River Country Trekker Tent 2V Review

Bottom Line

The River Country Trekker Tent 2V is a diamond in the *Walmart rough: it is reasonably lightweight, has ample room for two people, has an easy setup compared to other trekking pole tents, AND it is the most affordable tent on our guide to the best budget tents. 

Typically, there is a trade-off between cost and performance, but the Trekker Tent 2V outperformed more expensive tents in our lineup. While testing this tent on backpacking trips in Utah and Arizona, we found we could easily fit two people, including one over 6 feet tall, dogs, and gear inside. We love that the trekking pole design saves weight and space, but that the A-Frame pitch is easy for beginners. The fabric feels thick and durable; we did not worry about the lack of a footprint. 

That said, we did notice some dampness inside the rain fly during our weather-resistance test, so this may not be the best choice for those who spend a lot of time in wet weather. However, it is hard to beat the price, given that almost everything about this tent is a positive experience.

Comfort

Unlike many “alleged” two-person tents, the River Country Trekker Tent 2V easily accommodates two adults with extra room for gear. The 7-foot length means that even the tallest adult can comfortably stretch out on their sleeping pad at night.

We also love that the 4 feet of headroom at the front of the tent is one of the most spacious in our lineup. The trapezoid floor shape is also a huge plus in our book because it saves weight and space at the foot box while still providing ample elbow room when sharing this tent with a partner. 

One of the most impressive comfort features is the ability to fit not only two people but also two dogs in this tent. Many tents marketed for two people are incredibly cramped, but when we tested this one in Utah, we were able to comfortably fit two adults, a 65-lb German Shepherd, and a 10-lb terrier. The vestibule provided a valid option for storing gear out of the weather, or it could be stored in the tent for those who do not have dogs. 

Other features to note include the single storage pocket and the front entry door. We love this pocket, but wish that there were one on both sides of the tent. Likewise, a front entry door is typically a bit more cumbersome to use. However, we found the design with a zipper down the middle much easier to use with two people than some of the other designs we have tested. At the end of the day, despite a few pitfalls, we found this to be one of our new favorite tents, especially when the price is taken into consideration.

Weather Resistance

The A-Frame design of the River Country Trekker 2V is relatively weather-resistant, but the fabric is not as waterproof as most higher-quality tents. We have been lucky to use the Trekker 2V tent in good weather for the most part, particularly in Utah and Arizona. 

During a trip to Petrified Forest National Park, we did have some wind while pitched out in the badlands of the Painted Desert. We experienced some flapping, but did not have any issues with the tent collapsing or feeling unstable.

The Trekker 2V tent features a single- and double-wall design, which helps save weight by reducing the amount of fabric needed. We were initially worried about how well the fly would prevent moisture from entering the tent, particularly at the vestibule and along the edges near the mesh. However, after using the tent, we feel the coverage is quite good. 

Because we did not get rained on at all during testing, we used a hose to spray this tent to check the quality of the seams and fabric. We immediately noticed that the fabric felt a bit damp on the inside of the fly, which has not been the case for other tents in our lineup. This is likely due to the use of lower-quality fabrics and waterproofing materials. 

That said, a pool of water formed around the bottom of the tent, and the inside stayed nice and dry, so it appears the waterproofing is better for the bathtub. Overall, there is a bit of a tradeoff here between quality and performance due to price, but for those who recreate in dry climates or wait for clear weather to camp, it may be worth it.

Durability

The River Country Trekker Tent 2V is surprisingly durable; it is immediately noticeable how much thicker the fabric is compared to ultralight backpacking tents. 

The PU-coated polyester canopy and waterproof-coated Oxford taffeta floor feel thick and sturdy when held, and we felt very confident pitching this tent without a footprint. Likewise, the zippers are much more robust than anything found on our ultralight models. This means that they should hopefully last longer, mitigating a major pain point we have experienced with tent longevity. Though the latches and guyline tensioners are all made out of plastic, it is quite thick and feels as though it would be difficult to break. 

One thing we really like about the Trekker 2V tent is the cover over the grommet hole where the trekking pole holds up the front of the tent. This helps to protect the rain fly from wear and tear from rubbing on the tip of the pole. That said, River Country does warn that this area may require additional seam sealing over time as it is a higher-stress area.

Portability

Considering the price point, the River Country Trekker Tent 2V provides a good balance of packability and weight. River Country claims that this tent weighs 3 lbs and 7 ounces with the included stakes, and this is almost exactly what it weighed on our scale as well. Gram weenies may take offense, but to us, weighing about a pound more than most ultralight freestanding tents seems like a pretty reasonable trade-off when it costs hundreds of dollars less. This is even more true when that weight is split between two people. 

In addition to weight, we also looked at how easy this tent was to fit in a backpack. We compared the packed dimensions to the packed dimensions of other tents in our lineup, as well as our experience in the field. We found that due to the cheaper materials, the Trekker 2V tent does not pack down as well. It has a large packed size in the included storage bag. That said, we were still able to fit it in the outer pocket of a backpack easily and appreciate that the trekking pole design minimizes the need to carry dedicated structural poles.

Ease of Use

The River Country Trekker Tent 2V is a beginner-friendly option compared to many non-freestanding trekking pole tents and is relatively easy to use. We love that this tent comes with a little card showing how to set it up and a QR code that links to a step-by-step video. The A-frame design with grommets for the trekking poles is much easier to pitch correctly than many other trekking pole designs on the market, which require special attention to angles and fabric distribution. It is easy to stake out the four corners, then use trekking poles to raise it up. We love that this is a great introduction to trekking poles for beginners or a low-stress setup for veterans alike.

That said, there are a few areas that could be improved. We found the fly to require slightly more attention. It takes a little practice to figure out where to attach all the corners to the main tent. Also, the front trekking pole needs to be staked at the correct distance from the tent, otherwise it is impossible to attach the front of the rainfly. We are not wild about the tensioners for the guylines either and prefer using our own knots to get the job done. There are enough moving parts that it does take a few minutes to set up. It took our tester about five and a half minutes on their own, though it is faster with a partner. Overall, we really like the Trekker 2V as a beginner-friendly trekking pole tent.

Should You Buy the River Country Trekker 2V Tent?

We love the River Country Trekker Tent 2V for beginner and experienced backpackers alike, particularly when budget is the primary concern. This was by far the most affordable tent we have ever tested, and we were blown away by how well it performed. It is quite spacious and easy to use compared to other trekking pole tents. All of these features make it a good choice for first-time backpackers who do not want to invest a lot of money in their setup just yet or anyone who is on a budget. 

Even experienced backpackers will find that this tent performs better than some more expensive ultralight options on the market. That said, those who spend a lot of time in rainy environments or are very focused on weight may want to look into a different tent.

What Other Budget Tents Should You Consider?

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Review: One of our top performers, the Lunar Duo is a similar weight as the Trekker 2V tent. We love that it has two doors and easily fits two people plus gear.

Clostnature Polaris 2 Review: If budget and a freestanding design are a priority, the Polaris 2 is an alternative to the Trekker Tent 2V. 

Naturehike CloudUp 2 Review: The CloudUp 2 is a great option for those who want a tent with a similar weight to the Trekker 2V but with a freestanding design.