REI Co-op Trailmade Backpacking Tent Review
A roomy, beginner-friendly tent that won't crush your back or your budget.
A genuinely roomy two-person tent that gets you into backpacking without a mortgage payment or a chiropractor on speed dial.
What the Trailmade actually is
The Trailmade is REI's entry-level backpacking tent, sitting below the Half Dome and Flash lines in both price and ambition. It runs roughly $200 to $280 depending on whether you grab the 1- or 2-person version, and it's built for people who hike a few miles to a campsite a handful of weekends a year. Not thru-hikers counting grams. Not car campers who want a palace.
It's a freestanding double-wall tent with aluminum poles, a full-coverage rainfly, and two doors with two vestibules on the 2-person model. The headline numbers: the 2-person packs in around 5 pounds, which is heavier than premium ultralight tents but completely reasonable for the money and for shorter trips.
How it performs on the trail
Setup is the strong point. The pole structure is simple and color-coded, and owners consistently report pitching it in a few minutes without a manual after the first try. Freestanding means you can pick it up and shake out the debris, or move it to a flatter spot without re-staking everything.
Inside, it earns its reputation for space. The near-vertical walls give you real sitting-up room instead of the coffin feel you get from aggressively tapered ultralight shelters. Two people and a dog will be cozy but fine. One person with a week of gear will feel downright luxurious. The two doors matter more than people expect, because nobody wants to climb over their tentmate at 2 a.m.
Weather handling is solid for three-season use. The full rainfly sheds steady rain, and the vestibules keep boots and packs dry. Ventilation is decent, though like most budget tents it can get some condensation on cold, still nights. Pitch the fly taut and crack the vents and you'll mostly avoid a damp morning.
The honest downsides
Weight is the obvious one. At roughly 5 pounds for the two-person, it's about a pound and a half heavier than something like the REI Half Dome SL or a Big Agnes Copper Spur, and well over a pound heavier than serious ultralight options. For a 3-mile hike to a lake, you won't care. For a 15-mile day in the mountains, you will.
The materials feel like what they are. Floor and fly fabrics are sturdier and heavier than premium tents, which is good for durability but bad for your pack volume. It also doesn't pack down especially small. And in strong wind, the simpler pole geometry isn't as rock-solid as pricier models, so don't take this to an exposed alpine ridge in a storm.
Who should buy it, and who should skip it
Buy the Trailmade if you're new to backpacking, do mostly weekend trips with moderate mileage, and want a forgiving, comfortable tent that doesn't gut your budget. It's also a smart first tent for someone who isn't yet sure they'll stick with the hobby. The REI return policy and membership dividend make it an easy low-risk entry.
Skip it if you're chasing long miles, big elevation, or shoulder-season storms. In that case, spend up for the Half Dome SL or Flash line and save the weight. Ultralight diehards already stopped reading three paragraphs ago.
The verdict
The Trailmade is one of the better honest deals in entry-level backpacking. It trades weight for comfort, simplicity, and a friendly price, and for the casual hiker that's exactly the right trade. You're not paying for marketing. You're paying for a roomy, dependable tent that gets you outside.
Most beginners will be happy here for years. The people who outgrow it will know exactly why, and they'll have learned what to look for next.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does the REI Co-op Trailmade tent weigh?
- The 2-person Trailmade weighs roughly 5 pounds packed, and the 1-person is lighter. That's heavier than ultralight tents but normal for a budget freestanding backpacking tent meant for shorter hikes.
- Is the Trailmade good for beginners?
- Yes. It's specifically aimed at new backpackers. It pitches fast, has generous interior room, handles three-season weather well, and costs far less than premium ultralight tents, making it a low-risk first tent.
- Trailmade vs. REI Half Dome: which should I get?
- Get the Trailmade if budget and comfort matter most and your trips are short and moderate. Step up to the Half Dome SL if you want noticeably less weight, better packed size, and stronger performance on longer or more exposed trips.
Marcus has spent over a decade testing consumer tech and gadgets. He cares about whether a product earns its price in real life — not on a spec sheet.
