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Backpacker Magazine – 2010 Editors' Choice/Gear Guide
Editors' Choice Gold Award 2010: REI Half Dome 2 Tent
Eight years later, this REI tent is still the best deal out there.
REI Half Dome 2 (Photo by Jonathan Dorn)
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Tags:
- Gear |
- Tents |
- Editors choice |
When this two-person dome debuted with an Editors’ Choice win in 2002, it was a lesson in both economics and smart shelter design. On the financial front, the Half Dome showed what REI, a big company with none of the middlemen who drive up costs for other manufacturers, could do if it put its mind to building the perfect three-season tent.
At only $149, the original model sent shockwaves through the industry: Here was a freestanding, two-vestibule tent with quality materials and an outstanding space-to-weight ratio—at a price that saved consumers at least $50 versus any comparable name-brand model. Not great news for mom-and-pop tent makers, to be sure, but a big win for wallet-conscious campers, who immediately bought the Half Dome in droves. (An REI spokesperson told us that it’s been the company’s best-selling backpacking tent for years.)
Today, the Half Dome remains the epitome of functional, affordable design, something we saw in Switzerland, Colorado, and Wyoming with most of the same testers who first used it eight years ago. Since 2002, it has gotten roomier (long and wide enough for two six-foot editors), taller (a new hub structure and crossing pole improve headroom), and stronger (more pole coverage). And it comes in a tall version (pictured). We’re still not thrilled that the vestibules—when opened fully—let water drip into the tent, but we’re psyched that the trail weight is still five pounds—exactly where it started.
Best of all, the price—in real terms—has come down slightly. The Half Dome would now cost $179.17 if it had kept up with inflation. $179; 5 lbs.; rei.com
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READERS COMMENTS
stop the attached vestibule madness!! if it needs an attached vestibule, it will leak!!!!
every rei tent i have owned has lasted until the zippers fail and i return them
I got this 2010 model tent in brand new condition at an REI garage sale for $59. The rainfly had never even been opened. not sure why someone returned it in new condition? I am an avid outdoor adventurer. I used it the last weekend in August at almost 12,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. It poured for 2 days and never got any water in it at all. If you know a little about weather patterns and set it up accordingly to the weather and wind patterns you won't get any water when you open the doors in the rain. You have to pitch the tent correctly. Also, get the footprint. It saved my floor from water, mud and rips.
I got this tent in brand new condition at an REI garage sale for $59. The rainfly had never even been opened. not sure why someone returned it in new condition? I am an avid outdoor adventurer. I used it the last weekend in August at almost 12,000 feet in the Colorado Rockies. It poured for 2 days and never got any water in it at all. If you know a little about weather patterns and set it up accordingly to the weather and wind patterns you won't get any water when you open the doors in the rain. You have to pitch the tent correctly. Also, get the footprint. It saved my floor from water, mud and rips.
I rented this for my backpacking trip. It is excellent and worth the $$. Plan to buy it.
I rented this for my backpacking trip. It is excellent and worth the $$. Plan to buy it.
I've bought this tent after reading alot of good things about it, and also the not so good things ofcourse.
But this review actually made me decide to buy it, since I trust you are capable and unbiased reviewers.
My REI order was shipped nicely overseas, and even with customer charges it's still cheaper than alot of my other choices.
Living in the Netherlands I didn't have any experience with REI products so I went out on a limb on this one. I wasn't dissapointed, on the contrary it's the perfect tent for me and my partner. Affordable, light, easy to set up, feels sturdy...perfect characteristics for a tent in this segment for people who want quality when they use a tent once in a while.
Chapeau!
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