In search of the perfect solo tent.

[Tony Trietch]

Well I just ordered two more tents... With the idea that only one will live in my pack.
This will be a homemade "shoot out" of sorts.

I typ hunt alone and far away from crowds. I admit I am an ounce counter and seem to over think every purchase. Not this time. I am getting both and let the best win. The other will go to the classifieds.

I used a Henry Shires Moment DW the past two years and have nothin bad to say about it. It has held up in a few crazy storms without a hitch.
However, I have found my self using trekking poles almost every trip and am looking at the HS Stratospire 1. It weighs about the same and uses the trekking poles instead of tent poles. It has a bit more space and used with out the liner/floor is looks like it would be a killer floorless shelter.

I spoke with Henry and he said the Stratospire 1 is as bomb proof as any shelter he makes. The Moment DW needs the extra 7 oz cross pole to really handle a heavy snow. SO.... that was easy. Sell the Moment and get the Stratospire. OK, done. But wait..

The other side of me wants to use a tent that is truly 4 season worthy just in case I find myself in another 20"overnight snow storm. The other tent on order is a Hilleberg Akto. I found a few ways to knock a couple ounces off it (here in the forum) and think I need to check it out as well.

Either way, there will several tents coming and going...

To Be Continued...
[h=2][/h]

 

[whitingja]

I have the Stratospire 2 and it can handle a good bit of snow. I had it snow 6 inches and it held up. The steep walls help. Now it is not a true 4 season,but I think can handle it. Lighter than the Hilliberg. Also look at Rainbow. Suppose to handle snow well. Plus it is free standing so you don't have to have the trekking poles. Im getting the Contrail as my overnight bivy tent to carry with me this year.

 

[BCBowtech]

If there are tree's where you are hunting check out the Hennessy Hammock tents... Very good quality, super light and comfy..

 

[Jeff Martin]

Well I just ordered two more tents... With the idea that only one will live in my pack.
This will be a homemade "shoot out" of sorts.

I typ hunt alone and far away from crowds. I admit I am an ounce counter and seem to over think every purchase. Not this time. I am getting both and let the best win. The other will go to the classifieds.

I used a Henry Shires Moment DW the past two years and have nothin bad to say about it. It has held up in a few crazy storms without a hitch.
However, I have found my self using trekking poles almost every trip and am looking at the HS Stratospire 1. It weighs about the same and uses the trekking poles instead of tent poles. It has a bit more space and used with out the liner/floor is looks like it would be a killer floorless shelter.

I spoke with Henry and he said the Stratospire 1 is as bomb proof as any shelter he makes. The Moment DW needs the extra 7 oz cross pole to really handle a heavy snow. SO.... that was easy. Sell the Moment and get the Stratospire. OK, done. But wait..

The other side of me wants to use a tent that is truly 4 season worthy just in case I find myself in another 20"overnight snow storm. The other tent on order is a Hilleberg Akto. I found a few ways to knock a couple ounces off it (here in the forum) and think I need to check it out as well.

Either way, there will several tents coming and going...

To Be Continued...

I noticed you ordered the ATKO. You likely know this but Hilleberg is releasing the new ENAN. Basically an ATKO clone that is much lighter. I am not sure if weight is a consideration (normally is)...

"Our goal with our new, Yellow Label Enan was to create a solo three-season tent that was both very light – 1.1 kg/2 lbs 7 oz packed weight"

http://hilleberg.se/news/enan-new-2015

 

[charvey9]

Nice. Let us know how it goes. I have yet to find the perfect sleep system, and have looked quite a bit at the Hilleberg line.

My dilemma is that I do not like to carry trekking poles, so the UL shelters are about equal with free standing units when you add the weight of the trekking poles to the system.

Past few seasons I've tried just about everything. Still looking for the perfect unit and will be looking forward to what you find. My next attempt will be a megatarp with annex, as I would like the option of adding a stove in my future.

 

[whitingja]

I was same boat as you Charvey. I've decided on Seek Outside Backcountry 2 shelter. Roomy, can have a stove, and then the Contrail for coyote camps. The trekking pole thing had me discouraged because by the time you added their weight, they were heavier in reality. However, Tarptents offers carbon fiber poles instead that weigh only 4 oz. So that helped me make my decision. My contrail is 30 oz. As light as a bivy and tarp setup. But there is nothing perfect, everybody is different.

 

[TJ]

I noticed you ordered the ATKO. You likely know this but Hilleberg is releasing the new ENAN. Basically an ATKO clone that is much lighter. I am not sure if weight is a consideration (normally is)...

"Our goal with our new, Yellow Label Enan was to create a solo three-season tent that was both very light – 1.1 kg/2 lbs 7 oz packed weight"

http://hilleberg.se/news/enan-new-2015

This look interesting. I don't see a price though.

In some areas it is a little roomier than the Moment.

 

[luke moffat]

That Enan looks sweet. Plus you should have the option to drop out the inner tent and have a shelter that doesn't require any trekking poles and come in at around 1.5-1.75 pounds while still having Hilleberg quality. But still have the option to use the whole setup at 2.5 pounds when the bugs are bad. Pretty versatile looking little setup for sure.

 

[Villreinjeger]

This is the Yellow series from Hilleberg. I really would´t compare it to the Akto in the Red series - which is a true 4 season tent. For our use in the mountains, often in very remote areas, I actually wouldn't trust the Enan as much as the Akto. Those extra grams are insurance..
Want to really shed some weight? Skip the inner tent..?

I´ve had the lightweight version of Helsport - Hillebergs norwegian competitor. It was ok for everything but really bad weather. I would´t use it in high winds in the mountainous areas, and nor was it made for that! Weight was close to 2lb. I sold it, and am still looking…. Thought going towards a mid of some kind, but will probably end up with the Hilleberg Akto, or perhaps Allak. Could skip inner tent and use them floor less as shelters.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I was thinking about the Contrail. Talking to Henry Shires switched my mind. There is almost always a chance of snow for me (got hit last August in CO with a storm) and the Contrail does not hold up in snow.

I am not interested in Hammocks. I am sure they are great but just not for me.

I did see the Enan and even contacted Hilleberg about it. FYI- it should be out in March.

With the resale prices of the high quality products being as they are, I am not worried about buying too many tents.

Another FYI- On HS Tarptents site, he is having a sale on the Contrail. It is for a limited time.

 

[whitingja]

Good to know on contrail sale thanks. And yeah, they are not for snow. Wouldn't be using if i knew snow was on its way. I would head back to the stove tent.

 

[whitingja]

When is the sale? I don't see it.

 

[whitingja]

Oh. Found it. Gracias

 

[hunt_or_bust]

Is there a reason you haven't thought of the HS scarp 1?

 

[1hoda]

Hilleberg. Pick a model. I'm an old geezer who likes to be comfortable when I'm inside for a while due to weather. Also want to be safe in any weather- I'm not gong to be the guy you read about in the newspaper. Kaitum 2 for me. Heavier than solo tents but the extra room is worth it for me. Been using this one for 3 years- get happier each season.

 

[AXEL]

Yup, agreed, my base camp tent is a 2009 Saivo, the best tent I have used in 51+ years of backpack camping and 50+ years of BC hunting.

I also have an original Integral Designs MKI-XL and an MKI-Lite, both snug, even a bit cramped, but, fine rigs for 2-3 night stays.

I have a Hille. Soulo and this is my hunting tent for packing as far as I can now go, not too far now due to medical issues.

There are lots of good choices out there, but, Hilles are THE BEST tents I have ever seen/used and I have had many over the years.

I think that the Allak would be outstanding as a person's only tent if you can not afford more than one.

 

[5MilesBack]

Have you looked at the BA Copper Spur UL2? This last year we were at 12k feet opening weekend and it snowed a little, but I'm guessing that there were close to hurricane force winds as well. Thankfully I pitched the tent in probably the best spot that I could have given the winds (just behind a small stand of taller bushes), and that was a day before the winds started. Always a guess as the direction it will blow, but my CS UL4 held up great.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Take a look at the Scarp series from Henry Shires as well.

 

[whitingja]

Second the scarp. Comparable to hilliberg at fraction of the price. Plus better customer service I think.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I did look at the BA tents last time I was tent shopping. That was when I decided on the HS Moment DW.

I looked at the Scarp 1 also. There is a significant weight gain over the stratospire 1. I believe it probably very similar to the Hilleberg akto.
After speaking with Henry, his comment reguarding how the Stratospire 1 is one the burliest tents he has ever made, has stuck in my head.

It will be interesting to check them out. These might not be the last tents I but to test. It's winter and we just got a foot of snow overnight. I can only stare at google earth and state license application for so long.