User Review: Marmot Twilight 2P

Marmot Twilight 2P
Above: The current Twilight 2P, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed July 12, 2007 by Soulfrk

Rating:
Design: Three-season, freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: moderate
Weight: 5lbs 8oz
Price Paid: $155 USD

I spent a lot of time looking at different models; including; The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL3, Mountain Hardware Hammerhead 2, MSR Hubba Hubba – admittedly these are all great tents. The Seedhouse is very light weight, and well ventilated. The Hammerhead is stable, roomy and well ventilated, The Hubba is well ventilated and light weight.

I decided on the Twilight because it seems to be the perfect marriage of all the qualities I was looking for: At 5lbs 8oz it is only one lb more than the Seedhouse SL 3, and only 4 square feet shy of its floor area, while it is not completely mesh (like the Hubba, or Seedhouse SL) It is about 60% mesh, giving you great ventilation and star gazing without the feeling of being exposed. Neither the fly nor the tent body feel delicate like the material that makes up the other lightweight tents (The Hubba, and Seedhouse SL). Its two doors and large floor area (34 sq ft) make it a very roomy two person tent – and a palace for one person.

The price was a helpful factor as well. I got my Twilight for $155, but its MSRP is $225. Consistently lower than any of its competitors. The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL3; 379.00, MSR Hubba Hubba; 279.00 and the Hammerhead; 255.00.

There are only two things about this tent that I can see as a negative… The vestibules seem much smaller than I had expected based on descriptions (two 11sqft vestibules on each side), and the ‘Pumpkin Orange’ color is a bit ugly.

Nevertheless the vestibules are adequate size to store what gear I need, and aesthetics’ shouldn’t be a deciding factor on a tent anyway.

Five Stars!