REI Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Review

Bottom Line

The REI Half Dome SL2+ 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, it’s a superior choice for frontcountry and car camping enthusiasts. It also falls into the sub-category for short split-weight backpacking trips, where the weight of the tent components can be divided up amongst multiple hiking partners. 

It’s a dependable, spacious shelter that isn’t too much of a strain to carry when the weight is split up, yet still very durable and secure enough for adverse 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. Despite it being the priciest on our list of the best budget tents, its value derives from its comfort, reliability, and indisputable quality.

Comfort

This tent is known for its unmatched comfort and spacious interior. With 33.6 total square feet and vertical sidewalls created by the pre-bent hubbed pole unit, the Half Dome SL2+ is quite literally your home away from home when camping. We were easily able to fit our air mats lengthwise with a couple of inches to spare at the head and foot. When sitting in the center of the tent on our air mats, we still had about 8 inches of headroom and almost 20 inches to the walls with plenty of space to move around freely. With the generous 4.5 feet of width, there is ample space for two people to reside comfortably. 

There’s also a nice selection of interior storage on the Half Dome SL2+ with four small triangular sidewall pockets and two larger integrated triangular pockets on the ceiling. This is very useful for keeping the large 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft sleeping area free of small items and other gear. There’s even 5 upper loops, which work well for hanging hats or comfort items like a set of string lights. The dual doors and vestibules can be rolled back to regulate ventilation, as well as the two upper strutted vents on the fly which can reduce condensation when the tent is fully zipped.

Weather Resistance

Universally known to be a stronghold in unfavorable weather, the Half Dome SL2+ is built with long-lasting materials to keep you protected. This tent comes with the full package and is entirely seam-sealed with a 30D rainfly, 40D ripstop nylon floor and canopy, and 20D nylon mesh on the interior. Further reinforcing these materials is an added layer of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) fabric 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 where it’s wetter or colder, it’s important to maintain a rigid structure by adjusting tension with the guy lines.

Yet with such robust weatherproofing, it’s no wonder that the Half Dome SL2+ has been a choice model among so many outdoor enthusiasts for years, from backpackers to car campers alike.

Durability

Unquestionably strong and built to last, the Half Dome SL2+ is a great choice for a resilient shelter that will stand up to years of use and many outdoor camping seasons. Constructed with a thick 40-denier floor made of a ripstop fabric weave, there is no issue with pitching on rough surfaces, especially if you choose to use the included footprint for added fortification. Strong aluminum hubbed poles with an integrated ridge bar ensure total stability in harsh conditions. There’s also extra guy line pullouts with included high quality 6.25 inch V-style stakes that aren’t likely to bend. 

However, at the cost of durability is always added weight. Luckily the Half Dome SL2+ does a great job at balancing that ratio, enabling this tent to be a great crossover option for car camping and shorter split-weight backpacking trips. All the above, combined with an affordable price, makes this tent a top contender.

Portability

At 4.9 pounds, the Half Dome SL2+ is right at the cusp of being a great car camping tent and a reasonable short-range backpacking shelter. Considering the 40-denier floor, 30-denier fly,  20-denier mesh, and the footprint (if you choose to use it), it all starts to add up quickly. Consequently, this tent kind of splits the crowd in terms of its preferred use; though, without a doubt, it can handle both scenarios to a certain degree. 

In regards to packability, the nylon fabrics of the Half Dome compress more easily than other polyester material; if you’re splitting the weight with someone, it should be relatively easy to roll up and tuck away in your pack. The pole hub can be a little bulky and awkward due to its shape, but as long as all of the segments are disengaged, it can easily be lashed on the outside of your backpack. 

Overall, it just depends what your ultimate end use is going to be and adjust accordingly. If weight is no issue, then toss the Half Dome SL2+ in the car for a weekend in the frontcountry. Though if you’re backpacking longer distances, you might want to consider another lighter tent from the Budget Tents lineup.

Ease of Use

The REI Half Dome SL2+ 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. 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 rock surfaces. The provided stuff sack for the main tent and poles has extra room for looser pack jobs and a handle for comfortably carrying short distances. Overall, the REI Half Dome SL2+ remains a mainstay in the world of crossover tents for a wide array of outdoor enthusiasts due to its renowned comfort and versatility.

Should You Buy the REI Half Dome SL2+?

This is one of the better crossover tents in terms of comfort and weight. The Half Dome SL2+ 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 camping excursions for the weekend. For those searching for an affordable shelter that has great interior storage, supreme durability, weather-resistant material, and adequate space for two (with 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 SL2+ might be too heavy for your needs. It can be bulky if the components aren’t split up among multiple people, and at 4.9 pounds, it’s by no means light by backpacking standards nor the lightest crossover shelter out there. Though at an affordable price point, with great features and quality materials, it will likely remain a top pick for all types of campers and scenarios.   

What Other Budget Tents Should You Consider?

Clostnature Polaris 2 Review: At a much less expensive price, though weighing a little more at 5.34 pounds, the Clostnature Polaris has a bigger interior square footage. Users will appreciate the familiar and simple-to-use X-pole design and clip system. Although there is no ridge pole, the fly comes equipped with a deployable shade awning for those extra sunny campsites with no shade. The Polaris is also wider and taller than the Half Dome, but not as equipped to be considered a great crossover tent.

Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review: With the largest interior space of the lineup, the Morrison EVO 2 is much heavier than the REI Half Dome SL2+ at 6.9 pounds, but boasts 36 sq ft of interior room with an incredible amount of interior storage. It also features convenient door stow pockets and includes a footprint for durability and an optional minimalist mode. This tent is a great option for those seeking good weather resistance, ventilation, and durability, but with more interior room and unsurpassed storage capability. It is also more aligned with car camping and not recommended for any type of backpacking.

TarpTent Stratospire 2 Review: The Stratospire 2 is a great budget backpacking tent to consider if you’re in the market for lightweight non-freestanding shelters. Less expensive than the Half Dome SL2+, the Stratospire 2 is a workhorse of a tent and is equipped with excellent features and superb fabrics such as a 30D double ripstop silicone nylon 66 floor, a 20D nano ripstop silicone coated polyester fly, and 15D nylon no-see-um mesh. At 2.7 pounds for a 2-person shelter, it’s much lighter and definitely worth checking out.