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10/09/2024 08:14AM |
From personal experience I had a Big Agnes seedhouse 2 that was still weather tight after 12 years of hard use. Now using a Big Agnes UL Copper Spur. Considerably lighter and the fabric is not as durable as the much heavier Seedhouse, however I've had no issues with the fly leaking after 6 years of heavy use.
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10/10/2024 08:44PM |
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10/10/2024 08:48PM |
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10/10/2024 05:23PM |
About all I will say is that I have not ever felt the need to get another tent. (Only a smaller solo/2 person would be of interest to me.) The tunnel design is so sturdy even in big storms. If you can afford one, I think it's safe to say you wont regret how it performs.
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10/11/2024 08:40AM |
RoundRiver: "A follow-up question: Do the rest of you agree with MReid that separating the inner tent from the fly (and reconnecting it) is a hassle/chore? This is NOT to put MReid down, it is to learn other perspectives. I ask because 1) like MReid I keep my fly in one dry bag and the tent in another AND I saw the options to undo a few of them to create a little more room if needed (especially with the Unna to create a small vestibule-like area). Also to get the screen tent inner for some trips."
After using the Hilleberg a bit, I developed a different technique. As I mentioned, before that tent I'd pack a wet fly separately. With the Hilleberg, I use a plastic ground sheet inside the tent in wet conditions. If I have to pack the tent wet, I'll fold the groundsheet in half on itself, then roll the tent with the ground sheet inside. This keeps one side totally dry, so you're always on a dry ground sheet. If I have time (usually do), I'll pull out the ground sheet after setting up the tent and dry things out. One thing I've noticed about the Hilleberg tent fabric is that it dries extremely quickly. It is silicone treated instead of polyurethane coated, and so the material has less to wet out. With polyurethane coating, although the coating may disallow water to pass through, the non-coated side can wet out, especially as the DWR wears and becomes less effective. That doesn't happen in the Hilleberg fabric.
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10/08/2024 08:15PM |
Hi. I am seriously considering buying a Hilleberg tent. By all accounts they sound like they are extremely well designed, durable, and weather tight. Do any of you own/use a Hilleberg tent? If so, what model and what are your thoughts on it (as good as advertised, likes, dislikes, etc)? I am primarily considering the following models: Unna, Soulu, Anjan 2, and Akto. Do you have any specific comments regarding any of these models? THANK YOU for your input.
BACK STORY FOR THOSE WHO LIKE CONTEXT
My beloved simple and inexpensive Eureka Amari Pass 2 tent has given me many years of service. It has been a great solo tent, and still works well under a CCS tarp on a ridgeline. However, some areas where I canoe trip do not readily accomodate a tarp on ridgeline and in such cases have learned my fly is no longer water tight (I seamsealed all stitching when I bought it). So looking for a new tent. Have been the past two years and putting it off since I like mine.
My past experience with trying to reapply water repellency was not at all worth the effort. And I am reading that many times it is not fruitful. Further, I have been reading that even new tent flies are only expected to retain their water repellency for 1-4 years. Even a well-known mid to high level tent company posted repellency to last 1-2 years without recoating. I find this absolutely unacceptable, especially given the cost of most decent tents. And I have been hesitating because I want to buy one good tent that lasts at least 10 years, not a new one every 2-3 years because that is just a waste of plastic (nylon, etc), but am finding it difficult to locate reviews that instill such confidence (especially in terms of the basics such as durability and keeping weather out). All this has led me to seriously consider spending the money for a Hilleberg tent.
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10/11/2024 08:51AM |
I use just the outer tent and the ground sheet for winter, which in addition to being lighter and less bulky, also increases the length, width, and height on the inside. I basically just use it as a free-standing tarp with a floor - I just want a sturdy, easy to set up shelter in case of heavier snow, strong winds, or extreme cold.
I ocassionally use it for paddle trips during shoulder season, in which case I add the inner mesh tent for it's bathtub floor. The regular inner tent seems like overkill (and heavier than necessary) for my situations. The inner and outer connect with toggles and loops. It's a little bit of a pain to connect them (especially the ones on the back side), but unless you're wearing mittens, or it's raining, or the bugs are crazy it's not that bad in my opinion. Disconnecting them is easier, and untoggling a couple of them to increase the vestibule size is very easy since those ones are easy to get to.
The kerlon material of the outer tent is similar to silnylon but seems stronger and less slippery than the silnylon I have experience with in other products. It doesn't seem like the coating would ever come off like with the PU coated fabrics, but I guess everything degrades eventually.
Here it is with the yellow inner tent:
Unna pros (that I can think of right now):
- Sturdy, storm-proof, well made
- Free-standing
- Inner and outer (and ground sheet) can be set up all together in one step
- The poles insert into the outer tent, so you don't have to bring the inner at all if you just want a simple shelter
-I love the big side door opening
Cons (some of these are necessary in order to achieve the main features of the tent):
-You have to fold and roll, it can't simply be stuffed into its stuff sack or it will be a tangled mess when it's time to set it up (the inner and outer will get twisted up, and the guy lines will get hopelessly tangled)
-The poles can be a bit of a pain to insert into the full-length sleeves (but you get the hang of it)
-I wish the door zipper went a little further instead of stopping at the top (but the door does roll the rest of the way open, leaving a full side opening)
-It doesn't vent as well as a normal tent when fully buttoned up
-The green color is nearly black, and I don't like the yellow inner tent color either (but I think a lot of people like it)
-Too many logos sewn onto the tent for my taste
-Expensive
Despite the longer list of mostly minor cons, I really like it for winter camping. Based on prevalence in YouTube videos, it seems like the Soulo is a more popular model, I don't see a lot of people using the Unna at all. The Soulo looks like it's a little easier to set up (since the pole sleeves aren't full length), and it has more head room, but is also taller and would be more exposed to the wind. It's also probably not as long as the Unna but don't quote me on that.
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10/11/2024 11:05AM |
RoundRiver: "MAIN POINT - PRIMARY QUESTION(S)
Hi. I am seriously considering buying a Hilleberg tent. By all accounts they sound like they are extremely well designed, durable, and weather tight. Do any of you own/use a Hilleberg tent? If so, what model and what are your thoughts on it (as good as advertised, likes, dislikes, etc)? I am primarily considering the following models: Unna, Soulu, Anjan 2, and Akto. Do you have any specific comments regarding any of these models? THANK YOU for your input.
BACK STORY FOR THOSE WHO LIKE CONTEXT
My beloved simple and inexpensive Eureka Amari Pass 2 tent has given me many years of service. It has been a great solo tent, and still works well under a CCS tarp on a ridgeline. However, some areas where I canoe trip do not readily accomodate a tarp on ridgeline and in such cases have learned my fly is no longer water tight (I seamsealed all stitching when I bought it). So looking for a new tent. Have been the past two years and putting it off since I like mine.
My past experience with trying to reapply water repellency was not at all worth the effort. And I am reading that many times it is not fruitful. Further, I have been reading that even new tent flies are only expected to retain their water repellency for 1-4 years. Even a well-known mid to high level tent company posted repellency to last 1-2 years without recoating. I find this absolutely unacceptable, especially given the cost of most decent tents. And I have been hesitating because I want to buy one good tent that lasts at least 10 years, not a new one every 2-3 years because that is just a waste of plastic (nylon, etc), but am finding it difficult to locate reviews that instill such confidence (especially in terms of the basics such as durability and keeping weather out). All this has led me to seriously consider spending the money for a Hilleberg tent."
The biggest key to having any tent or tarp maintain it water repellency is to always store it in an air conditioned space. If they are stored somewhere subject to getting hot, the water proof coating will develop a tacky feel and stop functioning appropriately.
I have used Big Agnes tents pretty much exclusively since 2002. They have always been stored in the bottom drawer of the dresser in our spare room and they would all keep me dry on a rainy night, even the 15+ year old Seedhouse 1.
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10/09/2024 09:24AM |
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10/09/2024 10:52AM |
I think the biggest question you want to ask yourself is whether or not they fit into your price range and whether or not weight is one of your primary concerns.
I don't think any of their tents would really be considered ultralight so if weight is a big concern I'd look elsewhere.
If you're not concerned about the price and are willing to carry some additional weight to give you a better design and better longevity then I think they might be for you. In terms of longevity you should be honest with yourself about how much you'll actually use it.
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10/09/2024 01:29PM |
I chose the Anjan due to the weight and savings over the true 4 season:
Minimum weight: 1.5 kg--3 lb 5 oz
Packed weight: 1.8 kg--3 lb 15 oz
This allows me to keep my total pack weight at 28-32lbs (depending on season). For the dependability of this tent, I'm fine with an extra pound or two of weight.
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10/09/2024 02:22PM |
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10/09/2024 08:35PM |