
REI Trail Hut 2 Budget Tent Review
Bottom Line
The REI Trail Hut 2 is not just a good option if your price range is a little higher, but also if you’re looking for a well-rounded, compact tent for car camping adventures or backpacking trips with a partner where you can split the weight. It features large dual doors and vestibules, high-cut side walls for increased privacy, wind protection when the fly is off, and stargazing capabilities when you roll the fly door up over the roof.
At 5 pounds 11 ounces, it’s not the lightest in our budget tent lineup, but it’s got some great features for a reasonable price – constructed of polyester taffeta with nylon mesh, a DWR polyurethane coating, and a seam-sealed floor and rainfly for added weather protection. The Trail Hut’s inner tent has high side walls for privacy when you go sans-fly and also retains a surprising amount of warmth at night. We were able to stay warm while camping one night in the Los Padres Forest without the fly because the walls prevented any drafts or cross-breezes, trapping a fair amount of heat inside without letting it disperse quickly from the sides of the tent.
For a tent that’s only 31 square feet, it doesn’t feel cramped or small when laying inside with its 7.3 foot total length and 4.3 foot width. The ridgepole also adds extra room and a noticeable sense of spaciousness. However, with a 3.3 foot peak height, it is the shortest of all the tents we reviewed for this category. If you’re looking for a product with a taller peak height, this tent might not be for you. Though if you’re in the market for a tent that’s suitable as a roomy 1-person shelter or as a fun, easy-to-use tent with the kids, checkout the Trail Hut 2.
Quick Specs

REI Trail Hut 2
Most affordable crossover tent for backpacking & car camping
Price:
$229
Weight:
5 lb. 15 oz.(Including footprint)
Dimensions:
88 x 52 x 40 in.
Size:
2 Person
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Freestanding
- Large doors/vestibules
- Strong zippers
- Quick/easy to pitch
- Footprint included
Cons
- Heavier/bulkier than some backpacking tents
- Less headroom than some
- Not enough stakes/guylines included
- Guylines not pre-attached
Comfort
The REI Trail Hut 2 was designed with livability and comfort in mind while sticking to a more compact, yet spacious interior thanks to its ridgepole. With two large 30” x 36” D-style doors and 19 sq ft. of vestibule space, the Trail Hut might look small, but it has tons of storage for packs, boots, and wet gear on the outside. When tied up, the fly doors can roll up over the roof, exposing a portion of mesh wide enough to get a nice view of the night sky while staying warm in your sleeping bag. We also liked how the fly doors don’t cover the entryway when they’re tied back. Folks 6+ feet will appreciate little features like these, which allow for an easy entrance and exit without having to crouch too much.
Two air mats easily fit side by side with about 5 inches of extra space at the head and toe. It would be a snug fit for two people, but with the two big interior storage pockets, 5 hanging loops, and the vestibules for boots and packs, it’s definitely doable with all that gear storage. The ridgepole helps make the space shareable with a partner because it opens up the width of the ceiling, compensating for its shorter peak height.
Weather Resistance
When the weather turns dismal, the Trail Hut is prepared for the worst. It’s constructed of a thick DWR polyurethane-coated polyester taffeta fabric, nylon mesh, and seam-sealed floor and rainfly. Increasing ventilation is a breeze with dual strutted roof vents that can zip open or closed thanks to the 2-way vestibule zippers – you can even roll back the doors over the roof for additional airflow.
During testing, we did notice a potential for water intrusion through the roof vents. If they are open during a windy storm, there is a potential for water to enter and fall in from the roof. While the vents are strutted and provide protection against vertical rain, they are susceptible to leaks during heavy rain or storms. The downward slope of the vent opening allows rainwater to channel into the inner area, especially if blown by strong winds. This is exacerbated by the fact that the zippers are not waterproof, potentially allowing water to seep inside even when the vents are closed. With that being said, we didn’t experience this during testing, but it is something to be mindful of.
The Trail Hut comes with 4 pre-attached guy lines and reflective webbing loops for high wind. They’re located on each corner of the fly, but the toe and head panels of the fly do not have any attachments. This didn’t seem to be an issue because of the tent’s low profile and dome shape, which helps to reduce wind drag on the panels. When everything is staked out and all of the tension lines are deployed and taut, the tent feels rock-solid.
Durability
Crafted with thick polyester taffeta material, the Trail Hut is designed with resilience in mind. The stronger fabric of the Trail Hut 2 is built to last and will not easily be undermined by sharp rocks, sticks, or rough use. There’s no concern when it comes to campsite selection because the tougher material can easily withstand more than most. Dog owners would also be very satisfied with the tensile strength of this tent, which also comes with a footprint for additional long-lasting strength.
The included stakes, basic metal hooks with flat bottoms, are inexpensive and may bend easily when driven into hard ground. Upgrading to stronger stakes is recommended for longer-lasting use. The pre-attached guy lines appear durable, but avoid securing them around rocks or abrasive surfaces to prevent damage.
The added strength of polyester material comes at the cost of heavier weight. While the Trail Hut is a very durable tent, its burly 5.7 pounds of weight clocks in as the fourth heaviest product in the Budget Tents lineup. So if you’re planning on backpacking, there’s more suitable tent models out there. The Trail Hut 2 is a go-to option for car camping or for folks who like overlanding and dispersed camping where weight isn’t an issue.
Portability
Weighing in at 5.7 pounds, the Trail Hut isn’t the lightest tent due to its thick polyester fabric, so it may not be the first choice for backpackers. While it mostly shines as a grab-and-go option for those spontaneous camping trips where a car is doing the heavy lifting, you could still consider splitting the weight with a hiking partner.
Due to the thicker polyester material, the Trail Hut doesn’t compress down as easily as other nylon-based tents. Though as long as the doors are unzipped to let out air while rolling up, it easily fits back into the carrying bag. The included stuff sack is a standard cinch top bag with a bit of extra room for loose pack jobs and has a handle for convenient carrying.
Ease of Use
A big advantage of the Trail Hut 2 is the simple unified X-pole design that attaches to the clip system of the inner tent. Once the inner tent is assembled, the ridgepole is inserted into the opposing grommet tabs above the doors and the middle of the pole rests on the apex clip. The rainfly is non-directional meaning that it can be positioned both ways for a streamlined setup. We were able to set up the tent and fly in under 5 minutes thanks to these user-friendly features.
Everything sets up effortlessly, but it is good to go back and ensure that all the stakes, and guy lines if you’re using them, are adjusted for maximum rigidity and tension. One thing we noticed with this tent and others that feature a ridgepole is the difficulty of removing the pole under high tension. During testing, when disassembling the tent, we found it better to start with the clips, and maybe one of the poles, to release the tension on the tent before trying to remove the ridgepole. Trying to do it under pressure might pinch your fingers. Otherwise, the REI Trail Hut 2 is a solid choice for comfort and stability at a very reasonable price from a well-trusted brand.
Should You Buy the REI Trail Hut 2?
If you’re someone who is looking for an affordable, high-quality tent that doesn’t skimp on durability, reliability, and good features, then check out the Trail Hut 2. This tent would be great for dog owners and folks who want to get the kids out on the trail for a camping adventure. Well protected from the elements with its thick polyester material, high sidewalls, and extra guy line anchor points, this tent hits all the marks for durability and weather-ready features. Everyone will also appreciate its increased headroom and big sidewall pockets.
With an included footprint and durable fabric, the Trail Hut 2 will last for many seasons to come. An easy-to-use setup, ample interior storage, and superior ventilation capabilities equates to good heat regulation and no condensation. With a compact, yet spacious interior combined with all of these great features, the Trail Hut 2 is a excellent all-around choice and well-rounded tent.
What Other Budget Tents Should You Consider?
Clostnature Polaris 2 Review: At a much less expensive price, though weighing a little more at 5.34 pounds, the Clostnature Polaris has a bigger interior square footage. Users will appreciate the familiar and simple-to-use X-pole design and clip system. Although there is no ridge pole, the fly comes equipped with a deployable shade awning for those extra sunny campsites with no shade. The Polaris is also wider and taller than the Half Dome, but not as equipped to be considered a great crossover tent.
Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review: With the largest interior space of the lineup, the Morrison EVO 2 is much heavier, but boasts 36 square feet of interior room with an incredible amount of interior storage. It also features convenient door stow pockets and includes a footprint for durability and an optional minimalist mode. This tent is a great option for those seeking good weather resistance, ventilation, and durability, but with more interior room and unsurpassed storage capability. It is also more aligned with car camping and not recommended for any type of backpacking.
TarpTent Stratospire 2 Review: The Stratospire 2 is a great budget backpacking tent to consider if you’re in the market for lightweight non-freestanding shelters. Less expensive, the Stratospire 2 is a workhorse of a tent and is equipped with excellent features and superb fabrics such as a 30D double ripstop silicone nylon 66 floor, a 20D nano ripstop silicone coated polyester fly, and 15D nylon no-see-um mesh. At 2.7 pounds for a 2-person shelter, it’s much lighter and definitely worth checking out.