For many hikers, their first massive gear buy is a tent. Numerous hours go into researching supplies, weighing the professionals and cons of freestanding vs. trekking pole varieties, and looking for probably the most bang in your buck. Discovering a shelter that works in your particular person wants is paramount for having fun with your time within the backcountry.
REI Co-Op has been making the Half Dome tent since 1980: this yr marks the long-lasting shelter’s forty fifth anniversary. Backpacking know-how has come a good distance since then, and 45 years of updates and improvements have saved the Half Dome 2 versatile and user-friendly to this present day.
REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 Tent with Footprint At a Look
- MSRP: $299
- Packaged Weight: 5 lbs. 12.1 oz.
- Flooring Dimensions: 88 x 52 inches
- Design: Freestanding
- Variety of Doorways: 2
- Supplies:
- Poles: 7000-series aluminum
- Tent Physique: Low wall – 75-denier polyester taffeta with polyurethane coating; higher wall – breathable 75-denier polyester taffeta; mesh – 20-denier nylon
- Flooring: 75-denier polyester taffeta with polyurethane coating
- Rainfly: 40-denier ripstop nylon with polyethylene coating
REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 arrange for an evening of stargazing with out the rainfly. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
Circumstances of Evaluate
I work as a backpacking information in Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, and the tent that we outfit shoppers with is the REI Half Dome 2, so I’m fairly aware of the tent basically. As well as, I just lately acquired to check out the latest model on a multi-night backpacking journey in Rocky Fork State Park in northeast Tennessee.
Options
Suits Two Comfortably
The Half Dome 2 was designed to accommodate two full-sized adults. Certainly, the most recent model options an up to date pole construction that gives extra practical shoulder and head room. I discovered it comfy for myself and my husband, plus there was loads of room for our packs within the roomy vestibules.
REI additionally makes a Half Dome 2 Plus and a Half Dome 3 should you want a fair bigger tent choice.
Two D-Formed Doorways
Having a door on either side of the tent makes it simple to get out and in with out disturbing your tentmate. The D form of the doorways leaves loads of room to maneuver out and in of the tent, plus each the doorways and the rainfly zips will be secured in an open place. That is good for conversing with pals or for watching the rain from the dry oasis of your tent.
Separate Tent Physique and Rainfly
Within the gear world, having a separate tent physique and rainfly means the tent is “double-walled.” A “single-walled” tent is a tent that’s mainly simply the rainfly with a bit of little bit of built-in mesh. The great thing about a double-walled tent just like the Half Dome 2 is that the consumer has the choice to sleep with out the rainfly.
If the climate situations are proper, you may sleep with only a skinny piece of mesh over your head, which means you could have a transparent view of the night time sky. You’re nonetheless protected against bugs, however you could have a stellar view. If a storm rolls in, you may throw the rainfly over the tent physique shortly.
The within of the Half Dome 2. Full with a number of inside packets that make storing and organizing gadgets like headlamps and sun shades simple. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
Hooked up Tent Footprint
There may be loads of debate within the backpacking world about whether or not footprints are actually obligatory. They add a bit of further weight however will help defend the tent ground from put on and tear.
The Half Dome 2 footprint is made with “75-denier polyester taffeta with polyurethane coating and a nonfluorinated sturdy water repellent (DWR) that helps moisture bead up on the floor,” in keeping with REI. This helps hold the underside of the tent dry and prevents the fabric from wetting by. The footprint comes connected to the tent backside however can simply be eliminated should you select to not carry it.
Inside Pockets
The REI Half Dome 2 comes with a number of built-in pockets. These inside pockets provide a handy place to retailer in a single day gear like headlamps and battery banks. The pockets additionally assist to maintain gear organized and guarantee small gadgets are handy and straightforward to seek out.
DWR and Seam Sealing
The rainfly, tent ground, and tent physique have all been handled with DWR. This ensures that moisture beads up on the floor slightly than soaking by. To assist hold the inside dry, the tent physique and rainfly are additionally seam-sealed. These options work collectively to maintain rain, sleet, and snow out and hold your sleep system dry and comfortable.
Freestanding Vs. Trekking Pole Tents
Within the title of weight financial savings, many ultralight hikers are gravitating in the direction of trekking pole tents. These are tents that don’t use conventional tent poles to carry their form and as an alternative are assembled utilizing tent stakes and trekking poles. They are often tough to pitch at first however arrange quick when you get the dangle of it.
Trekking pole tents are unbelievable till you must set them up on snow, sand, or rock. Since these tents require stakes to carry their form, any areas which can be tough to drive stakes into the bottom can spell catastrophe (or not less than a less-than-ideal night time’s sleep).
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For that reason, freestanding tents are nonetheless a well-liked selection. Freestanding tents depend on tent poles to carry their form (however can nonetheless be anchored down with tent stakes, particularly in an effort to have a correct vestibule). They’re simple to arrange and highly regarded for learners or intermediate degree. REI’s Half Dome 2 tent is a freestanding tent, which means it depends on aluminum tent poles to carry its form.
Arrange is fast and straightforward with the REI Co-Op Half Dome 2. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 Execs
Straightforward To Assemble
The REI Half Dome 2 tent is good for newbie and seasoned backpackers due to how simple it’s to arrange. The aluminium poles are all one related piece, and it’s clear how the items match collectively to kind collectively to supply construction for the tent.
As soon as an individual connects the tent poles, it’s simple to attach the poles to their corresponding grommets on the tent. There are a number of clips that connect the tent physique to the poles. From there an individual then has the choice to connect the rainfly.
It may be intimidating to arrange a tent for the primary time, however I actually imagine this tent is as easy and common as you will get. It was for that reason that the REI Half Dome 2 tent was the tent used on my guided backpacking journeys. Setup is simple to grasp and easy to execute, even for shoppers who’ve by no means arrange a tent earlier than. Like something, it will get simpler with observe. After a number of nights, I discovered that shoppers have been professionals at pitching this tent.
Can Climate Any Storm
I’ve used this tent in a large number of various climate situations. The REI Half Dome 2 is a 3-season tent, which means it’s acceptable to make use of throughout spring, summer time, and fall. Choosing a shelter that may hold you dry and secure throughout inclement climate is essential. As a information, I’ve slept by extreme thunderstorms, snow, and even hail within the older mannequin of this tent.
The Half Dome 2 product web page says that the brand new mannequin has “up to date fly materials (that) is extra sturdy than the earlier model” and that the “fly can also be patterned to be nearer to the bottom for higher safety.” These adjustments weren’t actually noticeable in sensible use, however I slept advantageous on this tent because the rain poured. I awoke with the within of my tent nonetheless dry.
Minimizes Condensation
I additionally didn’t expertise a lot condensation inside this tent. As a double-walled tent, there may be naturally much less consumer contact with condensation in comparison with a single-walled tent. The mesh tent physique acts as a buffer between the rainfly and your stuff, and that slight distance is what can decrease condensation.
As well as, the rainfly of the Half Dome 2 additionally has two small vents that may be opened on clear nights to restrict condensation. These vents will be closed when it’s raining to maintain the inside dry. I seen extra condensation inside this tent after chilly nights, however general it was considerably much less of a problem than after I sleep in my single-walled tent.
Loads of house for 2 within the Half Dome 2. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 Cons
Heavy
My largest difficulty with this tent is simply how heavy it’s at 5 kilos, 12 ounces. Perhaps it’s simply because I’ve used ultralight tents for a number of years, however I can’t think about carrying a tent this heavy from Georgia to Maine! There are related tents in the marketplace which can be lighter, however they might include the next price ticket.
Whereas utilizing this tent on guided journeys, I’d all the time advocate shoppers discover a buddy to share the tent with. This meant they’d have a companion to sleep with at night time and have somebody to share the load with throughout the day. Usually, one individual would carry the tent physique and poles and the opposite would take the rainfly and stakes.
Even separated, these parts are nonetheless heavy and ponderous, however not less than every particular person is just carrying sub-three kilos of shelter weight as an alternative of 5 – 6.
Rainfly is ready up to make sure a peaceable night time’s sleep within the Half Dome 2. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
Tough to Join Rainfly Grommets
The rainfly connects to the tent physique at six factors: 4 buckles close to the footprint and two grommets on the tent physique over the doorways. Snapping the buckles in place is simple, however getting the grommets in place is difficult. The connecting loops are on the underside of the rainfly so it’s tough to see them.
I additionally discovered that after the primary grommet was in place, it was laborious to put the second as a result of there was rigidity. This rigidity is critical to maintain the rainfly tight in order that water rolls off it, however it all the time appears to be a battle to safe the rainfly. This turns into simpler after a number of makes use of because the materials stretches barely.
Conclusion
The REI Co-Op Half Dome 2 is a good newbie or intermediate tent for brief journeys. Its simple meeting makes it preferrred for newbies and folk who need to cut back the headache of pitching a tent. Due to how heavy it’s, although, I don’t take into account this tent appropriate for prolonged backpacking journeys or thru-hikes.
The Half Dome 2 is nice for brief in a single day journeys and can be good for automobile tenting. To be used on a multi-night journey, one of the simplest ways to handle the load is to divide the tent between two individuals. It holds up effectively in inclement climate and gives a refuge from the weather. General, this can be a sound funding if its supposed use is shorter journeys.
Store the REI Half Dome 2 Tent
Tranquil campsite with the REI Half Dome 2. Photograph courtesy of Anna “Magic” McKinney Smith.
Comparable Tents
MSR Elixir 2 Tent with Footprint
- MSRP: $319.95
- Packaged Weight: 6lb 3oz
- Flooring Dimensions: 84×52 in
Massive Agnes Blacktail 2
- MSRP: $249.95
- Packaged Weight: 5lb 8oz
- Flooring Dimensions: 90″ x 52″
The North Face Path Lite 2 Tent
- MSRP: $325
- Packaged Weight: 5 lbs 1.5 oz
The REI Half Dome 2 was donated for function of evaluate
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