REI Quarter Dome 1
​tent review
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Tent specs:
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Price: $229 (now in 2022 it is $329 at REI)
(ground cover is purchased separately $54.95) Design type: semi-freestanding Sleeping capacity: 1 Minimum trail weight: 2 lbs. 2 oz. Packed weight: 2 lbs. 10 oz. Packed size: 6 x 20 inches Number of poles: 1 hubbed poleset Pole material: DAC aluminum NSL Pole diameter: 8.05 / 8.5 millimeters |
Floor dimensions: 90 x 40/33 (LxW head/foot) inches
Floor area: 21.4 sq. ft. Vestibule area: 6.7 sq. ft. Peak height: 37.5 inches Number of doors: 1 Canopy fabric: 15-denier ripstop nylon / 20-denier mesh Floor fabric: 30D ripstop nylon Rainfly fabric: 15D ripstop nylon |
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Major pros- The tent is extremely lightweight and folds up into a compact roll, and you will have no difficulty getting the tent back into its stuff sack.
The tent is extremely easy to set up once you get the hang of it not being symmetrical, and taking it down is even faster!
There is plenty of room for one person. An average size man can sit inside the tent without touching the top. There is a netted storage compartment at the foot of the tent for storing your necessities such as your headlamp, toilet paper and bear spray.
The price for such a lightweight tent is significantly lower than other brands that have similar tents.
The tent is extremely easy to set up once you get the hang of it not being symmetrical, and taking it down is even faster!
There is plenty of room for one person. An average size man can sit inside the tent without touching the top. There is a netted storage compartment at the foot of the tent for storing your necessities such as your headlamp, toilet paper and bear spray.
The price for such a lightweight tent is significantly lower than other brands that have similar tents.
Major cons- The vestibule is really only large enough for your shoes or a small pack. It will most likely not be big enough for a large 10+ day backpacking backpack. If you are only going out for a couple of days and don't have as many things with you, your pack will be smaller, and this size vestibule would most likely work.
The mesh as well as the rain fly cover seem to be made of a cheap material that can rip and tear easily.
Even though REI claims that this is a 3-season tent, it is definitely not, especially in Oregon.
The mesh as well as the rain fly cover seem to be made of a cheap material that can rip and tear easily.
Even though REI claims that this is a 3-season tent, it is definitely not, especially in Oregon.
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This tent is well-suited for a backpacker who will only be taking it out in the summer time for shorter backpacking trips. This is by no means a three season tent like REI claims it to be, and it should only be used in warm weather climates with occasional rain. Do not take this tent out in the snow!
The materials that the tent is made out of feels a bit flimsy and like it could rip at any time. After setting this tent up for the first time in my backyard, I already noticed a run in my mesh, where it had got caught on something. The ground cover feels extremely sturdy and waterproof, however the rain fly just feels like a thin, cheap rain jacket, and the enhanced seams don't line up with the poles easily, so there is risk of overuse, stretch and possibility of rips in those areas.
The tent is a really good price and is very lightweight, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I would have kept it had the vestibule been larger. It just isn't big enough for my backpacking backpack, so on rainy days, there is no way my pack and boots would stay dry. This is a major issue for me, so I did end up returning the tent.
The materials that the tent is made out of feels a bit flimsy and like it could rip at any time. After setting this tent up for the first time in my backyard, I already noticed a run in my mesh, where it had got caught on something. The ground cover feels extremely sturdy and waterproof, however the rain fly just feels like a thin, cheap rain jacket, and the enhanced seams don't line up with the poles easily, so there is risk of overuse, stretch and possibility of rips in those areas.
The tent is a really good price and is very lightweight, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I would have kept it had the vestibule been larger. It just isn't big enough for my backpacking backpack, so on rainy days, there is no way my pack and boots would stay dry. This is a major issue for me, so I did end up returning the tent.
-This article was written in 2016-
*All pictures and video are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures and video are taken by Franziska Weinheimer