Cyclist0108

I'm trying to lighten my load, looking first at the low-hanging anchors ...

I'm considering the "REI Co-op Quarter Dome 1 Tent", which I could get with my dividend and 20% off coupon.

My current tent is (nominally) a 3-person tent that weighs about 8.5 lbs, but has a claimed weight of 6 lbs 8 oz. This one is a bit under 3.

REI Co-op Quarter Dome 1 Tent

Does anyone have any experience with this (or its previous incarnation)?

There is also another one about 40% less expensive, weighing in a few ounces more:

A different option

fietsbob

No , but how windy are your campsites? separate rainfly tent erection in a stiff wind is no bueno.






...

alan s 

I have the older Quarterdome 2 and it is enough room for one plus gear. Great quality, and the newer version is probably better, but I don't have firsthand knowledge.

BicycleCrazy

I purchased this one this afternoon...with their current sale it was $105.38.

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...with-footprint

Cyclist0108

That's cool! Great find. Can you get a bike under the vestibule thingie?



That could help justify the extra weight.

BicycleCrazy

Not sure but it probably can...

BigAura

Maybe use your bike instead of hiking poles, which I'll assume you don't carry.

skimaxpower

The quarter dome is a much better tent than that Kelty. Consider:
- one pound lighter
- vestibule doesn't require additional trekking poles (not included in spec weight)
- more head and shoulder room
- better air movement for hot nights.
- nylon rainfly offers better waterpoofing compared to polyester, in my experience.

Ground clothes are silly, heavy, and expensive. Just cut section of tyvek for your ground cloth.

mev

Going from a three person tent to a one person could be a fun switch.

I don't have experience with QuarterDome (QD) 1-person tent, but do have following experiences:

1. I cycled on supported TDA ride across Africa in 2013 with a QD T2+ tent. The plus part was some extra size which I appreciated. The tent did reasonably well, but after sandstorm in Sudan the two zippers gradually started failing and by end of the trip one of the two zippers wasn't usable.

2. I liked the QD T2+ well enough that for my current extended trip, I bought another one new. It is what I've been using and is holding up well so far. Looking at the REI pages it looks like the new QD series tents has been redesigned for both 1-person and 2-person models.

3. Cycling across Russia, I didn't check my gear well enough before departure and was surprised to discover I had a one-person tent instead of a two-person tent. [Not sure if I ordered wrong or they sent wrong, but my mistake for not checking until first night I went to set up the tent]. Both cases was a MSR "hubba" or "hubba hubba" model.

I discovered I sortof like having the extra room inside the tent to bring in gear. The one person did OK and there was just enough room inside the vestibule to keep things dry in a rain storm. However, only one door and things felt a bit cramped after multiple weeks on the road. So I was happy to have some extra weight but use it for a two person tent and hence the QD T2 tents above.

mrv 

I had the same thought - saving some weight and going to a one man tent.
Looks like they are sold out NOW, but I ordered a Big Agnes last week: https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/produ...reek-ul-1-tent

It was $255 on sale - lighter and cheaper than the similar REI tent.
I've got an REI passage 2 right now, about 5lbs or so. It's pretty good for my 6~12 nights a year of camping. More if I could....

Never tried a one man tent, so I'm going to set it up in the REI store and take a nap.
Maybe go totally Brian Wilson on them for the evening.

prathmann

Haven't used the QD personally but have seen them in use by traveling companions and they look like nice tents. I switched to single-person tents years ago and now my 2-man tents are usually only used by others that I loan them out to. Even on trips that are vehicle supported I'm so used to the smaller tents that I tend to prefer them. I've always found there to be plenty of room to keep all my gear (except the bike) inside even my smallest solo tent (Eureka Solitaire).

cdenniston

I am an employee at REI. I really like the REI Quarter Dome series and I think they are one of the best REI branded products currently available. However, I don't have experience with the 2017 versions of the Quarter Domes aside from setting them up. The 2017 versions are true freestanding tents requiring no stakes to fully pitch and that is the big improvement this year over previous iterations. In my opinion the REI QD series is on par with the BA's and MSR's at a lower price. If I didn't already own a cuben fiber solo shelter I would have picked up a 1 person QD a long time ago.

Cyclist0108

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. Gives me a bit to think about. If I do this, I think I will go for the QD1.

I cleaned up the links in the first post, correcting also the weight of the current tent (6 and a half pounds, not 8 and a half).

The nice thing about the current tent is it big enough to bring the bike inside if I have to, or it can comfortably sleep 2 people. (So, is 3 or 4 pounds and the extra bulk worth the peace of mind?)

skimaxpower

Nope. Extra people who randomly need shelter don't exist. Your bike is waterproof (it gets wet when you ride it in the rain!) If you're really worried about bike getting wet, then carry a sil-nylon tarp to put over your bike - it will weigh less than 4 pounds and provide an optional cooking shelter.

Doug64

I have a couple of comfortable tents that will sleep 2 people and one weighs 4 lbs., and the other just 3 lbs. IMO— I'd look for a good compromise,acceptable to me, between weight and comfort; and probably would lean more toward comfort. We had a "2-person" tent that my wife and kids referred to as the "coffin". Whoever drew the short straw got to sleep in it

The green one is the "coffin", and the other weighs 4 pounds.


This is our 3 lb. compromise:



I agree, there is no reason to take the bike inside of the tent. We just carry "motel give-a-way" shower caps to cover the saddles at night.

Philly Tandem

I have a QuarterDome 2 tent and it's pretty good. Actually sold my MSR Hubba Hubba to buy it. For the price I don't think you can go wrong. When I tour by myself I use a one-person MSR Hubba tent, but I think the QD has just as good of a build quality.

MAK

The REI is a very good choice. I don't own one but two friends are happy with theirs. Thin material so handle with care. Check the North Face...I don't see a vent on the fly and that would bother me.

Cyclist0108

Ordered the "REI Co-op Quarter Dome 1 Tent" with the dividend. Thanks, everyone, for the advice. Hopefully I will get a chance to test it in situ shortly.

berner

For the money, the Quarter dome is a fine tent. But I've been impressed buy the minimal weights of some of the Big Agnes tents such as a two person tent that weighs under 2 1/2 or 3 pounds. Of course, lighter weight means a bigger price tag. One other consideration is how big a package does the tent make and where on the bike to carry it. Some tents will not easily fit into panniers easily due to long pole sections.

Yan 

I used an REI Quarter Dome T2 for many years. Solid tent, never had a problem with it in over a hundred nights. If I hadn't donated it I'd probably still be using it.

bikemig 

I was looking at tents recently and this was on my short list. I decided to go with a 2 person tent--the Big Agnes seedhouse SL 2--which I like but the QD tent is very attractive as well. I know I like a bit of xtra room in my tent which is why I went with a 2 person tent.

indyfabz

Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 on the rear rack last September:

Cyclist0108

It arrived yesterday. It is remarkably light.