REI Half Dome Tent

REI’s Half Dome tent is an affordable, lightweight option for beginner or budget backpackers looking to check a tent off their gear list. And because REI has committed to improving its products continually, each release of the tent is better than the last.

The tent comes in various sizes, from a two-person to four-person and a two-plus, which fits two backpackers plus has a little more room for storing gear — or just for those folks who don’t want to be squished into a tight space and don’t mind carrying a little extra weight for the added comfort.

These are three-season tents, to be sure, but they’re incredibly sturdy and make a great investment for years to come. The current design is decked out with four ceiling vents for great airflow, two doors and vestibules and several handy interior pockets and hang loops.

The best part about the most recent Half Dome release is the pole configuration. Rather than the two criss-crossing poles of yore, REI designed the new Half Dome to have two arching poles separated by a shorter middle pole, to create an H-shape that has excellent headroom. The tent walls won’t feel like they’re leaning in and encroaching on you as you sleep. Now, they stand up straight and maximize space without adding any precious ounces to your pack.