Scarp v.s. Akto

Few people seem to part with Aktos. They give a lot of service. I guess owners will be waiting to hear about durability reports on the Scarp before they exchange an 'old faithful'.

Seriously – no current Akto owners are wondering……

Nope, not me.

JRS

Richard – how do you make it through a heavy wet snow storm in the Akto without it collapsing? Where do you see that the Akto is superior? Thanks,

Haven't used it in a snow storm yet. If snow's expected, I'd take Hilleberg's 10mm pole (about 7.3 oz) instead of the regular pole (9mm and about 6.2 oz). If expecting very heavy wet snow, might take both and double-pole the tent.

Why superior? Can't compare the Akto to similar tents since I haven't used any similar tents. In deciding to purchase the Akto, I trusted reviews by other folks who had a lot of experience with the Akto. In particular, I read comments by Chris Townsend and others who (like him) have used the Akto in very windy stormy conditions (as in the Scottish Highlands, where I'd like to go sometime).

I was also impressed by the fact that the Akto had been around for years and withstood that test of time with few modifications in its design. The main design change that seemed to have occurred in all that time was addition of a vent over the door to help deal with condensation.

Although heavier (at 3 lbs) than more recent similar tents that I've read about, I believe the Akto is exceptionally well-made, and provides solid protection as a double-wall tent with very nice features for one person. Especially like the design for the vestibule and the inner tent with the space and flexibility afforded, although the single centered pole and extended ends have been criticized as a weakness when loaded with heavy wet snow.

Guess I'll just have to find out for myself one day how the Akto handles heavy snow when I use the heavier pole (or perhaps double-pole). Either way, figure I can also knock snow off before it gets out-of-hand. I can see that a snow load issue could/would arise if the Akto is pitched and then left unattended for a heavy snowstorm. However, I don't plan to use my Akto as a base camp for winter trips, or leave it unattended for a lengthy period.

I've gone on way too long. I'm certain that others have a lot more experience with the Akto and can provide a better evaluation — especially your question about comparing the Akto to other similar tents.

JRS

PS: The forecast here in the Willamette Valley is for a bit of snow the next night or so. If I get a chance, I'll pitch my Akto and see how it handles whatever comes. Since this is Oregon, the snow is likely to be wet & heavy even with just a few inches. Probably a good coat of ice, too.

If I didn't already have an Akto I'd try the Scarp. Does that help?
Ventilation is possible in the Akto even in wet weather as it has vents at each end. It's unclear if this is true with the Scarp.
I like the dual doors on the Scarp, they should provide better ventilation and views in good weather.
There are lots of copies of Akto…

I had a Akto and sold it after three years use. It was a hight issue for me at 6'2. I have a Scarp but have not had a chance to use it in the hills. I reckon it is going to cope with wind as easy as an Akto. It has one issue I worry about and that is the large gap between the ground and fly sheet on the porches. Chris Townsend on his web site has a comment or two on the Scarp in the snow vs the Akto. Go check it out. I also find the Scarp the fastest pitching tent I have used. Handy in bad weather I hope. Get lots of that in the UK.

"I had a Akto and sold it after three years use. It was a hight issue for me at 6'2. I have a Scarp but have not had a chance to use it in the hills."

Good to know as I am 6' 2" as well and have been debating the Scarp vs. Akto issue myself. I'm almost dead set on a MLD DuoMid but the Scarp is still on my short list as well for this year.

The cross poles on the scarp seem a great asset for snow camping, but the gap between the fly and ground is a clear disadvantage to me in exposed windy conditions versus the akto or laser that seal well to the ground, eliminating drafts and 'lift'.

JT Croteau. Sitting up in the Akto is cramped. It is 90cm vs the Scarp at 99cm in I recall. I have pitched the Scarp in the Garden a few times and the room is huge. Pack size is small and the weight is less than an Akto. I used a Laser for the last year and half which replaced the Akto. The Scarp looks like it will see the Laser confined to the store room. But that is an assumption till I get it out in the hills.

I regret selling my Akto if that helps at all. I'm not much of a snow /winter camper, but the tent held up fine to the bit of wet snow I woke up to in the Cascades in the summer. My favorite part about the Akto was that when I woke up to rain, I could pack up my stuff in the tent, take down the dry inner from the inside and pack it. Have a nice dry breakfast under the outer tent, take it down, stuff it in the pouch on the outside of my pack and hit the trail. all without getting my self or my gear soaked in the process. I'm 6' 190lbs and found it to have enough room for me to feel comfortable…I could even sit up in it.

Having owned a tarptent ( great tents ), I think the Akto outscores in terms of durability and strength…which means you'll get more life out of it.

Having learned my lesson about getting caught up in the newest, latest, greatest, lightest game…I'll be buying another Akto.

I'm having trouble find Chris's comments, can you provide link?

Some comments here :
http://christownsendoutdoors.blogspot.com/2009/02/camp-in-snow.html
also see the "pitching a tent in the snow" article for some more.
According to Chris , this is a picture of the Scarp under snow :

I wonder if he closed the top vents…..;)

I closed one of the vents but not the other! No snow came in.

Of course I wouldn't normally allow so much snow to build up on a tent without knocking it off but this was a useful test to see just what would happen to the Scarp in heavy snow.

Any damage? That shot is impressive.

On Hillebergs in general: those things are bombproof and they are the best tent I have slept in. I spent two months canoeing through Minnesota and Canada to Hudson Bay in 2005, sleeping in a Saivo every night we were outside save one (we didn't set up the tent that night). We put it through heavy rains and northern bay winds and it help up spectacular. The only damage I know in the years since is a broken pole that occurred in winter of 2008 when 18 inches of wet, sticky snow fell over the course of about 18 hours.

Few would be pressed to part with such a spectacular tent.

No damage though some of the connectors for the crossover poles came undone. I may not have fastened them properly as they are awkward to close with cold fingers.

I've used Hilleberg tents in severe storms many times and they've always performed well. I had the Soulo pitched in the same storms as the Scarp and it was fine. It's easy to pitch too but heavier.

Hi Chris,

About how many inches of snow fell on the Scarp would you say?

There was around a foot on top of the tent and a couple of feet around the perimeter. The first snow that fell was wet and heavy and sticky. Then it changed to lighter drier snow that stuck to the wet snow. The weight of snow brought down many, many big branches and even some trees. I've never seen so much damage in the local forests before.

G'Day Chris
Have you used the scarp in high winds? If so howw did it perform
Thanks
Darren

I've used the Scarp in winds gusting to 30-35mph. The crossover poles make a big difference here but the tent still moves a fair bit. To reduce this I attached guylines to each side and each end (there are loops for this).

I have currently got a Soulo and a Laser Competition and used to have an Akto. I got rid of the Akto because the Soulo is much stronger and handles snow better for those real 4 season moments. For all other times of the year, when weight and flexibility are required, the Laser Comp is brilliant. The other thing is even I found the Akto to be too low and cramped and I'm 5foot 7 tall!!!

However….that hasnt stopped me looking at the Scarp 1 :)
I contacted Henry and he said that the scarp could be supplied with a fuller fly if requested. ie one that comes down to the ground. I havent found out how much this would cost extra or what extra weight this would add to the tent though.
I really like the design and I think it corrects some of the inherent flaws in the Akto design on which it appears to be based

G'Day Dave
Thats great news. With that mod i think might have found my new tent
Darren

Check out Franco’s Scarp modification

It may the answer to what a lot of people are looking for in a modular, solo winter shelter.