Looking for a top-tier three-season tent? In this Hilleberg Rogen 3 review, I put this lightweight, three-person semi-freestanding, durable and weatherproof dome tent to the test. Enjoy the review or watch the video!
- Packed weight: 2490,3 grams (Claimed 2500 grams)
- Packsize: ⌀ 20 x 50 cm / ⌀ 7.8 x 19.7 inches (Claimed ⌀16 x 47 cm/ ⌀ 6.3 x 18.5 inches)
- Price: € 1560,00 / $ 1445.00 / £ 1475.00
The Hilleberg Rogen was added to the Hilleberg collection in 2024 after requests from customers for a spacious lightweight dome tent that could be used all year around except for the snowy winter periods. I was one of the lucky ones that got one for a review very early from the production and it has been with me and my family since that April in 2024. The Rogen that I am reviewing here is the Rogen 3 and everything I write below is also applicable to the Rogen 2. Except for sizes, weight and price of course.
Packed Size and Weight
Hilleberg provides two weight specifications: one for the complete package and another for the minimum weight, which includes only the outer tent, inner tent, and poles — for those who prefer to source their own pegs on-site. According to Hilleberg, the total packed weight is 2500 grams (5 lb 8 oz), while the minimum weight is 2200 grams (4 lb 14 oz). I measured the packed size at ⌀ 20 x 50 cm / ⌀ 7.8 x 19.7 inches while the Swedes claim ⌀16 x 47 cm/ ⌀ 6.3 x 18.5 inches. These are just minor neglectable differences.
As always, I verified the weight using my calibrated scale. The total package weighed 2490.3 grams (5 lb 8 oz), slightly less than Hilleberg’s claim.The individual components weighed as follows: 819.0 grams (1 lb 12 oz) for the inner tent, 888.1 grams (1 lb 15.3 oz) for the outer tent, and 593.8 grams (1 lb 5 oz) for the poles. The peg pouch, containing 14 pegs, weighed 145.2 grams (5.12 oz), while the stuff sack came in at 44.2 grams (1.55 oz). Now, you can decide for yourself which components to bring on your trip.
Hilleberg Color System
Hilleberg classifies their tents into four categories, each marked by a distinct color: Blue, Yellow, Red, and Black. Blue Label tents are designed for group use, while Black Label tents offer the highest durability and comfort for all-season conditions. Red Label tents balance low weight and all-season performance, prioritizing weight savings over maximum strength. The Rogen series belongs to the Yellow Label category — just like the Hilleberg Anaris and Hilleberg Helags, which I previously reviewed. Links to the reviews below.
Stuff Bag and Extras
The Rogen 3 comes in a generously sized stuff bag made from lightweight tent fabric, featuring a simple drawstring closure with a toggle. Hilleberg does not include compression straps, as they advise against compression bags due to the risk of damaging the tent’s fabric when packed alongside hard metal components like the poles and pegs. Fortunately, packing the tent into the bag is effortless.
For the Rogen 3, a footprint that covers the inner tent is available for €135.00 (360 grams / 13 oz*), and it fits easily inside the stuff bag without issue. There’s also room for a small tarp if you choose to bring one.
*Weight as claimed by Hilleberg.
Materials
For the outer tent of the Rogen 3, Hilleberg uses its own Kerlon 1000 fabric — a 20 Denier* ripstop nylon. To ensure waterproofing, the fabric is treated with three layers of silicone coating: a double layer on the outside and a single layer on the inside. Additionally, the outer tent fabric undergoes UV resistance treatment during both the dyeing and coating processes.
One important aspect of silicone-coated fabrics is that their seams cannot be taped, unlike those on tents with an internal Polyurethane coating**. Instead, Hilleberg uses a flat-felled seam construction, combined with swell yarn that expands when wet to seal stitching holes. In some cases, particularly after years of use, a hole may be too large for the yarn to fully seal, allowing water to seep through. If this happens — whether with a new tent or over time — you can apply a seam sealer on the inside of the seam. Applying it externally is likewise effective but will look a bit messy and – honestly – a bit dumb. However, the tested Rogen 3 remained completely waterproof along the seams.
Aside from the doors, which are made of fine mesh, the inner tent consists of 10 Denier ripstop nylon with a durable water-repellent coating. This coating helps condensation droplets bead up and roll off the fabric. The inner tent floor is constructed from 70 Denier nylon with a triple Polyurethane coating for waterproofing. To complete the picture: the flysheet has a hydrostatic head of 5000 mm, while the groundsheet is rated at 15,000 mm. All values are tested conform to ISO 811.
* 20D refers to material thickness (D = Denier). In lightweight tents, “ripstop” fabric resists further tearing if a small hole or tear occurs.
** Vaude is the only tent manufacturer that produces silicon-coated fabrics with seam taping.
Pegs and Poles
As expected, Hilleberg includes high-quality pegs with the Rogen 3. Viewed from above, the 15 cm (5.9”) pegs have a Y-shaped profile, designed to provide excellent grip. A small ridge helps secure guy lines or pitching loops. I appreciate that each peg features a loop for easy removal from the ground, which also proves useful during setup. These pegs offer a strong hold and have remained durable throughout my use, even in mixed soil and rocky terrain. The tips have shown impressive resilience, resisting wear and blunting over time.
The poles supplied with the Hilleberg are manufactured by the Korean DAC; probably the most renowned pole and peg maker. Specifically, they are Featherlite NSL Green poles with a 9 mm diameter, and each section measures 43 cm (16.9 inches). The ‘Green’ designation signifies a more environmentally friendly production process, particularly in anodization, which significantly reduces water usage.
Did you know that DAC also manufactures folding chairs and tables under the Helinox brand? You can find my reviews on both in the links below.
Pitching
Setting up the Rogen is fairly straightforward, but it’s a good idea to read the user manual or watch the pitching video on Hilleberg’s website beforehand. Or watch my How to pitch the Rogen tutorial. The only potentially tricky part is ensuring the correct poles go into the right sleeves — two poles are the same length, while the third is shorter. The two longer poles run diagonally from corner to corner, while the shorter pole sits above the entrances, increasing the height and space in the vestibule.
The two main poles slide into sleeves located on the outside of the outer tent, while the third pole sleeve is positioned inside the outer tent. The point where you insert the shorter pole is clearly marked in red. Typically, Hilleberg also marks the corresponding pole with red tape, but for the Rogen, the length difference is apparently obvious enough that they omitted their usual color coding—or perhaps this early production model simply missed the marking.
Each pole sleeve is closed at one end, and at the open end, a plastic cup holds the pole securely. Attached to these cups is an adjustable strap, allowing you to fine-tune the fabric’s tension over the poles—an essential step for pitching the tent correctly.
Once the poles are in place, the Rogen is nearly freestanding. From there, it’s just a matter of securing two pegs at the vestibules and four at the corners—assuming calm weather. In windier or harsher conditions, it’s best to use the remaining pegs and guy lines. The pegs fit into solid metal rings connected to adjustable straps, making it easy to fine-tune the tension on the tent fabric. This system is sturdy and works seamlessly.
- Note: I made a Expert Advice How To pitch the Hilleberg Rogen 3 video. Just follow the link.
Note: Because lines are attached underneath the inner tent at all four corners to take tension off the floor fabric when pitching the poles, take care when packing the tent. Otherwise, these lines may tangle with other parts (such as toggles and guy lines), which can slow down the setup process when pitching the tent again.
Fly Solo, Inner Tent Solo
Most of the time when I pitch a tent, the inner and outer tent are connected, allowing them to be set up simultaneously. The fast and easy way. The Rogen 3 uses a user-friendly toggle system to attach the inner tent to the outer tent. However, this tent offers more flexibility in how it can be pitched.
For warm, dry conditions, the inner tent can be pitched on its own. This setup provides excellent ventilation while still offering protection against insects. Since the inner tent is made from DWR-treated ripstop nylon, morning dew isn’t an issue, and even falling droplets from trees won’t cause problems. For those who prefer even more airflow, Hilleberg offers a full mesh inner tent as an alternative. The Rogen 3 Mesh Inner Tent is available for € 430.00 and weighs 910 grams (2 lbs)*.
Additionally, the outer tent can be pitched solo, creating a spacious shelter that can comfortably accommodate up to five people.
*Weight as claimed by Hilleberg.
Inner Tent for Three
As with weight specifications, I always verify a manufacturer’s stated dimensions. Hilleberg claims that the inner tent measures 160 cm (63 in) at width and has a length of 230 cm (91 in) and has a height of 105 cm (41 in) at the highest point in the middle.
My own measurements came out slightly different: 166 cm (65,3 inch) in width and 225 cm in length (100,4 inch). As for height, I measured 107 cm (42 inch). These minor discrepancies are too small to be of concern and could be due to slight differences in pitching technique or even temperature effects.
The space is sufficient for three adults, though it’s best suited for individuals under 190 cm tall. For my wife and me — both around 170 cm — the tent is more than spacious enough. We can even store some luggage inside. Our mattresses measure 64 cm in width, 184 cm in length, and are 7.6 cm thick. So… for sleeping three the mattresses should be less wide. I think two adults and a child (or a dog) would work but for the big adults the space can be a challenge.
The waterproof bathtub floor varies in height, but I measured the lowest point at 10 cm at the center of the longest sides just beneath the door. With heavy downpours becoming more frequent, this added protection can be essential. The elevated bathtub walls on the shorter sides help keep wind and rain from blowing onto the inner tent, which is particularly important due to the arched design of the outer tent sides.
Inner tent entrance
The Hilleberg Rogen 3 is a symmetrical tent so on both ends you’ll find a large D-shaped door that is fully made of a very fine mesh fabric. The door has a two way zipper from YKK. With the zipper fully open the entry is super – I measure a width of 125 cm (49 inch) and a height of 83 cm (32,7) – witch and getting in and out the inner tent is not a problem. Depending on how you use the outer tents entrance, getting in and out can be challenging. More on that later. The mesh door can be rolled away and secured aside with a loop and toggle system or stuffed out of the way in a pocket to its side.
Inner Tent Features
I previously mentioned the two pockets located next to the doors. In addition to these, the only other notable feature inside are five loops in the ceiling where you can add a washing lino to ar a gearloft. Such a line can be useful for drying freshly washed clothes, hanging a damp towel, or airing out a few pairs of socks.
Vestibules
As mentioned earlier, the outer tent design affects entry into the inner tent. The Hilleberg Rogen 3 is a lengthwise symmetrical tent, meaning both vestibules are identical in size. However, when standing in front of the tent, the right side of each vestibule is wider than the left. Measuring the fabric, the larger side extends 160 cm (63 inches), while the smaller side measures 130 cm (51.2 inches). The zipper is positioned in the ‘middle.’ The ring-shaped pull tabs are generously sized and user-friendly. Even with gloves.
Sliding the zipper upwards opens the door, and depending on the placement of the strap and ring connecting to the peg — which can be adjusted — the larger or smaller door will open. By default, the smaller doors open, making entry into the outer and inner tent easy. In strong winds or bad weather, using the smaller door is also advisable, but larger individuals may need to crawl a bit more. Both doors can be folded sideways and secured with a loop-and-toggle system, providing an unrestricted entry and a full panoramic view from inside the tent.
Regarding the zipper construction, it is covered by a strip of ‘rubberized’ material to prevent rain from seeping in. At the bottom, the zipper can be secured to prevent it from sliding open in high winds. This securing system is on the outside, but with a little effort, it can also be locked from inside the tent. Or totally locked if you connect the toggle to the metal ring that holds the peg strap.
The vestibules have a depth of 85 cm (33.4 inches), providing ample space to store a backpack while still allowing for easy entry. Cooking directly under the vestibule is not advisable due to limited height. However, when the vestibule is opened to its larger entryway, it serves as an effective windblocker for a stove. In severe weather conditions, cooking inside the tent vestibule is possible – though caution is essential. The trick is to detach one or two corners of the inner tent and fold it backward, creating a more spacious, sheltered cooking area.
Ventilation and Condensation
How does the Hilleberg Rogen 3 handle ventilation and condensation under normal conditions with both doors closed? The arched sides help promote airflow, reducing condensation compared to tents that extend all the way to the ground. However, I miss a top ventilation opening and condensation still occurs to varying degrees depending on factors like temperature, wind conditions, the number of occupants, and their activities inside the tent.
From my experience, I’ve yet to test a lightweight tent that doesn’t suffer from condensation to some extent. In certain weather conditions, even open tarps can accumulate condensation. One factor that can help minimize moisture buildup is using a footprint that covers the entire tent area. However, Hilleberg only offers a footprint that covers the inner tent area, which may not provide the same level of protection against ground moisture.
Weatherproof
The Hilleberg Rogen 3 is designed for the ‘snow free’ periods of the year and that is how I’ve used it. Not totally because I wanted it this way; we hardly had any snow this year in the Netherlands and due to circumstances I did not visit the Alps or Scandinavia in wintertime… However, it still is a dome tent that is fine in handling bad weather and strong winds. My dearest and I had some when hiking Helags in Sweden.
When strong winds hit from the side, some rain will get under the arches of the outer tent but the high walls of the inner tent prevent rain from doing damage. The tent has proven to be fully waterproof. The outer tents awnings are quite good in protecting the inner tent from rain blowing inside when opening a vestibule door.
Siliconized outer tent fabric
A characteristic of siliconized tent fabric is its sensitivity to temperature changes. In warm weather, the fabric remains taut, but as the temperature drops at night, it slackens and requires re-tensioning. The same happens when a dry day turns into a wet one – adjusting it regularly is needed.
Reflective Material
Although the guy lines appear to have a reflective thread woven into them, this is actually not the case. I reached out to Hilleberg to ask why they don’t use reflective guy lines, and their reasoning is that reflective yarn adds extra weight and is quite costly. However, if you prefer reflective guy lines—like I do for better visibility at night—Hilleberg does offer them as an accessory.
That said, the Rogen 3 does include small reflective details. These are located in the middle of the pole sleeves, and they work well when you are trying to find the tent or the entrance at night with a headlamp.
Verdict
The Hilleberg Rogen 3 is an well-designed three-person dome tent for snow-free seasons, delivering a well-balanced combination of space, weight, and durability. With a total packed weight of 2490 grams, it remains lightweight without compromising on strength, thanks to its Kerlon 1000 fabric and high-quality DAC Featherlite NSL poles.
Pitching the tent is straightforward, and its semi-freestanding design provides flexibility in various terrains. The symmetrical dual-vestibule layout ensures easy entry, while the spacious interior comfortably accommodates two big adults; two adults and a child (or dog) wil fit comfortably also. Three big adults… We are not too sure. Ventilation is well-executed, although condensation occurs especially when camping on wet grass and when there is little wind.
Weather resistance is impressive, with a well-sealed bathtub floor and robust outer fabric ensuring waterproof performance even in heavy rain. The tent holds up well against strong winds. Minor drawbacks include the absence of reflective guy lines and the lack of a footprint covering the full tent area. Additionally, a red-coded middle pole would simplify setup.
Overall, the Hilleberg Rogen 3 is a high-quality tent that delivers excellent weather resistance, durability, and comfort for three-season adventures.
At a price of € 1560,- the Rogen 3 is a super premium investment, but for those who value durability, comfort and all-weather reliability, it’s worth the cost since Hillebergs are renowned to last a long time and therefore I rate it at 8.8 points in total.
Information: www.hilleberg.com
