I own the REI Flash Air 1 and a 2. Both are great and light. For a few hundred dollars more I could shave off 3 to 6 ounces, but its not worth it to me. I'll save the dough and keep the REI tents.
Even my double wall MSR hubba 1 gets a lot of condensation forming on the fly. Often having to put it away wet which gets the rest of the tent damp. This tent being single wall and less overall material makes it easier to jam in an outside mesh pocket of the pack which gives me a little easier a time drying it out while on the move. I think this a great tent for summer, UL gear seeker at an affordable price for sure!
When wet, it's nice to be able to pack the inner and outer tent of a traditional double wall tent separately. Always an issue for any single/double hybrid wall tent.
Good stuff, thanks. At 2lb 8 oz.The Flash air 2 is the same packaged weight as the Big Agnes tigerwall ul 2. It’s benefit is that it costs much less. Also the tigerwall ul 2 is a semi freestanding double wall tent so with out the fly it can actually be picked up as a full structure like a kite to dump out any inside debris in the morning before packing it away.
you prolly dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all of the latest series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend these days :)
The REI Flash Air 1 tent has a serious design flaw. The single wall is sewn directly to the bathtub floor. Condensation - which is a big problem - will run down the walls and collect in the (appropriately named) bathtub where it will soak into your sleeping bag. Hopefully you'll be able to dry your bag out in sunlight after it gets soaked, but if it is overcast or rainy you may get into trouble if on a multi-day trek. Of course a fire would also work to dry your bag, but a double wall tent is a far better choice. The Flash Air tents are nothing more than a flawed single season (i.e., summer) tent for ultra-light backpackers who are willing to trade weight for comfort.
I agree 100% with you. I purchased this tent and found it to be perfect for summer. It's super light at 19oz packed in my pack but it has its limitations. I'll be using my double wall tent REI SL1 for the more damp seasons. Not much more weight and less things to worry about like waking up to a soaked quilt.
@@BackpackingLightUSA Very possible! Thank you for the feedback. This might be the affordable forray into trekking pole tents I've been looking for. Would love to see your thoughts on the $150-$350 Sil-Nylon trekking pole tent market segment like the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, LightHeart Solo, Lanshan/3F 1P, Sierra Designs High Route 1FL, Tarptent Notch and REI Flash.
Wish you had tested this tent with the vents open but flaps shut to see how the condensation occurred. Any idea on how it does with that normal setup? Also are the seams factory sealed?
@@BackpackingLightUSA Thanks for the reply. With DROP 2 you can get the same data or you need to use drop 3. I am not sure what the difference is between 2 and 3. Thanks
Thanks for your thorough review, I have been looking at this tent for a couple months, deciding if I want to get this one!
I own the REI Flash Air 1 and a 2. Both are great and light. For a few hundred dollars more I could shave off 3 to 6 ounces, but its not worth it to me. I'll save the dough and keep the REI tents.
I have been waiting for this review specifically from you. 👌 thorough review
Even my double wall MSR hubba 1 gets a lot of condensation forming on the fly. Often having to put it away wet which gets the rest of the tent damp. This tent being single wall and less overall material makes it easier to jam in an outside mesh pocket of the pack which gives me a little easier a time drying it out while on the move.
I think this a great tent for summer, UL gear seeker at an affordable price for sure!
When wet, it's nice to be able to pack the inner and outer tent of a traditional double wall tent separately. Always an issue for any single/double hybrid wall tent.
Good stuff, thanks. At 2lb 8 oz.The Flash air 2 is the same packaged weight as the Big Agnes tigerwall ul 2. It’s benefit is that it costs much less. Also the tigerwall ul 2 is a semi freestanding double wall tent so with out the fly it can actually be picked up as a full structure like a kite to dump out any inside debris in the morning before packing it away.
Love how thorough your reviews are!
you prolly dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all of the latest series on instaflixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend these days :)
@Brantley Alan definitely, I have been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :D
@Brantley Alan Definitely, I have been using InstaFlixxer for years myself :)
Hope you do a review of the Hilleberg, too. I've been saving my pennies. It's my dream tent right now...I think.
Coming soon!
REI just released a new Flash 1 and 2 tent on its website. Colors are not as nice as this though and there are some slight revisions to the new tents.
Terrific review, it was great to see some measurements. Thank you for sharing 👣
The REI Flash Air 1 tent has a serious design flaw. The single wall is sewn directly to the bathtub floor. Condensation - which is a big problem - will run down the walls and collect in the (appropriately named) bathtub where it will soak into your sleeping bag. Hopefully you'll be able to dry your bag out in sunlight after it gets soaked, but if it is overcast or rainy you may get into trouble if on a multi-day trek. Of course a fire would also work to dry your bag, but a double wall tent is a far better choice. The Flash Air tents are nothing more than a flawed single season (i.e., summer) tent for ultra-light backpackers who are willing to trade weight for comfort.
I agree 100% with you. I purchased this tent and found it to be perfect for summer. It's super light at 19oz packed in my pack but it has its limitations. I'll be using my double wall tent REI SL1 for the more damp seasons. Not much more weight and less things to worry about like waking up to a soaked quilt.
How’s the seam sealing? I watched another review that tested it in a rainstorm and it performed awful. Great video though!
Seam sealing is perfect - no issues at all with leaky seams, even in a very heavy rain. Maybe they had condensation issues?
@@BackpackingLightUSA Very possible! Thank you for the feedback. This might be the affordable forray into trekking pole tents I've been looking for. Would love to see your thoughts on the $150-$350 Sil-Nylon trekking pole tent market segment like the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, LightHeart Solo, Lanshan/3F 1P, Sierra Designs High Route 1FL, Tarptent Notch and REI Flash.
@@joemash4193 don't forget about the Dan Durston X-Mid 1P
Wish you had tested this tent with the vents open but flaps shut to see how the condensation occurred. Any idea on how it does with that normal setup? Also are the seams factory sealed?
I’m seeing from some other recent videos that this tent weighs 3-4 more ounces than REI is listing.
Ryan, what did your weights confirm?
He said it was 20 oz.
I have xmid 2 version 2 and I think i will replace with this
Great video as always! Could you please post the name of this humidity sensor?
Kestrel Drop. Be warned, the D1 (which I have) doesn't track relative humidity, only temperature. You need the D2 or above.
Please ¿What Kestrel Drop hace you used? ¿Drop 2 or Drop 3? Thanks
Drop 3.
@@BackpackingLightUSA Thanks for the reply. With DROP 2 you can get the same data or you need to use drop 3. I am not sure what the difference is between 2 and 3. Thanks
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Scotchguard your tent stop water from coming in and condensation.
Great review
rockstar again