Lovely site Neil, thanks! Makes me see even more toys to lust overš
But seriously, the specs on those tents are UP THERE!
The K-Way Nerolite 3 is a very lekker tent, good value for money and can handle some serious wind. The K-Way Kilimanjaro tent also looks solid.
I have no experience with their sleeping bags, so canāt comment.
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I have the Kway Nerolite 2 and the Kway Kilimanjaro (2011 edition) and both are solid tents. My Kilimanjaro is starting to lose its water resistance though, after 8 years, but it has handled super rough storms in the open mountains and we slept dry without any worries, I can also say the same for the nerolite 2 (as it was in the same storm).
My only two gripes with the tents are their weight and pack size, Kilimanjaro is 3.5kg and the Nerolite 2.5kg which isnāt too bad on the weight side but you have to get creative if you want to fit the tent inside your bag on a 5 day hike. Another thing about the k-way is that I havenāt really seen any innovation from them over the past few years regarding tents which makes me think that they arenāt that important to them.
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Agree, I think the weight/pack size thing is a particular issue with the K-Way tents, any time I pop into a cape union and have a look it always shocks me a bit. I wonder if the lack of progression is just a response to our market? Slack-packing, huts and car camping feels like it is in the majority with people I speak to. Where as the US and europe with all the long trails are pushing the weight down aggressively these days.
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Cheers Arno!
I have the 2 and 3 person Neroliteā¦the 3 still unusedā¦SIESA!!
I can say that I am quite impressed with the Nerolite 2 although I personally only used it in moderate conditions.
It strikes me as a great balance between shelter and weight/volume.
The Kilimanjaro is next on my list. The one I have seen on demo is HUGE!
Spec-wise it seems heavy but not as monstrous as the Base Campā¦
The Kilimanjaro is big. A friend and I shared it, slept with our packs in between us and were very comfortable. Itās much larger than the First Ascent Helio or the Nerolite 2. Iām taking the Helio out on its first trip in October month 
Neil, you specifically mention that you have a 2011 Kilimanjaro 2
Were there any serious changes over the years or is a Kilimanjaro 2 the same as any other one?
Does anyone have any experience with NEMO tents? Iām looking at investing in the NEMO Kunai 2P tent. Seems like a super versatile 4-season assault style tent at 1.8kg. Have done a fair bit of research but looking for some local hands on experience before I buy. TIA
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It looks great in terms of weight and I have only had a very quick look at dimensionsā¦
What I specifically think is inadequate is the water column numbersā¦1200mm on the flysheetā¦
Look, fair, everything is a trade-off in terms of weight, volume and performance.
My greatest reservation would be getting it intact and in good order from overseasā¦any local dealers or stockists?
I once bought a new K-Way tent and upon inspection in store I found it missed a zipā¦still donāt know what made me checkā¦
Had it been an international parcel that could have been an issueā¦
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Iām not sure about the Kunai specifically, but some of the Nemo tents have a very good reputation, particularly the Hornet series. Outdoorgearlab has some reviews.
Big Agnes Copper Spur mtnglo HVUL2ā¦lightweight and reliability. Free standing tent and you also have a fast pitch option that allows you to leave the tent body at home only carrying the ground & fly sheetmaking, poles and stakes making it even lighter , about 600 grams. Have been using mine for over a year now and have had it on a few adventures with no issues. Other than one of the DAC lite poles I snapped and got the replacement.
I have seen some changes to the Kilimanjaro. Some that I noticed was the snow skirts that were added and the material looks a lot better. Havenāt noticed anything else.
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Howzit guys, does any one have some updates on the First Ascent Helio?
I am in the market for a new tent for the berg in the next few months and hopefully grand traverse next year. Helio seems to tick all the boxes for the mrs and I. The lunar is nice but for R300 more you getting a very improved tentā¦I have also been eyeing out the Vango Banshee 200, although from what Iāve researched some say its size is a bit limiting, I have an aunt coming out from UK so can get it at roughly same price as Helio R2500 oddā¦
Not a huuuge fan of kways tents, well none they have seem to compare to helio (value/money).
I am leaning on the Helio, local is lekker! Does any one have some updated informationā¦some good/bad observations on the Helio, or maybe another tent I have missed?
Thanks in advanceā¦
Hey @Naartjie, I should have a review out for the Helio in the next month or two, but in the meantime, hereās my current opinion of the Helio and comparison with the Lunar:
The Helioās main design focus is high strength and low weight, and it shines in both those categories. It can handle extreme weather with very strong wind and it doesnāt weigh a ton. That being said it is not a very ālivableā tent. Getting in and out is awkward and the low roof combined with the steep angles of the roof make it quite cramped when sitting up.
The Lunar can also handle extreme conditions, but is heavier than the Helio. However, the dual entrances, roomy vestibules and higher roof make for a much nicer āhomeā.
If youāre aiming for some hardcore storms, go for the Helio. If you like hanging around in your tent, go for the Lunar. Both are great tents, but I think the Lunar is a better all-rounder.
Hope that helps 
Thanks Arno,
Unfortunately there isnāt an ultimate tent. Pros and cons. And yes a small tent is fine and weāll when the weather is playing ballā¦
Another tent Iāve looked at is the naturehike mongar2, I read the review on this site and itās seems like a win (especially as itās based on a known top rated tent MSR Hubba).
Does anyone stock naturehike as I would prefer to see and feel and analyse the tent in person prior to purchase? What is your opinion on the tent? As mentioned looking for use on the drakensberg escarpment, not for winter use but this last weekend there was snow so would hope it could punch above its weight like the lunar?
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Yip ā¦ I agree. Iāve got a Helio, used it a couple of times (mostly in the Cederberg). Itās not a ācomfortableā tent ā¦ bit awkward and cramped, and has a very small vestibule (not much good for putting a backpack in). However, it handles inclement weather very well ā¦ never have had an issue its ability to handle bad weather.
Just completed a 7 day hike carrying the Helio solo. (Rim of Africa Stage 3). I agree with the others above, my summary is that the Helio is burly yet very basic. I carried it alone, no problems. Could fit the whole tent in my backpack sleeping bag compartment plus groundsheet and rain gear. I am 1.84m in height and could live inside the tent very comfortably. The construction is rock solid, materials are polyester (does not āsagā like nylon when wet and appear like 10 times thicker than Naturehike and MSR) . The Y points of the poles do not look as burly as MSR, but only time will tell if they hold up.
What i like about the tent is the amount of guylines and structure - tension is spread nice and evenly when pitched properly. Quite warm inside the tent which is good for low temps (apparently Naturehike Mongar / MSR is a bit ābreezyā inside) . Pegs are bomber and included in the base weight. Very easy to pitch alone.
What i dislike is the size / room - you will have to share it with a partner, not a friend. Not really enough space for 2 packs in vestibule. And there is a chance of the sides wetting through in bad weather if 2 people lie side by side (due to narrowness). Although proper guyline use might negate this point. Another slight annoyance is that, if you keep the vestibule door open during a rain storm, rain will fall on the flysheet door and wet the front end of the tent. Good leopard-crawling technique is necessary.
I compared it visually to the FA Lunar and it seems a lot stronger. Lunar has limited guylines on weird places. Also compared visually to Naturehike and MSR, pretty sure it would hold a candle against them in bad weather.
Other observations after my hike is that I see little difference in perceived strength between Naturehike and MSR. The Naturehike tents seemed to pitch as taught as MSR (ie no uneven pulling on fabric which shows weak distribution of force). This is based on visuals as we didnt get any real bad weather on the trip. I was particularly enamored with the Naturehike VIK, the external pole structure means you can rig DIY guylines at your heartās content.
A good alternative to the Helio would be Vango Helvellyn 200. Better design for unpredictable winds, Scottish burlyness, also strong polyester, much bigger vestibule, pitches outer first. Only reason i rather got the Helio was small pack size, easier to pitch alone, 300g lighter and cheaper price
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Thank you @Gerrienel !! Just the type of response I was hoping for!
I was extremely close to getting the helio, obviously its prime for what it is designed for but seen as I will 95% of the time be sharing with the Mrs (plus our 65/75L packs), space is a bit of an issueā¦
I like the head space of Naturehike Mongar, especially the fact that you can buy the vestibule extension Mongar Vestibule Extension ā Naturehike Africa (640g extra) making a total weight of Ā±2.7kgs between the 2 of us!.. but the warmth of the inner is a little worrying especially in high winds and if the drakensberg weather turns rapidly which it tends to doā¦fortunately we have inter-zipping ice breakers +silk liners which will hopefully alleviate that problem?
Iāve looked into the Helvellyn and like how robust it is in high winds. Although it would be the same weight as mongar plus its extension (2.8kgs)? There is also a Vango Scafell 200 + https://www.vango.co.uk/gb/tents/1073-scafell-200.html although the tube design is something I am not familiar with? Iāve always known that the more pole crossings the better!
Is there any other tent (2 people max 3kgs for use on drakensberg) you would recommend looking at?
Unfortunately much like hiking in boots vs shoes, in the end its all just a personal preferenceā¦
Hi @Naartjie, i am by no means a specialist on tents or on the Drakensberg and its whims.
That said, I would say also look at the Vango Mirage Pro 200, its a redesigned version of the old Mirage (now Helvellyn) which really seems to move into ātrue 4 seasonā territory. Slight change in materials (stronger) and poles (stronger/lighter). The tent design itself is also a tad different - have a look at the floor plans for the two models. It is a bit heavier and more expensive though.
Regarding the Vango Scafell - tunnel tents have their pros and cons, but I wouldnt think they are the best option for South Africa if they are not waaay lighter (might still work in the Berg but may be an annoyance anywhere more rocky i.e. the Cape). I didnt find a Vango tunnel tent that justifies its shape with a low enough weight.
Naturehike Mongar is probably the nicest and most liveable tent, I looked deeply into it and a friend (Grant Christie) told me that he would use the Mongar in the Berg with no issues. And they come in a purple colour. Ventilation would likely be a bonus, with two people inside (4 season tents may get a bit clammy I would think). Its just that 5% of times that I tend to overplan for, plus the issue of durability which could be negated by proper tent care.
The Naturehike would win hands down in terms of pack size and weight. Even the pack size of the Vango Helvellyn is quite behemoth with all the poles (this actually put me off the āstrongā Vango tents). Perhaps an excel spreadsheet would give you the answer!
Please take my advice with a pinch of salt, and post on vertical-eandeavour.com if you want Berg specific advice
Hi Folks,
Noob here looking to buy my first tent. I want to get into over-night hikes, gradually building up to something like the Appalachian trail (thatās the 3-year plan!).
So after much shop-hopping and Googling, I am starting to narrow down tent options.
I understand you get what you pay for, and at my budget, I wonāt get it all.
R2000-2500 budget.
Goals: 2-day hikes for now, building up to longer ones. Not much space as I will be rocking my good old K-Way Kilimanjaro backpack for now.
Area of use: Eastern Cape for now.
Hereās the list.
First Ascent Lunar - seen it in store. Seemed a bit flimsy (compared to the 360 Moonlight)
Price point is a plus at R2200.
First Ascent Helio - packs nice and small, havenāt seen one pitched though. Weight is less than the Lunar. Price R300 more.
Naturehike - Cloud Up 2. Seems solid, but the most expensive at R2800.
Decathlon Ultralight Hiker - Seems well-specced. Price a little high at R2600
Decathlon Quick Hiker 2 - heaviest of the lot at 2.7kg, but cheapest at R1600.
I tend to over-think thingsā¦ so your input would be appreciated!
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