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Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent

Head-to-head comparison: specs, scores and expert verdict

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent

Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent

★ 8.3 Backpacking
Sleeps 1 Seasons 3-season Weight 1.9 lbs Est. Price $420

Best for: Perfect for solo ultralight backpacking.

Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent

★ 8.2 Backpacking
Sleeps 1 Seasons 3-season Weight 1.7 lbs Est. Price $650

Best for: Ultralight solo adventures and bikepacking.

Our Take

Both are backpacking tents, so this is a direct apples-to-apples comparison.

Both score 8.3 overall, though the Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent wins more individual scoring categories.

The main tradeoff: the Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent leads on space and comfort despite trailing overall.

The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent also has a price edge — $229 less at $420 versus $649.

Your best pick will come down to personal priorities, so check the full specs comparison below.

🏆 Our pick: The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent scores higher overall.

Score Comparison

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent
Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent
Overall Score
8.3
8.2
Space & Comfort
6.5
7.5
Quality & Durability
8.5
8.0
Weather Resistance
8.0
8.5
Value for Money
8.0
7.5
Ease of Use
9.0
9.0
Intangibles
8.0
8.0

Pros & Cons

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent

  • Incredible lightweight sub-two-pound trail weight
  • Fast three-minute intuitive pole setup
  • Tear-resistant double-silicone rainfly construction
  • Thin floor needs a footprint
  • Opposite doors make entry cumbersome

Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent

  • Spacious 1.5-person design fits gear
  • Tough HyperBead fabric stays dry
  • Fast single-pole setup saves time
  • Low 40-inch peak height feels cramped
  • Non-freestanding design complicates sandy setups

Full Specs

SpecMountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 TentBig Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent
Tent Type Backpacking, Ultralight, Semi Freestanding Backpacking, Semi Freestanding
Capacity 1 person 1 person
Seasons 3 Season 3 Season
Est. Price $420 $650
Weight 1.9 Lbs 1.7 Lbs
Floor Area 19.7 ft² 22.0 ft²
Vestibule Area 3.9 Sq Ft 8 Sq Ft
Peak Height 38 40
Doors 1 1
Floor Dimensions 86 X 38/28 In 88 X 28/44/28 In
Pole Material DAC Featherlight NFL Aluminum Aluminum
Floor Fabric 40D Nylon Ripstop Ether Type Sil/PU 1500mm 100% Nylon Proprietary HyperBead Fabric Technology; Recycled 15 Denier Ripstop Nylon With 1,500 Mm Waterproof Rating
Rainfly Fabric 20 Denier Ripstop Nylon With 1,200 Mm Silicone/silicone Coating Proprietary HyperBead Fabric; 20 Denier Recycled Solution Dyed Polyester With 20 Denier High Tenacity Ripstop Fabric
Setup Time 3 Mins 5 10 Mins
Warranty Limited Lifetime Lifetime
Made In Imported Imported

Ready to Buy?

Mountain Hardwear

Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 1 Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes Pitchpine VST 1.5 Tent

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