Not another tent thread!

[bushwalker zane]

I am wanting to upgrade to a better, 4 season tent. The best two brands I have found and liked are Hilleberg and Exped. I was wondering who on this forum has tents from these brands and what you like most about the brand? I can't really decide on one and some advice would be great. I am looking for something with a bit of room as I am 190cm tall, as well as plenty of room for pack and stuff.

Any help would be lovely!

Zane

[DonQx]

both brands are good

it should come down to what exactly you want in your tent ... they have different designs & specs after all

which models are you considering?

[shazcol]

at 190cm you would not fit in a Nallo 2 if that helps.

[adventurescape]

I have an Exped Sirius 2 extreme and it would be long enough for you. I am 187 cm and a stomach sleeper and I have room to spare. It fits 2 adults plus gear comfortably. I find that there is ample headroom for two tall people to sit upright.

[DonQx]

another brand to consider: Helsport ... in the same league as Hilleberg, pretty popular in Europe, hardly known in Oz & US.

Their tent model Ringstind 1 is like a larger Akto. Tall people love it, long inside and 110cm headroom. There's also a Ringstind 2.

[bushwalker zane]

another brand to consider: Helsport ... in the same league as Hilleberg, pretty popular in Europe, hardly known in Oz & US.

Their tent model Ringstind 1 is like a larger Akto. Tall people love it, long inside and 110cm headroom. There's also a Ringstind 2.

Thanks! They seem pretty nifty, I think I have seen some before. More options now!

[ninjapuppet]

Ive got an exped Orion thats been pitched in the yard once you can have for half price of the RRP. Never been slept in.
PM if interested

[Bluegum Mic]

Ive got an exped Orion thats been pitched in the yard once you can have for half price of the RRP. Never been slept in.
PM if interested

Ooooh I love that tent. So don't need it but man I'd like it. NP you have some seriously awesome gear in your kitty.

[marangaroo86]

Ive got an exped Orion thats been pitched in the yard once you can have for half price of the RRP. Never been slept in.
PM if interested

NP Why are you not keeping it? Just out of interest.
I have just got a Exped Orion Extreme .
I got this tent for Winter/Snow Use.
Very well made and sturdy
Great for the head room, can sit up when stuck in the tent for hours on end.
Maybe weighty, But in winter I mostly dont go solo.
about to seam seal it ( never done this before)

Very nice 4 season tent . Can not wait to give it a go.
Hope I made a good choice

[bushwalker zane]

Ive got an exped Orion thats been pitched in the yard once you can have for half price of the RRP. Never been slept in.
PM if interested

NP Why are you not keeping it? Just out of interest.
I have just got a Exped Orion Extreme .
I got this tent for Winter/Snow Use.
Very well made and sturdy
Great for the head room, can sit up when stuck in the tent for hours on end.
Maybe weighty, But in winter I mostly dont go solo.
about to seam seal it ( never done this before)

Very nice 4 season tent . Can not wait to give it a go.
Hope I made a good choice

They seem pretty great, I would love to get in one just to feel how it is. I was looking at the Venus II. But the Vela looks pretty darn nifty too. It says it's 230cm long, so there may be room!

[ninjapuppet]

Nothing wrong with the orion. I think its a great tent, which is why I bought it in the first place. Its just excess to my needs.
There was an article here doing some tent testing where the Orion came out on top. It took 130kph of wind to take it down (81mph) and thats pretty impressive stuff!
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43popup4/4CA164DE277F0A58C1256F2B001E4B0E?Opendocument

[bushwalker zane]

Nothing wrong with the orion. I think its a great tent, which is why I bought it in the first place. Its just excess to my needs.
There was an article here doing some tent testing where the Orion came out on top. It took 130kph of wind to take it down (81mph) and thats pretty impressive stuff!
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43popup4/4CA164DE277F0A58C1256F2B001E4B0E?Opendocument

That's impressive!

[marangaroo86]

Nothing wrong with the orion. I think its a great tent, which is why I bought it in the first place. Its just excess to my needs.
There was an article here doing some tent testing where the Orion came out on top. It took 130kph of wind to take it down (81mph) and thats pretty impressive stuff!
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43popup4/4CA164DE277F0A58C1256F2B001E4B0E?Opendocument

Very impressive video
I had seen a Exped Venus ii and liked the Design , pole configuration and quality. But I wanted more height to situp and maybe better snow shedding
Thanks for your comments ninjapuppt

[Nuts]

But the Vela looks pretty darn nifty too. It says it's 230cm long, so there may be room!

Nik did a review here somewhere, didnt sound overly impressed (with the Vela)?

[bushwalker zane]

Oh really? Looks like I might need to stalk around the forums then. I'm not too sold on the door system, seems like it could let water in when the tent is wet.

[Son of a Beach]

But the Vela looks pretty darn nifty too. It says it's 230cm long, so there may be room!

Nik did a review here somewhere, didnt sound overly impressed (with the Vela)?

There's a comprehensive review of the Exped Vela I Extreme here: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2248
Be sure to read all the way to the end to get the reasons why I eventually sold the tent. In short, I loved the tent, but I wasn't happy with it's ability to handle heavy overnight snow falls (ie, needs bumping off every now and then - same as a lot of other tents).

I wouldn't recommend the Vela 1 for tall people. Although it is very long, the ends are narrow, and the ceiling is very low near the ends, meaning that the ceiling will be against your sleeping bag near the end if you're tall. The length was certainly enough for me, but I'm only average height.

[bushwalker zane]

Ah, thank you for the for warning

Strike that off my list.

[Peaksnik]

Hi Bushwalker Zane

I'm 183cm tall and I have an Exped Sirius Extreme and two Hillebergs - a 2-person Allak and a 1-person Soulo. The Exped is as well-made as the Hilleberg in my opinion but I prefer the two-door design of the Allak to the tunnel of the Exped - my older and less flexible body can get in and out of the Hillies with ease and with a vestibule each cuts down on the friction caused by a careless partner with disorganised kit. However, the Exped is roomy although it does require plenty of space to pitch.

The Allak is 230cm in length and the Soulo 220cm, both longer than the Sirius. I find that the Allak and Soulo have plenty of room to stretch out with ample head height. I also prefer the free-standing set-up of the two Hillies although this means more relative weight because of the poles - but then this does provide added strength and shape to face adverse conditions (e.g. snow and torrential rain) without worrying about perfect pitching and using extra guylines etc.

Cheers

[bushwalker zane]

Hi Bushwalker Zane

I'm 183cm tall and I have an Exped Sirius Extreme and two Hillebergs - a 2-person Allak and a 1-person Soulo. The Exped is as well-made as the Hilleberg in my opinion but I prefer the two-door design of the Allak to the tunnel of the Exped - my older and less flexible body can get in and out of the Hillies with ease and with a vestibule each cuts down on the friction caused by a careless partner with disorganised kit. However, the Exped is roomy although it does require plenty of space to pitch.

The Allak is 230cm in length and the Soulo 220cm, both longer than the Sirius. I find that the Allak and Soulo have plenty of room to stretch out with ample head height. I also prefer the free-standing set-up of the two Hillies although this means more relative weight because of the poles - but then this does provide added strength and shape to face adverse conditions (e.g. snow and torrential rain) without worrying about perfect pitching and using extra guylines etc.

Cheers

Thanks for your input Peaksnik! Some good pointers there in my quest to find a new home away from home

[north-north-west]

at 190cm you would not fit in a Nallo 2 if that helps.

Eh? The Nallo 2 is 220cm long, internally. Not a lot of room below the feet, but enough.

[bushwalker zane]

That's what I thought, then I got confused. I wouldn't think there would be many tents out there less than 190cm long.

[north-north-west]

I'm biased here - the Hillebergs are the best tents I've had or seen. The build quality is second to none. The only issues I've ever had are condensation and a somewhat fiddly pitch with the Akto. The Nallo is tops, but - can't fault it. And that red almost glows in the dark . . .

[bushwalker zane]

I'm biased here - the Hillebergs are the best tents I've had or seen. The build quality is second to none. The only issues I've ever had are condensation and a somewhat fiddly pitch with the Akto. The Nallo is tops, but - can't fault it. And that red almost glows in the dark . . .

I really am getting more attracted to them. I think the green is beautiful though. They just seem such good quality, trust the Swedes!

[Hutchie]

Can vouch for Hilleberg tents. As others have mentioned the build quality and design is outstanding. I own a single man Hilleberg Soulo and have been been 100% satisfied, they really are bombproof tents. If you chose a model that suits your size and needs then i doubt you'll be disappointed. Expensive but worth every cent.

[bushwalker zane]

Can vouch for Hilleberg tents. As others have mentioned the build quality and design is outstanding. I own a single man Hilleberg Soulo and have been been 100% satisfied, they really are bombproof tents. If you chose a model that suits your size and needs then i doubt you'll be disappointed. Expensive but worth every cent.

I really like the design of this tent too. I'd happily carry 2.2 kilos for a bomb proof single person.

[Hutchie]

If its of use i have reviewed the Soulo here:
http://ozhiking.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/hilleberg-soulo-hiking-tent/

[bushwalker zane]

If its of use i have reviewed the Soulo here:
http://ozhiking.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/hilleberg-soulo-hiking-tent/

Thanks! Looks great.

[shazcol]

at 190cm you would not fit in a Nallo 2 if that helps.

Eh? The Nallo 2 is 220cm long, internally. Not a lot of room below the feet, but enough.

A slight qualification. I'm 183cm and use the Exped 7 down mat (quite high) and a down sleeping bag and due to the back sloping down quite a bit in the Nallo at the back I find the bottom of my bag just touching the tent at the back when Sharon and I are both in the tent. When solo it's not a problem as you can position yourself better in the longest part of the tent and you still have masses of room for everything and no issues.

I have been told they are designed to fit 6'2" person (aprox 188cm). You being 190cm you might find it a little bit small unless you are solo with it, or have a thin mat. The Exped Sirius has those little poles at the foot end to raise the back up slightly to create a little more foot room. I would suggest you try and organise somebody on the forum to let you get in one. That is how I decided on the Nallo 2 as it's impossible to judge otherwise. PM me if you want to call in try it out some time. One of the shops in L'ton had an Exped Sirius setup when we were looking as well.

[DonQx]

I really like the design of this tent too. I'd happily carry 2.2 kilos for a bomb proof single person.

If you're happy to compromise on weight, then maybe the Nallo 3 is an option too.

Same length as N2, but a little steeper in the back, thus a little more 'usable' length.

I'm 187cm tall and went for the N3 coz I wanted 105 headroom. N3 is also a pretty spacious 2 person tent. Great tent.

And yes, agree with all the comments about about Hilleberg quality. Exped & Helsport also in the same league. Swiss or Scandinavian ... what a choice

[bushwalker zane]

Well, I looked at the Nallo 2 and the Akto today with Ent. Both great tents and I'm pretty well sold on Hilleberg!