Expert Review: Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent
Camping on the Olympic Peninsula in Olympic National Park in the late fall of 2018! Very wet outside but very comfortable inside my tent! All photos courtesy of Allison K.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the tent which I purchased with my own money in June of 2015.
My take
The Marmot Tungsten 2P is an affordable tent option for getting into backpacking and is well-suited for car camping adventures as well. It keeps me dry (and thus, warm), secure, and sleeping well on all my adventures.
Camping in the high alpine of the Teton Mountain Range.
About the gear
- Product Model: 2015 Marmot Tungsten 2P tent
- Size 2P
About me
- Height: 5’5”
- Weight: 145 lbs
- Experience: 11 years
Test conditions
- When I bought the tent: June 2015
- Days tested: 40
- Number of occupants: 2-3
- Pack: Osprey Aura 65
- Sleeping pad: Klymit Static V Insulated
- Sleeping bag: The North Face Green Kazoo 0 degree
- Total pack weight: 48 lbs with geat
- Used for: Car camping, tent camping, backpacking
- Where I’ve used it: Upper Michigan, North Country Trail. Grand Tetons, WY - Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park. NW Montana + Lolo National Forest, Clearwater National Forest, Idaho, Olympic National Park, Washington, Fruita, CO, Sawtooth National Forest, ID
- Seasons I’ve used it in: Spring, Summer, Fall
How it performs
What I was looking for
In the summer of 2015, I was looking for a new tent. I had an old car camping tent from college that was pretty worn and needed an upgrade, plus I had been backpacking a couple times a year at that point and wanted something for backpacking that was still affordable, durable, and waterproof.
Why I chose this gear
The Marmot Tungsten was one of the most affordable options I could find in a backpacking-worthy tent. I was also working in a retail shop at the time that offered us a better deal on Marmot products. I wanted a relatively lightweight tent with good waterproofing, pockets, and the footprint included.
I did consider buying other options. I looked at some more affordable alternatives since I was still working at a ski resort at that point and didn’t have much to spend. I ultimately chose the Tungsten for the features and quality for that price point. It seemed like a good deal, and now I know it truly was.
4 of us ladies slept in this 2 person tent for 3 nights. Relatively comfortable!
What I love about it
- Ease of setup: This tent takes about 2-5 minutes to set up, depending on the kind of weather I’m in (I was once caught in a downpour and set it up in 2 minutes. Most times, it takes me 3-4 minutes, and that’s not trying to break any speed setup records. It could not be easier.
- Breakdown speed: This tent generally takes 1-2 minutes to break down. It’s pretty easy to repack - Just make sure to get those tent poles in first!
- Weight: This gear is pretty lightweight, without being ultralight. I can carry it with all my gear, and it does not overload me. I’m definitely satisfied with the weight vs. features ratio.
- Performance in rain: This tent is bombproof in the rain! I’ve been rained, hailed, and snowed on in the Tungsten and have stayed dry the entire time. The rain fly and footprint don’t allow any moisture to get through to the main tent compartment.
- Performance in wind: This tent, when staked down properly, stays upright in the wind, and the poles are strong enough to withstand large gusts.
- Performance in snow: This tent does well in snow as far as moisture repellence. It is only a 3-season tent, so it is not insulated against the colder temperatures and elements, but with the right sleeping bag/pad, I can stay warm enough to sleep comfortably on the occasional colder weather trip.
- Performance in heat: This tent is a very breathable material, so it lets air circulate freely. It is not insulated to keep heat out or in, but it performs exactly as it should!
- Performance in desert areas with no trees: I have only used this tent in the desert with no trees once. It went really well! The rainfly keeps the sun out more than if I wasn’t using it and allows me to sleep into a regular waking time.
- Performance in wooded areas with lots of trees: I primarily use this tent in the forest with lots of trees and shade. This is my favorite use for this tent and my favorite areas to camp in. It does extremely well in forest areas with the waterproof footprint and rain fly to keep dew and moisture from the trees off me.
- Performance when camping with a partner or group: This tent is roomy enough to sleep two comfortably with room for extra gear inside and two vestibules and two doors, so each person has their own entry/exit/outside area.
- Special features: I love the side pockets on each side (2 on each side = 4 total). The clip installed in the tent ceiling is the perfect place to hang my headlamp or a lantern at night.
- Stability: This tent has stayed upright in the wind and all the elements I’ve camped in. The integrated tent pole design stretches the tent material exactly where it needs to improve stability. It comes with stakes, paracord tie-downs, etc., to keep it as secure as possible.
- Durability: This tent is incredibly durable. It does not come with a repair kit, but it’s on its 7th year in my ownership, and I have not had any rips, tears, seam separation, etc. Other than a little general dirt/dust from many years of use, it works as perfectly as it did on day 1. It’s gotten snagged on tree branches and bushes, and still, nothing has torn.
- Other: I love this tent. I will keep it for as long as I can, hopefully, many years. I will be purchasing an additional tent specific to backpacking for this summer to take up less room in my pack.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Weight: This tent is going to be a bit heavier than a regular backpacking tent, especially an ultralight tent.
- Performance in wind: This tent does flap around with very high winds, but I do not know a tent that would be any different.
- Performance in snow: This tent keeps moisture out but is not insulated against winter conditions.
- Performance in heat: This tent is not insulated to keep out heat.
Camping in Lolo National Forest in Montana summer, 2020.
Favorite moment with this gear
I have been on many adventures with this tent! My absolute favorite moment was in a very remote part of Yellowstone National Park with three of my best friends on a ladies’ backpacking trip in the fall with bright yellow leaves on so many of the trees we hiked through. The red underbrush was also popping this time of year, and it was just breathtaking. This tent endured cold mornings and hot days this time of year. We actually managed to squeeze four of us women into this two-person tent (although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that - we were packed like sardines!). Waking up each morning, next to some of my absolute favorite people in the world, in one of my favorite places in the world, in my very own tent that had been with me through the years on all sorts of adventures. Those were moments of pure contented happiness, simple bliss.
Value for the money vs. other options
This tent is absolutely worth every penny. It is truly waterproof, even after six years of frequent use and doing nothing special as far as upkeep. The tent poles are so strong and lightweight, and I can’t imagine bending or breaking one. Cheaper options wouldn’t give me the high quality or features that this one would, and more expensive options might be overkill if I’m just looking for the features that this tent has to offer!
Final verdict
The Marmot Tungsten 2P tent is one of THE best outdoor gear investments I’ve made; 7 years of consistent use, and this tent still looks close to (and functions like) new (other than a little dirt on the footprint). Make the same investment I did and get ready for years of comfort and durability in the great outdoors!
