I used that tent on the PCT and for me it was luxury! The front which wasn't covered by the fly I would run a couple of guy lines during lots of wind or rain and that kept me out of trouble.
Hi Tom, I've enjoyed your vlogging. I also have the Hornet 2P. I can understand some of your points but perhaps not all. The tent is a superb warmer weather tent with outstanding ventilation. In wet/windy weather you need to use the extra guyout points. I have been out in 40+ MPH winds where the stakes were pulled out of the ground in the night (I was using 6 vs. 8 stakes). I think the fly being further off the ground then most tents leads to added wind pressure underneath the fly. I was initially fearful of water working its way in underneath the head end fly but to-date it hasn't. I added some velcro to an Enlightened Equipment kilt that I've repurposed to reduce that opening on very rainy nights but it hasn't been needed so far. I do agree with you on the connectors for the footprint which should have had grommets for the poles. I'm hoping to use my 2P on a thru hike this year. I have some trepidation about high wind and snow but to reduce my angst I've camped in the backyard during snowstorms and rainstorms and so far so good. Happy trails.
Hi Bob. Great idea on the velcro to reduce wind. The high cut of the fly on the head end was troublesome to me. We got nailed in a bad rain before the NOC and the only site we had was all dirt and mud. The rain was so hard that I got splashback up in the head end. Your hack will solve that. I’m sure it will perform awesome for your hike. I’m transitioning to a hammock in a few weeks and really excited to try it. I’ve wanted to go the hammock route for a while now and decided it was time to do it.
Thank you for an excellent review. For me, the points you raise are essential, since I almost always backpack in high mountains where the weather is impossible to predict, and rain/snow/high wind must always be expected.
Not sure if you guys gives a damn but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times you can stream all the new series on instaflixxer. I've been watching with my brother for the last few months :)
Hey Tom, thanks for the great honest and detailed real world review of the Hornet 2P. A lot of websites, outdoor mags, and people rave about the Hornet 2P but it's refreshing to hear someone who actually used it in real world weather conditions to give their experience and honest take on how it works (pros and cons). I'm actually considering a 2P (really for 1 person) tent and have narrowed it down to the Hornet 2P and the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 which I'm sure you've also heard of as it's quite popular. For me, I don't mind the single door entry. Have you every tried the HV UL2? If so, how do you think the Hornet 2P compares to it? Might the Big Agnes be a bit more weather proof due to it being a true double wall tent? Thanks again.
T Sizzle thanks for the kind comments! The Big Agnes will definitely be more weatherproof. One of the people in my bubble had that tent and they stayed really dry. The only negative I have heard about the Fly Creek, even with the updated vertical walls, is it still feels a little snug. Are you able to test it out before buying it? If you are, definitely ask to put a sleeping pad and sleeping bag inside.
I‘ve also got the Nemo Hornet 2P and love it - and dislike it - for exactly the same reasons as you! Your video finally gives folks out there a realistic assessment of what to expect. Living in northern Germany (where it rains a lot) and hiking in places like Norway (where it can rain and even snow sideways in September), rain protection is the name of the game, and the Hornet is not the right tent for situations like that. I find setting it up a bit too fiddly, too - esp. in high winds or the pouring rain. The extra step of attaching the fly is a bummer. I much prefer my TarpTent Double Rainbow (I have and use both the 1 and the 2, even solo) or TarpTent StratoSpire (again 1 and 2, even solo). I‘ll admit being a big fan of the TarpTents, having started off with a Contrail many moons ago. The only one I own but never really warmed up to is the Notch, for it‘s just a bit too tight for me feeling-wise, and also because I prefer to have most or all of my gear indoors and better protected (see my remark about horizontal rain). If I was feeling rich and a bit more curious, I might try the cuben-fiber Duplex from ZPacks. It seems to tick a lot of the right boxes, also and especially for inclement weather.
My thoughts exactly. I have the hornet elite version, that i bought on sale. It was cheaper than the normal hornet, so i figured, why not save a few grams. It performed fine on a few weekend backpacking trips, with mild weather. It got absolutely ripped to shreds while hiking the kungsleden trail in Sweden. It made me realise there’s a good reason you see most scandi hikers carry heavier hilleberg or nordisk tents. The terrain doesn’t allow for setting it up unexposed from the wind. So you need a tent that can handle that and boy, the nemo did not. The seams came apart, guy loops broke and there were small holes in the rain fly from packing it down in windy conditions. Also the exposed head of the tent wets through. I won’t be using it in those conditions any more. Nemo shouldn’t Market it as a 3-season tent.
Always like to see your reviews. Have a few questions. I also have the nemo hornet, not as long as you and much less trail miles then you, week long hike longest, with 3 days of rain. Many 3 days trips over the past year. I use to have the BA fly creek. Had a few problems with the fly creek getting wet near the foot of the tent in heavy rain. So far, I have not been wet yet in my nemo. Only issue I have had is the head of the tent is basically a single wall tent because of the fly design. On very humid nights with no air movement the head of the tent can get wet, I find it just does not have any ventilation lower down, and the condensation runs down the wall and collects on the floor. Not a mayor issue, but didn't have this problem with the fly creek. So my questions (sorry this is long). 1. where did the water leak in from? was it a blowing wind that got under the fly? Is it something that happened after the tent was older (waterproof failed over time? 2. You mentioned the waterproof level of the fabric,. where did you find that? I want to compare if it is lower then the BA fly creek. Thanks again Tom.
flashman V thanks for the comment. I found the hydrostatic head on Nemo's website. Finding BA's specs is a little harder but I'm almost positive they are exact or very close to Nemo's. My main complaint stems around the single wall aspect at the head end. During one heavy and windy downpour, water came in at where the the fly stops at the head. I wish the fly would've extended further down. I also had the floor of the tent wet through. Granted I didn't have a footprint at the time but even Nemo states on their website a footprint isn't needed for waterproofing. I think my opinion of this tent would be much different if I was only on weekend outings, where a little wetness and spray is liveable (and fun in a way) but on a thru hike, keeping gear dry was more imperative and it sucked dealing with condensation and spray. Great questions- hoped that helped!
Thanks Tom. Always like your reviews and the info you provide. You are very detail focused and critical of your gear. I'm saying that in a positive way :-) someone who is an overly brand fan boy type who will not call out a shortcoming of a product provides no good information. I found the foot end of the fly creek to have a poorly designed bathtub floor and during a heavy rain would get some water on the floor. So far have not had that issue with the nemo,. but also have concerns with the single wall design of the head end of the tent. I noticed you had a note as a response to someone that you thought the fly creek would be a better choice, that's why I was asking if the Hydrostatic head was higher on the fly creek. I only have about 40 nights in the nemo, so I value the view from someone who has clocked a lot more nights in the tent then I. No thru hike for me, a maybe for the long trail next month, that's about as long a single outing I will be using the tent for. Take care.
The high cut fly lets a lot of moisture in when it is raining,and the lightweight 15d base material seeps a fair amount of moisture through the floor. I've been very unhappy with my Nemo tent. Would change it if I could. Waist of money. Sick of being so wet every time it rains
Is this what you meant my moisture seeping in? th-cam.com/video/MvnH_Nzmgo4/w-d-xo.html I pitched my tent because I knew it was going to be raining all day. I pitched it around 12pm and came back from work around 1am and discovered the moisture inside by the head.
Jerry Lee At this time I only review gear that I’ve used extensively or have an interest in using. I don’t have any plans to purchase any Paria products at this point in time. I appreciate you watching, however. :)
Interesting how a review by someone not with the company or hasn't been GIVEN the tent by the company differs from "sponsored" reviews. Thanks for the honest info.
Rupert Utley sorry for the late reply! For that kind of climate, I would definitely recommend a double walled tent. The Tarptent Notch or Tarptent Moment DW would be my first two choices. The Notch is sub two pounds and has a greater hydrostatic head which means it will take longer to wet out compared to other sil tents. If you want a single walled tent, I have owned and do like the Zpacks Altaplex. I think it’s the most underrated single walled shelter out there.
I replied to you and checked out the Tarptent website and as I say I am spoiled for choice. I like the notch, but I do not use poles, I tried them, logically they sound a good thing to use, I see many people using them, but I cannot walk with them as I like my hands free... so ... looks like Moment DW unless you think otherwise. Second, I note Amazon doesnt sell this tent, any ideas where to buy. I send stuff to Oregan and then assemble and then ship to Hong Kong. Also, do I need to seal the seams? If so, why dont Tarptent do this anyway. My bikeing Vaude and North Face (2 man and heavier for round the world riding had no problem with any weather ... 50 degrees C in Sudan and - 15 degrees high up above 4000 meters in Tibet. Thanks
Rupert Utley Unfortunately you can only buy direct from Tarptent. The tent does need seam sealed and you can do it yourself or they can do it for an extra charge.
An excellent review and concurs with my experience with the Nemo Hornet 2. It is basically a fair weather tent, not one to be used above the treeline. I've bought a Tarptent Moment DW with the optional crossing pole for the high country and will keep the Nemo for gentler climes.
Thanks for your review! I've been stuck between getting the Nemo and BA Fly Creek. I was really concerned about the back of the Nemo not being covered by the fly, and I haven't seen anyone else address this issue in their review. Needless to say, I will be upgrading to the Fly Creek for my thru hike.
Excellent review and great advice on countering the weight marketing. I personally always only look at the packaged weight as a comparison but I also use Zpack Sonic stakes that are very light (less than 2oz for 8) so your formula works well. I have to say I had been sold on this tent for a while for an AT thru-hike attempt. But after seeing that "half" fly and your comments about rain, I'm going to have to rethink that. Maybe OK on a PCT thru-hike but the AT is RAINY. Again, thanks for the insight. Well done.
MSP Pando Thanks for watching! Yeah- I was real disappointed, and I shouldn’t have been surprised given the poor hydrostatic head rating. I’m a huge fanboy of the 1P Tarptent Moment DW. Same specs as the Hornet 2P and with plenty of room and dual vestibules. My very first TH-cam video is a review of the Tarptent Moment DW.
You mentioned you are going back to your Moment tent. Have you had any issues with the Tarptent Moment in storms? This video on youtube showing an older Moment (with even more support than the current model) makes me think twice about it: th-cam.com/video/JG4YeHwcXCY/w-d-xo.html
It's hilarious how many companies advertise their tents by capacity. This is definitely NOT a 2 person tent, unless the people are very small, or very, VERY friendly! I'm much smaller than you, so when I used this tent, I was able to center my bag and pad without touching the sides. I loved the weight and packed size- perfect for backpacking, so I took this for an overnight in the mountains. It was a clear night, very little humidity, in the low 60's, so I used it without the fly. Even so, I woke up to a tent full of water! The condensation problem with this tent is awful. It was returned the following day. I've since seen many reviews that mention this. Oh well- live and learn!
Hey Tom, great video, so good to hear from you! You are looking good! You must be thinking about getting back out there eh? Love your reveiws! Take care my friend. Hope to see you out on the A.T. one day, ...or maybe at Trail Days! Cheers from up in Canada! Lamplighter 2019 out! 😉
So sad to hear this, just ordered one for a trip in a rainy place. But my Robens is 2 times the weight and smaller in size so i'm not gonna kill myself carrying that.
Hey Tom, great review. You’ve helped steer me to some great gear choices before but I’m still struggling to choose a good solo tent. I have a dedicated 2p tent I’m happy with but at 3lbs, 12 oz packed weight it’s a bit too heavy for when it’s just me. I’ve been gradually going lighter weight and would like to find a sub 3lb packed weight tent preferably freestanding or nearly freestanding as you can get. I’ve ruled out a Zpacks Duplex due to cost and I’m not sold on tarptent offerings. I have narrowed it down to a BA Copper Spur UL 1 HV, REI QD UL 1, BA Fly Creek UL2 HV and this Nemo Hornet 2p. I’m 6’3 so peak height, and length are important and something easy to set up on rock face or tent platforms in the Whites of NH are critical to me. Any help or recommendations would’ve greatly appreciated!
Kevin Guzda of the 4 you mention, I would choose between the REI QD1 and the BA Copper Spur. Of those two, the Copper Spur gives the most useable space length and width wise while the QD has the interior height. For me, I’d go with the length and width space over the height. The Copper Spur is also a little lighter. All in all- the Copper Spur would be my choice.
Tom Willard Thanks Tom, those two were top of my list. Like you said pretty similar, both freestanding but maybe a bit more room in the Copper Spur.. I was impressed by the 42 inch interior height of the QD but being the HV model the CS is still pretty close in height
No disrespect here ..But..Why do you have the Best equipment ( Katabatic, Zpacks,all your Ti cook kit ect.) and you don't use a decent shelter.. Just Curious..Good video by the way.
Jerry Adams just realized my comment may have come across as sarcastic. Didn't mean that at all. I have owned some really nice tents but tend to always look for new ones. I really like my Tarptent Moment and find it really nice.
I have to agree , had many tent over 45 years, started with a canvas miner tent in boy scouts nofloor. The zpacks duplex is the finest tent I have back packed with. When it wears out I will get another. I will be using the duplex on the jmt this coming summer.
Hi Tom. thanks for the insight, but I watched your review one week too late -- I just bough a Hornet 1P, and the lack of rain protection on the head side really worries me. If I hand-make an extra layer (trapezoid shaped) for that area, using velcros to attach the two upper corners on the poles inside the rain flyer, and hooking the lower corners to the stakes, per your experience, would that solve the rain problem? Thanks!
It could work. I think you should give it a shot as is first. The Hornet has been around for a while and I'm one of the few who have brought up the single wall aspect exacerbating condensation as well as wetting out. Perhaps I am overly picky? Or I got a dud tent? My observations also come from a few straights days of very windy and side rain which is generally atypical. My suggestion would be to give it a pitch and test it out.
No I don't think you are overly picky. Your observation is right on, and possibly saved me from learning it the hard way. I will definitely try the tent out. Thanks again!
some just guy thanks for the reply. The fault in this particular model is the lack of fly coverage in the head end. There are other Nemo tents that have great coverage.
The Nemo 1p & 2p tent is one of the most "reviewed" tents here on youtube. My opinion is that the overall consensus is UNFAVORABLE; that this is a fair weather tent, not one you can expect to shelter you from a wind/rain storm. The price of this tent is hUGE, considering there are so many other low cost tents a person can buy for "fair" weather camping. I'm guessing that a lot of people have been seduced into buying this tent because of it's light weight.
Depends on where you want to use this tent. there are places, like the alps, where you do not want to be outside when it rains anyways. The advantage is the low weight of the tent and its small packsize, not necessarily it's waterproofing.
@@eslofftschubar206 I see & understand your point. However, I think it is a mistake to think you can accurately predict Mother Nature will provide you with nice perfect weather each time you go out overnighting. For myself, I really want the shelter I carry to reliably provide me with shelter from the storm. If it's nice weather overnight so be it. If it turns nasty in the middle of the night I want my tent to stay where I pitched it & to keep me dry or protected from a strong gusty windy night. Just as you expect rain gear to keep you dry when it rains, same things hold true for any shelter I buy. My shelter of choice is the Hilleberg Enan in a dark green & pitched with a footprint. Getting out of a comfy warm sleeping bag because tent pegs have pulled out of the ground or poles have broken during a gusty windy night is something I've never had to do. I've been overnighting with others on numerous occasions where my friends packed up bailed out because their shelter failed. Heading back to the trailhead wet & cold has never been something I've personally experienced.
@@azclaimjumper That tent costs double the price, is made for one person and is heavyer. I am pretty sure you would get into the same troubles with that tent when water and wind is the least of your problems.
@@eslofftschubar206 Experienced hikers/campers are knowledgeable experienced who value higher priced quality products that they rely on. As a general rule less experienced & beginners are prone to look at & buy the least expensive in the mistaken belief that they are smart buyers.
@@azclaimjumper I see, a self proclaimed expert. Price =/= quality. I am also pretty sure, what you call storm, is more like a light drizle. My point about the price was more focused on the fact you get half a tent. That half will have the same issue when propper wind and rain hits it.
Your only bias in this review is not including the guylines. You failed to metion or show the guylines, and I have to wonder if you could have stayed dry if you had used them.
Suzie Kershaw I mentioned briefly at the end that I am staying with my Tarptent Moment DW shelter. It's such a great tent and I always go back to it. Fun fact: my very first video on TH-cam is my review of the Moment DW. Thanks for watching!
This is not a freestanding tent, and it was unfair and misleading to set the tent up in a YARD on a windy day using the minimum trail weight. Of course it almost fell over. It still has to be guyed out, but in a wooded area you can do so using sticks or trees, so might be able to do without the minimal weight of the stakes. Hence the term "minimum trail weight." You pulled necessary support and allowed people to think the tent is flimsy and weak when, in fact, it is quite strong and stable. Also, this manufacturer, and others, are not trying to mislead customers using "minimum trail weight," they are trying to EDUCATE them and give them options. They also include the full packed weight quite clearly. Not a fair or educated review, at all.
Chuck Kimmerle according to Nemo’s website, they classify their tent as freestanding. That is not me saying this, that is coming from Nemo. The issue with “trail weight” is a lot of new backpackers don’t grasp what trail weight means. That was the purpose of my demonstration. Of course, one can use sticks and rocks in the woods but that wasn’t my intention. My intent was to show what minimum trail weight looked like while being classified as a freestanding tent. Doing it on a windy day only showed why taking stakes is important since the vast majority of backpackers are not going to whittle sticks for stakes at camp.
Tom, the tent has a three-pole design and four corners. Despite being technically freestanding, it's obvious that, operationally, it must be stake out. Even the instructions are clear on that point. Your demonstration of the unstaked tend in wind and your deriding of minimum trail weights were both misleading to your viewers and unfair to the manufacturer (with whom I have no association other than owning a Hornet 2P)
It wasnt unfair. A review on a sunny day with no wind is unfair. This guy made a great job of explaining that in the woods you could use some rocks and your pack inside ... anyone with half a brain (and that has been backpacking before) will understand ther you wont just set the tent up that way, and this guy also made it clear on the video. But still. Rocks are not that great.
I'm kind of with Chuck on this one. I don't recall the marketing of a couple years ago, but thought it was always labeled "semi-freestanding." Plopping it down with nothing on the corners misleading. 1) I'd expect to use a hiking pole to widen out the front corners and, 2) hold down at least corner stake points with stones. Being fair to Tom, a first-timer probably wouldn't think of this at purchase. That said, I've had to setup a Double Rainbow on bedrock. I wish I had the Hornet then. After strong winds shifted the DR turned into a sail and my makeshift, stakeless pitch folded a couple times. Viewers should for sure consider the Hornet rides the line, giving some cross-structure support with the Y pole while skirting the weight of a full-blown X frame. My experience is the Hornet strikes a really nice balance in design.
Wow, what a bunch of BS!! So you have this set up in your background. Where are your pictures of your year and a half of using this tent. Most tents have footprints. How do you long distance hike and have your physique? I'm sorry, I don't believe you
Diana Conrad did you even watch the entire video? I have the foot print attached to the tent in the video and show why it sucks. Also- I didn’t say I long distanced hiked for a year and a half. I also didn’t say I had the tent for a a year and a half. I said that I had both variations of the 1P and 2P for a total of a year in which I used them on my thru hike attempt as well as during weekend trips..You can see the tent in several of my documented videos on my page (on one video I’m actually showing how I set up camp on the trail). You think because I didn’t show a montage in this video I don’t have photos? I posted plenty on social media. As for my physique- that has nothing to do with my review and is an attempt to redirect. You do realize this video was taken 2 months after I left the trail with a broken foot? Have you seen long distance hikers bodies two months after the trail? Most gain quite a bit of weight. Did you come to make baseless accusations or do you have a counterpoint to my claim? I mean, were you just trolling by and decided to sling shit on the internet? The very fact that you said “most tents come with a foot print” tells me you have no experience with this specific tent.
I used that tent on the PCT and for me it was luxury! The front which wasn't covered by the fly I would run a couple of guy lines during lots of wind or rain and that kept me out of trouble.
Hi Tom, I've enjoyed your vlogging. I also have the Hornet 2P. I can understand some of your points but perhaps not all. The tent is a superb warmer weather tent with outstanding ventilation. In wet/windy weather you need to use the extra guyout points. I have been out in 40+ MPH winds where the stakes were pulled out of the ground in the night (I was using 6 vs. 8 stakes). I think the fly being further off the ground then most tents leads to added wind pressure underneath the fly. I was initially fearful of water working its way in underneath the head end fly but to-date it hasn't. I added some velcro to an Enlightened Equipment kilt that I've repurposed to reduce that opening on very rainy nights but it hasn't been needed so far. I do agree with you on the connectors for the footprint which should have had grommets for the poles. I'm hoping to use my 2P on a thru hike this year. I have some trepidation about high wind and snow but to reduce my angst I've camped in the backyard during snowstorms and rainstorms and so far so good. Happy trails.
Hi Bob. Great idea on the velcro to reduce wind. The high cut of the fly on the head end was troublesome to me. We got nailed in a bad rain before the NOC and the only site we had was all dirt and mud. The rain was so hard that I got splashback up in the head end. Your hack will solve that. I’m sure it will perform awesome for your hike.
I’m transitioning to a hammock in a few weeks and really excited to try it. I’ve wanted to go the hammock route for a while now and decided it was time to do it.
Thank you for an excellent review. For me, the points you raise are essential, since I almost always backpack in high mountains where the weather is impossible to predict, and rain/snow/high wind must always be expected.
I got the updated 2019 version of this tent. Nemo fixed the issues people were having im guesing.
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@Keagan Carson Yea, been using instaflixxer for since december myself :)
Hey Tom, thanks for the great honest and detailed real world review of the Hornet 2P. A lot of websites, outdoor mags, and people rave about the Hornet 2P but it's refreshing to hear someone who actually used it in real world weather conditions to give their experience and honest take on how it works (pros and cons). I'm actually considering a 2P (really for 1 person) tent and have narrowed it down to the Hornet 2P and the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 which I'm sure you've also heard of as it's quite popular. For me, I don't mind the single door entry. Have you every tried the HV UL2? If so, how do you think the Hornet 2P compares to it? Might the Big Agnes be a bit more weather proof due to it being a true double wall tent? Thanks again.
T Sizzle thanks for the kind comments! The Big Agnes will definitely be more weatherproof. One of the people in my bubble had that tent and they stayed really dry. The only negative I have heard about the Fly Creek, even with the updated vertical walls, is it still feels a little snug. Are you able to test it out before buying it? If you are, definitely ask to put a sleeping pad and sleeping bag inside.
I‘ve also got the Nemo Hornet 2P and love it - and dislike it - for exactly the same reasons as you! Your video finally gives folks out there a realistic assessment of what to expect. Living in northern Germany (where it rains a lot) and hiking in places like Norway (where it can rain and even snow sideways in September), rain protection is the name of the game, and the Hornet is not the right tent for situations like that. I find setting it up a bit too fiddly, too - esp. in high winds or the pouring rain. The extra step of attaching the fly is a bummer. I much prefer my TarpTent Double Rainbow (I have and use both the 1 and the 2, even solo) or TarpTent StratoSpire (again 1 and 2, even solo). I‘ll admit being a big fan of the TarpTents, having started off with a Contrail many moons ago. The only one I own but never really warmed up to is the Notch, for it‘s just a bit too tight for me feeling-wise, and also because I prefer to have most or all of my gear indoors and better protected (see my remark about horizontal rain). If I was feeling rich and a bit more curious, I might try the cuben-fiber Duplex from ZPacks. It seems to tick a lot of the right boxes, also and especially for inclement weather.
Thanks for the comment. I went back to my Tarptent Moment DW and realized how much I really loved that tent.
I wish I saw this review a year ago
My thoughts exactly. I have the hornet elite version, that i bought on sale. It was cheaper than the normal hornet, so i figured, why not save a few grams. It performed fine on a few weekend backpacking trips, with mild weather. It got absolutely ripped to shreds while hiking the kungsleden trail in Sweden. It made me realise there’s a good reason you see most scandi hikers carry heavier hilleberg or nordisk tents. The terrain doesn’t allow for setting it up unexposed from the wind. So you need a tent that can handle that and boy, the nemo did not. The seams came apart, guy loops broke and there were small holes in the rain fly from packing it down in windy conditions. Also the exposed head of the tent wets through. I won’t be using it in those conditions any more. Nemo shouldn’t Market it as a 3-season tent.
Thank you for the video and viewpoints. Your efforts are appreciated.
Always like to see your reviews. Have a few questions. I also have the nemo hornet, not as long as you and much less trail miles then you, week long hike longest, with 3 days of rain. Many 3 days trips over the past year. I use to have the BA fly creek. Had a few problems with the fly creek getting wet near the foot of the tent in heavy rain. So far, I have not been wet yet in my nemo. Only issue I have had is the head of the tent is basically a single wall tent because of the fly design. On very humid nights with no air movement the head of the tent can get wet, I find it just does not have any ventilation lower down, and the condensation runs down the wall and collects on the floor. Not a mayor issue, but didn't have this problem with the fly creek. So my questions (sorry this is long). 1. where did the water leak in from? was it a blowing wind that got under the fly? Is it something that happened after the tent was older (waterproof failed over time? 2. You mentioned the waterproof level of the fabric,. where did you find that? I want to compare if it is lower then the BA fly creek. Thanks again Tom.
flashman V thanks for the comment. I found the hydrostatic head on Nemo's website. Finding BA's specs is a little harder but I'm almost positive they are exact or very close to Nemo's. My main complaint stems around the single wall aspect at the head end. During one heavy and windy downpour, water came in at where the the fly stops at the head. I wish the fly would've extended further down. I also had the floor of the tent wet through. Granted I didn't have a footprint at the time but even Nemo states on their website a footprint isn't needed for waterproofing. I think my opinion of this tent would be much different if I was only on weekend outings, where a little wetness and spray is liveable (and fun in a way) but on a thru hike, keeping gear dry was more imperative and it sucked dealing with condensation and spray. Great questions- hoped that helped!
Thanks Tom. Always like your reviews and the info you provide. You are very detail focused and critical of your gear. I'm saying that in a positive way :-) someone who is an overly brand fan boy type who will not call out a shortcoming of a product provides no good information. I found the foot end of the fly creek to have a poorly designed bathtub floor and during a heavy rain would get some water on the floor. So far have not had that issue with the nemo,. but also have concerns with the single wall design of the head end of the tent. I noticed you had a note as a response to someone that you thought the fly creek would be a better choice, that's why I was asking if the Hydrostatic head was higher on the fly creek. I only have about 40 nights in the nemo, so I value the view from someone who has clocked a lot more nights in the tent then I. No thru hike for me, a maybe for the long trail next month, that's about as long a single outing I will be using the tent for. Take care.
The high cut fly lets a lot of moisture in when it is raining,and the lightweight 15d base material seeps a fair amount of moisture through the floor. I've been very unhappy with my Nemo tent. Would change it if I could. Waist of money. Sick of being so wet every time it rains
Is this what you meant my moisture seeping in? th-cam.com/video/MvnH_Nzmgo4/w-d-xo.html
I pitched my tent because I knew it was going to be raining all day. I pitched it around 12pm and came back from work around 1am and discovered the moisture inside by the head.
Can you do a review on the Paria Bryce 2P tent? Their tents seem like a really good value for the money.
Jerry Lee At this time I only review gear that I’ve used extensively or have an interest in using. I don’t have any plans to purchase any Paria products at this point in time. I appreciate you watching, however. :)
Wow. I am not getting this tent now. Doesn’t look like you can count on this tent for any kind of weather.
Brian Paden it’ll do ok in a short light rain or sprinkle but multiple days in heavy rains and the tent wets right out. Thanks for watching!
Interesting how a review by someone not with the company or hasn't been GIVEN the tent by the company differs from "sponsored" reviews. Thanks for the honest info.
Dave Nelson thanks for watching! It’s fine for the occasional short term rainshower but it sucks in continuous rain due to the poor fly design.
Thank you for this information. It will come in handy in my decision.
Good review ... so what is best ultralight tent for a 300 mile (30 a day) hike in temperate climate (rain, wind etc)
Rupert Utley sorry for the late reply! For that kind of climate, I would definitely recommend a double walled tent. The Tarptent Notch or Tarptent Moment DW would be my first two choices. The Notch is sub two pounds and has a greater hydrostatic head which means it will take longer to wet out compared to other sil tents. If you want a single walled tent, I have owned and do like the Zpacks Altaplex. I think it’s the most underrated single walled shelter out there.
Tom Willard thanks so much will look up the double walled tent
I replied to you and checked out the Tarptent website and as I say I am spoiled for choice. I like the notch, but I do not use poles, I tried them, logically they sound a good thing to use, I see many people using them, but I cannot walk with them as I like my hands free... so ... looks like Moment DW unless you think otherwise. Second, I note Amazon doesnt sell this tent, any ideas where to buy. I send stuff to Oregan and then assemble and then ship to Hong Kong. Also, do I need to seal the seams? If so, why dont Tarptent do this anyway. My bikeing Vaude and North Face (2 man and heavier for round the world riding had no problem with any weather ... 50 degrees C in Sudan and - 15 degrees high up above 4000 meters in Tibet. Thanks
Rupert Utley Unfortunately you can only buy direct from Tarptent. The tent does need seam sealed and you can do it yourself or they can do it for an extra charge.
Tom Willard just got my Tarptent DW Moment in post... very very happy... thanks for recommendation
An excellent review and concurs with my experience with the Nemo Hornet 2. It is basically a fair weather tent, not one to be used above the treeline. I've bought a Tarptent Moment DW with the optional crossing pole for the high country and will keep the Nemo for gentler climes.
alan davis Thank you Alan for the comment. I love my Moment DW as well.
Thanks for your review! I've been stuck between getting the Nemo and BA Fly Creek. I was really concerned about the back of the Nemo not being covered by the fly, and I haven't seen anyone else address this issue in their review. Needless to say, I will be upgrading to the Fly Creek for my thru hike.
Excellent review and great advice on countering the weight marketing. I personally always only look at the packaged weight as a comparison but I also use Zpack Sonic stakes that are very light (less than 2oz for 8) so your formula works well.
I have to say I had been sold on this tent for a while for an AT thru-hike attempt. But after seeing that "half" fly and your comments about rain, I'm going to have to rethink that. Maybe OK on a PCT thru-hike but the AT is RAINY.
Again, thanks for the insight. Well done.
MSP Pando Thanks for watching! Yeah- I was real disappointed, and I shouldn’t have been surprised given the poor hydrostatic head rating. I’m a huge fanboy of the 1P Tarptent Moment DW. Same specs as the Hornet 2P and with plenty of room and dual vestibules. My very first TH-cam video is a review of the Tarptent Moment DW.
Nice job! Thanks for the review. I love my Nemo sleeping bag by the way.
Tom Wigren thanks for watching. I have seen the Nemo Nocturne up close and it’s really nice. I also love my Nemo Tensor sleeping pad.
You're welcome and I'd love to have you as a subscriber to my channel for some hiking and music. Thanks, Tom
Tom Wigren subbed!
Thank you!
You mentioned you are going back to your Moment tent. Have you had any issues with the Tarptent Moment in storms? This video on youtube showing an older Moment (with even more support than the current model) makes me think twice about it:
th-cam.com/video/JG4YeHwcXCY/w-d-xo.html
Great honest review. I like the tent but can see some DIY modifications in the future to mitigate some of those issues.
It's hilarious how many companies advertise their tents by capacity. This is definitely NOT a 2 person tent, unless the people are very small, or very, VERY friendly! I'm much smaller than you, so when I used this tent, I was able to center my bag and pad without touching the sides. I loved the weight and packed size- perfect for backpacking, so I took this for an overnight in the mountains. It was a clear night, very little humidity, in the low 60's, so I used it without the fly. Even so, I woke up to a tent full of water! The condensation problem with this tent is awful. It was returned the following day. I've since seen many reviews that mention this. Oh well- live and learn!
I agree, the condensation was not great. I appreciate the comment. You wouldn't believe the messages I've received that didn't believe me. lol
Hey Tom, great video, so good to hear from you! You are looking good! You must be thinking about getting back out there eh? Love your reveiws! Take care my friend. Hope to see you out on the A.T. one day, ...or maybe at Trail Days! Cheers from up in Canada! Lamplighter 2019 out! 😉
So sad to hear this, just ordered one for a trip in a rainy place. But my Robens is 2 times the weight and smaller in size so i'm not gonna kill myself carrying that.
Hey Tom, great review. You’ve helped steer me to some great gear choices before but I’m still struggling to choose a good solo tent. I have a dedicated 2p tent I’m happy with but at 3lbs, 12 oz packed weight it’s a bit too heavy for when it’s just me. I’ve been gradually going lighter weight and would like to find a sub 3lb packed weight tent preferably freestanding or nearly freestanding as you can get. I’ve ruled out a Zpacks Duplex due to cost and I’m not sold on tarptent offerings. I have narrowed it down to a BA Copper Spur UL 1 HV, REI QD UL 1, BA Fly Creek UL2 HV and this Nemo Hornet 2p. I’m 6’3 so peak height, and length are important and something easy to set up on rock face or tent platforms in the Whites of NH are critical to me. Any help or recommendations would’ve greatly appreciated!
Kevin Guzda of the 4 you mention, I would choose between the REI QD1 and the BA Copper Spur. Of those two, the Copper Spur gives the most useable space length and width wise while the QD has the interior height. For me, I’d go with the length and width space over the height. The Copper Spur is also a little lighter. All in all- the Copper Spur would be my choice.
Tom Willard Thanks Tom, those two were top of my list. Like you said pretty similar, both freestanding but maybe a bit more room in the Copper Spur.. I was impressed by the 42 inch interior height of the QD but being the HV model the CS is still pretty close in height
Thanks for the honesty. Great review
No disrespect here ..But..Why do you have the Best equipment ( Katabatic, Zpacks,all your Ti cook kit ect.) and you don't use a decent shelter.. Just Curious..Good video by the way.
Jerry Adams None taken! What do you consider a decent shelter?
Jerry Adams just realized my comment may have come across as sarcastic. Didn't mean that at all. I have owned some really nice tents but tend to always look for new ones. I really like my Tarptent Moment and find it really nice.
Tom Willard
No your comments are fine.
I thought you were a ounce Counter like myself and gone with cubin or at least a treeking pole style tent..
I have to agree , had many tent over 45 years, started with a canvas miner tent in boy scouts nofloor. The zpacks duplex is the finest tent I have back packed with. When it wears out I will get another. I will be using the duplex on the jmt this coming summer.
GREAT review, thanks.
Good review thanks. Won't waste my money on it now. Bit amazed at some of the nasty comments here. You did well.
Kerry Neighbour thank you for the kind reply. I have to take the negative comments as part and parcel being a vlogger. Lol
Hi Tom. thanks for the insight, but I watched your review one week too late -- I just bough a Hornet 1P, and the lack of rain protection on the head side really worries me.
If I hand-make an extra layer (trapezoid shaped) for that area, using velcros to attach the two upper corners on the poles inside the rain flyer, and hooking the lower corners to the stakes, per your experience, would that solve the rain problem? Thanks!
It could work. I think you should give it a shot as is first. The Hornet has been around for a while and I'm one of the few who have brought up the single wall aspect exacerbating condensation as well as wetting out. Perhaps I am overly picky? Or I got a dud tent? My observations also come from a few straights days of very windy and side rain which is generally atypical. My suggestion would be to give it a pitch and test it out.
No I don't think you are overly picky. Your observation is right on, and possibly saved me from learning it the hard way. I will definitely try the tent out. Thanks again!
excellent review, now I wont waste my money on any nemo tent. Thanks!!
some just guy thanks for the reply. The fault in this particular model is the lack of fly coverage in the head end. There are other Nemo tents that have great coverage.
Excellent review!
The Nemo 1p & 2p tent is one of the most "reviewed" tents here on youtube. My opinion is that the overall consensus is UNFAVORABLE; that this is a fair weather tent, not one you can expect to shelter you from a wind/rain storm. The price of this tent is hUGE, considering there are so many other low cost tents a person can buy for "fair" weather camping.
I'm guessing that a lot of people have been seduced into buying this tent because of it's light weight.
Depends on where you want to use this tent. there are places, like the alps, where you do not want to be outside when it rains anyways. The advantage is the low weight of the tent and its small packsize, not necessarily it's waterproofing.
@@eslofftschubar206 I see & understand your point. However, I think it is a mistake to think you can accurately predict Mother Nature will provide you with nice perfect weather each time you go out overnighting. For myself, I really want the shelter I carry to reliably provide me with shelter from the storm. If it's nice weather overnight so be it. If it turns nasty in the middle of the night I want my tent to stay where I pitched it & to keep me dry or protected from a strong gusty windy night. Just as you expect rain gear to keep you dry when it rains, same things hold true for any shelter I buy.
My shelter of choice is the Hilleberg Enan in a dark green & pitched with a footprint. Getting out of a comfy warm sleeping bag because tent pegs have pulled out of the ground or poles have broken during a gusty windy night is something I've never had to do. I've been overnighting with others on numerous occasions where my friends packed up bailed out because their shelter failed. Heading back to the trailhead wet & cold has never been something I've personally experienced.
@@azclaimjumper That tent costs double the price, is made for one person and is heavyer. I am pretty sure you would get into the same troubles with that tent when water and wind is the least of your problems.
@@eslofftschubar206 Experienced hikers/campers are knowledgeable experienced who value higher priced quality products that they rely on.
As a general rule less experienced & beginners are prone to look at & buy the least expensive in the mistaken belief that they are smart buyers.
@@azclaimjumper I see, a self proclaimed expert. Price =/= quality. I am also pretty sure, what you call storm, is more like a light drizle. My point about the price was more focused on the fact you get half a tent. That half will have the same issue when propper wind and rain hits it.
Your only bias in this review is not including the guylines. You failed to metion or show the guylines, and I have to wonder if you could have stayed dry if you had used them.
So which new shelter will you use now?
Suzie Kershaw I mentioned briefly at the end that I am staying with my Tarptent Moment DW shelter. It's such a great tent and I always go back to it. Fun fact: my very first video on TH-cam is my review of the Moment DW. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for a great review! Tho I decided to go for it.
Is this fully free standing?
It is not.
This is not a freestanding tent, and it was unfair and misleading to set the tent up in a YARD on a windy day using the minimum trail weight. Of course it almost fell over. It still has to be guyed out, but in a wooded area you can do so using sticks or trees, so might be able to do without the minimal weight of the stakes. Hence the term "minimum trail weight." You pulled necessary support and allowed people to think the tent is flimsy and weak when, in fact, it is quite strong and stable. Also, this manufacturer, and others, are not trying to mislead customers using "minimum trail weight," they are trying to EDUCATE them and give them options. They also include the full packed weight quite clearly. Not a fair or educated review, at all.
Chuck Kimmerle according to Nemo’s website, they classify their tent as freestanding. That is not me saying this, that is coming from Nemo. The issue with “trail weight” is a lot of new backpackers don’t grasp what trail weight means. That was the purpose of my demonstration. Of course, one can use sticks and rocks in the woods but that wasn’t my intention. My intent was to show what minimum trail weight looked like while being classified as a freestanding tent. Doing it on a windy day only showed why taking stakes is important since the vast majority of backpackers are not going to whittle sticks for stakes at camp.
Tom, the tent has a three-pole design and four corners. Despite being technically freestanding, it's obvious that, operationally, it must be stake out. Even the instructions are clear on that point. Your demonstration of the unstaked tend in wind and your deriding of minimum trail weights were both misleading to your viewers and unfair to the manufacturer (with whom I have no association other than owning a Hornet 2P)
It wasnt unfair. A review on a sunny day with no wind is unfair.
This guy made a great job of explaining that in the woods you could use some rocks and your pack inside ... anyone with half a brain (and that has been backpacking before) will understand ther you wont just set the tent up that way, and this guy also made it clear on the video.
But still. Rocks are not that great.
I'm kind of with Chuck on this one. I don't recall the marketing of a couple years ago, but thought it was always labeled "semi-freestanding." Plopping it down with nothing on the corners misleading. 1) I'd expect to use a hiking pole to widen out the front corners and, 2) hold down at least corner stake points with stones. Being fair to Tom, a first-timer probably wouldn't think of this at purchase.
That said, I've had to setup a Double Rainbow on bedrock. I wish I had the Hornet then. After strong winds shifted the DR turned into a sail and my makeshift, stakeless pitch folded a couple times.
Viewers should for sure consider the Hornet rides the line, giving some cross-structure support with the Y pole while skirting the weight of a full-blown X frame. My experience is the Hornet strikes a really nice balance in design.
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Yikes
Wow, what a bunch of BS!! So you have this set up in your background. Where are your pictures of your year and a half of using this tent. Most tents have footprints. How do you long distance hike and have your physique? I'm sorry, I don't believe you
Diana Conrad did you even watch the entire video? I have the foot print attached to the tent in the video and show why it sucks. Also- I didn’t say I long distanced hiked for a year and a half. I also didn’t say I had the tent for a a year and a half. I said that I had both variations of the 1P and 2P for a total of a year in which I used them on my thru hike attempt as well as during weekend trips..You can see the tent in several of my documented videos on my page (on one video I’m actually showing how I set up camp on the trail). You think because I didn’t show a montage in this video I don’t have photos? I posted plenty on social media.
As for my physique- that has nothing to do with my review and is an attempt to redirect. You do realize this video was taken 2 months after I left the trail with a broken foot? Have you seen long distance hikers bodies two months after the trail? Most gain quite a bit of weight. Did you come to make baseless accusations or do you have a counterpoint to my claim? I mean, were you just trolling by and decided to sling shit on the internet? The very fact that you said “most tents come with a foot print” tells me you have no experience with this specific tent.
Diana Conrad , you’re an idiot
Diana Conrad, your body shaming comments are absolutely uncalled for. You are what is wrong with the outdoor community.
I may not share Tim's opinion of the tent, but I do know that thruhikers come in all shapes and sizes and these comments are uncalled for..
Great review, thanks.