REI tents have great reviews for their long term durability, functionality, and for having lower prices than their competitors. I have owned many REI Tents over the years and I will review go over the pros and cons of each from a women’s perspective.
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REI offers a huge variety of tents including large family tents all the way to solo thru hiking lightweight options.
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REI Tent Sale
Tents are expensive which is why we are all always looking for the next REI tent sale. OK, at REI they actually call it the REI Garage Sale but that is semantics when you are talking about huge savings! Check out our article on REI Garage Sales by State to find out when your REI will be holding it’s next REI Tent Sale! But, the garage sale is not the only way to to save big on your next tent purchase. Have you checked out the REI Outlet? You can save 20 - 70% off at the outlet today and not have to wait for the next garage sale.
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The REI Outlet is a great alternative to the REI Garage Sale.
REI Backpacking Tents 1 Person For Women
1 Person Tents
Top Pick REI Quarter Dome SL 1
Tallest REI Quarter Dome 1
Most Space REI Half Dome 1 Plus
Budget Friendly REI Passage 1
REI Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent (Top Pick)
As a woman of average height, I find that I have plenty of room in any of the REI one-person tents. So why carry extra weight? The REI Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent is lightweight and boasts the same floor area as its bigger sister Quarter Dome 1 for almost 1 pound less! If you are looking for an inexpensive one-person backpacking tent, this tent is a good choice. Keep in mind that this tent is semi freestanding, so you will have to stake the corners every time you pitch it.
REI Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent
REI Quarter Dome 1 (Tallest)
I’ll be honest; as a woman, I don’t see why you would purchase the REI Quarter Dome 1 when you can buy the SL version for a bit less. This tent is over a half-pound heavier, and for that half-pound, you get 4” more of ceiling height and a freestanding tent. I can’t remember a time when I was backpacking and didn’t at least stake the four corners, so the SL’s semi freestanding construction isn’t an inconvenience at all. Unless you are a taller woman in the 6’ range, I’d suggest the quarter dome’s little sister and save the weight.
REI Quarter Dome 1 Tent
REI Half Dome 1 Plus Tent (Most Space)
If you are on a budget and don’t mind carrying an extra pound or so, the REI Half Dome 1 Plus Tent is a good selection. You will gain almost five more square feet with the half dome vs. quarter dome, and it is about $100 less than the two REI quarter dome options. Whichever REI dome 1 tent you choose, they should be a good 3 season backpacking tent.
REI Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent
REI Passage 1 (Budget)
The REI Passage 1 tent has been a good reliable tent but is pretty heavy with a minimum trail weight of 3 lbs 6 oz to be a top choice of solo backpackers. Both the REI Quarter Dome and the SL version offer a similar floor area and are 1 lb to 1lb 8 oz lighter.
REI Passage 1 Tent
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Women’s REI Backpacking Tents For Two People
2 Person Tents
Most Space REI Half Dome 2 Plus
Lightest Freestanding REI Quarter Dome SL 2
Popular REI Quarter Dome 2
Four Season REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
Budget REI Trail Hut 2 Tent
Basic REI Camp Dome 2
Lightest REI Flash Air 2
Economical REI Passage 2
Lowest Price REI Groundbreaker 2
*Discontinued REI Half Dome 2
REI Half Dome 2 Plus (Most Space)
The REI Half Dome 2 Plus offers the most floor area and peak height in comparison to the rest in this category. It also is probably the hardiest of all of these REI 2 person tent using a heavier 70 denier taffeta nylon for the floor. They were able to keep the weight down without sacrificing durability by choosing a 40 denier ripstop nylon for the canopy and rainfly. While the REI Co-op half dome 2 plus tent may be a bit on the heavier side, it should last you for several years.
REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
REI Quarter Dome SL 2 (Lightest Freestanding)
The REI Quarter Dome SL 2 tent is very similar to the smaller one-person version. It is incredibly lightweight, only 2 lbs 8 oz, and offers just enough room for two women or a couple. You can save another 8 ounces by leaving the tent at home and pitching it with the poles, rainfly, and footprint. This tent is semi freestanding, so you will have to stake it out each time you use it, but this feature saves you from having to carry an additional 13 ounces with the not so lighter version, REI Quarter Dome 2.
REI Quarter Dome SL 2
REI Quarter Dome 2
The REI Quarter Dome 2 offers the same floor area as the lighter SL 2 model but gives you an additional 4” of inside peak height at 42”. Unless you are a taller woman or just like having an extra room, I would recommend the SL version as it is almost a pound lighter and cheaper. This is a great REI 2 person tent, especially if you find it discounted on the REI Outlet or at an REI Garage sale.
REI Quarter Dome 2 Tent
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REI offers a huge variety of tents including large family tents all the way to solo thru hiking lightweight options.
REI Arete ASL 2 Tent (Four Season)
If you are looking for a two-person four-season tent on a budget, you must consider the REI Arete ASL 2 Tent. This one door beauty is almost 6 pounds but boasts over 32 square feet of floor space and a manageable 43” peak height. As far as four-season tents go, the Arete offers quite a bit for the price. Comparable four-season two-person tents will cost you almost twice as much as the REI Co-op Arete ASL 2 tent.
REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
REI Trail Hut 2 Tent (Budget)
The REI Trail Hut 2 Tent is a great starter two-person backpacking tent that even includes the footprint. Most tents you have to purchase the footprint separately for an additional $30-$60. It is making this already budget-friendly REI 2 person tent an even bigger bargain. It is comparable to all the other tents in this category except that it is 2 plus pounds heavier. Still, two people dividing up this almost five-pound tent isn’t too much of a shared weight for nearly half the cost of your other options.
REI Trail Hut 2 Tent
REI Camp Dome 2 (Basic B)
The REI Camp Dome 2 is a simple basic-bitch tent that will last you many seasons. This tent would be perfectly fine to use on a weekend backpacking adventure with your girlfriends. The overall size and weight are comparable to many on this list. It lacks many of the extras that the more expensive REI dome tents come standard with. The floor and rainfly are made from polyester and the canopy from nylon. These less expensive materials are not ideal or as durable as the more preferred ripstop nylon. This tent would be great for the occasional weekend backpacking or drive up camping trip.
REI Camp Dome 2
REI Flash Air 2 (*Lightest)
First off, this is a *non-freestanding tent which means that you MUST stake it out each time or it will not stand-up. Sometimes I'm lazy and don't stake out my tent, there I said it, if you are like me, this is not a tent for you. Unless you are a backpacker or cycler and are looking for a super lightweight tent that you will have to stake out each time. Then this gal is for you! She has two doors which eliminates the need for one of you to try and awkwardly crawl over the other like in the one door 2 person tents. This tent is mostly mesh with the fairly standard tapered down footprint at your feet making you and your tent mate some cozy fellows. You can save additional weight by leaving the vertical poles at home and use your trekking poles instead which gets the tent down to an astounding 1 lbs 15 oz.
REI Flash Air 2
REI Half Dome 2 (discontinued)
It is not uncommon for REI to improve on their tent designs, which is just what they did with the REI Half Dome 2 when they discontinued it. While it is no longer available, this was a great starter tent for backpackers on a budget. Today you can get the same great tent in the REI Half Dome 2 Plus, which offers more floor area and peak height.
REI Half Dome 2
An Easy Way To Save on New Gear!
When you buy from the REI outlet website your purchases are covered by their no-hassle one year return policy.
Shop REI's online discount website and save 25%-75% today!
The REI Outlet is a great alternative to the REI Garage Sale.
REI Passage 2 (Economical)
The REI Passage 2 Tent was discontinued at the same time as the REI Half Dome 2. The REI co-op passage 2 was a polyester lover's dream ripped straight out of the ’70s with orange and cream vibes. If you are looking for something similar, you have two choices, the modern polyester basic bitch, REI Camp Dome 2, or the much larger version and more expensive REI Half Dome SL 2.
REI Passage 2 Tent
REI Groundbreaker 2 (Lowest Price)
Even at a robust 4 lbs 13 oz this tent could easily be used for a weekend backpacking trip with a compatriot. The floor space is plenty big for two 20" sleeping pads at 52" x 88". It has a big D side door which is nice to get in and out but can cause a little bit of a problem for the gal who isn't next to it. Most of the potential ingress - egress issues will be determined by your backpacking partners agility and nimbleness. Pro tip: Always put the clumsy one by the door. The best part about this tent is that it is really really really inexpensive.
REI Passage 2 Tent
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Three Person REI Tents For Women
3 Person Tents
Backpacking REI Half Dome 3 Plus Tent
REI Half Dome 3 Plus Tent (Backpacking)
The REI Half Dome 3 Plus Tent is light enough at 5 lbs 14 oz to divide up and take backpacking. My husband and I backpack together with a MSR 3 person tent because we like the extra space. Keep in mind that the floor dimensions are 92” x 92” which means that if three of you bring a 20” sleeping mat, there is still 32” to spare between the sides of the tent and each other pad. We sleep comfortably on 25" sleeping pads in our much smaller 3 person backpacking tent. Also, keep in mind the canopy and rainfly are 40-denier nylon, which is more susceptible to tearing but lighter weight and standard with backpacking tents.
REI Half Dome 3 Plus Tent
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Four Person REI Tents For Women
4 Person Tents
Four Season REI Base Camp 4 Tent
Backpacking REI Half Dome 4 Plus Tent
Big & Tall REI Kingdom 4 Tent
Tall REI Grand Hut 4 Tent
Discounted REI Camp Dome 4 Tent
REI Base Camp 4 Tent (Four Season)
I own an REI Base Camp 4 Tent and refuse to stop using it for drive-up camping even though the rainfly windows have holes in them. I’ve had this tent for probably ten years, and I can attest that it is an excellent choice for all-weather camping. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been caught in massive rainstorms, and all of our friend's stuff is wet while we sit in our REI Co-op base camp 4 tent nice and dry. It also has two vestibules, and one of them even is extended by an extra pole. It isn’t quite as roomy as the REI Kingdom 4, but if you plan on camping anywhere with a lot of rain or snow, this is the better choice. Both the queen sized REI Co-op insulated air bed and Kingdom insulated sleep system 40 mattresses will fit in this tent. Once fully blown up you will still a have about two feet of space for moving around and storing gear. Queen sized air mattresses fit in all the other REI 4-person tents, too.
REI Base Camp 4 Tent
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REI offers a huge variety of tents including large family tents all the way to solo thru hiking lightweight options.
REI Half Dome 4 Plus Tent (Backpacking)
The REI Half Dome 4 Plus Tent is light enough at 7 lbs 10 oz to divide up and take backpacking. Keep in mind that the floor dimensions are 92” x 92” which means that if each of you brings a 20” sleeping mat, there is only 12” to spare between the sides of the tent and each other. If you are like me and sleep on a 25” mat, you can literally line up sleeping pads wall to wall with two 25” and two 20” pads. So, yes, it would be tight to sleep four but doable. Also, keep in mind the canopy and rainfly are 40-denier nylon, which is more susceptible to tearing but lighter weight.
REI Half Dome 4 Plus Tent
REI Kingdom 4 Tent (Big & Tall)
The REI Kingdom 4 Tent offers the largest floor area square footage compared to the rest of the REI tents in the four-person category. While the REI Co-op Kingdom 4 does offer 10 square feet more than its competitors, the vestibule is a bit smaller and functional than the REI Grand Hut 4. The Kingdom is easily set up by a single woman with it 1 hubbed poleset and two doorway poles. It is very durably made with 150-denier coated polyester floor fabric and a 75-denier polyester rain fly. Obviously, with them using this heavy fabric, the weight of this tent is much higher and should only be considered for drive-up camping.
REI Kingdom 4 Tent
REI Grand Hut 4 Tent (Tall)
The REI Grand Hut 4 Tent offers the same footprint and square footage as all the other tents in this category, except the larger REI Kingdom 4. What this tent offers ‘over’ it’s competitors is a 75” peak height that allows you to hang a large lantern without having to worry about hitting your head. The REI Co-op grand hut 4 is also built to last, just like the REI Kingdom 4, it was made with 150-denier coated polyester floor fabric and a 75-denier polyester rain fly. The vestibule is a bit larger than the Kingdom’s, but the Kingdom offers 10 more square feet inside away from the bugs.
REI Grand Hut 4 Tent
REI Camp Dome 4 Tent (Discontinued)
The REI Camp Dome 4 tent is a lightweight, quickly set up dome tent. Stick the poles it the four corners diagonally and one in the rain fly at the front door, and you are ready to go. It is made of polyester fabrics and is an excellent choice for the occasional weekend-camper.
REI Camp Dome 4 Tent
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REI Tents For Women (Six Person)
6 Person Tents
REI Kingdom 6 Tent (All Weather)
The REI Kingdom 6 Tent is a massive structure offering over 83 square feet and a peak height of 75 inches. The question you are probably asking yourself is if you should get this Kingdom 6 or the REI Grand Hut 6, as they are similar in size and construction. The real difference between these two tents is the rainflys and vestibules. Kingdom 6’s rainfly is better made to keep the tent dry in big rains. It also has more pockets and a tent privacy divider that is nice if you have an early sleeper or some kids. If you need the space and are on a budget, the Grand Hut is a good choice, too.
REI Kingdom 6 Tent
REI Base Camp 6 Tent (Four Season)
The REI Base Camp 6 Tent is a top four-season tent due to the history of its incredible durability and functionality. I own an REI Base Camp 4 and know this model of the tent very well. There have been many times we have been caught in substantial rainstorms and we're the only dry tent in the campground. If you want to purchase one tent that will last you many more years than you expect, buy the REI Base Camp 6. It is easy to setup with the standard two pole dome design. The rain fly comes with a small pole that creates a small awning over the entrance. This picture does not show it but the rain fly actually completely zips up the entrance creating a small covered vestibule that you can leave your shoes under while still staying dry. This tent does not have the space and height of the Kingdom or Grand Hut but if you are camping anywhere with the possibility of weather, this is the tent you want to be in.
REI Base Camp 6 Tent
REI Grand Hut 6 Tent (Tallest)
The REI Grand Hut 6 Tent is probably the nicest of all of the REI Grand Hut series. It is the tallest of the three tents in the REI six-person category and had the largest vestibule. This tent is built to pack in a bunch of women and still have room for your outdoor hiking gear. This is a great tent choice for its overall durability and size.
REI Grand Hut 6 Tent
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REI Tents For Women Wild Enough To Put 8 People In A Tent!
8 Person Tents
REI Kingdom 8 Tent
The REI Kingdom 8 tent arguably should have been named the REI Behemoth! This big gal lets you spread out over 104 square feet (twice the size of my bathroom) and boasts another 33 square foot vestibule out front for lounging. It is easy to set up with a hubbed pole set, two crossover poles, and doorway poles for the vestibule. The same high denier count fabric that is used on the other Kingdom series tents, which is again used here. If you are wild enough to put 8 people in a tent and are looking for durability to withstand it… the REI Co-op Kingdom 8 tent is a good choice for a friends and family tent.
REI Kingdom 8 Tent
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REI tents come in all shapes and sizes. They specialize in durable and function tents like camping tent, backpacking tent and family tent.
REI Tent Rental
Before buying an REI Tent, have you considered REI Tent Rental? It is a great way to try out a few different tents before deciding on the best one for you. REI tent rental is cheap and easy, with single-person tents starting at $20 for members.
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Before you commit to buying all the gear, test it out with REI Rentals. You might be amazed with the options.
You may be interested in our Definitive Guide to Tent Types article or our other tent reviews:
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