How to Choose a Backpacking Tent

Heavy packs are no fun—neither is getting soaked by rain. The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 tent solves both problems. It has a streamlined design and sil-nylon rainfly for full protection.
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Imported.
View all Mountain Hardwear Backpacking TentsBest Use | Backpacking |
---|---|
Seasons | 3-season |
Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
Minimum Trail Weight | 2 pounds |
Packaged Weight | 2 lbs. 2.2 oz. |
Packed Size | 6 x 12 and 3 x 17 inches |
Floor Dimensions | 86 x 52/42 (L x W head/foot) inches |
Floor Area | 28.1 square feet |
Vestibule Area | 7.7 square feet |
Peak Height | 41 inches |
Number of Doors | 1 door |
Number of Poles | 1 |
Pole Material | DAC Featherlight NFL |
Pole Diameter | 8.7 millimeters |
Canopy Fabric | 15-denier nylon mesh; 15-denier ripstop nylon |
Floor Fabric | 30-denier ripstop nylon with a 1,500 mm coating |
Rainfly Fabric | 20-denier ripstop nylon with 1,200 mm silicone/silicone coating |
Footprint Included | No |
Ultralight | Yes |
Design Type | Semifreestanding |
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I’ve used this tent in warm, cold, rainy, and snowy conditions. Overall it performed well. The nylon fly can be difficult to keep taut in rain and light snow, allowing it to make contact with the tent body. This can result in transfer of condensation to the interior of the tent. Again, nothing major but does take some care and vigilance if you get caught in a storm.
Took this 106mi on the the Uinta Highline trail, Mt Wilson, and Wheeler summits plus Havasupai last year. About 25 days camping above 11,000ft. 250 miles of backpacking. This tent did great in high wind, rain and variable ground conditions. I've had it near many summits in high winds overnight and never once did I think maybe I could have gotten a better tent. It packed super well, and is so light weight. After about 25 days a very small hole tore on the bottom from rocks - which is a positive review. I use a cot inside it so I'm sure the cot legs added to the tear. Regardless - It was patched easily and carries on. No issues with rainflys, zippers or mesh so far. I have not been careful with this tent and it still sets up and zips like the day I unboxed it. The mesh is very breathable, and the rain fly design is pretty simple to allow for setting up nice vents for a smooth breeze to come in and out in order to keep you dry. There are a few pockets inside which is ultra handy for glasses, headlamps and chargers. I went for the 2 person tent so I could spread my gear around to dry and eat inside at night. I coupled it with a ultra light weight cot and its very cozy and warm. I have camped with 2 people inside it as well and it is spacious for a tent. We are certainly not shoulder to shoulder, there is space for 2 people and backpacking gear.
I recently used the Nimbus UL 2 on the very windy Lost Coast Trail in Northern California. Despite gale force winds at times, the Nimbus UL 2 held up fantastically. I will admit at times I was concerned that the tent poles might snap in the winds but they held up and gave way when needed. Lightness of this tent is ideal and the quality and ease of setup are unmatched. I highly recommend this tent and found it to be both warm on the cold nights and breathable during the day in the sun.
I purchased this tent directly from Mountain Hardware to replace the predecessor Super Ultra Mega Ultra Light tent from MW. I bought a 2-person tent to use as a solo tent so that I can keep by backpack inside during rain. Quick to set up and take down and warm and comfortable.
Used this tent on the whole PCT, worked fantastic. By the end of the trip, the zipper no longer worked - was even able to send it back to MH for repairs at no cost. Great tent, great company
It was pretty fantastic the one time I've used it. I used it once and it held up well to probably about 20 mph gusts all afternoon and night. It did flap a fair bit in the night, but guying it out could have helped. The stakes worked well to keep it in place. The rain fly seemed like it got a little stained from campfire ash, but nothing too bad. Definitely on the snug end of 2 person tents but still comfortable.
This tent is very light weight, but even with the thin material feels and delivered as a solid build. Done 5 nights with this with rain every night, one a heavy thunderstorm. Withstood everything so far. Flooded tent pad caused water between the footprint and tent, but no water on the inside. Perfect size as a solo tent with gear inside, which is my need. Would be cozy for two without gear.
I love my new little 2 person tent. Just used it on a Mt Rainier backpacking trip and it was perfect.
I used it for my 3 day backpacking trip so far and it was my first time learning to set up a tent. This was super easy to learn, perfect space inside, easy to pack up. My only complaint is that the stakes did not have a rope to grip them with so when they are in the dirt and it's cold out in the AM, it makes it really hard to get them out of the ground
MUCH lighter than other tents on the market, and I looked for months. Much more expensive name-brand tents were over 6 lbs. My existing tent is 35 years old and only 5 lbs, so the whole goal of buying a new one was to save weight for long bike tours. The UL2 fit that bill perfectly and is a breeze to set up.