Bottom Line
The REI Co-op Trailmade 2 tent is an excellent option for hikers on a tight budget who want an easy-to-use, durable, and weather-worthy backpacking tent. This tent’s classic dome structure has been used for decades, and it’s a tried-and-true design that holds up well to long-term use.
The Trailmade will work well for both backpacking and car camping, though its slightly reduced headroom limits its car camping comfort. If you’re willing to spend a bit more money and carry a bit more weight, the Trail Hut 2 is another great budget option with more interior space. For a bit more still, the Half Dome SL 2+ tent is both lighter and roomier than the Trailmade, making it an exceptional tent for backpacking and car camping comfort.
If you plan to primarily use your tent for strenuous backpacking trips and you’re looking to go lighter, we recommend checking out the REI Flash 2 tent. The Flash is a step up in price, but it weighs a lot less, has a roomier interior, and compared to tents with similar specs, it’s an exceptional value.
With all that to consider, if you keep returning to price as the driving decision-making factor, the Trailmade 2 is an excellent tent that will last a long time and keep you well-protected at an incredibly reasonable cost.
