Marmot Limelight 2P -
The Marmot Limelight 2 tent sleeps 2 campers and even gives them room for extra gear by giving them a generous vestibule of 9 sq.ft. Featuring 2 large mesh roof panels the Limelight 2 is well ventilated and by leaving the fly off is great for stargazing. Perhaps the best feature is the easy set up because all the shockcorded aluminum poles are connected to the tent by Marmot Double Clips speeding and easing assembly. Set up is made easier still because there are no sleeves, just clips which also let more air move under the fly reducing condensation. The full coverage RipStop polyester fly provides complete weather protection, won't stretch and resists UV breakdown. And now the tent is even better because Marmot gives you a FREE nylon Footprint and Gear Loft (Retail Value $50) with the Limelight. Oh yes, I said, FREE with the purchase of the tent.
Support and Cushioning:
- 3 DAC Featherlite Poles provide a strong, lightweight support
Frame:
- X shaped frame is simple to set up and sturdy to use
Weather and Wind:
- Main fly and floor seams are factory taped for weather protection
- Catenary cut floor provides a tight pitch with reduced weight; fully seam-taped bathtub floor maintains waterproofness
- 1 clear window in the vestibule with welded (leak proof) seams
Zippers:
- Color coded poles and webbing simplify setup; snag-free zipper flap won't get hung up
- Other Features - Jingle free Zipper Pulls, Light Reflective strips on the fly and multiple storage pockets
- Snag-Free Zipper Flap - Zip and Un-Zip Without Getting the Zipper Caught
Pockets:
- Interior Pockets for Small Gear Organization
- Multiple inside pockets organize your equipment and provide storage up off the floor while inside the Limelight 2 tent
- Multiple mesh gear pockets for stashing your stuff
Fabric:
- Light-reflective points help you find your tent at night; jingle-free nylon zipper pulls remain quiet in windy weather
- The floor has a catenary cut so the seams rise off the ground and the fabric stays taut
- Window Weld - Waterproof Window Construction Reduces Weight and Enhances Appearance
- UV-resistant, seam-sealed polyester rainfly won't stretch or expand when wet, ensuring a consistently taut pitch
- Snag-free zipper flap with jingle-free nylon zipper pulls reduce irritation with doors
- 40D 100% Polyester No-See-Um Mesh F/R
- Full coverage RipStop Polyester fly completely protects the tent from the weather
- Includes FREE fitted nylon Tent Footprint & FREE Gear Loft
Fit:
- Bare Bones - Saves Weight - leave the tent body home, bring the poles, fly and included fitted footprint to create an ultralight shelter - save weight
- DAC Press-Fit Poles - Have Press-In Inserts for Increased Durability
Ventilation:
- Fly vent keeps tent well ventilated and reduces condensation
- Seam Taped Full Coverage Fly with Vents
- Window Weld™ design gives views to the outside, lets in light and reduces weight; fly vent increases air circulation inside tent
Manufactured:
- Import
Features:
- Color Coded "Easy Pitch" Clips and Poles
- One D Shaped Door, One Vestibule
- DAC tent poles are up to 15% lighter than aluminum, yet comparable in strength. Through innovative design, DAC created a light weight and compact folding tent pole.
- All carry sacks and stakes included
- Sleeps 2
- Fast and light "Bare Bones Setup" with optional footprint (sold separately)
- Free standing design is easy to set up
- Fire Retardant
- Bare Bones Setup - Allows the Fly to be Used by Itself with Footprint to Make a Lightweight, Sturdy Shelter
- DAC PressPoles
- DAC Pressfit aluminum poles feature a pressed-in ferrule, ensuring the poles remain strong and reliable
- As a convenient option, poles and rainfly can be set up with the footprint to create a lightweight shelter
- Side vestibule provides additional storage (9sq ft)
- Large side door provides convenient access for campers; 1 large vestibule holds all the gear
- All clip set up is fast and easy
- Window in fly offers a view of the weather or the bear tramping through your camp
- Post and grommet for easy set up
- DAC/Marmot double clips disperse stress over a large area and won't slide; plus, they have an incredible breaking strength and are easy to use with gloves
FontanaSports.com
The Limelight 2P tent follows the “keep it simple” principle for quick set-up and weight-minimization while still camping in style. A roomy side vestibule keeps gear dry in wet weather. D-shaped door allows no-step entry/exit; color coded webbing and poles for easier set-up.
Features:
- Have Press-In Inserts for Increased Durability.
- For Additional Storage.
- Waterproof Window Construction Reduces Weight and Enhances Appearance.
- Allows the Fly to be Used by Itself with Footprint to Make a Lightweight, Sturdy Shelter.
- Fully Waterproof Floor with Taped Seams Lifted Off the Ground.
- Promote Undisturbed Sleep.
- To Find Your Tent At Night.
- Zip and Un-Zip Without Getting the Zipper Caught.
Specs.
• Capacity: 2 Person.
• Seasons: 3 Season.
• Maximum Weight:5 lbs / 2.3 kg.
• Minimum Weight:4 lbs 10 oz / 2.1 kg.
• Dimensions:41x54x88in / 104x137x224cm.
• Packed Size:7 x 18 in / 17.8 x 45.7 cm.
Area:9 sq ft / 0.8 sq m.
• Tent Poles:3 / DAC Press-Fit 9.0mm.
• Floor Area:32 sq ft / 2.97 sq m.
• Tent floor Material:70d 100% Nylon PU 3000mm W/R, F/R
• Tent canopy Material:68d 100% Polyester Ripstop,F/R
• Tent fly Material:68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R
USOutdoor.com
Simple is good. The fine folks at Marmot know it, and it shows in the design of the Limelight 2 tent. This freestanding, 2 wall wonder goes up in a flash and comes down just as easy. One door, a window, and an included gear loft and footprint offer everything you could ever want from a home away from home. A spacious 32' of floor area and 41 inches of height make for a spacious quarter in which you're free to sit up, comfortably change clothes or throw a small seated dance party. Throw in an included gear loft, footprint, a multitude of pockets and features and you've got something special. But wait! All that's not even to mention the tent design! With two doors, a windowed fly with vestibule, 70D and 3k waterproof floor and collapsing down to a mere 7 x 18 inches, the Limelight has taken the spotlight in the world of simple, affordable and feature packed tents. Whether you're tramping along the Routeburn or sauntering through the Sawtooths, the Limelight has you covered.
Zappos.com
Minimize hassle with the convenient and easy to assemble Limelight by Marmot®.- Have Press-In Inserts for Increased Durability.
Comfortably fits 2 people.
One door/one vestibule.
™ - Waterproof Window Construction Reduces Weight and Enhances Appearance.
- Allows the Fly to be Used by Itself with Footprint to Make a Lightweight, Sturdy Shelter.
- Fully Waterproof Floor with Taped Seams Lifted Off the Ground.
- Promote Undisturbed Sleep.
- To Find Your Tent At Night.
- Zip and Un-Zip Without Getting the Zipper Caught.
Stake Tape™ - Stake Tape.
Maximum Weight - 5 lbs / 2.268 kg.
Minimum Weight - 4 lbs 10 oz / 2.098 kg.
Dimensions - 41x54x88in / 104.1x137.2x223.5cm.
Packed Size - 7 x 18 in / 17.8 x 45.7 cm.
Area - 9 sq ft / 0.8 sq m.
Tent Poles - 3 / DAC Press-Fit 9.0mm.
Floor Area - 32 sq ft / 3 sq m.
Tent floor Material - 70d 100% Nylon 2000mm W/R, F/R
Tent canopy Material - 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop,F/R
Tent fly Material - 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R
Moosejaw
FEATURES of the Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent.
SPECIFICATIONS of the Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent.
Appalachain Outdoors
The Limelight 2P Tent from Marmot offers excellent protection from the elements with a minimalist touch. Quick to set up, the Limelight tent is waterproof and features light-reflective points to help spot your tent on your return from a night trek.Denali
The Marmot Limelight 2 Person Tent lives by the words ‘keep it simple’. This lightweight tent allows you to camp in style with it’s quick set-up and roomy side vestibule. D-shaped door allows no-step entry/exit; color coded webbing and poles for easier set-up.
REI
The Marmot Limelight 2 tent offers 2 backpackers a comfortable space and tough, yet lightweight construction. The Limelight also offers great value as it comes complete with footprint and gear loft!
Imported.
SummitHut.com
The Limelight from Marmot is a roomy, lightweight tent ideal for summer backpacking and car-camping adventures. Based on Marmot's legendary experience in building base camp and expedition tents for use around the world, the Limelight is a highly functional, reliable, three-season tent that comes with its wn gearloft and footprint included!
Average Price History:
| Accessories Included: | Gear Loft and Footprint |
|---|---|
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| Bare Bone: | 3 lbs 5 oz / 1506 g |
| Canopy: | 68D 100% Polyester Ripstop,F/R |
| Canopy Material: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop, F/R |
| Canopy fabric: | Ripstop polyester |
| Capacity: | 2 Person |
| Design type: | Freestanding tent |
| Dimension: | (H x W x L) |
| Dimensions: | 41 x 54 x 88in | 104 x 137 x 224cm |
| Door: | 1 |
| Floor: | 70D 100% Nylon PU 3000mm W/R, F/R |
| Floor Area: | 2.97 square meter / 32 square feet |
| Floor Dimensions: | 41x54x88in / 104x137x224cm |
| Floor Fabric: | 70d 100% Nylon PU 3000mm W/R, F/R |
| Floor Material: | 70d 100% Nylon PU 3000mm W/R, F/R |
| Floor dimensions - metric: | 229 x 137 centimeters |
| Fly: | 68D 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R |
| Fly / footprint pitch weight: | Unavailable |
| Fly Fabric: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R |
| Fly Material: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R |
| Footprint included: | Yes |
| Freestanding: | Yes |
| Material: | Tent fly: 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R |
| Max. Weight: | 5 lbs |
| Maximum Weight: | 5 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| Min. Weight: | 4 lbs 10 oz |
| Minimum Weight: | 4 lbs 10 oz / 2097 g |
| Minimum trail weight: | 4 lbs. 10 oz. |
| Minimum trail weight - metric: | 2.09 kilograms |
| Number of Vestibules: | 1 |
| Number of doors: | 1 door |
| Number of poles: | 3 |
| Pack Weight: | 5 lbs / 2267 g |
| Packaged Size: | 7 x 18 in / 18 x 46 cm |
| Packaged Weight: | 5 lbs / 2.3 kg |
| Packed Dimensions: | 18 x 7 in / 45.7 x 17.8cm |
| Packed Size: | 7 x 18 in / 17.8 x 45.7 cm |
| Peak height: | 41 inches |
| Peak height - metric: | 104 centimeters |
| Pole Type: | 3 / DAC Press-Fit 9.0mm |
| Pole diameter: | 9.0 / 10.0 millimeters |
| Pole material: | Aluminum DAC Pressfit |
| Poles: | 3 / DAC Press-Fit 9.0mm |
| Rainfly fabric: | Coated ripstop polyester |
| Seam Sealing: | Fully taped |
| Seasons: | 3-season |
| Sidewall: | 75D Polyester Taffeta 190t 1800PU |
| Sidewall Material: | 75d Polyester Taffeta 190T 1800PU |
| Size: | Packed: 7 x 18 in / 17.8 x 45.7 cm |
| Sleeping capacity: | 2-person |
| Stuff Sack Dimension: | 18 x 7" / 45.7 x 17.8 cm |
| Tent Capacity: | 2 |
| Tent Fabric: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop,F/R |
| Tent Poles: | 3 / DAC Press-Fit 9.0mm |
| Tent Season: | 3 |
| Tent canopy Material: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop,F/R |
| Tent floor Material: | 70d 100% Nylon PU 3000mm W/R, F/R |
| Tent fly Material: | 68d 100% Polyester Ripstop 1800mm, W/R, F/R |
| Trail Weight: | 4 lbs 10 oz / 2.1 kg |
| Vestibule Area: | 0.84 square meter / 9 square feet |
| Vestibules: | 1 |
| Weight: | Minimum: 4 lbs 10 oz / 2.1 kg ; Maximum: 5 lbs / 2.3 kg |
Compare specifications to related products.
Subcategories of Tents & Shelters:
Marmot Limelight 2P Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Does not pack as small as claimed
I have to give this Marmot Limelight 2P a full 5 stars simply because of the value as this comes with a footprint and is often on sale as well. I got it for adventure motorycle trips and it has performed well. However I want to say right off the bat that the poles are about 21 inches long so there is no way it could pack up to be 7 x 18 as even Marmot themselves claim. I'd say the bag is more like 7 x 22 though it can compress a bit. (I have since moved on to a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 which has 17" poles and packs ridiculously small like 4x17, and it was recently on sale, yet it has a LOT less space inside).
I like the simplicity of pole design - nothing to break - just 2 simple poles and no fancy hubs just one crossover point and the connector there could be replaced with a loop of cord or a twist-tie if it ever even broke, which it won't.
I also like the fact that the door is on the side and not the end as it makes it easier to get to all your stuff inside. And the vestibule is quite big, you can crawl in one side of it while the other is still covering your gear, rather than crawling over it because it is so small.
I got a closeout Limelight 2P from late 2011 and it has the minor issue that the door is attached at the bottom which means you have to crawl over it whenever you enter and exit the tent and this could damage the netting on the door over time. For Spring 2012 I see this has been fixed on the new edition, along with getting ride of the solid orange fly - that color is overwhelming at times especially from inside the tent. The new fly appears mostly grey with some orange panels.
Another nitpick is that the footprint never stays on the grommets while setting up... but easily corrected by making thin rubber bands out of slices of bicycle inner tubes and looping them on near the bottoms of the 4 pole ends if desired, then when setting up, loop them over the footprint grommet.
I rode out some steady coastal winds probably 25 mph and with the 4 guy lines on it had no issues, quiet tight fly no flapping. Great value for the sale price especially and for 1 person it has a ton of room inside, with the near vertical walls and the extra headroom from the top crossbar. Ventilation props open on backside is nice.
I replaced the black guy lines with orange reflective cord which are great for nighttime to stop the age old tripping over guys lines. Pic below shows it fully guyed out on all 4 sides as the wind was building steadily. I also staked out the 2 ends using short mini bungee cords to keep the extra fabric there from flapping.
For one person there really is a TON of space inside. Another thing I could see as a potential problem that others have mentioned is that there is so much screen down low and the fly does not go all the way to the ground, that some people get a lot of wind driven dust and sand all over the insides of the tent. Desert campers be advised. To some degree this is the nature of the light weight tent today, but not always.
I like the simplicity of pole design - nothing to break - just 2 simple poles and no fancy hubs just one crossover point and the connector there could be replaced with a loop of cord or a twist-tie if it ever even broke, which it won't.
I also like the fact that the door is on the side and not the end as it makes it easier to get to all your stuff inside. And the vestibule is quite big, you can crawl in one side of it while the other is still covering your gear, rather than crawling over it because it is so small.
I got a closeout Limelight 2P from late 2011 and it has the minor issue that the door is attached at the bottom which means you have to crawl over it whenever you enter and exit the tent and this could damage the netting on the door over time. For Spring 2012 I see this has been fixed on the new edition, along with getting ride of the solid orange fly - that color is overwhelming at times especially from inside the tent. The new fly appears mostly grey with some orange panels.
Another nitpick is that the footprint never stays on the grommets while setting up... but easily corrected by making thin rubber bands out of slices of bicycle inner tubes and looping them on near the bottoms of the 4 pole ends if desired, then when setting up, loop them over the footprint grommet.
I rode out some steady coastal winds probably 25 mph and with the 4 guy lines on it had no issues, quiet tight fly no flapping. Great value for the sale price especially and for 1 person it has a ton of room inside, with the near vertical walls and the extra headroom from the top crossbar. Ventilation props open on backside is nice.
I replaced the black guy lines with orange reflective cord which are great for nighttime to stop the age old tripping over guys lines. Pic below shows it fully guyed out on all 4 sides as the wind was building steadily. I also staked out the 2 ends using short mini bungee cords to keep the extra fabric there from flapping.
For one person there really is a TON of space inside. Another thing I could see as a potential problem that others have mentioned is that there is so much screen down low and the fly does not go all the way to the ground, that some people get a lot of wind driven dust and sand all over the insides of the tent. Desert campers be advised. To some degree this is the nature of the light weight tent today, but not always.
Solid Tent; Not Ideal for Lightwieght
This is a very solid tent for short backpacking trips, but not ideal for longer trips or trips where going lightweight and small is the primary goal.
I've used this tent a bunch of times, from 25 degrees to 90 degrees, no winds and intense rainstorms. It's always served me well and is a good combination of weight, durability, comfort, and weather resistant.
Weight and Durability:
It's not advertised as an ultralight tent, so you'll be disappointed if that's what you're looking for. Coming in at 5lbs is pretty reasonable, especially given that the product comes with a rainfly. It's heavier than some other tents because (1) it has a little more interior room and (2) it's made of slightly more durable materials. Some of the ultralight and superlight tents from, for example, Big Agnes are great but can tear pretty easily on snags. I've set my Limelight up on rocks and on sticks, and no rips or tears yet (I also always use the footprint). Given the durability, the weight is good and not overly heavy except for those looking to go ultralight.
In terms of packing, the packed size of the tent is a little larger than others. This is something to consider when shopping. For example, when all the components of this tent are rolled up together and placed in my 48L Osprey Kestrel along with a 3L hydration bladder, it's a pretty tight fit in there. I'll often roll the tent/fly together and the polls/footprint together and stick them on opposite sides of the bag - 2 small diameter items are easier to pack than 1 large diameter item. If you're hiking with a slightly larger bag (and Osprey's can run small), it shouldn't be too much of an issue. But if you're taking a 45L or smaller bag with you, it might be a problem.
Comfort and Weather Resistance:
Nice tent - good at keeping heat in and drafts out. I've never really gotten a wind chill in there, even during intense storms. Plenty of room for 2 people to sit up inside. I also roll around a lot in my sleep, and there's room for me to do that without disturbing the other person in the tent. Enough space to put some gear and clothes near the feet or on the sides near your head. Not a huge amount of space outside the tent, but enough to put some boots and/or a bag.
Setup is VERY easy, though probably not moreso than most 3-season tents.
I've used this thing in pretty intense rainstorms and it kept its shape very well. The one drawback is that it is a very tough to tie the rainfly low. This leaves a pretty decent gap between the group and the bottom of the rainfly. In driving rain, some splashing will happen under the gap and the water will splash up against the tent. The problem is that on parts of the tent wall the mesh goes pretty low, so some of the splashback will hit the mesh. There wasn't standing water inside the tent or anything, but definitely added a little bit of moisture and coolness to the inside of the tent that I could have done without. Again, this was in driving rain. In normal rain, even moderately heavy rain, I haven't had this problem.
Hope that was helpful!
I've used this tent a bunch of times, from 25 degrees to 90 degrees, no winds and intense rainstorms. It's always served me well and is a good combination of weight, durability, comfort, and weather resistant.
Weight and Durability:
It's not advertised as an ultralight tent, so you'll be disappointed if that's what you're looking for. Coming in at 5lbs is pretty reasonable, especially given that the product comes with a rainfly. It's heavier than some other tents because (1) it has a little more interior room and (2) it's made of slightly more durable materials. Some of the ultralight and superlight tents from, for example, Big Agnes are great but can tear pretty easily on snags. I've set my Limelight up on rocks and on sticks, and no rips or tears yet (I also always use the footprint). Given the durability, the weight is good and not overly heavy except for those looking to go ultralight.
In terms of packing, the packed size of the tent is a little larger than others. This is something to consider when shopping. For example, when all the components of this tent are rolled up together and placed in my 48L Osprey Kestrel along with a 3L hydration bladder, it's a pretty tight fit in there. I'll often roll the tent/fly together and the polls/footprint together and stick them on opposite sides of the bag - 2 small diameter items are easier to pack than 1 large diameter item. If you're hiking with a slightly larger bag (and Osprey's can run small), it shouldn't be too much of an issue. But if you're taking a 45L or smaller bag with you, it might be a problem.
Comfort and Weather Resistance:
Nice tent - good at keeping heat in and drafts out. I've never really gotten a wind chill in there, even during intense storms. Plenty of room for 2 people to sit up inside. I also roll around a lot in my sleep, and there's room for me to do that without disturbing the other person in the tent. Enough space to put some gear and clothes near the feet or on the sides near your head. Not a huge amount of space outside the tent, but enough to put some boots and/or a bag.
Setup is VERY easy, though probably not moreso than most 3-season tents.
I've used this thing in pretty intense rainstorms and it kept its shape very well. The one drawback is that it is a very tough to tie the rainfly low. This leaves a pretty decent gap between the group and the bottom of the rainfly. In driving rain, some splashing will happen under the gap and the water will splash up against the tent. The problem is that on parts of the tent wall the mesh goes pretty low, so some of the splashback will hit the mesh. There wasn't standing water inside the tent or anything, but definitely added a little bit of moisture and coolness to the inside of the tent that I could have done without. Again, this was in driving rain. In normal rain, even moderately heavy rain, I haven't had this problem.
Hope that was helpful!
Great overall, however....
Let's start out with the positives. The tent has a great design and the quality of the materials is very good. I especially like the height of the tent. I am 6'2" and have no problems sitting up comfortably in the middle of the tent. The fly works very well and offers great ventilation with the tie out points secured as well as the adjustable fly vent at the back of the tent. The tent is very easy for one person to set up quickly. You even have the option to set up the fly first so your tent won't get too wet while setting it up in bad weather. The included footprint and gear loft are an added plus at this price point. The gear vestibule is a decent size and the window in the fly is great. Because of the design, the roof is very sturdy and could easily withstand a small amount of snow accumulation.
Now for the negatives. Some of you will not have an issue at all with these but I thought I would include it for the taller/larger people out there considering this tent. Like I said before I am 6'2" and I weigh 196 lbs. This is NOT a 2 person tent for larger people. I have very little extra room at both ends (head and feet) when I lay down in the middle of this tent. Your sleeping bag will most likely be touching the interior portion of the tent but if you stake the fly out properly this may be a non-issue. The width of this tent is again not going to work for 2 larger people. If you are a bigger guy and you want to bring your dog along then this may be the perfect set up for you. Or, if you have a very petite gf/wife this could be a great tent. But for 2 slightly taller and slightly heavier people? Forget it...this is not the tent for you. You will want to go with the Limelight 3p or 4p.
Overall, I give this tent 4 stars. If I were a guy who was 5'9ish and 160ish lbs I would give it 5 stars.
Bottom line: This is a very good tent for the money and I would definitely recommend it. Just be aware of the size limitations with the 2p.
Now for the negatives. Some of you will not have an issue at all with these but I thought I would include it for the taller/larger people out there considering this tent. Like I said before I am 6'2" and I weigh 196 lbs. This is NOT a 2 person tent for larger people. I have very little extra room at both ends (head and feet) when I lay down in the middle of this tent. Your sleeping bag will most likely be touching the interior portion of the tent but if you stake the fly out properly this may be a non-issue. The width of this tent is again not going to work for 2 larger people. If you are a bigger guy and you want to bring your dog along then this may be the perfect set up for you. Or, if you have a very petite gf/wife this could be a great tent. But for 2 slightly taller and slightly heavier people? Forget it...this is not the tent for you. You will want to go with the Limelight 3p or 4p.
Overall, I give this tent 4 stars. If I were a guy who was 5'9ish and 160ish lbs I would give it 5 stars.
Bottom line: This is a very good tent for the money and I would definitely recommend it. Just be aware of the size limitations with the 2p.
I Like the Marmot Limelight 2P
I've used my Limelight 2P twice already while camping in Tioga State Forest in north-central Pennsylvania. It's in the mountains and the nights get plenty cool.
The Limelight 2P fits me and some of my belongings very well. I wouldn't recommend this tent for two people unless the two people are a couple. This tent is very close quarters for two people who don't plan to cuddle. I like to have some things in my tent with me and the Limelight 2P has enough room for my sleeping bag, sleep mat and some clothes, etc. The gear loft is clever and very useful.
On my second outing with the Limelight 2P we had some rain the first night. Fortunately, I put the rain fly on before turning in. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I needed to have the rain fly perfectly centered on the tent. I had one end of the rain fly too low on one side of the tent and too high on the other side of the tent. As a result, some rain dripped in on the end of the tent where the rain fly was too high leaving some of the mesh exposed to the weather. The good news is that the leaky end was by my feet so I didn't have any water near my head. There was a little pool of water at the leaky end of the tent the next morning, which was easily sponged out and dried. I centered the rain fly and that took care of that issue. It would have been better if the rain fly had a few extra inches of fabric on each end so it extended down closer to the ground. This is the reason I rated this tent four stars instead of five.
I like this tent and would recommend it. If it gets cold out when using the tent, be sure to zip up the door on the rain fly. That will help conserve heat inside the tent.
Thank you for reading my remarks. :-)
The Limelight 2P fits me and some of my belongings very well. I wouldn't recommend this tent for two people unless the two people are a couple. This tent is very close quarters for two people who don't plan to cuddle. I like to have some things in my tent with me and the Limelight 2P has enough room for my sleeping bag, sleep mat and some clothes, etc. The gear loft is clever and very useful.
On my second outing with the Limelight 2P we had some rain the first night. Fortunately, I put the rain fly on before turning in. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that I needed to have the rain fly perfectly centered on the tent. I had one end of the rain fly too low on one side of the tent and too high on the other side of the tent. As a result, some rain dripped in on the end of the tent where the rain fly was too high leaving some of the mesh exposed to the weather. The good news is that the leaky end was by my feet so I didn't have any water near my head. There was a little pool of water at the leaky end of the tent the next morning, which was easily sponged out and dried. I centered the rain fly and that took care of that issue. It would have been better if the rain fly had a few extra inches of fabric on each end so it extended down closer to the ground. This is the reason I rated this tent four stars instead of five.
I like this tent and would recommend it. If it gets cold out when using the tent, be sure to zip up the door on the rain fly. That will help conserve heat inside the tent.
Thank you for reading my remarks. :-)
Great tent, but a couple of small things
This is a great tent. I've used it in sub-freezing, windy, hot, muggy conditions and found ways to make it work. It packs smaller and lighter than most tents. It comes with a ground cloth and gear loft (other tents make you buy it separately) and has several built-in storage pockets inside. It is easy to setup and very versatile. It can be setup with or without the fly or you can just use the fly and ground cloth as a minimalist shelter. The rainfly works well in rain because it goes almost all the way to the ground and the poles keep it away from the tent preventing condenstation from collecting on the tent. The fly feels like a waterproof jacket, so I feel very confident with it in wet conditions. The vestibule is also good for keeping muddy boots outside the tent.
The drawback I encountered with the fly that is loss of airflow. In my experience in warm settings, the tent became warm and stuffy with the fly on. Marmot did include a vent on the non-vestibule side, but it still warms up a bit. If you remove the fly, you get lots of airflow but you lose privacy as most of the tent is mesh. Of course, if you're in the middle of the woods, then it doesn't matter. Also, I miss having 2 doors on a tent like the Limelight 3 has, but I usually am in the tent by myself, so it is not too big an issue. I didn't need a 3-person tent and knew the Limelight 2 only had one door when I got it. The last drawback I see is the color. When I got the tent, bright orange was the only color available. If I bought one now, I would probably get the green one. Thats just a personal preference though and not really a fault against the tent.
In the end, the tent has performed outstanding in my experience and I strongly urge you to consider it.
The drawback I encountered with the fly that is loss of airflow. In my experience in warm settings, the tent became warm and stuffy with the fly on. Marmot did include a vent on the non-vestibule side, but it still warms up a bit. If you remove the fly, you get lots of airflow but you lose privacy as most of the tent is mesh. Of course, if you're in the middle of the woods, then it doesn't matter. Also, I miss having 2 doors on a tent like the Limelight 3 has, but I usually am in the tent by myself, so it is not too big an issue. I didn't need a 3-person tent and knew the Limelight 2 only had one door when I got it. The last drawback I see is the color. When I got the tent, bright orange was the only color available. If I bought one now, I would probably get the green one. Thats just a personal preference though and not really a fault against the tent.
In the end, the tent has performed outstanding in my experience and I strongly urge you to consider it.
Overall a great tent
I bought the 2011 version of this tent during clearance and recently took this tent on a 5-night backing trip. This tent is pretty easy to get set up but I found that the poles slide out of the mounting rings too easily during setup, it was a bit frustrating but this is only an issue when you are setting up the tent alone. It seems that tents now feature floors that, in my opinion, are too thin. I am worried that a tiny sharp rock, some bramble, or a twig would easily puncture the floor and think that the footprint should be used in most any condition, so I guess it's nice that it's provided in the price. I do wish that the cords for staking the vestibule and the tent's opposite wall featured reflective fabric, they are a tripping hazard. The gear loft is pretty awesome and helps make up for the smaller internal pockets. I packed the tent into a compression sack and keep the poles inside my backpack but on other trips I used the included stuff sack which is too small/tight and requires meticulous care when packing the tent to make it fit back in, this is not ideal when you are trying to breakdown camp quickly and get back on the trail. The included stuff sack needs to be just a bit bigger or, even better, be a top loading design.
Bomber tent, for bargain basement price
I'm not a true minamalist, but I like to keep things simple. Honestly, when I saw this price, having loved my Marmot Trestles bags and Marmot Precip rain gear on previous trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, I was a major skeptic. For this price I get a gearloft and footprint? Well, its true folks. After I ruined my REI Hoodoo2 I bought this on sale for [$] and I was blown away. In 30-40mph gusts, it was rock solid and it rained 5 inches in 5 hours and nothing got wet. Period. No condensation yet, but it was colder than expected and so far I'm incredibly happy with this dome. Not a ton of space, but for 1 its great, for 2 its a safe haven. That's all I can ask out of a tent. The only con is the stakes. I bent one immediately and made some new words realizing that I didn't want to bring my MSR Needles seperately and I paid the price for it.Guyline it out and pray for rain. You should be safe in moderately severe weather in this at a hell of a price. Thanks REI and Marmot.
Good Value
For the price, its hard to beat: well-done bathtub floor, quiet zippers, footprint and attic included,a well-designed fly, and not too heavy. You are stuck with only one door (a bit of a pain for that nighttime pee) and a vestibule that will really only fit one person's gear, and with two people inside don't expect much wiggle room--two regular sleeping pads fit perfectly side by side, and there is adequate headroom to sit up. At 5'11, I have plenty of room for and aft.
That said, I've used this tent solo and with company in both summer weather and heavy snowfall, sleet, and rain. It remained sturdy under snow and moderate winds, and collects some condensation on the inside of the fly, but not the tent body itself(generous amounts of netting and a fly vent help). I have had some rain splash back up under the fly, though most is stopped by the cut of the floor.
If you're planning on just doing some car camping, crashing at the crag, and some weekend to week-long backpacking, this tent really is worth consideration.
That said, I've used this tent solo and with company in both summer weather and heavy snowfall, sleet, and rain. It remained sturdy under snow and moderate winds, and collects some condensation on the inside of the fly, but not the tent body itself(generous amounts of netting and a fly vent help). I have had some rain splash back up under the fly, though most is stopped by the cut of the floor.
If you're planning on just doing some car camping, crashing at the crag, and some weekend to week-long backpacking, this tent really is worth consideration.
Expect more from Marmot
Bought this for my two sons. We all have Marmot rain gear and have no complaints there so thought their tents would be of same quality. Sets up easy enough and love the pole clips over other designs. Also love the ability to use the footprint and fly without the tent. Main issue, as identified by other reviewers, is the combination of the mesh screen going so low on the tent, and the fly not going low enough to keep rain out. If you set the tent up at night when you cant see well and do not make sure the fly is even on both sides, and do not run stakes and lines to pull the fly out on the sides, then one side of the fly can be to high which will let in rain through the mesh. I am planning on returning it to REI this week for something better. I wish REI still sold Alps Mountaineering as my Alps tent has been on over 50 backpacking trips and campouts and has yet to fail me.
Great First Backpacking Tent
Needed a tent for backpacking with my son in Scouts. Considered Kelty Salida 2 and REI Half Dome, but chose the Limelight because I preferred it's design and the fact that the floor is included in the price. I use it as a tent for one, so the single door isn't an issue. If you need room for two, I'd suggest the Limelight 3.
It's really easy to set up. Fly is nice and taut so wind doesn't phase it. Marmot supplied 11 stakes for the tent and guy lines (I only use 6). This is a three season tent and the ventilation keeps it cool in warm weather. It's not designed to keep you warm in winter conditions.
Quality is very nice. I especially like the two prong clips that attach the tent to the poles. They look like they'll last as they're sewn across a longer piece of fabric than in other tents.
Only wish is for shorter pole sections to make it more compact for packing.
Highly Recommended!
It's really easy to set up. Fly is nice and taut so wind doesn't phase it. Marmot supplied 11 stakes for the tent and guy lines (I only use 6). This is a three season tent and the ventilation keeps it cool in warm weather. It's not designed to keep you warm in winter conditions.
Quality is very nice. I especially like the two prong clips that attach the tent to the poles. They look like they'll last as they're sewn across a longer piece of fabric than in other tents.
Only wish is for shorter pole sections to make it more compact for packing.
Highly Recommended!
Negative Reviews:
A basic tent that's not up to par
I found the design of this tent unacceptable and have moved on to something else. The problems I have with this tent are:
1. There is only 1 door to this design. For this price, at least include another door to the other side. With gear and possibly two people in the tent, two doors are a must have, which are included in cheaper REI-branded tents. Without another door, the other vestibule is pretty useless, though I guess you could walk around the tent and shove gear under the rainfly.
2. The interior storage pockets are tiny. Extra mesh could have been added easily with no weight gain, but it was left out just to be cheap. At minimal I like to store my headlamp, cell phone, and wrist watch in a interior pocket while I'm sleeping so I can easily get to them. The "attic loft" mesh could probably hold these items, but you have to sort of balance them and worry about them falling on you. REI brand tents have a bit more storage inside, so you can stow things like your stuff sacks for your sleeping bag, pad, and tent to stay organized. Forget having a spot for them in the Limelight.
3. Too much of the upper tent area is airy mesh and lacks the ability to seal it up. If you only camp in warm weather with ideal conditions, great. Otherwise I'd like a tent with two proper walls. The Limelight will breathe with so much mesh under the rainfly, I doubt you would ever feel any moisture inside your tent from respiration, but you would freeze in cool weather. The ability to adjust vents for venting humidity versus trying to keep in some body heat in the winter is a huge plus. This tent is wide open all the time, so you will have to rely on nothing but an extra warm sleeping bag. This is also the reason why two other reviewers have found that a lot of dust and sand can blow right into this tent.
4. The storage bag is not as well designed as others: there is no dust flap or compresion straps.
In conclusion, this tent has a nice shape, structure, and is built of good high quality materials, but remains a basic tent due to a few design flaws. Better tents can be found for cheaper.
1. There is only 1 door to this design. For this price, at least include another door to the other side. With gear and possibly two people in the tent, two doors are a must have, which are included in cheaper REI-branded tents. Without another door, the other vestibule is pretty useless, though I guess you could walk around the tent and shove gear under the rainfly.
2. The interior storage pockets are tiny. Extra mesh could have been added easily with no weight gain, but it was left out just to be cheap. At minimal I like to store my headlamp, cell phone, and wrist watch in a interior pocket while I'm sleeping so I can easily get to them. The "attic loft" mesh could probably hold these items, but you have to sort of balance them and worry about them falling on you. REI brand tents have a bit more storage inside, so you can stow things like your stuff sacks for your sleeping bag, pad, and tent to stay organized. Forget having a spot for them in the Limelight.
3. Too much of the upper tent area is airy mesh and lacks the ability to seal it up. If you only camp in warm weather with ideal conditions, great. Otherwise I'd like a tent with two proper walls. The Limelight will breathe with so much mesh under the rainfly, I doubt you would ever feel any moisture inside your tent from respiration, but you would freeze in cool weather. The ability to adjust vents for venting humidity versus trying to keep in some body heat in the winter is a huge plus. This tent is wide open all the time, so you will have to rely on nothing but an extra warm sleeping bag. This is also the reason why two other reviewers have found that a lot of dust and sand can blow right into this tent.
4. The storage bag is not as well designed as others: there is no dust flap or compresion straps.
In conclusion, this tent has a nice shape, structure, and is built of good high quality materials, but remains a basic tent due to a few design flaws. Better tents can be found for cheaper.
Limelight 2P
I always try to hold off on writing reviews on products until I feel I've used it enough to know all of the pros and cons. My wife and I registered for this tent for our wedding and used it this summer to hike just shy of six hundred miles on the Appalachian Trail.
The tent can be pitched in a minute or two without any problem. There is just enough space necessary to sleep, which worked great for us - when you're carrying more "space" you're carrying more weight. The pockets and the shelf seemed to be more than enough storage inside the tent for a long term hiking trip.
The kicker for this tent is the rain fly. No matter how well you center the tent it does not quite cover enough. There is no stopping it, if it rains you will get at least a little wet. Most of the nights on our trip it worked well, but after realizing that the rain fly was just a little too short, we found ourselves searching for a shelter to sleep in on the nights when we thought it was going to rain.
The tent has been nice, but knowing what I now know about the tent I would not want it again
The tent can be pitched in a minute or two without any problem. There is just enough space necessary to sleep, which worked great for us - when you're carrying more "space" you're carrying more weight. The pockets and the shelf seemed to be more than enough storage inside the tent for a long term hiking trip.
The kicker for this tent is the rain fly. No matter how well you center the tent it does not quite cover enough. There is no stopping it, if it rains you will get at least a little wet. Most of the nights on our trip it worked well, but after realizing that the rain fly was just a little too short, we found ourselves searching for a shelter to sleep in on the nights when we thought it was going to rain.
The tent has been nice, but knowing what I now know about the tent I would not want it again
Not good with windy/sandy conditions
I agree with JRBIV from Berkeley. In windy/dusty conditions, this thing leaks like a seive. This is due to a design flaw where they have placed a mesh panel very low on the shorter sides (width) of the tent. Even when the fly is correctly installed it barely covers these mesh panels, and there is enough of an air gap between the fly and tent that wind easily blows end-to-end through the tent depositing sand/silt/dust all over.
My first trip with this tent, I had it set up in a relatively sheltered area surrounded by trees. We experienced a number of days that were windy (though not especially so), and each night I would sweep up at least half a pound of sediment in my tent.
On the plus side, if you're not going to be using this in a sandy/dusty area, the tent is very easy to set up, very sturdy, and pretty comfortable with alot of headroom.
My first trip with this tent, I had it set up in a relatively sheltered area surrounded by trees. We experienced a number of days that were windy (though not especially so), and each night I would sweep up at least half a pound of sediment in my tent.
On the plus side, if you're not going to be using this in a sandy/dusty area, the tent is very easy to set up, very sturdy, and pretty comfortable with alot of headroom.
Neutral Reviews:
Mojave Desert tested, problematic design
I spent ten days in the Mojave Desert near the Granite Mountains as a part of the UC Santa Cruz Natural History Field Quarter and brought this tent as we were expecting highly variable weather conditions. The wind was very intense our first few days and after all day in the field, I returned to my tent and everything was covered in a not-so-thin layer of dust, even though I had the rain fly on and securely staked into the ground. Being in the desert, I expected some dirt and sand, but this was beyond reasonable. The lower mesh portions of the sides without a zipper cover were prime entry spots for dust driven by wind. This was a major inconvenience, especially while sleeping. Later in the week, we experienced rain (unusual for the desert) and when I returned to my tent, I was confronted with three inches of water which had pooled on only one side. This being said, the main defect I have found is that the rain fly doesn't extend down far enough on the ends of the tent, so if you experience any rain/wind combination (or dust for that matter), the water running off of the tent can be easily blown in. We even had snow which was not expected, but despite the fact that this is a 3-season tent, it did not collapse under the weight and was quite sturdy overall. I didn't have any condensation problems and it is well ventilated, but the design flaw with the side vents and rainfly were extremely problematic.
Not great for hosting...
I can't exactly give a very well rounded review of this performance of this tent because I didn't have it long enough to test it in the field. I was in the market for a decent 2 person tent and this really met all of my specs until it arrived in the mail and I was able to set it up. Perhaps my folly for not checking it out in person, but the major drawback for me was that the only door on this 2 person tent was on one side rather than at either end. A side door is no problem if there's one adjacent to it, but such was not the case with this tent meaning that when hosting one person would be essentially locked in for the night. That was enough for me to bring it on back to REI where I ultimately swapped it out for the Half Dome 2 Plus. A bit roomier for a big guy like me (6'4" was a bit much for the Limelight) and had doors on both sides giving all occupants the freedom to come and go without waking their tentmates mid slumber. Could be a great tent otherwise, but the single side door was a deal-breaker for me.
Just my two coppers...
Just my two coppers...
Fair weather tent
I purchased this tent for my 11 year old son to use on boy scout camping / overnight hiking trips. The tent can be split between two boys for a pack weight of about 2 1/2 pounds each. Its easy to set up but does leak in medium rain. The fain fly only covers the lower mesh on the ends of the tent by about 2 inches. If theres any wind with the rain it blows under the rain fly into the tent. Its a nice lightweitht tent for the price but I would only reccomend this tent for fair weather camping.
MUCH heavier than advertised weight
The Limelight 2 is MUCH heavier than advertised, it is about 6 pounds packaged weight, not the 5 pounds that Marmot/REI says. This was quite disappointing, as I was hoping to shave a pound or more off of my older half-dome 2 tent.
However, it is important to note that the weight does include the footprint, which offsets the weight totals.
Others say more about its functionality, but I wanted any potential buyers to know about the actual weight as that is very important to most backpacking campers.
However, it is important to note that the weight does include the footprint, which offsets the weight totals.
Others say more about its functionality, but I wanted any potential buyers to know about the actual weight as that is very important to most backpacking campers.
Specs aren't always correct
I ordered the Limelight 2 because the specs said that the pack size was 7"x18" and it would fit nicely in the motorcycle hard bags. This is WRONG. The aluminum poles are 20.5" long! Otherwise, the tent works well...except for the fly. It's not designed well. 3 Stars for the incorrect specs.
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