Updated 09/22/2025

The Half Dome SL 2+ is a generously sized two-person freestanding tent for backpacking with two people, but it also makes a super spacious car camping tent for one.

This is an updated version of REI’s classic Half Dome tent that I’ve been using since 2016, and the improvements are noticeable. The “SL” stands for superlight, and while it definitely weighs more than ultralight tents, it’s a full pound lighter than the previous version of the Half Dome – and a lot more spacious than ultralight tents. Overall, I find this to be a well made and durable tent at a good price point.

Note: the SL version of the Half Dome has been discontinued and a new version of the Half Dome 2+ is now available instead.

Specs

• type: freestanding, double-wall 2-person tent
• floor area: 90 inches by 54 inches
• floor area: 33.75 square feet
• peak height: 42 inches
• number of doors: 2
• fabric, canopy: 40-denier ripstop nylon/20-denier nylon mesh (bluesign approved)
• fabric, floor: 40-denier ripstop nylon
• fabric, rainfly: 30-denier nylon
• coatings: durable water repellent (DWR) and polyurethane coating on the floor and rainfly; DWR on the canopy
• sustainability: This tent contains materials that meet the bluesign criteria and is made with solution-dyed mesh to reduce water and energy use in manufacturing.
• weight: 4 lbs. 11 oz. (includes tent body, rainfly, poles, stakes, and stuff sacks)

Features

For backpacking, the Half Dome SL 2+ actually has room for two people without feeling cramped inside. Near vertical walls on the sides allow for both people to sit up and move around, and the 50″ width of the floor allows for the use of two 25″ wide sleeping pads. There’s more room for gear too – on a recent backpacking trip, we were able to store our backpacks and other gear inside.

Setup is easy with a hubbed, color-coded pole structure and clips on the rainfly that attach to the tent body. A footprint is included with the tent to provide floor protection. The fabric used on the floor of this tent is durable and likely doesn’t need the protection, but I prefer to use a footprint to keep the bottom of the tent clean and dry. And since this tent is fully freestanding, you can move it around before staking to find the perfect spot for it.

For ventilation, the Half Dome SL has two vents at the top of the rainfly that can be left open even when it’s raining. This allows moist air to escape and prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the tent walls.

The redesigned vestibules use dual stakes to give you more space for storing gear outside of the tent, and the extended cross pole at the top provides an overhang for protection from rain when entering and exiting the tent. I keep my backpacking chair in the vestibule and store my water bottle, filter and other hydration-related gear in the chair to protect the inside of the tent from moisture and spills.

My favorite features: the rainfly and tent doors can be rolled up for airflow and views, and the high bathtub floor and additional tent body fabric below the mesh provide protection from wind, rain, and dirt.

The tent interior includes six small pockets for organizing gear, and five tabs for hanging lights. The pockets are all on the smaller side, and I’d prefer a couple of larger pockets or a gear loft, but it is nice to have so many pockets inside.

At each corner of the tent, the rainfly buckles onto the tent body, and the footprint is attached via a long tab and toggle that goes through the tent body webbing to keep it in place. The stakes provided are V-shaped, with notches to secure the guylines. I prefer them over the large aluminum hook-style stakes that came with previous versions of the Half Dome.

For solo camping, there’s a ton of space for gear inside. I like that I can do my morning stretches while inside the tent, and can spread out all of my gear along one side of my sleep setup.

Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.

Gear Reviews: My goal is to share clear, unbiased information about outdoor gear. I am not sponsored by any gear companies and I don’t accept paid posts or links. I regularly receive products from brands for review, with no expectation of a positive review and no compensation for my opinions. As an independent gear reviewer, I only review items I’ve personally used on multiple trips and that I believe are high-quality and worth recommending.

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