X-Mid Pro 2 Superlight Tent vs REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+
Head-to-head tent comparison.
| X-Mid Pro 2 Superlight Tent | REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Durston Gear | REI Co-op |
| Price | $639 - $739 | $329 - $349 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.5 |
The Bottom Line
If you’re an ultralight thru-hiker or a solo backcountry traveler who needs the lightest, most stormworthy two-person shelter, buy the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 — it sacrifices a bit of condensation comfort and campsite ruggedness to shave pounds and stand up in real weather. If you and a partner want a forgiving, spacious, and affordable 3-season tent for weekend trips, car camping, or sharing weight, buy the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ — it’s roomier, easier to pitch, and kinder to rough campsites. Don’t buy the Durston if you hate single-wall condensation, can’t source the right poles, or are on a tight budget; don’t buy the Half Dome SL 2+ if every ounce counts on long miles.
Setup & Ease Of Use
Winner: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+. The Half Dome’s freestanding, hubbed pole system with color coding and HubCheck windows is forgiving and quick — you can pitch it on hard or rocky ground without perfect stake placement. The Durston’s 4-stake X-Mid pitch is also fast and intuitive once you know it and shines in wet conditions because you can get the fly up first, but it critically depends on correctly sized trekking poles (not included) and a larger external footprint, which can be frustrating in tight, tree-filled sites. If you want foolproof setup and the ability to move the tent after pitching, the REI is easier; if you value a bare-minimum, fast four-stake pitch and carry poles anyway, the Durston is very efficient.
Comfort & Livability
Winner: REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+. The Half Dome delivers more real estate for two — a wider floor (about 90" × 54", ~31.8 sq ft) and two large vestibules (≈11+ sq ft each) plus vertical sidewalls that make sitting up and moving around easy. The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 squeezes superior length (90") and a taller peak (46") into an ultralight package and its steep walls produce excellent usable shoulder room for its weight, so it’s the better pick for very tall sleepers or a solo camper wanting two-person space with minimal ounces. Bottom line: for full-time two-person comfort and gear storage the Half Dome wins; for space-per-ounce and fitting long bodies into a lightweight tent, the Durston has the edge.
Weight & Packability
Winner: Durston X-Mid Pro 2. At ~21 oz packed, the Durston is in a different league than the REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ (4 lb 11.5 oz) — you notice that difference every mile. The X-Mid’s Dyneema build compresses to a very small stuff-sack and can ride in a lid or tied to a pack, whereas the Half Dome’s hubbed aluminum poles and bulkier fabrics demand more pack real estate and are awkward for a solo carry. If you plan multi-day pushes or solo ultralight trips, the Durston’s weight and pack size win outright; if two people split a load the Half Dome’s extra ounces are less painful.
Value & Who Should Buy Which
Price splits things cleanly: the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 sits around $679–$789 and targets ultralight hikers who need storm-proof performance and are comfortable paying for Dyneema construction; the REI Half Dome SL 2+ at $329–$349 is a value-packed, roomy two-person tent that includes a footprint and appeals to weekend backpackers or car campers. Buy the Durston if sub-1.25 lb weight, full Dyneema coverage, and top-tier storm behavior are priorities and you’re prepared to supply the right trekking poles and baby the thin fabric; buy the Half Dome SL 2+ if you want maximum livability, big vestibules, an easy pitch, and the most tent for your budget. Note: the SL iteration has been replaced by newer Half Dome models, so availability may be limited — the REI option still delivers better cost-to-space than the Durston.
Weather Protection & Durability
Winner: Durston X-Mid Pro 2 for storm performance; REI Half Dome SL 2+ for campsite abrasion durability. The Durston’s bonded Dyneema fly, bathtub floor and X-Mid geometry (plus a quoted ~15,000 mm hydrostatic head) make it far more stormworthy and stable in high winds and driving rain than the Half Dome, which is built for typical 3-season conditions. That said, Dyneema is thin: it resists sagging and seam failures but is more vulnerable to punctures on sharp rock and can be noisier in big gusts, while the Half Dome’s 30/40D nylons and included footprint tolerate everyday campsite abuse better. Pick Durston when you expect serious weather; pick the REI when durability against abrasion and lower-cost repairs matter more.
Read full X-Mid Pro 2 Superlight Tent review · Read full REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+ review