REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Review

Bottom Line

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is one of the best tent deals on the market. When it comes to affordability, durability, and generous interior space, this model checks every box – especially if you want one versatile tent for both frontcountry camping and backcountry hiking. The Half Dome SL 2+ is featured as the Best Budget Tent for Backpacking & Car Camping on our list of the Best Backpacking Tents. 

CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins has used the Half-Dome for more than 50 nights on over a dozen car camping trips in the PNW. Gear Analyst Casey Handley has used it on many short backcountry trips across central Oregon. The Half Dome 2 is easy to set up, roomy, and dependable in even the worst 3-season weather. This is one of the most durable tents we’ve used in our 10+ years of backpacking tent testing, so it’s a great investment in a strong shelter that will last for years without breaking the bank.

Although it’s heavier and bulkier than many two-person backpacking tents, it’s still reasonable when split between two hikers. And for many hikers, the monetary savings – along with the Half Dome’s extra roomy dimensions – will more than make up for its heft and weight. The Half Dome 2 is an undeniably great value that delivers quality and comfort at a fraction of the cost of more premium tents.

Comfort

If your top priority is comfort, the Half Dome 2 is your golden ticket. With a whopping 33.75 square feet of space, its interior feels massive compared to most two-person backpacking tents. The classic dome shape, combined with pre-bent poles and a long brow pole, gives this model nearly vertical sidewalls and an incredible amount of headroom for two campers. This tent is also one of the widest two-person tents we’ve tested, at a palatial 56 inches, so it accommodates two wide sleeping pads with room to spare for your gear and even a dog. It has thoughtful features like large corner pockets, an overhead gear pocket, and hang loops to help organize the interior and reduce clutter. Large vents above the doors on the rainfly promote airflow and reduce condensation, and two enormous interior doors and vestibules make it easy to enter and exit without crawling over your partner in the middle of the night.

The Half Dome 2’s size is excellent for car camping and frontcountry adventures, but it’s a bit of a disadvantage for longer backpacking trips and solo hikers. If you plan to backpack alone where you won’t be sharing the load, the weight will get uncomfortable quickly. Additionally, if you tend to hike long-distance adventures with lots of elevation gain, we’d likely steer you toward a lighter, more packable tent. That said, Half Dome’s bulk is much more manageable with two people, so we still recommend this tent for shared backpacking trips where comfort is a priority.

Weight & Packability

The Half Dome 2 walks a fine line between durability and weight. Tipping the scales at 4 pounds, 11.5 ounces with all components included (footprint too), the Half Dome is far from the lightest tent on the market. REI uses burly 40-denier ripstop nylon for the floor and 30-denier nylon for the rainfly – nearly double the thickness of competitive ultralight tents – which is why it’s heavier and bulkier than competitive tents. Its packed size is 7 x 20.5 inches, which isn’t an issue for car camping when the extra weight and bulk are negligible since you’re not carrying the tent far from your vehicle. We prefer having a spacious shelter with all the features and lots of room when we’re in the frontcountry, where this tent feels like a home away from home, and comfort takes priority over weight and compressibility.

The opposite is true when it comes to backpacking, though. The Half Dome 2’s weight is a drawback for backpackers taking on big distances and significant elevation gain, where its large packed size and weight will feel burdensome. That said, it’s still a solid option for shorter trips shared with a partner since you can split up the tent weight. You can also leave the footprint at home when backpacking to save 9 ounces and a bit of bulk. Without the footprint, the Half Dome weighs a reasonable two pounds per person when one hiker takes the tent body and stakes, and the other carries the fly and poles. But, if you’re frequently backpacking or your adventures involve long distances and challenging terrain for more than a few days, a lighter tent will likely be a better fit.

Weather Resistance

The Half Dome 2 is something of a fortress in bad weather. Its full-coverage 30d nylon rainfly and 40d nylon deep bathtub floor offer excellent protection against torrential rain. The seam sealing and DWR coating on the rainfly and floor adds an extra layer of waterproofing, while the polyurethane coating further bolsters the tent’s defenses against the elements. Its traditional dome-shaped design is reinforced with sturdy aluminum poles, and strategically placed tabs on the fly allow you to secure additional guy lines to lock your tent to the ground. Large ceiling vents, located above both doors, can be opened to reduce condensation buildup and keep air moving. These vents are held open by struts but can be closed and adjusted depending on the weather. If the forecast looks gloomy, this tent will keep you and your gear happy and dry.

The downside of such a burly, weatherproof tent is the thick nylon fabric adds both bulk and weight to this design. Additionally, it doesn’t perform as well as other materials in cold and wet temps. We’ve found this model tends to sag a bit more than ultralight fabrics around 35°F and below, so you may need to re-tighten the guy lines on cold or very wet nights to keep the tent pitch taut. Those minor drawbacks aside, this is still one of the most weather-worthy backpacking tents we’ve tested in recent years.

Ease of Setup

Setting up the Half Dome 2 is a breeze. Thanks to its freestanding design, symmetrical floor, and color-coded poles, it’s designed for efficiency and only takes about 3 minutes for one person to pitch(under 2 minutes with a partner). The hubbed brow poles and pre-bent pole architecture make for a quick, intuitive assembly, even for beginners. The fly is equally simple to manage – just throw it over the tent, clip it to the body, and stake out the doors for added stability. The tent stuff sack is plenty big enough for all the material and the poles, so you won’t be battling to get the tent in and out of storage. For folks who want to spend less time fiddling with gear and more time enjoying their campsite, the Half Dome 2 is an excellent option.

Durability

The Half Dome 2 will last for years of rough use with almost no maintenance. Since its 40-denier ripstop nylon floor and 30-denier nylon rain fly is twice as thick as what most ultralight backpacking tents offer, it’s especially robust and long-lasting. The tent’s aluminum poles are strong and flexible in rough weather, and REI includes a footprint to add protection against punctures and abrasion in rough terrain. It also employs top-quality hardware, including smooth zippers, double stitching, and reinforced stress points. This is a seriously reliable 3-season tent. 

However, the penalty for such a long-lasting tent is that it’s a heavier and bulkier system than many backpacking tents. At nearly 5 pounds, this tent is great for car camping, but you’ll want to split its weight and bulk with a partner to make it more portable for backpacking adventures.

Should You Buy the REI Half Dome SL 2+?

The REI Half Dome SL 2+ is the ultimate crossover tent: cozy, versatile, and budget-friendly for car camping and shorter backpacking trips. We recommend the Half Dome for anyone who wants to save money on big-ticket outdoor gear without giving up space, durability, or ease of setup. Its roomy interior comfortably accommodates two people plus gear, and will feel like your home away from home for weekend getaways or backcountry adventures. The tent’s durable materials and thoughtful design give it incredible longevity and versatility in rough terrain and harsh weather.

However, the biggest issue with the REI Half Dome SL 2+ is its weight and bulk. That means it’s not the best choice for longer backpacking treks where weight is a critical factor. If you’re a long-distance backpacker who likes covering strenuous mils, we’d probably recommend a lighter tent that will be better suited for distance hiking, though those types of tents do tend to cost quite a bit more. The Half Dome 2 is neither the flashiest camping tent nor the lightest for backpacking, but it strikes a perfect balance between both worlds to save you money and keep you comfortable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, the Half Dome 2 is an excellent investment that will keep you safe and dry in the backcountry for many years.

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?

REI Trailmade 2 Review: The REI Trailmade 2 shares the freestanding design, reliable water resistance, and ease of setup found in the Half Dome 2. However, it’s more affordable, though it sacrifices some interior comfort and is heavier, making it less ideal for long hikes.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Review: The Big Agnes Copper Spur offers similar weather resistance and ease of setup as the Half Dome 2 with a freestanding design. It’s lighter and more compact, making it better for on-trail use, but it comes at a higher price and with less durability.

NEMO Dagger Osmo 2 Review: The NEMO Dagger Osmo 2 also features a freestanding design, easy setup, and comparable dimensions to the Half Dome 2. It’s similar in weight and packed with top-tier features, but it’s a bit narrower, slightly less comfortable, and much more expensive.

Tiger Wall UL 3 Tent: The Tiger Wall UL 3 is one of our favorite backpacking tents for maximizing interior space and ease of use while minimizing weight. The UL 3 is a very roomy tent for two hikers – even roomier than the Half Dome SL 2+ and more than a pound lighter. It does cost quite a bit more and is less durable than the Half Dome, but it’s still an excellent value buy. And it will still last for thousands of miles if treated with care.