How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
REI Co-op Half Dome 2 Tent
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
The new REI Half Dome 2 is a lightweight, weather-worthy backpacking tent for 2 that maximizes livability, access and storage—and the price is unbeatable!
Shop newer version- Backpacker 2010 Editors' Choice Gold Award winner: "'Half Dome remains the epitome of functional, affordable design,' remarked the same testers who used it 8 years ago"
- The Half Dome 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
- 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
- Rectangular floor plan optimizes usable space and allows comfortable sleeping shoulder-to-shoulder or head-to-toe
- DAC Featherlite® NSL poles and engineered plastic hubs combine to offer a high-performance pole set that is strong, durable and lightweight
- Color-coded poles and pole clips ensure an easy setup
- 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
- Want a little extra room in your tent? Check out the Half Dome 2 Plus which offers an extended floor plan; it's 10 in. longer and 4 in. wider
- 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 pounds |
| Fly / Footprint Pitch Weight | 3 lbs. 13 oz. |
| Packaged Weight | 5 lbs. 8 oz. |
| Packed Size | 6 x 21 inches |
| Floor Dimensions | 88 x 52 inches |
| Floor Area | 31.8 square feet |
| Vestibule Area | 7.9 + 7.9 square feet |
| Peak Height | 40 inches |
| Number of Doors | 2 doors |
| Number of Poles | 3 |
| Pole Material | Aluminum DAC NSL |
| Pole Diameter | 8.5 / 9.0 millimeters |
| Canopy Fabric | Ripstop nylon/mesh |
| Floor Fabric | Coated nylon taffeta |
| Rainfly Fabric | Coated polyester taffeta |
| Footprint Included | No |
| Design Type | Freestanding |
| Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
Buying Advice
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From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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PickAxe Will 2011
Philadelphia, PA
Staying Dry in Wet Times!
13 years ago
I just returned from hiking about 1000 miles of the AT. The very first night, was wet to say the least. I set up the tent in about 1 minute (the rain fly) then climbed in and did the rest of the work inside the fly...I laughed at Mother Nature then fell asleep. Throughout my trip, Hurricane Irene and Lee and other rain storms poured "buckets" of water on me, yet I stayed dry. The roominess was great to keep all my gear inside while I slept and even cook in the vestibule with the vents open during rain events. A few hours in the sun and she is dry and light weight, ready to repack. I think I will keep this as long as it will allow me to. Ya'll should just give it a try!
Yes , I recommend this product
cameopro77
Chicago, IL
Great Little tent
13 years ago
I just got back from a winter camp out in central IL. This little tent was great. It went up fast which is important in cold weather and was very sturdy. It held up in snow and gusty winds very well. I did buy better stakes for it though (the ones it came with were pretty cheap and just enough to stake the corners down) and made sure we had extra guy-ropes for security. My tentmate and I were very comfortable though our gear had to be stowed under the vestibules. All and all it was a great tent. Highly recommended.
Yes , I recommend this product
benw5858
Boise, ID
Wonderful Tent!!!
12 years ago
This is the best two person tent for the money. HANDS DOWN. Take the chance, I have many friends who also own this tent, and they all love it as well..
Yes , I recommend this product
FriendMarmot
Des Moines, IA
Couldn't ask for more
13 years ago
I took this tent on a one-night backpacking trip to the lake this weekend. If I ever had any buyer's remorse, it was all gone by the end of the trip. Every inch of this tent shouts quality. The lighter-than-air anodized poles snap together almost automatically and easily come together to form the skeleton. The body attaches to the poles in mere seconds. The stakes are impossibly light and durable. 1, 2, 3 - you're ready to nap after a grueling dayhike. The fly went on with just as much ease. It's very easy to pull super taut so the morning condensation stays out. Perfect engineering. Once you're sitting inside, there are at least eight storage compartments that I can think of all around you. The doors have three zippers each for complete manuverability. I am a 6'1" guy and I had room to spare, both laying down and sitting up. There's much headroom due to the connector pole that keeps the walls pushed out for maximum width. I left my backpack and boots in the vestibule area and they were completely dry the next morning, even though the exterior of the rainfly was drenched with morning dew. The fly dried fast in the sun and the inside floor was easily 'swept' by picking it upside-down and shaking out the debris. Folds up great, fits in the bag, and pulls up tight with the adjustable straps. Spared no expense! The REI Half Dome 2... Lightweight. Durable. Perfect engineering. *five thumbs up!* :P
Yes , I recommend this product
teaaker
Seattle, WA
Best tent I have used!
15 years ago
I use this tent for multi-day backpacking trips. It's pretty light and really easy to set up. This tent was only [$] during a sale, and well worth it. During our trip, a cloud bank rolled in and we were in a cloud while it was raining, not a drop inside the tent!For those reviews saying three poles make set up much more complicated: give me a break! I used the two pole setup in Yosemite this winter, and the newer three pole this summer, and I notice no difference except more head room.Another plus is that the tent parts (fly, tent, poles) fit VERY easily into the stuff sack. My past North Face tent took two or three long attempts to fit, this tent has worked every time, even without careful rolling.
Yes , I recommend this product
GrassyNoel
Brooklyn, NY
Held Up Well in Cold Weather
13 years ago
I used this tent on February 18th on West Mountain in Harriman State Park in NY during a cold night (around +20 and below). It first started to snow lightly, then changed to a light freezing rain. The Half Dome 2 kept me perfectly dry, warm and happy during the whole night. I had both vestibules staked out and (**important**) both vents propped open at the top of the tent. I awoke to no condensation on the inside whatsoever. When exiting the tent, I noticed that some melted snow and freezing rain had frozen itself to the top of the tent. Easy enough to scrape off. But note that this precipitation was on the OUTSIDE of the tent! I have yet to try it in warm weather, so we will see how that goes. Probably sooner rather than later due to this mild winter. All in all, it seems to be a great tent. I could see, however, buying a lighter, smaller tent for solo backpacking in the future. But for the price, this tent is great.
Yes , I recommend this product
Patrix99
Atlanta, GA
Not Bad
14 years ago
Pros - Inexpensive - Lot of pockets(4) and gear lofts(2) - 2 Doors w/ 2 large vestibules - Decent size for 2 ppl - REI's Return Policy Cons - Bottom of tent is chintzy--wears through VERY easily. - Tent poles can easily snap in two at the hubs - Very poor vestibule door design--allows snow/rain to get inside the tent every time.
Yes , I recommend this product
B Rey
Denver, CO
Best Tent for its Value Around
14 years ago
It isn't the lightest backpacking tent out there, but its value is truly tough to beat.It's a piece of cake to set up, has tons or room and nice features. I especially like the vertical walls, interior space, 2 doors and large vestibules. I'm willing to carry a bit more weight (it's still not too bad, though, at under 6 pounds) for more comfort and this fits the bill perfectly. The 2010 version seems to be getting a bad rap in some reviews - I'm here to say it's great in every way. Easy to set up, no condensation on the inside when pitched properly. At well under $200, it's a steal!
Yes , I recommend this product
Bryan-Mountaineer
Ocean Side Ca
Great Tent
14 years ago
I like this tent for one person. Two can feel cramped but thats with any tent. I used it 2 nights at 12,000 feet up at Mt Whitney in November and it held up fine. I got blasted by wind one night and early morning. While taking the tent down it took two of use to hold the tent so it would not blow away. There are plenty places to add tent string to tie down and reenforce the tent. I drop the fly on one side and put rocks on it to block out wind and stayed comfortable. Was able to cook inside the vestuble, good size. I would leave the heavy 4 season tent at home and take this one to any 14er if I know I have clear skys. I am sure the tent can handle an inch or two of snow weight but not much more. I like the inside pockets for loose gear, placed in the right spots. I also like that I can ditch the tent and just use the fly and footprint. No condensation either. I am glad I bought it and it packs up really small and fits inside my pack without taking up any space. Great tent for all seasons.
Yes , I recommend this product
Alan
West Palm Beach, FL
A good tent - keeps you dry.
12 years ago
Pros: The tent is VERY roomy. The vestibule keeps the tent area VERY dry. Quick setup. Ventilation is great. It never feels stuffy. You don't feel claustrophobic in this tent. Has a nice open feel. when inside. Cons: Where I live it rains a lot this time of year. When camping, I like to look outside the tent to see what's happening. Once the vestibule is set up, you can't sneak a quick look outside. With the rain, there are also lots of mosquitos around.I like to quickly unzip, get out, and zip back up. With the vestibule, getting in and out of the tent isn't as quick as I'd like it to be.
Yes , I recommend this product
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