About this review This review is my own honest opinion of the tent, which I bought with my own money in August 2020.

My take

The Nemo Hornet 2-Person Tent is a great backpacking tent for when my dog and I head out of the city and to the trail. This tent is ideal for backpacking and car camping and is great for intermediate backpackers looking for a durable, lightweight tent and are willing to spend some money for quality gear.

About this gear

• Product Model: Nemo Hornet 2 Person Tent
• Size: 2 person tent

About me

• Height: 5’5”
• Weight: 125 lbs
• Experience : 3 years

Test conditions

• When I bought the tent: August 2020
• Days tested: 12
• Number of occupants: 2
• Where I’ve used it: Pacific Coast Trail, Los Angeles, CA; Utah; Colorado
• Seasons I’ve used it in: Summer

How it performs

What I was looking for

After I graduated from college and could no longer depend on my friends for their tents, I knew I needed to get my own. I wanted something lightweight that I could carry by myself to camp in with my dog.

Why I chose this gear

I ultimately chose this product because of the weight. When I purchased it, it was on sale for a ridiculously low price compared to what it is actually valued for, and I knew I wouldn’t get another chance! I wanted a free-standing tent that would be good for camping in the heat of Los Angeles summer, and would also keep me dry from rain in the winter.

What I love about it

• Ease of setup: The color-coded system for the poles was easy to understand and brought my set up time down to under 3 minutes. If I can set it up by myself it must be pretty easy as I am not the best at setting up tents (blame it on the hand-eye-coordination).
• Breakdown speed: It took me about 3 minutes altogether to roll everything back up and get it back into the bag.
• Weight: I can carry this tent by myself and it is a great lightweight tent for when I go solo-adventuring.
• Performance in heat: The amount of mesh was great in letting a slight breeze through, and allow for much-needed ventilation.
• Performance in wooded areas with lots of trees: Without the rain fly, it was great camping underneath the trees. Waking up to the sun shining through the branches was beautiful.
• Performance when camping with a partner or group: There is enough space for myself, my dog, and our gear. I’m not sure I could fit another person in there unless my dog wasn’t on the trip with us. But for the two of us, we fit great!
• Special features: There are two large vestibules for gear, two doors with no snag zippers, and a great pocket on top to turn the headlamp into a lantern. The vestibules are great for storing gear that my dog and I don’t need inside the tent and as an avid reader, the pocket for my headlamp was a worthy addition.
• Durability: So far has held up great against my dog, myself, and the terrain.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Performance in wind: It was a little burly and loud. I think I could have staked out the fly a little tighter but overall, not the best night’s sleep.
• Stability: The wind was a bit harsh and rattled the tent, but it never collapsed.

Favorite moment with this gear

When I took this tent out for the first time, I went for a short overnight in Angeles National Forest and the Pacific Crest Trail. It was a warm summer evening and I didn’t bother bringing the rain fly with me. The mesh material was great for stargazing and I distinctly remember that it was a full moon!

Value for the money vs. other options

Although cheaper options can be found online (like the Hyke and Byke and Naturehike brands) they may not hold up as long as the Nemo Hornet will. This brand is expensive because it is made with high quality fabrics and designed to withstand serious adventuring.

Final verdict

Overall, I have been super pleased with this tent. It was looking for something lightweight and durable, and the Nemo Hornet is great for an intermediate backpacker like myself. Although I highly recommend this tent for backpacking, it can also be used for car camping trips too. For instance, a beginner hiker/camper may want a cheaper tent for car camping they can test out. While a more experienced hiker might want an ultralight tent that packs down small. From overnight camping trips in the desert to week-long hikes in the forest, this tent has been a great place to rest my head at night.