Hilleberg Nammatj3
Backpacking is my number one hobby, so I wanted to get the best tent available regardless of price. My criteria where lightweight (less than 7 lbs), large enough for 2 big people (6 ft +), a vestibule big enough for two big packs, easy to set up in strong wind and the inner tent should remain dry if set up in rain. Further the tent should have a proven track record. The field quickly was reduced to three brands Bibler, VauDee and Hilleberg. I excluded VauDee because I felt the two other manufactures offered a higher quality (compare e.g. pole material). Still with a more limits budget VauDee would have been my choice.
The reason I selected Hilleberg Nammatj3 over the Bibler Ahwahnee and Eldorado are as follows. The Eldorado was a bit too small for my personal taste and had a mixed reputation for condensation. The Ahwahnee has only one door, so if you sleep in the back you need to climb over the other person. Also including a vestibule the Ahwahnee is not lighter than the Nammatj3.
I purchased the Nammatj3, which is only about 4oz (200g) heavier than the Nammatj2 but offers more room and better ventilation than the Hilleberg Nallo.
So far I am more than happy with the performance of my tent, which I used on several multiday high Sierra backpacking trips and recently in Yosemite for winter camping.
The outer material is siliconized nylon with UV stabilizers, which is much stronger than flies of most other manufacturers. Usually I prefer polyester, due to its increased UV resistance. Ever wondered why your tent fell apart after long high altitude use? UV degradation. Each Hilleberg inner or outer tent is made by an individual person, who leaves a nametag. You know who made your tent and you also know it was not in a sweat shop! Feels special and is a sign of pride in the product. So far set up and performance were as great as expected. For camping on snow I purchased some special pegs from Hilleberg, which worked great. This tent is a tunnel tent, so it is not free standing. I found however, this not to be a disadvantage. If you never need to fix your tent to the ground, get something cheaper than a Hilleberg. REI has some good enough freestanding alternatives for 25 % of the price. Hilleberg tents are performance tents, usually used under condition where it is advisable to fix your tent anyway. I do not buy it any longer that "freestanding" is a useful criteria. Mountain Hardware also started with the manufacturing of a tunnel tent.
Another great feature set upof the fly without the inner tent and footprint. In summer it can be used as a lightweight tarp. Wonderful.
My only criticism of the tent is that my sleeping bag foot sometimes touches the inner tent. Under extremely wet condition I pulled my gore Tex jacket over the bag, to make sure it'll stay try.
The siliconized fabric seems to attract some more dust than nylon with PU, so make shure to clean it properly. I also sealed the seams of my tent. Make sure to use silicon provided by Hilleberg and not your standard PU seam sealer. Siliconized fabrics can not be taped.
Also consider the Keron and Nammatj GT as alternatives.
Ola Sinnarmo used the Nammatj on his solo trip to the South Pole.

Customer Service

Service is just great.
Hilleberg helped with many of my questions and offered good ideas. They do more than just selling you a tent. Their catalog also emphasizes a down to earth approach and features real people in real life using their tents.

Similar Products Used:

Sierra Design Night Watch CD

This is probably one of the best tents you can buy for backpacking in wet climates. Easy to erect and very light for the space it provides. Workmanship is without a question superior.
I own an EX version (add a vestibule or not) which is not made anymore (alas).
I have had it for 8 years now and I would replace it with exactly the same tent (the EX if it was still available)
but I probably won't have to for quite some years yet.
(850 was including extra vestibule)

Customer Service

none, heard it was very good (Europe)

Similar Products Used:

TNF westwind
several other Dutch brands