REI Half Dome Two Plus Tent Review

[@fartman10284]

I've had the older Half Dome tent through some pretty wicked thunderstorms. Too bad, the top vents, even when closed, with strong enough windows, water can make it through the vents and drip onto me. I agree, REI should give you all the stakes you need to stake it out, guy it out, and pull the 2 sides out for ventilation. It's not like the cheap aluminum stakes they give you are expensive... probably costs them pennies in material and production.

[@metaspencer]

I haven't had leaks that I can remember through those vents, but I can totally see it happening in a driving rain. Good to hear from another Half Dome owner! :)

[@TheMRadom]

To be able to sit up in a tent is worth the extra weight! Getting the newest Half Dome 2+ for a bike packing trip in Sedona. Wish us luck!

[@metaspencer]

That's gonna be a great trip! Yeah, having some room in the tent is always nice

[@gradytrainor8120]

I have this tent and completely agree with your review!

[@metaspencer]

Excellent. Cool to hear

[@kelliecharette3871]

was thinking about getiing it and now I'm prettysure I will, thx for the review!

[@metaspencer]

We're still loving ours :) I hope it works out for ya

[@mrmccomas9779]

Easily the best tent review online! Really well done! Thank you! I am wavering between this tent and the Marmot Tungsten 2P tent.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks! I had a Marmot for many years and liked it but have used REI tents more recently

[@gradytrainor8120]

I have this exact tent and it's awesome, unless it's hot and rainy. The rain fly does not breathe, but also keeps the water out! So pro and con

[@metaspencer]

Yeah I know what you mean

[@jeffh.7353]

Great review and THANKS! I'm looking at either the REI HD2+ or Klymit's new Maxfield tent (2 or 4, not sure, both are lightweight). The REI tents are generally less expensive than the competition and I know (long time REI Camp Dome 4 owner) they do GREAT as far as waterproof goes. I look forward to an REI coupon, member dividend, and/or possibly an REI Garage Sale score to get one of these in my backpacking kit. Thanks again and happy camping!

[@metaspencer]

That Klymit tent looks like a nice one, but I've never owned one of their shelter. You'll find a good deal either way, I'm guessing, if you're patient. Thanks for checking out the video

[@rhizomove6631]

We are loving your beard and mustache!

[@metaspencer]

Scruff!!

[@slowtaknow]

I have an orange one with separate poles, didn't know they changed it up like that, just bought a green one from the co-op.

[@metaspencer]

Sounds like good stuff

[@williamkeehn3637]

Something I probably could not do is go camping alas I had a power source for a CPAP machine never been camping other than the backyard as a kid I enjoy watching your videos even though they know what they are but yet they're still a surprise

[@metaspencer]

Well, we all have our limits ... thanks for checking it out!

[@WTF9657489]

Super thorough. Love it.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@LonnieWormley]

I'm looking at A-tent for bike pack and your review is very helpful. I have this on my wish list in the rei app.

[@metaspencer]

Bike trips are some of the finest adventures! Have fun with it

[@davebeedon3424]

Nice gear pockets. I like the "stuff the bug net" feature even if I would rarely use it. Pole system is too complicated. Bought my Half Dome in 2002. It's a "two-person" tent that is good for one person and gear. Forgot to seal the seams at first and regretted it, but once sealed it worked well. I have the same MSR stakes (and a few curved aluminum stakes for loose soil or sand). My ground cloth is made from a clear polyethylene wrapper for a mattress.

[@metaspencer]

Sounds like a good setup ... sealed seams make a huge difference for sure

[@curtis8988]

good review, friend. Thanks for doing it!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out

[@jenniepahls2718]

My daughter wants to go to the Appalachians or backpack on the Smokey’s. I think this is a perfect tent, it is amazing.❤️❤️🧡🧡💛💛💚💚💙💙💜💜

[@metaspencer]

She's gonna love those trails and areas! I've had some great hikes out there ... and thanks for checking out the tent review

[@artlight4]

I would have likes to see the vestibule area from the inside with the rain fly closed up.

[@metaspencer]

It's a pretty standard vestibule but on both sides. Room for a pack and some muddy boots -- ya know

[@adventuresbeyondthecouch7554]

Looked at this at REI yesterday and glad I found your review. I also subscribed to your channel. I did save the review to revisit later as well. Thanks for the stake advice.

[@metaspencer]

Excellent. A few years later and we're still really liking this tent. Great for two of us and the dogs. Cheers!

[@chad4853]

Rad review. Dig the color.

[@williamschmidt2554]

Looking at getting this tent for me and my girlfriend and our 30lb dog. Think they have a newer version but still looks similar. Would you still recommend it, and do you have your dog sleep ahead/below your feet or on the sleeping pad? I really want to get two wide mats so 24inch each so not sure how much room there is to spare

[@metaspencer]

Our dog pretty much slept between us on this trip (low 20s) but has slept in other configurations on other trips. We still like this tent a lot ... Big Agnes and those brands get a lot of hype but I've had good luck with the REI tents

[@juanreyes3336]

Would this tent hold up in snow/colder weather conditions?

[@metaspencer]

Oh yeah. It’s not a winter tent but we’ve been snowed on in it in the high country

[@tonyjiganti7509]

How have you packed this away in your backpack on overnight hikes? I have the same tent but the storage for the tent is very bulky and large too. Any suggestions or alternatives for compressing for the trail?

[@metaspencer]

The way I always do it is to break it down: so the tent goes in one place, along with clothes, the rainfly in another, and the poles slid down in the long way. And in a party we break it up. I hope that helps and happy camping!

[@tonyjiganti7509]

@@metaspencer Thanks for the comment!

[@rhamma87]

What size MSR stakes do you use? Will the Mini Groundhog be big enough?

[@metaspencer]

Yes, I use the Groundhogs because they're light and affordable ... the only time I've had trouble with small stakes like that is in very sandy soil where you need wider stakes, but in those cases I've used rocks and sticks to make up the difference. Happy camping!

[@norys90]

Just got this used tent on marketplace for $20

[@metaspencer]

What a deal! well done

[@gerardohuerta6925]

Thanks, good review

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out! Happy camping

[@MC1998MSU]

Cool video bud. Thanks.

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out! Can't wait to get back out there this summer

[@pennigladstone2105]

taking your dog gives me inspiration for me to take mine

[@metaspencer]

Oh yeah, I've always had that taking a dog out there is soooo much more fun!

[@justelementt1538]

great review, thanks!

[@metaspencer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gilbertperez]

Hay it's me Gilbert again how are you doing I haven't heard from you in a while. I like your video and I was wondering are you still going to work on the bus and are you going to do a tour of the new home and garage

[@metaspencer]

Hey Gilbert! I'm working on a rack for the truck this week, then hoping to do some bus work next week ... always good to hear from you man!

[@metaspencer]

Your tour idea is a really good one!

[@gilbertperez]

@@metaspencer thanks

[@gilbertperez]

@@metaspencer thanks you too

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Nice video where's the other dog?

[@metaspencer]

She didn’t make it on this trip but she’s all good 😀

[@jenniferbattista7806]

Thanks! Great review :)

[@metaspencer]

Glad it was helpful! We still really like that tent

[@michaelhorsford403]

Where's the other pup ? Nice spot cool tent bro !!! I can't wait to get the new truck fixed up !¡

[@metaspencer]

Dude, your truck looks amazing! I'm welding up a cargo rack for my Silverado this week ... they're great trucks

[@johnpossum556]

Looks like fun. I spent the last two days cleaning the mice out of my shed and reorganizing it. I did run across my old tent. Yeah, they always say more people than they really can sleep because you usually need some space for your gear or drying clothes..etc. It's a lifestyle that I miss. But I did go to a typical sunworshipping spot overlooking Lake Harriet and had lots of fun playing with other people's dogs. Gotta see the surgeon tomorrow about my ear infection. It doesn't look good. I may try to delay it and see if some natural methods can cure me up. Later...

[@metaspencer]

I’m also on a de-mousing effort here ... take care of that ear man! 😀

[@bhaley51]

Great work

[@elscruffomcscruffy8371]

Not a great start to a tent when you need to immediately upgrade the tent stakes. But still, a neat looking tent!

[@metaspencer]

yeah, since it's an REI brand tent and a bit cheaper, needs a bit of attention ... but we're still using it and liking it.

[@elscruffomcscruffy8371]

@@metaspencer forgot to write down, is it a 3, 4 or treeline season tent?

[@metaspencer]

@@elscruffomcscruffy8371 3 season at best ... lots of mesh on the inner tent

[@curiousnomadic]

$229 cheap? Yikes. Found one of these in trash. Had one pole with broken end to it, Took a pipecutter and took off a cm of it. Good as new.

[@metaspencer]

sounds like a good find! well done. it's crazy what people will throw away

[@carolinegray3150]

Cosy inside

[@carolinegray3150]

Easy to carry

[@Mirko_SanSan]

Thanks for the review! Looks to me this tent is well worth the weight -- meaning 5 pounds:-)

[@metaspencer]

Yeah we like it even though it’s not super lightweight

[@carolinegray3150]

I went camping once

[@ohske]

😯👍👍👍👌

[@zach3305]

Hurry up sir

[@theblake5356]

?? You’ll have to speak for yourself, mine came with 12 stakes.

[@metaspencer]

Wow, that's awesome!

[@thepeach12345]

theres no way he slept in that lil thing for 7 dyas with another person and a dog. lol

[@metaspencer]

Dude, we spent an entire summer in a tent that size

[@thepeach12345]

@@metaspencer thats crazy. Good video none the less

[@ccpretty]

Great review! Thanks!

[@metaspencer]

Thanks for checking it out