This is an excellent, real-world review. These are very common conditions that most would use the tent in North America. It isn't very helpful to review a tent on a sunny, calm, 75 degree day. I'm happy to see you take the time and effort to shoot this in the rain and cold. The other videos that show tents in 80 mph winds and extreme cold are torture tests. Although fun to watch, they're not relevant to 95% of the other users. Please post an update vid if you add a FP or mesh inner.
hilleberg akto is a classic test for us hikers in sweden, but the hilleberg soulo tent is even better at winter time. Fjällräven is also another great brand involving tents
@knplao I love my Akto for three season camping. I use the Soulo for winter because of the extra strength. Greetings from the Pacific NW USA. Sweden is a beautiful country.
I would like to also mention in a pinch if you use 3 section trekking poles(collapsing) you can break them down into 6 sections and use them the same way as the snow stakes with a deadman set.
I have the Soulo, in green, with the Hille footprint. Nice set up for 4 season solo use(I use a BA Copper Spur UL 1 in the warmer months.)
The HIlle is a very well thought out tent that is very well built. The cool thing about the fp is it covers the vesti area and it is attached to the tent so ya really do not have to remove it. If ya want to see pics search Rick-Pittsburgh Trailspace
I've never had the groundsheet on a Hilleberg soak through. I've camped on snow with this tent many times and it has never gotten me wet. The tent is 4.5lbs. but can handle the most extreme conditions you will find. Some climbers are using them as assault tents for climbs on Denali and Rainier I've been told which have some of the most severe weather in North America. The tents are designed to deal with Northern Swedish winters (where the are based).
@CrawlingRoad , thx for your replay but with my experiense from some ''expeditions'' in the Alps with temperatures of -25 there was coming lots of condens from the floor. When you look at the groundsheet it isn't a surprice for me because it is very thin. My Terra nova winter tent does a better job.
Don't get me wrong, I love this tent, and it is perfectly suited for extreme conditions but of course some things can be improved. The fabrics are good but Terra Nova is already using much lighter f
@ApoJapo Thanks for the background. I will keep an eye out for what you are describing, but I've not seen it yet. I live in a very wet western rainforest and the Hilleberg tents have been by far the driest ones I've used out here. But different conditions can lead to different results. Thanks for the update!
@ApoJapo Also if you were to contact Hilleberg about your experience I'm sure they'd want to hear about it. They have always been responsive to me when I have questions or comments.
Awesome review. I am jokingly a Hilleban, having owned a Nammatj 3 and Allak - which I just traded for a Soulo. I put on a smile every time I raise any of the tents. The features and feel of good quality is awesome. I have endured a night with storm conditions in my Nammatj and very strong wind with the Allak, all in the Swedish mountains, and you feel very safe inside. The prices are really steep in Sweden though and Hilleberg does not allow US resellers shipping from US to Sweden.
Probably the best tent review I have seen. I own a Nammatj 3 and an Allak and may trade away the Allak for the Soulo. The Nammatj is also a great tent wth more space and a bit better in rough weather (more covered vestibule). I am really really thinking about "losing" my Allak to a Soulo but I think the Nammatj will be my larger tent for 2-3 people.
@nomatesman The Soulo is 1.5lbs heavier which is significant when my base weight for three season camping is around 20 lbs. or less. The Akto's vestibule is also a little bigger which is a bit handier for storing wet gear. I also think the Akto has more versatile ventilation options over the Soulo. But the Soulo is a stronger tent for winter weather even though the vestibule is a little smaller and heavier. There are tradeoffs with everything.
I have the red version because I'm a casual hiker and I need to be noticed in case of emergency. Soulo is definitely on the heavy side of backpacking tents, but its quality is so assuring I don't mind carrying the weight of it. I usually put my luxurylite cot inside and fit perfectly. like a hotel room on the go !
however i have no complaints at all with the tent, I love it, and got lots of compliments on it from friends as well, who were envious even though they had no idea of the kind of tent they were looking at. (IE a bombproof 5 season tent). I cant wait to use this tent in a hard rain storm and in the snow in dead of winter!
I know people have been curious about how this tent does in the summer, and it was just fine. I had the outer fly zipper under the umbrella closed, so i did get condensation on the inside of the rain fly, but none made it onto the tent itself at all. The netting on the door panel provided some ventilation but what this tent really needs is either 2 doors or another window on the side across from the door. there is no way to get air to move through the tent really aside from opening the net panel
@onenewmurderer The Allak is a bigger version of the Soulo. It has two doors and two vestibules. It is a two person tent, but provides just what you are looking for. However it is much heavier than the Soulo. But the Soulo is an awesome tent! It can hold off a bunch of wet snow and stay very solid. It's a very secure shelter!
@CrawlingRoad that will be on the list when i have another 800 bucks to shell out for a tent. I love my soulo so it would only make sense to get the 2 person version of it!
@agun17 Hard to say. Yes if it's you inside and the dog is in the vestibule. Probably not if the vestibule is full of your hiking gear. Maybe though if the dog is in the tent with you. Just depends how much you like sleeping close to your dog. But it's possible.
@onenewmurderer update: got the tent, so far I have only used it once on a hot and humid overnight trip camping next to a reservoir. I expected to bake in the tent due to the fact that it was extremely hot outside but i opened the door panel when i set the tent up and slept with it open and had no issues what so ever. I was expecting heavy rain and extreme wind, but neither happened. It was just bloody hot. Btw i live in Virginia and this was about a week ago in mid summer.
PLEASE do a review on your Allak. I love my Soulo enough that I've been considering an Allak or Staika for two person camping or even extended solo camping where I'd like a little extra room (I'm 6'3"). I've looked at the Hillie website, but a good "walkthrough" video would be very helpful.
Great review Craig. I bought a Soulo a few years ago and love it. It's my winter camping tent for ALL of the reasons you so articulately explained. I just subscribed to your channel (my first time doing so) because of your very reasoned explanations in your videos. Kudos, and keep up the good work.
@ORflycaster Thanks for the comment. Hilleberg is now my official tent. Now that the weather is warming up I plan on a review of my Akto which I really like as well. I also have an Allak for two people camping. I'm selling all my other non-Hilleberg tents.
I used the tent on a 5 day mountain hike with almost constant rain and near zero (celsius) temepratures. I had the ground sheet in addidition to the inner and was very glad of being able to pack away everything including the inner before exiting the tent. I then only had to take down and stuff away the fly before resuming hiking. This kept me a lot warmer than my companions who were out in the elements trying to get ready. One morning we squashed 3 in my tent with the inner down for breakfast.
@interlinga I was using a Big Agnes Fly Creek tent this past fall and during a very extended downpour it would get wet when you got in and out due to the vestibule design. Then it got absolutely soaked inside when I took it down because the rain fly needs to come off first. I really appreciated the Hilleberg the first time I put it up in bad weather. It is really nice not to have to worry about getting wet. In this video it was near freezing so this would have been very bad if it happened.
NIce review. I've used this tent in temperate mountains. I found that although the yellow inner is waterproof to a degree, if condensation builds up on its outer surface it will move through the inner to the inside upon touching. Have you expereienced this?
@interlinga I have only had condensation problems if I seal the entire tent up in very wet weather. But this would happen to any tent so I didn't find it unusual. If the end of my bag touches the interior then it could get a little damp. I keep this from happening by draping my rain jacket over the foot section. However, I much prefer dealing with condensation than the leaky tents I've used in the past from other makers!
@CrawlingRoad Hi, yes I did exactly the same thing with my rain jacket and didn't experience too great a problem. It was more the worry of getting my down bag wet with condensation, though this didn't happen. We were basically camped inside a cold, wet cloud over 4000 m, with almost no wind. As we weren't far from the equator it was dark for around 12 hours and we were inside tents for 16 hrs per night due to the rain. With less damp conditions and more of a breeze I think less of an issue.
@elsinaloa23 My preferred rain gear if I know it's really going to pouring down rain is Helly Hansen Impertech. Every single piece of so-called "breathable" rain gear I have used has always wetted out on me in sustained rains. Helly Hansen Impertech is rubberized fabric and has never once gotten me wet. The pants are some REI zip leg waterproof cross country ski pants. I do carry a set of Helly Hansen Impertech pants as well on hikes for total protection. Getting wet will get you killed.
No I own *both* Akto and Soulo. The Akto is about 1.5lbs lighter and is my three season tent. The Soulo is a little heavier but can handle much heavier show loads. The materials in each are the same The Akto is a single hoop design and has a nice large vestibule but less headroom. The Soulo has more headroom and multiple poles but smaller vestibule. The Soulo is just stronger for our very wet heavy snow. It's my margin of safety tent for winter camping. But both tents are very storm worthy.
You said you tried the AKTO but ended up with the Soulo. Why? Was it the headroom issue or was it the freestanding vs tunnel tent style preference? Or strength, although I believe the material is the same in each case I think.
@n7app The Soulo has more headroom than the Akto. I'm 5'8" and have a few inches. Not sure about 6'1". But the Hilleberg tents are designed with taller people in mind because the Hillerberg designers are tall Swedes from what I recall. But you should check their website for internal measurements because it's all there.
@n7app just got my soulo-red today. I'm 6' and 250lbs, and shoe size 12... even with my luxury lite cot set up inside the tent my head wasnt touching the tent wall, although my feet were touching the wall it was more like brushing against the wall, rather than putting awkward pressure against it.
Greeeeaaat review, when my bukta finally gives up, I'll certainly be investigating the Hilleberg tents..........new tents (good ones that is) always show good water repellency, but after a few outings in searing sun & freezing rain, they do tend to lose a little of their "shedding power" & even with various DWR sprays, never quite find their original effectiveness.......nature of the fabric I suppose & its coating.........be interesting to hear how this one holds out.................
Now I am curious, if the tent is that much warmer, what would a candle lantern do? The candle lantern uses 9 hour candles, so it burns all night, I wonder if it would warm things up a bit more.
@johnmonk66 If you use a candle inside I would make sure I am awake the entire time. Open flame and tents is always a risky proposition. The big thing for me is that the tent will probably stay above freezing while it is in the 20s outside with no heat at all. That means less problems with freezing water, boots, etc. in the winter. One reason I dislike tarps is that you save weight in the shelter, but need to bring more clothes to deal with the convection heat loss.
@CrawlingRoad I would not call the candle lantern an open flame, it is a very small, self contained metal and glass case that hangs from the ceiling. Even if it fell down somehow the flame is surrounded by glass. But thanks for the reply
@MilesScout21 I will for sure. Just need the weather to get better first. The Akto was my first Hilleberg. It is about 1.5lbs lighter than the Soulo and a single hoop design. It is a four season tent as well, but not as good with snow loading. Construction details are identical to the Soulo (exterior pitches first, etc.) but without the free standing nature. The Soulo has slightly more head room. The Akto has slightly more length. The Akto's vestibule is also slightly larger.
@MilesScout21 Also the upgrade to Hilleberg is way worth it. I am selling my other tents. There is no need for them any longer. The Hilleberg is much more storm worthy and far better built. It's a much better long term value vs. a cheaper tent.
I have an akto so I am familiar with the quality of hilleberg. It very refreshing to see a review where somebody has actually taken the time to camp out proper. A review can't get any better than this - well done and thank you!
@DinoDoesStuff Tha Akto was my first Hilleberg. It is my primary tent when I want lightweight but a solid all weather shelter. The Soulo is my primary tent for solo winter hikes. Although both will work well in snow, the Soulo can handle much heavier snow loads if I think I may be leaving it pitched while out hiking, etc. The Akto though is what I'll carry for most other conditions.
@bcv001 Yes. The Akto is probably the most likely to have problems under heavy snow loads. But even the Akto is a true four season tent if you keep the snow from piling up on it. The Soulo is a true four season tent in all aspects. It's very strong. I would feel very comfortable in any Hilleberg in four seasons. They are all very tough tents and very well made.
As a scandinavian alot of the concepts described here are just "of course" for us.
If u want full backup in ur tent Hilleberg soulo or hilleberg Unna is really the best tent u can go for. Some tents only exceed at one or two features, hilleberg has it all.
@assholebjorn Yes these may seem obvious to you, but us Americans are a little slow sometimes. I looked at the Unna, but I really need the vestibule. It is just so wet here that I need a place to put gear and not get the inside of my tent wet. So a vestibule (and a usable one at that) is mandatory. But the Unna is a fine tent if a vestibule is not important to you and you want freestanding.
Hello friend you have an excellent film. You are explained very well. you have the best film of Hilleberg Soulo. I want to buy Hilleberg Soulo. thanks for your fantastic movie. Regards, Dennis
I really like your reviews. Well made and you seem to understand the designs and concepts of the products well. Hilleberg tents seems to be as good as it gets. I'm saving up for a green Kaitum 2 for me and my girlfriend. (They are very expensive.)
@kinskibrain I would like to try one of their tunnel tents like the Kaitium 2. I've heard nothing but good things about them. I bet it's palatial inside that thing.
@CrawlingRoad Yes I have actually been inside a Kaitum 2 in an outdoor shop and it feels more like a 3 man tent. It's fantastic comfort under 3 kg. And unlike the Nallo, the Kaitum has that great ventilation for condesation control. Albeit you can't avoid condensation when it's cold no matter what tent. It's a law of physics. A high quality dish cloth is what I bring. Also a footprint prevents the ground moisture from flooding the inner walls of the outer tent.
@kinskibrain Yes the two vestibules would be great for ventilation. I agree on the condensation in cold. When it's wet and cold it's basically impossible to stop. I bring a couple cheap micro-fiber towels and just wipe down the interior in the morning.
@renboy004 Thanks for the note. This is an excellent tent.
The camera is a Canon Vixia HFS20. Although any HD digital camera should work just as well. I would highly recommend you get solid state and not mess with tapes or hard drives. It's hard to go wrong with any major Japanese brand, but Canon is my personal favorite.
This is an excellent, real-world review. These are very common conditions that most would use the tent in North America. It isn't very helpful to review a tent on a sunny, calm, 75 degree day. I'm happy to see you take the time and effort to shoot this in the rain and cold. The other videos that show tents in 80 mph winds and extreme cold are torture tests. Although fun to watch, they're not relevant to 95% of the other users. Please post an update vid if you add a FP or mesh inner.
vettepilot427 1 week ago
CrawlingRoad, you are GREAT !!!!
dfggrjgd 3 weeks ago
Great review, many thanks.
redrocco44 1 month ago
great video great review
StatenIslandPrepper 1 month ago
hilleberg akto is a classic test for us hikers in sweden, but the hilleberg soulo tent is even better at winter time. Fjällräven is also another great brand involving tents
Hälsningar från sverige! (greets from sweden!)
knplao 2 months ago
@knplao I love my Akto for three season camping. I use the Soulo for winter because of the extra strength. Greetings from the Pacific NW USA. Sweden is a beautiful country.
CrawlingRoad 2 months ago
great video very informative thanks for sharing
gedking8871 2 months ago
I would like to also mention in a pinch if you use 3 section trekking poles(collapsing) you can break them down into 6 sections and use them the same way as the snow stakes with a deadman set.
I have done this with my Lekis. It works fine.
rhorwat1976 2 months ago
I have the Soulo, in green, with the Hille footprint. Nice set up for 4 season solo use(I use a BA Copper Spur UL 1 in the warmer months.)
The HIlle is a very well thought out tent that is very well built. The cool thing about the fp is it covers the vesti area and it is attached to the tent so ya really do not have to remove it. If ya want to see pics search Rick-Pittsburgh Trailspace
Awesome review CrawlinRoad
rhorwat1976 2 months ago
This isn't a review. What about the thin groundsheet which will be soaking wet when pitched up on the snow. What about the relative high weigth
ApoJapo 2 months ago
I've never had the groundsheet on a Hilleberg soak through. I've camped on snow with this tent many times and it has never gotten me wet. The tent is 4.5lbs. but can handle the most extreme conditions you will find. Some climbers are using them as assault tents for climbs on Denali and Rainier I've been told which have some of the most severe weather in North America. The tents are designed to deal with Northern Swedish winters (where the are based).
CrawlingRoad 2 months ago
@CrawlingRoad , thx for your replay but with my experiense from some ''expeditions'' in the Alps with temperatures of -25 there was coming lots of condens from the floor. When you look at the groundsheet it isn't a surprice for me because it is very thin. My Terra nova winter tent does a better job.
Don't get me wrong, I love this tent, and it is perfectly suited for extreme conditions but of course some things can be improved. The fabrics are good but Terra Nova is already using much lighter f
ApoJapo 2 months ago
@ApoJapo Thanks for the background. I will keep an eye out for what you are describing, but I've not seen it yet. I live in a very wet western rainforest and the Hilleberg tents have been by far the driest ones I've used out here. But different conditions can lead to different results. Thanks for the update!
CrawlingRoad 2 months ago
@ApoJapo Also if you were to contact Hilleberg about your experience I'm sure they'd want to hear about it. They have always been responsive to me when I have questions or comments.
CrawlingRoad 2 months ago
Chuck Norris would buy this tent after this review.
geo504 3 months ago
nice
redchevy1957 3 months ago
hi Great review...best on Y-tube, just bought one today
chris25119600 3 months ago
Awesome review. I am jokingly a Hilleban, having owned a Nammatj 3 and Allak - which I just traded for a Soulo. I put on a smile every time I raise any of the tents. The features and feel of good quality is awesome. I have endured a night with storm conditions in my Nammatj and very strong wind with the Allak, all in the Swedish mountains, and you feel very safe inside. The prices are really steep in Sweden though and Hilleberg does not allow US resellers shipping from US to Sweden.
nikazp 4 months ago
Probably the best tent review I have seen. I own a Nammatj 3 and an Allak and may trade away the Allak for the Soulo. The Nammatj is also a great tent wth more space and a bit better in rough weather (more covered vestibule). I am really really thinking about "losing" my Allak to a Soulo but I think the Nammatj will be my larger tent for 2-3 people.
nikazp 4 months ago
i want this tent so bad!! great video!!
rjbarajas1 4 months ago
A bit curious why you have the soulo and the akto, given there's very little difference in weight between the two?
nomatesman 6 months ago
@nomatesman The Soulo is 1.5lbs heavier which is significant when my base weight for three season camping is around 20 lbs. or less. The Akto's vestibule is also a little bigger which is a bit handier for storing wet gear. I also think the Akto has more versatile ventilation options over the Soulo. But the Soulo is a stronger tent for winter weather even though the vestibule is a little smaller and heavier. There are tradeoffs with everything.
CrawlingRoad 6 months ago
thx
cooldude6824 7 months ago
I have the red version because I'm a casual hiker and I need to be noticed in case of emergency. Soulo is definitely on the heavy side of backpacking tents, but its quality is so assuring I don't mind carrying the weight of it. I usually put my luxurylite cot inside and fit perfectly. like a hotel room on the go !
readingleejh 7 months ago
Excellent review. Just finished watching your Akto review also. You have me sold on Hilleberg tents.
Wintertrekker 7 months ago
however i have no complaints at all with the tent, I love it, and got lots of compliments on it from friends as well, who were envious even though they had no idea of the kind of tent they were looking at. (IE a bombproof 5 season tent). I cant wait to use this tent in a hard rain storm and in the snow in dead of winter!
onenewmurderer 8 months ago
I know people have been curious about how this tent does in the summer, and it was just fine. I had the outer fly zipper under the umbrella closed, so i did get condensation on the inside of the rain fly, but none made it onto the tent itself at all. The netting on the door panel provided some ventilation but what this tent really needs is either 2 doors or another window on the side across from the door. there is no way to get air to move through the tent really aside from opening the net panel
onenewmurderer 8 months ago
@onenewmurderer The Allak is a bigger version of the Soulo. It has two doors and two vestibules. It is a two person tent, but provides just what you are looking for. However it is much heavier than the Soulo. But the Soulo is an awesome tent! It can hold off a bunch of wet snow and stay very solid. It's a very secure shelter!
CrawlingRoad 8 months ago 2
@CrawlingRoad that will be on the list when i have another 800 bucks to shell out for a tent. I love my soulo so it would only make sense to get the 2 person version of it!
onenewmurderer 7 months ago
Is the tent big enough for 1 person and a medium (60lbs) dog?
agun17 8 months ago
@agun17 Hard to say. Yes if it's you inside and the dog is in the vestibule. Probably not if the vestibule is full of your hiking gear. Maybe though if the dog is in the tent with you. Just depends how much you like sleeping close to your dog. But it's possible.
CrawlingRoad 8 months ago
@CrawlingRoad I'm 6'2 will this tent fit my sizes?
Blackwater200 4 months ago
@Blackwater200 I think it was designed to fit someone up to 6'5"
CrawlingRoad 4 months ago
cool vid
19bm77 8 months ago
doesnt this dude act in movies? why is he reviewing tents
theboarman 8 months ago
Where's the yellow snow?
=o}
FiredUpRoller 9 months ago
Great review!
C0mfortablyDumb 9 months ago
this review sold me on this tent. should be coming soon!
onenewmurderer 9 months ago
@onenewmurderer update: got the tent, so far I have only used it once on a hot and humid overnight trip camping next to a reservoir. I expected to bake in the tent due to the fact that it was extremely hot outside but i opened the door panel when i set the tent up and slept with it open and had no issues what so ever. I was expecting heavy rain and extreme wind, but neither happened. It was just bloody hot. Btw i live in Virginia and this was about a week ago in mid summer.
onenewmurderer 8 months ago
PLEASE do a review on your Allak. I love my Soulo enough that I've been considering an Allak or Staika for two person camping or even extended solo camping where I'd like a little extra room (I'm 6'3"). I've looked at the Hillie website, but a good "walkthrough" video would be very helpful.
ORflycaster 10 months ago
Great review Craig. I bought a Soulo a few years ago and love it. It's my winter camping tent for ALL of the reasons you so articulately explained. I just subscribed to your channel (my first time doing so) because of your very reasoned explanations in your videos. Kudos, and keep up the good work.
ORflycaster 10 months ago
@ORflycaster Thanks for the comment. Hilleberg is now my official tent. Now that the weather is warming up I plan on a review of my Akto which I really like as well. I also have an Allak for two people camping. I'm selling all my other non-Hilleberg tents.
CrawlingRoad 10 months ago
I used the tent on a 5 day mountain hike with almost constant rain and near zero (celsius) temepratures. I had the ground sheet in addidition to the inner and was very glad of being able to pack away everything including the inner before exiting the tent. I then only had to take down and stuff away the fly before resuming hiking. This kept me a lot warmer than my companions who were out in the elements trying to get ready. One morning we squashed 3 in my tent with the inner down for breakfast.
interlinga 10 months ago
@interlinga I was using a Big Agnes Fly Creek tent this past fall and during a very extended downpour it would get wet when you got in and out due to the vestibule design. Then it got absolutely soaked inside when I took it down because the rain fly needs to come off first. I really appreciated the Hilleberg the first time I put it up in bad weather. It is really nice not to have to worry about getting wet. In this video it was near freezing so this would have been very bad if it happened.
CrawlingRoad 10 months ago
NIce review. I've used this tent in temperate mountains. I found that although the yellow inner is waterproof to a degree, if condensation builds up on its outer surface it will move through the inner to the inside upon touching. Have you expereienced this?
interlinga 10 months ago
@interlinga I have only had condensation problems if I seal the entire tent up in very wet weather. But this would happen to any tent so I didn't find it unusual. If the end of my bag touches the interior then it could get a little damp. I keep this from happening by draping my rain jacket over the foot section. However, I much prefer dealing with condensation than the leaky tents I've used in the past from other makers!
CrawlingRoad 10 months ago
@CrawlingRoad Hi, yes I did exactly the same thing with my rain jacket and didn't experience too great a problem. It was more the worry of getting my down bag wet with condensation, though this didn't happen. We were basically camped inside a cold, wet cloud over 4000 m, with almost no wind. As we weren't far from the equator it was dark for around 12 hours and we were inside tents for 16 hrs per night due to the rain. With less damp conditions and more of a breeze I think less of an issue.
interlinga 10 months ago
Great review great channel!!! Im interest in your rain gear you are wearing...what jacket/pants are you using?
elsinaloa23 11 months ago
@elsinaloa23 My preferred rain gear if I know it's really going to pouring down rain is Helly Hansen Impertech. Every single piece of so-called "breathable" rain gear I have used has always wetted out on me in sustained rains. Helly Hansen Impertech is rubberized fabric and has never once gotten me wet. The pants are some REI zip leg waterproof cross country ski pants. I do carry a set of Helly Hansen Impertech pants as well on hikes for total protection. Getting wet will get you killed.
CrawlingRoad 11 months ago
No I own *both* Akto and Soulo. The Akto is about 1.5lbs lighter and is my three season tent. The Soulo is a little heavier but can handle much heavier show loads. The materials in each are the same The Akto is a single hoop design and has a nice large vestibule but less headroom. The Soulo has more headroom and multiple poles but smaller vestibule. The Soulo is just stronger for our very wet heavy snow. It's my margin of safety tent for winter camping. But both tents are very storm worthy.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
You said you tried the AKTO but ended up with the Soulo. Why? Was it the headroom issue or was it the freestanding vs tunnel tent style preference? Or strength, although I believe the material is the same in each case I think.
n7app 1 year ago
How is the head room. I'm 6' 1'' and like to read sitting up on a 1'' cushion without my head touching the tent.
n7app 1 year ago
@n7app The Soulo has more headroom than the Akto. I'm 5'8" and have a few inches. Not sure about 6'1". But the Hilleberg tents are designed with taller people in mind because the Hillerberg designers are tall Swedes from what I recall. But you should check their website for internal measurements because it's all there.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
@n7app just got my soulo-red today. I'm 6' and 250lbs, and shoe size 12... even with my luxury lite cot set up inside the tent my head wasnt touching the tent wall, although my feet were touching the wall it was more like brushing against the wall, rather than putting awkward pressure against it.
readingleejh 10 months ago
Great review,
n7app 1 year ago
hey very nice vid! what about coocking in the tent?
twaggenson 1 year ago
@twaggenson I don't recommend cooking in any tent. One small mistake can lead to big problems.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Greeeeaaat review, when my bukta finally gives up, I'll certainly be investigating the Hilleberg tents..........new tents (good ones that is) always show good water repellency, but after a few outings in searing sun & freezing rain, they do tend to lose a little of their "shedding power" & even with various DWR sprays, never quite find their original effectiveness.......nature of the fabric I suppose & its coating.........be interesting to hear how this one holds out.................
blacktimberw 1 year ago
Now I am curious, if the tent is that much warmer, what would a candle lantern do? The candle lantern uses 9 hour candles, so it burns all night, I wonder if it would warm things up a bit more.
johnmonk66 1 year ago
@johnmonk66 If you use a candle inside I would make sure I am awake the entire time. Open flame and tents is always a risky proposition. The big thing for me is that the tent will probably stay above freezing while it is in the 20s outside with no heat at all. That means less problems with freezing water, boots, etc. in the winter. One reason I dislike tarps is that you save weight in the shelter, but need to bring more clothes to deal with the convection heat loss.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
@CrawlingRoad I would not call the candle lantern an open flame, it is a very small, self contained metal and glass case that hangs from the ceiling. Even if it fell down somehow the flame is surrounded by glass. But thanks for the reply
johnmonk66 1 year ago
Great Vid! Is there any chance you can make of review of your Akto as well? I'm looking to upgrade my tents to Hilleberg.
MilesScout21 1 year ago
Great Vid! Any chance you can make a review of the Akto?
MilesScout21 1 year ago
@MilesScout21 I will for sure. Just need the weather to get better first. The Akto was my first Hilleberg. It is about 1.5lbs lighter than the Soulo and a single hoop design. It is a four season tent as well, but not as good with snow loading. Construction details are identical to the Soulo (exterior pitches first, etc.) but without the free standing nature. The Soulo has slightly more head room. The Akto has slightly more length. The Akto's vestibule is also slightly larger.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
@MilesScout21 Also the upgrade to Hilleberg is way worth it. I am selling my other tents. There is no need for them any longer. The Hilleberg is much more storm worthy and far better built. It's a much better long term value vs. a cheaper tent.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Outstanding review! Thanks so much for sharing. I have been on the fence about this tent, but you helped me decide.
d034607 1 year ago
@d034607 Hard to go wrong with any Hilleberg. Every one I own has been awesome.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
I have an akto so I am familiar with the quality of hilleberg. It very refreshing to see a review where somebody has actually taken the time to camp out proper. A review can't get any better than this - well done and thank you!
DinoDoesStuff 1 year ago
@DinoDoesStuff Tha Akto was my first Hilleberg. It is my primary tent when I want lightweight but a solid all weather shelter. The Soulo is my primary tent for solo winter hikes. Although both will work well in snow, the Soulo can handle much heavier snow loads if I think I may be leaving it pitched while out hiking, etc. The Akto though is what I'll carry for most other conditions.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
are all the Hilleberg four season tents ?
bcv001 1 year ago
@bcv001 Yes. The Akto is probably the most likely to have problems under heavy snow loads. But even the Akto is a true four season tent if you keep the snow from piling up on it. The Soulo is a true four season tent in all aspects. It's very strong. I would feel very comfortable in any Hilleberg in four seasons. They are all very tough tents and very well made.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Really well made review!
As a scandinavian alot of the concepts described here are just "of course" for us.
If u want full backup in ur tent Hilleberg soulo or hilleberg Unna is really the best tent u can go for. Some tents only exceed at one or two features, hilleberg has it all.
assholebjorn 1 year ago
@assholebjorn Yes these may seem obvious to you, but us Americans are a little slow sometimes. I looked at the Unna, but I really need the vestibule. It is just so wet here that I need a place to put gear and not get the inside of my tent wet. So a vestibule (and a usable one at that) is mandatory. But the Unna is a fine tent if a vestibule is not important to you and you want freestanding.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Hello friend you have an excellent film. You are explained very well. you have the best film of Hilleberg Soulo. I want to buy Hilleberg Soulo. thanks for your fantastic movie. Regards, Dennis
Bushmanzweden 1 year ago
@Bushmanzweden Thanks for visiting. You won't be disappointed in the tent.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Excellent review!
markshmily 1 year ago
I really like your reviews. Well made and you seem to understand the designs and concepts of the products well. Hilleberg tents seems to be as good as it gets. I'm saving up for a green Kaitum 2 for me and my girlfriend. (They are very expensive.)
kinskibrain 1 year ago
@kinskibrain I would like to try one of their tunnel tents like the Kaitium 2. I've heard nothing but good things about them. I bet it's palatial inside that thing.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
@CrawlingRoad Yes I have actually been inside a Kaitum 2 in an outdoor shop and it feels more like a 3 man tent. It's fantastic comfort under 3 kg. And unlike the Nallo, the Kaitum has that great ventilation for condesation control. Albeit you can't avoid condensation when it's cold no matter what tent. It's a law of physics. A high quality dish cloth is what I bring. Also a footprint prevents the ground moisture from flooding the inner walls of the outer tent.
kinskibrain 1 year ago
@kinskibrain Yes the two vestibules would be great for ventilation. I agree on the condensation in cold. When it's wet and cold it's basically impossible to stop. I bring a couple cheap micro-fiber towels and just wipe down the interior in the morning.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Excellent review, thanks for making and sharing
tgauperaa 1 year ago
thanks for the detailed review! i'm sure people interested in the soulo will find your video extremely valuable.
the video is very clear. what camera did you use to film this?
renboy004 1 year ago
@renboy004 Thanks for the note. This is an excellent tent.
The camera is a Canon Vixia HFS20. Although any HD digital camera should work just as well. I would highly recommend you get solid state and not mess with tapes or hard drives. It's hard to go wrong with any major Japanese brand, but Canon is my personal favorite.
CrawlingRoad 1 year ago
Excellent video & review!
dcordry 1 year ago