The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 is a classic for a reason, and it’s on sale now.
REI Half Dome 2 (Photo: Nathan Pipenberg)
Published on July 6, 2026 01:57 pm
REI’s Half Dome is as classic as backpacking tents get. For more than 20 years, versions of this double-wall shelter have accompanied our editors across continents, serving us during storms and in the deep backcountry. That’s one reason we named it to our Hall of Fame in 2018.
This year’s update boosts the Half Dome 2’s weather protection—one of the few weak points our testers noticed—by adding a higher ripstop nylon wall to the main tent body. Livability, however, is still Half Dome 2’s biggest selling point: With 31 square feet of floor space, plus a 9-foot double vestibule and doors, whether you’re just sleeping in a bed for the night or waiting out a storm, there’s room to spread out.
While some backpackers may shy away from the nearly 5-pound trail weight, the Half Dome 2 makes up for it with enough durability for years of hard use. Want to grab it? You’ll have to hurry: The company’s Fourth of July sale ends today.
