REI Co-op - Quarter Dome SL 1

I'm a frequent tent user for both work and play. I probably have averaged between 100 and 150 nights/year in my tent over the past ten years. My old reliables are out of production and I'm struggling to find anything that suits my needs. I just got the MSR Hubba hubba LT 2 and it's design is wonderful but the fabric choice is way too lightweight for practicality and just won't last past this fall. 9 nights and it is full of holes and covered in duct tape already. So, I'm looking for another! My needs are lightweight and packable for backcountry backpacking expeditions. 1 or 2 person. Freestanding to diversify set-up options. Durable. Earth tone colors for stealth camping. Minimum 88 inches long. And I appreciate the little touches that don't have me fixing every poorly designed gimmick all the time. Fewer stakes is more better too. Does a tent like this exist anymore? The last good one I had was the 2017 REI SL 1. My last two REI SL tents were poorly made with zipper issues, bad fly design that forced puddles, and seam tape constantly falling off. And they just keep needing fussier setup and more stakes for no benefit. Also their waterproofing seems pretty bad in the newer tents. Also don't get me started on six-moon designs. Never again.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the REI Quarter Dome (1 person)? I currently own this tent and can't find a good reason to replace it for my 2026 hike... but it seems like no one is using it on the trail. Does anyone have any experience with it for a PCT thru?

REI’s halfdome and quarterdome are great affordable, durable starter tents. 

I'd recommend the Dan Durston X-Mid 1P if you can find one used, they hit most of your requirements and are a lot lighter than the Tadpole. I switched to the Quarter Dome a couple years ago and haven’t looked back. There’s a ton of good budget ultralight options popping up these days too if you shop the used market.

The Quarter Dome was great for this (it’s what I use, actually, about to head out on nights 100-104 on that tent), but it’s out of production. They have a similar tent that’s a Copper Spur knockoff that seems decent.

Not at that price and weight. I like the fly creek UL 2 as a light option, but it’s more expensive. On the cheaper side is the half dome or quarter dome but they are heavy and prices vary. A good tent will last you many years, so factor that into your decision.

REI Quarter done is a good compromise. 2 pounds and double walled. I’m selling mine if you’re interested.

Most people don't need a 4 season IMO. My REI quarter dome has handled -10°F and 50 MPH winds/blizzard conditions well enough (winter storm on Shasta), though it needs regular tending to in those situations (like making sure your pitch and anchoring is solid and knocking off snow), as well as rain days and 100°F+ days. 4 season tents are really 1 season tents IME and suck for the other 3 seasons, on top of weighing 2x as much. Your sleep system and clothing are much more important in true 4th season situations and the money save on a tent is better spent there. If you truly need to regularly deal with extreme cold, wind, and high altitudes (14,000'+), then get a 4 season plus a cheaper/lighter option for the other stuff.

That's what I use up there. I have a little REI quarterdome that made it the whole JMT, for 2 weeks in Patagonia, and all over the Cascades / Tetons / Rockies. Still use that tent all the time and it is 15.

if you want to go to extremes smallest tent I know of is the zpacks hexamid, but it's a very, very minimal tent, not for everyone. also not "budget". i have the duplex and love that, but again, anything but "budget". A more reasonable one is the rei quarter dome for years and absolutely loved it. definitely fits in a backpack easily, is more durable than the zpacks, roomier, more featured but also bulkier and heavier. looks like they have replaced it with the flash 2 tent, and about same price as zpacks. please remember that over the years they have kind of changed what a "1 man" or "2 man" tent means, and now it means basically air pads touching each other. I have always used a "2 person" tent just for myself, as it provides reasonable room for just one person. With 2 people it would be unreasonably tight imo.