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Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

You are here: Home / Gear Reviews / Performance Gear Reviews / Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent Review

Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent Review

by Emylene VanderVelden on July 18, 2017 New Features, Performance Gear Reviews

Introduction

From the Rocky Mountains to Coastal Rainforest the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent has been my constant 2016 backcountry companion. Nemo has been making ultralight shelters for a while and I was somewhat surprised to find a single pole, double wall, dome style tent in the sub two and a half pound category. Depending on how you pack this tent, it sits at exactly two pounds. I was intrigued. I contacted Nemo for more information, and they offered to send me one out to try. Now, I was beyond intrigued and into excited.

"<yoastmark

I used the original 2010 Nemo Equipment Meta 2P since I bought it almost seven years ago. I’ve been happy with my little Nemo Equipment Meta 2P. The online reviews were mixed (in my opinion, because single wall shelters were unfamiliar to most users) but aside from the over two and a half pound weight, I loved the tent, and it was a great introduction to single wall shelters.

For the 2016 season, a  switch to a double wall shelter, with a single pole means much simpler gear splitting for the trips I have booked for the year. My only other complaint with my original shelter has always been the limited ability to divide it between two packs. Not needing my trek poles for set up also means I can leave one or both behind which on some trips is my preference. Even with the pole packed in, it is lighter than many trek pole tents.

Stock Photo Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p

Stock Photo Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p

Features

  • Modified dome style tent (one diagonal lengthwise pole and an air pole support)
  • Pegs, pole, repair kit, guy-out cord, and three stuff sacks included
  • Two vestibules
  • Dual entry
  • Double wall
  • Bathtub floor
  • Integrated peg and pole system
  • Fastpitch set up
Stock Image: Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P floor plan

Stock Image: Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P floor plan

Specifications

  • Capacity: 2P
  • Minimum Weight:  2 lbs 0 oz / 910 g
  • On the Fly Weight: N/A
  • Packaged Weight: 2 lbs, 5 oz / 1.1 kg
  • Floor Dimensions: 85 x 50 in / 216 x 127 cm
  • Floor Area: 30 sq ft / 2.8 sq m
  • Vestibule Area: 13 sq ft/ 1.2 sq m
  • Interior Height: 40 in / 102 cm
  • Number of Doors:  2
  • Frame Description: 1 DAC 8.7 mm Featherlite NFL
  • Packed Size: 17 x 5 in diameter / 43 x 12 cm diameter
  • Vestibule Fabric: 7D PeU Nylon Ripstop (1200mm)
  • Fly Fabric: 7D PeU Nylon Ripstop (1200mm)
  • Canopy Fabric: No-see-um mesh
  • Floor Fabric: 20D PeU Nylon Ripstop (1200mm)
  • Color: Elite Yellow

Performance

Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent in the coastal rainforest of Canada's West Coast Trail.

Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent in the coastal rainforest of Canada’s West Coast Trail.

Field Testing

Stuffing

The Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P tent was shipped to my address. I opened the box and found a neatly packaged tent inside. The actual weight of the tent was 998g (2 lb 2 oz). The packed size was compact, and I found stuffing the tent back inside the sack easy. The tent stuff sack has the option of being two sizes.  One where the tent is stuffed poles in and one where the ten is stuffed poles out. Two sets of drawstrings allow stuffing options. I didn’t pack using the stuff sack (I was load sharing most trips), but the sack is nicely made and relatively light.

Stock Photo - Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent Stuffed

Stock Photo – Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent Stuffed

Stock Photo: stuffed with poles removed.

Stock Photo: stuffed with poles removed.

The entire Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent compared to a 1 liter water bottle.

The entire Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent compared to a 1-liter water bottle.

Diameter comparison of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent with a 1 liter water bottle.

Diameter comparison of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent with a 1-liter water bottle.

Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent fly and and body stuffed with pegs and poles removed compared with a 1 liter water bottle.

Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent fly and body stuffed with pegs and poles removed compared with a 1-liter water bottle.

During a particularly wet rainforest trek on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; I stuffed the rain fly in a large Ziplock freezer bag to keep it from dripping on any of my other gear. The main body of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent will also fit in a large Ziplock freezer bag. This method gave me the option of squeezing the air out of the bags and effectively ‘vacuum packing’ the tent to save space and keep other gear from getting soaked when packing the tent wet. The heavy plastic of the Ziplock bag also protects the tent’s delicate, ultralight fabric.

Floor and Footprint

The tent stitching is high quality and well taped. The fly fabric is airy light and almost transparent. The floor is slightly more solid but is delicate. Because of abrasive rocky ground conditions, I decided I would make a footprint.

I had a SOL Mylar Blanket kicking around my gear trunk, which is not exceptionally light ( 320g / 11.3oz) but was available and had a possibility to add warmth to my shelter. The tarp was almost the perfect size, and I only had to trim it a bit. I had to cut a couple of grommets off and replaced them with Coleman Replacement Grommets I’ve had in my major-at-home-gear-repair box for several years. The weight is comparable enough to a Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Footprint ( 208 g / 7.3 oz), I didn’t have to look for Tyvek, and the price was right (free: after depreciation of the tarp and grommets which were sitting around doing nothing anyway.). After my modifications, my footprint weighed 286g (10.1oz)

Assembly

Assembling the tent the first time around didn’t require a structural engineer, but almost. (I make this observation with tongue in cheek, I haven’t assembled a dome style tent in a decade. Single wall trek pole tents have some pitching advantages.) One diagonal pole suspends screen house’s clips and the fly anchors to the four corner pegs. The vestibules have two separate guy-out pegs.

The Air Pole design has a unique clip which takes a bit of manuevering but works well and saves weight. Step one.

Step One: The Air Pole design has a unique clip which takes a bit of maneuvering but works well and saves weight.

Step Two: Insert the peg clip into the fly clip.

Step Two: Insert the clip Screen house into the fly clip.

Final step: snap the screen house to the air pole.

Final step: snap the screen house to the air pole.

This tent is unconventional but user-friendly and intelligently designed. After pitching a couple more times, I discovered I could pitch the fly before pitching the interior mesh by stretching my MYOG footprint, placing my stakes, and resting the poles against the “Y” structure then anchoring my fly. Using this method I could pitch my mesh under cover if rain interfered.

The shape of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent is unconventional to say the least. Skyline Trail, Jasper, Alberta.

The shape of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent is unconventional, to say the least. Skyline Trail, Jasper, Alberta.

After a couple of practice runs, I could set up the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent in a matter of minutes without any assistance. Stuffing the tent when packing up took very little time or skill. I slid the tent poles in and stuff the screen house, tent fly and pegs in the included stuff sack.

Overnight Use

The two door and two vestibule design of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent is invaluable. Once two sleeping pads and quilts are laid down on the floor, the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent is stable and barely needs pegs for anything but holding the vestibules tight.

I found I had plenty of toe and headroom and could even place some of my important equipment, like cameras, over my head. Thoughtful interior features in the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent improve the comfort and livability of the tent. Interior features could be clipped out to save ounces, but I kept them. First I found two side door pockets (one on each side), which were helpful for stashing some small items like ear plugs and eye masks. Second, the pole framework of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent has built in loops for making a small indoor clothes line. Third, at the very peak of the tent, there is a small pocket designed for stowing headlamps to use as interior lighting without blinding your tent mates.

The gossamer like, fabric of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent did not leave me feeling exposed while inside my tent at night or during the day.

The gossamer-like fabric of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent did not leave me feeling exposed while inside my tent at night or during the day.

Rain Use

Of all the features I tested while using the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent, I tested its capacity to resist rain the most. Not only did this tent resist the rain, it dried in twenty minutes or less when the sun came out. During particularly rainy treks through the Canadian Rockies, I often packed the fly in a large Ziplock freezer bag, stuffed it in the brain of my pack and would pull it out to dry whenever the rain gave me enough of a break.

Insect Resistance

Insects? What insects? I went all over Canada with the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent, there were mosquitos, horse flys, sand fleas and dozens of other biting nuisances, just not inside the tent. During my trip up Marvel Pass to the Mount Assiniboine Lake Valley, there were thousands of blood-thirsty mosquitos. At nightfall, I would dive into the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent and leave the little monsters outside. Occasionally insects would make a home between the fly and the tent body, but as long as they were outside and away from me I didn’t care.

Canadian Rockies biting insects had no chance against the no-see-um mesh of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent.

The Canadian Rockies biting insects had no chance against the no-see-um mesh of the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent.

Performance Summary

The Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P exceeded my expectations of an ultralight tent. The tent is feature rich and well designed.

Product comparison

A fair product comparison requires similar main features. These products are fully enclosed, sleep two occupants and have all required features. Stakes, mesh, poles, floor, seam sealing and any other additional features required to make each product comparable, are added to the price and weight.

To view the entire table, hover over it and scroll right/left!

ManufacturerModelBody FabricMax WeightWall Style
Floor TypeFloor SpaceHeightPolesPacked SizeDual EntryVestiblesSeasonsPrice
TarpTentStratospire 21.1 oz Silnylon2lbs 9 oz / 1.3 kgDoubleBathtubTent: 31 sq ft / 2.9 sq m
Vestibule: Unspecified
50 in / 127 cm2 Trek16 in x 4 in / 41cm x 10 cmYes24349.00 USD
LightHeart GearDuo Tent30D 1.1 oz Silnylon Ripstop2 lbs 5 oz / 1.1 kgSingleBathtubTent: 38.2 sq ft / 3.6 sq m
Vestibule: Unspecified
45 in / 114 cm2 TrekUnspecifiedYes23400.00 USD
Nemo EquipmentBlaze 2p Ultralight Backpacking Tent7D Silnylon Ripstop 2 lbs 5 oz / 1.1 kgDoubleBathtub
Tent: 30 sq ft / 2.8 sq m
Vestibule: 13 sq ft / 1.2 sq m
40 in / 102 cm1 Folding17 x 5 in dia / 43 x 12 cm diaYes23449.95 USD
ZpacksDuplex Tent.51 oz Cuben Fiber1 lbs 7.2 oz / 659 gSingleBathtubTent: 28.1 sq ft / 2.6 sq m
Vestibule: Unspecified
48 in / 121 cm2 Trek7 in x 13 in / 18 cm x 33 cmYes2Unspecified609.00 USD
Mountain Laurel DesignsDuomid with innernet1.35 oz Silnylon1 lb 6.6 oz / 640.7 gDoubleBathtubTent: 40+sq ft / 3.7 sq m
Vestibule: none
56 in / 142 cm2 TrekUnspecifiedYes04330.00 USD

Summary

Strengths

  • Sub two-pound weight double wall tent
  • Two doors
  • Two vestibules
  • Small, compressible packed size
  • Insect resistant
  • Storm worthy
  • Fast drying

Limitations

  • Short floor length
  • Delicate floor fabric

Recommendations

  • Taller users should put their head underneath the pole corner of the tent and feet under the peg only anchor.
  • Groundsheet or footprint is highly recommended.
  • Wrap large packs in a garbage bag when left in the vestibule in rainy conditions.

Review Rating

rsz_bpl-highly-recommended

Review Rating Summary

After just over three-hundred miles (500 km) in two months sleeping in this tent, I haven’t found a single flaw in the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent design for my use. Simply, the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent is my favorite piece of equipment since, well, ever. A full tent system that rivals a tarp and bivy for weight is uncommonly good. Throw in the fact, the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent has two doors and two vestibules, and the comfort, convenience, and practicality of this tent is through the roof. I can’t think of a bad thing to say about it.

There are only three minor comments I would make in contrast to my glowing experience with this tent:

1) The clip fly and pole system take some practice to figure out.

Nemo Equipment would be wise to include assembly diagrams on the tags of the tent. I spent the first four or five setups assembling the fly incorrectly which in turn gave me a sagging pitch.  This is why I included photos of how to assemble the clip system in this article. When the clip system is assembled correctly, the pitch is tight and well ventilated.

2) The vestibules are not huge, there is room for a pair of boots, trek pole handles and most of a 45 + liter pack.

I would not count on the vestibule to completely cover my pack and have room to stick my feet into the vestibule and put on my boots outside the tent. On the other hand, any vestibule beats not having one at all. In high precipitation conditions, I recommend wrapping packs in a plastic recycling bags anyway. The Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent has two vestibules and the overall size of the vestibule is a non-issue. Other users might like to know the actual vestibule size.

"<yoastmark

3) Some users may find the  Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent a bit short.

I’m five-foot-one, any tent I crawl into is long enough for me. I loaned the Nemo Equipment Blaze to a six-foot-tall friend for a weekend to get his impression. He found the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent had just enough length for his frame. For anyone taller than six-feet-tall, this would be a one man tent in his opinion. I would say, two people under five-foot-ten will be more than comfortable. Nemo Equipment Blaze Tent’s floor space and headroom will be satisfactory for anyone up to six-feet. I would love to see Nemo Equipment design an extra large version of this tent to cater to the tall ultralighters out there.

Concluding Statement

The Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent has proved to be a worthwhile investment. The unusual and technical design is intuitive and feature-rich for its sub-two-pound weight. If I were to select a tent for another season of adventure again, I would pick the Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent without a single reservation. The Nemo Equipment Blaze 2p Tent is storm worthy, light, insect proof and comfortable.

Keeping mice, sand fleas and rain out in a coastal rainforest is not an easy task. The well designed Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent exceeded the expectations I made on it. Pictured at Thrashers Cove, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Keeping mice, sand fleas and rain out in a coastal rainforest is not an easy task. The well designed Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent exceeded the expectations I made on it. Pictured at Thrashers Cove, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Where to Buy the Nemo Blaze 2P

Where to Buy Nemo Losi 2P Pawprint

Seller
Price ▲
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Bentgate.com
$49.95
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evo
$429.95
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Moosejaw
$699.95
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Related Tents

The Nemo Blaze 2P is one of several tents that have recently been introduced to the ultralight market that focus on lighter fabrics, fewer (and thinner) poles, and perhaps a semi-freestanding (instead of a truly freestanding) design that requires a stake or two to maximize floor space. Like the Nemo Blaze 2P, the following tents offer interior space that isn’t occupied by vertical poles (as in pyramid-style tents). The NEMO Hornet 2P and MSR FreeLite 2 offer double doors and double vestibules, while the Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum is front-entry:

NEMO Hornet 2P Footprint
Weight: 2 lb 0 oz
Price: $49.95
Learn More »

One of the lightest 2-person double wall tents available that still offers 2 doors and 2 vestibules.

MSR FreeLite 1 Tent
Weight: 2 lb 0 oz
Price: $389.95 $291.93 (25% OFF)
Learn More »

A somewhat shorter height, combined with very good stability, makes the FreeLite 2 more stormworthy than some ultralight double wall tents that skimp on pole structure.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV 2 Platinum Tent
Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
Price: $549.95
Learn More »

Astonishingly light, front-entry, with a generous vestibule and reasonable headroom.

Disclosure: some of the links above may be affiliate links, which means if you place an order at one of these retailers, we receive a small commission on this sale. This helps support Backpacking Light, thank you!

Disclosure

Product(s) discussed in this review were either acquired by Backpacking Light from a retailer or otherwise provided by the manufacturer at a discount/donation with no obligation to provide media coverage or a product review to the manufacturer(s). Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for guaranteed media placement or product review coverage without clearly denoting such coverage as an “ADVERTISEMENT” or “SPONSORED CONTENT.”

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Comments

Home › Forums › Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent Review

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  • Jul 18, 2017 at 10:08 am #3479461
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Companion forum thread to: Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent Review

    This Nemo Equipment Blaze 2P Tent review features a product comparison and photo spread of the sub two pound five ounce tent dome style.

    Jul 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm #3479501
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    The fly comes up higher on some of these Nemo tents than on some Big Agnes tents is what I notice. Possibly better ventilation at the possible expense of some stormworthiness.

    Jul 18, 2017 at 1:36 pm #3479503
    robert v
    BPL Member

    @mtnbob123

    Locale: Bristol Bay Alaska

    Loved your review of the Blaze, but was wondering about your info on the LightHeartGear Duo. You listed it as costing $400. It is only $315. Even if you pay them to seam seal the tent(recommended), it is still only $350. It will also fit 2 people over 6’5″ with ease, even on 77″x 25″x 3″ thick pads. Just wanted to mention this. Thanks for your review!! Robert V

    Jul 18, 2017 at 1:55 pm #3479509
    Michael P
    Spectator

    @pgmike

    You listed the MLD Duomid with innernet as $330, but its $265 duomid + %185 innernet = $450 total for the basic setup.

    Jul 18, 2017 at 2:45 pm #3479524
    Henry S
    BPL Member

    @07100

    “7D PeU Nylon Ripstop (1200mm)”

    Buyer beware.

    Full disclosure:  I make gear and I would be embarrassed to offer anything with fabric like that.

    -H

    Jul 18, 2017 at 5:38 pm #3479562
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Nicely designed tent of moderate weight for an “almost” double wall tent. (The fly is a bit short in some areas.) Clever pole design, decent vestibule and fairly aerodynamic shape. Still, I’d recommend sewing loops of grosgrain tape at mid points on the fly hems to anchor it against noisy and destructive flapping on very windy nights.

    As for the lighter mid-style tents mentioned here, I am not a believer in tents with poles obstructing the interior. So their lower weight is obtained with some sacrifice – IMHO. Mid tents and frameless packs always demand some sacrifice, usually of comfort. But they both show the wide diversity of the backpacking community. We all have our pet types of shelters, packs, stoves, etc.

     

     

    Jul 18, 2017 at 6:09 pm #3479568
    Bob Moulder
    BPL Member

    @bobmny10562

    Locale: Westchester County, NY

    Mids can be pitched in the inverted V config that does not obstruct the interior.

    In fact that’s the only way I pitch mine. I tried a single pole and didn’t like it one single bit.  :^/

    Jul 18, 2017 at 9:20 pm #3479602
    Kathy A Handyside
    BPL Member

    @earlymusicus

    Locale: Southeastern Michigan

    Interesting tent, but pricey. However, you get what you pay for. I wish the major manufacturers would make 1P tents with two doors (which is why I’ve been considering Henry Shires’ Moment DW). Having only one door is claustrophic for me. Since all my trips are solo, I really don’t need more than a 1P tent. But, still, a 2P tent weighing around two pounds is impressive.

    Jul 18, 2017 at 10:11 pm #3479609
    ENOTTY
    BPL Member

    @enotty

    Thanks for the review! The Nemo website seems to say it uses a 10D fabric for the vestibule and fly and 15D for the floor?

    Jul 18, 2017 at 10:20 pm #3479611
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    Those specs are here,

    http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?p=Hornet%20Elite%202P

    Jul 18, 2017 at 10:57 pm #3479619
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    I’m sorry but I don’t buy the “Highly Recommended” award on this and I think doing so discounts the award given to others.

    Good review and all, but I think BPL missed something-     If you use fabric that is so fragile that you have to make an additional footprint to make up for it; it is no longer is a 2 lb. tent, it is a 3 lb. tent!  I could make a tent floor out of thin toilet paper, making it weigh very little, but I would have to add something else to protect it, what have I gained?  Throw the stated weight out the window, add the additional footprint, do the review again and see if it gets “Highly Recommended”.  I seriously doubt it.

    I don’t use any additional footprints with any of my tents and they don’t weigh much more than the Nemo.  Plus they fit my 6’1″ frame.  Any Nemo I’ve tried doesn’t  and I’m not what I consider tall.

    Jul 19, 2017 at 1:08 pm #3479724
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Hi all!

    Ok so for John S: I don’t notice the tent has any issues being storm-worthy, albeit I’m pretty particular about tent placement. That odd diamond shape seems to be extremely aerodynamic. That said, I didn’t get any snow which can be a nasty game changer. I did see a fair few high winds (New Zealand, it never stops blowing there) and torrential down pours (Canadian West Coast, it rains a lot in September.) The Blaze 2p never had much issue with storm-worthy in those conditions. Then again, tent placement is kind of everything in those situations.

    For Robert V, Michael P, : Don’t forget, my assessment of tents is an all inclusive package (the same level of inclusion as the Nemo). That means seam sealing, pegs, zipper pulls and the vestibule support. Also prices were checked in 2016, when I wrote the article, before processing and editing. There may be some variation since then. FYI LightHeartGear is another manufacturer I would like to feature a review on but if I bought every review item on my list…. we’ll let’s just say I’d have the coolest backpacking gear in debtors prison. Oh and as to the Duomid, I think I selected the bug screen Innernet. Yet another of those wonderfully beautiful shelters I would love to try should I luck out on Craigslist or something. Customization is king with cottage gear, some price variation is to be expected dependent on what options are selected.

    For Henry S: I would say the fabric made me nervous at first and truly the floor still does (hence the Mylar tarp footprint) but having used it, I’m ok with the compromise to save massive space and weight. It’s a two man, two wall shelter I can easily solo with. I don’t think this is the right shelter for the careless or rough. I’m OCD careful with my gear and a heck of a hand at field repairs so I get by just fine. That said I haven’t had to do a single field repair in something like 45 days use. Knowing how you treat gear is a good determining factor for if this is the right kind of shelter or fabric for your use. Also see my response to ENOTTY, Nemo has beefed up the fabric and it hasn’t hurt the weight much.

    Eric: Kindred tent spirit! Nice summary! The tent I really love from Nemo they stopped making it was the Meta LE 2P. https://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Nemo-Meta-LE-2-Person-Tent_10303689_10208_10000001_-1_
    It was amazing! It combined the trek pole design with truly useable space. I’m on a tangent, but it was awesome, I’d trade the Blaze for one in a heartbeat.

    Kathy: also a fantastic tent I looked into, that whole cool gear but in the poorhouse thing stopped me again… as to the price point it’s pretty comparable with other gear manufacturers, they are all fairly pricy, it’s a big ticket item.

    ENOTTY: I have the 2016 specs saved (I have the 2016 model), the 2017 may vary slightly. (Canadian fire regulations banned Nemo Tents last year, they are now being marketed here again. I suspect they had to increase the fabric thickness to pass the standards but I’d have to double check with my contact at Nemo. Canada has weird fire standards for tents.) The product is likely to have improved with the change. Nemo is a very aggressive and progressive company that way. I just wish they would start designing quilts, I’d be all over that! I have one of their bags for Canadian Winter camping…. amazing and so pretty (yes occasionally I notice esthetics too.) Just a bit bulky and slightly heavy for most of my applications.

    I’ve used the tent several more months since the review was written: I still have had no rips or tears. It still routinely makes it onto my gear list (and my travel list, fits beautifully in a suitcase.) If there are more inquiring minds, ask away, I’ll gladly do my best to answer based on my experience with the Blaze 2P.

     

    Jul 19, 2017 at 1:23 pm #3479730
    John
    BPL Member

    @johnnyh88

    Locale: The SouthWest

    Did the tent fly stretch much when wet?

    Did you see any hail?

    It’s good to see some experience with tents using the light fabrics. There are not many detailed user reviews out there.

    Jul 19, 2017 at 1:44 pm #3479738
    James Marco
    BPL Member

    @jamesdmarco

    Locale: Finger Lakes

    Only the weight was a show stopper for me.

    Jul 19, 2017 at 1:56 pm #3479740
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    For Tad: I wouldn’t say you have to have a footprint nor one made of Mylar tarp like mine for sure. I’m also pairing with an air mat, which is a big part of it. Plus the tarp was convenient and free! I like free! I prefer a footprint even with heavier fabrics because the floor lasts longer in general. I set up in the Canadian Rockies and can count on one hand the amount of times I’m not setting up on gravel, it’s hard on tent floors. My Mylar tarp is rather multipurpose (I use it as a picnic blanket and it makes a decent split.) I don’t mind the weight though I’m likely to build something lighter when I have time and ambition. Even with the tarp my base weight sits around 9-11 lbs well into shoulder season, still very light. Per person, with the tarp, tent, poles and pegs, the shelter is less than a pound and a half a person. Don’t forget it’s a two man piece. Now for someone 6′ it’s completely usable, I did share it with people 6′ and it was fine, not super roomie, adequately sized. It becomes an issue when you are, say 6’4 if you are looking for roomie. I think it could be used for taller people just don’t expect it to be massively roomie. Some of the massively tall readers out there will have to tell me if there is such a thing as a massively roomie backpacking tent and what kind of square footage that is.

    For John: it stretches a bit, not badly though and it shrinks back afterwards. I saw minor hail once and it was a non issue. But that’s again tent placement to some extent. I think as light fabrics go this was a limit pusher, it works but it certainly seems precariously balanced on the limit. It worked for me and still does, which is really all I can say on the fabric choice. I didn’t pick it, I just tested it and I’m not complaining yet. If I get tennis ball sized hail like happens in Alberta occasionally, I might be but I’m not sure any fabric would save me then.
     

    Jul 19, 2017 at 2:58 pm #3479748
    robert v
    BPL Member

    @mtnbob123

    Locale: Bristol Bay Alaska

    Emylene,

    Thank you for the response! I’m curious about the usable length of the tent, It shows 85″ but it is very sloped at the ends. I think that with a 2″ or 3″ thick sleeping pad this tent would only fit someone 5′ 8″ or less. What type of pad do you test with, and what is your expectation of fit with a 2 or 3″ sleeping pad?

    Thanks

    Robert V

    Jul 19, 2017 at 3:23 pm #3479753
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Robert: Excellent question, with an Exped 7 (7cm / 2.7in) which is what I sleep on and my 6′ tall friend used as well, its still quite usable. (Not extra roomie, but perfectly useable.)

    Now, where this can get subjective is:

    Did you guy out the sides?

    (because you can and it will make more room.) I have never actually guyed out the sides in actual use (I’m lazy like that), even in high winds, which says something to the storm worthiness. I did give guying them out a test once and it did give more room inside, but I’m tiny and don’t really need to do it for my comfort or for storm worthiness thus far.

    How well did you pitch the tent?

    The diagonal single air pole, which give this tent the unique aerodynamic design and cuts weight, also impacts the pitch. Meaning the pitch is not completely idiot proof (almost and is certainly easier than a tarp however…) Sometimes, I get this tent tightly pitched and it has more room and sometimes I get the air pole corners a little off. There is a bit of technical practice (and decent pegging conditions) required to get it perfect every time.

    Jul 19, 2017 at 7:04 pm #3479804
    ENOTTY
    BPL Member

    @enotty

    I tried out the other Nemo ~2 pound 2-person tent and found that when in the tent with my friend (both of us under 6′), it was very very cozy in terms of width. Height wasn’t a problem. Was this tent wide enough for two people?

    Jul 19, 2017 at 7:24 pm #3479810
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    ENOTTY: another excellent question. Two twenty inch mats will fit cleanly side by side. (Two Exped 7’s to be precise) there was a bit of room (like a couple inches) on either side for some small personal items. Wider than that would be cozy for sure. I did take a picture but it really didn’t show anything visually discriptive. I might try again with a fisheye lens at a later time.

    Generally speaking, I refuse to hike with, let alone share a tent with anyone I don’t like enough to be very close to. Invariably, someone always seems to end up inside the others ‘bubble.’ One of my dear platonic girlfriends is a notorious ‘spooner’ when she sleeps. She normally spoons her dog at night, but in a pinch, I seem to do. I make fun of her in the morning and pretty much any other convenient time.

    In short, two fullbacks are going to feel cramped in a Blaze 2P. Which is why Nemo makes some much roomier versions as well.

    Jul 19, 2017 at 9:26 pm #3479837
    Monty Montana
    BPL Member

    @tarasbulba

    Locale: Rocky Mountains

    Thanks for the review Emylene!  You’ve convinced me that my next tent will be a Nemo, but not the Blaze, rather, the Hornet…basically the same tent but with a hubed pole set-up for a similar weight.  Also, REI doesn’t offer the blaze, and I like my dividend! I have a BA Fly Creek, which I use occasionally, but I find the front only entrance a big hassle. BA needs to wake up and redesign their Fly Creek line-up with side entrances.

    I’ve long enjoyed your reviews, your writing style and wit and with this one I’ve noticed the trolls have seemingly given up and moved on to other things.   I venture to say (in their mind) you’ve established you’re cred.  Keep it up!

    Happy trails!

    Jul 19, 2017 at 9:42 pm #3479843
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    Amen to side entrances, Monty! Nemo was one of the first manufacturers to offer the double vestibule, double door design. Best idea ever.

    This is the Backpacking Light forum, half the entertainment comes from poking fun at trolls ;-)

    Jul 20, 2017 at 3:46 pm #3480050
    Danny Milks
    BPL Member

    @dannymilks

    Locale: SF Bay Area

    Thanks for the review and it’s good to learn about this tent. I didn’t read about or see any photos of this tent being used in storms or high wind. Is it really storm worthy? I ask because the design is could have a flimsy structure that looks good but doesn’t perform well in a storm. And the 7d fabric? No way would I want that on a tent as it is way too fragile, and with 1200mm waterproofness, precip would pass through in hard rains. Would it survive a thru-hike? Has this really been tested enough to really be certain that it qualifies for BPL’s highest recommendation?

    Jul 20, 2017 at 6:33 pm #3480095
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    “Danny wrote:

    Thanks for the review and it’s good to learn about this tent. I didn’t read about or see any photos of this tent being used in storms or high wind. Is it really storm worthy? I ask because the design is could have a flimsy structure that looks good but doesn’t perform well in a storm. And the 7d fabric? No way would I want that on a tent as it is way too fragile, and with 1200mm waterproofness, precip would pass through in hard rains. Would it survive a thru-hike? Has this really been tested enough to really be certain that it qualifies for BPL’s highest recommendation?”

    Well Danny, I have found wind rather difficult to photograph….. Additionally, I don’t know about your camera but I usually avoid taking mine out in downpours on the coast. The $2000-3000.00 replacement cost is a bit hard to swallow. In fact, I usually try to stay inside my tent during said coastal rain storms because I hate getting my clothes wet in high humidity areas: they never dry.

    As to the durability, I’ve slept in the tent about 45 days at this point, zero issues. The major factor to gear durability is not what the tent is made of but the skill of the user to maintain the material it is made out of. Most backpackers do not start with ultralight gear, they learn on the heavy, cheaper stuff and upgrade from there.

    Choosing the right gear, for the right climate, for the right style of packing is an incredibly important skill to develop. (Here’s a whole article on that.)

    Ultralighting is a bad choice of hobby for gear abusers. Ultralighting is also incredibly difficult to do without a knack for choosing naturally sheltered tent sites.

    When I test gear for Backpacking Light, I assume my readers are a) gentle with gear (or independently wealthy and don’t mind replacing it from abusive gear practices.) b) reasonably skilled at choosing shelter locations.

    As to rain resistance, the tent has stood up quite well. It spent about 20 of 45 days on a coast somewhere in the world and did fine. It’s been up high alpine routes and alpine meadows and withstood 80-110 kilometer winds. Albeit I’m a decent hand at picking good locations to minimize weather impact. The other thing I would point out, is most gear manufacturers do not post their working rain resistance (Check out what you smart readers had to say on the topic here) 1200 – 1800 mm on a fly is generally where most tents sit at.(MSR posted this information about how this all works.) Almost every tent will wet out in certain storms and it sucks when (not if) it happens. If you aren’t prepared for a wet out in a tent (or a rain jacket), you may want to consider hosteling instead of backpacking as a hobby. Roofs are waterproof, tents are water resistant.

    To be clear, I didn’t pick the Blaze 2P to test, it’s what the Nemo sent in for testing. I worked with what it is, an ultralight two man tent and structured what should be the fair limitations of that type of shelter. After the fair test, I liked the product. It’s a good product with an intuitive design and it keeps ending up in my gear list long after the testing is done.

    As to the would I thru hike with it, I probably would give it a go. I really like the design (two doors, two vestibules, full bug net, removable fly, quick to dry) and the 7d is well reinforced in the stress points. I think Granny Gatewood did a thru hike or two with significantly less to work with.

     

     

    Jul 20, 2017 at 7:31 pm #3480108
    Emylene VanderVelden
    BPL Member

    @emylene-vandervelden

    That’s a valid point (couple of points) Ken, something gained and lost in jumping to ultralight first thing. Expensive start out, steep learning curve, on the flip side much better for the back!

    Part of my theory with the assumption is that our inexperienced readers want to learn. I usually make mention of the technical skill required to make the product work optimally both in the article and as questions come up in the forum. I haven’t found a better way but there might be. Not sure if that makes complete sense.

    Jul 21, 2017 at 3:19 pm #3480379
    Danny Milks
    BPL Member

    @dannymilks

    Locale: SF Bay Area

    Thanks all for posting. My comments still go through a moderation queue because I might cause a revolution.

    Emylene, Thanks for the reply. For a tent, 45 days is a more meaningful metric than 300 miles. Glad you haven’t experienced any issues with the tent. I really like the design innovation here, and appreciate your attention to detail.

    For reference, 1200mm HH is on the very low end for waterproofness, which means this Nemo is among the least waterproof tents on the market. Despite what MSR states, there are several ultralight shelter makers who use fabrics with 3000-5500mm HH, including TarpTent, Rab, Terra Nova, and Hilleberg.

    I wonder how many tents we’ll see with 7d fabric. People complain about how a MHW Ghost Whisperer rips too easily, and that’s a down jacket (less stress) with 7d/10d hybrid fabric (potentially slightly stronger). I’ll happily stick with my Double Rainbow, which weighs about the same but is longer and taller, uses a much more robust 30d fabric, is 60% the cost of the Nemo, and is made in the USA.

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