wanted to see a Hilleberg Atko Adelaide

[Ivor]

Hi all,
Im looking at purchasing a Hilleberg Atko but really want to see one in the flesh. Is there anyone in the south of Adelaide who has one and would be willing to let me look at it and crawl into it?
Ive purchased tents before but had disappointments as they are not long enough for me.
Thanks in advance.

[north-north-west]

Are you saying that these other tents aren't long enough? Not sure what you've tried, but the Akto isn't really an ideal tent for a tall person.

[Ivor]

Yeah im struggling to find a 4 season tent that would suit someone who is six foot four. It seems that the Atko is 220cm long so in theory that should be ok, but I have been bitten before so I am keen to see one in the flesh. Its also a lot of money to put down.
I have a Exped 2 man four season tent, but its (from memory) 3.4kg and its just too heavy.
I also have a Kelty 3 season 1 man which is ok but I want one that is a bit stronger especially in the wind and occasional snow (I will use it in NZ).
Im attracted to the 1.7 of the Atko and I really only want to be able to sleep in it and get my pack out of the weather.
So Im looking for one within an hour of me to see if I can fit in it.
Cheers

[north-north-west]

The trouble is that the ends are fairly low, so while it's long enough for you, the inner would be drooping down enough to touch your sleeping bag at both ends. I'm about a foot shorter than you and even I find it a bit lower at the ends than would be ideal. As for sitting up inside - forget it. Otherwise it''s great - about as bombproof as a tent can be, good usable internal floor space, perfect sized vestibule for a single person (I prefer it's single larger vestibule to the two smaller ones on the Scarp I, for instance.) It does need a decent breeze to ventilate properly, however.

[Franco]

Take a carefull look at this floor plan

Akto-2D-dimensions.jpg (55.18 KiB) Viewed 18967 times

note that the ends are 30 cm high, the apex is 93cm high, the floor is 220cm long
now , make a mock up with those dimensions and see if you fit in (over your mat and inside the sleeping bag)
By mock up I mean something like this (This is NOT the Akto, just a string mock up)

(to be clear, this post was meant for the OP...)

[north-north-west]

The trouble is that the ends are fairly low, so while it's long enough for you, the inner would be drooping down enough to touch your sleeping bag at both ends. I'm about a foot shorter than you and even I find it a bit lower at the ends than would be ideal. As for sitting up inside - forget it. Otherwise it''s great - about as bombproof as a tent can be, good usable internal floor space, perfect sized vestibule for a single person (I prefer its single larger vestibule to the two smaller ones on the Scarp I, for instance.) It does need a decent breeze to ventilate properly, however.

[Ivor]

Sigh.
yep thats been my problem all along.
Any suggestions that would fit my criteria?

[neilmny]

Go for a 2 person tent.
I have no personal experience with Hilleberg tents but the Anjan 2 might be a good proposition at 1.8kg.
Same floor length but much wider floor would allow a diagonal approach to be taken and the roof is much higher.

[Zapruda]

Ivor, what conditions will you be looking to use the tent in? Being tall myself I have found most big name tents just don’t cut it in the length department.

There are less conventional options I could suggest, especially if you will be mostly using it below the tree line.

[Ivor]

Thanks for the replies all.
I want to use this for solo missions. I hike into the Vic High Country several times per year for about a week at a time. I need a tent that can withstand wind and some snow, of course rain. This year I have some LSL and will do a solo venture into NZ in October. I want a tent that can withstand pretty rough weather.
I have a bivvy and I dont like it, I also have a Hennesy Hammock and in big winds i feel sea sick. I prefer a tent.
Im really after a 4 season as Im currently using a 3 season kelty and its not the best.
How come no one makes a long tent???
I even contacted Hilleberg and they directed me towards a youtube of a tall staff member they had but his solution was to put your coat over the bottom of your sleeping bag. So I thought that I should look at a few myself. Hence the ask.

Being solo and in remote country I cannot afford to get my bag wet in extreme weather. So my search continues.

[norts]

The WE 2 Arrow is not too bad for tall ppl. I have a mate that uses it and he is just over 6ft.

[north-north-west]

I think you're going to have to go for a two-man tent. I have a WE Second Arrow. Much longer and more usable internal floor space than the Hilleberg Nallo/Anjan and marketed as a true four season tent. I've not had it in really vile weather yet, but it's coped with the wet and windy conditions it's faced very well. 1.8kg all up, although you should add a few extra pegs.
Four season tents generally don't tend to be really lightweight unfortunately, and one suitable for a taller person that's light is even harder to find.

[Ivor]

I had a WE 2 and I sold it on here a few months back. It certainly was not long enough for me. I even tried lying crossways in it and decided it was not going to work. So it went to tassie to a very happy buyer.
Thanks for all the suggestions .... I might just have to stick to my exped after all. Its certainly long enough for me!

[Franco]

I often see that "set the mat sideways" option but for a lot of tents that (as you discovered) does not work.
Again it is easy enough to replicate the floor plan (in 2D is OK here...) and see if tilting the mat works or not.
This is a 220x110cm floor plan.
Not uncommon for a two person tent.
The mat is the long /wide type, 198x63 cm.
if , because of sloping walls, one cannot use this :

doing this is not going to work either :

This is not directed at anyone in particular, I am just sharing one of the ways I look at tents.

[Ivor]

Yes its a good trick that you showed with the cable. Thanks for that.
Has anyone actually tried to make a tent? Im assuming its not that easy...????

[Franco]

A lot of the "cottage" manufacturers (most...) started with someone wanting to make his own tent.
Whenever I see a comment about making a tent to "save money" I point out that usualy it takes two or three prototypes to get it right.
Some of the unexspected problems are the cost of sourcing all the bits (add postage...) the need,in most cases , to buy a sawing machine that can handle the job ( scissors, needles, rulers...) and the fact that it isn't all that easy to get the right shape for the panels.
The easiest ones to make are the mids or simple A frame versions.

[north-north-west]

Franco, how long is the Scarp I internally? With the crossing poles it can cope with some fairly wild weather, even if it isn't as robust as the Hillebergs.

ps Ivor: Thanks for the tent. I love it.

[Franco]

The Scarp inner is 218cm long , however the lowest point is about 38cm going up to 99cm , so more usable space than the Akto.

With the 4 PitchLoc corners and the current 9mm pole and the South Korean silnylon we use on that I would think that it is at least as strong as the Akto.
But of course I am biased...
Every few years I post this photo for my own amusement:

1239846445_12067.jpg (56.27 KiB) Viewed 18641 times

I was about 75 KG at the time.
There is no trick, you can see the carbon fibre struts bending but they hold my weight.
Don't try this at home (just in case) but DO NOT even think about doing it with other similar tents.

[north-north-west]

Oh, the design is definitely superior, and the construction quality is fine, it's more the fabric. Of course, the first camp up on Eldon Peak tends to bias me a bit and it's not like you run into conditions like that every day. It stood up to the wind, but the gust were strong enough to force water through the fabric. The Akto has been in similar conditions without a blip.

[Franco]

Since it was first made , the Scarp has had at least 3 different types of silnylon fabrics.
The first two were US made , also used by other US based "cottage " manufacturers (rated around 1500mm) , since three or so years ago we have been using fabrics sourced in South Korea , the one on the Scarp is rated 3000mm .

[crollsurf]

Hi Ivor, exactly how tall are you. Below 190cm there are a few good options. Also in the high country, if you want to camp on top of a peak, you'll need 4 season. Otherwise 3 season or 3+ should be fine.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

[Ivor]

Hi mate,
im just on 193cm. So thats why I am looking at options.
Yeah i have spent a lot of time up the vic high country... a lot of time. Ive destroyed - or should i say the weather and wind have destroyed a few tents so far.

North, North, West. Im glad you like it! It was a great tent, just too short for me

[wildwanderer]

Could look at a tarp tent bowfin. It's inner is 213cm long and because the pole is a hoop running end to end the head and foot height is very good.

Some may question it's wind worthless however well staked with extra guys I've had mine broadside to 60-80+km/h winds on the top of Mount Jagungal and it worked well.

https://sectionhiker.com/tarptent-bowfi ... nt-review/

Though likely the scarp would be a better storm choice and seems to have the length and height clearance for feet that your looking for.

[Ivor]

Ok! thank you!!
I will have a closer look at them.

[Moondog55]

I am now only 184 tall due to old age shrinkage but have always found tents to be too short for winter use. My Lofoten would be long enough for you due to the "camp" extension meaning you can touch the inner at the head end without fear of condensation wetting out the sleeping bag but otherwise won't suit as it is a bit heavy for solo use.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30418

[Nuts]

The tarptents are good, i'm sure those strong winds would be about the limit for the bowfin or similar? but the scarps are solid. Solo tents are designed around reduced weight so they are always going to hedge to the average height walkers. A raincoat over the feet may be a reasonable answer..

Personally I liked the tipi style shelters, the old hex3 / shargri-la3 (iv'e seen a new version but can't recall the brand) hold up to 4 seasons. They get a bit heavy with a full liner but other ideas work. At least there's heaps of space!

[wildwanderer]

Another option could be a duomid. They claim it's good for 6ft3 users.

Is light and has a great rep for wind and snow. Certainly not cheap though

https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/duomid/

EDIT. With the inner included it might be a bit short

[Ivor]

Thanks for all the thoughts brain trust. It is a very frustrating experience. It might be that i just have lump my old Exped Venis 2 around at 3.4 or something kgs. Its certainly bomb proof but you would think that there is something 4 season a bit lighter these days.

[Moondog55]

Is even the SoLong too short?
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30764

[Ivor]

Is even the SoLong too short?
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=30764

Hi, do you think that it would withstand winds and snow? Do you know if there is a 4 season of it available?
Its certainly long enough though!!