User Review: Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 2

Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 2
Above: The current Hammerhead 2, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 11, 2004 by Brett

Rating:
Design: 3 season freestanding dome
Sleeps: 2
Ease of Setup: easy
Weight: 6+ lbs.
Price Paid: $245

I waited over a year to write a review so I could put this tent through its paces. Wind/rain in Mexico, steady drizzle in the Olympic National Forest and heat...well, in many places. The Hammerhead held fast during a freak storm on a beach in Mexico. The tent stayed dry during the pounding rain and only rattled against a heavy wind.

It's a snap to set up. Two doors and vestibules make entering/leaving and storing gear easy. Plenty of headroom for sitting up or shifting indoor gear. A huge plus during nice weather is the overhead mesh which gives an unobstructed view of the sky. I have yet to stay in a tent that compares to this feature. In addition, the mesh provides excellent ventilation in warm climates. Indoor panels zip easily into place should it start to drizzle.

The only drawback is its weight (slightly over 6 lbs.), if you are hoping to go light, but you'll be glad you hauled a couple extra pounds if a storm rolls in unexpectedly.

Solid tent. I recommend it highly.