I’ve been camping for years, so I’ve had my fair share of experiences sleeping overnight in crappy tents. Last summer, I finally decided to pick up a new tent because the one I was using was starting to feel cramped.
Since I am often camping and backpacking, I wanted to find a tent that felt a bit luxurious in space but still made sense to bring on any backpacking trips.
After doing my own research on different camping and backpacking tents, I decided to purchase the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent. One of the biggest selling points was actually the price!
In this post, I’m going to share my personal review of the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent.
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My REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Review
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Product Details
- 3 lbs. 15 oz.
- 3-season weather
- 2 person, plus gear or a dog
- Freestanding design
- Vertical side walls
- 2 large D-shape doors
- 2 dual-stake vestibules
- Made with 20 to 40-denier ripstop nylon
- Hubbed color-coded pole assembly
- Interior organization
- Closable ceiling vents
- Aluminum poles
- Mesh panels
What is the Half Dome SL 2+ Tent made of?
The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent is made of denier ripstop nylon, which basically just means it’s strong and durable. The canopy fabric is 40-denier ripstop nylon and 20-denier nylon mesh, which is bluesign® approved. The floor fabric is also made with 40-denier ripstop nylon, and the rainfly is made with 30-denier nylon. The tent poles are made of aluminum.
Ease of Use
This freestanding REI tent is super easy and straightforward to use. The one-piece pole system is hubbed and color-coded, which makes it easy to see how to set it up. All you have to do is connect the poles to each corner and then clip it all together. The tent includes a footprint, and it’s already connected to the bottom of the tent. If you need to remove it, the process is easy. With this simplified setup, it’ll take less than five minutes to get the tent put up. You can find the tent assembly instructions on the tent bag, if you need a reminder.
Design
The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent was built to be light and hold up in 3-season weather. During hot and muggy weather, the mesh panels in the upper portion of the tent and closable ceiling vents allow lots of ventilation. The sides and ends of the fly can be rolled up to enjoy the entire view! When you need some privacy, the ripstop panels in the lower portion of the tent will help with that. Plus, they help to keep any dust and dirt outside. The tent has built-in pockets and hang loops so you can keep your space organized.
Size & Weight
The 2+ size floor plan of this tent provides an amazing amount of livable space, which was one of the main reasons I decided to purchase it. The floor dimensions are 90 x 54 inches, which is more than spacious for my short height. The peak height of the tent is 42 inches, which is a lot of headroom for me to comfortably sit up in. This makes it a comfortable place to play backpacking games!
The two vestibules offer an additional 22.5 square feet of covered storage, which is perfect for storing gear. This tent is the perfect size for two people, gear, and a dog, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The packed weight of the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent is 4 lbs. and 11.5 oz. and the minimum trail weight is 3 lbs. and 15 oz. This is a bit on the heavier side for a backpacking tent. If you strap it on the outside of a backpacking pack, the tent does stick out a little bit, which can be annoying if you end up having to bushwack. However, I appreciate the generous space in the tent bag, which makes it easy to store.
What’s Included With The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent?
The tent includes a footprint, rainfly, guylines with tighteners, pole-repair tube, pole bag, eight stakes and a stake bag.
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Pros & Cons
There were so many things that I loved about the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+, here’s some pros:
- It’s affordable. Plus, if you get it during one of the REI sales you can save even more money!
- You’ll help the environment. This tent is sustainably made and bluesign® approved.
- Easy to setup and take down. I love the color-coded system.
To be honest, the biggest con is the packed size.
- It’s size. It packs up a bit larger than other UL backpacking tents, but the extra space is worth it!
Competitors & Alternatives
If you need a tent that is a bit more UL for your backpacking trips then check out the NEMO Hornet OSMO Ultralight 2P Tent. Its packaged weight is only 2 lbs. 8 oz.!
Conclusion: Is The REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent Worth It?
Overall, the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent is a great option for two people who are looking for a spacious, comfortable, and weather-resistant camping or backpacking tent.
It is made with lightweight and durable materials, and it is super easy to set up. Pick up the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent for your next camping trip.
Thank you for reading my REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ Tent review. I hope it answered any questions you may have but if you have any more, please leave me a comment below.
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