Upgrading my tent

[Takeem406]

Thinking it's time for a newer lighter shelter. Back in college I bought a NF tent. Back in 2007 it was the latest and greatest back packing tent.
I took it out this fall on an over night trip and it's very heavy. It's an amazing tent, it's bomb proof but I'm sure there's lighter options now days.
I'd also like to go to a four season model. How are the Hilleburg tents? Just need enough room for myself and gear. So a two man.
Thanks boys

 

[COlineman78]

Can't speak to the Hilleburg but I know there are many fans on here and they are a true bombproof shelter although you will pay for it in weight and $$$. I have the REI Half Dome 2+ and it is cheap, light, roomy and solid. If you never plan on having a second person you could easily go down to just the 2 instead of the 2+. A lot of folks on here love the BA Copper Spur UL2 as well. One problem I see is that so many of the UL models go so thin on the floor that you wouldn't dare using it without a footprint so you need to add 10-16oz for that (not required for the Rei and I'm not srue about the BA).

 

[mtnclimber]

I have a hilleberg nallo 3 and I'm blown away at how bomber it is. Especially the floor. Countless nights spent on sharp granite and shale. On glaciers surrounded by running water. No holes, no leaks ever.

You can easily get a nallo 2 sub 5lbs with some minor reversible modifications. Not sure of a lighter more capable 2 man 4 season double wall tent than a nallo 2.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Thinking it's time for a newer lighter shelter. Back in college I bought a NF tent. Back in 2007 it was the latest and greatest back packing tent.
I took it out this fall on an over night trip and it's very heavy. It's an amazing tent, it's bomb proof but I'm sure there's lighter options now days.
I'd also like to go to a four season model. How are the Hilleburg tents? Just need enough room for myself and gear. So a two man.
Thanks boys

The Hille's are awesome. The pole sleeves and floor are very burly, and the siliconized Flys are very lightweight and strong. A 3 season Hille has the same poles as the lighter 4 season models, you're just sacrificing a little strength in the fly thickness. Air certainly moves through my Anjan 2, but I would have no hesitation putting it above treeline and in snow. A 4 season is more flexible year-round though. The vestibules in these things are huge. I've used a lot of 3 season tents, and am done shopping for a 2 man now that I have the Anjan.

I think the Enan or the new Niak 1.5 would be awesome for solo outings. Check out that nee niak dome if you are going solo + gear and can tolerate a 3 season, otherwise a 4 season tunnel is your best bet to save weight, like that Nallo that was already suggested. They do have some 1 man 4 season tents, I don't have any experience with them though.

 

[Takeem406]

What are modern poles made from? The ones on this old NF are metal, I think aluminium. And that's a lot of weight right there.

 

[COlineman78]

What are modern poles made from? The ones on this old NF are metal, I think aluminium. And that's a lot of weight right there.

Very few are carbon; most are still aluminum with the higher end using 7075 and cheaper using 6061. 7075 is an aircraft grade aluminum that has a very high strength to weight, wheras 6061 is the best balance of strength, weight and cost. Easton makes theirs with carbon, but not many others do.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

What are modern poles made from? The ones on this old NF are metal, I think aluminium. And that's a lot of weight right there.

I just noticed you're in Great Falls (so am I) - Bighorn Wilderness carries Big Agnes, Hilleberg, and Sierra Designs, they'll set anything up for you in the store. Last time I was in there they had some older Hilleberg's (last year) marked down a little.

I'd stay away from carbon here; it's too damn windy to risk having your shelter flattened and a pole breaking. The only tent I've seen specs on using a carbon vs. Al pole was the Kuiu Mountainstar 2p, I think it was maybe a 2 oz difference?

 

[Takeem406]

Yeah, Big Horn has great service. I'll check them out! Thanks!

 

[COlineman78]

I'd stay away from carbon here; it's too damn windy to risk having your shelter flattened and a pole breaking. The only tent I've seen specs on using a carbon vs. Al pole was the Kuiu Mountainstar 2p, I think it was maybe a 2 oz difference?

Big Sky offers many different pole options and the difference between the UL Aluminum and UL Carbon on a 2 person is 3oz while the UL Carbon and 4-season aluminum are 6.6oz difference.

 

[Takeem406]

Looking at a Hilleberg Kaitum 2 GT. Anyone use these? With the large vestibule by can you use your camp stove in there safely? Seems like a hassle going out especially if the is bad or the wind is blowing to make coffee and food. Then how warm are they when it gets cold in the late season? Is there a way or a need to have a heater of some sort?

 

[jmez]

Not to hijack but am in a similar situation and looking. My three season got destroyed by wind in MT this season. I'm looking at the Hilleberg and also the Stratospire II by Henry shires, it is listed as four season. Anyone have experience with the Stratospire and how it compares to the Hilleberg?

 

[luke moffat]

Looking at a Hilleberg Kaitum 2 GT. Anyone use these? With the large vestibule by can you use your camp stove in there safely? Seems like a hassle going out especially if the is bad or the wind is blowing to make coffee and food. Then how warm are they when it gets cold in the late season? Is there a way or a need to have a heater of some sort?

I cook in my vestibules often. When I had a Nallo 3 GT I almost always cooked my meals in there.

 

[Takeem406]

Good deal! That Nallo GT almost seems like a better lighter option than the Kaitum. It's two pounds lighter. That or get a Akto... But my problem is I have a hard time limiting myself as to how far I go. If I had smaller tent that I packed up every morning I'd be 10 miles from the truck in no time lol! Also looking at the Tarp 10 UL to keep in my pack all the time. I think it would be great for setting up real quick for taking a lunch break or if you down something and the weather goes bad you could build a shelter over the kill as you bone it out... Or all the other possibilities...