REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Review

Specs

Review

The Half Dome 2 Plus is spacious, making it an ideal option for car camping or short hiking adventures. It is a great option for those who take a couple of short trips each season. This is a suitable tent for a couple with a small child or pet or people who just enjoy spreading out inside a roomy tent. It comes with above-average features while maintaining the price at a reasonable level.

Comfort

If you consider comfort alone, the Half Dome 2+ is a top-notch choice. It is one of the roomiest tent interiors with a dimension of 92 inches by 56 inches for a two-person option. If you are a tall individual, you will appreciate the extra inches in length. This is especially notable when keeping your sleeping bag dry from wet tent ends.

Additionally, its peak height (44 inches) created by the near-vertical walls and pole architecture is more than enough for two people to move around. It can comfortably fit two six-footers without feeling stuffed inside.

Beyond livable space, the large vestibules, side pockets, and large roof pockets provide additional 22.5 square feet of storage space. That means you do not have to sleep with your gear inside. The canopy pockets ensure that the rest of your stuff is out of the way. It also comes with gear loops where you can hang lanterns to maximize light at night.

The mesh canopy provides excellent ventilation even when the rain fly is up. The four kickstand vents around the top ensure excellent airflow while keeping the rain out. However, the nylon privacy panels may not be enough, especially during summer camping.

While the doors are more of a teardrop than the usual large D-shape, they still make entry and exit efficiently.

Ease of Setup

The tent adopts a clever three-pole construction. It may look a bit complicated at first, but any camper will find it intuitive. All three poles connect through the two hubs at the top, forming an H configuration.

The hooks and the cross pole are easy to clip in the correct positions as they are color-coded. Once inserted into the corner grommets, the entire setup is pretty straightforward.

It comes with cord locks on the vestibule doors, which is nifty. You can also take advantage of the fast-pitch option if you purchase a separate footprint.

However, we find the lack of stakes a bit disappointing. Four stakes are needed for the tent corners and four more for the vestibules. But, you need to bring two extra stakes for the foot and the head to pull those two sides tightly away from the body.

Weather Resistance

The Half Dome SL 2+ can withstand typical rainy weather conditions. And with the rain fly up, it provides decent weather protection. It is pretty flexible as it allows different configurations depending on the weather and the temperature.

The rain fly prevents significant splashbacks as it is generally low on the ground. But, coverage is not uniform when it is tensioned. Splashbacks are noticeable around the foot and head areas where the vestibules are lower.

Speaking of vestibules, their trapezoidal shape surprisingly holds well in heavy wind. The two-stake support prevents considerable flapping and helps stabilize the tent. However, the same vestibules have a tendency to sag, especially when it is pouring outside.

Durability

While the Half Dome SL 2+ comes with great features, the affordable price tag shows itself in the fabric used. The polyurethane-coated is susceptible to degradation. You will notice deterioration if you regularly use the tent under moisture or sunlight for an extended period of time.

However, the same fabric can withstand considerable beating and abuse during your trips. The poles are high quality, so there’s not much risk of breakage if properly set up. The 70D floor is also thick to prevent tears from sharp debris on the ground.

You can extend the lifespan of the tent by ensuring proper storage and maintenance when not in use.

Weight and Packed Size

The tent is definitely targeted towards more casual campers than dedicated backpackers. It is hefty at almost 5 pounds. While this is not the heaviest tent around, it is definitely not suitable for long trekking activities.

Furthermore, at around 7 inches by 20.5 inches when packed, it is a piece of bulky baggage to carry.  But, it is not a deal-breaker for a short walk to the campsite. And, it is much suitable for car camping, bike touring, kayaking, or any other activities where you do not need to carry your entire pack on your back. Better yet, split the tent pack with your companion for a much lighter load.