2021 REI Passage 1 VS 2017 REI Passage 1 

I purchased the “new” tent in May 2023 and have used numerous times. I like it and do recommend it. 👍🏻🥾🥾

Great review! Thanks for doing this. The industry needs more constitutive and comparative reviews like this than the bland press releases that are so common.

The video editing is on point with the narrative. Thank you

Nice video man, really appreciated the attention to detail! I just bought the 2021 version on closeout for

I still use my Canyonlands from 20 years ago for backpacking and Eureka dome from 1995 for car camping. Still enjoyed this video. Maybe next decade I'll update.

Nicely done I’m so glad my tents an older one.

They've really fallen short on this. That's putting it nicely.

Great review Eddie. I think you are spot on with your remarks and findings on this tent. I recently purchased a new tent specifically for bikepacking and occasional car camping. I can’t wait to try it out.

Ty for the comparison... Was wondering on the 21 model... Better go for another brand then 👍

I have a 2020 That I’ve been using for 1 1/2 years now and I love it

Great comparison! Have you considered using Tenacious Tape to repair the discontinued version? It works great! I was able to save a tent that had a gash on its floor.

I still have my 2017 version. It’s been a workhorse and I hope to get many more nights in it, I can set that thing up blindfolded in 1 minute which is huge for me. Disappointing that the new one isn’t as easy.. I hope mine doesn’t fail anytime soon.

REI should have just built on the 2017 model making it more robust, Excellent critique and thank you!

I just bought a new passage 1 for a 20+ night motorcycle trip from RI down to LA and back. I will come back in July and let you know how it performed.

Good review Eddie, sorry to hear your old tent got a little burned. REI should not have changed the new one so much, good luck with 2021 model and look forward to next video. Keep up the good work

Nice comparo. I have a Passage 1 that I bought in 2015, and it shares features of both of these tents...LOL. Trapezoid shape with color-coded corner tabs with pole grommets, but the ground sheet doesn't have the reinforcements. The poles aren't joined, but are also color coded, and have a bend at the head side, as well as a spreader bar about three clips up from the bottom. The top clip is two clips that "scissor" around the two poles. Has the side and overhead mesh pocket, but a D door...LOL Vestibule corners have grommets that the poles go through with the tent and ground sheet, and pull tensioners, as well as Velcro tabs for the poles, but only one stake-out. Single panel on top without that weird merge. I think the stakes were aluminum, but I threw them away and bought MSR Groundhogs. Listed weight is 3lb. 11oz. Use it multiple times per year, and it's still in great shape. Won't be buying the new one, though... I guess you really need to se a tent set up so you can inspect it before purchase.

Thanks very much great concise review

I think I’m living in an alternate reality… I purchased an REI passage 1 a decade ago... but the one that I own is identical to the “2021” one

I disagree. Seems to me REI was attempting to make the tent more durable with the thicker shorter poles and by getting rid of the hub. The hub puts extra stress on the section of the pole it connects to and that section as a result is more likely to snap, especially since the part that connects to the hub is thin metal. By removing the hub and using stronger poles, the tent becomes more resilient. But the older version was definitely easy to set up. They had the right idea with the newer tent, just need to maintain the ease of setup somehow without compromising the added structural durability the tent has now. It's almost perfect. I would, in addition, add more heavy duty zippers. If they did all of that it would be a perfect tent

Great video I bought the 2021 a few months ago for a kayak trip was wondering if you get a lot of condensation on the inside of the rain fly?

I have that discontinued tent and love it! Interesting to see what's changed for the worst

I got the old one a few years ago, I don’t quite remember when. I’ve used it for years, it’s held up well in the Boy Scouts. I hope it doesn’t fail anytime soon.

Hey great video. How does the Passage 1 and Half Dome 1+ compare? Do you have any idea? I have the Half Dome 1+ and looking for a second inexpensive backpacking tent.

The newest version of this test has a door on both sides. What tent would you buy instead at 30-40 dollars more just curious ? Thanks

Lol just ordered the 2021 version but at least it was on sale.

Bum deal when they make a product worse not better!!

As an REI member, there are times when they disappoint me. For example, once-upon-a-time, they used to have their own in-house brand, Novara, and they offered great wind pants. Today, the in-house brand is "Co-Op" and the new version of wind pants...how can I say this politely...sucks big time! So it's not surprising they did the same "improvements" to your tent. Gotta love their product managers. Not.

Good video, I hate cheap products and will not support them

I had a 2011 REI passage 1 Tent Sucked

Forget it and just buy the Alps Lynx 1.

I think this is really biased

REI has gotten so cheap in their manufacturing process. They had a couple of good tents in the past now discontinued. I would be embarrassed to be a REI executive trying to sell this junk. I don't want a cheap tent. I want one that is well though out, put the cost where they need to be. I'd pay it.