Hilleberg SouloUnna Alternatives

I looked real hard at the Hilleburgs – marvelous design & build but too heavy – if you're looking at those two it sounds like you're going for a 1 person occupancy – if that is the case you should also look at the Rab Superlite bivy/tent – 3 lbs – absolutely bomber in exposed shoulder & 4th season alpine conditions – found a brand new one on E-bay for cheap – I use a BD OneShot (1) or LightHouse (2) for the other three seasons.

Hi Mark,

I have looked at the Rab Superlight but I had some concerns about the lack of a vestibule and condensation if the tempearture pooped up above 0 which it often does in Scotland during the Winter.

Have any of these caused problems for you?

I see a vestibule si availabale for the Summit version.

Cheers,

Stephen

Stephen, Hi,

Most of my alpine travels is in the central Rocky Mtn's & desert – dry, & frozen dry snow for the most part & very windy – ideal conditions to support the use of the Rab. Low profile, turtle shell with no overhangs for the wind to push around. With the door design it would not be the best choice for a lot of rainy or wet snow conditions.

Of the online reviews that I've read the E-vent is said to be very breathable in coastal snow conditions & inside boiling of water – if I need to melt snow I do it outside during the day and do not use the stove to heat or cook food. I would not carry a vestibule on a solo trek due to the added weight. I did attach a 6oz ground cloth off the front similar to a vestibule attachment to test the possibilities if ever needed – it worked out pretty well but more open than a full vestibule and would make an adequate wind block for use of a stove.

The large challenge of 4th season solo backpacking is of course the limitation of carrying weight – we have a world class outfitting retail store nearby that carries the Hilleberg line that I have been able to get a close up look – if you can carry the extra oz / grams the Hilleberg is a fine tent – new ones with limited use show up on E-bay fairly often.

Good luck with your selection.

Hi Mark,

The Hillebergs do like nice alright and the vestibule is great for melting snow and cooking.
You mention you have had a good look at the Hilebergs, did you get a chance to llok at both the Unna and the Soulo?

Cheers,

Stephen

had one. is extremely spacious, and it is rather heavy for one person. it's big though, as if you had a dog, it would be ideal.. the poles are EXTREMELY long. sold it and went to an akto. have been over exstatic ever since.
both unna and akto NEED a mesh window. unna runs a big drier than akto , due to i suspect the very generous clearance between the fly and the inner tent.
both are fine. unna is easier to set up. akto is easier to take down (shorter poles to extract).
even for peter, who travels old school and too heavy, unna was kind'a overmuch for one person. would be Fantastic on a bike/canoe thrip though. is a very very comfortable shelter. lot so froom, great atmosphere control, warm, dry in extended (very ) rain.
akto does not look swell set up on a lawn compared to a mainstream tent. is is much like a trials bike in some reagards, in that it is a tool that will excel only when you put it to use in it's proper environment/context. hillebergs are almost gross when setup in camp next to some of the things people on this site run. they really shine though in the bush.
do not disregard that thing about the window.

never looked into that other tent you mentioned.

cheers,
v.

Hi Peter,

The Atko is a nice llokng tent, I have had a chance to compare it side by side with my Scarp recently.

From what I see the Soulo does have mesh in the door also :-)

All the best,

Stephen

Funny you would ask the question of which Hilleberg to choose – they all have positive features, just depends on which works for you.

For solo backpacking I would rule the Soulo out due to weight but I would tend to think it's the most comfortable if you had to spend a lot of time in the tent – the Akto is the lightest and perhaps the more vulnerable in wind, requires more staking and has a very wide footprint – a real chore to deal with in 4th season alpine conditions.

Is the Unna worth an extra 18oz / 500g over the Akto – tough question – that's a lot of weight – I would go to the Rab or add the BD FirstLight to the list – Sorry, I'm sure that didn't help – :-)

Hi Mark,

Your cool :-)

If I dont come across an alterntaive and can't deide between the two Hillies I will order both and try them out inside and send one back.

Cheers for your help,

Stephen

There are detailed reviews by Crawling road on Youtube of the Akto and Soulo which you might find useful.

Hi Paul,

I did see the Soulo video, it really is good.
Its actually on the hilleberg website now.

Cheers,

Stephen

Howdy,

I did the Crawling Road videos on the Akto and Soulo. I own and have used both. I'll make a few comments.

The Akto is my favorite solo tent. It is easy to setup and lightweight for the protection it offers. I have been in many storms with it and it has always kept me warm and dry. However if I thought for SURE I'd be getting lots of snow I'd probably want a Soulo due to the pole construction. The Akto works fine in lighter snow, but out where I am we get heavy wet snow and the ends tend to want to bow in a little. You can knock the snow off and it's no big deal. But if I was thinking of being in a serious snow storm with it I'd want to keep an eye on it.

The Soulo is a very strong tent. Way stronger than just about any solo shelter I've seen. However you pay a weight penalty for this. If you are winter camping using a pulk you may not care about the 1.5lbs. more weight though vs the Akto. But I carry it in my pack and I feel comfortable having it if I'm thinking there is going to be serious snow. Sometimes 1.5lbs is worth it for peace of mind.

The Soulo has a vestibule for stowing gear. The Unna does not. I live in a really wet part of the US so I like having my gear outside under a vestibule and not inside with me. The Unna you could detach part to get a pseudo-vestibule, but this is kind of a hack.

I don't think I would cook necessarily in any vestibule on the solo tents, but you could use a propane stove in them if you must. I wouldn't use liquid fuel in any tent.

Also have you considered the Nallo? I am going to try one, but they are also a storm worthy tent with reasonable weight and a really big vestibule.

Re: Weight of Hillebergs

I was very fortunate this Summer to go hiking through Sweden and Norway. I actually got to spend a day with Bo and Renate Hilleberg for lunch as I was in their neck of the woods. They toured me around their design offices and it was like getting a PhD in tent design. They have very specific reasons for the fabrics they choose for their tents and take it very seriously. They are obviously aware that there are lighter fabrics out there, but they continue to use the Kerlon series because it is stronger and has much better storm survivability in their tests.

Not just this, but fabrics are all subject to UV light degradation immediately. By using a stronger fabric Hilleberg can ensure the tent will last for many years of tough use vs. other fabrics which are just thick enough to work well during a review (and grab lightest tent award), but will tear like tissue paper after a season of use and exposure to the Sun. Same reason why they use thicker zippers, etc. Those parts break down in the field and they want to be sure they are reliable.

They are very serious about storm worthiness because their tents are used in such bad environments. One reviewer wouldn't rate their tarps because they said they were "too heavy". But the Hillebergs refused to use a lighter material because they felt it would compromise the safety of the user in a storm. They even have a custom made snow blowing machine at their facility where they can simulate 70+ MPH winds with rain/snow. They will make their designers stand in the wind and setup the tent to be sure it can go up quickly and safely, not to mention survive in bad conditions.

So yeah they are heavier somewhat. But consider that the tent will last you years vs. other brands I've seen and won't get ripped to shred in a storm and it's easy to see why the weight is worth it. There are no free lunches and having a shelter fail in bad weather will have most people begging to carry one extra lb. to have a better tent.

Craig's got it right – whichever Hilleberg you choose is well worth the extra weight given durability and ease of pitching.

As among the Hilleberg solo tents, I had an easy choice. I'm mildly claustrophobic and I like to be able to sit up in my tent, which knocked out the Atko. And I was fortunate enough to buy on eBay Peter Vacco's Unna, with its great custom tulle panel that eliminated the Unna's one big drawback, no way to see out. Best solo tent ever. I rarely cook inside atent and don't miss a vestibule, but if you like a true vestibule the Soulo may be for you. But you can't go wrong with anything from Hilleberg.

Richard

Hi Craig,

Many thnaks for your very indepth reply and tell us about your day out at Hilleberg HQ, it does sound most fascinating.

Hi Richard,

I have a few UL tents in the past hwich where like conffins, I tired to like them but ended up going on to the heavier (and roomiers Scarp)

Thanks both,

Stephen

Hi,

Just thought I'd add that the Hillebergs can be lightened up. I snipped all the metal zippers (heavy, and noisy in wind), and went with lighter, reflective zippers and guy lines on the Soulo.

For fair weather, it now weighs just 3 lbs 12 oz, and for serious use only 4 lbs even.

Not bad for the amazing tent!

Cheers

I just bought an Unna. Love it so far. Mesh inner available now too. That takes care of one of Peter's issues. Big and roomy inside. Especially if you take out the inner and go single wall. Easily will fit two that way. My heavy weather and winter shelter.

Hi Todd,

Sounds like you have saved a bit of weight there.

Hi Ken,

I had seen the Mesh inner, it seemed reasonably priced.

Cheers both,

Stephen

I had an Atko but at 6'3" I did not like the inner tent being a mere inches from my nose. a shorter person would not find this to be an issue.

I Currently have a Soulo, Nallo GT, and Allak.

The Soulo is a great tent and I've spent plenty of nights in it.

The Nallo GT has a vestibule almost as big as the main tent. My wife and I really like this tent but it is pretty heavy.

We used the Allak on a Minnesota trip in Oct this year it was great. lots of room and if you leave the vents open you can control the condensation very well.

Cheers Eric, its great to know the Soulo is a good at your size.
I would like to get a tent the size of the Nallo GT but alas I dont have anyone to share the weight with :-)

If you'd like a shelter with tons of room inside for one, but one that isn't really heavy, you should have a look at the Stephenson's Warmlite 2R. Amazing how much room there is inside one of those for the weight.

Hi Douglas,

I have come across them but was put of by the lack of porch for cooking.

Do you have one yourself?

Cheers,

Stephen