REI Quarter Dome SL1 Review (Tent)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- See how this tent compares to similar tents from Big Agnes, Nemo, MSR, read the full review here:
backpackinglig...
Purchase this tent now (20% off for REI Members during the Member Sale!) (affiliate link):
snp.link/c4eb771c
For only 8 oz and $40 more, you can also get the much larger, dual-entry, dual-vestibule version:
snp.link/21ea46a0
1:41 - Start of Review
2:10 - Setup
12:04 - Inclement Weather Setup (Fly First)
25:20 - Livability
26:12 - Vestibule Options for Views & Ventilation
28:04 - Keeping Gear Organized
30:45 - Performance
31:10 - Condensation Management
33:36 - Wind Resistance
34:45 - Compared To... & Category Overview
39:52 - Summary & Review Rating
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backpackinglig...
Hands down best product review I've seen on this tent. Great job!
Thanks so much! I appreciate your feedback!
By far!
I agree
Ryan is the GOAT of product reviews.
I work for REI, and personally own this tent. I don't think I could have explained it's features any better than you did. Great job. A+
Any idea what replaced it?
REI Flash@@prisonerofthehighway1059
Excellent review from start to finish. Really captured every feature and attribute. Thanks!
Easily one of the best reviews not just of this tent but of any backpacking product ever. Well done.
I have this tent. The bathtub floor works well despite it being “shorter” than some other tents I have owned. In a torrential downpour, water splashed (tiny, but steady droplets) between the fly and the bathtub floor thru the mesh after striking the water standing all around the tent. It was a “perfect storm” in regards to the location I had to pitch it in, heavy rain and the wind. It was not pitched in a depression; the campsite had no ground cover and water coming down the mountain had nowhere to go but over the surface. I unstaked the tent, picked it up by the hub, sleeping bag and all inside. I moved it out of the campsite on some fallen leaves. I slept blissfully. Be aware, even with a tight pitch, there is a large gap between the fly and the body on the side opposite of the door. It is excellent for ventilation and keeping condensation at bay but you could experience “splash” in a torrent.
Despite this odd confluence of factors, I can’t say enough good about this tent. It met my expectations and there is a lot of thought in it. The mesh pockets are well placed, the vestibule is very roomy, and the zippers didn’t snag on me like some UL gear.
I second the evaluation.
I dont have this tent but I recognized that the bathtub "walls" are far too short. Since they wouldn't block ventilation they should be twice the height. Otherwise, this looks like a tempting piece of gear.
Do you know the total weight including the footprint & all the stakes?
Agreed. This is the first thing I noticed about this tent and may be the reason I return it to REI. One of the issues that contributes to this is that the ground tensioners have unnecessarily large loops on them that prevent you from tensioning the fly close to the ground. First mitigation I will try is to retie those loops as small-ish bowline knots and see how close I can get. If that is not good enough I will try "Skurka" style ground lines with a McCarthy hitch.
I do not comment on these reviews, but this was the most concise, useful review of gear I have ever viewed. I not only "liked" this review, but I also "subscribed" which is something I never do! Nicely done!
I’m currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with this tent. Over 500 miles and I have no complaints! It’s a great light tent. I love that I have room to throw my pack in, keep it by my feet and still have room to stretch out.
Great! Thanks for sharing your experience. Best wishes on the rest of your hike!
HOW & WHAT will you use to RESEAL the seams when the time comes?
Thanks for this awesome review/instruction video. I bought the tent this year, only used it two nights so far (practiced setting it up several times beforehand, once in the rain), but am extremely pleased with it. It's lightweight and easy to set up - perfect for bike touring. I'm 6 ft. tall, use a 79" x 25" sleeping pad, and had no problem fitting in it comfortably. I didn't feel cramped at all. Rather than store clothes at the foot of the tent, like I do in my larger MSR Hubba Hubba tent, I fold them and place them in a lightweight zippered mesh bag which I use as a second pillow under my Therm-a-rest compressible foam pillow. All the built-in pockets are great and there's enough space next to me for my water bottle and other small items. The vestibule offers all the space I need for anything I want to keep just outside the tent and protected from rain. Speaking of rain, it rained hard on and off all night the second night of my first trip using the SL1 and the tent stayed perfectly dry - amazing for something so lightweight. So far I'm liking the SL1 very much.
really appreciated that you showed how to pitch outer first and then inner tent. Hiked my 250 miles this summer with my hammock but now Ready to take my tent
Hands down, best review on TH-cam. Appreciate all your reviews, expertise, professionalism.
Thanks
Anybody else wish they were there so they could play with the dog?
No
Outstanding product review. Clear instructions and very thorough analysis. I bought the REI Half Dome 2 Plus last year because I value interior space, but after watching your video, I now have a more informed idea of how to utilize this tent's features. I backpack solo on multi-day trips, so I was looking into reducing pack weight. Based on reviews on REI's web site, I was initially concerned about the strength of the fly fabric. But after watching your video, I feel comfortable that with attention to set-up and normal care, it will be fine. Great job. You are an outstanding instructor.
Fantastic reveiw. I am sure for someone the detailed instructions on setting up in the rain will be a life saver.
Great review. Just bought this tent and did not fully understand the supplied directions so I went to TH-cam and found this. Perfect! You explained everything. Thank you!
I pulled the buy trigger AFTER watching this video. Thank you! I've pitched it twice, both times in gusty wind conditions. Fortunately, I had the good sense to place a heavy rock on top of all 10 stakes B4 crawling in for the night. I place two thin trash bag liners to cover the ground in the vestibule area. These keep my backpack, my feet after I've removed my boots & other stuff off the ground when entering/exiting from the tent. Yes, I bought the footprint & use it under the tent floor every time I pitch the tent. I've not had any condensation problems inside the tent when I wake up in the morning.
Watched this video and bought the identical tent. My bro. Al did also. We went out on day one of road opening at Rock Creek drainage in the eastern sierra . May 2 of this year. Did everything to the max to get our tents taut and secure as in the video , and then some because we placed football size rocks on our fly guide lines .
That night a ferocious, unrelenting wind storm hammered us and temps dropped precipitously. I’m 72 and never experienced that kind of ferocity and consistency of wind in a house, let alone a tent! We were at 10,400 ft. We found out later town folk in Bishop were all aghast at the big wind that night.Bishop is at 4,000ft. We had been in 100 mph winds and temps in single digits . The Ouarter Dome this guy is talking about was a bastion of excellence in the storm .. If you want performance don’t leave your house with anything less.
Thanks for the review, I just purchased the tent and am very happy. The orientation of the tent to prepare for heavy winds, rain was very helpful. Thanks
I just bought it today based on your recommendation! Thanks for such a detailed review.
Just purchased a REI tent and needed to learn how to pitch it. Thank you for explaining this to me. I know nothing about. ~M
Been watching gear reviews for years and this by far the most competent, organized and informative review of a tent. Job well done!👍 and thanks!
Just got one of these during the REI Memorial Day sale, have used it twice, so far it’s excellent ! Your review went a long way in helping me with the decision ! I had one of the original quarter dome one person tents. This is way different ! Cheers!
Excellent review. Thank you!
I picked one up during the Memorial Day sale and am finally using it on the AT for a 2 week section hike mid-late Sept. I will definitely rehearse both setups in advance in case of a down-pour.
Excellent review with the exception of the ashes from Portland blowing in during the fly-first segment. Love the dog, too. 👍👍👍
Thanks to your review, I bought this tent which I now have & overnighted in. I've watched your 2 setups & created a printed step-by-step procedure. The tent first is quite intuitive. The Fly first is something I'm going to have to practice several times. Fortunately, I practiced both pitch methods on nice days in my back yard; good thing I practiced because the first time I set it up on an overnighter was right at the beginning of what turned out to be a ferocious strong cold gusty winds all night @9,735'. Fortunately, I knew enough to put big heavy rocks on top of all 10 stakes, all of which would have been pulled out of the ground. My tent did its job of protecting me from the cold & the wind, my inflatable air mattress did its job of keeping me insulated from the cold ground, my sleeping bag kept me warm all night although I didn't sleep much because of the gusty wind making so much noise.
Amazing detailed product review! Thank you for doing it right! Enormous benefits for your viewers in this kind of detail!
Glad it was helpful!
This review earned my sub! Very well constructed review, thanks for taking the time to put in the detail. Also, convinced me to go with this as my single person tent. Keep up the great content.
Wow, not only a great review but I learned how to pitch a tent correctly in bad weather
Great video. Your information plus the fact that the 2P version seems like the largest 2P ultra light out there led me to pick this for my upcoming trips. Also appreciate how detailed you are in showing how you set it up. I put it together a few times today and seeing your video really helped.
The 2P in some ways is even more impressive than the 1P for what it offers for very little extra weight - 2 doors, 2 entrances, 2 vestibules.
Very well done review, REI owes you a tent !!
The best tent review I have ever seen! Answered all my questions and addressed all my concerns. Thank you!
came for the review, stayed for the dog cameos
What, you never seen a dog before?
Because of this review on pitching during rain set up , I just got the two.
Thank you for a very comprehensive review. I often camp in the rain so being able to set up the fly first is great! Other tents that I considered also have that "ability" however the brow poles are mounted in pockets in the fly so that makes attaching the inner tent it difficult at best. This tent easily slips grommets onto the poles. I think I'll set up the outer then the inner even in good weather to develop good skills and habits to be ready for rainy days. Perfect practice makes perfect. This video helped me make my decision.
Just purchased this tent today based largely on your review.
Great review! I just purchased this tent at REI for 130.00.
Your reviews are really thorough- thanks for the info!
Thank you for taking the time to write and encourage us - greatly appreciated!
Thanks man, such an amazing and highly detailed review. I have a Big Agnes 3 man tent already, but had been looking for a 1 man - 3 season - tent that's ultra light for a while. Sadly all very expensive. I just went and instantly bought one of these after your review and could not believe how cheap it was even before the 4th July sale REI have on right now :-). As you've nopted I don't believe there are many, if any tents that are comparable to this for quality, build, features, price and weight.
Absolutely the best review I have ever seen. Too bad this tent is no longer in production. I love this tent and shelved a Big Agnes tent because the rei was a superior design. I'll use this tent till it degrades from UV
Thanks for the review.
As usual, clear, complete instructions and superb tent analysis. Convinced me to buy on sale. Especially appreciate the comparisons. L-o-v-e your dog! Thanks.
I appreciate all the hard work and effort you put into these reviews, very obvious you do your homework . Thank you for being detailed and reliable.
One observation in the exceptional wind and chill event I was in with this tent is with the fly extended and taut , and even with the ‘bathtub ‘ siding as high as it could be , without disfigurement of the floor, in 100mph wind I had a fine dusting of dirt over my bag and first notice it with some in my eyes , so beware and have the goggles ready .
What an awesome review! You went over everything about this tent. I have a upper end hammock setup that is a little over 6 pounds. I'm definitely going to look at this tent because of your review and recommendation. 5 stars!
Great review. Didn't mind the length. I thought it was necessary given the level of detail involved. Thanks!
I wonder if you could make some arrangement of cord and eyelets to act as footprint surrogate for pitching outer first, saving (most of) the weight and bulk of the footprint.
What a fabulous review. I bought this tent a year and a half ago to replace Z packs Pleximid. Your review and tutorial is way better than the REI one. I now know some features that I haven't been using. Love this tent. So perfect for me. I even bought the UL2 to use when I'm taking my dogs.
Could leave inner tent at home and use s2s nano bug net for lighter weight.
Wow! Excellent excellent review, covers all aspects. Will definitely consider this tent for my next one. Thank you for sharing.
This is like the secret owners manual. I have the original QD version and a lot of the same principles apply. Plus I had never even tried to put the thing up in the rain and hope never to, but now I know how.
Seems like a good, stealthy option for bike touring...just snagged one, thanks!
Great review; very broad and informative. Pretty much convinced me to buy the tent. Waiting for it to arrive.
i like everything about the tent. think i'm gonna get one. thanks for the thorough review.
THis is cool. It seems the ground cover and fly-only option can be used well with a bivy to get best of both worlds!
Thanks for the awesome beautiful review, truly fantastic, all the very best.
Great thorough review! I truly appreciate your work.
Thanks so much Fran. It means a lot to hear that!
I almost didn't watch due to the length, I am eating before going to a hike and now after watching the first 10mins I love the detail and now I might be camping tomorrow.
Thanks for taking the time to watch it - we really appreciate it.
Thanks for taking the time to watch it - we really appreciate it.
Great Review! I live in Wyoming so it is good to see someone testing stuff around here! I just subscribed.
Outstanding review. I have original orange QD1 with single pole to foot end and has been great. I don't like the partial fly on Nemo Hornet so only other tent that comes close for price/weight/protection is BA Tiger Wall.
Really thorough tutorial and review. Thank you so much!!!!
fantastic review, one of the best Ive seen for a tent
Great review and very helpful for me. Even though I have the REI Passage 1, most of what you discussed is applicable. Thanks!
Now that’s what I call exhaustive!
Buckles and Velcro just like my ancient Sierra Designs Mach 1. Same factory?
I’m wary of pre-curved poles. I’ve had some split at the joint nearest the curve on a Wild Country Quasar. Any issues? The Mach 1 was flattened by a wind in Wales. The tent sprang back up but the poles took on a permanent curve. Is that still likely?
The Sierra Designs ground sheet was waterproof initially - first use was on a seriously wet cycle tour - but is porous now. As is the footprint. If I’m right about the same factory as my tent, are you confident that the waterproofing has improved?
Despite this interrogation, I must say I appreciate the thought which went into that video. You covered so much. Excellent!
Good review and good tent overall but the semi-freestanding is a deal breaker for me. Cheers
Nice review my man! Glad to have found your channel! I have the REI Quarter Dome 1 and 3 person and love them. New sub, cheers!
Welcome and thanks!
Great comprehensive review. Thanks!
Excellent review. I learned quite a bit. Thanks
SL1 greatly improved over the original QD 1. I have the QD1 and don't like it too well for one main reason. Lack of symmetry. That makes it hard to set up and makes is less stable. SL1 looks great and I think takes care of that problem.
Great review, but man, if you think that this old man can face a 589 step setup process at the end of a long day you got another thing commin. I would just throw it on the ground and plonk on top. If it rained just grab a side and roll over. What do you owners have to say? How long to set up?
Could one use a trekking pole on the foot end to make it freestanding-ish?
Nice. I like the side door but I prefer my Big Agnes SL2 (like a Flycreek) which is MUCH simpler and goes up and down in under a minute. In a rainstorm that is very good.
It seems to me that the front-end-entry tents like the Big Agnes SL2/Flycreek offer a little more protection in blowing rain, especially if the wind is swirling around.
Thank you! Great job in your always very thorough, detailed and very helpful reviews. (Only thing I might please mention is I've noticed -- and only as a small production comment, not criticism -- is you often like to wear your sunglasses when speaking directly to the camera. You will better connect with your audiences with your message, if you don't wear dark glasses when speaking directly to the audience -- unless, of course, it's really sunny out. It's always good, if we can see your eyes and thus your expressions better.) Keep up your very good work! Cheers!
Very nice tent!! Kinda reminds me of the copper spur hv ul 1 from big agnes. But more affordable and a few ounces lighter. I also like the muted sage color its a little darker than the copper spurs olive color. Not sure what to think about only one pole on one side instead of two but looks sturdy anyways. Rei makes good products! Thanks for breakdown! Hike on!
This was a great review but I have a quick question about the "semi-free standing" aspect of the tent. There are occasions where I am in a hilly, rocky area and it is nearly impossible to pitch a tent, but there is a gazebo with a flat wood or concrete floor. (Ran into this in Japan a few times) In the gazebo, there is nowhere to put stakes. As long as there is no heavy rain, will this stay standing without stakes, albeit with a somewhat loose rain fly? What I mean is, can I use it completely free standing, if need be?
Best tent review ever!
Thank you! Excellent review!
Just bought at the sale REI just had. What size sleeping pad do you have in there? Mine is to large so I need to purchase a new one.
I love my hilleberg tents but yes this rei tent is pretty good. My hilleberg nallo2 though or my staika r so fast especially the nallo. I do enjoy my inner tent pre connected and a quick fast set up. I'm.just saying this for other viewers. I'm not an ultralighter. I don't mind extra weight for extra security and bombproof construction. But great review absolutely thorough!!
In a lot of ways it seems very similar to the Litefighter 1. The Litefighter weighs a bit more though, being USGI issue and all.
Curious how you feel this stacks up against the north face storm break 1. It has similar size and capabilities as far as I can tell.
Kerlon!! Only way to go. Highest tear strength. Ive tested lots of fabrics. And I fell towards kerlon.
how does this handle in a constant rainstorm, should i get this or the flycreek 1?
Excellent review Sir
Thank you for a great and thorough look at this tent. I wonder if the same thoughts would apply to the SL2. I have been looking for a 2 person tent to use solo. Also considered the TW2 but like the looks of the SL2 since they are very similar.
Thank you Douglas! I’ve used but don’t have the same experience with the SL2 as I do with the SL1. However, the two are so similar that it’s almost worth the extra few ounces to carry the SL2 - even as a solo hiker - two side entrances give better views and ventilation and two vestibules better gear organization.
Thank you for such a detailed review!
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Incredible review! Also, is that an EE Torrid puffy you’re wearing and if so, how do you like it?
Thanks! And yes, it is. I don’t have much long term experience with it but so far so good. It’s very warm for the weight!
Excellent review
Great job as always ,awesome explanation 👍
Thank you!
Great review. Thank you.
What's your height for comparison? I'm 6 feet and wondering if my head will hit when sitting up. Thanks. Great review!
I’m 5’7” but I easily had several more inches of room above my head.
What is that thing on your head??
Is there any way to roll back the fly a bit to be able to lie on your back and stargaze?
Amazing review. Nice job.
Thanks for watching
More reviews coming?
Great review, but I have questions; the tent is open a lot along the bottom, doesn't this make it quite cold inside the tent in cold temperatures? Won't wind just blow right on through those openings at the bottom of the tent making a person even more colder? Like another poster mentioned, it does seem quite complicated and time consuming to put up.
Froze - I totally get where you're coming from. It's not shown in detail from my video, but there is definitely an overlap between the bottom of the fly and the top of the bathtub floor. I slept in the tent over the course of a few *very* windy nights and didn't feel any sort of major breeze in the tent at all. We are reviewing a number of tents right now, and this was certainly less breezy than the HMG Dirigo (see our review video here: th-cam.com/video/0l9clCKq2zg/w-d-xo.html and detailed review at BPL here: backpackinglight.com/hyperlite-mountain-gear-dirigo-2-tent-review/). Another one we are reviewing right now is the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, which is one of the airiest tents I've ever used in wind. A tent that has a fly that goes to the ground surface is generally considered "4-season" (to prevent snow/spindrift entry), but they are typically a bit heavier. Great observation and question.
Also - I took a lot of time setting it up so I could illustrate it carefully for instructional purposes, but in reality, it goes up in just a few minutes, and I didn't find it fiddly at all. The guylines and hook-and-loop closures are really only required in very inclement conditions.
@@BackpackingLightUSA I agree , mine sets up in a few minutes, not hard at all, Love this tent !
Nicely done.
Good job! Thanks!
What is the included orange aluminum sleeve for on the poles? Incase a pole breaks?
I have the same question. Did you figure out what it's for?
Most ,if not all tents come with a small section of pole material, very common, yes, in case a pole breaks. Not unusual at all.
Does anyone know if the fly needs to be seem sealed? The tent being reviewed didn't look like it was.
All of the fly seams are taped - no sealing required!
What is that T-shirt you are wearing and where can I get one? I am a writer writing a story that places a substantial part in Wyoming and that shirt appeals to me. Thanks.
Barbara - I bought it at the University of Wyoming bookstore in Laramie. Go Pokes!
@@BackpackingLightUSA Thank you. I will be in Wyoming in a few weeks doing research.
Why is this tent no longer available from REI? I asked REI & never got a reply.
Just decided today that I'd finally buy the quarter dome after years of looking at it and to my surprise, It's no longer available ;(
@@DaveGiordanoNYC Stand by; I'm going to publish my listing on eBay shortly. I'll be the Quarter Dome SL 1 in Reno, Nevada.
@@DaveGiordanoNYC My listing will publish at 2045 PST, ie, in another 12 minutes.
Pretty sure I saw a post that mentioned they were just out of stock, but we’re coming back. I got mine during their last 30% off sale and got one of the last ones apparently.
Either way, it’s a great tent. REI would be dumb to not bring it back.
@@blakew5672 I just checked their website & entered the search term "Quarter Dome Tents". The only hits were for "footprints"/ I seems REI has, in fact, DISCONTINUED their line of Quarter dome tents & there aren't any replacement lines of tents. Your guess is as good as mine as to WHY REI DISCONTINUED their line of Quarter Dome tents.
When I bought this from REI it came with no manual so it wasn't anywhere near this nice when I put it up.