Rei Co Op Quarter Dome Sl 1 Tent Review

For solo adventurers and minimalist backpackers, the REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent is often a go-to choice when seeking the perfect blend of weight, space, and functionality. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent, exploring what sets it apart in the crowded market of solo tents. This tent is designed with the goal of delivering an ultralight experience without sacrificing essential features, making it a popular option for those who want to travel light but still enjoy a comfortable night's sleep. We’ll dissect its design, assess its performance across different conditions, and weigh its pros and cons to give you a comprehensive understanding of whether the REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent is the right fit for your next solo trek.

"Took this tent on a single night backpacking trip. Weather was great, but the slightest breeze threw this tent all over the place. Not durable or sturdy whatsoever. I ended up having finding a tear in the mesh after 1 night of very light use. The only good thing I have to say about this tent is that it is lightweight."

"Great little 1 person tent, and I mean 1 person, you won’t fit much else. Some nice hanging loops inside for lights or your keys. Very light and packs away well and quickly. You can easily get this tent set up in <5 minutes. It really is tight inside so don’t expect to fit your pack with you. I fit comfortably at 6’. A great REI product i’ve had for a few years and many more."

"I purchased an REI quarter dome backpacking tent and after the third use the fly zipper pull off the track. A tent with a leaky fly is useless. No warranty on these products either. After sitting a few years the tent pole elastic was stretched and useless…"

"Let me start by saying I really love this tent! I used it for about 2/3rds of my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. It kept me warm, mostly dry, and was one of my favorite pieces of gear for this trip. And at around $200 very reasonably priced. It was always easy to set up, the fly-first pitch made for a drier camp when setting up in rain. That was something it could do that some other 1P tents couldn't. I talked to a few Nemo owners. In cold, steady wind it held up very well, even with gusts. Just make sure you're oriented the right way with the wind direction. Having a freestanding tent meant I could hike up to rocky balds and tent on the big flat rocks, sometimes pulling out the lines with rocks, or just leaving it unstaked. I'd let the fly just hang down to keep the heat in. I sometimes set it up with just the tent body and groundsheet, Though this could prove cold! You can also set up with just the fly and footprint. I never felt wanting for space. With a large vestibule, I could keep my pack outside. Or stow it behind my head, though this did reduce my legroom. It took me a few nights to get the fly tensioning right to remove slack areas but it didn't take long. My main issue with this tent is its performance in moderate to heavy rain. If it had been raining steadily or hard with splashing drops, water would splash over the low bathtub and into the tent, mostly on the left side. If the rain was very heavy, and depending on the ground conditions, I'd wake up wet, and the tent floor underneath partly saturated. I used an REI groundsheet the whole time. If the fly came down lower I believe this problem would be mitigated, but I'm thinking other small tents might have trouble keeping you dry in storms too. The material always dried very fast, so a little bit of time in the sun got ya straightened out. Overall, I find it hard to look to other tents to buy, given the versatility of this one. Freestanding (mostly, you can pull the bottom corners out) paired with light weight and a fly-first pitch make me reluctant to get a trekking pole tent. This one just performed so well on steep slopes, on flat rock, and in windy weather (heavy rain notwithstanding). I give it a solid 9/10 from this thru-hiker! Just sleep in the shelter if it's gonna pour down rain. Though it's not available on REI anymore, I hope someone uses this review when buying secondhand. Happy hiking y'all!"

"I bought this through Resupply on the way to my first backpacking trip. Had to set up camp with no cover, completely exposed, and slept there under the heaviest thunderstorm and strongest winds I've ever experienced outdoors. Did not have a single issue with this tent. It stayed strong and kept me perfectly dry. Super grateful for its performance! Only reason for 4 stars is it can take me several minutes to set up."

"I feel comfortable leaving a review now that I've properly tested it on a week long backpacking expedition deep in the high mountains of Northern Idaho. This tent did exactly what I needed it to do, and while I would probably choose a different tent if I could do the trip again, that has more to do with specifics of the trip itself. Pros: lightweight, incredibly easy to setup, easy to take down. Water protection was good. We got caught in a few thunderstorms and water never got into my tent. Amazing. Cons: delicate. Hopefully it's pretty clear from the product description but you have to be really gentle with the tent, which isn't always easy in the wilderness. Small footprint. Again, should be clear from the description but it really is quite small in there. It's really just a place to lay your head at night. If you like to spend a lot of time in your tent, this is probably too small for you. I brought the footprint but will likely substitute it for an actual tarp next time around, since a tarp is much more versatile and can still provide ground protection for the tent. I think it would be worth a little extra weight to have a proper tarp, as the footprint is also kind of delicate and shaped like the tent, so it doesn't have any other use really."

"I wish the bathtub sides were about 4 inches higher all the way around. In monsoonal rains, even with the fly fully staked out, rain was splashing into the tent. Otherwise it’s a good, light backpacking tent."

"I've had good experiences with this tent so far. I can't comment on overall durability because I've only used it a few nights, but it seems sturdy enough and I'm not worried about my dog's claws ripping it to shreds. Best of all - it's small and light and fits into my pack nicely."

"I bought this tent a couple of years ago to try solo backpacking for the first time, and now I much prefer it even when I go with friends. It's super lightweight, easy to pack and set up, and well-designed all around. I like that the fly has easily adjustable stake cords and a little pop-up vent, and the overhang on the door side is perfect for stashing my backpack and footwear. The stakes go flush with the ground and have nylon loops which make them easy to pull out. The first day out on my first solo trip, a thunderstorm was rolling in as I was arriving at my first camping spot, but I was inside the tent with a hot bowl of chili before the torrential downpour began, and my gear stayed dry. My only (small) criticism is that the tent MUST be staked into the ground in order to keep the foot area laterally expanded, so if you're camping somewhere very rocky then that poses a challenge. I also worry a little about damaging the material because it's so lightweight, so I always check the ground thoroughly before setting up, and pack it inside my backpack for the trail. I've used it on 6 backpacking trips now ranging from 2 to 5 nights, and so far so good. I'm 5'10" and it's plenty long enough for me, with room for some stuff sacks at my head and feet."

"I've used this tent a few times backpacking. Pros: 1. It's very lightweight 2. The color is very natural and non-flashy (I really like that). 3. Big enough to sit up in easily. 4. Color-coded poles make setup easier. Cons: 1. It's 1 small step away from being free-standing. But it's not. It wouldn't add any significant weight to make it free-standing. This is so annoying. Either go 100% free standing, or not at all. 2. Due to the possibility of sleeping without the rainfly, it makes the tent not able to pitch with the rainfly and inner attached... meaning if it rains while setting up or taking down... you're going to get the insides wet."

To wrap up, the REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent stands out as a remarkable option for solo backpackers who value both lightness and efficiency. Its thoughtful design allows for a surprisingly spacious interior while keeping the overall weight to a minimum, making it a reliable companion for extended journeys. Although it has some trade-offs, such as limited space for gear and a snug fit for taller users, the tent's strong performance in varied weather conditions and its easy setup make it a solid choice for solo expeditions. This review highlights the Quarter Dome SL 1’s ability to deliver on its promises of lightweight durability and comfort, reinforcing its reputation as a smart investment for solo travelers. If you're on the hunt for a tent that combines minimal weight with effective shelter, the REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent deserves serious consideration for your outdoor gear lineup.