Opinions wanted for NEMO Kunai

So I'm currently overwhelmed by trying to find a tent for alpine climbing endeavors. I currently use an REI quarter dome 2, which has served me ok, but after being in some pretty strong wind storms I'm looking for something a bit more bomber. I want something that is generally light weight, breathes fairly well, and has some decent storage. I'm drawn to the Kunai reviews say it has decent ventilation, comes with a vestibule, light weight (4lbs), and sounds weather strong. Anyone who owns this tent please give me your thoughts. Other tents I'm looking at are the BD Eldorado and Big Agnes Shield 2. Just a head's up, I'm not interested in the BD Firstlight, I know a few people who have this tent and they do not like it.

Rob Basanta wrote: So I'm currently overwhelmed by trying to find a tent for alpine climbing endeavors. I currently use an REI quarter dome 2, which has served me ok, but after being in some pretty strong wind storms I'm looking for something a bit more bomber. I want something that is generally light weight, breathes fairly well, and has some decent storage. I'm drawn to the Kunai reviews say it has decent ventilation, comes with a vestibule, light weight (4lbs), and sounds weather strong. Anyone who owns this tent please give me your thoughts. Other tents I'm looking at are the BD Eldorado and Big Agnes Shield 2. Just a head's up, I'm not interested in the BD Firstlight, I know a few people who have this tent and they do not like it.

That actually looks like a pretty cool tent.

I personally would go for a mid if I was spending $500 on a 4 season tent.
If you got the MLD duomid in Sylnylon, it would be less than $500 and about 2lbs 3oz with the inner net. If you go without the inner net, you could have a 18.5oz winter shelter for only $265.
https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/duomid/

There's really no free lunch with tents, only compromises.

The Kunai weighs about as much as some single wall tents (like the old reliable Eldorado). Pretty easy to see why; 15d fly that doesn't reach the ground, 30d floor. Expedition worthy it isn't but you might totally love it so long as you have realistic expectations. Nemo markets it for "4 season backpacking." MSR has the Access line with seemingly similar design goals/materials. Double walls are awesome for warmth and condensation management, but obviously you have to make some compromises to get them into this weight range.

If you're in WA (glanced at your tick list) go to Feathered Friends and check out a Hilleberg Jannu. It'll probably be fairly easy to appreciate why it weighs 7lbs instead of 5lbs like the Nemo. And likewise if you look at a big 4-pole expedition shelter like a MH Trango you'll see why it weighs 10lbs. Just depends on what you consider "bomber." Guyed out well and especially if you're able to dig down into snow a bit to decrease exposure, a well designed lightweight tent can take a fair beating, but certainly I wouldn't expect it to be the last tent standing if it's pitched next to a Trango during an apocalyptic storm or if you happen to be in a place where you can't dig or find good anchors.

To give you a (maybe?) somewhat helpful reference point, my Rab Latok Mountain 2 (two pole dome, inner pitch similar to an Eldorado) has withstood recorded 60-70mph winds on Rainier. It was guyed out to absolutely bomber anchors at every point and dug in about ~1ft. The poles didn't bend, but watching them flex overnight I'm thinking it was probably getting close to that point (speculation obviously). Can't have it all for 4lbs and I have a hard time justifying the extra weight for quick weekend climbs in the Cascades. Would I use this for base camp in Alaska? F*** no. Would I want to spend much time at lower altitude in the rain in this tent? Nope. A better rounded tent weighs more though...

A pyramid as mentioned above can work but brings its own set of compromises. Relatively large footprint, relatively poor usable space, poor condensation management when used as a single wall (silnylon or cuben fiber doesn't even pretend to be breathable like single wall domes aimed at climbers), no easily available solid inner tents (just 3-season mesh designs), having to jump over your friend to go pee unless the door is on the short side (the Duomid's isn't).

Seconding the Rab Latok Mountain 2. As bomber and roomy (with the vestibule) as an ultralight alpine tent gets.