Quarter Dome SL 1

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?

Where are you based? If you're in the US, REI's house brand has a couple of options - Trail Made and Trail Hut 2P tents that go for under USD $250. Sounds like your usage is pretty low, so I would also consider exploring your local FB Marketplace for 2P tents. You might get a higher end version or older models of REI tents for far cheaper. Lots of people who are new to camping go buy new gear only to find out that perhaps it's not for them. I found a used Half Dome 2 on Craigslist 5 years ago for $30. The Half Dome goes on car camping trips, or trips where it'll sit out in the sun for day. I've also had a REI Quarter Dome and a Passage before - they are decent tents. If you're buying used, just inspect the waterproofing layer for signs of wear and delamination. Good luck!

A 3-person tent it the best all around option for two people for a standard troop camping trip, where you aren't backpacking in a significant distance. A two-person tent is going to get tight with two people, that assumes you will not have your gear in the tent with you. I use a two-person REI half-dome tent for our regular troop campouts, just me alone in the tent. I also have a one-person REI quarter-dome that I use for back-packing trips, but my backpack needs to be left out in the tent vestibule, or under a tree. There are lots of decent options on ebay and such. Many people buy tents, and only use them once, and will sell them cheap to get rid of them.

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.

I have 2 2-person backpacking tents and two boys(3,6) We split them up and it works great. I have an old REI quarter dome( awesome tent the half dome is a down grade) and the xmid 2. For any backpacking 3 person is the max I would do, the tents get so bulky and unwieldy. Just my 2 cents. I understand not all kids sleep like mine so if that doesn’t work for you, I would go with the Marmot, they are bullet proof. My buddy likes the Paria Zion and claims it fits 4(young kids and parents). But I’m not sure I agree with him.