The REI Co-op Half Dome 2 is a classic for a reason, and it’s on sale now.
The REI Half Dome 2 (Photo: Nathan Pipenberg)
Published July 6, 2026 01:57PM
REI’s Half Dome is about 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 through thunderstorms, and into 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, though, is still the Half Dome 2’s biggest selling point: with 31 square feet of floor space, plus double 9-foot vestibules and doors, there’s room to spread out whether you’re just bedding down for the night or waiting out a storm.
While some backpackers may balk at the nearly 5-pound trail weight, the Half Dome 2 pays it off with enough durability to last over years of hard use. Want to grab it? You’ll need to hurry: The company’s Fourth of July Sale ends today.
