internal usable length of Hilleberg Soulo/Unna

I was able to fit an Exped LW pad (78"x26") in the Soulo, and you can see the photos in this thread, when I decided to sell the shelter:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=77011

The walls are reasonably vertical low down, but you will have considerably more space in the Unna, both length- and width-wise. I'm not sure if the headroom differs.

Bruce – the Akto I had had more usable length than the Soulo, because of the vertical walls. I think, based on your description, that you would touch the end of the Soulo with a higher loft bag.

Hi Bruce,

The Unna has loads of space, check out the below reviews.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/4-Season-Tent-Reviews/Hilleberg-Unna
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Shelters/Tents/
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews.html?forum_thread_id=63999

Also Moontral have loads of photos.

http://www.moontrail.com/tents/hilleberg_unna.php

Cheers,

Stephen

You're asking a very relevant question when it comes to the Hilleberg line of tents. I have often noticed the stubby shortness of their tents, and in fact Hilleberg in their catalog recommends placing a rain jacket over the foot of your sleeping bag to account for touching the yellow canopy of the inner tent.

No matter if the tent is listed as 87 or 91 or 92 inches long, I have found the "wet footbox problem" to be a near constant one in most of the Hilleberg tents. While I have never owned a Soulo, I can extrapolate with my experiences with the Staika, Akto and Nammatj.

It's not the overall length of the inner tent floor, it's the angle by which the yellow canopy rises up from the floor. Say you have a 3.5 inch Exped Downmat with a 10 inch lofted down bag on top—then look and see where this almost 14 inch height reaches on the angled canopy. I.E. it touches. And when the canopy is wet with condensation (and it will be), well, you've just added to your bag's shell wetness.

For a 3 day trip it's of little concern, but on a long 3 week trip, esp in winter, it becomes a nagging problem.

No tent fabric should touch the sleeping bag, esp at the foot.

del

Rick M—I have found this very true with an old Integral Designs MK3 single wall. Sure it was designed for mountaineering and snow, but it is short enough to be a concern.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Food for thought.

Maybe I should buy a Jannu :-))

We have ascertained you're a masochist, Bruce ;-)

The Jannu is the smallest of the 2P Hillies, with the lowest door. It has one of – if not the – best wind profiles in the Hille range but you'll virtually have to learn to slither in and out of the door on your belly.

If you're really concerned about the inner tent touching your bag, then have a look at the Kaitum 2. Both doors are vertical. For a 3' shorter footprint, consider the Nammatj 2. The latter's door is vertical but the foot is at an angle. I'd forget the Nallo 2 as the angle is that much more acute – it feels like a considerably smaller tent.

Wow, thanks for the thought meal. I'd written off the appealing Suolo as for 6'2" shorties and settled on the Unna as the one for my 6'4+" self for snowcamping. I'm sobered. I'd hate to leave my BetaLight behind, pack all the luxury weight of a double-walled and still have to worry about my footbox. Back looking….

del