REI Co-op Gear Guide: Best Backpacking Tents

The right backpacking tent can make or break your trip. Let our experts help you select the perfect tent for you in the REI Backpacking Tents Gear Guide. Learn about features, packability and setup to decide which tent you need to have the best backpacking trip possible.

Our picks:

Don’t see your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

------------------------------

[Magician]

i wanna see how they look once packed up also.

[andreaaaaaas]

Am I the only one reacting to the angle of the tent peg he puts in at 1:19?

[KaitlynMcLachlan]

How are multiple REI tents listed but no MSR or Nemo? The Hubba Hubba is used by like... Everyone, and the Nemo Dagger tops most other backpacking tent review roundups

[ricardoortiz]

I only "Solo camp" with the Kingdom 8. "light as a feather!" lol

[backpacker]

The quarterdome is a good budget lightweight series, and I still have a solo quarterdome from a few years back. I lend it out when somebody needs a spare solo tent. That said, tent selection is one area where REI needs improvement. There are a lot of killer manufacturers out there that you just won't find in the REI inventory, and the total lack of DCF options is a pretty glaring omission.

[bigfrank]

Did he say they call him Ho Tep.... like Imhotep!?!?!? It would be cool if he didnt plant that stake in the worst possible way at 1:19

[richiewynne]

If I believed they backpacked, I would believe this video !

[JamesonGinger]

Half dome was my first and only tent for 15 years! Looking for my next tent

[dumaflotchy]

I wish you guys did a side by side comparison of the 3p and 4p tents.

[ericb.]

"... that we can find at REI this year." But don't forget Tarptent tents that are sold ONLY thorugh Tarptent. Great quality and excellent customer service.
AND where is the new REI FLASH Air 1 ?? Oh right, that is a 202 tent.

[tsizzle]

REI should make or sell DCF (Dyeema/Cuban Fiber) tents. More and more people are going with the tents from cottage companies like Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, etc. Zpacks Duplex is way lighter, way more waterproof due to DCF and has been tested and used by so many serious thru hikers on the AT, PCT, CDT with thousands of miles of usage. The REI Arete ASL is heavy for 2 person tent. I think an older version of this tent was in the movie "a walk in the woods" (Robert Redford, Nick Nolte) which was simply ridiculous... REI should at least make a couple of UL non freestanding tents. REI Quarter Dome 2 would be the heaviest REI tent that I would go with. If you're worry about durability, get a footprint, or use a sheet of Tyvek or Polycro

[jezmone]

Wow thanks for making this video! Easy to understand and very informative..

[ericschwartz]

I own the Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 and the REI Co-Op flash 2. I'm picking up a Flash 1 this week. Why do I shop at REI? It's a co-op, much like a farmer's co-op. All members get back at the end of the year. Staff is great and the return policy is the best. Would DCF be lighter? Yes, but at about $25 to $35 for each ounce to go lighter is it worth it? Not in my mind or my pocket book. There gets a point where shaving off an ounce here and there on the Big 3 isn't cost effective whether the journey is 5 days in the High Sierra (where I'm headed in a few weeks) or one of the long distance treks.

[lilsunshinestudio]

YOU ARE AWESOME! Thanks for a video that was exactly what I needed.

[bobmccall]

When you have a co-host. Make sure they are a backpacker. No backpacker puts a stake in like that unless they want to see how fast they will pull back out.

[rei]

Hello! It's best to contact your local REI store directly to see it they can accommodate your request. REI store directory:

[xxredhellxx]

Where are the Nemo tents? I'm surprised this video didn't include the Nemo Hornet or Nemo Dagger tents. I see those tents a lot more frequently in the PNW then any of the REI Co-op tents in this video. Big Agnes Copper Spur is another tent i see very frequently on the trail.



Hope REI keeps making these videos as they are very informative, entertaining, and well put together. Thank you!

[MatanuskaHIGH]

Title should say “best backpacking tent that we sell”. None of these are the “best”.

[pi]

I only know one backpacker who uses any of these tents (a big Agnes).. maybe you should make some deals with cottage companies to sell their tents, for serious backpackers. I feel many tents that weight less and otherwise compare similarly can be bought elsewhere for the same price.

[jcfc]

My REI quart dome tent only lasted 2- 6 days trips. So just 12 day’s total, when the cord in the poles failed. I have a room in my house for all my sport gear so it’s not like it was in the garage. Both backpacking trips was in Colorado late September. I’m not been happy with anything I’ve bought REI Co-op.