REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent Review

Bottom Line

The REI Half Dome series has made its mark within the industry and proven itself over and over again as a standout flagship tent model from a well-known and trusted brand.

Affordable and reliable, with a significant amount of interior room thanks to the hubbed pole structure, the Half Dome 2 Plus is a superior choice for front-country and car camping enthusiasts. It is best suited for short split-weight backpacking trips, where the weight of the tent components can be divided up between hiking partners. 

The Half Dome 2 Plus stands out for its superior durability and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. It is very accommodating for two people and is one of the few tents that’s actually worth its weight because of the ample interior space and headroom. Although it’s not the lightest tent on our list of favorites, its value derives from its comfort, reliability, and indisputable quality.

Comfort

This tent is known for its unmatched comfort and spacious interior. With 35.8 square feet of floor space and vertical sidewalls created by the pre-bent hubbed pole unit, the Half Dome 2 Plus is quite literally your home away from home when camping. We were easily able to fit two inflatable sleeping pads lengthwise with a couple of inches to spare at the head and foot. 

The ceiling peaks at 42 inches, offering plenty of space to move around. With nearly 5 feet of width, this tent is perfect for couples who enjoy their space on each side.

The Half Dome 2 Plus also has a nice selection of interior storage, with four small triangular sidewall pockets and two larger integrated triangular pockets on the ceiling. This is especially useful for keeping the sleeping area free of small items and other gear, making lots of room for activities. 

The dual doors and vestibules can be rolled back to regulate ventilation, while the two strutted ceiling vents on the fly can reduce condensation when the tent is fully zipped.

Weight & Packability

At 6 pounds 3.6 ounces, the Half Dome 2 Plus is right at the cusp of being a great car camping tent and a reasonable short-range backpacking shelter. This year’s version of the Half Dome has been significantly reinforced compared to previous versions, increasing its weight and pushing it more towards the car camping realm. 

For backpacking, we highly recommend splitting the weight with a partner, leaving you each carrying about the weight of one of the lighter tents on our list but likely with more comfort. Shouldering the Half Dome 2 Plus on your own for extended trips will lead to excess fatigue that’ll have you wishing you invested in a more ultralight option.

While the cinchable drawstring stuff sack helps compress its packed size as much as possible, the Half Dome is best suited for packs 60 liters or more in volume.

Weather Resistance

Universally known as a stronghold in unfavorable weather, the Half Dome 2 Plus is built with long-lasting materials to protect you. This tent comes with the complete package and is entirely seam-sealed with a 40D nylon rainfly, 75D floor and canopy, and 20D nylon mesh on the interior. Further reinforcing these materials is an added layer of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment on the canopy and polyurethane coating on the floor and rainfly.

However, one pitfall associated with heavier nylon is its tendency to sag and droop with increased moisture and lower temperatures. If you plan on camping in particularly wet and cold environments, it’s important to maintain a rigid structure by adding tension with its extra guyline points. Fortunately, the rain fly stretches to the ground 360º around the tent, offering ample coverage and minimal splashback.

With such robust weatherproofing, it’s no wonder that the Half Dome 2 Plus has been a choice model among so many outdoor enthusiasts for years, from backpackers to car campers alike.

Ease of Setup

The REI Half Dome 2 Plus wouldn’t have the positive reputation it does without its premium comfort and easy-to-use setup. Featuring color-coded and non-directional hubbed poles for an effortless pitch and a quick-clip system to attach the inner mesh to the poles, the Half Dome sets up in minutes. The fly is also non-directional, so as soon as it’s positioned correctly over the doors, it just clips in. It stands pretty solid on its own, but staking out the four main corner anchor points and the vestibules make this tent as sturdy as a rock. 

This tent features a freestanding design enabling rapid assembly, relocation without disassembly, easy cleaning, and seamless setup on solid rocky surfaces. Overall, the REI Half Dome 2 Plus remains a mainstay in the world of crossover tents for a wide array of outdoor enthusiasts due to its renowned comfort and versatility.

Durability

The Half Dome 2 Plus has built a reputation over the years as a resilient shelter that will stand up to harsh conditions and many seasons of abuse, and this year it’s even stronger. 

They’ve upgraded the fabric to a 75-Denier taffeta polyester floor and body, 40-Denier ripstop nylon rain fly, and 20-Denier nylon mesh canopy. Although it has an included footprint to further protect the floor on abrasive surfaces, the Half Dome is already built more robustly than most backpacking tents. 

Strong aluminum hubbed poles with an integrated ridge bar ensure total stability in harsh conditions. There are also extra guy line pullouts and ten included high-quality stakes to batten down the shelter when the weather picks up.

However, the cost of durability always comes with added weight. So, unless you’re camping with a partner in particularly harsh, rocky environments, you may be better off investing in a lightweight tent that requires more care but will be easier on your back.

Should You Buy the REI Half Dome 2 Plus?

This is one of the better crossover tents in terms of comfort and durability. The Half Dome 2 Plus fits the bill for anyone who wants their shelter to have the balanced capability of handling short backpacking treks with a hiking partner and casual frontcountry weekend camping excursions. 

For those searching for an affordable shelter with great interior storage, supreme durability, weather-resistant material, and adequate space for two (and even extra gear or a dog), REI’s Half Dome model is what you’re looking for.  

However, if you’re a backpacker who prefers crushing mileage, the Half Dome 2 Plus might be too heavy for your needs. It can be bulky if the components aren’t split up among multiple people, and at over 6 pounds, it’s by no means light by backpacking standards. With its affordable price point, great features and quality materials, it will likely remain a top pick for casual campers for years to come.

What Other Tents Should You Consider?

For more ultralight options, be sure to check out our full list of best backpacking tents. For more options in the same price range, head to our best budget backpacking tents guide.

REI Trailmade 2 Review: If you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of interior comfort for cost and weight savings, check out the Trailmade 2. It’s the most affordable tent on our list and features similar durability and ease of setup as the Half Dome 2 Plus.

Slingfin Portal 2 Review: The Portal 2 is one of our favorite lightweight tents for its sturdy build and excellent weatherproofness. Although it’s a 3-season tent, we’ve been known to stretch its usage even into the winter months.

MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 Review: The Hubba Hubba LT 2 masterfully balances weight with durability and comfort. It has almost as much interior space as the Half Dome 2 Plus, with huge vestibules, better headroom, and handy interior features such as ample pockets and even a clothesline!