This is the tent I use all summer when by myself. Can't get much lighter or a better price for such a durable tent. I got it when it first came out as only in yellow which was hard for me to deal with, nonetheless, I used it all summer with no wear and exchanged it back to REI for the green version that came out in the fall. I took so well care of it they couldn't tell it was used, the custom footprint for the tent helped in that regard. It's a little difficult getting into, but that's the price one must pay for such a fine lightweight tent.

Customer Service

if your poles break they will send you replacements for free

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Excellent Tent - Great for solo trips or when you need a tent for the "odd man out". The trick to entering the tent is to stand at the front flap, facing away from the tent, and back in feet first and belly down. Also, make sure to fully open the vent flap on the fly to avoid condensation during the night. Lightweight and easy to pitch!

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This is a review for the Arch-Rival which is similar to the microswift, just a little bigger. The arch-rival is a very good light weight tent. It is very easy to set-up and packs small. It survived heavy winds in the Wind River Range. It is a great tent for the money.

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Integral Designs, Eureka

Don't buy this tent without trying to enter with the fly door in place. The fly door is a rectangular shape with zippers on both sides. I found myself inside the tent with my elbows outside in the dirt, trying to manipulate zippers and velcro tabs. The Walrus setup directions do not mention the fly door.

Customer Service

Walrus's customer service admitted that the instructions were deficient. They denied that the fly door had a design problem. They issued a return authorization to the retailer, allowing a refund.

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Ive used my micro swift many times and I love it .
It packs up small,but is much better than a bivy bag.It's quick and easy to pitch and is very tight and stable.

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Was looking for a backpack tent to keep the bugs away in the summer. Wanted more than a bivy but less weight than my Eureka Timberlite. This fits the bill. It's light weight and very packable. It's a bit tight for getting dressed and un-dressed in the tent, but that's too be expected. Keeps me dry in the rain. Easy to set up, but a bit difficult to enter & exit due to it's small size. Works great for me. Good workmanship and quality. My only problem/concern was getting stepped on in the night by a moose, due to it's low profile.

This tent has served me well. I have taken it on dozens of backpacking trips. Some as long as 100 miles, and it STILL looks like new. It is very durable for how light it is. It has always kept me dry during the rain here in WA. It is suprsingly spacious inside, except maybe when you come in during the rain and are trying to get your wet shell off! Works great during the summer, but for the winter I prefer something larger.

Have used the Walrus Microswift for the last 4 years. I have mainly been winter camping in the coastal range of California and late Fall in the Sierras. Larger than a bivy. A little hard for my large frame to maneuver around in, but it keeps me dry and is well ventilated. Sets up fast, even in those ""panic-here-comes-the-rain"" situations.

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$119.00 at REI This tent lists at 2.85 lbs. The scales put it at 3.5 lbs., but you can pare back the weight . . . 12 pegs can be trimmed easily to 5 --even with the rain fly. Eliminate the peg bag, pole bag, and tent bag and you get down to the 2.85 --which is what the mfg. has in mind. Very compact, 6"" by about 14"" rolled up . . . fits well in the pack or sea kayak. The tent itself is compact too: Vestubule offers room for boots, flashlight, and a hat . . . if you put the flashight in the boots and stack the hat on top! Getting in and out is tricky . . . but this is compensated by the light weight and compact size in the back pack. Actually room inside for extra clothes, boots. Loop on front pole crest for hanging a small sack or light . . . but not much clearance for a ""gear loft."" Rain fly well designed: Excellent ventilation at foot and head allows good storm seal without condensation. Fly features twin zips down the front, Center opens from the top OR the sides open from the bottom. Velcro closures allow vestubule to be configured several ways to accomodate ventilation and protection from rain/wind. Compact size allows for excellent heat conservation. This tent seems ideal for cold weather camping when used with rain fly. Ample screening makes this an excellent summer tent in buggy areas. Poles lock into tabs with knobbed ends. Rain fly fastens with plastic clips and velcro tabs. Lots of loops for adjusting ventilation and ensuring weather protection. Slightly larger than a ""bivy"" probably much drier. Excellent ""bike"" tent.

Customer Service

Walrus provides lifetime warranty for defects, seems ready to repair tents that are damaged or worn.

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Kelty, Coleman, US Army field tents, ""shelter halves,"" numerous ""pup tents"" poncho tents, tarps, tee-pees . . .

More room than a Bivy Sack and weighs about the same...this is ideal for the person who wants more that a tarp. It keeps out the rain, and weighs less than 3 pounds. All of this for $119!!! The best solo tent out there.....