002- REI Passage 1 Tent

I needed a small, lightweight, inexpensive tent for my first backpacking trip in April 2012.  After many hours of searching I purchased the REI Passage 1.  There is just something wonderful about a small tent.  It's just your space, cozy and alone.  As much as I love camping with my kids, this is the way to go when they aren't with me.

This is a great tent.  It is very small but that is a good thing!  The tent fits easily into my REI 65 Liter backpack and is basically my go to all-purpose tent.

Cost:
I paid $119 for the tent and $17 or so for the matching footprint.

Highlights:
- Two + 1 (short 12"ish pole that separates the main poles) pole design is easy to set and take down.
- Color coded tabs on the tent, rainfly, footprint and poles make set up and tear down a breeze.
- Very cozy interior.
- Plenty of gear pockets and a built in gear loft.
- Sets up very quickly and easily.
- Tent is free standing (but not rainfly).
- Nice color scheme for a tent.
- Well ventilated.

Lowlights:
- Rainfly must be completely closed in the rain.
- Rainfly must be staked out to work properly (not freestanding)
- Very little gear space inside tent with you, but there is enough for your pack of boots in the vestibule.

Notes:
- I am about 5'11" and fit quite well in normal conditions.
- You can't fit much gear in the tent with you, but there is about 8" at one end for my day pack, clothes and toiletries.

Images:

Grainy photo, the Passage 1 is the small green tent second
from the right. 

Rear side of the Passage 1 on the south bank of the Ohio.

'Foot' end of the Passage 1.  Vestibule on the left, rear on right.

I would most certainly recommend this tent to anyone who can fit inside it.