REI Night Lite Tent
By David Loveland

I have had my REI Night Lite tent for about five years. REI must think its good, as they have made few changes to the tent over that period. I concur, this is a great backpacking tent.

First, the good stuff. The Night Lite is lightweight and highly compact, small enough to fit easily into my pack's sleeping bag compartment with my warm weather sleeping bag. The poles snap together quickly, and the continuous sleeve design makes set up a breeze, even in the dark. The rainfly keeps water off the top, but needs to be guyed out, using the attached guy points, to keep wind from blowing rain up underneath. Rolling back the rainfly offers opportunity for some serious stargazing.

The no see-um mesh does its job perfectly, and I haven't had any material or stitching failures in about 100 backcountry nights. Although adequate, the vestibule isn't big enough for two backpacks, maybe one pack and a couple pairs of boots. The interior is roomy enough for a backpacking tent, and one can sit up inside, but not two.

The tent seems very durable, and I like the way the rainfly clips into the poles. It stands up under normal windy conditions: its sleek design seems made to buck the wind. The tent's small size is a plus in that it if it ever gets wet, as it is very easy to pull up the stakes and hanging it to dry in a tree. The current Night Lite has a three-pole design (the main change from my older model) which allows you to reduce weight by leaving the third (center) pole at home if you're sure your headed for fair weather. Sewn set up instructions in the stuff sack are a nice touch, as are the two interior mesh pockets.

As for negative comments, I don't like the Night Lite's small vestibule, or the typically thin aluminum tent stakes. They bend too easily. I have replaced them with some heavy duty Easton aluminum ones. The wind can push water up under the rainfly, as the bathtub floor only goes up about four inches on the sides, but guying out the rainfly and pulling it down tight alleviates this problem. When you unzip the mesh door, the lays on the tent floor or the ground. It can be rolled up, but still gets in the way, prone to being walked on. I would rather have the option of rolling it up into the ceiling.

Summary: Overall, I really like the Night Lite for summer backpacking. It has been all over with me, and makes a great home for two. I have waited out a couple of hour long rain storms in it, playing cards and reading. I wouldn't want to spend a winter in Alaska in one, but that isn't what I bought it for, nor what it is made for. The tent material itself isn't waterproof, so I have had some dampness come through the floor, but again, for the price, it is a great summer backpacking tent. You can even find them on sale once in awhile, grab yours and get out there!

Specs: Season: 3
Weight: minimum 5 lbs 2 oz.
      Packed 5 lbs 13 oz.
Poles: Three (the third pole is optional)
Rainfly: Full Coverage
Peak Height: 42 inches
Floor Area: 30 sq ft
Vestibule Area: 10.3 sq ft
Free standing: No
Price: $145

David Loveland is a new contributor to GearReview.com.

For more information, contact:
REI
Sumner, WA 98352
800-426-4840