How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Completely redesigned with new architecture and lightweight, rugged materials, the REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2 tent is is an easy-to-live-in 2-person backpacking tent that's sturdy enough for 3 seasons.
Shop newer versionImported.
View the REI Co-op Quarter Dome Product LineView all REI Co-op Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 3 lbs. 5 oz. |
Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 2 lbs. 4.8 oz. |
Packaged Weight | 3 lbs. 12 oz. |
Packed Size | 7 x 18.5 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 88 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 28.7 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 21.5 square feet |
Peak Height | 42 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 1 hubbed poleset |
Pole Material | Aluminum |
Pole Diameter | Unavailable |
Canopy Fabric | Nylon |
Floor Fabric | Nylon |
Rainfly Fabric | Nylon |
Footprint Included | No |
Ultralight | Yes |
Design Type | Freestanding |
Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
The photos below are my first outdoor test setup. (with wind gusts of 14-21 mph) Good; - light - Includes 9 "V" style stakes - Rainfly Gray - Can squeeze in 2 men or a comfortably fit a man and a woman - Vestibule can hold a 75L bag without touching rainfly OR impede the doorways Bad; - Didn't include a 10th stake, (meaning you can't utilize the 2nd factory installed guy lines) - Quality of seam in corners, ( 2 of 4 corners already have wear <see photo>, The stitching in the corners are too close to the edge. This is a major problem; Keep in mind this is most likely a manufacturing defect.) - Tent poles are quite silly, ( They are ALL connected with pole cable. There are two ways to put it away; A} keep the "rings" on the ends of the poles, which stretches out the cable faster. <or> B} Leave it connected to one of the poles, but it can be awkward to roll/ put in the bag.)
I purchased the QD2 today, so this review is limited to my first impression of setting it up. I like it! Being able to secure the corners first, then the remaining four other attachment points, made setup easy and fast. Much easier and faster than the QDT2 that I purchased in 2010. I'm 6'5" tall so I did get in the tent to check out the room I had, I liked that too. I'm really looking forward to backpacking with this tent. Based on other reviews found here I do plan to be careful when setting it up and breaking it down... It did help that I watched the setup video before purchasing - that made my first setup with this tent much easier. Thanks REI for another great backpacking tool :).
I know that gear isn't really made to last these days, but I hope for better from REI. This tent's zippers no longer stay zipped, or remain lined up when completely zipped (they get uneven, then bulge up at the end of the zip). It's been about 5 years, so I guess that's the lifespan of tents these days??? I was hoping to have this tent for many years, so I'm super bummed to have to replace it (FYI it costs $22-35 per foot to have zippers replaced at Rainy Pass).
super easy to set up. plenty of room for the wife and I with gear stored on the outside. kept us warm and held up well in 20kts wind and 40 wind chill (burr)... However, after only one use there are two spots where the mesh is wearing and already one hole. just bought so will see if I can return - will let you know...
Overall this is a great tent! Used this tent for the first time during a torrential downpour and greatly appreciated the easy setup. Extremely comfortable for one with plenty of room to move around. The only flaw I found was that it only comes with 9 stakes, instead of 10 that are needed. Read about this in other reviews, and do not understand why one stake would be left out. The one stake I was missing allowed the rain fly to touch the tent, therefore my feet got wet from the condensation at night. To use the guy lines you need to purchase 3 additional stakes. REI how about including 4 more stakes from the get go?
This is a very nice tent. Great for motorcycle camping. Roomy, considering it's compact, lightweight and the stowed dimensions are reasonable. I have used this tent on several trips. It's roomy enough for me (6'-0") and my gear inside (including helmet and two bags). The sheltered vestibule is a good place to keep a full size pair of boots. It has been pretty dry for me. Slept one night in medium rain and heavy wind. No issues. See photo of stowed tent on side of bike. The tent comes with a nice sack but I also place it in a thick outer bag for extra chafe protection while it's strapped to the left pannier.
Picked this tent up last week. Very light and impressed with the amount of detail REI has put in to this tent. I wish there was a more durable zipper system, but that was compromised for the weight. It does seem to sway in the breeze alittle. But so far i am loving this tent. Coming from a half dome 2+, this is defiantly an upgrade.
This tent has been amazing over the years. Have had it over 7 years. Did the JMT with it and numerous shorter trips as well as 400 miles on PCT. Shock cord, eventually they get stretched out. Mine took 6 years and a bunch of use. Buy new cord on line watch the video and replace it
Tent was great but the elastic that held the poles together lost all elasticity after 4 years. I was able to tighten it up on my own a few times and made it work. It got to the point that all elasticity was gone and it was basically a piece of string holding the poles together. I contacted customer service and was given a link to purchase a tent pole repair kit and also given a link to a third party who does these repairs at my expense. I'm really disappointed that REI is more worried about profit margins than they are standing behind their products. Ive had similar experiences with them over the last couple of years and they will no longer be getting my business.
Great, simple tent. Easy to set up. Works very well. Used this tent to bikepack. The only thing I would change is to make it a smaller package. One defect was one of the straps for the fly was sewn on backwards. However, REI remedied this by sending a free replacement (tent - I would have preferred just a fly replacement) and a UPS label to send the old one back free of charge.