How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Plus Tent
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The new REI Half Dome 2 Plus tent is the extended size version of the popular Half Dome 2 tent. Want a little extra room? This tent is made just for you.
Shop newer version- Plus sizing provides more room with an extended floor plan; it's 10 in. longer and 4 in. wider than the standard Half Dome 2
- REI Half Dome 2 Plus tent is a lightweight, weather-worthy backpacking tent for 2 that maximizes livability, access and storage; and the price is unbeatable!
- This tent brings together the successful design philosophy that made the original Half Dome so popular and adds insightful technological updates
- 2 side doors and 2 vestibules offer easy access and personalized storage for each occupant; 2 vents ensure the tent stays well ventilated
- Rectangular floor plan optimizes usable space and allows comfortable sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder or head-to-toe
- Color-coded poles and pole clips ensure an easy setup
- Frame design combines multidiameter Combi poles and unique dual-hub architecture to create nearly vertical side and end walls; the result is spacious area-wide headroom
- DACFeatherlite® NSL poles and engineered plastic hubs combine to offer a high-performance pole set that is strong, durable and lightweight
- Exclusive Tension Truss architecture leverages bound seams to provide low-weight structural stability and to increase interior volume
- Fully adjustable ceiling vents mitigate condensation by drawing cool air under the fly and exhausting warm, moist air
- Hybrid floor combines sealed seams and bathtub curves to create a waterproof, taut floor; tautness enhances door-zipper operation and maximizes volume at end walls
- Multiple storage options include corner pockets, roof pockets and hang loops
- Location and shape of tent door zippers allow smooth, 1-handed operation; use the door pockets to hold doors out of the way or for storage
- Vestibule zipper opening aligns with tent door for no-hassle operation, entry and exit
- UV-resistant polyester rainfly will not stretch or expand when wet, ensuring a consistently taut pitch
- No-wick welded construction ensures that moisture won't sneak through susceptible areas, such as guy-out points, pole wraps and zippers
- Mood-elevating colors create a pleasant interior even when the weather outside is uninviting
- Save weight and create a lightweight setup by using just the rainfly, poles and footprint (sold separately)
- Comes with guylines and tighteners, stakes, pole repair tube, pole and stake bags, and tapered, easy-to-fill compression stuff sack
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
| Minimum Trail Weight | 5 lbs. 8 oz. |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 4 lbs. 4 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 6 lbs. 5 oz. |
| Packed Size | 7 x 21 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 98 x 56 inches |
| Floor Area | 38.1 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 10.2 + 10.2 square feet |
| Peak Height | 42 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 3 |
| Pole Material | Aluminum DAC NSL |
| Pole Diameter | 9.0 / 9.6 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | Ripstop nylon/mesh |
| Floor Fabric | Coated nylon taffeta |
| Rainfly Fabric | Coated polyester taffeta |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Bombproof Rain Shelter
Hiking the NW12 years ago
I have owned the Half Dome 2+ for three years and used it in all the weather that the Pacific Northwest can dish up including an all night rain and lightning storm. I typically use it at least once a month and more frequently during the summer. Even after long rain storms I have always had a bone dry tent.
For the 6 ft+ crowd this a great option. I easily have six or more inches of space on both the head and foot of my extra long bag and air-pad. I have shared this tent with my son on many occasions and used it solo as well during BSA outings. I have plenty of room to sit up inside (6'3").
I normally can set this tent up in less than two minutes. I use the footprint with the tent, and always have a few of the MSR groundhog stakes as well. As a minimum the vestibules need to be staked out, and the MSR stakes will handle the worst rocky/clay soil better then a straight aluminum stake.
I wish this was a little bit lighter, but it's a great combination of space and waterproof comfort that no sub 3lb tent is going to touch.
I've seen some review complaints about opening the rain fly and getting water in the tent. This is not so much a design problem as an operator issue. Open the mesh zipper to the vestibule area and shake the fly a bit when putting your shoes/boots on. Unzip the fly and push it outside and away, if you unzip the fly and just let it fall in it will of course take water in with it. Zip the fly backup after your out.
Hiking the NW
Seattle, WA
4 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Rainfly waterproofing lasts 10 years or less.
olsaff3 years ago
We purchased our tent in July 2010 and have used it for about of total 18-20 nights total during warm season only (about every other year for short trips 2-3 nights). We stored the tent properly dried and packed in a storage box away from weather elements. During our last camping trip in September 2021 the rainfly allowed a lot of water in under medium rain that went on and off for 12 hours. Also when setting up the rainfly I unexpectedly found that all interior rainfly attachments easily came off due to glue failure that was holding them - 4x velcro to pole loops and 2x door strings. Also, the was a lot of fine dust peeling off the rainfly interior. This prompted us to write this review wondering about life expectancy of the rainfly and a way to restore the rain-proofing function of the tent.
Other than the failed rainfly the tent has served us well including protection from heavy rain in early years of service. It's very easy to set it up and break it down and extra space the Plus model provided has always been used to allow for extra gear stored inside.
So how do we get our rainfly fixed or replaced?
olsaff
Sterling, VA
4 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
CMHans
Murfreesboro, TN
Great Tent, worth every penny
13 years ago
Using this tent, my girlfriend and I have plenty of room for any extras we are keeping in the tent with us as the tent is a good amount longer than I am tall (6'0"). Contruction is very easy after you've done it once or twice, and everything being color-coded is a really nice touch. I use the Footprint for the extra protection, and so far have not had any problems with water entrance into the tent which i have read and heard others say they have had due to how low the door areas are at the corners. My most reacent camping experience involved 40mph winds and the tent stayed in place very well, even without any of the guy lines attached. If you are looking for a tent for 1-2 people, this is a great tent to get.
Yes , I recommend this product
rdmccoy
Pacific Northwest
More space than we needed
14 years ago
This tent has worked out well for my partner and I. We ended up having to stake out on snow (using the footprint) and it held up like a champ. While we've never had the tent leak, and had a good experience with the ventilation keeping things as dry as can be expected inside, everything other reviewers have said about the fly dropping water right into the tent is true. The only other remark is about size. I'm 5'4" but my partner is a foot taller and we camp with our medium sized dog. We thought we'd need the bigger size, but we really didn't need it. If I were going to purchase this tent again, I wouldn't worry about getting the extra size (and subsequent weight).
Yes , I recommend this product
boreddumb
Fort Lewis, Washington
Great tent for the price.
14 years ago
This tent has more than enough room for two people. I am 6'1'' and there is still plenty of room at my head and feet for any extra gear that I don't want to stash in the vetiblule. I used this tent for a cold weekend on Paradise, Mt Rainier and it did it's job well. No condensation in the morning, even during a pretty heavy overnight dusting. The one drawback that I have found with this tent as others on here have said is that the fly design dumps rain/snow directly inside your tent if you don't thoroughly tap it all off from the inside. In other states this might be just an occasional annoyance, but in the great Pacific Northwest it is a major drawback.If the fly was extended or the cut of the zipper was slightly different this could be avoided. Other than that, great tent and I think I will just work around the fly issue.
Yes , I recommend this product
kolby1357
Black Hills, SD
WORKED AWESOME IN TORRENTIEL DOWNPOUR
13 years ago
I don't know what happened with the previous guy and his review but I've used this tent countless times, and it's kept me dry everytime. Twice was in hail. The design keeps the fly and the tent sides completely separated preventing material saturation. I chose a bad tent location once and ended up in a small puddle around the sides and the inside of the tent was still dry. The two vestibules provide ample storage, the height of the tent is awesome, however more material comes more weight, but I still haul this tent on my back. The weight/price ratio is perfect. I like light things but I hate paying the $$$ for it. Overall nice jop REI.
Yes , I recommend this product
JesDel
Seattle, WA
Perfect Size Two Person Tent
15 years ago
It has been some time since I had a backpacking tent, so it was about time to step my game up and what a step! The REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent met and exceeded many of my expectations. Set up was fast and could easily be done by one person, it is very roomy with enough room for a double sleeping bag and extra clothes, the rainfly can be positioned at least three different ways, two very generous doors, a roomy vestibule, great ventilation lots of stash pockets and a very simple yet sturdy three pole design. It is no wonder that this is an award winner! It is the perfect sized two person tent.
Yes , I recommend this product
nicholem2000
Sandy, OR
great tent
14 years ago
I am an avid hiker who just started backpacking this year, I bought this tent because the reviews and price were awesome and I was looking for a tent that would fit myself and my 2 large (80lb) dogs for some overnight trips. Not only did the tent fit me and the dogs, but it also comfortably fit one other person as well. everything about this tent is good except for the condensation that collected on the inside of the footprint, however I suppose that might happen to most tents when its cold outside and there is a lot of heat created inside?? love the tent, good purchase, would recommend!
jeffwash
Cypress, TX
Good Tent
13 years ago
I took this tent on a 7 day kayak trip down the Buffalo River in Arkansas the end of January. I'm 6'3", 220 lbs. The temps got into the low 20s. The tent did a great job of helping to keep me warm. Got small enough to store in the boat, and was plenty big enough for me and my gear when setup. It takes maybe 10 minutes to setup, and is pretty easy. We had one night and day of thunderstorms, and the tent did a great job of keeping me dry. Only downfall was when you open the wet fly, the water streams into the tent. If you rememeber to shake it first, it was fine.
Yes , I recommend this product
cus
Richmond, VA
Great tent!
14 years ago
Plenty of space for 2 and a dog. Great tent, I saw two others at the state park that weekend
Yes , I recommend this product
byoc
Richland, WA
great tent for the $ and LOTS of room.
12 years ago
I'm 6'9' and this tent provides plenty of leg room. More than enough room for 2 people and all your gear. This tent could easily pass for some companies' idea of what a 3 person tent is. I've had it for two years now and I've been very happy with it. My only complaints are that it's a little heavy. But for the size of it and the price (and it's cheaper now than 2 years ago), you can't really complain. And I have to agree with the complaints about the vestibule letting rain in when you open it. I don't consider it to be a deal breaker though. As long as you're aware of it and are careful when you open it, the inside of your tent will stay dry.
Yes , I recommend this product
MattYak
Yorktown, VA
Happy Tent
13 years ago
Purchased this tent in spring 2011. I have spent a total of 6 nights from Shenandoah National Park to State Park to the back yard with my daughter from March to August in VA. Prior to this I had car camping tents, so this is obviously nicer from a weight/design standpoint. I really like the set up with poles/clips/interior pockets/vestibules. Held up really well one windy night that caused the other "multi-room" family tents on site to cave in with each gust. This held up great. I haven't really tested it yet rainy weather so I can't speak to it holds up in poor weather. I don't plan on getting another tent anytime soon.
Yes , I recommend this product
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