The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus is a spacious, user-friendly tent that excels in comfort and ease of setup, making it ideal for car camping and luxury backpacking. GearLab praised its generous interior space and thoughtful design with good ventilation and storage, while GearJunkie noted its retro-inspired update with improved usability. However, reviewers criticized it for being too heavy and bulky for solo backpacking use, and pointed out issues with fly vestibule sagging and inadequate stakes. This tent is best suited for couples or groups who prioritize comfort over weight, rather than ultralight backpackers.
Full review
Spacious Interior Design
The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus delivers exceptional interior livability with 35.8 square feet of floor space, a significant upgrade from the previous model's 33.7 square feet. According to Switchback Travel's Emily Malone, the tent's 91 x 54-inch dimensions provide ample room for two full-sized sleeping pads and additional gear. The peak height reaches 42 inches, allowing tall campers to sit upright without headroom constraints. GearJunkie's Will Brendza noted that the tent's 44-inch height accommodates two six-foot campers comfortably. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch emphasized that the tent's generous interior space makes it ideal for couples with children or pets, with plenty of room for gear storage and movement. The tent features two large vestibules that offer an additional 22.5 square feet of covered storage space, plus numerous interior pockets and gear loops for organization. The rectangular floor design allows for flexible sleeping arrangements, with the ability to sleep with heads together at either end, as noted by SectionHiker's Philip Werner.
Setup and User Experience
Setup of the Half Dome 2 Plus is straightforward and user-friendly, with a single pole design featuring hubs at intersections that simplify assembly. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch found the tent easy to set up, noting that the color-coded clips and poles make the process intuitive. The tent uses a three-pole construction with two hubs at the top connecting all poles in an H configuration, and the cross pole hooks are color-coded for proper attachment. Switchback Travel's Emily Malone reported that the tent's fast-pitch setup option requires a separate footprint, which she found less than ideal. However, the tent comes with a footprint included, which is a significant bonus. Reddit users in r/backpacking have noted that while the setup is generally straightforward, some users have experienced issues with the vestibule stakes not being sufficient for proper tensioning. The tent includes four kick-stand vents at the top and two large vestibules, which provide good ventilation and storage, though the vestibule design can sometimes sag under certain conditions.
Weather Protection and Durability
The Half Dome 2 Plus features a robust 40D nylon fly that provides good weather protection, though some reviewers have noted issues with fly sagging in certain conditions. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch reported that while the tent kept them dry in wet weather, water sometimes pooled on the roof when kickstand vents were open. The trapezoidal vestibules offer more stability in heavy wind and cause less flapping than single-stake designs. The tent's 70-denier taffeta nylon floor and 40-denier ripstop nylon canopy provide durability, with SectionHiker's Philip Werner noting that the interior is factory seam-taped and made with high-quality materials. However, the tent's weight of 6 lbs 3.6 oz makes it less ideal for long-distance backpacking, as noted by Switchback Travel's Emily Malone, who found it heavy for backpacking use. The tent includes eight stakes, but some reviewers have reported insufficient stakes for proper tensioning, particularly at the head and foot ends of the fly. The tent's design includes lineloc style guyline tensioners that make anchoring easy, though the thin cord lines are best staked with tent stakes that have hooks to avoid bending.
Build Quality and Materials
The Half Dome 2 Plus features upgraded materials and construction compared to previous versions, with a 75D floor denier and 40D canopy fabric. Switchback Travel's Emily Malone noted that the tent's build quality is well above average, with thick fabrics and quality construction that should provide years of use if properly maintained. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch praised the tent's durability, rating it 8.0 out of 10 in this category. The tent uses a single multi-hubbed pole that slots into corner and ceiling grommets for setup, and the clips and poles are color-coded for easy identification. The inner tent hangs from the poles with hooks, making setup quick and easy once the poles are in place. The rainfly drapes over the inner tent and connects to the corners with quick-release buckles. The tent's fabric includes 20-denier nylon mesh for enhanced breathability in the upper part of the tent, while the lower half is solid for privacy. The tent also includes four large mesh pockets in the corners and two gear lofts segmented into three separate sub-pockets for storage, as noted by SectionHiker's Philip Werner.
Performance in Real-World Conditions
In real-world testing, the Half Dome 2 Plus demonstrated strong performance in various camping scenarios. GearJunkie's Will Brendza reported a successful night in the tent during cold, rainy conditions, noting that the tent kept him and his dog comfortable despite the weather. The tent's large vestibules and good ventilation helped manage condensation effectively, as observed by Switchback Travel's Emily Malone during her backpacking trip in Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch noted that while the tent's fly can sometimes sag, it effectively kept rain out during their testing period. The tent's design allows for easy access to gear stored in the vestibules without compromising access to the inner tent. However, some reviewers have noted that the vestibule design can make it difficult to tension the vestibules drumhead tight when staking them out, which is mostly cosmetic but affects appearance. The tent's ability to handle wind and rain was praised, with the trapezoidal vestibules providing stability and the kickstand ventilation ports reducing internal condensation effectively.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, the Half Dome 2 Plus has notable drawbacks that limit its appeal for certain users. The tent's weight of 6 lbs 3.6 oz makes it unsuitable for long-distance backpacking, as Switchback Travel's Emily Malone and Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch both noted. The tent's design includes insufficient stakes for proper tensioning, particularly at the head and foot ends of the fly, which can cause sagging issues. Reddit users in r/backpacking have reported problems with the vestibule stakes not being sufficient for proper tensioning. The tent's packed size of 22.2 x 7.5 x 7.5 inches is also considered bulky, making it less ideal for minimalist backpackers. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch criticized the tent for being hard to get the fly vestibules taut and for not having enough stakes or guy lines. Additionally, while the tent is praised for its spacious interior, some reviewers have noted that the storage layout is not the most refined, with the vestibule design potentially causing issues with gear organization. The tent's price point of $369, while competitive, may be prohibitive for budget-conscious campers compared to alternatives like the REI Trailmade 2, which costs $199 and offers similar functionality.
Who It's Best For
The Half Dome 2 Plus is ideal for couples or individuals who prioritize comfort and space over weight and packability. According to GearJunkie's Will Brendza, it's a sensible, reliable choice for frequent campers and backpackers who value roominess and user-friendliness. The tent is particularly well-suited for car camping and basecamp backpacking trips, as noted by Switchback Travel's Emily Malone, who found it perfect for these scenarios. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch recommended it for backpackers who take a couple of short trips each season or for couples with small children or pets. The tent's spacious interior and good ventilation make it suitable for extended camping trips where comfort is a priority. However, it's not recommended for ultralight backpackers or those who require maximum packability, as its weight and size make it less ideal for long-distance hiking. The tent's design also makes it less suitable for solo backpackers who need to minimize weight, as the 6 lbs 3.6 oz weight is substantial for such users. The tent's price point of $369 makes it a good value for those who prioritize comfort and durability over weight considerations.
Value at This Price
The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus offers excellent value for its price point of $369, particularly when compared to similar products in the market. Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch rated it 7.9 out of 10, praising its comfort, weather resistance, durability, and ease of setup. The tent's spacious interior, which offers 35.8 square feet of floor space, is a significant advantage over competitors like the MSR Hubba Hubba 2p tent, which offers only 29 square feet. The inclusion of a footprint with the tent is a major bonus, as noted by GearJunkie's Will Brendza and SectionHiker's Philip Werner. The tent's durability and quality construction justify its price, with Outdoorgearlab's Ben Applebaum-Bauch rating it 8.0 out of 10 for durability. The tent's ability to handle various weather conditions and its user-friendly design make it a solid investment for campers who prioritize comfort and reliability. While it may not be the lightest option available, the Half Dome 2 Plus provides a good balance of features, quality, and price that makes it a strong contender in the backpacking tent market.
Strengths
- +Extremely spacious with lots of headroom for two people
- +Very straightforward, user-friendly setup/breakdown with single pole design
- +Well-thought-out interior with numerous pockets and stash spots
- +Footprint is included with the tent
Watch-outs
- −Somewhat heavy/large for solo backpacking
- −Fly vestibules can sag and are hard to keep taut
- −Insufficient stakes or guy lines for proper fly tension
How it compares
The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus stands out for its exceptional interior space and user-friendly single-pole design, making it superior to the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P and Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 for comfort-focused campers. Unlike the Base Camp 6, it avoids the issue of bulky construction while still offering more headroom than the OneTigris Stella 4 Season Tent, though it's less suitable for solo backpacking due to weight and size.
Who this is for
At a glance: couples seeking maximum interior comfort.
Why you’d buy the REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus
- Extremely spacious with lots of headroom for two people.
- Very straightforward, user-friendly setup/breakdown with single pole design.
- Well-thought-out interior with numerous pockets and stash spots.
Why you’d skip it
- Somewhat heavy/large for solo backpacking.
- Fly vestibules can sag and are hard to keep taut.
- Insufficient stakes or guy lines for proper fly tension.
Rating sources
Our 4.3 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
