Reviews You Can Rely On

REI Co-op Passage 1 Review

This inexpensive budget tent is an excellent option for one person
rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review
Credit: REI Co-op
Top Pick Award
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Price:  $139 List
Manufacturer:   REI Co-op
By Ben Applebaum-Bauch ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 24, 2020
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 15
  • Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Weight - 25% 6.0
  • Weather Resistance - 20% 7.0
  • Ease of Set-up - 10% 9.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

The REI Passage 1 is our favorite budget backpacking tent for the solo adventurer who needs a freestanding tent on the cheap. It earns a Top Pick award as a one-person tent, and it offers exceptional comfort, including decent storage pockets and a large vestibule. It is also straightforward to set up, which can be really nice after a long day on the trail. It maintains many of the same key design features of its larger two-person sibling but comes in more than a pound less. It's still certainly not what we would call lightweight, but for a roomy weekend for one in the backcountry, this tent is tops in the category.
REASONS TO BUY
Great headroom
Large vestibule
Easy to pitch
REASONS TO AVOID
Poles pinch together under fly tension

Compare to Similar Products

 
rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $139 List
$99.73 at REI
$159 List
$114.73 at REI
Check Price at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$159 List$80 List
$65.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
71
74
70
67
65
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Great headroom, large vestibule, easy to pitchTwo side doors, easy to pitch, large vestibulesExcellent headroom, storage pockets, versatile vestibuleSetup with fly attached, flexible vestibule configuration, below average priceInexpensive, double doors, two vestibules
Cons Poles pinch together under fly tensionHeavy, not so stable in high windHeavy, cheap stakesSingle door, can't remove fly while keeping tent pitchedMinimal storage, delicate pole sleeves, cheap material
Bottom Line This inexpensive budget tent is an excellent option for one personA straightforward, easy to set up tent with good comfort featuresA spacious tent with large vestibules that provide a lot of flexibility for the weatherThe unique design and really reasonable price of this tent have us finding new ways to enjoy it again and againA low-priced tent that will work in a pinch for front country camping
Rating Categories REI Co-op Passage 1 REI Co-op Passage 2 The North Face Stor... Slumberjack Nightfa... BISINNA 2
Comfort (25%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Weight (25%)
6.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
Weather Resistance (20%)
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Ease of Set-up (10%)
9.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
5.0
Durability (10%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
Packed Size (10%)
5.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
8.0
Specs REI Co-op Passage 1 REI Co-op Passage 2 The North Face Stor... Slumberjack Nightfa... BISINNA 2
Measured Packaged Weight 4.21 lbs 5.23 lbs 6.33 lbs 5.68 lbs 4.76 lbs
Floor Area 20 sq ft 31 sq ft 30.6 sq ft 31.4 sq ft 31.6 sq ft
Packed Size 7.5 x 17 in 8 x 18 in 7 x 22 in 6.5 x 21 in 5.9 x 16.9 in
Dimensions 88 x 36 x 40 in 88 x 52 x 40 in 87 x 50 x 43 in 85 x 52 x 39.5 in 82.7 x 55 x 47.2 in
Vestibule Area (Total) 9.5 sq ft 19 sq ft 9.78 sq ft 9.3 sq ft 13.6 sq ft
Peak Height 40 in 40 in 43 in 39.5 in 47.2 in
Number of Doors 1 2 2 1 2
Number of Poles 2 2 4 3 2
Pole Diameter 8.5 mm 8.5 mm Not provided Not provided Not provided
Number of Pockets 1 2 4 2 2
Gear Loft No No No No No
Pole Material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum 7001 aluminum Aluminum
Guy Points 4 4 4 4 2
Rain Fly Material Polyester Polyester 75D polyester 68D polyester 190T Polyester Taffeta
Inner Tent Material Polyester Polyester 75D polyester taffeta 40D Polyester No-See-Um Mesh 190T Polyester Taffeta+B3 No-see-um Mesh
Type Freestanding Freestanding Freestanding Freestanding Freestanding

Our Analysis and Test Results

This model is different from other one person models in that it preserves much of what makes its two person version great. It provides 40 inches of headroom at its peak height and has a large, 9.5 square foot vestibule, which makes it possible to keep your gear outside of the tent but still protected from the elements.

Performance Comparison


rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - this 1p pleased us just as much as its larger sibling.
This 1P pleased us just as much as its larger sibling.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Comfort


As far as one person tents go, this one offers quite a bit more than average. Its 36" width is more than enough for a standard 20 inch sleeping pad, and its 88 inch length and steeper head and foot walls ensure there is enough room for a six foot sleeper. The big payoff for this tent is its peak height. Typically the move from 2P to 1P versions means a drastic reduction in this critical dimension, but in this case, it is only marginally lower than the 2P and considerably higher than the peak height of many other 1Ps. On trail, it provided ample room for us to sit up completely without our heads touching the top or having to hunch over.


The large D-shaped door rolls up and can easily be secured in an open position if the bugs have gone to bed before you. This tent comes with a single side pocket by the head. It is large enough; we could easily fit a journal, headlamp, bandana, phone, and gloves with room to spare. The fabric is opaque, which makes it possible to use as a light diffuser for a headlamp if you want to read at night without the glaring beam shining in your face at full force. And if you need more space for boots and a pack, the vestibule can keep the gross stuff out of the tent, but still protected from the elements.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - the large door and generous peak height are a couple of the primary...
The large door and generous peak height are a couple of the primary features that make the Passage 1 so comfortable.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

The mesh canopy makes for a solid stargazing experience, while the relatively high privacy panels offer at least the illusion of alone time, even if you keep the fly off at a crowded campsite.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - there is a generous amount of floor space even after the sleeping...
There is a generous amount of floor space even after the sleeping pad and bag are spread out.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ease of Set Up


The Passage 1 is about as easy as it gets to pitch a freestanding tent. Like its two person counterpart, it comes with a basic X-pole design; two long poles each secure into grommets at diagonal corners. A handful of hooks clip into place to volume out the tent, and the fly clips in at the corners. One slightly annoying feature of the setup is that since there is no horizontal support pole, tensioning the fly too much can pinch the two poles together, creating a little bit of sag in the canopy; it just requires a little more attention.


If you are flying solo, this tent is one of the best budget options if you need to set up fast in the rain. As would be expected with a tent at this price point, it comes with basic hook stakes. They'll bend out of shape eventually, but they're certainly not the cheapest ones that we have come across. The takedown is equally simple. We think after the second or third time around, one person could set up this tent in just a few minutes.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - this model is (understandably) easy for just one person to set up...
This model is (understandably) easy for just one person to set up without any struggle.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Weather Resistance


The weather resistance of this model isn't superb, but it is buoyed by a solid vestibule that runs low to the ground and stakes out far away from the tent body. The bathtub floor mitigates the effects of splashback from the ground onto the tent. In total, the design sets you up for success when the skies open up. We also like the air vent at the top, and the ability to unzip a little bit of the fly door without having to leave everything completely exposed.


The flipside of having that lofty peak height is that positioning the tent at a campsite is increasingly important, especially in windy conditions. We recommend trying your best to angle it in such a way that the tent is pitched with the narrow end facing the wind so that it isn't getting broadsided all night. It's much more modest than the vestibule side, but we also appreciate the clearance the fly provides on the opposite side as well. There is even a clip on the tent that attaches to fly, pulling the wall away from the sleeper (and avoids getting their sleeping bad wet).

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - the long, low-pitching vestibule of the passage 1 offers excellent...
The long, low-pitching vestibule of the Passage 1 offers excellent protection from the elements
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Durability


With reasonable care, the Passage 1 should last a long time. The aluminum pole segments don't inspire the most confidence in terms of their strength, but together, they seem to be better equipped to bear the stresses of the rest of the tent. The coated polyester main body and fly are burly enough to withstand the typical rigors of a tent site. In addition, this tent comes equipped with a footprint (included!) that adds both extra protection from a soggy ground as well as longevity, protecting the tent from pine needles and pebbles.


The plastic pieces seem like they belong on a budget tent, but they are sturdy enough to withstand being accidentally stepped on a time or two. There's no plastic connector hub on the poles, just a big old plastic hook. We see this as a positive since that style of hub found on many other tents (budget and non-budget alike) tends to be one of the first pieces to snap. This model also comes with a pole sleeve that allows you to do a field repair in the event that one of the poles snaps.

The webbing and plastic clips are about what we would expect for a...
The webbing and plastic clips are about what we would expect for a tent at this price point.
The tent comes with a pole sleeve for quick field repairs (not...
The tent comes with a pole sleeve for quick field repairs (not shown) and stakes that we know from experience can struggle against packed earth.

Weight & Packed Size


At a little over four pounds, the Passage 1 certainly isn't breaking any ultralight records. However, if you do primarily camp alone, it offers weight savings of almost a pound and a half over its 2P counterpart.


It's marginally heavier than other budget 1Ps, but with this category of tent, we don't think it is as much of an issue.


It's a bulky 7.5"x17" and is noticeably larger in the bag than other models, but that makes sense, given how much more space it provides a sleeper when it's pitched. The upshot is that it's heavy and bulky, but at the end of the day, that's what you get with any budget tent, so in practice, it's not such a big deal. We would gladly carry the extra few ounces of this tent for its comfort.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - large plastic pieces add some heft to an already bulky tent.
Large plastic pieces add some heft to an already bulky tent.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Value


This tent is worth the investment. Though it may not come with a huge price drop over the 2P version, it is still a great deal for a single outdoor adventurer. Its headroom makes it a great option for taller folks, and it comes with the same materials basic design elements as its larger sibling. All in all, we think we got our money's worth with this one.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - an added bonus for an already cost-friendly tent is the included...
An added bonus for an already cost-friendly tent is the included ground cloth.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Conclusion


The REI Passage 1 offers a solid night's sleep for a solo camper. It's a great option to have on hand in case the opportunity for a weekend getaway pops up. Its interior headroom and vestibule make for good livability, while its straightforward design means setup takes just a couple of minutes. It's an excellent one person option, and we wouldn't hesitate to spend some summer nights in this model.

rei co-op passage 1 budget backpacking tent review - it's a great, comfortable choice for one person.
It's a great, comfortable choice for one person.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ben Applebaum-Bauch
 
You Might Also Like

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.

GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

Learn More