Updated 08/07/2025

The REI Flash Air 1 tent is a good option for those looking for a lightweight one-person tent that doesn’t break the bank.

The Flash Air 1 is a single-wall, non-freestanding tent, which means that the mesh and outer walls are constructed in one layer instead of having a mesh inner tent body and a separate rainfly, and it requires staking all corners of the tent to create the structure. 

Specs

• size: The tent floor is 88” long, 35” wide at the head end, tapering to 27” at the foot end. The peak height is 42”.
• weight: The minimum trail weight with the tent body, support pole, 6 stakes and stuff sacks is 2 pounds 2 ounces. The support pole is included, but you can use a trekking pole instead to save 2.2 ounces.
• fabric: The tent rainfly and body are constructed using 20 denier silicone-coated nylon.
• price: At the full price of $299, the Flash Air 1 is a (somewhat) affordable option for a lightweight backpacking tent. Watch for frequent REI sales and member discounts, which can lower the cost significantly.

What I like about the Flash Air 1 tent

Interior space: The short poles on the back wall raise the walls and greatly increase the interior space. Compared to other one-person tents, the Flash Air 1 is spacious and allows me to store my backpack and other gear inside the tent while using a full length sleeping pad. 

Vestibule space: With the doors closed, there is a generous amount of space to place gear… more than in most tents. I keep my backpacking chair in the vestibule to store gear off the ground.

Fabric: This tent is made of silicone-coated nylon, which has both pros and cons. With a high strength-to-weight ratio, and very good abrasion resistance, nylon is the most common fabric used for tents. However, nylon is also known to absorb water and has a tendency sag when wet. During rainy weather, adjusting the guylines can mitigate the sagging, and laying out the tent to dry before packing up can help reduce water weight. I tend to like nylon for its light weight and overall strength, and haven’t found sagging to be much of an issue.

Open for views: Both doors can be opened for views and ventilation by adding  a guyline to the apex of the tent. This goes a long way in making the tent feel less claustrophobic than tents where opening up the sides is not possible.

Door zipper: Since the door is held taut by the pole, the zipper can be opened and closed with one hand. It may seem like a simple thing, but it’s quite nice to not need to use both hands to operate the zipper.

Pockets: A tapered pocket is located next to the door, convenient for storing a phone, headlamp and other small items.

Ventilation options: The Flash Air 1 has several features that increase airflow and help to mitigate condensation: a vent at the top of the door, and mesh sewn around the perimeter of the rainfly. For increased ventilation, unzip the rainfly door halfway and connect the corner loop to a toggle under the door. While camping at the Oregon Coast for two nights, the inside of the tent developed quite a bit of condensation, but none of it dripped onto my gear or sleeping bag and instead rolled down the wall and exited via the mesh sewn between the rainfly and tent floor.

Cons

• heavier than ultralight 1 person tents
• single wall design can lead to condensation on the inside of the tent
• short end poles are difficult to remove once inserted (I leave them in and roll up the tent with them in place)

Setup

For those accustomed to setting up freestanding tents, a trekking pole supported tent does take some getting used to. But once you understand how to stake it and adjust the guylines, it goes up quickly. I’m currently working on a video to show the setup, coming soon.

Here’s how to set it up:

• I use a piece of Polycro plastic for a footprint to save weight, but you can purchase a footprint made for the Flash Air. 
• I lay out the footprint on the ground and check to see if it looks flat, then place the tent body on the footprint. 
• Fold in the blue rainfly so  the yellow floor is in a rectangular shape.
• Insert the two short poles into the back corners.
• Stake the four corners of the tent in the direction of the seams of the blue fabric.
• Place the flat end of the long support pole in the pole pocket at the peak of the door, then insert the other end into the grommet at the base of the tent.
• Zip the door shut and stake the vestibule.
• Locate the cords at the corners of the blue rainfly and connect them to the same stakes as the floor.
• Stake the guyline on the back of the tent.
• Adjust all guylines so the tent walls are taut.
• Adjust stake placements if needed.

Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

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