REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy

Comments about REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy:

I got my Quarter Dome in 2004. I've used this tent 4 to 5 times every year since and have never been disappointed in it's performance. I hike the Washington coast and the Olympic rain forest. This tent has seen many rain storms and rarely does a single drop make it into my tent. Condensation has never been an issue.
I like this early version of the quarter dome because of the sleeves. I'm not a fan of the T1,T2,T3 series because of the clips. With the sleeve version, you can pitch and stow the tent with the rainfly attached. This is great when pitching the tent in the rain.

Comments about REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy:

OK, so I checked "comfort driven" because you can only choose one, but I am super weight and packability conscious. I believe modern gear can achieve both, and at a reasonable price. I am not sure why this 2012 tent was listed as a "special purchase" on the outlet website, but with an additional coupon to boot, I am not arguing.

It is light, simple, fits two average size folks (although with less head and foot room than, say,a hubba-hubba). I wanted it for solo comfort and dual user versatility. I needed mesh walls, not wall-less trekking pole set-up (seriously, it's one pound more, and I can always pick up a cheap tarp to go that route), as well as two doors and vestibules.

The rainfly is made of top-notch waterproof, durable material, and I like the option to raise the fly walls half-way when not needed at thetime. The poles are also the same material as tents costing more than double the price.

I did not purchase the foot print, as it is disproportionately heavy for its purpose. I have only used it once so far, without any ground protection, in the rain and there was no leakage.

My only design gripe would be the lack of an extra transverse mini-cross pole to extend the upper walls wider, so that any rainwater would not drip down onto the tent when opening the fly zippers.

Overall, REI has done a great job with getting high marks in durability, design, weight, quality, versatility, ease of use, and COST.

Comments about REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy:

Great product for the price!

Comments about REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy:

I received this tent while in Boyscouts in 1997. It has been everywhere with me. I am out a lot, mostly backpacking, kayak camping, and some bike camping. I use my tent on maybe 12-18 trips per year. I take great care of it and it has take great care of me. On this model I make sure to point the roof vent down wind to prevent wind driven rain from being blown it. Other then that it works very well.
I finally have worn out the first and purchased a new one after 15+ years of above average use.

Comments about REI Quarter Dome UL Tent - 2012 Special Buy:

Upon purchase of my first REI Quarter Dome UL from REI in/or around 2007 it quickly became my favorite tent of all time. I have used on numerous weekenders, week + long backpacking trips and it has been home for two week wildland fire assigments. Tent is light, easy/quick to pitch with the dead end pole sleeves and has kept me dry in some pretty intense storms. Used in winds up to 30 mph but cannot say how would perform in higher winds. Possibly a bit tight for two but I use as a solo and as such provides me and gear plenty of room. Dual entry/dual vestibule and roof vent provides ventilation but still retains heat for some four season use in moderate climates. Found it a while back on REI Outlet and bought a second one. Not sure why this tent had to be "redesigned". Good news is it keeps popping up on REI Outlet. If looking for a light weight but high quality and functional backpacking/lightweight shelter this tent is hard to beat. Wish they would still make the foot print available.