User Review: Marmot Swallow 2P

Summary

When they say it's a Rolls Royce, it is. You may shave pounds with another tent, but you'll give up SO MUCH MORE.

I got this for not having my tent in my face during the 40-60mph winds/dust storms on the playa at Burning Man. I'm very happy with performance in that regard.  It also keeps the dust OUT when I properly zip it. The ventilated rain fly is brilliant for no condensation.  

I was just in White Mtns with it at 33degrees overnight, with 2 people in it, and the walls were not wet in the morning.  I bought an EMS Big Easy 2 footprint that fits the Swallow PERFECTLY. 

Setup is super-fast and easy, after the first time, very intuitive. Staking the rain fly for easy zipping is essential, and a little tedious the first time you do it (you kinda have to force a stake, but it works great), but otherwise no problems. You'll spend more time picking your site and directions for the tent than you will setting it up.

Inside, everything from light hook in the ceiling, to multiple ventilation tie-offs, dual doors are great, nice windows on rain fly. Countless thoughtful details such that any other tent you wind up in leaves you looking for what's not there by comparison.

Haven't tried it in snow, but in heavy rains and winds and dust so far, it has left me with zero complaints.  I keep my pack (Osprey Atmos 65 or Arc'teryx Bora 95) in the larger vestibule with zipper facing me, and it makes a perfect closet. Cooking gear at the other end, and I'm all set to accomplish many basic "get started" tasks in any weather without discomfort.

The storage pouch you keep it in is a little bizarrely challenging how it folds in on itself. And the poles are just a little long for it, but still fit. Just seems the storage was a poorly-done after-thought when in comparison to everything else that totally rocks.

Bottom line: if you can find one, buy it.  It's easily a 2-3person tent, easily 3-season. And those few extra pounds are so worth it. I keep looking at other tents for weight and what I give up on so many great features with this one simply makes those few pounds worth it.