I have now used the Black Diamond Hilight tent for almost 10 years. The brand new blue model is similar but uses more waterproof fabric, doesn't need to be seam sealed, has a draft tube at the top of the tent and is a nice new blue colour. It's also slightly heavier.
My favourite tent...
Of the five expensive tents I own, and of the many tents I have owned; the Nemo Tenshi, the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee, the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV Ultralight, the MSR Hubba Hubba and the Black Diamond Skylight tent; the Black Diamond Hilight is without doubt my favourite, and the tent that I have used most often.
Size of the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee
At 27 sqaure feet this is not a big tent, and it only just fits two normal sized people. But for the weight, it is a very good size. If you're going on a multi day hike with a friend you're better off with the bigger version; get the Higlight 3 if there are 2 of you and you aren't a couple.
If you aren't a couple but one of you wants to be a couple then get the standard version, it's inducive to coupling.
The new version of this tent
I have used the original Black Diamond Hilight tent (the yellow version) on many Mountaineering trips (proababy about 20) and it has been awesone and I highly recommend it.
However the new version looks very similar and will be a good quality Mountaineering tent - get the latest version of the Black Diamond Hilight 2 tent and you'll also get better waterproofing.
Using the Black Diamond Hilight tent during a storm on Mt Bogong
My favourite tent...
Of the five expensive tents I own, and of the many tents I have owned; the Nemo Tenshi, the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee, the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV Ultralight, the MSR Hubba Hubba and the Black Diamond Skylight tent; the Black Diamond Hilight is without doubt my favourite, and the tent that I have used most often.
Size of the Black Diamond Bibler Ahwahnee
At 27 sqaure feet this is not a big tent, and it only just fits two normal sized people. But for the weight, it is a very good size. If you're going on a multi day hike with a friend you're better off with the bigger version; get the Higlight 3 if there are 2 of you and you aren't a couple.
If you aren't a couple but one of you wants to be a couple then get the standard version, it's inducive to coupling.
The new version of this tent
I have used the original Black Diamond Hilight tent (the yellow version) on many Mountaineering trips (proababy about 20) and it has been awesone and I highly recommend it.
However the new version looks very similar and will be a good quality Mountaineering tent - get the latest version of the Black Diamond Hilight 2 tent and you'll also get better waterproofing.
Using the Black Diamond Hilight tent during a storm on Mt Bogong
Putting up the Black Diamond HIlight tent
Many people complain that the tent is too difficult to put up -- and I admit that I did struggle the very first time when I put it up at home (beter to try it in your loungeroom before you take it on a hike).
I have noticed that usually people struggle with the setup because they are used to traditional tents double wall tents which are assembled differently, often from the outside, whereas the Hilight is assembled from the inside.
I love the fact that you can assemble this tent from the inside, as it means that in a storm or in rain uou can get dry much, much faster.
There is a learning curve
There is a bit of a learning curve figuring out how the tent goes up and in what order you do things, but overall I find it very easy and strangely enjoyable - bizarre I know.
Waterproofing
The new model is said to be more waterproof than my old model, and unlike my model it does not require seam sealing - that's a big plus.
But, I have NEVER had any water come through my tent walls, and it has been used many, many times during heavy rain. I suspect that those reporting moisture seeping through suring heavy rain were probably confusing rain for condensation.
Using the Black Diamond Hilight on long hiking trips
Becuase of it's light weight and large size for one person, I have reallly enjoyed sleeping in this tent on long hikes. At 1.33kg it is quite light for a mountaireering tent with 27 square feet of space. I especially enjoyed using it when I hiked the AAWT with my dad.
Below: Using the Black Diamond Hilight tent during a hike of the AAWT track from Walhalla to Canberra.
My 2 kids love this tent. This was a hike with my son Jack to Mt Erica. It rained all day and most of the night. We stayed dry inside, except for a little condensation, which is fairly normal and to be expected with 2 people in a tent in the rain.
My 2 kids love this tent. This was a hike with my son Jack to Mt Erica. It rained all day and most of the night. We stayed dry inside, except for a little condensation, which is fairly normal and to be expected with 2 people in a tent in the rain.
How does the Black Diamond Hilight stand up to deep snow?
This tent handles deep snow extremely well. Here we were camping near Mt Hotham; we dug a two metre hole to store food for our coming AAWT 700 kilometer hike. That nigth it snowed heavily but as with other times I have used this tent in deep snow, it wasn't a problem at all. This was just one of many times I have used it in heavy snow conditions.
Footprint - do I need it?
I don't own a footprint for this tent so I have never used one. In total I have slept in this tent on all kinds of terrain for over 60 nights. Amazingly, it still seems to be holding up well.
That said, I don't recommed doing that. The better choice would be to get the footprint and then use the it or take it when you know you are going to be camping on sharp rocks etc. If you're camping on snow or grass I wouldn't bother taking it.
Places I have taken this tent
Camping in the Hilight near Mt Feathertop during winter (below) the tent was held up to a blistering wind storm and had zero damage.
Two of us slept in here, but at 27 square feet, you only want to be in here with another person if you really like them! I usually use this tent solo.
I have also used the tent at Mt Hotham, Mt Kosciuszko, in the mountains in New Zealand near Mt Sefton, Mt Buller, many beaches in Australia and in many other places.
Should I get one, they cost a lot!
I don't agree with this statement (even though I wrote it), but I wrote it becuase I have heard other people make this comment - I have found that with most tents, you really do get what you pay for.
I picked mine up for just under $500 Australian dollars, and it has been worth every cent. It has held up in snow storms, in rain, in wind and everything else you can imagine. When this one finally wears out (though that time doesn't appear to be coming soon) I will buy the new blue version.
Who would have thought I would be lookikng forward to seeing my tent wear out!
Below: A nice view. As you can see, I often take this tent on snow hikes
