REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Stayed cool on hot days
Stayed dry during testing
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Smaller than other tents
Stakes are less durable
Some reviews have issues with staying dry
Heavy
REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 Review
An affordable, durable tent that might be a bit heavy but won't let you down when it matters
Credit: Katie Brown
By Katie Brown ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 25, 2025
RELATED: The Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
Our Verdict
This tent is easy to set up and can be found at a very reasonable price. The REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 is a great starter tent or for those who aren't looking for a tent for extreme weather or need something extremely lightweight. The tent is big enough for two, but you're probably not going to be writing home about its spaciousness. Split between two people, it's only about 2.5 pounds, which isn't terrible if you aren't going far, and if budget is an issue. Overall, this is a quality tent for a quality price that is thoughtfully made.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Trail Hut 2 was one of the most affordable tents that we tested, and in our testing, it did not disappoint. Its durable fabric held up well and kept temps reasonably low on the hottest of days. We also stayed dry and stationary on wet or windy days, and found that it was extremely quick and easy to put up and take down. While it didn't come with all of the 'extras' that other tents did, this helped keep its cost down, and when budget is a priority, performance over perks is where it's at.
The REI Trail Hut 2 is an affordable, well-made tent.
Credit: Katie Brown
Comfort
The Trail Hut was average in this metric. It was less roomy than some other options, and the walls were slightly less vertical, which meant headroom was at a premium. In addition, it only had two interior pockets.
The vestibule does have an impressive 18 square feet to help store extra gear that won't fit in the tent, but we found ourselves sometimes wishing for a few more interior stash options. On the bright side, there was a handy loop at the center of the tent for hanging a lantern on dark nights.
The Trail Hut is not as spacious as other models.
Credit: Katie Brown
The Trail Hut does, however, have an external cross bar to help maximize the headroom. And at 88x52, the floor space is nothing to grumble about. The door was also a roomy 40x30 inches, making getting in and out a cinch, and we appreciated the two ventilation windows in the ceiling for bad weather days when you're trapped in the tent but need some fresh air.
The crossbar design helps maximize head space.
Credit: Katie Brown
Weather Resistance
The Trail Hut is a 3-season tent and isn't meant for use in the winter when the weight of snow could be too much for the poles to hold.
The simple structure and overall price point had us a bit worried about the quality of this tent against the wind, but we found that it held up well and didn't blow away, which can't be said about some counterparts. You can also attach the four paracord guylines that come with the tent for additional support, if needed.
This tent comes equipped with four paracord guidelines for additional support in adverse weather conditions.
Credit: Katie Brown
In our testing, the Trail Hut performed very well over the course of two, three-day rainstorms. The sturdy fabric repelled the rain well and did not stretch or droop, so we didn't struggle with pooling water. We appreciated that the tent came is a pre-attached footprint that perfectly matched the size of the tent's footprint, so no water pooled there either. It is worth noting that we did find some negative reviews related to water seepage, but in our experience, this tent performed very well. We also tested this tent against others on hot summer days, and we found that the thick, durable fabric kept the Trail Hut several degrees cooler than other tents in the lineup.
The REI Trail Hut 2 held up well in several days of rain.
Credit: Katie Brown
Space to Weight Ratio
While the Trail Hut has 31.39 square feet of floor space, when divided by its 5 lb 15 oz weight, that comes to 6.09 square feet per pound.
Some of the lighter tents in our lineup have upwards of 10 to 12 square feet of space per pound, so this isn't great, but you are sacrificing durability of fabric for weight in this metric.
The Trail Hut is a two-person tent, but it's a tight fit.
Credit: Katie Brown
Ease of Use
The Trail Hut was one of the easiest tents to set up. It comes with a pre-attached footprint, making the first step a snap.
Additionally, since the footprint is attached, if the tent needs to be moved prior to being staked down, it's easy to do without losing your whole layout. The footprint isn't tapered, so the direction of the poles doesn't matter, so you don't have to worry about direction or matching up colors.
We did find that, because of the curvature of the door, sometimes it took two hands to open the tent, but it was always easy to close with one hand. And, as mentioned above, the door is wide and easy to climb in and out of.
The poles of the Trail Hut are not directional, making the tent even easier to put together.
Credit: Katie Brown
Construction Quality
The polyester/nylon fabric of the Trail Hut is thick and somewhat inflexible, which is promising in terms of durability, but also partly what puts this tent on the heavier side.
We found, however, that it held up well to dog claws, cactus, brush, and brambles, and even the paperclip test. In addition, the zippers were solid, and we noted no pulling at the seam, even when stretched taut.
Although internal storage is at a premium, the fabric of the Trail Hut is thick, durable and able to withstand significant wear and tear.
Credit: Katie Brown
The tent stakes were a traditional hook design, but not as thick as some of the other options that we tested. During testing, they performed well, but we did worry a bit about how prone to bending they would be. The poles, however, felt thick and strong, without a lot of connection points.
These tent stakes did well enough, but we wish they were a bit thicker.
Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade 2?
If you are planning on hiking far, are solo, or hoping to move fast, it may be worth investing in a more expensive, lightweight tent. If, however, you are new to backpacking, not planning on hiking far, or even car camping, this is a great, affordable tent that still has high value.
The black mesh of the Trail Hut is perfect for star gazing if you are lucky enough to not need your rain fly.
Credit: Katie Brown
What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?
If weight is an issue, we recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2. At three pounds, it's not going to weigh you down like the Trail Hut, but it also isn't as durable. On the other hand, if you like the idea of the Trail Hut, but want a bit more room, the NEMO Aurora 2 gives you just that. It's a comparable tent at a comparable price, but just a tad roomier.
We appreciated the two ventilation points on hot days.
Credit: Katie Brown
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 versus top competing products:
—Katie Brown
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