Pondering the onset of autumn/winter, I am revisiting my kit selection for poor conditions. In the UK, winter on the hills is normally a brutal combination of high winds and copious amounts of rain, sleet or snow. Whilst not as cold as some parts of Northern Europe (although Scotland can be pretty grim in winter), the combination of challenging conditions makes kit choice quite difficult.
Whilst I am determined to use my new tarp set up at least once in deep winter, I am looking again again the choice of tents that would deal with a range of poor weather. My current tent of choice is the Terra Nova Laser Competition and whilst able to handle very poor conditions indeed, I feel reluctant (nervous) to expose it to summit tops in full winter conditions. Its not the potential for continuous snow, sleet or rain that bothers me particularly with the Laser Comp. Its the wind….
So, choosing a tent that purposefully will deal with high winds and exposed positions is relatively easy. There are quite a number of expedition/bomb proof type shelters out there but the main enemy in these is weight. Can we navigate a way through the connundrum of weight vs “boobproofness” for the lone winter hiker in the UK (or anywhere with a high wind/heavy wetness combo for that matter)? Time and time again the choice normally leads to a 2-man/3kg+ choice which is ok per se but is bulky and heavy. I dont mind carrying a little extra kit in the winter but not kilos and kilos of stuff. In fact normally I dont actually increase my kit level that much for winter as opposed to summer. I carry the same sleeping bag, the same rucksack, the same sleep pad, the same tent normally (unless basecamping) etc. The main difference is I normally have an extra layer&different trousers.
The exception to the weight/bombproofness rule are the one man tents made by Hilleberg. There are currently 3 tents that fit my criteria as being fit for purpose ie:
- approx 2kg or less
- very resistant to high winds/exposed conditions
- outer first pitch
- flexible pitching configurations
- ease of erection!
- and a few other things beside………….!
The tents in question are the Akto, the Soulo and the Unna. I have owned and used both the Akto and the Soulo and know their limitations and benefits quite well. The one tent I havent tried is the Unna
I have tried and tried to like the Akto but for me it just falls in between a really good boomproof tent and a very lightweight stout tent. It is neither one thing nor the other. I am not dissing the Akto as I know many fellow outdoor people who use and love and rate this tent. Its just not for me. Its much heavier than the Laser Comp and doesnt give you that many benefits above and beyond its rival. Also its not really designed for exposed conditions or heavy snow loading and its a bit small on the headroom. Having said all that, believe me, the Laser Comp has its drawbacks but not that many and 95% of the time are not an issue. So that for me is a straight comparison between the Soulo and the Unna.
I am not sure why there are not that many Unnas used in the UK when compared to say the Soulo or the Akto but maybe for others it too sits in between extreme positions and has too many compromises? Of course, those amongst you who know me will realise this is a self analysis on a pathway already started to purchasing a new tent…… So back to the comparison:
Unna Soulo
weight 2.0kg including stuff sack 2.1kg including stuff sack
head height 100cm 95cm
exposed pitching yes yes
snowing loading? yes yes
pitch outer only yes yes
inner tent area 2.5 sq metres 2.0 sq metres
Vestibule area 0 sq metres 0.7 sq metres
Cost – rrp £475 £515
Number of poles 2 3
freestanding yes yes
max inner length 230cm 220cm
Ok, I could go on and on with the comparisons. It looks like they are quite evenly matched in most departments and the things I am interested in. With the Unna, you dont get a porch as such but the inner can be detached and rolled in to create one. In terms of useable inner, the Unna appears to be very roomy with a better headheight, length and width. It also has the ability to completely open the doorway up for a full length view of the world whereas the Soulo has a pole in front of the entrance way which does restrict the view a bit (as well as ease of access). Its also slightly lighter. The downsides I can see are that it only has 2 poles so potentially is slightly less robust than the Soulo although there is a pole manufacturer in Europe (I must find the web address again!) that can supply bespoke 11mm poles to replace the supplied 9mm ones! The other thing untried/unknown would be how “flappy” is the tent in high winds (anyone who has or used this tent could you answer and let me know?)
Yes. I do like the Unna and I am definitely interested in potentially getting one this winter. Yes, I still like the Soulo and think in the harshest of conditions would perform slightly better than the Unna but for 99.5% of the time I think the Unna would be a better alround tent. Also, viewed another way, the Unna is also a huge bombproof sub 1.5kg tarp tent if you remove the inner so is very flexible indeed
I will let you know if I do get one……..
Saddlebags and Backpacks - a brewer's outdoor adventures 
The Suolo has to be better as it has three poles and a porch. The inner might be a bit smaller, but the lack of the porch would rule out the Unna for me.
Completely understand that Robin. Its a definite compromise on porch space/availability. The issue would be storage of wet gear outside of the inner for long periods of time. I guess for me I have a highly developed blind-side that will not stop me from purchasing a bit of kit that really appeals to me 🙂
I suppose a modified inner with reduced internal space to create a porch is possible, but would require the adept use of a sewing machine!
They use Tunnel tents in the Arctic. Nallo. Has: Space, good weight, porch, easy to pitch, and maybe a good option. Maybe.
Let me know if you are selling the Suolo 😉
Damn you Martin! 🙂
Yes, the Nallo is another good Hillberg 2kg uber-tent but I guess I am looking for freestanding and a tent that has a very good entry point ie roll in roll out 😀
um, too late Robin….got sold as part of my clearout 🙂
as soon as it was gone I regretted it as the bombproofness of the Soulo is what attracted me to it in the first place. I can hardly go back and buy the same tent again can I ? (embarassed look)
Another tent might be grounds for divorce 😦
you know it and I know it! 😉
Maybe you should consider a Stephensons Warmlite, I have no doubt that it will withstand the weather conditions you describe and it weighs about 1.3 kg. Alan Sloman has one.
good shout Roger. I have had a look at these in the past but they dont “do it” for me. The lack of a porch and a front entrance and a condensation nightmare? I really dont know enough about these tents to be fair. I’ll have to ask Alan how he gets on with his
Backpackbrewer – I am looking at the same thing at the moment. I am looking at both. I have a Power Lizard for spring/summer use. But like you I think you need a tent like the Soulo for winter, so that you can rest in the knowledge that you will be safe throughout the night anywhere you wish to camp. I think the lack of porch on the Unna will put me off that one. Some have commented on my blog that they think the tent is overkill – it maybe – but then again, better safe than sorry. Just wish the weight was a bit less !
Incidentally, why do you sell your Soulo ?
Mark
Hi Mark,
great minds think alike. The tent is a bit overkill but there again I want to be able to go to the tops of mountains and pitch safe in the knowledge. If I am honest I relish a really good storm in a tent. Its a kind of “rites of passage” thing I suppose. A bit of the child in me? 🙂
I sold the Soulo because I wasnt using it enough….and as soon as I had sold it, I regretted doing it 😦
The weight can be an issue for some but then for a winter proof tent its not. If you have 2 tents, one for summer and one for winter then its no problem at all. If you buy a Soulo just for all year then in the summer you will wish you had something lighter maybe.
The Soulo is an awesome tent….trust me 😉
Thanks for confirming what I thought. I think you have made my mind up. I would go and buy that tent again – we all make mistakes – as long as the wife lets you 🙂
Mark
um, thanks for that Mark, I think.
I suppose I could always blame you when the wife goes ape 😀
Read my comments on your blog (nice blog by the way) re the Soulo.
Now, where did I leave my credit card? 🙂
That OK- my advice is always free of charge – well nearly always. Actually I was going to blame you, when my wife said why do you need another tent ?- you have only just got the last one 🙂
Mark
😀
well, now the cats out of the bag……strike while the iron is hot!
Personally I’d go for the Soulo, looking at the spec and taking into account solo use I don’t see any advantage in chosing the Unna. The lack of vestibule would be the main downside, even though you can disconnect one corner on the Unna I wonder how satisfactory that is. You’d need to keep it detached if you wanted storage space outside of the inner tent so really you might as well just have the Soulo. Ok the Unna is 5cm taller, 10cm longer and has a rectangular inner rather than tapered but unless you really need the extra length/height you’re sacrificing something that you can definitely use (porch space) for something you may not need ( a bit of extra width at the head/foot ends).
I wouldn’t rule out the Soulo simply because you sold the one you had, you could but the Unna and then end up selling it to buy another Soulo
Just my take on it 🙂
thanks Mac,
not sure where that leaves me 🙂
They are pretty close in terms of specs. Maybe this time I will get a green Soulo?
😉
There was a Soulo for sale on OM recently:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/39475/
I was tempted but resisted. 🙂
luckily I have already had a red one otherwise I might have been tempted myself!
Oh yes, choosing a green tent this time is a valid reason 🙂
I have not used either of these tents, but I’ve seen them both pitched and have studied them on paper carefully. Some thoughts:
First, the Unna:
-could at least in theory sleep two (not much room for gear then)
-muddy boots might fit into the space between the inner and the fly (although the inner and the fly might be muddy after that as well!)
-plenty of space for one, you can sleep with your backpack (I like to have my stuff – except shoes + raingear + cooker inside the tent during the night)
-lack of a proper porch (personally I don’t like the idea of disconnecting one corner of the inner)
-the entrance is not covered when it rains
-although you can open the entire side for view, the mosquito netting is only in the upper part of the door – so if you are lying down, you don’t see much unless you keep the door open (although the mosquitos shouldn’t be much of a problem in winter, but if you happen to use the tent in the summer as well?)
Then the Soulo (which you of course know well, but for comparison):
-sleeps only one person (in emergency, without the inner, two)
-a nice porch, but not that much space in the inner
-even more bomb proof
-the entrance is better covered if it rains
-if I remember correctly, the mosquito netting is from up to down (the other half of the inner door)? You must know better, but this would allow you to admire the views in a horizontal position even when you want to be protected from bugs
I would go for the Soulo if it’s strictly for solo use. Both of the tents might be a bit overkill, but why not make your winter camping carefree? And then you could go hiking when you like and have the opportunity to, without first checking whether the weather will allow you to.
And yes, I’m the wife in our family 😉
thanks for the studious reply…another perspective for me to ponder! Yes, when you put things that way, the Soulo gives more in the way of functionality for the single camper whereas the Unna gives more room.
I am now oscillating between the two tents. I have owned and loved the Soulo but the “X” or unknown factor of a virgin tent does also appeal!
could be down to price and availability
and it will be green this time
🙂
Been thinking about this one myself recently… After looking at the options, I think will stick to my North Face Westwind (which I don’t think is available anymore). The main disadvantage is weight (2.5kg) but it’s plenty big enough for me and totally bombproof. I’ve spent some wild nights in this and it’s never let me down. I guess other niggles are the colour – yellow – which doesn’t really lend itself to stealth camping. (It’s kinda’ cheery on the inside, though, when it’s miserable outside!) Second would be the need to pitch the inner first, although I have found a way of keeping the inner covered by the fly when pitching in the rain!
I remember that tent! Never owned it myself but looked nice and solid 🙂
and yes there is definitely a technique for pitching inner firstin the rain 😀
Hi,
save a shed load of money and get a Wild Country Sololite.
Meets all your above criteria plus it comes in green, the construction quality is spot on, it packs down fairly small and will take pretty much anything the weather can throw at it, but!!!. Theres always a but, its a little short on space when your zipped up inside. Well you can’t have everything at least not for 130 quid. ;- )
Hi,
“a pole manufacturer in Europe (I must find the web address again!) that can supply bespoke 11mm poles to replace the supplied 9mm ones! ”
Maybe it was Fliegfix? http://www.fliegfix.com/webshop/index.php?kategorie_id=033-000-000
It is a shop in Austria, they sell (custom-made?) Yunan Scandium Air-Hercules 10.72mm poles. I replaced the pole set of my Saivo – it is much more stable with the new poles. (They have special carbon poles as well…)
Best regards,
Jens
Hi Jens
Yes! Thats the website. Thanks very much for posting that here, saved me hours of internet browsing! 🙂
The principle is sound. Replace 9mm with 11mm and you have something very strong indeed. Worth having a set for the winter and then reverting to 9mm in the summer
In a German forum someone wrote that it was easier to bend two Easton 8.7mm poles together (Hilleberg recommends double-poling for extreme conditions) than one 10.72 Scandium pole. 🙂
At least I can confirm from direct comparison that the 10.72 is much stronger than the 10.25 DAC Hilleberg uses now in their heavier tents.
This guy uses the 10.72 with the Unna: http://www.outdoorseiten.net/forum/showthread.php?3377-Carbon-Kohlefaser-Gest%E4nge-f%FCr-Zelte-sinnvoll-oder-nicht&p=685579&viewfull=1#post685579
thanks again Jens.
Its a definite viable option to use the heavier pole. I guess that the 1200Kerlon is more likely to give before the pole does! 🙂
Just to let you know, I rec’d my Soulo yesterday. I pitched it and have posted up my first impression on the tent.
See my blog for further details.
You were totally right about how awesome the tent is ( and I don’t normally use that phrase!) 🙂
Mark
nice one Mark,
I’ll go and have a look at your post. You should get some great use out of it and here’s looking to a harsh winter 😉
Im looking at both these tents and a few others. My main concern is Im 6ft 4 so (from what I have read) Im leaning towards the Unna.
Why dont tent manufacturers do XL versions of their tents!! I have a limited choice.
Any thoughts?
220cm should be ok for a big fella but obviously 230cm will definitely be plus you can always angle your body diagonally in the Unna as it is wider
I guess with tent manufacturers there is a current trend towards lighter tents and so the minimum amount of material will make for lighter tents. Of course one way to do that is shorten the length of the tent.
Not always easy to do but if you can, try before you buy
I’m 6’3″ it’s Unna for me. I had a bibler Ahwahnee for many years and never needed a vestibule. Take a towel and stay inside. Just ordered the Unna 1 week ago. I sat inside the Soulo, could not sit up.
The Soulo seems to be more “enclosed” and restrictive in terms of usable space but I didnt have a problem with it. Having said that I am only 5foot7 🙂
Having had both tents I have really enjoyed using both and can still see pros and cons for each. If I was a rich man (sounds like a cue for a song!) I would possibly have both.
The Unna is great for plonking down and having the open front for viewing and massive sapce inside the tent for one. The Soulo is a bit more robust and is slightly easier to pitch in a hoolie but the inner space is less
Both are quality tents
I just can’t stand not being able to sit up in a tent, to put clothing on etc. For me this is a game breaker. My Macpac Microlight is for sale for this reason. You may as well get a lighter bevy bag.
The Unna only just makes it, my Bibler is 42″ if I remember correctly.
The Unna seems very aerodynamic so the 2 vs 3 pole story may not be the complete story. I just don’t know. Both seem pretty good. And the Unna will fit me inside. Done!
The analogy would be liking a pair of jeans that were just a little bit too tight versus another pair that were spot on for comfort…..
always go with comfort 🙂
The Unna is pretty reasonable on headroom 100cm. If you take out the inner for a summer camp (I have done this with just a bivvy bag for the night inside) teh headspace is higher again
Me either. I can do it for a night but any longer than that and it becomes a pain…literally! Luckily I am reasonably short so can cope in most tents. Its one of the reasons I dont like the Akto….too low
Hey backpackbrewer!
I see that you still use the Unna quite a bit. After all this time, do you still prefer the Unna over the Soulo? Would you consider the Unna equally bombproof as the Soulo on normal hiking conditions (thus not a snowstorm in Alaska or Greenland, in which the Soulo would off course be a bit stronger I guess)?
I’m planning to buy an Unna or a Soulo. The Unna seems to have everything I need, but the Soulo has two other advantages in my eyes: the porch and easier setting up of the tent with the clip-system. The Unna on the other hand is a bit cheaper, is roomier and you can open one side completly which is very nice in beautiful weather conditions. Difficult choice.
Thank you and sorry for my not-so-good-english..
Your English is better than mine Arthur! 🙂
After all this time I like both tents but as per my previous reply to another comment, I would ideally have both if I could afford it!
The Unna will put up with harsh conditions but you are right to say that the Soulo will probably cope with very harsh conditions a little bit better. The pole clipping set up for the Soulo is slightly easier than the traditional feed through set up on the Unna, especially if you have cold wet hands.
I think on balance, the Unna is probably a better all round tent. It is more flexible in its usage and what you can do with it. The front opens out fully as you say and the internal space is huge. The lack of the third pole shouldnt deter you from using this tent in the winter at all
Having said that the Soulo is a sturdier tent that will be better for winter camping specifically (slightly less of an allround tent). The inner space is slightly less and the third pole is a slight restriction on acces and viewing (but not that bad really)
I guess it all comes down to what you want to use the tent for. If you want a tent for all year backpacking that you are confident can cope if the conditions get really bad get the Unna. If you are going to do a lot of winter camping possibly get the Soulo.
The choice, as they say, is yours! 🙂
Thank you very much for your extensive reply. I’ll probably go for the Unna I guess. I don’t really do a lot of winter camping. In spring or summer I mostly go north (Norway, Iceland,…) and the Unna is probably more then capable of dealing with the most extreme summer-weather conditions of those countries (which can be harsch). The Soulo will probably be a bit overkill (well, I think that for my camping purposes even the Unna is, but hey…! 🙂 ).
If you have to sit out a lot of rain, the Unna will be better because of the extra internal space you have to “lounge around” in and also in general. I have had 4 people sitting in the Unna (minus the inner) for a summer evening on a mountain last year so the space is excellent. The Unna will cope with all year weather slightly better than the Soulo except the extreme winter
Either way, its a good choice
Hello again Backpackbrewer
Sorry to bother you – again – but as long as I don’t actually buy the unna or the soulo, I fear there will be a a lot of doubt. 🙂
Another small question that could help me taking everything in to consideration is the pack size of both tents. Is there much difference (i guess not) between the unna and Soulo?
And when you pack your tent, do you keep the poles in the stuff back, or do you keep the tent and the poles separated? Or do you have no real preference?
Thx beforehand!
Hi Arthur no bother at all.
The pack sizes are similar but I have to say the Unna is slightly smaller (in part due to the 2 pole design as opposed to the 3 pole of the Soulo).
Due to previous misfortune I try to keep teh poles separate from the main body of the tent in my pack to avoid rips and tears. Plus this means you can normally distribute the volume around the pack a bit better too.
Hello Backpackbrewer,
I just wanted to inform you that I finally made a decision, and made it final today. I ended up buying the Soulo!! I travelled a bit to a shop in Belgium that had both tents in stock so that I could see them both ‘in real life’. I found that the Unna’s innertent wat not as roomy as expected and that Hilleberg made slightly less compromises with the Soulo. In the end I think the lack of a vestibule made the difference for me. I also found that the Unna is a very big tent, almost as big as my Lightwave G2 Trek two-person-tent. It found that with the Unna there is a lot of space between the outer- and the innertent. Somehow the outertent seems to small if you compare it with the size of the innertent.
All this is of course critic on the details. The Unna seemed like a wonderful tent and I’m sure I would have been very happy with it. The critics above are just to explain my decision.
I want to thank you for all the information you gave me, it was really helpfull along my search for a tent (took me almost a year to decide).
Many greetings from Belgium!
Sorry, what I wanted to say was that the innertent of the Unna looked to small if you compare it with the outertent, instead of the other way around.
Hi Arthur, I am glad you have come to a decision. Both tents are great in their own right. Whatever feels the best for you especially after seeing both in the flesh is obviously the right tent for you 🙂
I know what you meant re the inner and outer lol…. I think the Soulo is a superb tent and I am sure you will have good travels with it.
No worries on the information front, I am glad I was of some help.
Have fun!
Greetings from Norway.
I must say I have read your posts many times and I love to hear others thoughts about tents. I know that people still read this, so I thought I could write something here as well.
The last two years I have bought and owned Hilleberg Saivo, Staika, Soulo, Unna, Stalon GT, Msr Hubba Hubba, Rei Half Dome and Quarter dome, Helsport Svalbard and Fjellheimen, Exped Vela 1 extreme, Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 3, Nemo Losi 3P. I test many tents and use a lot of time on this. I have many nights outside in Norway during the year.
I have many thoughts about every tent, but it would take a lot of time to write them all. If you have spesific questions, I would love to answer.
Now I’m down to 4 tents I use. That is
Hilleberg Saivo
Hilleberg Staika
Hilleberg Unna
Rei Half Dome.
It was a hard desicion to sell the Soulo to my father and keep the Unna. I think the Unna is slightly better for me because of several reasons. It is roomier than the Soulo. Headroom is better, and not only the height, but you can also move your head around in the Unna. In the Soulo you can only sit up with your head on one(!) spesific place in the roof, if that makes sense? The space inside the Soulo is ok, but Unna, actually beeing a lighter tent is almost like a 2 person tent. I have actually slept in it together with my brother, both of us beeing 175 cm and 177 cm and around 75 kg. We put our backpacks beetween the inner and the outer fly without any problems. We used Exped UL 7 cm. This is one important thing to say, that because of the opportunity to peg down the longside of the tent, and also use a guyline you get a vestibyle that is actually bigger than the one on the Soulo. When I read reviews and comparisons of the Soulo and Unna I think it is strange that no one else explains this. The inner of the Unna is somewhat smaller than the outer fly, also not a very tight inner, and this gives you the opportunity to put your backpack between the inner and outer fly without heving to detach anything. When I found out of this, I was sure the Unna was the tent to keep for me. I have two custom made Easton poles 11mm I can use alone with the tent and I have tested it in Norway, measuring the wind speed to 23meters per second. This was not a problem at all. Not flappy and I felt safe. The Unna is more all round use, and simple and easy to pitch. I love the space and the opportunity to open the side wall totally for stargazing.
Don’t misunderstand me. The Soulo is a superb tent, and is strong, smart and easy to pitch, and I promise you I’m a gear freak that only wants the best of the best, but in this case I sacrifised the Soulos maybe some stronger design over the Unnas many opportunities and still very strong design. I would not hesitate taking the Unna out in the snowy Norwegian mountains in severe weather conditions in – 20 degrees Celsius.
I could write much more, but if you would like to, write to me, and I will gladly share my thoughts. Thanks for your time. Sorry my bad english.
Best regards
Aleksander Mork
Hi Aleksander for the long and thoughtful reply to the question of Hilleberg tents and in particular the Soulo and Unna. Your English is very good!
Its nice to get your perspective and the use of these tents in proper full on Norweigian winter conditions
Overall I am with you on the question of the Unna being a better all round tent than the Soulo but the difference is very small. Its also a good point you make about the long side of the Unna and the pegging out point and guyline. This definitely helps with the pitch and inner/outer separation
Thanks again for your thoughts, much appreciated
Salu Aleksander
What a wonderful Report. I wonder, what you would think about Vaude GUL. It only weighs 680 grams and is a 3-season tent.
With sunny regards
Helmut
I own an Unna and an ALlak. Strange though it may seem the Unna has in some ways more space than the ALlak.
Explain?
Picked up a new Unna for £430 in January. Used in the snow and gale force winds in February. Made a virtual porch, which still gave me 70cm wide sleeping area. Plenty of room to use the Trail Designs Caldera cone cooking system and storage. Customised the tent as I do to all my tents, changed the guidelines and pegs. Resulting in a trail weight of 1.9kg.
How are you getting on with the Unna now?
And STILL are people reading this! 😉
I’m also thinking about going for the Unna or the Soulo. First I went “virtually” for the Soulo but at the moment I prefer the Unna. I think when it had a clip-system, I already made my decision! I’m living in windy Iceland and I like to use it here, but I probably am more an “alround-type” then an “hardcore Outdoor-Freak”. 😉 Does someone know if Hilleberg is going to give the Unna a Clip-system one day?
But in real life I didn’t see neither the Soulo nor the Unna (I only know the Staika which I prefer as a 2-men-tent). Maybe I have to be patient and compare them by my own…
Yes Elke, this is a long running thread!
Greetings from Norway.
I can’t wait to receive my next salary so I can order the Unna. First I decided on the Soulo, but that was before I discovered the genius of Unna. However, I think this tent is starting to become relatively old. Do anyone think that other tent models are catching up, i.e, making some serious competition? Do you know any other tent producers that can provide better solutions in the year of 2016?
Best regards
Hi Rune, did you decide on a tent choice in the end?
Hi all ive recently bought the akto unna and soulo , then sold them all , reasons why , akto too small im 6ft tall , had a red akto some time ago and thought i would re visit , but sadly its too small for sitting up , but so well built , i just wish it was designed for my height, the unna and soulo were bought new in a sale wehey ! And i toiled with what one to keep and what to sell they both have advantages, soulo vestibule, midge door bigger more stable, vs unna more head room length and living space lighter, neg points soulo weight, viewing, inner size, unna only thing is no vestibule , i know you can un do inner but its a pain each time , so i did the unthinkable sold them all ! Im sure im going crazy , and i bought a terra nova voyager and a laser comp 1 , only neg for voyager is inner pitch first , pls tell me have i made the right choice if only unna had a vestibule i would buy it straightaway oh and a full size midge inner door , as viewing is restricted if theres midge around so a bit if a waste for the full door . Sean
Hi Sean.
I have struggled with my inner tent demons for some while now (no pun intended!) and especially with regards to Hillebergs. I have come to the conclusion that the closest to a perfect Hilly is actually the Unna because it is so simple, reasonably light, can be used as a smashing tarp tent and is 5 season. However, having said that, overall I think Hilleberg are starting to lose some of the mystique/premier positioning they used to enjoy 8-10 years ago. They are after all incredibly expensive and although bombproof are possibly ‘too’ bombproof for the UK. They are slightly over engineered in my opinion and quite bulky. So in answer to your query re the Voyager and laser comp….both are superb tents well suited to the UK and much cheaper! Would I buy another Hilleberg now….no, not unless I was going to the artic or Scotland in deep winter (both of which is unlikely to happen anytime soon!). I have used the laser comp in winter in the UK and its fine, the voyager is a just a bigger more liveable option for cold wet nights!
I myself these days have just a couple of lightish one man tents for the odd time I actually do any camping namely the Vango Blade 100 or the Blacks Octane 1. Both are under 2kg (the magic number) both have good headroom and both are simple designs. In my old(er) age, I am not so fussy 🙂
I agree that almost all 1 and 2 person Hillebergs r to low for big people. The Unna has plenty of length for me. I can’t properly sit up but I can sleep properly. So I love my Unna. I also own the ALlak. But in the allack the length is not as good as the Unna! I am 6′ 2″ in the old measure. I will write to Hilleberg to produce a higher Unna.
Forgot to say: I think the Unna is actually less flappy in high winds than the 3 poled ALlak . That’s a surprise. The Unna has a very curved low profile shape with much more leg room than the ALlak.
smaller tent may have something to do with it. I do like the Unna just not enough these days! 🙂
Hi everyone! I just ordered the Unna and I’m sooo exited! Cant wait for the weekend to try it outdoors. My ambition is to use it for two people (me and gf), so I will get back to you regarding that. /Daniel from Stockholm
Well, I hope you have a good weekend adventure in it. Let us know how you get on 🙂
10 years on and I’m just encountering the same dilemma, although I think the Unna has it for me (interior living space) – you can unpack your rucksack and then leave it outside in a bin bag ? The 15% cheaper cost is also a bonus.
I don’t understand why the Soulo seems to have dominated the Hilleberg market in the UK… and is the danger of cooking in a vestibule any different to cooking in the living space – all nylon melts and ventilation should be a given ?