The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P earns top marks for livability and ease of use, with Karuna Eberl of GearJunkie calling it a 'huge door, tall ceiling, and ample ventilation' winner. The tent features steep walls for standing room up to 6'3', a massive front door with multiple slider zippers, and exceptional ventilation. While reviewers noted the rainfly lacks full coverage and it's somewhat heavier than competitors, the Aurora Highrise is praised as an excellent choice for families and couples seeking comfortable car camping. It's not designed for extreme conditions or long-term base camping, but excels at making weekend trips more enjoyable.
Full review
Spacious Interior Design
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P delivers on its promise of generous interior space, with a 75-inch peak height that allows even tall campers to stand upright throughout the tent interior. According to The Wise Adventurer's field test, this height exceeds many 6-person models on the market, making it genuinely suitable for four full-sized campers. The tent's unique frame design uses extra poles to stretch walls outward, maximizing interior volume. GearJunkie's Karuna Eberl noted that the 62.5-square-foot floor area provides ample room for gear storage and living space, with enough room for queen-sized mattresses if desired. The steep side walls create a feeling of spaciousness that's rare in 4-person tents, which typically require compact sleeping arrangements to fit four people comfortably.
Easy Setup Experience
Setup time for the Aurora Highrise 4P averages around 10-15 minutes according to multiple reviewers, with The Wise Adventurer reporting a slightly over 10-minute process from start to finish. While the poles aren't color-coded, their distinct lengths make assembly straightforward. RTINGS noted that the tent's freestanding dome structure and unique frame design contribute to its ease of setup, though they did observe that the lack of color-coding could be confusing for first-time users. CleverHiker's Ben Dawson found the setup process unremarkable but effective, with the tent's design making it easy to understand how each component fits together. The tent's frame design also allows for quick assembly without requiring extensive prior experience with camping gear.
Ventilation and Weather Performance
Ventilation stands out as one of the Aurora Highrise 4P's strongest features, with The Wise Adventurer's testing showing that the design allows windows to be left open even in rain while maintaining adequate airflow. RTINGS confirmed that the tent's mesh upper third provides excellent ventilation, though they noted that the rainfly doesn't offer 100% coverage as some reviewers had hoped. Wilderness Times gave the tent an 8.0/10 rating, citing its weather resistance as largely positive, particularly in rain. The tent's 1200mm waterproof rating on the 68D polyester fly and full-coverage vestibule help protect against wet conditions. However, The Wise Adventurer noted that wind resistance could be a concern, especially with open sides facing strong gusts, though they didn't experience significant issues during their testing period.
Build Quality and Materials
Reviewers consistently praised the Aurora Highrise 4P's build quality and materials, with The Wise Adventurer noting high-quality materials that make the tent ready for extended use. GearJunkie's Karuna Eberl highlighted the tent's durability and the cheerful plaid interior floor as standout features. The tent uses 150D polyester floor and 68D polyester fly, with aluminum poles that provide structural integrity. RTINGS measured the tent's peak height at 75 inches and confirmed that the materials felt substantial and well-constructed. However, some reviewers noted that the tent's weight of 15 lbs 14 oz is slightly heavier than comparable models, which may impact portability for backpackers but remains reasonable for car camping use.
Storage and Practical Features
The Aurora Highrise 4P includes two vestibules, each measuring approximately 19.5 square feet, providing ample storage space for gear and cooking equipment. The Wise Adventurer's field test revealed that the vestibules are particularly useful for organizing camping supplies, with one vestibule located at the front and another at the back. The tent features numerous mesh pockets for gear storage, including integrated stash pockets near the doors and 'night light' pockets that diffuse headlamp light into a mellow yellow tint. RTINGS noted that the tent's design includes practical features like panoramic views and excellent ventilation that prevent the interior from feeling stuffy. However, some reviewers mentioned that the lack of a full rainfly coverage could be problematic in severe weather conditions.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, the Aurora Highrise 4P has several notable drawbacks that reviewers have identified. The Wise Adventurer's field test highlighted concerns about the tent's wind performance, noting that while it handles typical conditions well, open sides facing strong gusts could pose challenges. RTINGS also pointed out that the rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage, which may be a concern for campers seeking complete weather protection. Additionally, the tent's weight of 15 lbs 14 oz is heavier than some comparable models, making it less ideal for backpackers who prioritize lightweight gear. Some reviewers also noted that the lack of color-coding on the poles could create confusion during setup, particularly for first-time users. The tent's price point of $399.95 may also be prohibitive for budget-conscious campers looking for basic functionality.
Who It's Best For
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P is best suited for families and groups who engage in car camping and value comfort and livability over portability. According to GearJunkie, it's ideal for couples who want extra living space and gear storage, or small families with children who need room to move around. The tent's tall ceiling and spacious interior make it particularly appealing for tall campers, with the 75-inch peak height accommodating individuals up to 6'3" without issue. RTINGS recommended it for those who want to make camping easy without sacrificing comfort, while The Wise Adventurer noted it's perfect for campers who want to spread out comfortably with extra gear and camp furniture. However, it's not recommended for mountaineers or 4-season campers, as it's designed primarily for 3-season use and lacks the extreme weather resistance needed for harsh conditions.
Value and Competition
The Aurora Highrise 4P's price point of $399.95 positions it in the mid-to-upper range of camping tents, with RTINGS noting it offers good value for its features and build quality. When compared to similar models like the REI Base Camp 6 Tent and The North Face Wawona 6, the Aurora Highrise 4P stands out for its superior ventilation and livability, though it's slightly more expensive. The Wise Adventurer's field test showed that while the tent performs well in most conditions, its performance in high winds and complete weather protection falls short of some competitors. However, the tent's unique frame design and attention to detail make it a strong contender for campers who prioritize comfort and ease of use over maximum weather resistance. The tent's combination of spaciousness, ventilation, and ease of setup makes it a solid investment for those who use it regularly.
Strengths
- +Steep side walls provide 75-inch peak height allowing full standing room for campers up to 6'3"
- +Massive front door with three zipper sliders offers flexible access and easy entry/exit
- +Excellent ventilation with mesh top third and well-designed windows that roll up/down
- +Spacious interior with 62.5 sq ft floor area and two 19.5 sq ft vestibules for gear storage
Watch-outs
- −Rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage of the tent fabric
- −Slightly heavier than comparable tents at 15 lbs 14 oz
How it compares
The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P leads in livability with its 75-inch peak height and massive front door, offering more standing room than the Half Dome 2 Plus and Mineral King 3. While it's heavier than the Mountain Hardwear tent and lacks full rainfly coverage compared to the Base Camp 6, it provides better ventilation and is ideal for families seeking comfort over portability.
Who this is for
At a glance: families wanting maximum comfort.
Why you’d buy the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P
- Steep side walls provide 75-inch peak height allowing full standing room for campers up to 6'3".
- Massive front door with three zipper sliders offers flexible access and easy entry/exit.
- Excellent ventilation with mesh top third and well-designed windows that roll up/down.
Why you’d skip it
- Rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage of the tent fabric.
- Slightly heavier than comparable tents at 15 lbs 14 oz.
Rating sources
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
