How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

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Comfort on the trail—we swear it's a thing. The roomy, easy-to-set-up REI Co-op Trailmade 2 tent with footprint has a roll-up rainfly door for better venting and a stellar view of night skies.
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View the REI Co-op Trailmade Product LineView all REI Co-op Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
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Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 4 lbs. 4oz. |
Packaged Weight | 5 lbs. 7oz. |
Packed Size | 8.5 x 22 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 88 x 52 inches |
Floor Area | 31.7 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 19 square feet |
Peak Height | 39.9 inches |
Number of Doors | 2 doors |
Number of Poles | 2 |
Pole Material | Aluminum |
Pole Diameter | 8.5 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | Polyester/nylon |
Floor Fabric | Polyester |
Rainfly Fabric | Coated polyester |
Footprint Included | 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.
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This is a very well made and thought out tent for weekends or up to week-long backpacking trips. My absolute favorite part is that the ground sheet is included and REI devised a way to keep it optionally attached to the tent but easily removable if you wish. This saves time in set-up. I think you can set this up in 3 minutes easy. Also included are all the must-haves: breathability, storage, rain protection, durability and space. It felt only about 6ft wide so maybe not great for anyone over 6ft tall but sitting up height is great with plenty of room. You can get 2 sleep systems in there side-by-side with 2 roomy vestibules to store gear in. I personally like this for 1 person so I can store my pack inside the tent and leave the vestibules open.
Trailmade 2 with footprint, tested in rainy weather. Tent dried easily in windy/not raining conditions. One photo shows the set up with two bags/pads inside, which works for two people who don't mind close quarters. The weight is in the "lightweight" category at 4lbs 4 oz min trail weight, and if you split up the poles and tent between two people this is a really nice option. At this price range, it's affordable, spacious for one, and suitable for two people. The inside has two pockets, one on opposite corners for each person to store things when head-to-toe sleeping. There is one strap from the center ceiling that offers the ability to hang a light. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this tent is still spacious even though I've gotten used to a Half Dome 2 Plus (see pictures comparing size). I like that the straps for the rainfly have an adjustable buckle so that you can cinch it down to the stake if terrain is hard to find good spots. An unexpected but added bonus is the tent's freestanding frame is sturdy enough that you can open and close the tent zipper one-handed, rather than having to use two hands to hold the tent taught and pull the zipper. This is a fantastic backpacking tent for the price and for those who want an in-between option that works for the occasional backpacking trip but also functions as a car camping option.
This tent is the nicest tent that I have ever had. I've been a backpacker since I was 16 years old, and I have done over 200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and several other long trails. I wish I would have had this tent for those trails, but I am so glad to have it now for future backpacking trips. We used the tent for the first time for some winter camping at a local state park, and it was wonderful. My husband, our toddler daughter, and I all fit in the 2 person tent comfortably and cozily. I can't recommend this tent enough for backpackers and campers.
Possibly the greatest tent I’ve ever used. For starters, I’ve used this tent over 30 different times around the globe in different climates, altitudes and terrains for over a year now. it always was reliable and convenient, but it REALLY showed its quality this past weekend. We were in a massive rainstorm for the entire night, and in a shallow area, the tent was completely surrounded by water and sitting in a puddle 2 inches high around the tent. And we were completely dry on the inside. I was shocked and amazed, a truly tried and tested product and it still works great! If you want a light weight, WATERPROOF, easy to set up tent for 1-2 people, this is it pal! I use it mostly for 2 people, it’s cozy and has extra room by our feet/head when we lie flat (I’m 6 feet tall btw). The vestibules on each side are super convenient to store extra gear overnight. You can stop reading other reviews and looking at other tents. This is the one for you brother.
It is definitely more of a one person tent if you have the 4 inch sleeping pad. Couldn’t even fit a dog in here with me compared to my Coleman sundome 2 person but it is a nice tent. You can see the quality difference in all the little things from the rain fly buckles to the poles. It’s also a smaller bag and lighter than my cheaper Coleman tent. Used it for car camping at Kenosha Pass and excited to use it for bike packing.
I bought this for car camping since it’s heavier than my ultralight backpacking tent (which weighs two pounds). However, I replaced the heavy stakes that came with it with lighter aluminum stakes; the weight of the 6 heavy stakes was 15 ounces, whereas the 6 light aluminum stakes weigh only 3 ounces. I also replaced the footprint with a 1.5 ounce polycryo groundsheet. This brought the weight down to a little over 3 pounds! Not bad! It’s a great tent and so easy to set up. I like rectangular tents like this one; I love the two doors. I’m a solo backpacker and this tent is like a palace for one! Very pleased with this tent. Highly recommended.
Awesome camp tent. Goes up within 5 mins(rounded time). Fits a 6ft person comfortably with enough room for gear. Able to sit up center on the floor with clear head room except if using a tent fan. Stored in a 40 liter waterproof bag with sleeping bag, stakes and 2 tarps no problem. Sprayed water guard on it but Thankfully haven’t needed it in the rain!!!
I love my tent! I don’t have much experience with tents, but I like this tent. I’ve been in rain, and windy. I have no complaints at all.
Bought for group backpacking trip. I had no trouble setting this up by myself. There are two long tent poles that cross in the middle that provide the structure for the tent. Inside the tent, two pockets are available for stashing phones or anything you might want off the floor. At the top of the dome, there is a small fabric loop from which I hung a lightweight lantern. The footprint comes attached to the tent and I left it that way; it is detachable if you wanted to do that. Even though solo, I bought the two person size and glad I did. It gave me room to bring in pack and still have plenty of room to move around.
This was my first tent and it’s pretty great for the value! Everything works as it should and I even used it in lots of rain and snow and the rain fly kept us completely dry! I love the color and reflectiveness it makes it easy to find at night. I also love the pockets inside. My only complaints are that I wish it was more lightweight because it’s an awkward size and ends up taking up a lot of space in my pack.