Testing a $60 Tent: River Nation Trekker Tent 2V Evaluation

Backside Line

The River Nation Trekker Tent 2V is a diamond within the *Walmart tough: it’s moderately light-weight, has ample room for 2 folks, has a straightforward setup in comparison with different trekking pole tents, AND it’s the most reasonably priced tent on our information to one of the best price range tents. 

Usually, there’s a trade-off between value and efficiency, however the Trekker Tent 2V outperformed costlier tents in our lineup. Whereas testing this tent on backpacking journeys in Utah and Arizona, we discovered we might simply match two folks, together with one over 6 ft tall, canine, and kit inside. We love that the trekking pole design saves weight and area, however that the A-Body pitch is simple for novices. The material feels thick and sturdy; we didn’t fear in regards to the lack of a footprint. 

That mentioned, we did discover some dampness contained in the rain fly throughout our weather-resistance check, so this will not be the only option for many who spend numerous time in moist climate. Nevertheless, it’s laborious to beat the value, given that nearly all the pieces about this tent is a optimistic expertise.

Consolation

Not like many “alleged” two-person tents, the River Nation Trekker Tent 2V simply accommodates two adults with additional room for gear. The 7-foot size signifies that even the tallest grownup can comfortably stretch out on their sleeping pad at night time.

We additionally love that the 4 ft of headroom on the entrance of the tent is likely one of the most spacious in our lineup. The trapezoid ground form can be an enormous plus in our e-book as a result of it saves weight and area on the foot field whereas nonetheless offering ample elbow room when sharing this tent with a associate. 

One of the spectacular consolation options is the power to suit not solely two folks but in addition two canine on this tent. Many tents marketed for 2 persons are extremely cramped, however once we examined this one in Utah, we have been in a position to comfortably match two adults, a 65-lb German Shepherd, and a 10-lb terrier. The vestibule supplied a legitimate possibility for storing gear out of the climate, or it could possibly be saved within the tent for many who should not have canine. 

Different options to notice embody the only storage pocket and the entrance entry door. We love this pocket, however want that there have been one on each side of the tent. Likewise, a entrance entry door is often a bit extra cumbersome to make use of. Nevertheless, we discovered the design with a zipper down the center a lot simpler to make use of with two folks than a number of the different designs we’ve examined. On the finish of the day, regardless of a number of pitfalls, we discovered this to be considered one of our new favourite tents, particularly when the value is considered.

Climate Resistance

The A-Body design of the River Nation Trekker 2V is comparatively weather-resistant, however the material just isn’t as waterproof as most higher-quality tents. Now we have been fortunate to make use of the Trekker 2V tent in good climate for probably the most half, significantly in Utah and Arizona. 

Throughout a visit to Petrified Forest Nationwide Park, we did have some wind whereas pitched out within the badlands of the Painted Desert. We skilled some flapping, however didn’t have any points with the tent collapsing or feeling unstable.

The Trekker 2V tent includes a single- and double-wall design, which helps save weight by lowering the quantity of cloth wanted. We have been initially frightened about how nicely the fly would forestall moisture from getting into the tent, significantly on the vestibule and alongside the perimeters close to the mesh. Nevertheless, after utilizing the tent, we really feel the protection is sort of good. 

As a result of we didn’t get rained on in any respect throughout testing, we used a hose to spray this tent to examine the standard of the seams and material. We instantly observed that the material felt a bit damp on the within of the fly, which has not been the case for different tents in our lineup. That is doubtless as a result of the usage of lower-quality materials and waterproofing supplies. 

That mentioned, a pool of water shaped across the backside of the tent, and the within stayed good and dry, so it seems the waterproofing is best for the tub. General, there’s a little bit of a tradeoff right here between high quality and efficiency as a result of value, however for many who recreate in dry climates or await clear climate to camp, it might be value it.

Sturdiness

The River Nation Trekker Tent 2V is surprisingly sturdy; it’s instantly noticeable how a lot thicker the material is in comparison with ultralight backpacking tents. 

The PU-coated polyester cover and waterproof-coated Oxford taffeta ground really feel thick and durable when held, and we felt very assured pitching this tent with out a footprint. Likewise, the zippers are far more sturdy than something discovered on our ultralight fashions. Which means that they need to hopefully last more, mitigating a significant ache level we’ve skilled with tent longevity. Although the latches and guyline tensioners are all made out of plastic, it’s fairly thick and feels as if it might be tough to interrupt. 

One factor we actually like in regards to the Trekker 2V tent is the duvet over the grommet gap the place the trekking pole holds up the entrance of the tent. This helps to guard the rain fly from put on and tear from rubbing on the tip of the pole. That mentioned, River Nation does warn that this space could require extra seam sealing over time as it’s a higher-stress space.

Portability

Contemplating the value level, the River Nation Trekker Tent 2V supplies an excellent stability of packability and weight. River Nation claims that this tent weighs 3 lbs and seven ounces with the included stakes, and that is nearly precisely what it weighed on our scale as nicely. Gram weenies could take offense, however to us, weighing a few pound greater than most ultralight freestanding tents looks like a reasonably cheap trade-off when it prices tons of of {dollars} much less. That is much more true when that weight is cut up between two folks. 

Along with weight, we additionally checked out how straightforward this tent was to slot in a backpack. We in contrast the packed dimensions to the packed dimensions of different tents in our lineup, in addition to our expertise within the discipline. We discovered that because of the cheaper supplies, the Trekker 2V tent doesn’t pack down as nicely. It has a big packed measurement within the included storage bag. That mentioned, we have been nonetheless in a position to match it within the outer pocket of a backpack simply and admire that the trekking pole design minimizes the necessity to carry devoted structural poles.

Ease of Use

The River Nation Trekker Tent 2V is a beginner-friendly possibility in comparison with many non-freestanding trekking pole tents and is comparatively straightforward to make use of. We love that this tent comes with a bit of card exhibiting easy methods to set it up and a QR code that hyperlinks to a step-by-step video. The A-frame design with grommets for the trekking poles is far simpler to pitch appropriately than many different trekking pole designs available on the market, which require particular consideration to angles and material distribution. It’s straightforward to stake out the 4 corners, then use trekking poles to lift it up. We love that it is a nice introduction to trekking poles for novices or a low-stress setup for veterans alike.

That mentioned, there are a number of areas that could possibly be improved. We discovered the fly to require barely extra consideration. It takes a bit of apply to determine the place to connect all of the corners to the principle tent. Additionally, the entrance trekking pole must be staked on the appropriate distance from the tent, in any other case it’s inconceivable to connect the entrance of the rainfly. We’re not wild in regards to the tensioners for the guylines both and like utilizing our personal knots to get the job executed. There are sufficient shifting elements that it does take a couple of minutes to arrange. It took our tester about 5 and a half minutes on their very own, although it’s sooner with a associate. General, we actually just like the Trekker 2V as a beginner-friendly trekking pole tent.

Ought to You Purchase the River Nation Trekker 2V Tent?

We love the River Nation Trekker Tent 2V for newbie and skilled backpackers alike, significantly when price range is the first concern. This was by far probably the most reasonably priced tent we’ve ever examined, and we have been blown away by how nicely it carried out. It’s fairly spacious and straightforward to make use of in comparison with different trekking pole tents. All of those options make it a good selection for first-time backpackers who don’t need to make investments some huge cash of their setup simply but or anybody who’s on a price range. 

Even skilled backpackers will discover that this tent performs higher than some costlier ultralight choices available on the market. That mentioned, those that spend numerous time in wet environments or are very targeted on weight could need to look into a special tent.

What Different Finances Tents Ought to You Take into account?

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Clothes shop Evaluation: Certainly one of our high performers, the Lunar Duo is an analogous weight because the Trekker 2V tent. We love that it has two doorways and simply matches two folks plus gear.

Clostnature Polaris 2 Evaluation: If price range and a freestanding design are a precedence, the Polaris 2 is a substitute for the Trekker Tent 2V. 

Naturehike CloudUp 2 Evaluation: The CloudUp 2 is a superb possibility for many who desire a tent with an analogous weight to the Trekker 2V however with a freestanding design.