Rei Half Dome 2 Real Review

When searching for a tent that delivers both comfort and reliability, the REI Half Dome 2 often emerges as a top contender. This review will provide an in-depth look at the REI Half Dome 2, examining how it stacks up in real-world camping scenarios. The REI Half Dome 2 is designed to be a practical and sturdy two-person tent, crafted to offer a comfortable shelter without compromising on key features. We’ll dive into its construction details, explore its interior space, and assess how easy it is to set up. Additionally, we’ll consider its performance under different weather conditions to give you a comprehensive view of what to expect. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer outdoor adventure, this review will help you determine if the REI Half Dome 2 is the right fit for your needs.

"I purchased this tent a couple of years ago (REI now has a newer version) but I’m not so sure if the newer version is actually better. I bought this version because the tent itself is primarily mesh that air can go through. It’s perfect for warm desert nights. It comes with a nearly waterproof rain fly. I had this tent pitched during one of the worst monsoons I have ever been in. I expected to return to the campground and find this tent to be washed away. It had been in 70+ mph winds and torrential desert monsoonal rains all afternoon. Inside of the tent was dry as a bone. I have read other reviews here that pretty much say the same thing when it comes to how well this tent holds up to heavy rain. I was a little leery about the small vent on the roof possibly leaking, but so far mine hasn’t leaked yet. I actually prefer this version of Half Dome II to the newer version. Newer version has less mesh. This is considered a 3-Season tent and is not recommended for severe winter weather use because of high winds possibly getting through under the outside rain fly, but if you have a warm sleeping bag, I think you could make this tent work in the winter as well. It was a little confusing to set up initially, but once you have done it a couple of times you should be able to set it up in the dark without having to read the set-up directions printed on the outside on the tent bag."

"My wife and I bought the Half-Dome 2 when we started backpacking this summer. It combined all of the features that we wanted into a lightweight package that we could easily carry without weighing down our packs. It's worked wonderfully. It's simple to set up even in the dark, lightweight, has space for my 6'4 height, and has lots of little pockets inside for my personal gear. This is a great tent for a great price."

"The boys (father/teen son) used this for a Boy Scout trip in the hills in Southern California. It worked well and all went well. Son set it on his own and it was plenty spacious for them. Look forward to using it more often and for backyard sleepovers for the girls."

"When I bought this tent, it was on the recommendation of a friend. I'm an experienced camper, but even I had trouble figuring out how to set this thing up the first time. In fact, it took my more than half an hour, and after its first outing (to Big Bend on the South Rim) I wasn't all that happy with it. Setting up this tent is a bit different than most of the other dome-type tents I've owned in the past, particularly because of the cross-bar at the top. But I decided to give it another shot. The second time I took the tent out, it was much easier to put up, taking me only 15 minutes. And that night it stormed. Driving rain, wind, you name it. It was one of the worst storms I've ever camped through. And the Half-dome 2 stood up well against the elements. The only leakage I experienced was when the rain was coming sideways - I got a few drips through the top vent on one side, so I had to close that one. The other was fine. No other water got in at all, which is simply amazing. My buddy's pup tent (and all his gear) got completely soaked. The only issue I had was moisture accumulation inside the tent. Temps were in the lower 60s, but it was still a bit muggy inside. But it was raining like crazy outside, so I'm sure that contributed a bit to the humidity. I've not yet shared the space in this tent with anyone, but I suspect that the vestibules will come in handy for storing gear in that case. The half dome 2 seems plenty roomy for one person, but I suspect it might get a little cramped with another person in there with me. The ceiling storage is a nice touch and is very useful. This tent is a little heavier than some backpacking tents, but it feels really solid, so that's worth a little more weight to me, especially when the weather gets rough. With the rain fly off, the entire thing is pretty much just mesh, which seems to me like it might get ripped if something more than a twig falls on it. But we'll see. Overall, this is a good tent, especially for a scout or for light backpacking. I'd buy it again, especially after it proved itself in the rain."

"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."

"finally had to trade in the old version of this after 6-7 years of use.... really like this new version. Slightly smaller footprint but feels way roomier with the spreader pole on top. Still a great buy; especially since REI gave me full credit for returning the old one (one broken/patched pole and one torn seam - not bad after that much use). Kudos to REI for standing behind their products! ...finally gave it a good breaking in in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area on a 3 day backpacking trip last weekend. One solid, rainy night and me and my gear were good and dry. A bit on the heavy side for backpacking unless you split it up."

"We have two tents, one is the kingdom tent for our longer distances, more serious travels where we all go along. The half dome tent is my 'show tent', a light weight alternative to having to shell out a lot of money on hotels when we are out of town showing. Just got back from a more extreme weather weekend... the wind was 20+ miles per hour, 45 degrees at night plus we had thunder, lightning and pounding rain. Unlike my fellow campers fighting the wind, I only had to put my tent up once. My grandson and I stayed bone dry while everyone else complained of being soaked to the skin in their tents. My only wish was that is be just a tad bit bigger but it does the job it was designed to do and does it very well. It did not flex a bit in the wind even without the extra guylines that came with it. I purchased and used the footprint for this tent... altogether it's an awesome, well thought out set up. Goes together in minutes. Super easy for one person to put up without help. By day two, everyone else was asking what kind of tent we had. We weren't the only ones impressed with it."

"The half dome 2 is an excellent tent!!!!! I got poured on all night in the Oregon mountains and the tent was bone dry (even with both vents open)!!! I would definitely reccomend practicing setting it up a few times before you try it in the dark. The fly is excellent with the double vents and twin vestibule, I have had no condensation problems and I really can't figure out the reviews of people saying they are getting dripped on!! I just wish there were more color options...."

"I have only gotten to use my tent twice so far since i bought it about a month ago - so i am only going to talk about those experiences. I am a beginner, to say the least. my boy friend, however, is not, so i wanted to get my own tent and learn. He suggested this tent because it was in the middle -- with price and what i needed it for. Not the lightest tent; but still easy to travel with. I have only used it to car camp, but i think if i held half and he held half in his pack it would work out to be a really easy carry. It is still light for what i do, anyway. It has two doors, which i am told is great, haha. It works out well for myself and my man considering he is about 6 foot and i am 5'9. We both have a lot of room. We could PROBABLY get our gear in the tent as well, but with the warmer/dry weather i haven't needed to. If we are doing more serious camping -- i would probably want a little more leg room - but we are very long people so i can't complain much. It is VERY easy to set up -- even for someone like me who never had to set up tents before. I had learned a few times helping set up other people's but never had my own. It feels good to be able to do it without any help. Trust me: if i can do it, you can do it. It is probably good for a kid's first tent -- it could easily fit 2 of them in there. I could imagine setting this up when i was younger with my brother and having no issues. Plus it is fairly light and fail proof with the easy set up instructions. The poles are even color coated. For what you are paying for this-- it is well worth it. I look forward to using it a lot this summer and for the years to come. If you want a more serious tent, that is up to you but you will be paying much more. If you want an in the middle tent that gets the job done -- you can't go wrong here. One last thing -- you do need to buy a footprint to go along with it... i guess that is normal but i know there are other tents that it is unnecessary."

"I bought this because they were out of the Passage 2 at the store. Very little ventilation even with ventilation flaps open. Very stuffy inside. Wasn't bad with the vestibule open. But then it's not a vestibule anymore. The passage 2 is 2 inches bigger in every dimension, lighter, better reviews, and a Jackson cheaper. Still a decent tent. It kept me dry from rain (light showers, never had it in a downpour). It also kept me damp from lack of ventilation."

In wrapping up, the REI Half Dome 2 proves to be a reliable and practical choice for those seeking a two-person tent that balances comfort and durability. Its design effectively combines ample interior space with robust construction, making it a dependable option for various camping trips. While it may not be the lightest tent on the market or the best option for extreme weather, the REI Half Dome 2 excels in providing a solid, user-friendly experience for most camping conditions. This review has highlighted the essential aspects of the tent, offering insight into its strengths and potential drawbacks. If you’re in the market for a well-rounded tent that delivers both functionality and comfort, the REI Half Dome 2 is certainly worth considering for your next outdoor excursion.