The MEC Spark 2.0 2-Person is a lightweight, three-season tent that’s designed with backpacking in mind. It didn’t take long to feel confident setting it up and crawling inside at the end of the day. After spending some time with it in the backcountry, I came away genuinely impressed.
Disclaimer: Mountain Equipment Company provided the MEC Spark 2.0 2-Person Tent for this review. They had no editorial control over the content, and all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to MEC for supporting my adventures!
Over the past year, I’ve had the chance to test out the MEC Spark 2.0 on a few camping trips, both frontcountry and backcountry, and in everything from sunshine to high winds and steady rain. There’s a lot to like here, along with a few things that could be better. Keep reading and I’ll break it all down.
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About Mountain Equipment Company (MEC)
If you’re Canadian, you’ve almost certainly heard of Mountain Equipment Co-op, now Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) after the buyout a few years back. That shift was a big deal for a lot of us. Many people have had their MEC co-op cards longer than those dead AA batteries sitting in the junk drawer. I still have mine. The card, not the batteries… okay, fine, probably the batteries too.
Shop now: Check out the updated MEC Spark UL 2-Person Tent.
Despite the change, MEC has remained one of Canada’s most trusted outdoor brands, and in some ways, they’re getting better. They’re known for designing reliable and reasonably affordable gear that’s made for getting outside in Canada. From mountain trips to paddling adventures and everything in between, MEC gear tends to prioritize durability and value over flash. They’re not just an add-on brand either. They make some genuinely solid essentials (my MEC Talon sleeping bag is still a favourite). In my humble opinion, the MEC Spark 2.0 tent fits squarely into that philosophy: simple, functional, and designed for real backcountry use.
MEC Spark 2.0 2-Person Tent — Overview
The MEC Spark 2.0 is a lightweight and freestanding backpacking tent, designed for three-season use. It’s clearly built with hikers in mind, striking a nice balance between weight, livability, and cost without skimping on weather protection. Overall, I really like the design, especially the two doors and two vestibules. Having separate entry points makes a big difference at camp, and there’s plenty of space to stash packs overnight without having to climb over your tentmate for a midnight tinkle.
This is a great option for one or two backpackers, though two people might feel a bit snug if you’re a couple of broad-shouldered dudes. I especially enjoyed using it as a solo shelter. Compared to my MSR one-person tent, it felt damn luxurious. It’s not the absolute lightest tent out there (if you’re counting grams), but if you’re looking for a solid option that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, the Spark 2.0 is an easy one to suggest.
Let’s dive into a few more details.
MEC Spark 2.0 Tent — Gear Test
As mentioned, I had the chance to use the MEC Spark 2.0 in a range of conditions over the past year, on both frontcountry and backcountry trips. I pitched it in open campsites as well as more exposed and uneven terrain, which gave me a fair sense of how it handles different conditions. I felt confident in how it performed when conditions weren’t totally ideal.
Setup & Pitch
From the very first setup, I was impressed by how intuitive the design is. You’ll find colour-matching on the tent and fly corners, along with the hub pole system, making everything quick and straightforward. The freestanding design is helpful on uneven ground, or in areas where perfect sites are hard to come by. With the colour-coded poles and clips, the whole tent goes up in just a few minutes, which is exactly what you want at the end of a long day.
Read next: 11 Top Backpacking Trips in Canada For Your List
Interior Space & Comfort
To be honest, I haven’t used many two-person tents lately, so direct comparisons are a bit limited. That said, coming from my MSR Hubba 1-Person, the Spark 2.0 felt like I suddenly had all the space in the world. It’s very comfortable, and I never felt cramped while using it solo. If I were sharing with a friend, I’d probably lean toward a three-person and happily carry the extra pound (but that’s more about personal preference than a flaw here). As a solo backpacker, though, the extra room felt pretty damn luxurious (pretty much The Ritz), especially on longer trips or during stretches of crummy weather when you end up spending more time inside the tent.
Weather Performance
The Spark 2.0 handled rain without any issues, staying dry through an overnight downpour with no leaks or pooling. The 30-denier polyester ripstop fly, coated with an ether-type polyurethane and rated to 3000 mm waterproofness, did its job well and held its shape even in sustained rain. Ventilation is solid for a tent in this category, and propping the vents open helped keep condensation in check. While it’s not designed for extreme mountain conditions, it performs well in typical three-season weather. I was especially impressed by how well it stood up to strong winds along the shoreline in Cape Breton. It stayed planted and stable, even without using the guy lines, which definitely gave me some extra confidence.
Packability & Weight
With a packed weight of 1.75 kg (or 3.86 lb) and a compact 46 × 11 cm packed size, the Spark 2.0 fits neatly into a backpack or easily split between a couple of packs. Shared between two hikers, the weight feels very manageable on longer trips and multi-day routes where every gram starts to matter (but really, it was no issue to carry myself).
Read next: Your Complete Guide to Hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park
Pros & Cons — MEC Spark 2.0 Tent
Here are a few pros to highlight:
- The Spark 2.0 is quick and easy to set up, which I always appreciate after a long day on the trail.
- It packs down nicely for a two-person tent and rolls up smaller than you might expect, so it doesn’t take over your pack.
- I’m also a fan of the dual doors and vestibules, which just make camp life easier.
- The balance between weight, interior space, and durability feels right, especially for the price.
- One small but surprisingly useful detail was the tent pole splint. I actually used it to fix one of my hiking poles on trail, and having it tucked right into the carry pack came in handy.
Here are a few potential cons for your consideration:
- This isn’t an ultralight tent, so if you’re counting every last gram, it may not be the best fit.
- Headroom is fine, but a bit more limited compared to some higher-end tents, and it’s clearly designed for three-season use only.
- The plastic construction on the tent pole hub held up without issue for me, but I could see it being a weak point in rougher conditions or over long-term, heavy use.
- I also wish a ground sheet was included, rather than having to buy it separately.
Who Is the MEC Spark 2.0 For?
The MEC Spark 2.0 is a great fit for beginner to intermediate backpackers, couples or friends sharing a tent (might be a tight fit!), and solo hikers who just want a bit more room to spread out at camp (like me). This tent is especially appealing if you’re looking for a dependable, well-built option without spending a fortune. While it’s more expensive than a more casual option (like a Coleman tent, for example), it’s worth spending the dollars to stay warm, dry, and comfortable in the backcountry.
Read next: Your Complete Guide to the Fundy Footpath in New Brunswick
Final Thoughts
Overall, the MEC Spark 2.0 is a solid tent that does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It’s easy to set up, holds its own in the weather, and offers a comfortable amount of space. It’s a more affordable choice than some of the high-end ultralight options, and that’s kind of the point. If you want a dependable three-season tent, the Spark 2.0 is an easy one to recommend.
Have you used the MEC Spark 2.0 on a trip? I’d love to hear how it’s held up for you. Let me know your experience in the comments below.
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
