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REI Chrysalis UL Tent

REI Chrysalis UL Tent

Item # 731428
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This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

Solo backpacking no longer means you need to suffer carrying a lot of extra weight or being cooped up in a small bivy sack.

  • The ultralight, freestanding REI® Chrysalis uses ultra-lightweight, silicone-coated nylon fabrics and lightweight aluminum poles
  • Single door has a vestibule that doesn't skimp on space for gear storage
  • Lightweight nylon ripstop rainfly offers durability and weight savings; silicone treatment gives long-lasting weatherproofness
  • Strategically placed vestibule roof vent allows excellent airflow to prevent condensation; can be accessed while sitting inside the tent
  • No-see-um mesh panels and no-see-um mesh door allow cross-ventilation, preventing condensation
  • All in one hub-pole system is easy to use; DAC SL Featherlite® poles save weight
  • Color-coded rainfly corners allow easy orientation of rainfly on tent for fast, easy setup
  • Leak-proof rainfly construction ensures that water won't sneak through susceptible areas such as guyout points and zippers
  • Main zipper flap is stiffened with polyurethane which makes it more leak-proof and prevents snagging
  • Attention to detail shows in the reflective guy points and zipper pulls, and adjustable REI Cleat Lock tie-downs on vestibules
  • Comes with guylines and tighteners, stakes, pole repair tube, pole and stake bags, and tapered, easy-to-stuff compression stuff sack
  • Average minimum weight specification is based on tent, rainfly and poles only

Imported.

Item 731428

REI Chrysalis UL Tent Specs

Specification

Description

Season3-season
Design typeFreestanding tent
Sleeping capacity1
Average minimum weight3 pounds
Average packaged weight3 lbs. 8 oz.
Average weight - metric1.59 kilogram
Floor dimensions81 x 34 inches
Floor dimensions - metric206 x 86 centimeters
Floor area20 square feet
Vestibule area4 square feet
Peak height37 inches
Peak height - metric94 centimeters
Doors1
Canopy fabricNylon ripstop
Floor fabricCoated nylon
Rainfly fabricCoated nylon ripstop
Number of poles1 hub/pole system
Pole materialAluminum DAC SL Featherlite
Pole diameter8.8 millimeters
Packed size6 x 20 inches

REI Chrysalis UL Tent Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
REI Chrysalis UL Tent
 
4.4

(based on 25 reviews)

96%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (24)
  • Easy to set up (23)
  • Fly works well (21)
  • Comfortable (19)
  • Sturdy (19)

Cons

  • Too cramped (5)

Best Uses

  • Backpacking (23)
  • Hiking (12)
  • Mountaineering (9)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (16), Casual adventurer (8)
  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Minimalist (3)

Reviewed by 25 customers

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Oct

13

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

Great Shelter, Especially In Rain

By A.T. Hiker Matt

from Athens, GA

About Me Professional Guide

Site Member

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to set up
  • Fly Works Well
  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Too Cramped

Best Uses

  • Backpacking
  • Hiking

Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

I used the REI Chrysalis during my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail in 2007. I loved it. It's easy to set up: the poles are all attached; the tent and rain fly have color-coordinated straps that remind you the correct way of setting up the tent; and it's freestanding, so you can move it after the tent is hooked up to the poles if you need to find just the right angle with the ground. Also, because it's freestanding, you can pick it up and hold it upright to shake out any dirt in the morning as you are breaking down camp. The vent at the top of the rainfly prevents condesation from forming inside the tent when used properly (VERY easy -- all you have to do is open the vent and open the top of the rainfly a little to get airflow coming through). I spent between 20 and 30 nights camped out in the rain throughout my thru-hike and did NOT ONCE have water leak into my tent, and I didn't seam seal it or use any of that stuff. I felt very, very safe when inside of it. It is also very easy to pack and dries out fast. The only complaint I can think of is that it is small, although it IS a one-man tent, and has more room than any one-man tent I looked at when I was shopping for tents back in March (I looked at probably half a dozen one man tents). Another thing I liked about it -- the vestibule is real nice, plenty of room to put your pack under it.

Tip for anybody who purchases this tent: get rid of the tent stuff sack and just roll up the tent and rainfly and stuff it down in your pack. Stash the stakes in an outside pocket and strap the poles to the side of your pack.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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Sep

23

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

good tent, but small

By joel the scout

from Dunbarton, NH

About Me Avid Adventurer

Pros

  • Easy to set up
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Poor Fly Design
  • Too Cramped
  • to short

Best Uses

  • Backpacking
  • Hiking
  • Mountaineering

Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

This tent is good although, i am 5'8", and i didn't even fit in it. So i would recomend not using it if you are over 5'5".

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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Sep

20

2007

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Buy This Tent

By Joseph

from The Mountains of Utah

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Easy to set up
  • Fly Works Well
  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Beach
    • Car Camping
    • Hiking

    Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

    I have used this tent for almost two years, and in a wide variety of conditions. It is a fantastic tent for the price. The outing in which this tent most impressed me was last year when I (and some others) went on a late season trip to our local mountains. We were expecting some snow, but ended up with a foot and big drifts. In the morning my tent was standing strong, but another guy with a two person dome had seriously bent poles. It is well built, and solid. There could be more mesh on the inside for less condensation, but it does well overall. It also has considerable room for the weight. Plenty of vestibule space. Also, this tent does really well in the wind (just point either end into the direction of the wind). In short, if you need a one man tent for 3.5 season use, get this . . . you won't be disappointed.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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    Sep

    15

    2007

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    I used this at Philmont

    By Indy Bruce

    from Indianapolis, IN

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Comfortable
    • Easy to set up
    • Fly Works Well
    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Too Cramped

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking

    Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

    I used this at Philmont for a week. Any one man tent is to small but this one worked great. Once I set the tent up and learned the poles it went up about as fast as any tent. No maintenace issues and held up in rain, hail, and wind. I would take it again.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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    Nov

    18

    2007

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Small? Hard to set up? NOT!

    By Tumblemark

    from SoCal

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Pros

    • Easy to set up
    • Fly Works Well
    • Lightweight
    • Sensible internal space
    • Wind resistant

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • Mountaineering

      Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

      Easy to set up--it has only one shock-corded pole that pops into place just by shaking it. My 5-year old daughter said "It sets itself up!" She managed in two minutes (in my living room) with the only instruction being to go ahead and flex the poles to make them fit into the four eyelets. After that, clips make for quick work.

      Small? No, it accepts a full size (76 x 25.5 inch) Therma-Leak pad without folding; easily fits me and I'm 6' 1". Most soloists would use narrower pads except on snow. The two triangular spaces remaining are usefully sized and sensibly at the head end, and the vestibule is roomy, especially for a solo tent. The side walls are steep, so the space is very habitable, even at the foot, and I'll bet it won't collect wet snow on top.

      The weight is amazing for a free-standing tent. Mine is lighter than 3 lb. With a trimmed Tyvek ground cloth and four pegs it still packs under 3.5 lb. It sets up tightly with the four fly guy lines only. In 30 MPH winds it shook occasionally, but didn't flap.

      Requests? I'd want all the fly guys to be cord locking like the front one and to use thin Spectra string (like I've substituted) instead of fuzzy nylon that stretches when wet. Also, an orange tent is easier to find in a whiteout (and looks cooler in photos, too).

      Great tent! Be nice to it.

      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Minimalist

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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      Oct

      1

      2007

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      Worth the extra weight!

      By Shaved Legs

      from Concord, NC

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Comfortable
      • Easy to set up
      • Fly Works Well
      • Lightweight
      • Sturdy

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Hiking

        Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

        When I was looking for a solo tent, I originally looked at the Hubba and another by mountain hardware. Needless to say that the mh tent was not at all what they claimed it to be. The hubba was a bit pricey for my wallet at the time. The Chrysalis was considerably cheaper and just a bit heavier. It withstood a pounding rain in the Linville George and high winds. Set-up is a bit difficult at first with the hub system if you are not used to it afterwards though it is a breeze and the optional minimal shelter with the footprint is equally simple. Mesh up-top and towards the rear of the tent keep it at the right temperature as well. For much less money and a bit more weight it has been an excellent tent.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        24

        2007

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        warm and sturdy, great for the price

        By BackcountryM

        from Portland, OR

        About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Easy to set up
        • Lightweight
        • Sturdy
        • Warm

        Cons

        • Poor Fly Design

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Mountaineering

        Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

        A sturdy little freestanding tent. A very good buy for the price.
        Very easy to set up, reasonably light
        I have last year's model and it takes some tinkering to ensure fly is taut and held away from inner tent. This applies especially to the vestibule which tends to flap noisily in wind, and also the foot of the tent
        Seems warmer than some other lightweight designs maybe because inner tent is mostly solid fabric rather than mesh -- have used it snow camping several times
        Asymmetrical design means one side of tent is longer than the other -- not so great for tall people, or short people who roll over to the short side of the tent during the night.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        13

        2007

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Great tent for the price

        By go outside

        from Moline, IL

        About Me Avid Recreationalist

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Easy to set up
        • Fly Works Well
        • Lightweight
        • Sturdy

        Cons

        • Low Ventilation

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Hiking

        Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

        Overall the tent is a great sturdy easy to set up and get into tent. The vestibule size is comparible to most. One great thing is the extra room around your head. The design of the tent is unique in that it widens near the head leaving extra room in the front of the tent for you to shed clothing if you get too warm at night or a space to leave a small bag (or whatever you want). The only downside is that there is not a lot of ventilation.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        12

        2007

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Great single man backpacking test

        By Scoutmaster Juan

        from Claremont, CA

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Easy to set up
        • Fly Works Well
        • Lightweight
        • Sturdy

        Cons

        • Small vestibule area

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking

        Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

        This is a great single man backpacking tent. This tent traveled with me to New Mexico during monsoon season and withstood 10 days of downpours and thunderstorms without any leaks. At 6-0 and 220 lbs the name of the tent very much represents how much room you'll have. If you're taller than 6-0 you might want to look at alternatives. The vestibule is a bit small for my taste, but it was enough room to keep boots and other gear dry.

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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        Sep

        8

        2007

        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Excellent Solo Tent

        By Mary the Mountain Goat

        from Boulder,Colorado

        About Me Avid Adventurer

        Site Member

        Pros

        • Comfortable
        • Extremely lightweight
        • Fly Works Well
        • Plenty spacious for one
        • Sturdy
        • This tent is easy to set

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Mountaineering

          Comments about REI Chrysalis UL Tent:

          This is a great tent for solo backpacking. I have used it in desert windstorms and at 12,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. It is very sturdy and weatherproof. Superlight in weight and fast to set up. Great for 3 season protection!

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

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