REI Half Dome Plus 2 Review

"I used this tent for 12 days at Philmont. I really enjoyed the double doors and double vestibules. My dad an I were able to share the tent with no discomfort. Factory sealed seams are great, no water inside from the rain. The little vents at the top of the fly really helped condensation. All around a great tent for two people even if you can't normally stand to share a tent with the other guy."

"Picked this one up at the REI garage sale for $54. I really like it if I'm forced to use a tent. Very roomy but lightweight. It has been great in the rain as well as the cold weather. It has enough room where I can open the vestibule and cook without having to get out of my sleeping bag. It got the Editor's choice award in Backpacker magazine as well. I highly recommend this for a 2 person tent."

"What a bargain!! This tent is packed with features of tents two to three times the price: guyline loops on the fly; double D-Doors; two vestubles; overhead vents; mesh gear attic; candle lantern/flashlight ceiling loop.

The HalfDome+2 is roomy enough for two, but what I really like it for is solo nights. I get claustrophobic in one-person tents and this tent is light enough to carry as a solo tent.

If you have only one tent, its versatility makes the HalfDome+2 an excellent choice."

"This tent has made two trips to Philmont (11 day treks!) and a number of training weekends. It is great! The access and the very usable head room makes it a good tent in different conditions.
Fly / footprint can be erected as a lightweight sheler. Quality was better than I expected."

"I really love this tent! This is a very quick and easy tent to set up. Being 6-4, I had no constraints inside. For those that enjoy backpacking, this is a very light tent. If you're in the market...Grab it!"

"I had been shopping around for a lighter weight tent to take on a trip through the Appalachian Trail when I found this tent. With two doors and vestibules, it made sharing space with my girlfriend a snap. Enough room for two people (tent) and their gear (vestibules), or for one person (I'm 6'2" and have no problems) plus gear. Got mine with footprint for $125 on sale at REI. A great buy!"

"Bought this tent this spring. The first outing was memorial day 2004. Great tent for 2 people, spacious, vestibules are great. The only drawback is that if camped on sandy soil and the wind picks up the sand gets into the tent. I wish the doors were all fabric instead of half mesh."

"We were camping near a river in Western Washington when the weather turned on us. It poored buckets all night and day, but this tent did not let in a drop of water. It's roomy and has two doors; this way I dont have to crawl over the wife when nature calls"

"This is really an awesome tent for the money. The weight is quite reasonable and so far it has been absolutely bomb proof. I've been in day long downpours and a viscious mid-west hail storm and it's never leaked a drop. Roomy enough for two or me and a dog. It is well ventilated and condensation has never been a problem. I also like to set it up fly and footprint only before buggy season. Set up like this it is absolutely huge inside.
I have lighter more expensive tents but if rain is in the forecast, this is the tent I trust. Highly recommend."

"I purchased this tent in June '04 specifically for an 8-day backpacking trip. I'm 6'4" and wanted a tent with room for me AND my Lowe Alpine Contour Classic to fit inside, and this tent is just enough. I got caught in a Sierra rain storm and this tent kept me dry as well as provided a nice living space for multiple weekend camping trips. For two people I think it would only just be enough. For extended trips I found it is a little too heavy to be practical for one person. REI has ok products for a good price and this tent is worth considering over more expensive makes and models. For solo I will probably get a Roadster instead."

"The tent is awesome. I've owned it for around a year now, and used it in pouring rain and even snow, and it did great, and kept me very warm. No water will get into this tent if you use the guyouts correctly. I like the attic a lot, and it's got plenty of room for 2 people, and even a dog if you want. Good weight, buy it if you want a quality product for a good price."

"Bought this tent 2 years ago for my use on my son's Scout trips. This tent has survived heat and cold, driving rains and 50 mph winds. Through out last night's wind and rain, not a drop came in. On the big gusts (45 - 50 mph), the tent flexed and sprang back. The vestibules are large and can store all the gear I need. Set up and take down is fast and easy, even in a stiff wind. The tent has many thoughtful features- reflective guy out loops, attic and storage pockets. The bathtub floor construction helps keep the inside and my gear dry. A great tent at a good price. I have used REI's warranty on other items. Rei is great. They stand behind their products- no questions asked."

"Serious Pennsylvania backpacker who wanted some perks that my old Sierra did not provide. This tent does it! I love the space, vestibules, attic (big time), and the list goes on and on. Have camped in 20 degree weather and tent was HOT! Love it. Thanks REI!!!"

"Purchased this tent prior to a hike into the Superstitions in AZ. We got stuck in the mother of all storms. Started as rain and hail, but setting up the tent was a breeze. Vestibules were invaluable. It rained through the night, with nary a drop inside the tent. The next night, we got stuck in a snow storm like I have never seen before. We pitched the tent on top of 2 1/2 feet of snow, and another foot and a half fell through the night. Two men (I'm 6'1, the other is 6'4) stayed in this tent under the most inclement of conditions comfortably. The tent was sturdy with not a single leak through the entire experience. Ventilation was the best I have seen with virtually no condensation inside despite our wet gear being inside the tent and in the vestibules. Incredible value. I love this tent."

"I bought this tent specifically for a week long trip to the St. Regis Canoe Wilderness in the Adirondacks. I rained (heavily) almost every day. I didn't get one drop of water inside. The space and ventilation are great. Setup is a breeze. You're not going to find a better tent for the price. REI did a great job on this one!"

"REI recently updated this tent & now call it the Half Dome HC 2. I have the old Plus 2. This tent is an incredible buy. Tornado watch was in effect the first night I used it at a local state park. Of course, I didn't seam-seal it as I should of. That storm hit HARD. In the morning, trees were down, tents & shelters blown away. A pop-up camper was on its side. I did not get ONE drop of water inside this tent, either from the storms throughout the night or condensation. My friend's North Face tent in the next campsite was soaked. My brother's tent, also a Half Dome Plus 2, was as bone dry as mine! This tent is the ultimate 3 1/2 season tent. I have taken it car camping & backpacking. It's probably the last tent I'll own for awhile. I haven't bought the footprint for it as of yet, but I might to try pitching it light and see how it goes. The downside: as roomy as it is, and it is VERY roomy, would love 2 - 4 more inches in length, though that would make it heavier. Looking to buy a tent? This is it, the best all-around tent you can buy for 2 people. (Yes, you can squeeze 3 small people in it.)"