REI Co-op - Trailmade 2

If you want a budget tent, the REI trailmade 2 should work fine. I used the previous version called the passage too. I added extra pullouts on the non-vestibule sides to keep them off the inner tent.

If you want a budget tent, the REI trailmade 2 should work fine. I used the previous version called the Passage 2. I added extra pullouts on the non-vestibule sides to keep them off the inner tent.

If your budget is real tight, used on ebay will be best. Though you run the risk the listing could be hiding damage. If you want something new, I would get the least expensive REI co-op tent. Trailmade 2 person ($200). There are several REI's that are close enough to hitch hike. So if it breaks you can return it and get a new one. You can use tyvek as a footprint. If you are willing to go with a bivy you could get a tarp and bivy for pretty cheap. You could just get a mosquito net bivy for less than $20 and a tarp for less than $80. You would need to get poles as well.

I have an REI Trailmade 2 that I like quite a bit. It’s a little heavy, but it’s still a pretty nice tent and very quick to set up. I’m either going to upgrade to a Flash 2 eventually or maybe something from Nemo like the Dragonfly. But for now, I’m very happy with my trailmade 2 and it will be kept as a tent to let friends borrow when they are new to the hobby.

The Trailmade 2 comes with a footprint now. I have used it a lot, and it’s held up well. I recommend junking the steel stakes that come with it, and replacing them with an aluminum option. I personally carry 12 aluminum stakes with mine (for redundancy), and for about $25, I shaved nearly 19 ounces off the weight of the tent. I was thinking about upgrading to something by Big Agnes, but I can’t reconcile the price tag with saving about 14 more ounces

I think it’s gonna be hard to beat REI trail made one. I started with an old LL bean and end up with a tarptent.com. But I would buy a brand name tent within your price that’s as light as you can buy.

Depending what you’re using it for! Do you go camping with your car? Or do you do backcountry hiking? If you’re gonna be carrying your tent you want to go for as lightweight as possible. Ounces really add up. I have an rei brand two person tent that’s super light and still spacious enough for two. If you won’t be carrying it on your back, you can go for more space, maybe a more heavy duty rain cover depending on your most common terrain. I would also find a tent that has its own footprint that can attach to the bottom. Saves on time and space when setting up. :)