Overview: The NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P is a premium 6-person camping tent that combines ample living space with guaranteed weather protection and ease of pitching. Its unique design and thoughtful features make it a solid option for families or small groups looking for comfort in their outdoor adventures. This review will disassemble this tent’s performance with its pros and cons taken from firsthand testing.
Key Features:
- Price: $500
- Floor Area: 83.3 sq. ft.
- Peak Height: 77 in.
- Weight: 18 lb. 10 oz.
- Capacity: 6P (6-person) / 4P (4-person)
- Doors: 2, including a large side door
Specification
| Specification | Value |
| Capacity | 4-Person |
| Season | 3 |
| Minimum Weight | 13 lb 12 oz / 6.25 kg |
| Packed Weight | 15 lb 14 oz / 7.2 kg |
| Packed Size | 25.0 x 8.5 x 8.5 in / 64 x 21 x 21 cm |
| Peak Height | 75 in / 190.5 cm |
| Floor Area | 62.5 sq ft / 5.8 sq m |
| Floor Dimensions | 90 x 100 in / 228.6 x 254 cm |
| Vestibule Area | 19.5 sq ft + 19.5 sq ft / 1.8 sq m + 1.8 sq m |
| Freestanding | Freestanding |
| Door Quantity | 2 |
| Vestibule Quantity | 2 |
| Canopy Fabric | 68D Polyester/ No-see-um mesh |
| Rainfly Fabric | PU Polyester (1200 mm) |
| Floor Fabric | 150D PU Polyester (1500 mm) |
| Color | Atoll / Oasis |
| Stuff Sack | Duffel storage bag |
The fabric used for it
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P has been designed keeping in mind durability and lightweight performance, but there are a few characteristics of the material that are worthy to be mentioned.
- Fabric: The tent has thick polyester as a canopy to provide water resistance, but only partly covers the tent in case of heavy rain.
- Rainfly: Also, made of polyester, it shelters it from both the sides and ends, but it still exposes mesh windows.
- Floor: The 150D polyester bathtub floor is waterproof and durable, not allowing the wet ground to seep.
- Poles: The fiberglass poles are lightweight but can snap under high pressure.
- Stakes: The stakes are lightweight and can handle calm weather, however, they can bend over under strong winds.
What We Like:
That is the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P providing great space for a group of four to five people, further fine-tuned by the X-shaped pole structure, resulting in a more open and taller interior with a peak height of 77 inches, which gives much room for standing and movement.
120 x 100 inches worth of inner space: this is for fitting side by side not less than a dozen standard 20-inch sleeping pads, but as a general recommendation, four or five campers are preferred, with the extra space for gear.
It also has a nice gigantic side door that almost stretches the entire tent length, making entrances and exits easy and fast.
Weather Protection:
Suitable for different weather conditions, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P stands well. The 13-millimeter aluminum poles and the polyester canopy are sufficiently strong to withstand moderate winds and rain.
The rainfly offers decent coverage, especially on the sides and ends, if not fully covering its mesh windows. The tent ends may accumulate splashes and mud during heavy downpours, but no moisture has ever been reported to trickle inside.
The bathtub floor, which ensures ample water protection and durability, helps keep the interior dry even in wet conditions.
Setup and Take Down:
Setup is a breeze, with colour-coded buckles that make it easy to attach the rainfly. In good weather, the setup takes about 10 minutes, give or take, even alone, though it could be faster with two. Takedown is just as easy, with everything fitting into a standard duffle bag for storage.
Storage and Organization:
Two vestibules provide 47.2 square feet of external storage and are ideal for those big things like camp chairs, coolers, or gear you want to keep dry. Inside are eight pockets for small items such as a phone, keys, and headlamps, and an overhead pocket for light is an excellent touch, too, for convenience.
What We Don’t Like:
Limited Headroom at the Ends:
Although there is enough space for an individual to stand freely at the center, the sloped roofs leave little standing space at the ends of the tent. And although the free-standing structure sacrifices headroom, space efficiency might be sorely uncomfortable for tall people at the ends of the corners.
Weather Protection Issues:
“The rainfly should have been designed to provide better coverage on the mesh windows during incidences of wind and rain.” Certainly, the flaps of fabric over the windows do not perform best during extreme weather conditions; this is a con in continued downpours.
“Besides the guy lines, the rainfly is also flapping in direct wind, mostly toward the upper window area.” While this doesn’t lead to water leakage, the extra noise could be annoying.
Storage and Organization
NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P presents acceptable storage facilities, though some users may deem its internal organization lacking.
- Vestibules for Gear: The tent features two large vestibules offering a combined 47.2 sq. ft. of space for external storage. The vestibules are perfect for keeping gear like backpacks, coolers, or camp chairs out of the rain.
- Interior Pockets: The tent has eight interior pockets for small items. There are four pockets on the sides, one ceiling pocket with a diffuser for light, and three low-hanging pockets at the corners. Although these pockets serve their purpose well, some are inaccessible, especially for those sleeping on the ends.
Build Quality and Durability:
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P is manufactured with some of the best materials that guarantee durability. This includes the 13-mm aluminum poles, which are strong and sturdy, while the floor, made of 150-denier fabric, is tough enough to stand up to the rigours of rough grounds. The zippers operate like breeze, and the tent body is made from flame-retardant fabric for safety features.
The tent has held up almost for a whole year with only slight wear and tear. Scuffing on the poles, a bit of a tear on the stuff sack, and the tent, in general, is still doing verywell— indication of the high build quality and durability of the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P.
Weight and Packed Size:
With 18 lb. 10 oz., the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P falls in the heavier category for a 6-person tent. Typical of tents that are made of higher-end materials and are structurally more complex; it weighs off comparison after all against other premium tents such as the REI Base Camp 6 (20 lb. 10 oz.) and the Big Agnes Big House 6 (16 lb. 14 oz.).
Its packed size measures 26 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches, which should be manageable for car camping but may be a little cumbersome for long-haul hiking.
Pros:
- Roomy Comfort for smaller groups or families.
- Fantastic Airflows for Summertime Camping.
- Super-Easy Set-Up and Take-Down.
- 2 Giant Vestibules For All Your Gear.
- Top-Quality Construction With Durable Materials.
Cons:
- Limited headroom at the two ends of the sloped roof.
- Covers of Raingear and Mesh Windows Have Certain Limitations for Weather Protection.
- Not So Well Placed Storage Pockets.
- Rainfly flutter in high winds
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P Price Comparison
The Competition
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P is in direct competition with several premium tents, all of which possess their features. Among these premium tents is the REI Co-op Base Camp 6, a strong competitor that offers full rainfly coverage for added protection against the elements. It has plenty of interior storage with 14 pockets that suit organized individuals. However, it comes at a premium price and falls heavier on the scale at 20 lb. 10 oz., making it less suitable for weight-sensitive campers. The North Face Wawona 6 is another option, boasting a spacious vestibule and an 80-inch peak height. The full rainfly coverage allows for greater weather resistance, particularly in heavy rain and wind.
However, it is more complex to set up than the NEMO Aurora Highrise 6P and might not be manageable for first-time campers. While the Wawona 6 and Aurora Highrise 6P ultimately provide comfort and room, the Wawona 6 would prove better in tough weather conditions. At the same time, the Aurora Highrise would be easier to set up and provide better ventilation for warm-weather camping.
FAQS
How big is the Nemo Aurora 6P?
The highrise by Nemo Aurora is a hexagonal shelter and offers a total floor area of 83.3 sq. ft. with a peak height of 77 inches, providing sufficient space for a family or a small group of six.
Is Nemo Aurora Highrise waterproof?
Yes, it is a waterproof model. The Nemo Aurora Highrise comes with bathtub flooring and sealed seams. Additionally, a rainfly is included to provide great coverage against rainfalls.
What size tent for a family of 6?
A tent that can accommodate a family of six would be a 6-person tent such as the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P. This type of tent is spacious enough for at least sleeping pads, gear, and movement.
How big is the Nemo 4-person tent?
With a floor area of 62.5 sq. ft. and a peak height of 75 inches, the Nemo Aurora Highrise 4P is comfortable for smaller groups or families.
Are NEMO tents any good?
Nemo tents are among the best quality tents available today for using good materials that last long and easy for every fun-loving camping enthusiast.
Is a 4-person tent big enough?
Generally, a 4-person tent is large enough for a small family or group, but it is often better to consider about 3 people for added occupancy.
