REI Path Hut 2 Price range Tent Evaluate

Backside Line

The REI Path Hut 2 isn’t just choice in case your value vary is a bit greater, but additionally when you’re searching for a well-rounded, compact tent for automobile tenting adventures or backpacking journeys with a companion the place you may cut up the load. It options massive twin doorways and vestibules,  high-cut aspect partitions for elevated privateness, wind safety when the fly is off, and stargazing capabilities while you roll the fly door up over the roof.  

At 5 kilos 11 ounces, it’s not the lightest in our price range tent lineup, but it surely’s obtained some nice options for an affordable value – constructed of polyester taffeta with nylon mesh, a DWR polyurethane coating, and a seam-sealed flooring and rainfly for added climate safety. The Path Hut’s inside tent has excessive aspect partitions for privateness while you go sans-fly and in addition retains a stunning quantity of heat at night time. We had been in a position to keep heat whereas tenting one night time within the Los Padres Forest with out the fly as a result of the partitions prevented any drafts or cross-breezes, trapping a good quantity of warmth inside with out letting it disperse shortly from the edges of the tent.   

For a tent that’s solely 31 sq. ft, it doesn’t really feel cramped or small when laying inside with its 7.3 foot whole size and 4.3 foot width. The ridgepole additionally provides additional room and a noticeable sense of spaciousness. Nevertheless, with a 3.3 foot peak peak, it’s the shortest of all of the tents we reviewed for this class. For those who’re searching for a product with a taller peak peak, this tent may not be for you. Although when you’re out there for a tent that’s appropriate as a roomy 1-person shelter or as a enjoyable, easy-to-use tent with the children, checkout the Path Hut 2.

Consolation

The REI Path Hut 2 was designed with livability and luxury in thoughts whereas sticking to a extra compact, but spacious inside due to its ridgepole. With two massive 30” x 36” D-style doorways and 19 sq ft. of vestibule house, the Path Hut would possibly look small, but it surely has tons of storage for packs, boots, and moist gear on the skin. When tied up, the fly doorways can roll up over the roof, exposing a portion of mesh large sufficient to get a pleasant view of the night time sky whereas staying heat in your sleeping bag. We additionally favored how the fly doorways don’t cowl the entryway once they’re tied again. Of us 6+ ft will admire little options like these, which permit for a simple entrance and exit with out having to crouch an excessive amount of.

Two air mats simply match aspect by aspect with about 5 inches of additional house on the head and toe. It could be a comfortable match for 2 folks, however with the 2 massive inside storage pockets, 5 hanging loops, and the vestibules for boots and packs, it’s positively doable with all that gear storage. The ridgepole helps make the house shareable with a companion as a result of it opens up the width of the ceiling, compensating for its shorter peak peak.

Climate Resistance

When the climate turns dismal, the Path Hut is ready for the worst. It’s constructed of a thick DWR polyurethane-coated polyester taffeta material, nylon mesh, and seam-sealed flooring and rainfly. Growing air flow is a breeze with twin strutted roof vents that may zip open or closed due to the 2-way vestibule zippers – you  may even roll again the doorways over the roof for extra airflow.

Throughout testing, we did discover a possible for water intrusion by way of the roof vents. If they’re open throughout a windy storm, there’s a potential for water to enter and fall in from the roof. Whereas the vents are strutted and supply safety towards vertical rain, they’re inclined to leaks throughout heavy rain or storms. The downward slope of the vent opening permits rainwater to channel into the inside space, particularly if blown by robust winds. That is exacerbated by the truth that the zippers are usually not waterproof, probably permitting water to seep inside even when the vents are closed. With that being stated, we didn’t expertise this throughout testing, however it’s one thing to be conscious of. 

The Path Hut comes with 4 pre-attached man traces and reflective webbing loops for top wind. They’re positioned on every nook of the fly, however the toe and head panels of the fly wouldn’t have any attachments. This didn’t appear to be a problem due to the tent’s low profile and dome form, which helps to scale back wind drag on the panels. When every little thing is staked out and the entire pressure traces are deployed and taut, the tent feels rock-solid.

Sturdiness

Crafted with thick polyester taffeta materials, the Path Hut is designed with resilience in thoughts. The stronger material of the Path Hut 2 is constructed to final and won’t simply be undermined by sharp rocks, sticks, or tough use. There’s no concern with regards to campsite choice as a result of the more durable materials can simply face up to greater than most. Canine house owners would even be very happy with the tensile power of this tent, which additionally comes with a footprint for extra long-lasting power.

The included stakes, fundamental steel hooks with flat bottoms, are cheap and should bend simply when pushed into onerous floor. Upgrading to stronger stakes is really useful for longer-lasting use. The pre-attached man traces seem sturdy, however keep away from securing them round rocks or abrasive surfaces to forestall injury. 

The added power of polyester materials comes at the price of heavier weight. Whereas the Path Hut is a really sturdy tent, its burly 5.7 kilos of weight clocks in because the fourth heaviest product within the Price range Tents lineup. So when you’re planning on backpacking, there’s extra appropriate tent fashions on the market. The Path Hut 2 is a go-to choice for automobile tenting or for people who like overlanding and dispersed tenting the place weight isn’t a problem.

Portability

Weighing in at 5.7 kilos, the Path Hut isn’t the lightest tent as a consequence of its thick polyester material, so it is probably not the primary selection for backpackers. Whereas it largely shines as a grab-and-go choice for these spontaneous tenting journeys the place a automobile is doing the heavy lifting, you can nonetheless take into account splitting the load with a mountaineering companion.

As a result of thicker polyester materials, the Path Hut doesn’t compress down as simply as different nylon-based tents. Although so long as the doorways are unzipped to set free air whereas rolling up, it simply suits again into the carrying bag. The included stuff sack is a normal cinch prime bag with a bit of additional room for free pack jobs and has a deal with for handy carrying.

Ease of Use

A giant benefit of the Path Hut 2 is the straightforward unified X-pole design that attaches to the clip system of the inside tent. As soon as the inside tent is assembled, the ridgepole is inserted into the opposing grommet tabs above the doorways and the center of the pole rests on the apex clip. The rainfly is non-directional that means that it may be positioned each methods for a streamlined setup. We had been in a position to arrange the tent and fly in below 5 minutes thanks to those user-friendly options.     

Every part units up effortlessly, however it’s good to return and be certain that all of the stakes, and man traces when you’re utilizing them, are adjusted for max rigidity and pressure. One factor we observed with this tent and others that function a ridgepole is the issue of eradicating the pole below excessive pressure. Throughout testing, when disassembling the tent, we discovered it higher to start out with the clips, and perhaps one of many poles, to launch the stress on the tent earlier than making an attempt to take away the ridgepole. Attempting to do it below strain would possibly pinch your fingers. In any other case, the REI Path Hut 2 is a stable selection for consolation and stability at a really cheap value from a well-trusted model. 

Ought to You Purchase the REI Path Hut 2?

For those who’re somebody who’s searching for an reasonably priced, high-quality tent that doesn’t skimp on sturdiness, reliability, and good options, then try the Path Hut 2. This tent can be nice for canine house owners and folk who wish to get the children out on the path for a tenting journey. Effectively shielded from the weather with its thick polyester materials, excessive sidewalls, and further man line anchor factors, this tent hits all of the marks for sturdiness and weather-ready options. Everybody may also admire its elevated headroom and large sidewall pockets.

With an included footprint and sturdy material, the Path Hut 2 will final for a lot of seasons to return. A straightforward-to-use setup, ample inside storage, and superior air flow capabilities equates to good warmth regulation and no condensation. With a compact, but spacious inside mixed with all of those nice options, the Path Hut 2 is a glorious all-around selection and well-rounded tent.   

What Different Price range Tents Ought to You Contemplate?

Clostnature Polaris 2 Evaluate: At a a lot inexpensive value, although weighing a bit extra at 5.34 kilos, the Clostnature Polaris has an even bigger inside sq. footage. Customers will admire the acquainted and simple-to-use X-pole design and clip system. Though there is no such thing as a ridge pole, the fly comes geared up with a deployable shade awning for these additional sunny campsites with no shade. The Polaris can also be wider and taller than the Half Dome, however not as geared up to be thought of an incredible crossover tent.

Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Evaluate: With the most important inside house of the lineup, the Morrison EVO 2 is far heavier, however boasts 36 sq. ft of inside room with an unimaginable quantity of inside storage. It additionally options handy door stow pockets and features a footprint for sturdiness and an optionally available minimalist mode. This tent is a good choice for these searching for good climate resistance, air flow, and sturdiness, however with extra inside room and unsurpassed storage functionality. Additionally it is extra aligned with automobile tenting and never really useful for any kind of backpacking.

TarpTent Stratospire 2 Evaluate:  The Stratospire 2 is a good price range backpacking tent to contemplate when you’re out there for light-weight non-freestanding shelters. Inexpensive, the Stratospire 2 is a workhorse of a tent and is provided with glorious options and excellent materials corresponding to a 30D double ripstop silicone nylon 66 flooring, a 20D nano ripstop silicone coated polyester fly, and 15D nylon no-see-um mesh. At 2.7 kilos for a 2-person shelter, it’s a lot lighter and positively value trying out.