REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Review

This fully freestanding double-wall tent has an awesome peak height of 42 inches and two vestibules that are each over 11 square feet — plenty of space for packs and boots. All things considered, there is a lot to like here.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

You can spread out and get comfortable in the Half Dome SL 2+. Its 92-inch length is one of the longest in this review, and it is more than enough space for a pair of six-foot sleepers. Combined with its peak height and similarly generous width of 56 inches, the reality is that you could attempt to squeeze a third person in, and it wouldn't feel any more ridiculous than two people in some of our ultralight models.

The two massive side doors are easy to open and close with one hand. In addition to standard (totally sufficient) side pockets at each corner of the tent, each person also gets an overhead pocket large enough for a book, maps, or other gear you want to keep organized in within reach. Even with two people, it is easy to avoid touching the tent walls at night (and keeping the foot of your sleeping bag dry, even if the tent itself is wet). There is so much headroom it is no problem for two people to sit up and even kneel at the same time.

We like that the fly can roll back for stargazing. The side panels aren't especially high, but they do provide a modest amount of privacy if you happen to remove the fly. The doors open in opposite directions from each other, which suggests that the tent is designed for head-to-toe sleeping, which may or may not be what you are looking for. However, they are easy to tie back, and if it's not buggy out, offer excellent views when open.

Weather Resistance

This three-season tent does well enough in the rain. Its large profile gives it a little bit of a bag-in-the-wind feel. The design of its pole structure isn't especially rigid, but it offers two stake points for each of the vestibules, which makes them easier to tension and less susceptible to flapping. The vestibules also have multiple tie-back options. Depending on the weather, the doors can be opened partially or fully.

The kickstand vents are covered, so unless you find yourself in a truly gnarly thunderstorm, precipitation won't find its way in that way either. The all-mesh canopy also allows condensation to escape easily. The vestibule zippers aren't waterproof, but they do have a protective flap. The two-pitch shape of the vestibule door also makes it possible (and very convenient) to enter and exit the tent while it is raining without dripping extra accumulated water from the door on yourself or your gear.

The Half Dome SL 2+ also comes with an included footprint, which does a nice job of protecting the floor from seepage if you happen to pitch on some already-damp soil.

Weight

With everything included, this tent weighs more than the rest of our lineup. At 4.82 pounds on our scale, this one is worth splitting between at least two people.

Having said that, the Half Dome seems to benefit from continually improving materials technology and thoughtful design. Considering all of the space and livability that this tent brings to the trail, it is certainly versatile enough to be a car-camping workhorse and a backup backpacking tent.

Durability

The floor and fly are 40 and 30 denier nylon, respectively. These are on the thicker side of tent fabrics, and though it makes for a heavier overall product, the increased durability is noticeable. Add in the footprint, and the floor is well-protected from the usual wear and tear of a well-used shelter.

The aluminum pole structure is not totally rigid, but the crossbar gives it enough stiffness that it would take some very strong wind to cause it to buckle. It does also come with a pole splint in the event that on-trail disaster strikes. The floor and side panels also extend up the walls high enough that they effectively prevent debris and moisture from getting through.

Ease of Set-Up

We like how simple it is to pitch this tent. The pole structure is symmetrical, which means all of the parts are easier to orient correctly. The poles, clips, and grommet webbing are color-coded as well, so there is no confusion about which pole end slides into what. The fly attaches to the tent with traditional buckle clips and stakes out at the tent corners and two points on each vestibule. It's very straightforward, even for one person.

On the downside, we found that the pole structure itself is a little unwieldy. All of the segments are connected to each other, and since the tent is so large, the poles are consequently very long, and the whole thing splays out in enough directions that getting the first two corners in takes some extra effort. It didn't prove to be too problematic in practice, but there were a couple of times that we found ourselves wrestling with it just a little more than the average tent. All things considered though, it's easy to stake out and tension well.

Packed Size

Coupled with its weight, this model certainly takes up some space in a pack. The pole structure has a lot of segments, and the hubs and clips are chunky. The fabric is thick, which is beneficial for its durability but doesn't do it any favors in terms of its portability.

It's a generous extra, so we can't especially knock it, but the footprint also adds weight and bulk to the whole set-up. However, if you are using this tent primarily as a car camping or backyard campout companion, its size is not a problem.

Should You Buy the REI Half Dome SL 2+?

The Half Dome SL 2+ is one of the best values around. This is a fantastic option if you want a spacious, comfortable tent for two. It can handle a couple of nights in the backcountry and provides enough space to make it worth taking on a front country car camping trip as well. Its durability also makes it a likely candidate to serve you reliably season after season. Its components and fabric are not top-of-the-line, but the design, execution, and quality for the price are excellent. This model offers a strong value for anyone who doesn't mind carrying the extra weight.

What Other Backpacking Tents Should You Consider?

If interior space is a high priority, but you also want to reduce weight beyond what the Half Dome can offer, then we suggest checking out a three-person version of one of our lightweight contenders like the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or the Nemo Dagger Osmo. If durability is what you are after, the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT is a unique, high-quality (though more complicated) tunnel tent worth looking into.