Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT Review
Cons: Heavy for backpacking, poor quality stakes, expensive
Manufacturer: Hilleberg
Our Verdict
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Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | | |
| Price | $860 List | $400 List | $449.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $499.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $359.96 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Extended vestibule, durable, highly weather resistant, top-tier materials, pitches easily from the outside | Excellent balance between weight and features, many storage pockets, large vestibules | Two large double doors, good headroom, excellent balance of interior space and weight | Lightweight, good lateral headroom, large side doors, large overhead pocket | Exceptional headroom for its size and weight, two large side doors, lightweight |
| Cons | Heavy for backpacking, poor quality stakes, expensive | Tapered foot, pockets are high up | Expensive, delicate materials | Small vestibules, tapered footprint reduces interior space | Odd tent and fly zipper configuration, rain can splash underneath fly onto tent |
| Bottom Line | This beast is tough enough to push your backpacking trips into harsh conditions and winter months | A exceptional choice for both front and backcountry adventures | This tent balances the key aspects of a backpacking tent better than all other models | This tent offers enough room for three, without weighing you down | A surprisingly comfortable, lightweight tent |
| Rating Categories | Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT | NEMO Dragonfly 2 | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 | Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 | Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
| Ease Of Set Up (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Packed Size (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT | NEMO Dragonfly 2 | Big Agnes Copper... | Big Agnes Copper... | Big Agnes Tiger... |
| Packaged Weight | 4.64 lbs | 3.16 lbs | 3.09 lbs | 3.88 lbs | 2.56 lbs |
| Floor Area | 30.1 sq ft | 29 sq ft | 29 sq ft | 41 sq ft | 28 sq ft |
| Packed Size | 19 x 6 in | 19.5 x 4.5 in | 19.5 x 6 in | 21 x 6in | 18 x 5.5 in |
| Dimensions | 86 x (51 x 43) x 39 in | 88 x 50 x 41 in | 88 x 52 x 40 in | 90 x 70 x 43 in | 86 x 52 x 39 in |
| Vestibule Area (Total) | 27 sq ft | 20 sq ft | 18 sq. ft | 18 sq ft | 16 sq ft |
| Peak Height | 39 in | 41 in | 40 in | 43 in | 39 in |
| Number of Doors | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Number of Poles | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Pole Diameter | 9 mm | 8.7 mm | 8.7 mm | 8.7 mm | 8.7 mm |
| Number of Pockets | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Gear Loft | No | No | No | No | No |
| Pole Material | DAC aluminum | DAC Featherlite NFL | DAC Featherlite NFL | Aluminum | DAC featherlight NFL aluminum |
| Guy Points | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Rain Fly Material | Kerlon 1000 | 20D Nylon Ripstop | 15D 1200mm Silicone Nylon RipStop | proprietary patterned random rip-stop nylon with 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating | Silicon-treated ripstop nylon |
| Inner Tent Material | Fine-gauge mesh | 15D Nylon Ripstop | [Body] 10D Polyester mesh [Floor] 20D Nylon RipStop |
proprietary patterned random rip-stop nylon with 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating | Silicon-treated ripstop nylon |
| Type | One Door Tunnel construction | Two Door freestanding | Two Door freestanding | Two Door freestanding | Two Door freestanding |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We've used this tent from Maine to Washington State, on bike trips down Mexico's Baja Peninsula, backpacking trips in the Sierra and Montana, and through India and Nepal. It hasn't let us down yet. It excels at keeping out the elements and providing ample storage for all our gear in the extended vestibule. What you get in weather protection, you pay for in weight. It comes with the territory, though, so if you want to an all-star storm chaser, this is for you. Because of its awesome weather resistance and durability, the Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT takes a top 10 spot in this review.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
For all of the praise that this tent receives, its interior sleeping area is not the most comfortable. Though its tunnel design does create a decent amount of space for its weight, the 39-inch peak height of the inner tent allows one six-foot person to sit up at a time. The inner tent slopes down from the head to the foot.
The interior floor is 51 inches wide at the front door, 43 inches at the foot, and is 86 inches long. This contender is not as spacious as tents with two side doors. The bright yellow interior walls add cheer, and the fabric obscures rain and wind, which we felt like made for a much cozier experience.
The 27 square foot vestibule is the largest of any single-door tents we've tested, and, in fact, is quite a bit of space for two people. More than a third of the total footprint of this tent is taken up by vestibule space. While living out of the tent in campgrounds, our testers managed to fit two 60-liter backpacks, two 30-liter backpacks, and shoes inside the vestibule. The Anjan 2 GT also has an adjustable clothesline.
Ease of Set-Up
This model features a tunnel design that varies from the hubbed pole skeletons of most other models in this review. It is not a freestanding tent.
It's definitely not as simple as a classic X-pole configuration, but that's the tradeoff for improved weather resistance. If you are not used to pitching tunnel tents, it will take you a few times to get the hang of it, but once you know what you need to do, you will be able to do it quickly.
The concept is simple enough: two poles slide through sleeves on the exterior of the tent. Tension from guy lines holds the body upright. This "outside first" approach keeps the inner tent drier if you are forced to pitch during a storm.
Weather Resistance
This tent receives top honors for its weather resistance because it offers superb protection from all of the elements.
We have spent many hours sitting out storms — it even made it through a pelting hailstorm with ice balls the size of nickels! It's advertised as a three-season tent with many features found on four-season models. The extended vestibule of the GT allows backpackers the opportunity to hunker down and spread out while waiting out a storm.
Key points like the reinforced vestibule zippers and the bathtub floor protect from splashback and spindrift. Similarly, the inner tent is made primarily of a solid nylon fabric that blocks blowing sand and snow, and better sheds condensation that drips from the roof — a significant advantage over most backpacking tents that have mesh inner tent walls.
One downside we will point out is the ventilation factor. If you are taller than six feet, you may have your sleeping bag touch the end of the tent and get damp from condensation.
Durability
The Anjan 2 GT is the most durable tent we've tested, as well. In fact, by most standards, the tent is overbuilt for three-season conditions. This tent uses metal rings on the four corner guy points to reduce wear on its already burly webbing loops. It uses strong plastic and metal hardware for friction adjustments. Its floor fabric is significantly more durable than the fly. All in all, this is a tent that is built to last.
Hilleberg uses Kerlon 1000 for the waterproof rain fly. This fabric is a silicone impregnated ripstop nylon that's impressively strong for a three-season tent; its warp break strength is 22 lb/in. For comparison, the 15D polyurethane/silicone coated nylon found on some of the "ultralight" models in this review breaks at 7 lb/in.
As far as we can tell, Anjan 2 GT employs the strongest fabric used on any backpacking tent we've tested. This means that the fabric is less likely to be punctured and, if it is punctured, it's less likely to tear — both good things.
The stakes included with the Anjan 2 GT somehow don't match the quality of the rest of the tent. The Anjan 2 GT ships with tri-pegs that are relatively heavy and don't have the holding power to match the gravitas of the rest of the tent.
Weight & Packed Size
At 4 pounds, 10 ounces, this award winner sacrifices weight for all of its weather-resistance and durability features. However, we think the bulk is well worth it if you know you will find yourself in an early or late-season snowstorm.
This model isn't blowing anyone away with its packability. If you are looking for faster and lighter, there are plenty of other options out there, but they come with the tradeoff of reduced durability.
While still earning above-average scores, there were other contenders in our fleet that did outperform it in this metric; however, it's necessary to consider what other metrics are important to you, as well as what adventures you're planning to embark on.
Value
We think the Anjan 2 GT will be overkill for most folks, but this tent is a good value for the user who requires exceptional durability and weather resistance. It is one of the most expensive options in our review and is ideal for backpackers that plan on spending time in inclement weather, want the extended vestibule, or want the best of the best for durability and weather resistance.
Conclusion
The Hilleberg Anjan 2 GT earns our Top Pick Award for its strong performance in extreme weather and its exceptional durability. If we were to recommend just one tent to friends and family who want to stretch their tent to the limits of the seasons (and price was not a factor), this would be the one. Whether your interests include backpacking or multiple activities like car camping, bike touring, or kayaking, this model has you covered through all three (and a half!) seasons.
— Ben Applebaum-Bauch