Introduction
The REI Quarter Dome SL 1 is a single person, side entry, single side vestibule, double wall, mostly mesh inner, semi-freestanding tent. Its trail weight (fly, poles, inner) is only 32.3 oz (916 g) and it costs only $280, about $75 less than the category average.
The video review below provides detailed setup instructions for both inner-first and fly-first pitches. I also discuss how I camp and organize gear in a tent like this and performance in windy and humid conditions. Much of the information in the review is applicable to all tents in this category and not necessarily unique to the Quarter Dome SL 1, so users of similar tents from Big Agnes, MSR, or Nemo may find some value in it as well.
The video description at YouTube provides a timecode index.
Category Overview
This category of tents (single person, side-entry, single side vestibule, double wall, mostly mesh inner, semi-freestanding) has evolved significantly over the past five years.
The tents have become appreciably lighter and roomier, owed primarily to a hub-based pole set that creates a pseudo-geodesic panel framework. The primary US manufacturers include REI, Big Agnes, Nemo, and MSR.
We’ve included a comparison table below (see the Compared To… section) with ten models having a trail weight (fly, inner, and poles) of less than 3 lb. These tents have an average trail weight of 34 oz / 964 g (range is 23 oz / 652 g to 48 oz / 1361 g) and an average cost of $353 (range is $280 to $450).
The REI Quarter Dome SL 1 has a trail weight of 32.3 oz (916 g) and a cost of $280, which makes it the best value of the bunch.
Features
- Double wall, single entrance, side entry.
- Full mesh inner tent with 4 in (10 cm) bathtub floor.
- Trapezoidal floor plan.
- Vertical sidewalls.
- A shock-corded hub-and-pole assembly is color-coded to simplify setup.
- A large door on the rainfly vestibule for ease of entry can be rolled out of the way when unzipped.
- Stake-out vestibule with a large side entrance for easy entry and adds storage space for your gear.
- Roof vent improves airflow and helps control condensation.
- Exterior guyline tie-out loops and rainfly rollback loops provide setup options for different types of weather.
- Four pockets and six hang loops help organize the interior.
- Reflective stake loops and guylines.
- Fly/footprint minimalist pitch option lets you leave the tent at home and use the fly, poles, and footprint (sold separately) as a lightweight shelter, or aids in pitching the outer tent (fly) first and inner tent from inside.
- Includes a stuff sack, stakes, guylines, and tighteners, as well as a pole-repair tube, a pole bag, and a stake bag.
Specifications
- Weight (actual measured values):
- Fly: 11.2 oz (318 g)
- Inner tent: 11.8 oz (335 g)
- Pole set: 9.2 oz (261 g)
- Stakes: 3.9 oz / 111 g (includes ten 6 in (15 cm) v-channel aluminum stakes w/head cords)
- Guylines: 0.7 oz / 20 g (includes three)
- Footprint (optional add-on): 4.1 oz (116 g)
- Packaged Weights:
- Minimalist (fly, poles, footprint, 5 stakes) – 26.5 oz (751 g)
- Fair Weather (fly, poles, inner, 5 stakes) – 34.2 oz (970 g)
- Inclement Weather (fly, poles, inner, footprint, 10 stakes, guylines) – 40.9 oz (1160 g)
- Packed size: 6 x 19 in (15 x 48 cm)
- Floor dimensions: 88 x 35/27 in / 224 x 89/68 cm (L x W head/foot)
- Floor area: 18.9 sq. ft (1.76 sq. m.)
- Vestibule area: 9.6 sq. ft. (0.89 sq. m.)
- Peak height: 38 in (97 cm)
- Pole material: 7000 series DAC aluminum
- Fabrics:
- Fly fabric: ripstop nylon
- Floor fabric: ripstop nylon
- Inner tent: noseeum mesh
Performance Notes
After using this tent in rainy and humid conditions, I found condensation management to be excellent, attributable to an ideally-located and generously-sized roof vent and steep fly walls.
I also suspected that the fly fabric was made with a low emissivity material, at least when compared to the silnylon and polyurethane (PU) coated nylon fly fabric samples in my possession. Using standardized emissivity measurement methods that use an infrared temperature sensor and an adjustable-emissivity thermal imaging camera, I was able to confirm this suspicion. However, my methods are crude, so I don’t yet have enough confidence in my data to publish comparison numbers.
Wind-resistance is very good and the tent stays quiet and stable in winds up to about 30 mph (the maximum I experienced in this tent) – assuming it’s pitched properly and tightly with all of its stakes and guylines.
A vestibule that’s roomier than most single side entry tents, four interior mesh pockets, and six hang loops gives you plenty of options to stay organized.
Strengths
- One of the lightest and most affordable tents available in this category (see Compared To section below) without using expensive, less durable materials (e.g., exotic fabrics, low denier fabrics, or carbon poles). Best value in its category.
- Canopy (fly) pitches very tight, as a result of quality design and manufacturing and enough fabric stretch. This helps with snow shedding, wind stability, and condensation resistance.
- Very quiet and stable in wind, when pitched properly with all stakes and guylines.
- Can be pitched fly-first in inclement weather (optional footprint required, sold separately).
- Generous vestibule space.
- Inner tent floor area is large enough for a wide, long pad with additional room inside for gear storage.
- Vertical sidewalls help minimize getting water inside the tent during entry and exit in rain.
- Fly fabric doesn’t sag in response to increasing humidity/rainy conditions when the tent is properly pitched and tightened initially.
- Good condensation performance.
Limitations
- Fly buckles can be difficult to snap in very cold weather (small, hard to use with mittens or gloves).
- Vestibule door zipper guard is very drippy if opened in wet conditions, and some of the water can enter the tent upon entry/exit. A slight awning over the door and as part of the open vestibule would be helpful here.
Compared To…
In the following table, the REI Quarter Dome SL 1 is compared to other similarly-sized double-wall, mostly mesh inner, semi-freestanding (i.e., no trekking pole tents), side entry tents that have a maximum trail weight (fly, inner, poles) of 48 oz (122 g). This table features US tent manufacturers only.
* Note: the Tarptent Rainbow is a hybrid single/double wall tent, but has been included here because of its similarity to other 1-person, side-entry, single-vestibule tents.
| Model | weight (fly, inner, poles, oz) | MSRP (US$) | peak height (in) | floor area (sq. ft.) | type of entry | # vestibules | vestibule area (sq. ft.) | packed size (L x W, in) | pole material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI Quarter Dome | 32 | $280 | 38 | 18.9 | side | 1 | 9.6 | 6 x 19 | aluminum |
| REI Quarter Dome 1 | 39 | $300 | 42 | 18.9 | side | 1 | 9.8 | 6 x 18.5 | aluminum |
| MSR Freelite 1 | 32 | $390 | 36 | 18.0 | side | 1 | 9.0 | 6 x 18 | aluminum |
| MSR Carbon Reflex 1 | 23 | $450 | 34 | 17.0 | side | 1 | 7.0 | 5 x 17 | carbon |
| MSR Hubba NX 1 | 39 | $380 | 36 | 18.0 | side | 1 | 9.0 | 6 x 18 | aluminum |
| Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 1 | 34 | $380 | 38 | 20.2 | side | 1 | 9.0 | 4 x 16.5 | aluminum |
| Big Agnes Manzanares HV SL1 | 48 | $300 | 38 | 20.0 | side | 1 | 9.0 | 6 x 18 | aluminum |
| Nemo Hornet Elite 1 | 24 | $450 | 39 | 21.8 | side | 1 | 6.9 | 4 x 19 | aluminum |
| Nemo Dragonfly 1 | 32 | $350 | 39 | 20.3 | side | 1 | 10.0 | 4 x 19.5 | aluminum |
| Nemo Hornet 1 | 31 | $330 | 39 | 22.3 | side | 1 | 7.3 | 4.5 x 19 | aluminum |
| Tarptent Rainbow 1 | 37 | $269 | 43 | 23.9 | side | 1 | 8.2 | 4 x 18 | aluminum |
If price and weight are plotted against each other and a linear trendline is regressed to the data, we can get a feel for the value provided in this market category:
Points above the line represent a below average value while points below the line represent an above average value. The farther away a point is from the line, the worse (or better). This makes the Big Agnes Manzanares HV UL1 and the MSR Hubba NX 1 the lowest value tents and the REI Quarter Dome SL 1 the highest value tents.
This analysis comes with a few caveats:
- It’s only applicable to the tents in the table above.
- It only considers weight and cost in the value proposition – not other performance metrics.
Review Rating: Recommended
The REI Quarter Dome SL 1 earns a Recommended Rating for its wind stability, condensation resistance, livability, and value.
The only thing separating it from a Highly Recommended rating is that it’s still a half pound heavier than the two lightest tents on the market in this category – the Nemo Hornet Elite 1 and the MSR Carbon Reflex 1. However, at $170 cheaper than either of those options, the REI Quarter Dome SL 1 offers a very compelling option when it comes to its price:weight ratio.
- Our Rating: Recommended (learn more)
- MSRP: $279
- Weight: 32.3 oz (916 g)
- Buy Now: REI
Product Review Disclosure
Updated September 15, 2018
- How we acquired these products: Product(s) discussed in this review were either acquired by the author from a retailer or otherwise provided by the manufacturer at a discount/donation with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review to the manufacturer(s).
- We do not accept money or in-kind compensation for guaranteed media coverage: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage.
- Affiliate links: Some (but not all) of the links in this review may be “affiliate” links, which means if you click on a link to one of our affiliate partners (usually a retailer site), and subsequently make a purchase with that retailer, we receive a small commission. This helps us fund our editorial projects, podcasts, instructional webinars, and more, and we appreciate it a lot! Thank you for supporting Backpacking Light!
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: REI Quarter Dome SL1 Review
The REI Quarter Dome SL1 is a single person, side entry, single side vestibule, double wall, mostly mesh inner, semi-freestanding tent.
It represents one of the best values in terms of weight and performance found in this category, which includes tents from Nemo, MSR, and Big Agnes.
Looks nice. I’ve been looking for something lightweight and with steep sidewalls. For some reason it isn’t showing as available online. I’ll check at my local store to see what’s up. Thanks for the look.
REI web site lists this tent as “No longer available”.
Did anyone notice this design looks to be VERY similar to the Big Agnes Tiger Wall series? I am a little suspect of the long term durability all these paperthin 15D silnylon fabrics tents. Perhaps REI is rethinking the warranty implications with this SL series?
this is a pretty darn good tent it seems. I mean, it looks excellent in terms of storm worthiness and living space.
I wonder about the fiddle factor for the velcro loops. they seem to slow down the set up a bit.
Long term use of 15d should be fine. These fabrics have actually been around for awhile.
The SL1 sold out yesterday, it will be available for pre-order again in about 3 weeks and is projected to start shipping the next production run around July 10 (source: REI).
I’ve found it to be more stable than the Tiger Wall, but the latter tent has larger unsupported fabric panels and the pole structure is a little more wobbly.
Well the Tarptent Moment DW and Scarp 1 and 2 are freestanding IF you add the optional Crossing Poles.
PLUS, unlike this tent, they can be set up without getting the inner tent soaked.
Eric, the video demonstrates the rainy day setup at ~ 16:55 where the inner is set up last.
In the video you say that there are other tents that are competitive with the SL1, including the MSR Carbon Reflex.
The Carbon Reflex 2 has a peak height of 34 inches. A friend of mine has one. Who is that tent designed for with a 34 inch peak height? Hobbits?
What is interesting to me is the increase in the number of tents in the 2lb category. Previously the difference between Ultralight shelters and traditional shelters was significant and you could expect to get a 2lb savings easily. Now it seems these tents are not much heavier than a Tarp plus net tent combo or Duomid or other UL shelter of choice.
In terms of the future I would think it may increasingly become hard to justify a UL shelter for weekenders like me that rarely do more than 2 nights out.
Randy – agreed.
People compare the pros and cons of a trekking pole shelter vs these mostly free standing shelters: Nemo Hornet, Big Agnes Tiger Wall & Copper Spur, and now the REI Quarter Dome SL series. They’re so light now that the incremental weight difference justifies, for them, the benefits to sticking with a traditional tent design that they are comfortable with and know how to manage.
I stand corrected. And chagrined. After all the work Ryan did to demonstrate this feature guess who didn’t bother to watch the video? :o(
The inner can be pitched after the poles and fly are pitched. In fact Ryan says its one of the easiest to do it this way of this type of tent. That’s good, but still not my cup of tent.
I much prefer to have a tent where I can leave the inner tent attached to the fly and pitch both together in the rain or snow. Less fussing around setting up the tent.
I do like the geometry of this tent. REI makes some well thought-out gear. And the fact that the fly has Velcro to fasten it to the poles is even more proof of their design thoroughness. This greatly helps in high winds to prevent flapping. I’ve done it on my modded Tarptent Moment DW and Scarp 2 where I read the X-inb poles inside the fly and secured them with Velcro cable wraps sewn to the fly interior. Great minds… (hee, hee)
The REI Quarter Dome SL1 is on sale for $195.29 (30% off) through July 4, 2019.
I dislike the design of these semi-freestanding “one pole in the back” tents. In a strong wind the tent bends over no matter how well staked it is. I have the Fly Creek UL 1 and experienced this in a storm. The walls of the tent bent over and touched me, and I could feel the hail hitting. And for those thinking I should have not set up the tent sideways to the wind, I didn’t. The wind shifted.
My next tent will be a real free-standing model even if it weighs a few more ounces.
“My next tent will be a real free-standing model even if it weighs a few more ounces.”
Agreed, for several reasons.
Although for its weight this tent is very roomy in all dimensions, so would be a cardboard box of similar shape and size. While space for weight is very important, it may be of greater importance that the tent have an aerodynamic shape to shed wind. Just in case the weather gets nasty, which for longer distance hikers is sure to happen, and can happen unexpectedly to weekend overnighters. As Alice found out, even one episode if this was not acceptable. For those who reject masochism and backpack for enjoyment, this is generally the case. Except for the front vestibule, the walls on this tent are much too close to vertical to shed wind, and in high winds, will be prone to creating barriers that the wind just loves to blow away. Of course you can carry a bunch of stakes and guylines that will brace a tent wall against high winds; but wouldn’t it be better to save the added weight and carry a tent that is aerodynamic enough to function without it; unless you are one of those tornado chasers who would be better off to carry a shipping container.
Like Eric B, I did not catch Ryan’s set up method for a dry pitch in rain, as the video was quite long and time was limited; but from Eric’s comments, think I get the general idea. Just as you can make a tent stable in winds with many guylines, you can dry pitch most tents if there is plenty of time to do it. However, really nasty storms are the epitome of times when there is not a lot of time to get sheltered and dry in a safe place, especially if fleeing to a nearby motel is not an option, which I think can be the case for longer distance hiking which can be just a few weeks and doesn’t have to be for months.
Last, as Alice suggested, a tent supported by a frame should be self-supporting, and need stakes only to anchor it, not support it. All these tents that scrimp on a pole or two, and need stakes to hold the occupied section up, do not meet this test, and certainly are not what hikers generally regard as free-standing. (There is really no reason to make a vestibule free-standing, especially when with good design, it can substitute for guy line supports, protect shelter access and egress, and greatly increase storage space, all without needing more pole(s) to stabilize the tent.)
I put the above on the article thread because Ryan should know that in the minds of many, tents like the SL1 really do not move the bar forward. Will leave it a that.
Yes, this post is a MAJOR necro-bump of a thread but no sense in starting a new one….
As a somewhat tall (6’1″) not very flexible guy, I am back in the market for a
Pretty much all MSR 1P model tents fall out of contention due to low length (84″) and often low height (as low as 36″ on the Hubba NX1).
Picked up the Quarter Dome SL1 at REI today during their 20% sale, pitched it in the park and liked pretty much everything about it… except the shallow tub. Combined with the fly that stays a good distance off the ground even when pitched as tight as possible this is a recipe for frustration in the Southwest where even moderate wind tends to pick up a lot of dust and throw it into the tent. Not sure what REI was thinking, but I would have loved to give up 4oz and double the height of that tub. Will pitch it a few more times in the park to make sure I am not missing something but the SL1 is likely going back to REI on account of the shallow tub.
After looking through various lists and specs, the only remaining contender is the BA Copper Spur HV UL1. It has the right length and height, decent sized vestibule, and most importantly, a pretty tall tub particularly around the face. Used to own a previous version of the BA (circa 2016) and did not like two things about it: a) the awning height was A LOT lower than the max height of the tent and b) it lacked any guyout points on the foot end of the tent that is supposed to face the wind. It seems that BA has fixed the awning issue with a new design, but alas the 1P tent still seems to be lacking a guyout point in the foot region. Argh!
So two questions for the collective wisdom of the forums
Boyan, I think the REI SL low tub was for better ventilation. Ryan said the fly could be pegged pretty low. Ironically, netting weighs more than solid UL fabrics according to several UL tent makers.
Bill,
I played with the height of the fly quite a bit during my test. Was pitching the tent on level grass field so I could put the stakes anywhere I wanted. Even when I had them as close to the fly as possible and the ground lines pulled in all the way the fly was still was a minimum of 4 fingers off the ground and barely below the level of the tub. I could do better on the vestibule side but not on the fixed side. The stake loops on the cordage are pretty generous so you can bring the fky in another inch or so by retying them as a smaller bowline, or even tighter by using Skurka’s guyline system.
Looks like a nice budget shelter. Although if I’m reading the specs right, the Nemo Hornet looks both slightly larger (especially at the narrow and) and slightly lighter, with a similar set up. The REI tent is certainly cheaper, especially if one includes the REI rebate.
That’s a good point on the Hornet. The price diff is only $30 at MSRP (some day everything will be in stock during the 20% sales :-). I see that the tub is generous, but the fabric decision seem to be wading into “stupid light” territory, at least for my taste. 15D on the tub and 10D on the fly are a disaster waiting to happen – I am sure to rip one or the other sooner rather than later. Feels like well rounded mid-weight shelters don’t sell well and everyone is going for some headline spec that compromises an important usability vector. Tarptent is the one brand that I don’t think makes such tradeoffs, but I am not crazy about the layout of their freestanding tents.
You know your own use case better than I do, but I have not had a problem with my Nemo Hornet. I have the 2P version and used it for probably 100 nights or so before ultimately switching to a single-wall DCF Zpacks tent to save an additional pound of weight. I will be taking an extra dog camping this summer, so I will probably go back to the Hornet, at least temporarily, since my Zpacks tent will not fit me and two dogs.
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