A lightweight 3 to 4 season tent for two that won't break the bank
Written: Mar 22 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Freestanding, lightweight, inexpensive, lifetime warranty, Backpacker Magazine's Editors Choice Award 2002...
Cons: Heavy for one person, no cover for window.
The Bottom Line: A lightweight tent for two people that can be used in three or four season weather for a pricetag of only $159
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| wvabackpacker's Full Review: REI Half Dome Plus 2 |
~The REI Half Dome Plus 2 Tent~
~Introduction-
What if there was an inexpensive three season tent that was lightweight, durable, and could be used in four seasons without an upgrade? Well, there is: The REI Half Dome + 2, two person, three season, general backpacking tent.
~Awards-
In 2002 this tent won an editors choice award from Backpacker Magazine. View the article online here: http://www.backpacker.com/gear/article/0,1023,3889,00.html
~Setup-
One of the most important aspects of buying a tent is the setup. This tent can easily be setup by one person in less than five minutes. Sharing the tent with a buddy? Setup time is now down to three minutes or less. Part of the reason the tent is so easy to setup is due to its free-standing design and pole clips.
To set the tent up simply lay the tent body out flat on the ground. Unfold the DAC Featherlite folding aluminum tent poles and lay them in an X shape over the tent body. Place the ends of the tent poles into the grommets on the corner straps on the tent—use the outer set of grommets—the inner set of grommets should only be used in wet or windy weather (for added stability). Next grab the pole hooks in the center of the tent and hook them around the tent poles where they make an X. Then attach all of the pole clips to the poles. The basic tent is now setup. You can sleep in it setup this way if the weather is nice. However, I would suggest using tent stakes in the four corners and a groundsheet to protect the tent bottom.
If you want to put on the rain fly simply throw it over the tent—using the color coded corners to assure proper orientation. The corners of the fly should be wrapped around the tent body straps one time. Then place the tent pole end through the provided grommets on the fly straps. To create the vestibule space you will need to use two more stakes and stake out the points in front of the doors on the rain fly. Do this with the fly zipped up.
There are several more loops on the vestibule and tent body that can be guy lined or staked out in the event you need more ventilation and security (such as in a storm). 5/5
~Contents-
One tent body
One rain fly
Four poles
Six aluminum hook stakes
Eight guy lines with tighteners
Ditty bag for stakes and guy lines
Ditty bag for poles
Tent and rain fly stuff sack with compression straps and sewn-on instructions
Extra piece of tent poles for emergency repairs
~In Weather-
Superb performance! The mesh canopy and huge D-shaped mesh doors give this tent all the ventilation you'll ever need. Perfect for sleeping without the rain fly on a warm starry night. However, when foul weather happens, and it always does, the rain fly will keep the weather out and still let you breath. The low super-strong dome shape sheds wind and snow like a dream. I've used this tent in rain with no leaks and no condensation. This is largely due to the bathtub floor, the coated polyester rain fly material, and the convenient top vents. The added space of two vestibules keeps all of your gear inside, dry, and separate from your tent partners. I have not used this tent in the winter or in snow, but if you check out the Editor's Choice Award page on Backpacker.com, there is a photo and article of the tent being used in a snowstorm. 5/5
~Features-
-Weight: 5lbs 2oz – minimum 5lbs 12oz – average and 6lbs 5oz – according to my scale with the footprint. Not bad for two people, a little heavy for one.
-Poles: Aluminum DAC Featherlite, 8.5mm diameter, folds over nine times each
-Fabric: Tent body: Nylon Ripstop Rain fly: Coated polyester ripstop factory sealed and UV resistant Tent floor: Coated Nylon
Pockets: Two large mesh interior pockets and an included mesh "attic" for storing items that need to air dry or be kept away from sleeping bodies.
Windows: One clear window in the rainfly—no flap for privacy
Vents: Two top vents in the rainfly that have aluminum rods to adjust the opening—great for eliminating condensation and adding just the right amount of ventilation.
Vestibules: This tent has two vestibules. Meaning that if you share the tent with someone you each have 10 square feet of your storage all to yourself.
Doors: Another great feature of this tent, two doors. No more crawling over your tent partner to get out! Both doors are also made out of no-see-um mesh adding to the ventilation of the tent.
Factory taped seams and leakproof construction
5/5
~Comfort & Dimensions-
Floor dimensions: 92"x 54" – Perfect for sleeping two people up to about 6' tall. For even more space sleep opposite of each other—I find this gives one the sense of having more space since both people are not shoulder to shoulder. For size and weight this is one of the most comfortable backpacking tents for two people.
Height: A generous 42”. The tent maintains this height through a bigger space than a hoop tent which means you won’t feel as cramped if you’re stuck in the tent due to bad weather. Of all the tents I have reviewed, this is the most comfortable tent in a storm for two people. 5/5
Price paid-
I bought my tent last year so I got it for $149 (currently $159) at http://www.rei.com. I also bought the footprint which was $14 last year and is currently $25. The footprint is not necessary unless you want to use it to create a lightweight shelter using the rain fly and leaving out the tent body. If you don't ever plan on using this option then don't buy the footprint—just make your own out of a $3 tarp from Wal-Mart. 5/5
~Warranty-
As with all products made at REI you get a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. If you’re not satisfied with the product at any time you can return it to any store or mail it back to the online store. 5/5
~Conclusion-
Inexpensive, freestanding, lightweight, two doors and vestibules, generous room for two—this tent is a dream come true. For two people I can find nothing wrong with this tent that deserves any loss of points. For that I give it a 10/10. After reading this review you should be able to understand why this tent won an Editor’s Choice Award. Now go out and get yourself one.
~Other Backpacking/Camping Reviews by WVaBackpacker-
--Backpacks-
Gregory Shasta Backpack
Dana Design Glacier
--Tents-
Mountain Hardware Trinity
Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight CD
--Sleeping Bags-
The North Face Thunderhead 3D
The North Face Kilo Down 32F
--Hydration-
MSR Dromedary Bag
Platypus Big Zip
--Destinations-
Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Keyhole State Park, Wyoming
--Books-
The Backpackers Handbook
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wvabackpacker
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Member: Jeremy Hays
Location: Columbus, OH, USA
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 46 members
About Me:
Maybe I'll write another review someday...lots of new gear...
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