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NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent

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

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent

NEMO

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent

★ 8.0 Dome
Sleeps 2 Seasons 3-season Weight 15 lbs 14 oz Est. Price $400

Best for: Spacious family car camping trips.

Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent

★ 8.0 Backpacking
Sleeps 2 Seasons 3-season Weight 4.9 lbs Est. Price $350

Best for: Affordable three-season backcountry backpacking

Our Take

Worth flagging before you compare: the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent is a dome and the Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent is a backpacking, so these two sit in different shelter categories.

The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent is noticeably taller inside (6'3" peak height versus 3'8"), giving you more headroom to move around.

Floor space is also wider — 63 sq ft versus 39 sq ft for the Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent.

The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent and the Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent are remarkably well-matched, both scoring 8.0 overall.

The biggest gap is space and comfort, where the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent holds a clear advantage.

The Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent also has a price edge — $50 less at $349 versus $399.

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

Still deciding between these two?

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Score Comparison

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent
Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent
Overall Score
8.0
8.0
Space & Comfort
9.0
7.5
Quality & Durability
8.0
8.0
Weather Resistance
8.0
8.0
Value for Money
7.0
7.5
Ease of Use
7.0
8.0
Intangibles
8.0
7.0

Pros & Cons

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent

  • Vertical walls create massive volume
  • Huge mesh windows maximize airflow
  • Intuitive color-coding simplifies the setup
  • Rainfly lacks full side coverage
  • Weak stakes need immediate replacement

Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent

  • Great technical value for backpackers
  • Color-coded poles make setup simple
  • DAC hubs create roomy interior
  • Extremely cramped for three people
  • Poor ventilation causes wet walls

Full Specs

SpecNEMO Aurora Highrise 4P TentBig Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent
Tent Type Dome Backpacking, Dome
Capacity 2 people 2 people
Seasons 3 Season 3 Season
Est. Price $400 $350
Weight 15 Lbs 14 Oz 4.9 Lbs
Min Trail Weight 4 Lb 5 Oz
Floor Area 62.5 ft² 39.0 ft²
Vestibule Area 19.5 + 19.5 Sq Ft 11 Sq Ft
Peak Height 75 44
Doors 2 1
Floor Dimensions 90 X 100 In 88 X 66 In
Pole Material Aluminum Aluminum
Floor Fabric 150D PU Polyester (1500 Mm) Recycled 75D Polyester Taffeta
Rainfly Fabric 68D PU Polyester (1200 Mm) Recycled 75D Polyester Taffeta With 1500mm Waterproof Polyurethane Coating And PFAS Free Water Repellent Finish
Packed Size 16.5 X 53cm
Setup Time 15 Mins 10 Mins
Warranty Lifetime Limited Lifetime
Made In Imported Imported

Ready to Buy?

NEMO

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P Tent

Big Agnes

Big Agnes C Bar 3 Backpacking Tent

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