Review: K-Way Nerolite 3 Tent

So, you’re new to multi-day hiking and you’ve decided it’s time to invest in your own tent. You are completely overwhelmed with all the specs and everyone seems to have a different opinion. You visit your nearest hiking store and realize that a hiking tent is not cheap – sound familiar?

Well, I was in that exact position about two years ago. I needed to purchase a tent which would be suitable for my girlfriend and myself. After comprehensive research and limited funds, I decided to purchase the K-Way Nerolite 3. Here is my review of the tent…

Tech specs:

• Inner fabric: 190T breathable Nylon
• Reflective guy ropes: Yes
• Pole construction: Anodised aluminium
• Weight: 3.2kg (advertised as 2.9kg)
• Flysheet material: 210T ripstop nylon
• Water column: 2000mm PU coating on the flysheet and 5000mm on the ground sheet
• Season rating: 3 Season
• Zips: YKK
• Packaged length: 550mm
• Packaged width: 210mm
• Price (at time of writing): R2799

What’s in the bag?

Once unpacked, you will find:

• Colour coded, anodised aluminium tent poles
• Inner tent with built-in ground sheet
• Fly sheet
• Tent pegs
• Tent repair kit
• Water-repellent carry bag

The tent repair kit consists of glue, four different patches of material, bungee cord as well as a spare reflective paracord, which can be used as a replacement guy rope. Luckily, I have never had to use this kit. However, I would suggest purchasing a pole repair kit or, at least, adding some ferrules and tape to the bag.

Ease of pitching:

While no instruction guide is provided, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to erect the tent. Colour-coded poles make construction uncomplicated and K-Way utilise clips rather than sleeves to connect the inner tent to the poles, which makes for a quicker setup.

One person can pitch the tent effortlessly, taking no longer than 8min 45 seconds, including all tent pegs and guy ropes.

The sleeping quarters:

The Nerolite 3 is truly spacious inside and you could easily sleep three, average sized adults, side by side. From my personal experience, it is best suited for two, including all of your gear for a multi-day hike.

Personally, I prefer a bit more space while sleeping, as a good night’s rest makes the world of difference. Should you awake to the sound of torrential rain, the extra space provides you with the facility to move around and change freely.

For the storage of items such as your headlamp and toiletries, two mesh pockets are provided at the entrance of the tent. At the peak of the roof, inside the tent, there is a hook that can be used to hang a small light.

The vestibule:

This is my favourite aspect of the tent. The vestibule is large and can comfortably store a great amount of gear. With the ability to open to either side, it does not matter from what direction the wind is blowing.

As a reference, I am 1.86m tall, weighing over 115kg. Even with me sitting inside the vestibule, there is still enough room for me to cook in.

Overall construction:

Three guy ropes on either side of the tent do a good job of pulling the fly sheet away from the tent. Furthermore, should you desire to do so, Velcro is stitched onto the flysheet, which can be fastened onto the aluminium poles.

All stitch lines are double-stitched and seam sealed and all zips are covered by excess material.

Well thought-out anchor points, found at the widest point of the tent, do an excellent job in pulling the flysheet away from the inner tent and as a result, I have never experienced any condensation inside the tent.

The clips, which attach the flysheet to the inner tent, are of good quality, branded as UTX Flex Stealth. I love this system, as they are adjustable with straps, meaning that I can alter the volume of the flysheet as I see fit.

Ventilation is possible via a small opening on the vestibule. From personal experience, unless the tent inner door or No-See-Um netting is zipped open, ventilation via the aperture is not effective.

Personal experiences:

I have used this tent in multiple settings, whether it be camping, hiking or attending bike rallies. I have slept warm and snug during storms while other people return to their cars, as their tents have either broken or have been flooded.

Sure, it’s not the lightest, nor is it the best spec’d within the market, but the K-Way Nerolite 3 has proven itself time and again, earning its place as my preferred hiking tent for two.

The K-Way Nerolite 3 is available through Cape Union Mart.