Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 Tent Review
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Floor dimensions
100 x 120 in. (83.3 sq. ft.)
Vestibule Area
23.6 + 23.6 sq. ft.
Peak height
77 in.
Weight
18 lb. 10 oz.
Packed Size
26.0 x 9.5 x 9.5 in.
Capacities
4P, 6P
Number of Pockets
8
Pros
Cons
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6P
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Camping Tents.
The Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 is a smartly designed take on the traditional dome tent. Its X-shaped pole structure is reinforced with two lengthwise poles that stretch out the sidewalls, creating a noticeably roomier interior. The result is a livable and versatile space well-suited for couples wanting extra room (say, to set up a camp table) or families of four looking for a comfortable multi-day basecamp.
With a peak height of 77 inches, the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 offers ample standing room for most campers, comparable to top competitors like REI’s Wonderland 6 (78 in.) and The North Face Wawona 6 (76 in.). Testers up to 6 feet tall had no issues standing fully upright in the center, and there’s sufficient headroom for setting up sleeping pads, changing clothes, or moving around comfortably. That said, the height tapers toward the ends of the tent—following the slope of the lengthwise poles—and drops to around 4 feet at the corners, making those areas better suited for sleeping or gear storage rather than upright movement.
The 120-by-100-inch floor provides enough space for six standard 20-inch pads arranged side by side. In testing, we fit a wide Exped MegaMat Duo (52 in. in width) plus two regular-width sleeping pads with room to spare for bags and a small changing area. It’s a generous footprint typical of a true six-person camping tent and works well for families or small groups.
Entry and exit are mostly straightforward thanks to two doors: a standout full-length, wide-mouth door on one side and a smaller D-shaped door on the other. The large door makes middle-of-the-night exits or early morning movement much easier without disturbing other campers, while the smaller door works well for vestibule access and gear storage. In practice, we found ourselves using the wide-mouth door almost exclusively. Overall, while it doesn’t quite match the walk-in palatial feel of tunnel-style camping tents like REI Co-op’s Wonderland 6, the Aurora Highrise still provides a bright, functional, and highly livable space for a range of campers.
Much like its interior layout, the Aurora Highrise 6’s storage options are solid—well-executed but not best-in-class. Starting with exterior storage, the tent features two vestibules that function similarly to those on a supersized backpacking tent. Each side of the rainfly has two stakeout points that create a small protected area, but without an additional pole to prop them up, the sloped design limits usable space. Still, we were able to store a pair of camp chairs and a stove under one vestibule, and stash shoes and a family of four’s daypacks under the other. If exterior storage is a high priority—say, for bikes or a spot to sit out rainstorms—The North Face’s Wawona 6, with its massive front vestibule/porch, is the better pick. But for most campers, the Aurora Highrise's vestibules are adequate.
Inside, the tent includes a total of eight pockets: three near the floor and five higher up along the walls and ceiling. The floor-level pockets sit beneath the doors and are handy for stashing nighttime essentials like shoes, phones, and keys. However, their placement isn’t ideal for campers sleeping in the center of the tent—we found ourselves wishing for a couple of additional pockets closer to the corners near the windows.
The five upper pockets are more thoughtfully placed. There are two near each window that are great for small gear or extra layers, and a central ceiling pocket specifically designed to hold and diffuse light from a headlamp—a clever and functional touch for illuminating the tent at night. All told, storage inside the Highrise is ample and well-distributed, even if a few extra pockets at sleeping height would help round things out.
Large, tall camping tents rarely excel in harsh weather, but the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 is a step above average. Its sturdy pole structure, nearly full-coverage rainfly, thick fabrics, and taped seams helped it perform well during testing. On a particularly stormy night in North Carolina’s Outer Banks—with wind gusts and sideways rain—the tent remained completely leak-free. The included guylines did a good job reinforcing the structure, and the rainfly extends close enough to the ground to block most splashing water from entering at the base.
The tent features mesh windows at both ends, which can be closed from the inside using toggles and loops. These windows, combined with the mesh-heavy tent body, help maintain good airflow and prevent overheating—especially when not fully exposed to direct sunlight. Nemo added short awnings over the windows to reduce rain intrusion from above, which worked well in most conditions. However, because the rainfly doesn't reach all the way to the ground, the lower portion of the tent body remains exposed. After a rainy night in North Idaho, for instance, the outer walls were caked with mud, and the inside of the tent was damp to the touch—though to be clear, there was no active leaking.
One final nitpick: the window awnings can't be fully tensioned, even when the tent is guyed out properly. This leads to some flapping in the wind. While it’s normal for tents to make noise in stormy conditions, the flapping was noticeable enough to be a mild annoyance during windy nights. Still, for a six-person car camping tent, the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 strikes a respectable balance of airflow, moisture protection, and structural integrity.
Nemo has built a strong reputation for premium materials and craftsmanship, and the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 lives up to that standard. The tent has a sturdy, professional-grade feel throughout: The aluminum poles are thick and confidence-inspiring, all of the zippers glide smoothly without snagging, and the floor is made with robust 150-denier polyester that stands up well to abrasion. One fun and functional touch is the printed floor pattern, which brightens up the interior and has been a hit with kids. The only downside is that the decorative print can make it harder to spot small items compared with a solid-colored floor.
As with any camping tent featuring a lot of mesh, you’ll want to take care during setup and takedown to avoid snags or punctures. But overall, the build quality inspires trust for season after season of use. Considering its $500 price point, that level of durability and attention to detail is exactly what we’d expect—and all signs point to the Aurora Highrise lasting a long time.
Despite its generous footprint and comfort-focused design, the Nemo Aurora Highrise is intuitive to pitch. The setup involves four poles in total—two long poles that form the X-shaped frame and two shorter poles that run lengthwise to stretch out the walls. The only parts that require a little extra thought are aligning the rainfly (just match the color-coded corners: blue or yellow) and using a bit of strength to stretch the fly over the awnings. Setup takes about 10 minutes at a relaxed pace and is manageable solo, though, like most tall camping tents, having a second set of hands is helpful for lifting the poles and positioning the rainfly.
It’s not as fast as a true “instant” tent like the Gazelle T4 Hub, but unless you’re prioritizing ultra-quick setup—such as for multi-day overlanding—the Aurora’s process is more than reasonable. Takedown is equally straightforward, and we love that Nemo includes a top-loading zippered storage bag. The duffel-style sack is roomy enough to accommodate the tent without requiring perfect packing, and the grab handle and dual straps make it easy to carry from the car to your site.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Solution-Dyed Materials
Solution dyeing adds pigment to synthetic fibers during production rather than afterward, reducing water use, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and chemical waste, while also creating fabrics that resist fading better over time. A green check mark indicates a product features a substantial amount of solution-dyed materials, a yellow check mark indicates moderate or limited use of solution-dyed fabrics, and a red X indicates there are no solution-dyed materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
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Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
REI Co-op Wonderland 6 ($499): Raise the Roof
If you want a tent that feels more like a portable cabin than a traditional camping shelter, the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 is an easy winner. Its tunnel-like design and near-vertical walls maximize headroom, making it one of the most spacious tents in its class—it’s so big you can even create two separate rooms using the included divider. But that airy design comes at a cost: weather protection. The Aurora Highrise’s rainfly and towering awnings offer far better coverage in wind and heavy rain, while the Wonderland’s scalloped fly leaves parts of the tent exposed to moisture (plus, the lack of vestibule space limits storage). At $499, the Wonderland is tough to beat for comfort, but if you camp in unpredictable conditions, the Aurora Highrise’s sturdier build makes it the better bet. For more, read our Wonderland 4 review.
The North Face Wawona 6 ($550): That #FrontPorchLife
Like the Aurora Highrise, The North Face Wawona 6 is a dome-style tent with excellent headroom, thanks to crisscrossing poles and smart geometry. But where it really shines is storage and livability. The huge front vestibule is a game-changer—it’s basically a covered porch for your campsite, perfect for stashing gear, setting up a camp kitchen, or just hanging out in bad weather. However, the Wawona’s partial fly means less rain protection overall, and you’ll have to step outside to open and close the windows—a hassle when the weather turns. At $550, the Wawona 6 is ideal for campers who want extra storage and lounging space, but the Aurora Highrise is the more storm-ready all-rounder. For more, check out our review of the Wawona 6.
One of the top all-rounders, the Aurora Highrise hits the sweet spot for campers looking for a spacious yet easy-to-manage tent. We’d prefer more vestibule space, and the patterned floor won’t be for everyone (our team was mixed), but the Highrise is well-made, family-friendly, and reliable.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
For campers who want a tent that feels like a home, the REI Co-op Wonderland 6 delivers with massive interior space, great ventilation, and a smart layout for families and groups. The lack of a full-coverage rainfly, however, is a huge miss considering its premium price.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
The North Face Wawona combines near-vertical walls, a massive vestibule, and premium materials for one of the most spacious and livable car camping tents out there. It’s big, burly, and built to last, though its tall profile and heft weight make setup best with two people.
Space & Livability
Storage
Weather Protection
Durability & Quality
Ease of Use
Sustainability
Is the Aurora Highrise 6 for You?
The Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 is a great match for campers who want a comfortable, spacious shelter that packs premium materials and a straightforward setup. Its tall ceiling, upright sidewalls, and huge circular door make it easy to move around, and it’s well-suited for families, groups of two to four adults, or anyone who likes to spread out a bit. That said, the tapered ends limit standing room to the middle of the tent, and the partial-coverage rainfly means it’s not ideal for extended storms. But if you want a camping tent that feels bright, breathable, and refined, the Aurora Highrise is a strong contender.
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