User Review: Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 2

Wow! What a great product! I got this tent about two hours ago so I haven't tried it out in the rain, but it looks to be great. There are two small problems, the tent only comes with 12 stakes, but to have it taut you need 14 (16 if possible) and setting it up the first time was a bit of a hit-miss situation.

But, The vestibule is HUGE (9.6 ft2) and there is a lot of no-see-um mesh for good ventilation. The whole thing is seem sealed so it cant get wet on the inside. When packing, it can compress to about half of the bags space if you take the poles out and carry them on your backpack. The floor is very impressive, it is almost impossible to slip on so if you're at an angle, you wont slide (I was in a Kelty Teton 4 and on an angle, I practically felt like the laws of friction did not apply).

Also, some of the details are nice, the large pockets for storing gear, the window so you can see out, and the material that it is made out of is good. This is the first tent that I think that I have ever been in that can actually hold the amount of people in it. Gear would be tight, but the vestibule is big enough for both of your gear.

I could go on forever about this tent, the price, quality and weight. But I don't want to bore you. I will write back after I spend a night or two in it. Buy it, and you'll see what I mean.

Update: June 28, 2008

I just got back from summer camp at Ransburg Scout Reservation today after about 8 days away. The last night that we were there, we got hit hard by about three hours of absolute downpours and wind gusts so fast that you could not walk in a straight line. We were ready to start our closing campfire and then the camp staff evacuated us into the dining hall. We were there for about ten minutes and then the power went out for the rest of the day and the next morning.

While I was in the dining hall, I was constantly worried about my tent (since it is only a two person backpacking tent). When I got back to the campsite I was amazed that it was still standing, all stakes in the ground, and completely dry inside. Meanwhile, our trash can was flung to the other side of the campsite because of the winds!

By now, you all are probably all on the edge of your chair waiting to hear what tent it was. Well, it was a Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 2. So kudos to you, MH for keeping my stuff dry during the worst storm that I have ever camped in.