Rei Half Dome 3 Plus Real Review

When it comes to choosing the perfect tent for your outdoor adventures, the REI Half Dome 3 Plus stands out as a top contender for those seeking a blend of durability, spaciousness, and convenience. As a long-time favorite among avid campers, the REI Half Dome 3 Plus has earned its reputation through countless real-world tests and reviews. This article delves into a comprehensive review of the REI Half Dome 3 Plus, exploring its key features, performance in various conditions, and overall value. Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or a casual camper, understanding what the REI Half Dome 3 Plus has to offer will help you make an informed decision for your next adventure.

"Okay so 1 year with this tent now light enough for me to pack out a couple miles to some hot springs for the night, heavy duty enough to beat up car camping, I’ve used it in some very heavy storms, never had a single leak. I love the color, the only really far-out stuff I do is in the desert so I wanted a color that could pop in an emergency, but still be pretty to me, and not neon. Def has some condensation issues like any well-built tent, but that’s easy to mitigate if you make sure you don’t leave the rain fly closed 24/7. Also, use a footprint! Makes the tent last so much longer!!!"

"Used this for a five (5) day backpacking trip in the Eastern Sierras. The tent performed flawlessly. Unfortunately there were no foot prints available at the time I purchased the tent. I need up using some 10mil plastic sheet cut to size, which ended up packing down larger than the tent. Ha. Tent was easy to set up and take down. Zippers always worked and the tub style floor was durable. I highly recommend this tent for two (2) adults. I am purchasing the Two (2) person version for my adventure motorcycle trips."

"REI's Half Dome 3+ was perfect for us. Just finished a 5-day/ 57-river mile trip on the Salmon River. Space is a premium on multiple day raft trips. We had extra room for personal items inside the tent. If we had used the rain fly there would be added covered area for dry bag storage. It takes up half the dry bag space and weight of our North Face Trailhead 4 (which has been a great tent but better suited for car camping). The Half Dome 3+ sets up and rolls up quick and stows in our smaller dry bag with CG gear sand-free doormats. The matching Footprint worked great with the deep sand beach campsites; keeping the tent bottom clean. The tent door zippers and door stowage pockets allowed easy quick entry to setup our bedding and then zip up to keep the bugs out. For river rafting this is an excellent option for two people. We decided to view the stars and kept the rain fly in the bag all five days. we did setup at home with ease, too. The only thing we couldn't test was wind resistance as we had perfect conditions the entire trip. inside loops to hang LED lights, corner pockets for my glasses, flashlight and other loose items are convenient. We love everything about this tent."

"Great investment with the Half Dome 3+. Just finished a 5-day/ 57-river mile trip on the Big Salmon River. Space is limited on a raft and dry bags. This tent was perfect for us. We had extra room for personal items inside the tent. If we had used the rain fly there would be added covered area for dry bag storage. It takes up half the space of our North Face Trailhead 4 (which is better suited for car camping). This tent sets up and rolls up very easily. We bought the REI Half Dome SL 3+ Footprint and that was great with the sand beach campsites. The tent door zippers and door pocket allowed easy entry to setup our bedding and then zip up to keep the bugs out. For river rafting this is an excellent option. We decided to view the stars and kept the rain fly in the bag all five days. The only thing we couldn't test was wind resistance as we had perfect conditions the entire trip."

"Picked up a lightly used model at an REI garage sale in 2019 for a steal. Had to reinforce some weak tie outs on the rainfly, but the only other issue is a minor separation of the seam tape (so little, I've yet to repair it). Strapped easily to the front of my child carrier backpack on a trip in the GTNP and it worked great. Can fit 2 wide + 2 reg pads. We can even fit the two BA double pads (50 inch each) if you don't inflate all the way... pretty much covers the entire tent floor. I was going to diy my own 5-6 person, but I decided not to and to just make it work with this bad boy. I have a personal attachment to this tent!"

"I love how fast you can build it. I also love the doors and the rain fly is very nice. The rain fly can also be rolled up halfway which is a super cool feature. It has many places to store your gear.perfect for two . Absolutely perfect!"

"Just spent a week in the mountains, and this tent is great. First big adventure with it. I like the setup, the space outside each door, the vent placement and design that's perfect for adjusting while staying inside the tent and keeping out rain. My only complaint is that it seems there was an issue with any sort of dwr application or other waterproofing on the fabric. It rained almost every night, but while it prevents downpour inside the tent, the rain quickly saturated the fly and flowed down the inside of the fly, soaking any gear or bedding in contact with it."

"We love our Half Half Dome 3 Plus. We have just finished up our first 2 nights with our 2 kids (3 and 6) and couldn’t have asked more from a tent for our family. The materials are top notch. REI did a great job giving us the design features we wanted at an affordable price point. The tent itself easily fit 4 sleeping pads for us that’s right 4 pads. Each of us had a pocket in each corner for the stuff we want easy access to. The over head mesh pocket layout is just awesome. We spent two nights in the Sierra’s and saw wind and rain both days. When properly staked out (10 stakes) we felt very secure. We stayed dry with no condensation. The pop up air flow vents work very well and even when raining and have a lip on the bottom to prevent angled rain from flowing in. The setup was great (we set it up inside REI before we bought). Everything is so well thought out. Yes there are lighter options on the market. But pound for pound this tent is a family workhorse and built to last. We are so happy to have it and can’t wait to keep getting our kids outside with it protecting us! Thank you REI for our backcountry home!"

"Have had this for a while but finally put it to the test for the last week. My boys were finally old enough for a stint at scout camp and it worked flawlessly. The three of us were able to squeeze an adult and two boys, 10 and 7, with our gear. We got it with two pretty good storms and the tent kept us dry both with vents opened and closed. The double vestibules gave us room for boots and shoes (and egress) at one end and 3 day packs at the other. All stayed dry in the storms. The best feature I didn't really use until later the the trip. The integral mesh pockets were big, and sturdy, enough to place the next days change of clothes for the the whole party. It was a great feature that help keep everything organized and for quick departures in the morning. At a little over 5 pounds it's at a decent weight for a 3+ person backpacking tent. That's our next adventure."

"We OWNED this tent. Other then a little on the heavy side for backpacking, we absolutely love it! It fit our need in every way, but wish it was just a pound or two littler. The set up was a breeze. My husband and I took it on our backpacking trip to Maroon Bells. There was plenty of room inside for us and our equipment. Can't say enough about the pockets and the storage compartments all over inside the tent. We gave this tent to our daughter and planned on buying another one but they are no longer available. I wanted to cry! Please bring it back or get the one you are replacing available on the shelves soon please!"

In conclusion, the REI Half Dome 3 Plus lives up to its reputation as a reliable and well-designed tent for a wide range of camping needs. Its spacious interior, sturdy construction, and user-friendly features make it a standout choice for those seeking comfort and durability on their outdoor excursions. From the ease of setup to the practical design elements, the REI Half Dome 3 Plus offers a compelling package for campers of all levels. As with any gear, personal preferences and specific needs will guide your final choice, but the REI Half Dome 3 Plus undoubtedly deserves serious consideration for anyone looking to enhance their camping experience.