REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2 Review

COMPLETE REVIEW

The Quarter Dome 2 tent is produced by REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.), an American corporation with an impressive experience in this field. REI was founded in 1938 in Seattle, Washington, as a cooperative meant to offer good quality but affordable climbing equipment. REI currently has over 150 retail stores in 36 states. If you become a lifetime member of REI, for a $20 fee, you get lots of benefits and a percentage of the yearly profits. REI manufacture more than just tents. They offer a wide range of products, from camping and hiking gear, to cycling, running, yoga and more.

The Quarter Dome 2 is an upgrade of the Quarter Dome model. It has an improved design and features and it is a 3 season tent suited for two people.

The tent brings an increased head, feet and shoulder room, thanks to its new pole architecture. What that means is that you get 23% more footbox room and 28% more shoulder and head room. Overall, this new Quarter Dome is way more spacious and comfortable. The head and footbox are not the only ones that got extended. The 2 vestibules are also 60% larger each, so you gain additional storage space for your gear. You also get several pockets.

Here are the most important specs of the tent. You can find all the technical specifications on the REI website: https://www.rei.com/product/110819/rei-co-op-quarter-dome-2-tent

Specifications:

Capacity: 2 person

Packed size: 7 X 18.5 inches

Packaged weight: 3 lbs. 12 oz

Floor fabric and dimensions: Nylon; 88 X 52/42 (L X W head/foot) inches

Pole material: aluminum

Rainfly fabric: Nylon

Although the Quarter Dome 2 is just a slight heavier than the previous model, it is still ultralight and basically the lightest backpacking tent in REI’s offer and a competitive product in general. Moreover, the Quarter Dome 2 may be a bit heavier, but it is shorter than the previous Dome, thus easy to fit in your backpack.

The Quarter Dome 2 comes with stakes, guylines and tighteners, a stuff sack, pole and stake bag and a pole-repair tube. There are only 9 stakes included, which is a drawback, since you need 12 if you plan on using the guy lines. At least 10 would also have been better, for a basic set up. Given that you have to use 8 of them for the corners and vestibules, you’re only left with 1 stake for the rainfly, so you have to choose between using it on the head or foot end. If you require more than 9 stakes, you have to buy more separately.

REI managed to combine durability and a reduced weight in this new Quarter Dome 2. The materials used are very reliable and long-lasting, but at the same time thin enough to not add any unnecessary extra-weight. The tent uses 20-denier ripstop nylon for the body and floor and a 15 denier rainfly.

The set up process is easy and quick. You can set the tent in under 5 minutes, especially thanks to the strategic color coding system for the poles and grommets, which simplifies things even more. You also get instructions on the stuff sack, should you need any.

The Quarter Dome 2 is water proof. The tent comes with sufficient guyout points, a tall enough bathtub style floor and thanks to the spacious vestibules, even the things you store outside will remain completely dry. The Quarter Dome 2 can cope well with heavy rain.

Ventilation is also good thanks to the double walls and the roof vent in the rainfly, with a zipper that allows you to control everything from inside the tent. There is enough airflow and you won’t have to worry about condensation.

The Quarter Dome 2 has many useful features. We also liked the reflective stake loops and guy lines that help you prevent any accidents in the dark.

Overall, we consider the Quarter Dome 2 to be an excellent upgrade from the previous Quarter Dome, with premium components and features, an ultralight design and top notch ventilation and water resistance.