Backpacking tents · owner-verdict comparison

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 vs Nemo Hornet 2P: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 24 Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners recommend it, vs 79% of 150 for the Nemo Hornet 2P.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2

75%of 24 owners recommend
75% recommend · 13% neutral · 12% don't
Owners praise
  • Owners report high overall satisfaction, with several calling it their favorite tent they've owned
  • Holds up well over multiple seasons of use, staying as good as new and keeping owners dry through heavy rain
  • Noticeably lightweight, including light components like the stakes, without feeling flimsy
Owners complain about
  • The 2-person (UL2) version runs tight, with some calling it more of a one-person tent and barely enough room for a dog, let alone a second person
Full owner report →

Nemo Hornet 2P

79%of 150 owners recommend
79% recommend · 11% neutral · 10% don't
Owners praise
  • Impressively lightweight, around 2 lbs for a double-wall tent
  • Held up well through rain, wind, and storms over years of use
  • Packs down very small
Owners complain about
  • Too tight and cramped for two people
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 if
  • ✓Solo or one-person-plus-dog backpackers who want a roomy, comfortable setup
  • ✓Thru-hikers wanting a proven, storm-worthy semi-freestanding shelter for the PCT/AT/CT
  • ✓Backpackers prioritizing ventilation, with a mostly-mesh inner tent for hot climates
  • ✓Owners who value a lifetime warranty and multi-season durability over years of use
Skip it if
  • Two adults expecting real elbow room in the 2-person size, especially over 6ft tall
  • Anyone camping regularly in wet conditions, since the fabric absorbs water and gets heavy when packed wet
Get the Nemo Hornet 2P if
  • ✓Solo backpackers wanting a roomy one-person shelter
  • ✓Weight-conscious hikers who still want double-wall comfort
  • ✓Long-distance thru-hikers needing durability over many miles
  • ✓Those wanting fast, freestanding, trekking-pole-free setup
Skip it if
  • Two adults sharing (cramped, sarcophagus-tight)
  • Taller campers over about six feet

What Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners say

“If looking at Big Agnes, I think the Tiger Wall is better. Slightly smaller, but much lighter.”
— adambl82 on Reddit
“There is no problem with ventilation in Tiger Wall since the inner tent is almost entirely mesh the amount of air coming through under the fly is plenty.”
— J-Nightshade on Reddit
“The big agnes will absorb water, sag, then weigh twice as much after you have to pack it up wet.”
— they_have_no_bullets on Reddit

What Nemo Hornet 2P owners say

“I have the nemo hornet 2P and I love it and it’s great in the wind. I highly recommend. Super easy to setup.”
— alicewonders12 on Reddit
“the next day my trail buddy and I rented a car and drove to Atlanta to go to rei to buy another tent (Nemo Hornet 2P) a little heavier but such an awesome tent. I loved it dearly and it kept me nice and dry for the rest of the trail.”
— cywnne on Reddit
“took out my nemo hornet 2p last night with my dog. It was super windy and with the frame bowing in. My dog was scared and ripped through the mesh to get out.”
— dec92010 on Reddit

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 vs Nemo Hornet 2P: frequently asked questions

Is the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 or the Nemo Hornet 2P better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 75% of 24 Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 owners recommend it, vs 79% of 150 for the Nemo Hornet 2P.

Who should get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2?

Owners point the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 at solo or one-person-plus-dog backpackers who want a roomy, comfortable setup, and thru-hikers wanting a proven, storm-worthy semi-freestanding shelter for the PCT/AT/CT.

Who should get the Nemo Hornet 2P?

Owners point the Nemo Hornet 2P at solo backpackers wanting a roomy one-person shelter, and weight-conscious hikers who still want double-wall comfort.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 is the 2-person (UL2) version runs tight, with some calling it more of a one-person tent and barely enough room for a dog, let alone a second person. For the Nemo Hornet 2P, it's too tight and cramped for two people.