Anyone have any history with this tent? Nice sale at REI right now but I don't know much about this for the BWCA. Thinking about it and the footprint for using solo and with a second person. Anyone like or dislike this tent?

The Half Dome 2 Plus is a newly updated version this year.

I can't speak to the 2 but I picked up the new 4 Plus last month and it seems like a decent improvement over the previous model. More square footage and elbow room, with a reduction in weight.

Good view out of the roof as well!

bri: "Good view out of the roof as well!

"

Thank you.....please tell me you didn't just set that up for this post....I do appreciate the photos though.

Thank you.....please tell me you didn't just set that up for this post....I do appreciate the photos though."

Ha, no! I set it up with my son the night it arrived and we ended up testing the tent and Klymit pads on an overnighter in the living room. :)

Here's a recent review from Outdoor Gear Lab, I think they do a pretty good job on their reviews. outdoorgearlab The tent got a pretty good rating from them, roomy nice features. I've owned a number of REI tents, usually have good quality and features for the price.

I first saw it on a top 10 backpacking tents of 2018 listing. They liked the tent but thought it might be a little heavy....I am not ultralight backpacking so the weight looked ok to me.

I have an REI Half Dome from 2001. It has served my needs for a very long time. Never seamed sealed the tent until about 4 years ago after I had a pin hole leak but that was from something putting a hole in the fabric not a seam failure.

Yes, they are heavier than other tents out there but their design and construction are well done. Check one out at the store if you can so you get a feel for the space and layout.

Definitely a decent tent for the price (especially on sale) and yours will be the plus size version whereas mine is the standard size.

I purchased an REI Half Dome 2+ a few years ago for a backpacking trip with my son. It has now been on 3 or 4 backpacking trips and is a very good tent for 2 for this purpose. I like that is has 2 vestibules and 2 doors - one on each side. And it's just roomy enough for 2 adults without feeling cramped. I would choose a larger tent for canoe camping for 2 people, however.

mc2mens: "I purchased an REI Half Dome 2+ a few years ago for a backpacking trip with my son. It has now been on 3 or 4 backpacking trips and is a very good tent for 2 for this purpose. I like that is has 2 vestibules and 2 doors - one on each side. And it's just roomy enough for 2 adults without feeling cramped. I would choose a larger tent for canoe camping for 2 people, however. "

In your opinion is the vestibule large enough to keep a large pack in? I will use it for both trail and canoe but mostly canoe. When canoeing I will be solo most of the time as well so I was thinking it might be ok.

Selfsuffi: "In your opinion is the vestibule large enough to keep a large pack in? I will use it for both trail and canoe but mostly canoe. When canoeing I will be solo most of the time as well so I was thinking it might be ok."

Yes - the vestibule is large enough for a large pack. I think it would be a fine tent for solo canoe camping trips. Roomy. I prefer a 3 or 4 person tent for 2 people when canoe camping though.

I have an older half dome and a more recent Half dome plus. Both of them are very nice. Older one suffers from breatheability issues, but newer are much better. I am planning on taking it into the b-dub in June and can't wait. Double vestibules/doors are a great feature. While I have not tried the newer models, I don't imagine that quality has gone down by much if at all.

great to hear! thank you all for your input. Looks like I will be making a drive up to REI this weekend.

I too have been struggling with updating my BA solo tent with something new with two vestibules and side entrance. MSR, REI, after considering the prices and 20% REI this week, I considered the REI for app $200 less but app 1 1/2lbs heavier. At the same time I wanted to buy a ccs tarp. Could I buy both the msr and ccs? Nope, so I decided on the REI.

Wait, this gets better, last week for the millionth time I checked craigs list and lo and behold I found a 2016/17 REI Half Dome, right near my work for $55. Checked it out, no problems, bought it, lucky me.

Took me maybe 5 min to set it up with an interesting pole hub. Does have a single vent in the fly. Good for solo, not for two in my opinion. The Plus looks to be better. Have fun shopping! I still have some $ to go buy something at REI before sale ends. Thinking new pants :)

coldfeet: "I too have been struggling with updating my BA solo tent with something new with two vestibules and side entrance. MSR, REI, after considering the prices and 20% REI this week, I considered the REI for app $200 less but app 1 1/2lbs heavier. At the same time I wanted to buy a ccs tarp. Could I buy both the msr and ccs? Nope, so I decided on the REI.


Wait, this gets better, last week for the millionth time I checked craigs list and lo and behold I found a 2016/17 REI Half Dome, right near my work for $55. Checked it out, no problems, bought it, lucky me.


Took me maybe 5 min to set it up with an interesting pole hub. Does have a single vent in the fly. Good for solo, not for two in my opinion. The Plus looks to be better. Have fun shopping! I still have some $ to go buy something at REI before sale ends. Thinking new pants :) "

Nice find on Craigslist! I keep looking there but so far no luck. CCS tarp is on my list too but it will have to wait for later this summer for that upgrade :) (unless I have the magic numbers for the lottery....and I actually buy a ticket...lol)

Have an older 2 person. 5 pounds 10 ounces, all up with replaced guylines and adjusters, MSR Groundhogs, footprint.

Solid 2 person, roomy with large deep vestibules. Hubbed pole-set, sets up easily. Very stable in wind, very rainproof, good ventilation. Fits into the under 3 pound per person style many makers target.
I use much lighter true solo shelters on packing trips, but this is often used on vehicle based camping. Great used purchase for both availability and price!

butthead

butthead: "Have an older 2 person. 5 pounds 10 ounces, all up with replaced guylines and adjusters, MSR Groundhogs, footprint.


Solid 2 person, roomy with large deep vestibules. Hubbed pole-set, sets up easily. Very stable in wind, very rainproof, good ventilation. Fits into the under 3 pound per person style many makers target.
I use much lighter true solo shelters on packing trips, but this is often used on vehicle based camping. Great used purchase for both availability and price!

Thank you for the feedback on this one and the photos's! The last photo shows the vestibule really well to and that was my biggest worry. I appreciate you taking the time to share.

butthead"

Bought our 6' son the 2 plus a couple years ago. He slept in in every night for 3 months. He said it was perfect for one plus dog or gear. Ok for 2 with gear in vestibule. He used our marmot tungsten recently and said he likes the configuration of the rei 2plus better.

I may be a little late to this party but I would have to say that this tent is definitely worth the sale price. I've had mine for almost three years now and I've camped in Florida, Glacier National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, all over Wisconsin, and on the Superior Hiking Trail with it. It fits two people comfortably with a little room leftover for small packs or gear. This is probably my fault, but the poles are just starting to wear out now with the bungie cords inside beginning to stretch. I'm thinking about getting the poles replaced or finally upgrading to a more backpackable tent. I don't know that you can go wrong with this tent.

Back reading threads again.

I went on my first BWCA trip mid August 6 days solo EP 23 Mudro and had fun, never wrote a trip report here but did on other site.

But, my craigs list find for $50 had a problem. The fly zipper separated towards end of trip. The lightweight plastic teeth (i'm guessing) came apart. No rain on trip so i was lucky. I checked with rei and the place they advertise for replacement wants $90 for a new zipper. I will call soon to find out about purchasing a brand new fly if possible.

But, last week on a NY trip my friend had the Rei Half Dome 2 plus on a car camping paddle trip. Looked great, 4 way ventilation on top is nice, he liked it a lot. I'm thinking of picking up that one for car camping and paddle camping where there are few portages.

BWCA was great! But I'm not a solo guy, bored and wished family and friends were there to enjoy the beauty. Best to all CF