For people who want to take out their whole families to a nice camping location there are few choices when it comes to a decent tent that will fit everybody in a comfortable manner. Really, not more than a few tents out there are capable of handling 8 people are the same time in a way similar to that of the NEMO Wagontop. Outdoor weekends have never been more fun with this tent and the endless capabilities of it combined with the cool features it packs are more than enough reason to get your hands on it.
Before we move on with all the features of this tent, make sure you check out our full Buyer’s Guide on what we consider to be the best 5 tents to get for this camping season.
Our Verdict: This spacious eight-person tent allows you to stand up and freely move around with ease, even when the tent is full to capacity. Its charming porch is perfect for those hot summer nights when you want to enjoy your surroundings without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. It also comes equipped with room dividers for more privacy and offers adequate space for storage. This tent is recommended for late spring and summer camping. Because it’s not well-insulated this isn’t a tent you would want to take camping in colder weather.
Keep reading to learn more about this best-selling model by NEMO.
Product Overview And Features
This NEMO tent is a little on the pricey side, but it boasts plenty of storage space, privacy, functionality, and includes a porch that you can use to protect yourself from insects and wildlife, while still admiring all that nature has to offer.
In terms of storage space this tent rates better than average, allowing up to eight people to easily store plenty of gear and camping supplies. The tent also comes equipped with room dividers, which will come in handy if you’re camping out with the kids or a group of friends.
What makes this tent truly stand out is its overall functionality. Compared to tents like the Hui LingYang Outdoor Instant Tent it is a clear winner in every sense of the word.
Functionality
The NEMO Wagontop comes in a compact zipper carry bag. Usually tents fit such bags only once (the first time) and after that you need to make some adjustments to either one of the two elements to make it work. Apart from the bag’s zipper, there are plastic clips which can be tightened up to make the packaging even more compact.
The tent itself has a unique pole configuration consisted of three poles. Once set up, the tent can easily fit a standing person of over 6 feet. Not only is it tall, but the tent is roomy enough for at least 4-5 people to stand in there comfortably. Now, when it comes to its full capacity – 8 people, it can really feel cramped up, depending on the size of those people.
This tent features an extra area, the so-called “porch”. It is a miracle in disguise in the buggy summer camping season. It is great in size and can be either used as a porch or an extra living space if you have to take more people in. There are four large windows on all four walls of the tent which make for a truly great cross-ventilation system both during the day and during nighttime when everyone is sleeping in their cots or bags.
Even if the tent is entirely closed during night, it still stays relatively dry in the mornings, as opposed to other tents that have quite the moisture build-up.
Interior Characteristics
Apart from being extremely spacious and high (6.5ft.), the interior also features a set of dividers which allow for more private space. Still, you can tie them all back if you want more open spaced interior.
As we mentioned there is a screened-in front porch which has many purposes. In rainy weather we found it particularly useful as a transition zone for us to change into our dry clothes and not bring any water or mud inside the tent. This handy little mud room can also function as the perfect space to watch the sun rise and set, without having to deal with insects or wildlife. In rainy conditions it will help keep the interior nice and dry, but it can also be used as a quiet spot to drink your morning coffee or relax after a long day of hiking.
The windows (when opened) create a very light interior space and allow for a lot of air to come in. These mesh windows can zip up nice and tight and come equipped with covers you can pull down for more privacy or for protection against the rain. The mesh will prevent insects from getting inside your tent and it also allows the air to circulate, preventing condensation buildup.
On the inside of the tent there are multiple vestibules, pockets, and loops for your bags and other gear items. If you’re camping with five or more people, these storage spaces will come in handy, allowing you to keep your gear accessible and neatly organized.
Weather Resistance
In terms of weather resistance this tent isn’t the best, but it does all right against those spring and summer showers. We can’t say the same thing about extreme colds, though. It isn’t well insulated and even though moisture doesn’t build-up easily inside, it tends to leak in very wet conditions. If you want to find out more about waterproofing your tent and keeping water out in general, head over to our dedicated article on the topic.
The wall is advertised as rain chamber-developed but it still is a single wall construction and having a rainfly on top of your tent will never hurt you, trust us. Getting a nice tarp for beneath the tent will be a nice insurance addition to your camping gear too.
Setting It Up
One of the biggest complaints campers have involves setting up camp, especially the tent. An eight-person tent can be a nightmare to set up and it often takes at least an hour to accomplish.
Fortunately, NEMO has got you covered.
We have to admit that for such a big tent it is really easy to set up and this model rightfully falls into the top 5 instant tents. There are only two hubbed poles which makes the setup process both fast and easy. Those poles are also interchangeable so it doesn’t matter which one you use first. The single wall structure we mentioned also facilitates everything when it comes to raising the tent.
Where this Tent Excels
An all-season tent offers plenty of ventilation and insulation, so you’ll stay nice and dry during cold rainy weather, and cool during hot weather. Many campers who love camping out year-round opt for all-season tents because they’re so versatile.
We wouldn’t call this an all-season tent by any means. The inside of the tent doesn’t feature the type of insulation you’d need during the colder season. Instead, the tent is best used during the late spring and summer months. It can handle rainy conditions and moderate wind rather well, but in intense weather the tent simply doesn’t have what it takes to keep you comfortable. The highly ventilated interior is a must during hot weather, but it can quickly become your downfall if you’re stuck in forty degree weather.
Additionally, the tent is rated as water resistant, not waterproof. This means it can handle light rainfall but will start to leak during a serious downpour.
Now, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of this family tent:
Advantages
- Relatively cheap for its features and size
- Good looking
- Very spacious
- Great ventilation properties
- Very easy to set up
- Can fit a lot of people without too many issues
- Has a porch area which can serve a multitude of purposes
- Includes a stuff sack, guy-lines, stakes, and even a repair kit
Disadvantages
- Isn’t the best for extreme weather such as extreme colds or heavy winds
- It is nicely water resistant but not entirely waterproof
Final Words On The NEMO Wagontop 8-Person Tent
Camping Picks.com Product Rating:
NEMO did a great job of designing a large eight-person tent that’s perfect for taking on long camping and hiking trips in the backcoutnry during camping season. But if you’re someone who enjoys camping in the fall or winter, you’ll need to find a model that offers better insulation.
Honestly, there are a few tents that get the job done so nicely when it comes to camping in large groups of people. Yes, this isn’t the best all-season tent, nor is it nicely weatherproof but it still has tons of features to make up for all that and is one of the best tents for the summer camping season. If you want to have a great time with your wife, kids, and dogs this is the model to chose due to its versatility, ease of setting up, internal space and price. We gave this tent a four and a half out of five stars rating.
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