the Trailmade is among the most durable tents on our Best Backpacking Tents list. 

Footprint included – The Trailmade comes with a footprint, which is a nice perk and adds to its already phenomenal value. A footprint goes between your tent floor and the ground to help reduce wear and tear – ultimately increasing the lifespan of your tent. Footprints aren’t strictly necessary, so you may want to leave yours at home to save weight on strenuous backpacking trips. But it’s always a nice option to have that extra bit of protection for your tent floor. 

Two large interior & rainfly doors – The Trailmade has two large interior doors with zippers that function well. This is a must for any two-person tent. The rainfly doors on the Trailmade tent are also great and have a unique design compared to most backpacking tents. Rather than a straight zipper opening, the top section of the Trailmade’s rainfly doors curve to the side. This provides a large, high opening to move through. This makes getting in and out of the Trailmade comfortable and convenient at all times.

Adequate vestibules – The vestibules on this tent aren’t massive, but they’re large enough to store extra gear – like a mostly empty backpack – out of the elements. They also only require one tent stake on either side, which is our preferred design for backpacking tent vestibules. 

Weather protection – This is another area where the Trailmade beats out other budget tent options on the market. This tent is actually designed to withstand rough weather and will keep you dry through downpours. There are four additional guyline tie-out points on the rainfly that can be used in windy conditions to provide extra support and stability in storms. The interior of the rainfly also has velcro connection points that attach to the tent poles, which further stabilize the tent in nasty weather.

Two ceiling vents – The Trailmade has two simple ceiling vents that help promote air circulation inside the tent and reduce condensation buildup on the interior of the rainfly. The vents have velcro struts that keep them open, and there’s no mesh covering them – which is good because mesh restricts airflow. 

Adequate length & peak height – The length and height of this tent should be a good fit for users up to about 6 feet 2 inches tall. You could push it a bit, but once you get taller than that, things will start to feel tight in the Trailmade.

Cons

Limited headroom – The classic structure of the Trailmade is very simple and effective. One downside to that simplicity is this tent doesn’t have a ridge pole on top to pull out the sides and make the tent walls more vertical. Ridge poles generally create more interior headroom, which is a nice bonus for camping comfort with a partner. If you’re looking for more headroom and you’re willing to pay a bit more and carry a bit more weight, check out the similar and highly rated Trail Hut 2.

No head or foot guyline attachment points – This is a minor point, but we’d like to see it addressed and fixed on the next iteration of the Trailmade. The head and foot of the Trailmade’s rainfly don’t have guyline attachment points.

Including guyouts at these points would allow users to stake out the rainfly away from the tent body at the head and foot of the tent. This helps promote air circulation/ventilation and allows rain to drip farther away from the tent. You could easily sew or use strong tape to create guyout points on the rainfly, but you shouldn’t have to do that.

Minimal pockets – The Trailmade only has two interior pockets, and they’re on opposite sides of the tent. This means that if you and your tent partner are sleeping with your heads facing the same way – the most common choice – one person will have a convenient pocket by their head while the other only has one by their feet. This isn’t the biggest deal in the world, but it’s also not ideal.

A bit heavy & bulky for backpacking – The total packed weight of the Trailmade 2 is 5 pounds 7 ounces. This ranks it as one of the heaviest tents on our Best Backpacking Tents list. The included footprint weighs about 7 ounces, so if you leave that home you’ll be down to 5 pounds total – or 2.5 pounds per person when split between two hikers.

That’s certainly a manageable shelter weight for backpacking trips, so the Trailmade passes that bar. That said, the longer and more strenuous your backpacking trips tend to be, the more we would recommend spending extra for a lightweight tent that will help reduce stress on your body and increase your overall enjoyment on backcountry trips.

Bottom Line

The REI Co-op Trailmade 2 tent is an excellent option for hikers on a tight budget who want an easy-to-use, durable, and weather-worthy backpacking tent. This tent’s classic dome structure has been used for decades, and it’s a tried-and-true design that holds up well to long-term use.

The Trailmade will work well for both backpacking and car camping, though its slightly reduced headroom limits its car camping comfort. If you’re willing to spend a bit more money and carry a bit more weight, the Trail Hut 2 is another great budget option with more interior space. For a bit more still, the Half Dome SL 2+ tent is both lighter and roomier than the Trailmade, making it an exceptional tent for backpacking and car camping comfort.

If you plan to primarily use your tent for strenuous backpacking trips and you’re looking to go lighter, we recommend checking out the REI Flash 2 tent. The Flash is a step up in price, but it weighs a lot less, has a roomier interior, and compared to tents with similar specs, it’s an exceptional value.

With all that to consider, if you keep returning to price as the driving decision-making factor, the Trailmade 2 is an excellent tent that will last a long time and keep you well-protected at an incredibly reasonable cost.

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if theTrailmade 2 tent is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions. And feel free to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share it on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. Here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Footwear

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.

The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ is one of the absolute best value tents money can buy. This tent is easy to set up, spacious, and made with high-quality materials, yet it costs significantly less than most tents in its class. We think one of the Half Dome’s best assets is its versatility – it’s large enough for car camping and light enough for backpacking trips. We highly recommend this tent for any hiker whose main priority is saving money without sacrificing space and quality.

Quick Specs

MSRP: $329

WEIGHT: 4 lbs. 11.5 oz.

DIMENSIONS (LxWxH): 90 x 54 x 42 in.

OTHER OPTIONS:Half Dome SL 3+

Pros

Affordable– Compared to other tents on our Best Backpacking Tents list, the Half Dome is the third most affordable tent. It’s beaten out only by the much heavier REI Trail Hut 2 and the one-person Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo.

Tents that offer a comparable amount of space at a similar weight – like the NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 and Sea to Summit Telos TR2 – tend to cost over $100 more.

Spacious – The interior of the Half Dome 2 feels absolutely massive due to its generous floor dimensions (33.75 square feet total), cross pole that pulls out the headroom at the peak, and dome shape. There’s plenty of room inside for two hikers, their gear, and a dog. 

You can even stick two wide/long sleeping pads inside – usually two-person tents will only comfortably accommodate one wide and one regular at max – and you’d still have four extra inches of side to side space and plenty of room left at the foot.

And if you need even more space, the Half Dome is offered in a 3+ size which is 24 inches wider (roomy enough for three wide pads) and two inches taller (for a peak height of 44 in.).

Durable – While the Half Dome is on the heavier side for a backpacking tent, the materials are made to last. The canopy and floor are made with 40d nylon that’s much thicker than the more common 15-20d that’s used for lightweight tents, so you’re far more protected against punctures and rips. 

If you’re particularly hard on gear, you’ll be happy to know that the Half Dome comes with a footprint included which adds even more value to the already great price.

The hardware is also exceptional. The aluminum poles are built by DAC – the industry standard for quality – and they provide an excellent balance of structure and give for strength in high wind. The zippers are smooth, don’t snag, and they can be operated with one hand.

Great weather protection – The Half Dome has a full rainfly, a deep bathtub floor, and sturdy poles that make it bomber in nasty weather. 

The stout pole architecture and dome shape make the structure of the Half Dome very sturdy, and the aluminum poles allow for some bending so the tent won’t buckle under heavy wind.

There are also several tie-out tabs on the fly for attaching guy lines to add extra stability in high wind.

Weight is reasonable when split between two hikers – The Half Dome weighs 4 lbs. 11.5 oz. with all of the included components (tent body, rainfly, poles, footprint, stuff sacks, stakes, repair kit), and has a minimum weight of 3 lbs. 15 oz. (tent body, poles, and fly only).

We think the true weight most backpackers will carry on trail sits closer to 4 lbs. 4 oz. since most will want to carry the stakes for solid structure but might opt to leave the footprint behind.

When split between two hikers, that would leave each carrying just over two pounds. Many solo hikers will carry that much weight for a one person tent (or a roomier ultralight two-person tent), so the weight is reasonable when viewed through that lens.

Versatile – We named the Half Dome SL 2+ Best Crossover Tent on both our Best Backpacking Tents list and Best Camping Tents list. It’s light enough for backpacking, but spacious enough to feel luxurious when car camping.

When split between two hikers for backpacking, each will carry just over two pounds. When used for car camping, you can fit the long/wide double Exped Megamat (our number one camping mattress from our Best Camping Mattresses list) inside with room to spare!

Since this one tent can fulfill both needs, it’s a really awesome value.

Good ventilation – The Half Dome has large vents situated above both doors on the rainfly. They’re held open by struts, or they can be closed if rain is blowing sideways. The tent body is constructed with a good amount of mesh to allow air to flow, which helps prevent condensation. 

In areas where weather is unpredictable, you can use the fly with the sides rolled up to get a cross-breeze while leaving yourself the option to quickly deploy the fly if rain starts. On clear nights, the double-wall construction allows you to leave the fly off completely for maximum ventilation. 

Easy to set up – The Half Dome is a freestanding design with a symmetrical floor and a color-coded pole system, so it’s quick and easy to set up. You technically don’t need to stake it out, but we usually prefer to since it maximizes the interior space and weather protection. 

The fly is quick to set up as well – all you have to do is throw it over the top, clip it onto the body, and stake out the doors.

Cons

A bit bulky – The packed dimensions of the Half Dome are 7 x 20.5 in., so it’s definitely on the bulkier side for a backpacking tent. To cut down on bulk, we usually like to put the poles in the side pocket of our backpack and secure them with compression straps. Then you can stuff the tent body and fly into the tent bag a bit more efficiently for a smaller package. 

If you’re splitting the Half Dome between two hikers, the bulk won’t be too bad if one hiker takes the tent body and poles and the other takes the fly and stakes.

A bit heavy – The Half Dome is the second heaviest tent on our Best Backpacking Tents list. While we’ve mentioned that the weight isn’t too bad when split between two hikers, those that want the option to use their backpacking tent solo or hikers who don’t plan to divvy up the load may find the Half Dome’s weight to be too much. 

We would also point you toward a lighter tent if you plan to cover long distances or you go on strenuous hikes with a lot of elevation gain. The longer and harder you plan to hike, the more weight will matter and the more you should look at getting a lightweight tent.

We generally prefer keeping our backpacks light so we can spend more energy enjoying our hike. But since the Half Dome is significantly cheaper than most lightweight tents, you can use the money saved to go lighter in other areas – like a sleeping pad, backpack, or sleeping bag – to make up for the weight. It’s all about finding a balance.

BOTTOM LINE

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is genuinely one of the best tent deals available on the market. It’s a great choice for both backpacking and car camping, so you’ll only need to own this one tent for all of your outdoor adventures. While it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than many other two person backpacking tents, it’s still reasonable when split between two hikers. And for many hikers, that monetary savings – along with the Half Dome’s extra roomy dimensions – will more than make up for the bit of extra bulk and weight. 

MORE Half Dome Photos

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this review helps you determine if the REI Half Dome SL 2+ is right for you. As always, please leave a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions or visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. If you found this review helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!

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